Nursing (day time learning) Kemi autumn 2016: K72D16S

Kuvaus

DegreeSAIRAANHOITAJA/NURSE (AMK/UAS)
BACHELOR OF HEALTH CARE


NQF - level
In the National Qualification Framework of degrees acquired in Finland the Bachelor UAS degree has been placed on level 6. The expertise required for the level 6 is described in the outline of the framework as follows:
NQF, Level 6
University of applied sciences degrees/ bachelor's degrees
Commands a wide range of advanced knowledge, which comprises theory, essential concepts, methods and the critical understanding and assessment of principles, related to one's chosen field. Understands the scope and limitations of professional duties and/or discipline. Commands advanced skills, which indicate competence in learned information, is able to apply learned knowledge and to generate creative solutions, which are needed in specialised professional, scientific and artistic fields to solve complex, unpredictable problems.
Is competent in managing complex professional activities or projects, or competent in working independently in field-related specialist job positions. Is competent in decision-making in unpredictable environments. Has basic ability to work as an independent entrepreneur. Is competent in taking charge of the assessment and development of one's know-how and the development of individual people and groups.
Is ready to engage in continuous learning. Is competent in communicating verbally and in writing with others within the field and outside the field. Is able to independently communicate and interact on the international level in one of the official languages in Finland and in at least one foreign language.
Admissions requirements
A person is an eligible applicant for studies in the university of applied sciences if s/he has completed education in an upper secondary school or s/he has completed a matriculation examination, or has vocational qualifications from Finland or corresponding qualifications from abroad. The degree programme of nursing follows the general admission criteria in Finland. In the field of social services and health care a person who does not have the functional of medical capacity required to participate in practical assignments and studies cannot be accepted. Ineligibility may also apply to those whose study place has been cancelled on a prior occasion, if issues relating to the protection of the health and safety of others so require.


Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning is statutorily regulated (352/2003, §14). Students may apply for a transfer of credits to their current degree programme for prior competence acquired elsewhere. The head of the degree programme decides, on the basis of the student’s application, which prior studies and/or practical training can be recognised, substituted or included. The UAS’s procedures for recognising prior learning (AHOT) are described in separate guidelines.
Profile of the Nursing Degree Programme
The Degree Programme of Nursing curriculum corresponds with the contents of the Finnish nursing degree programme curriculum. Kemi campus offers nursing students optional professional studies in medical – surgical nursing, mental health nursing, and perioperative and acute nursing. Medical – surgical nursing studies are offered also in English, whereas in the other optional studies the language of tuition is Finnish.
Students in the nursing programme practice their generic working life competencies and learning objectives of nurses in open and authentic learning environments guided and supervised by teachers, working life representatives and clients. The Wellness Centre in the School of Social Services, Health and Sports facilitates multi-disciplinary learning in Training Camps, the Welfare Station, simulation environments and in the Health and Welfare Van Onni. The Wellness Centre offers multi-professional learning experiences. Nursing students study and work together with students of elderly care, social services and public health nursing.
Core learning outcome
The nursing degree programme students graduate as certified nurses, who will be working in primary and specialized health care, in social services sector, or in private and third sector organisations. The degree fulfills the criteria laid down in the EU Council Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC and 89/595/EEC.
Nursing work is based on nursing sciences and other complementing sciences. Competence in nursing work requires vast knowledge and know how not only of the nursing sciences, but in pharmacology, medical sciences, other health sciences as well as social and behavioral sciences. Nurses must be able to apply evidence-based information in practical clinical situations. In addition, nurse’s work requires strong ethical and decision-making skills.
Nurses are required to be multi-skilled. A professionally competent nurse is able to implement and develop nursing work to be health promoting, health maintaining, preventive, healing and rehabilitative all at the same time. Nurses work independently with patients and as members of multi-professional teams or networks implementing holistic nursing care.
The learning goal in the nursing degree programme is for the students to develop into competent professionals who can work independently in different health care environments and roles, and who participate in developing the internationalizing nursing profession.


Graduate employment profile
Graduates from the social service and health care field are usually employed by municipalities, the private sector and organisations as experts mainly for nursing and caring, guidance, counseling and education, and for managerial and leadership positions. The current employment prospects in the social services and health care sector are good. Immediate employment in the graduation phase in year 2012 was 72,6 % (OPALA/KTAMK). Since the year 2009, the employment rate of nurses has risen steadily. Due to the ongoing changes in the population structure and retirement the employment rates will most likely keep rising.
Post-graduate qualifications
Graduates with a Bachelor of Health Care degree are qualified to continue their studies in the UAS Master’s Degree Programmes after three years of practical working experience. Graduates can also apply and continue their studies in the master programmes of the universities or corresponding educational institutes in Finland. The Finnish university of applied sciences bachelor degree is also valid in applying to a master degree programme in universities abroad.
Assessment criteria and methods
Student assessment is developmental and based on the objectives and learning outcomes in the curriculum. Assessment criteria and related requirements may be specified further by the teacher responsible for the study unit. Assessment is a fixed part of the learning process in nurse’s education. The goal of the education is development of the students’ core professional expertise and a true command of the educational material in the required areas of competence.
Successfully completed study units are assessed on a scale of failed (0), satisfactory (1 - 2), good (3 – 4), excellent (5) or a scale of failed (0) – passed (P). Assessment is done either by a single teacher or as a team assessment that links entities and includes the student’s self-assessment. Should the student fail to achieve the minimum competence requirements for a study unit, his/her performance will be assessed as failed.
Degree certificates
The basis for receiving a Bachelor’s degree certificate is achievement of the learning objectives specified in the curriculum according to the Individual Study Plan (ISP). The scope of the nurse’s degree is 210 ECTS credits.
Teaching and learning arrangements
In the School of Social Services, Health and Sports multi-disciplinary teaching and learning arrangements are used through various learning situations and in new learning environments. Students learn in contact lessons, online courses and independently. Guided clinical practice is an essential part of the learning process. Clinical practice takes place in working life placements, projects, the campus Welfare Station, the Health and Welfare Van Onni and the simulation and development environment SKY. Students are also 5
recommended to do clinical practice periods abroad in the international exchange programmes available.
The language of tuition is English. During the guided clinical placements in Finland the language of communication with the patients, clients and colleagues is Finnish.
Strategy of Lapland University og Applied SciencesThe strategic areas of focus of Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Safety and security, Managing distances, Smart use of natural resources, Arctic cooperation and cross-border expertise, Service business and entrepreneurship, run through the curriculum, and their realisation is defined in more detail in implementation plans drafted annually.