BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN NURSING (BACHELOR OF HEALTHCARE) 2020A: SMM20K

Descriptions

A nurse is a healthcare expert. Nurses promote and maintain health, prevent and treat illness and alleviate suffering. This degree trains experts who can work independently in expert roles within the healthcare sector. Trained nurses are also able to develop nursing.
Internationality is promoted throughout the whole curriculum and syllabus using foreign language source material in teaching and foreign language studies. Teachers from partner universities who spend their expert exchange period at KAMK also deliver teaching in English. Furthermore, the students have the opportunity to participate in international exchanges, as well as in receptions and events that enhance international competence at home and tutoring by international students. To attain internationalization targets, the promotion of international competence at home forms part of the degree and students have the opportunity to go on a three-month international exchange abroad.
Structure of the degree:
1) Basic and professional studies 115 cr that include research, development and innovation methods (15 cr)
2) Free-choice studies 5 cr
3) Practical training 90 cr including the thesis (15 cr) and the maturity test

The objective of basic and professional studies is to provide a wide range of basic practical knowledge and skills, as well as theoretical foundations, enabling students to work as specialists in nursing or as entrepreneurs, and the skills and tools for professional development and lifelong learning. The nursing degree enables students to deepen their knowledge in a specific nursing area (30 cr) during the last semester.
The aim of the studies is also that the student masters the language skills required by the University of Applied Sciences decree (1129/2014, 7§), which are recorded in the degree certificate. Language proficiency is recorded according to the provisions of sections 15§-19§ of the Government Decree (481/2003). According to the curriculum, English language studies are integrated into two courses where language learning is assessed. Swedish language studies are implemented as a single study unit integrated into one course. Finnish language competence develops throughout the degree and is evaluated annually in different courses of study (competence matrix).
The aim of free-choice studies is to deepen and complement professional skills. Free-choice studies can be accomplished through different schemes, project studies and innovation activities. Free-choice studies may include credits from other degrees and other higher education institutions.

The aim of practical training is to familiarize students with the practical tasks essential to professional studies and to apply acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace. The nursing degree includes 90 credits of practical training, of which 15 credits are completed as a thesis commissioned by a work-based client. The aim of the thesis is to develop the essential skills to apply knowledge and practical competencies in specialist roles linked to the professional studies. The thesis process includes the opportunity for interdisciplinary cooperation, e.g. with degrees in other fields. The curriculum makes the students’ learning process visible and describes their professional growth from novice to specialist.