Degree Programme in Nursing

Objectives

After completing your nursing degree, you are a competent and professional nursing expert. Your work is independent, diverse and responsible. You have extensive nursing knowledge and are able to operate in changing and unpredictable nursing situations.
You are able to plan, implement, evaluate and develop nursing for patients and clients of different ages in multidisciplinary working groups and different operating environments. You also have a good chance of finding employment in international jobs.

The work of a nurse is constantly changing with the development of health services and technology, among other things. Upon graduation, you will be able to operate and meet patients and clients in the social and health care sector also in electronic services and in various virtual communities. You have special expertise in remote and digital services as well as service management.

Degree programme description

The curriculum for the nursing degree is based on the EU directives on general nursing and the nationally defined competence requirements for general nursing, which also include the common areas of expertise of the University of Applied Sciences. A nationwide examination of the core competence of a nurse is conducted at the end of the studies to ensure the required core competence in nursing.

The degree is built on core competence and complementary competence. Core competence comprises the knowledge, skills, and competences that a nurse must master at work and serve as the basis for learning new things. Complementary competence deepens and expands the core competence of the degree.

During practical training, various treatment and control situations are practised. Modern simulation and training facilities with modern equipment allow for realistic learning situations.

About one-third of the studies consist of practical training in units where nurses work. Practical training periods are conducted in primary and specialised healthcare and third-sector offices.

The nursing degree consists of the following study modules:

CORE COMPETENCE
Common studies
Basics of nursing
Nursing of chronic diseases
Family wellbeing and nursing
Surgical and acute nursing
Decision-making in nursing
Practical training
Bachelor's thesis

COMPLEMENTARY COMPETENCE
Professional optional studies
Advanced training


CORE COMPETENCE

The "Common studies" study module includes study and workplace skills, language and communication studies, and research and development skills. Language and communication studies will help you communicate verbally and in writing in the nursing profession, so you will be able to communicate and interact internationally in Swedish and English. In research and development competence, you will learn key research and development methods in your field, stages of the research and development process, ethical principles and scientific reporting.

In the "Basics of nursing work" study module, you will learn human anatomy and physiology, basics of nursing skills, patient safety, pharmacotherapy, drug calculation and the retrieval and utilisation of evidence-based knowledge, and the promotion and guidance of wellbeing. You apply what you learn in practical exercises and simulations.

The study module "Nursing of chronic diseases" includes medication and IV fluid therapy, nursing of a patient with internal disease, diagnostic examinations, care of older adults, substance abuse, mental health and crisis nursing. You will learn how to apply theoretical knowledge in clinical exercises.

In the "Family wellbeing and nursing" study module, you will learn the key nursing functions required in maternity and female nursing as well as in child and adolescent nursing. You will learn to support the sexual and reproductive health of clients.

In the "Surgical and acute nursing" study module, you will learn the essential treatment procedures and diagnostic examinations required for surgical and acute nursing as part of the patient's overall care. You will learn how to design and implement nursing for patients with various diseases in surgery and acute care.

In the "Decision-making in nursing" study module, you apply decision-making skills in clinical nursing. You know how to lead yourself and understand the importance of management in nursing.

The practical training to promote professional skills includes 30 weeks of practical training periods of different lengths in a workplace. In practical training, you will learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge you have learned to practical nursing skills.

In the bachelor's thesis, you apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your studies by planning, implementing, reporting and evaluating a practical, nursing work-related research or development work, such as the production of guidance materials used in nursing, an empirical survey related to nursing, or a literature review.


COMPLEMENTARY COMPETENCE

In the nursing complementary competence studies, you can deepen and expand your competence in your chosen areas of expertise in theory and apply your competence in practical working life.
Professional optional studies
Advanced practical training


Complementary competence at Xamk

Complementary competence comprises students' optional studies. Complementary competence deepens or expands the core competence of the degree programme and allows you to specialise in a particular area. For professional optional studies, you can choose from individual courses or study modules in accordance with your personal study plan. The complementary competence selection includes Xamk-level multidisciplinary online studies, field-specific studies, and degree programme specific studies.

Other optional studies included in complementary competence are higher education courses that students can freely choose. You can choose up to 15 ECTS credits of other optional studies. You may also complete complementary competence study modules or courses from the selection of other higher education institutions, where applicable. The scope of complementary competence is, depending on the scope of core competence studies, 45–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 210 credits and 60–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 240 credits.

Implementation of studies

At Xamk, the nursing degree programme is organised at the Kotka, Mikkeli and Savonlinna campuses as blended studies. The duration of studies is about 3.5 years, and the scope of studies is 210 ECTS.

Your blended studies consist of independent study, online meetings and contact teaching. Online learning is flexible but requires you to carefully plan your study schedule and identify your own resources. Theoretical studies include scheduled online meetings, various online assignments and theory workshops. Clinical skills in nursing, such as various labs and simulations, will be studied as contact teaching on campus.

You do a lot of independent work, but you are supported by a network of teachers and other students.

Your studies include practical training, and in them, your working hours follow the working time system of the training unit and the working hours of the supervising nurse. Practical training takes place about five days a week but may vary depending on the training unit. Training can take place at all times of the day and even on the weekend.


Flexible study opportunities

At the beginning of the studies, you prepare your personal study plan (PSP) which helps you make choices related to the studies, practical training, bachelor's thesis and international activities. We make every effort to ensure that you can plan your studies in the best way possible, according to your own life situation.

The studies are implemented using various methods:
· lectures
· independent assignments
· teamwork
· online studies
· projects with companies and other organisations
· projects carried out at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
· examinations
· practical training.

Career opportunities

Almost 100% employment after graduation

As a nurse, you will work in a variety of social and healthcare organisations or in the private sector. Employment opportunities exist both at home and abroad.

Your workplace may be in a hospital inpatient ward, outpatient clinic, surgical ward, intensive care unit, home care, various rehabilitation and nursing homes, or healthcare clinics.
The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Nursing meets the criteria set by the Council of Europe for nursing education and the training of nurses responsible for general care.

Only a graduated, licensed professional can work as a registered nurse. After completing your studies, you will apply for a license from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.

More information on professional rights is available on Valvira's website.

RDI and cooperation with world of work

Almost half of the studies are conducted in cooperation with the world of work. Clinical practice in different nursing environments strengthens your working skills and participation in multi-professional networks. The bachelor’s thesis is related to local development projects or other work-related development tasks.

Cooperation between teaching and RDI (research, development and innovation) provides you with experience in development projects connected to local, national or European networks.

Cooperation between RDI and teaching gives you opportunities to participate in local, national and international development projects. The Degree Programme in Nursing is part of Xamk’s Sustainable Wellbeing focus area, which aims to promote the wellbeing of individuals and communities and develop new service models.

Learning environments

In nursing studies, much of the learning is gained using simulations and online studies. Modern simulation environments are available on all Xamk campuses. They include various hospital environments and domestic environments.

Practical training included in the studies is carried out in different healthcare environments.