Study Programme in Nursing
180 ECTS credits
Study programme
The Nursing Programme prepares for employment in which you can contribute to developing health care today and for the future. A nurse has an overriding nursing responsibility for the patient together with a care team. As a nurse you will meet people in all periods of life, in different areas and health care organisations.
Education level:
Basic level
Prerequisites
General admission requirements + upper secondary level Mathematics 2a/2b/2c, Natural Science 2, and Civics 1b/1a1+1a2
While studying
Education
The Nursing Programme comprises 180 ECTS credits and leads to a professional degree in nursing (Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and a nursing licence. The programme includes theoretical and clinical studies and is based on a process-oriented approach, which means that learning is considered to be an active process in which knowledge is created in interaction with others.Theoretical and clinical studies are integrated and 32 weeks are in the form of clinical placement. Basic human needs are studied to start with, followed by the need of nursing in case of symptoms and signs of ill health, nursing in emergency situations, the nursing of patients with chronic or multi-medical conditions, and finally the nurse profession. Students study nursing 105 ECTS credits, medical science 57.5 ECTS credits and social and behavioural science 10 ECTS credits, which are integrated with the various courses. There is also a degree project 15 ECTS credits. Parts of the programme can be studies abroad.
Year 1 includes: Foundations of Nursing and the Profession of the Nurse, 30 ECTS cr (nursing 13 cr, medical science 14 cr and social and behavioural science 3 cr) and Basic Clinical Nursing, 30 ECTS credits (nursing 18 cr, medical science 10 cr and social and behavioural science 2 cr). Clinical Studies comprises 30 ECTS credits.
Year 2 includes: Nursing in Relation to Symptoms and Signs of illness, 37.5 ECTS credits (nursing 22 cr, medical science 15.5 cr), Nursing in Emergency Situations, 7.5 ECTS credits (nursing 3.5 cr and medical science 4 cr), Research Methods in Nursing, 7.5 ECTS credts (7.5 cr nursing) and an optional course, 7.5 ECTS credits- Clinical Studies comprises 33 ECTS credits
Year 3 includes: Nursing in prolonged illness and multi-morbidity, 30 ECTS credits (nursing 16 cr, medical science 11 cr and social and behavioural science 3 cr), Degree project in Nursing, 15 ECTS credits (nursing 15 cr) and The Nursing Profession, Clinical Competence and Leadership, 15 ECTS credits (nursing 10 cr, medical science 3 cr, and social and behavioural science 2 cr). Clinical Studies comprises 23.5 ECTS cr.
Form of Instruction
Instruction is designed to stimulate student activity and responsibility. Individual study, group work, lectures, supervision, simulation and seminars are examples of teaching approaches.Examination
Examination formats for assessing students learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and professional conduct and approach vary. At the end of the programme students carry out a degree project in nursing and undergo a final national clinical assessment. Examination formats are specified in each individual course syllabus.Study Abroad
Students have the opportunity to study abroad (www.kau.se/utbildning/utlandsstudier). There are established networks for teacher and student exchange with the Nordic countries and in the EU.Professional Contact
Clinical placement takes place in the County of Värmland in hospital and municipal inpatient and outpatient care.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of nursing and the nursing profession (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Basic clinical nursing (End semester: 2) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Nursing in relation to symptoms and signs of illness (Obligatory) | 37.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Nursing in relation to acute situations (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Scientific methods in nursing (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Ulcers and Wound Care I (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Ulcers and Wound Care II (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Diabetes I (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Clinical nursing in an International Context (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Management of symptoms and symptom clusters (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Palliative Care (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Mental health and mental illness (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Nursing in longterm illness and multimorbidity (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Degree Project in Nursing (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Nursing profession, clinical competence and leadership (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.