A specialist nurse has extensive nursing and medical knowledge for a specific health care area. The intensive care nurse observes and assesses patients' physical and mental functions and conditions and initiate and carry out specific medical treatments.
Education level: Master's level
Prerequisites
A Nursing licence issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Special requirements: Nursing degree (180 ECTS credits) including a degree project of at least 15 ECTS cr, or Bachelor?s degree in health care, or equivalent qualifications. Professional experience as a full-time nurse for at least 12 months. Upper secondary level Swedish 2 or B/Swedish as a second language 2 or B and English 6 or A, or equivalent.
The theoretical courses are offered as part-time distance education with on-campus meetings at Karlstad University. The practical placement comprises 12 weeks full-time. A degree project 15 ECTS cr is required and gives students the opportunity to specialise in the intensive care area. Instruction is netbased and requires computer skills. NB! Application must include certificates verifying your qualifications and be sent to Antagningsservice, R 312, 106 53 STOCKHOLM.
Form of Instruction
Students work on assignments individually or in groups via a computer based platform. Instruction is also in the form of on-campus lectures and seminars.
Examination
Examination formats vary and may be oral or written, individual or in pair. Practical performance is also assessed. Examination usually takes place at the end of each course, module, or unit.
Professional Contact
Students are offered practical placement in the county councils of Värmland and Örebro. There are 10 places in each county council. Other arrangements may be made on agreement between all parties concerned. Students may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses in connection with the practical placement.
*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.
The intensive care nurse is qualified to work as a specialist nurse in intensive care units with a focus on the complex needs of multi-diseased patients.
Degree
The professional degree awarded is Graduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing - Intensive Care.The general degree awarded is a Master of Science 60 Credits with a Major in Nursing Science. The degree requirements are specified in the Programme Study Plan. Graduates are eligible to move on towards a two-year Master's degree or to a doctoral programme.
Further Studies
Upon completion of the programme students may move on to doctoral studies. Students need to meet the prerequisites for doctoral studies in the subject chosen.
