Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM

Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing, daytime education

Karelia UAS nursing education emphasizes health promotion; disease prevention and treatment; and patient/client self-care. Nursing education is linked to the strategic objectives of the UAS in supporting the implementation and development of welfare services in sparsely populated areas. After completing your training, you will have developed a wide range of skills to work as a nurse in the public, private and third sectors or as an entrepreneur. Various learning methods will be included in your studies. You can also do part of your studies abroad.

Degree

Degree title: Bachelor of Health Care, language-supported
Extent: 210 credits / 3.5 years

Description of competences

The nurse (Bachelor of Health Care) is a specialist in holistic nursing. The nurse's work focuses on assessing, guiding and supporting the client's care needs and functional capacity. Furthermore, the specialism embraces assistance in basic activities of daily living, monitoring vital functions, administering medication, and performing nursing procedures and examinations. The aim of nursing care is always to maintain and strengthen the client's/patient's functional capacity and support self-care.

Working in a multidisciplinary team and using health and wellbeing technology are important in nursing. You will be able to apply your skills with confidence in a variety of situations. Learning skills and the ability to develop your own work are important in the constantly changing society and work.

The nursing degree is based on the National Competence Requirements for general nursing and the Common Competence Requirements for UAS degrees. The National Competence Requirements for nursing education are:
• professionalism and ethics
• client-oriented care
• communication and multi-professionalism
• health promotion
• leadership and employee skills
• information technology and documentation
• guidance and teaching skills and support for self-care
• clinical nursing
• evidence-based practice, utilisation of research findings and decision-making
• entrepreneurship and development of one’s professional practice
• quality management
• the social and health care service system, and
• patient and client safety

The Common Competence Requirements for universities of applied sciences are:
• learning to learn
• operating in a workplace
• ethics
• sustainable development
• internationality and multiculturalism, and
• proactive development

Competence Development and the Content of Studies

Evidence-based knowledge, interpersonal, organisational and problem-solving skills, and ethical and professional conduct are emphasized in training. In your initial studies, you will learn basic nursing skills and the prevention and treatment of long-term illnesses. In the second year of studies, you will focus on nursing care of the elderly, mental health care and substance abuse treatment, and care for surgical and short-stay procedure patients. In the third year, you will study nursing care for children, young people and families. You will also learn how to critically review and develop the quality of nursing and patient safety. The final semester of your studies focuses on deepening your knowledge as a professional member of the work community.

You will practise multidisciplinary nursing during your studies. You will work together with students of public health nursing, physiotherapy, social services and applied gerontology during theory courses and internships.

The language-supported training for nurses (210 credits) includes:
• 176 credits of nursing studies
- 81 credits of theoretical nursing studies
- 75 credits of practical training
- 15 credits of research and development of thesis
- 5 credits of optional studies
• 34 credits of language studies
- 26-29 credits of Finnish language and communication
- 5–8 credits of foreign language

Work-related learning

At Karelia UAS you will study in a modern learning environment, closely connected with the professionals in the field. We cooperate with the county social and health care organisations. They offer a wide range of internships. Together with our partners, we develop products, services, operating models and technological solutions that support sustainable well-being. During your studies, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the promotion of health and well-being and age-friendly living.

Pedagogical choices

The first two years of nursing studies are supported by the first language of the group or English. In addition, the language-supported nursing curriculum offers an increased number of Finnish language and communication studies. Finnish language and communication studies will draw on topics related to nursing. This ensures that you will have the necessary Finnish language skills to become a nurse by the time you graduate.

The curriculum is taught face-to-face. Modern technology and a variety of learning environments are used. Each semester, real-life nursing situations are practised in clinical lessons and simulation exercises. The emphasis is on cooperative learning.

Internationalisation

You can enhance your international competence in different ways, for example through a choice of courses, project work, online courses and international student exchange. Karelia UAS cooperates with several educational institutions abroad, e.g. in Zambia, Malawi, Indonesia, Canada and Europe. You will be able to participate in international study exchange or practical training in partner institutions. During the exchange programmes the language of study is usually English. Karelia UAS receives a large number of exchange students from other countries, offering good opportunities for internationalisation at home.

Skills assessment

Assessment is an ongoing process. Your skills will be assessed during internships and theoretical studies. In addition to self-assessment, you will be assessed by your teachers, placement supervisors and peers. Your learning will be supported by reflection on the comparison between your skills and the established objectives. Through assessment and feedback, you will monitor your progress and set new goals. Common Assessment Criteria are implemented in Karelia UAS. Curriculum specific assessment criteria are given in the course descriptions.

Career opportunities and guidance

After your graduation as a nurse, you will be registered as a Licensed Health Professional in the Finnish National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) database. You will be able to work in a wide range of jobs and settings, such as hospitals, health centres, outpatient clinics, inpatient departments, nursing homes, telecare, healthcare organisations or your own company. The job and professional title Nurse may include Specialist in Development, Training and Planning, Project Specialist or Manager, Healthcare Planner, Pharmaceutical Representative, Nurse Researcher, Care Manager, E-Professional, among others. A Finnish nursing degree will also give you the opportunity to work as a professional in many parts of the world.

Changes in professional practices and personal career development require continuous skills development after graduation. Specialisation studies after graduation will allow you to update your skills, knowledge and practices. You can also continue your studies at a Master’s level in a university or university of applied sciences. This may open further employment opportunities for you, for example in specialist, development and management positions. When planning your career, you will be supported by teacher tutors and study counsellors throughout your studies.