Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Bachelor of Health Care, Public Health Nursing, multimodal education

Karelia University of Applied Sciences provides multimodal education in Public Health Nursing for Bachelors of Health Care in Nursing, Emergency Care or Midwifery. The programme in Public Health Nursing (60 cr.) focuses on health promotion and supporting and strengthening the resources of children, adolescents and families at different stages of the life cycle. Furthermore, the education emphasises the prevention and treatment of diseases. Public health nursing education is closely linked to the strategic objectives of Karelia University of Applied Sciences and also supports the implementation and development of wellbeing services in sparsely populated areas. At graduation, you will have a wide range of skills and extensive knowledge enabling you to work as a public health nurse in public, private and third sector jobs or start your own business. In your studies, you use variable learning methods.

Degree

Degree title: Bachelor of Health Care
Extent: 60 cr. / 1.5 years

Description of Competences

A public health nurse (Bachelor of Health Care) is an expert in public health nursing, health promotion and public health work. Strong basic clinical knowledge and skills, good interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills are emphasised in the work of a public health nurse. The degree in public health nursing is based on the national competence requirements for general nurse education, the professional competence requirements for public health nurse education and the generic competence requirements for the degrees granted by universities of applied sciences. The competence requirements for public health nurse education are:

- Health Promoting Public Health Nursing
- Public Health Nursing of Individuals, Families and Communities
- Promotion of Healthy and Safe Environments
- Management and Development of Public Health Nursing

The work of public health nurses is affected by various changes in the service needs of the population, such as the current and future increase in the ageing of the population, immigration and multiculturalism. In addition, the transfer of duties from doctors to nurses and the evolving specialist and development tasks require continuous professional development. The work of a public health nurse requires independent decision-making skills and the courage to intervene early in the client’s situation at different stages of the life cycle.

Working in a multidisciplinary team and using health and wellbeing technology are key aspects in the work of a public health nurse. You will be able to apply your skills in new and changing contexts. The constant changes in society and working life require you to be able to continuously learn and develop your own work. This is also addressed by the common competences of the universities of applied sciences, which are, learning to learn, operating in a work place, ethics, sustainable development, internationality and multi-culturalism and proactive development.

Competence Development and the Content of Studies

In addition to evidence-based knowledge, your education will focus on interpersonal, organisational and problem-solving skills, as well as ethical and professional conduct. In the first semester, you will start to familiarise yourself with theoretical professional studies in public health nursing. You will focus in particular on the work of public health nurses in child health clinics and in school and student health services. In the second semester, you will extend your knowledge in public health nursing among working-age population and older adults and you will have practical placements in various settings. In your final semester, you will deepen your knowledge of societal public health nursing and demonstrate your ability to work as a professional who is able to carry out the work of a public health nurse independently and as a member of a work community.

Work-Related Learning

At Karelia UAS, you act as a student in a modern learning environment that has close connections with the professionals in the field. We work closely with the provincial healthcare and social service providers, who offer you a variety of practical placements. In multi-professional cooperation with our partners, we develop products, services, policies and technological solutions that support sustainable well-being. During your education, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the promotion of health and well-being and active ageing.

Pedagogical Choices

Public health nursing studies are conducted as distance learning and contact teaching, including theory, practical training and project work. The student’s independent responsibility for the progression of studies and the development of professional competence is emphasised. Modern technology and a variety of learning environments are used. Each semester, real-life client and simulation exercises are practised. The education also utilises team learning, which is goal-oriented working with team members with the emphasis on listening and participatory interaction.

Flexible Course Implementation

At the beginning of your studies, you will familiarise yourself with the public health nursing curriculum and compare its content with your previous knowledge. You have a possibility to apply for the recognition of prior studies or for the validation of the competence acquired elsewhere as part of your degree. Accreditation is based on the separate RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) procedures.
Various implementations enable flexible studying that is partly independent of time and place. Multimodal education allows you to study and work simultaneously.

Internationalisation

You have a possibility to enhance your international competence through international course supply, project work, online courses and through student exchanges. Karelia UAS cooperates with several educational institutions, for example, in Zambia, Malawi, Indonesia, Canada and Europe. The programme in Public Health Nursing collaborates in particular with corresponding programmes in Norway and Zambia. Karelia also receives a larger number of exchange students from other countries, which offers good opportunities for internationalisation at home.

Assessment

Assessment is an ongoing process throughout your studies. Assessment takes place, for example, in practical trainings, learning assignments, exams and in competence demonstrations. Students’ self-assessment, peer feedback and work-based feedback are also utilised. Studying is supported by reflection sessions where you analyse and evaluate your learning against the set learning objectives. Assessment and feedback help you to follow your development and to set new objectives for your learning. Karelia has defined general assessment principles, yet, the specific assessment criteria are explicated in course descriptions.

Career Opportunities

The degree in public health nursing will give you the qualification to work as a public health nurse. When you graduate, you will be entered as a licensed healthcare professional in the database of the Finnish National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. As a public health nurse, you can work in a wide range of jobs and settings, such as antenatal clinics, child health clinics, contraceptive clinics, school and student health services, occupational health services, outpatient clinics, older people services, various communities and organisations as well as in expert, education and project positions.

Job and professional titles for public health nurses could include, among others, public health nurse, expert in development, planning and education, project expert or manager, healthcare planner, pharmaceutical representative, nurse researcher, care manager and e-professional. The Finnish public health nursing degree will enable you to work as a professional in different parts of the world.

Transformation of work and personal career progress require continuous learning after the degree is completed. As a qualified public health nurse, you can take specialisation studies as part of your continuing professional education. Furthermore, you can continue your studies at master level in a university or a university of applied sciences and this can open recruitment opportunities for expert, development and management jobs. Teacher-tutors and study counsellors support your career planning throughout your studies.