Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing
- Degree
- Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Health Care
- Credits
- 240 ects
Name of the Degree Programme
Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing
Field of study
Health and welfare
The classification of the educational field is based on the international ISCED classification used by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Qualification awarded
- Bachelor of Health Care, Registered Public Health Nurse, Registered Nurse
Level of qualification
The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the degree represents level 6.
The description of the level of the Degree is included in the Statute, at
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170120
Specific admission requirements
Eligibility for studies at a university of applied sciences is stipulated in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014.
The selection criteria are specified in the data of the Degree Programme at www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku
On the websites, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.
Qualification requirements and regulations (incl. graduation requirements)
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Examination regulations, assessment and grading
Students must obtain the grade pass or a numerical grade for all studies in the degree programme, including those obtained through recognition of prior learning.
Link
Structure of the studies
In accordance with the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, the studies of a Degree Programme consist of basic studies, professional studies, practical training promoting professional skills, free elective studies, and a final project/thesis.
The public health nursing education (240 credits) contains Basic Studies common to all in SeAMK 20 credits. Basic studies on Social and Health Care 8-10 credits, Free-Choice Studies 5 credits, Profession- Spesific Nursing Studies 205 credits, which contain Practical Training 90 credits and Bachelor`s Thesis and Maturity 15 credits. The public health nursing education contains the general nurse education.
Students complete 60 credits per academic year. Students have a possibility to apply for the interdisciplinary studies (max 30 credits) in the FramiPro learning environment offered to all students of Seinäjoki UAS. FramiPro studies mainly involve working life projects undertaken during the third year.
The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.
- The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
- The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies.
- The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
- The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill.
- The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.
Students have the opportunity to include multidisciplinary, workinglife -oriented project studies in their personal curricula (FramiPro). The recommended timing for multidisciplinary working life projects is the third and fourth semester.
Learning outcomes
The aims of the public health nursing education are based on the national Nurse`s and Public Health Nurse`s professional competences goals, which have been described in the general part of the curricula
Profile of the programme
The purpose of the Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing is to train experts of public health nursing, whose work is based on evidence-based multi-disciplinary knowledge, extensive public health nursing competence and high ethical standards. Registered Public Health Nurses (UAS) are qualified to examine, evaluate and develop their public health nursing competence, professional work, work community and professional field. They plan, implement and develop public health nursing in national and international contexts.
Registered Public Health Nurses (UAS) are licensed to practise professional nursing. The training abides by the directives of the European Council pertaining to the education of nurses responsible for general care.
Registered public health nurses work as independent experts of nursing in primary health care, specialised medical services, social services and in the private and third sectors. They support, nurse and counsel healthy and ill individuals of all ages, families, groups, and communities. Public health nurses implement and develop evidence-based nursing/public health nursing to promote and maintain their patients' health, to prevent and cure illness, to ensure rehabilitation and to implement medical care prescribed.
Generic and subject specifc competences
Competencies are extensive knowledge entities, or combinations of the individual’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. They describe qualifications, performance potential, and the ability to cope with professional duties.
Common/general competencies are fields of know-how common to different Degree Programmes, but their special characteristics and importance may vary between professions and work assignments. General competencies form the basis for professional activities, cooperation, and the development of expertise. According to Arene’s (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) recommendations, general competencies include learning skills, ethical competence, cooperation skills, innovation skills, and internationalization skills. In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, entrepreneurial skills and quality management skills are emphasized in the degree studies of SeAMK as competencies common to all.
Degree programme-specific competencies form the basis for the development of the student’s professional expertise.
Pedagogical approach and learning environment
Teaching in the Degree Programme in Public Health of Nursing follows the socio-constructivism theory of learning. Various kinds of student-centered, experiential, individual and collaborative learning methods enhance the student’s evidence-based learning. There are various learning methods: theory-lessons, digital learning-platforms, skills-labs, simulation practice and other kinds of practices and assignments. The web-based learning supports the development of the nursing competence. Independent study is part of the programme. Some study modules can happen abroad, during an exchange, according to an individual study plan. In addition, students can complete courses within SeAMKPro multidisciplinary learning environment according to an individual study plan.
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
The RPL procedure means the identification and recognition of the student’s previously acquired learning. The student has the opportunity to apply for the recognition of their competencies if the competencies correspond to the learning goals of the Degree Programme. The identification process is closely connected with the preparation of the student’s personal curriculum and is updated during personal counselling discussions.
The identification and recognition practices are presented in the RPL Instruction of SeAMK. It specifies how recognition of competencies is applied for, how the application is processed, and how the student is informed of it. The instruction lists the RPL contact persons of each Degree Programme, who counsel students on matters related to the process.
Work-based learning and work placements
The student’s salaried work during their studies and the competencies achieved through it can be used in order to complete a course. This is referred to as employment-integrated learning, and it can also be related to voluntary work or hobbies. It is essential that the things learnt through working contribute to the attainment of the learning goals of the course. Learning achieved through employment-integrated learning can be verified, for instance, through skills demonstrations and assignments.
Occupational profiles
Key competences in public health nursing involve promoting the health of individuals, families, communities and environment; prevention of illness; planning, implementation and evaluation of client-centred public health nursing and clinical expertise. Other key competences involve client and patient counselling and teaching, and ability to work in multi-professional teams. Finally, the key competences involve use and command over nursing scientific research and evidence-based knowledge as well as nursing management and quality management.
After completing the vocational language studies the student is able to communicate in spoken and written situations related to his field of study. He can search for information and follow the development of his professional field in the target language.
Internationalization
International student and teacher mobility is implemented through exchange programmes and collaborative networks. The most important mobility programmes are Erasmus+, North-South-South, Nordplus and programmes implemented by CIMO. It is our goal to increase the volume of student and teacher mobility and to improve the contents of the international experience to meet the development needs of the Degree Programme.
Concrete development areas involve creating a network of expert lecturers together with partner universities and to make it possible for students to undertake theoretical studies in the target country. We will also increase and develop the volume and content of international intensive courses and increase students’ possibilities to write their Bachelor’s Theses in cooperation with international partners.
Students will be encouraged to collaborate with immigrants and international students by awarding credit points for these activities within the framework of Free-Choice Studies Students are also encouraged to take part in international exchage programmes.
As regards the curriculum, our goal is to develop joint theoretical and practical studies for Finnish and international students. Our goal is to assure that international and multi-cultural dimensions are visible in the studies. Much of the study material and virtual learning environments are in foreign languages.
Access to further studies
Upon completion of the programme and after three years of work experience, students are eligible to begin second cycle (master level) studies. The receiving higher education institution determines acceptance into the programme. Universities of Applied Sciences offer a number of second cycle degrees. e.g. Registered Nurse (UAS Master's Degree) Public Health Nurse (UAS Master's Degree).
Graduation requirements
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates at Intra.
Mode of study
Theoretical and lab skills studies mostly take place during the day-time between 8-18 o`clock. Students will be informed of studies undertaken at other times. Regular attendance and participation is expected and students must complete their learning assignments in time. The practical training periods included in the education will partly run in three shifts in the home country or abroad, depending on the nature of the nursing area. Theoretical and lab skills studies and practical training periods can also be undertaken in projects.
Student-centred, multi-form learning methods are applied. Regular attendance and participation is expected in theoretical and lab skills studies and in simulation and other exersises. Part of the studies are implemented independently, as individual work, in small groups or online. To be able to graduate in time, students are expected to follow the study programmes planned for each academic year, to regularly attend and participate in all classroom activity and to complete all learning assignments in time.
Head of degree programme
Marja-Kristiina Store; kristiina.store@seamk.fi
Student counsellor
Virpi Rantanen, virpi.rantanen@seamk.fi
Coordination of international mobility
Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Outgoing student exchanges to Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Incoming and outgoing student exchanges outside Europe
Student services
Tel. +358 20 124 5055, studentservices@seamk.fi