CURRICULA > FULL-TIME, DAYTIME STUDIES > DEGREE PROGRAMME IN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing
Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care, 240 ECTS


Bachelor of Health Care

  • Programme
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Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing

Specialisations

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.

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.

In the assessment of prior learning, for example the following evidence is used:

– certificates on training programmes with similar content and other training programmes
– testimonials and further clarifications by an employer
– interviews of the student
– written and oral exams or reports
– functional or written assignments or other evidence
– presentations, portfolios

The final project/thesis and the Maturity Test cannot be submitted to the RPL procedure.

In the Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing the recognition of prior learning (RPL, or AHOT in Finnish) is based on the general and profession-specified (Registered Nurse and Registered Public Health Nurse) competences. The student can apply for the recognition of prior learning according to the instructions provided. The members of the AHOT-team in the DP in Nursing are Raija Palo, Head of DP in Nursing and RPL Coordinator Tarja Knuuttila.

The RPL Coordinators describe the process of the recognition of prior learning at the beginning of the first semester. The student evaluates her/his own competences, comparing them to the objectives of the study course or module. She/he collects all the documents needed during this process. The student must also provide a description, where she/he argues for her/his own competences compared to the objectives of the study course or module. The student must send all the electronic documents concerning the recognition of prior learning to the appointed person of the RPL (AHOT) team.

Having received the application and documentary evidence, the RPL Coordinator will contact a lecturer in charge of the course. The lecturer will examine the documents, decide about demonstration of competence, assess the evidence by comparing it to desired learning outcomes as defined for the Degree Programme. RPL Coordinator sent a suggestion to the Head of the DP on whether to recognize the student’s prior learning or not. After the final decision, the lecturer will enter the credits onto the Winha registration system. If the course is taught by a visiting lecturer, the RPL team will be responsible for the assessment and decision-making.

Students can ask for exemption from studies of the ongoing semester by applying for recognition of their previous learning by September 30 during the autumn semester and by January 31 during the spring semester.

The RPL decisions are subject to current guidelines on outdated studies and appeal practices, given in the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The studies that remain outside the RPL practice are defined for each field of study and each degree programme separately.

Qualification requirements and regulations (incl. graduation requirements)

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

Teaching in the Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing follows the constructivist theory of learning. Various kind of the student-centred, experiential, individual and collaborative learning methods enhance the student’s evidence-based learning. Simulation exercises and other excersises in the classrooms and also web-based learning methods are used as learning methods.

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.

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).

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 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, working life-oriented project studies in their personal curricula (FramiPro).

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

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

Ms Raija Palo, GSM: +358 40 830 3956, e-mail: raija.palo(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Ms Tarja Knuuttila, GSM +358 40 830 2197, e-mail: tarja.knuuttila(at)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

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.

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

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.

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.

Coordination of Practical Training

Ms Tiina Koskela, GSM +358 40 680 7144, e-mail: tiina.koskela(at)seamk.fi