Degree Programme in Public Health Nursing: MTERSK16

Descriptions

STUDY OBJECTIVES
Nursing is based on a holistic perspective on and respect for human beings. Nursing meets healthcare needs that relate to human existence and the well-being of people. In society, nursing promotes and maintains the population's health and well-being, prevents and treats illnesses and reduces harm and impairment due to illness by supporting self-treatment, empowerment, independent coping and rehabilitation as well as relieving suffering. Nursing is by its nature community-oriented and public.
Nursing helps people of all ages in different life situations and environments. Nursing contributes to implementing and shaping the objectives of society's health policies as well as promoting sustainable development. Based on this societal mission, the objective of the Degree Programme in Nursing is to train qualified nursing experts who have extensive and in-depth professional competence.

Expertise in nursing comprehends the ability to develop and improve practices based on researched data as well as competence in evidence-based nursing work, entrepreneurship, international activities, social influencing and lifelong learning as a member of the information society. The foundation for an expert in nursing is always to act adhering to ethical responsibility and the promotion of good life. Working in nursing requires strong ethical, critical and professional skills in professional thinking and decision-making. Those who have completed the degree can actively acquire and evaluate information and its use as the basis of their actions. They will develop their own skills further when working as an expert in nursing.

The curriculum of the Degree Programme in Nursing is based on:
- the objectives and future prospects highlighting health promotion and responding to the population's health problems in line with Finland's health policies
- legislation on health care professionals
- international agreements and recommendations, EU directive 2013/55/EU in particular
- the competence descriptions laid out by the Terveysalan ammattikorkeakoulutus 2005 (Polytechnic Education in the Health Care Sector) work group founded by the Ministry of Education (www.minedu.fi/julkaisut/)
- the innovation competences in individual, community and network skills laid out by Turku University of Applied Sciences
- the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 6
- the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (www.minedu.fi/OPM) Level 6
- the Koulutuksella osaamista asiakaskeskeisiin ja moniammatillisiin palveluihin (Competence in Customer-focused and Multi-professional Services through Education) (STM (2012) publication of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health - innovation pedagogics, lifelong learning and regional impact, in accordance with the strategy of Turku University of Applied Sciences.

A public health nurse (Bachelor of Public Health Nursing) is a professional who promotes health and anticipates change as well as acts as an innovator. The premise for working in public health nursing is the ability to know and recognise trends and forecasts in the development of society and the population and know what effect different decisions have on health. A public health nurse works as a professional who enhances the conditions in families' and communities' life and participates in the development work of a healthy environment. The basis for the work of a public health nurse is an image of the community consisting of the population's structures and needs as well as the citizens' state of health and well-being. He or she works as a nursing expert and co-ordinator in healthcare centres, homes, schools and workplaces as well as in organisations, communities and different healthcare organisations. Those who have completed the degree will become legally qualified health care professionals to work as public health nurses

A public health nurse (Bachelor of Public Health Nursing) is a nursing expert, whose mission in society is to support individuals, families and communities to define, achieve and maintain their health in changing circumstances and different operating environments, such as basic healthcare, specialist healthcare, social services and in the private and third sector.

COMPETENCE DESCRIPTION
A nurse is able to carry out and develop nursing, which both promotes and maintains health, prevents illnesses and heals and rehabilitates. A nurse works independently as a nursing expert when treating patients and, at the same time, carries out medical treatment of the patient as prescribed by the doctor. A nurse supports the resources of people and communities in different life situations. He or she helps people to deal with illness, disability and death. A nurse works in co-operation with different professional groups. Education of nurses is governed by EU directive 2013/55/EU. Those who have completed the degree will become legally qualified health care professionals to work as nurses.

The process of professional growth will advance in accordance with the annual themes of the curriculum. As the studies progress, the student evaluates his or her own competence in relation to the learning objectives of the degree. Professional growth will be supported throughout the studies.

The competences of a nurse according to the EU directive 2013/55
a) competence to independently diagnose the nursing care required using current theoretical and clinical knowledge and to plan, organise and implement nursing care when treating patients on the basis of the knowledge and skills in order to improve professional practice
b) competence to work together effectively with other actors in the health sector, including participation in the practical training of health personnel on the basis of the knowledge and skills
c) competence to empower individuals, families and groups towards healthy lifestyles and self-care on the basis of the knowledge and skills
d) competence to independently initiate life-preserving immediate measures and to carry out measures in crises and disaster situations
e) competence to independently give advice to, instruct and support persons needing care and their attachment figures
f) competence to independently assure the quality of, and to evaluate, nursing care
g) competence to comprehensively communicate professionally and to cooperate with members of other professions in the health sector
h) competence to analyse the care quality to improve his own professional practice as a nurse responsible for general care

The competence goals of the Degree Programme in Nursing, Specialisation in Public Health Nursing
Health promotion
Public health nursing for individuals, families and communities
Promotion of a healthy and safe environment
Influencing society in public health nursing

Annual themes
1 Expert in nursing basics
The student shall learn the necessary basic knowledge and skills required for a nurse (Bachelor's Degree) in studying nursing and practising healthcare. He or she shall build the foundation for a nurse's professional identity.
2 Expert in the basics of the different areas of nursing
The student shall learn the basics of the different areas of nursing and gain practice in nursing skills. His or her professional growth shall continue. His or her professional identity shall continue to unfold.
3 Expert in specialist issues in nursing
The student shall learn and gain experience in specialist nursing issues and become familiar with the basics of developing nursing work. His or her professional identity shall become stronger and commitment to the profession deeper.
4 Expert in nursing / Expert in public health nursing
The student shall deepen his or her skills in public health nursing and respective development.
He or she shall have formed a nurse's professional identity and he or she shall be able to develop the profession.

STRUCTURE OF STUDIES AND STUDY CONTENTS
The studies are formed according the structure
• basic studies 30 ECTS
• professional studies 95 ECTS
• practice 85 ECTS
• bachelor’s thesis 15 ECTS
• optional studies 15 ECTS

Studies consist of core and professional studies, a final project and the related maturity test, free-choice modules and guided work placement promoting vocational skills. The studies are structured mainly into modules that refer to a unit or area of competence that is wider than the study unit supporting the student's learning in mastering integral areas. The student shall complete studies in entrepreneurship as part of his or her studies.

The objective of core studies is that the student develops his or her skills in communications and internationalism, adopts evidence-based researching work methods in his or her studies and as a healthcare expert, and acquires the language skills stipulated in government decree 1129/2014.
The objective of professional studies is that the student internalises ethically high standards and principles of health promotion in his or her working methods. He or she will develop in addressing health problems of people of different ages and will become familiar with the integral problem areas and adaptations in his or her respective professional field as well as their scientific grounds, so that he or she will be able to work independently in expert duties, development work and as an entrepreneur in his or her field. The theoretical background of professional studies lies in healthcare knowledge based on nursing science, which the student will apply together with the knowledge base of other sciences that are relevant to the profession.

Work placement (nursing work 85 cr), is an integral part of the studies in the nursing studies. The student shall complete part of the guided work placement in class and simulation exercises in university classroom environment, where he or she shall practise and develop his or her basic skills in order to continue studies in different nursing and operational environments. During the work placement study units, the student shall systematically develop his or her concept of and skills in nursing, deepening his or her study objectives when transferring from one study unit to another. Practical training is guided by qualified staff and a teacher of the University of Applied Sciences, and it is implemented under the supervision of nursing staff in units that have the appropriate number of qualified nursing staff and appropriate equipment for nursing care. The educational institute providing nursing education is responsible for integrating the theoretical and clinical training during the entire studies. Studying in the Degree Programme in Nursing takes place, in part, in the university and, in part, in various healthcare and working life units. Work placement will be systematically integrated with other studies and will be assessed in genuine patient, client and healthcare contexts. To complete the work placement study unit as laid out in the curriculum, the student may apply for recognition of work performed in employment that must be suitable in terms of the degree the student is studying.

The bachelor thesis (15 cr) shall demonstrate the student's aptitude to work independently and use research-based data in a critical manner. Bachelor’s thesis is carried out in working-life-oriented research and development projects. The maturity test is a written essay in the field of the final project that demonstrates knowledge of the field and competence in Finnish or another language of education.

Free-choice studies will help the student to improve and expand his or her professional nursing skills. Free-choice modules are included in the core and vocational studies.

Part-time education is planned and implemented in a way that the students are able to complete their studies while working at the same time. Stydying in the degree programme is based on the premises of innovation pedagogics defined in the strategy of Turku University of Applied Sciences. Innovation pedagogics combines learning, producing new information and applying the knowledge acquired. In multiform education innovation pedagogics means, for example, innovative teaching methods, different social learning environments, alternative methods for completing studies, flexible curricula, internationalism and entrepreneurial activities. In practice, innovation pedagogics refers to an approach to learning and tuition that emphasises orientation on working life and focus on research and development.
The principles of adult pedagogy are applied in the planning and implementation of the part-time studies. The students are seen as active learners who are motivated to self-development, ongoing continuous education and maintaining and developing their professional skills. The needs of the students completing their studies while working at the same time are taken into consideration by implementing the studies with the help of multiform methods. The studymethods vary from lecturing, internet-based network and simulation, independent studies and practical training.

Contact teaching is approximately 4-6 days per month. Independent student work, interactive online studies and study guidance during the studies is significant. The Optima learning environment is an important channel of information and interaction, and it is taken into use at the start of the studies.
As part of the studies, students shall participate in various joint research and development projects of the University of Applied Sciences. In the different study modules, the research and development activities of the degree programme are realised as, for example, working-life-oriented final projects and project studies. Students become familiar with entrepreneurship in theoretical studies and individual entrepreneurship training (5 cr). The student's earlier entrepreneurial competence may also be accreditated. The student's competence will be assessed based on certificates or other evidence.
Nursing studies are implemented partly in the University of Applied Sciences and partly in health care and working life units.

THESIS
The bachelor thesis (15 cr) shall demonstrate the student's aptitude to work independently and use research-based data in a critical manner. Final projects are carried out in working-life-oriented research and development projects. The maturity test is a written essay in the field of the final project that demonstrates knowledge of the field and competence in Finnish or another language of education.

INTERNATIONALIZATION
The objective of internationalism is that the student will widen his or her global perspective, learn to understand different cultures and be able to work in a multicultural working environment. Different forms of internationalism in studies include studies in the English language, studies abroad, tutoring exchange students and various seminars and projects. Studies abroad are part of the degree completed in Finland in a manner to be agreed on separately and will not extend the study time. The degree programme contains 30 cr of compulsory English studies (15 cr compulsory study modules and 15 cr integrated in implementation plans).

POSTGRADUATE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
The bachelor degree provides opportunity to continue studies in the Master degree of University of Applied Science or Master degree in the University. In the Turku University of Applied Sciences it is possible to continue studies in the following master programmes:
• Management and Leadership
• Rehabilitation (under certain circumstances)
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Health Promotion

Further information

The studies have been divided into modules. Completion of a module requires achieving the level of competence laid out in the approval criteria. Learning assessment evaluates the development in expertise and its requirements. Assessment provides guidance for and develops learning, and it focuses on both the learning process and results. Continuous evaluation supports the student in setting his or her own targets and assessing them as well as in identifying his or her own strengths and areas of development with the help of peer and self-assessment. Assessment is carried out as versatile evaluation of the mastery of core competences, where the student has the option to select an individual way to demonstrate his or her learning as agreed. Learning assessment will be carried out as closely as possible to the real situation requiring the competence. Passing the guided work placement requires participation to the extent of the credits specified in the curriculum, progress in line with the set targets, and reaching the targets. Right from the start of his or her studies, the student shall be building an individual portfolio of completed competences, with the help of which students can demonstrate their individual areas of expertise, both during the studies and after completing the degree.

On specified grounds while completing the degree (Recognition and acknowledegment of the student's previous learning = RPL), the student may be accredited for studies completed in other Finnish or foreign academic institutions that meet the competence requirements of the degree. Based on prior education in the healthcare sector, work experience and other evidence, studies of the first term may be accredited. In addition, the student can apply for accreditation of other competence of similar standard acquired by some other means (such as work experience). The student's competence will be assessed based on certificates or other evidence. The onus for demonstrating evidence for studies and competence is on the student.

The overall objective of guidance counselling and learning support is that the student will advance in his or her studies following the group's curriculum. The student will draw up his or her individual study plan (e-HOPS) under guidance, which will direct study progress in terms of time, contents and methodology. With the individual study plan, the student will develop his or her skills in relation to the learning objectives set in the curriculum. If the student falls behind, he or she will be guided to seek support as early as possible from the teacher tutor or guidance counsellor.

Learning nursing expertise is a process promoted by supporting the student with different types of tutoring. The student will receive guidance right from the start of the studies, and each student group has a designated teacher tutor. Tutoring may be individual or take place in groups, and it can be related to theoretical studies and/or the work placement. Guidance will also be available from module teachers and guidance counsellors.

Progress of the individual study plan is monitored and updated as the studies progress, in connection with development discussions held with the teacher tutor. The student bears the responsibility for the progress of the studies and seeking guidance where needed.

The student will participate in the planning of tuition and its implementation in different work groups. The student will evaluate his or her learning and give feedback on the planning and implementation of tuition by module, more extensively for each term, and in the final stage of the degree for the entire degree education. The students' feedback will be taken into account in the development of the degree education.