BSc. Nursing
About this programme
This is a 4-years undergraduate programme in Nursing. In the first two years of study, students are required to take courses such as Critical Thinking Skills, Introduction to English Literature, Human Anatomy I, Human Physiology I, Fundamentals of Nursing, Psychology for Nurses, Professional Adjustment in Nursing, Adolescent Health, Nursing & Midwifery Informatics. In the third and final years, however, students take courses such as Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Philosophy and Practice in Palliative Care, Transitions in Child and Youth Health, Addictions and Mental Health Care, Exploring Cancer and the Role of the Nurse. Aims of the Programme Knutsford BSc. Nursing Programme is designed to offer specialised and professional training in Nursing to students in response to the growing demand for improved health care. The four-year undergraduate BSc. Nursing Programme is tailored to prepare graduates to enter the field of nursing through a fusion of theoretical classroom study and ample hands-on clinical experience. The Programme aims at preparing competent and knowledgeable nurses to provide promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. Ultimately, graduates of the programme would have developed sound academic and professional competencies for careers in Nursing and related fields. The objectives of the BSc. Programme in Nursing are to: Enable students to provide promotive, preventive, and restorative health services in line with the National Health Policies and Programmes. Develop students’ knowledge and skills in providing nursing care based on steps of the nursing process in collaboration with individuals and groups. Prepare students to make independent decisions in nursing situations and to protect and facilitate the rights of individuals and groups in pursuit of good health care. Prepare students to assume responsibilities as professionals, competent nurses to provide promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. Train students to assume the role of teacher, supervisor, and manager in a clinical/public health setting Equip students with critical thinking skills in making decisions in all situations in order to provide quality care. Train students to communicate effectively with individuals and groups, and members of the health team in order to promote effective interpersonal relationships and teamwork. Educate students on practicing within the framework of code of ethics and professional conduct, and acceptable standards of practice within the legal boundaries. Train students to be able to demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional actions by documenting and maintaining accurate and relevant intervention. Enable students to demonstrate and to apply entrepreneurial skills in nursing Prepare students to incorporate the use of nursing informatics in the care of patients and the analysis of data generated to improve care outcomes. Equip students to demonstrate an understanding of national policies and their relevance to nursing Prepare students to coordinate the health care activities provided for the patient by other categories of health care providers. Prepare students to be able to use the knowledge acquired in the principles of homeostasis to meet patients’ needs by monitoring vital signs of the patients and their reaction to disease conditions, trauma, stress, anxiety, and medication.
Entry requirements
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) Applicants: Credit Passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, including English language and Mathematics, plus three (3) relevant elective subjects. Applicants should have an aggregate score of 6-24 in the West Africa Examination Council Examinations. West African School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) Applicants: Credit Passes (A1-C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, including English language and Mathematics, plus three (3) relevant elective subjects). Applicants should have an aggregate score of 6 – 36 in the West Africa Examination Council Examinations. General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) Applicants: Credit passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus three (3) relevant elective subjects. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level Applicants: Passes in three (3) subjects (at least, one of the passes should be Grade D or better). Also, the applicant must have had credit passes (Grade 6) in five GCE Ordinary Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (for non-science students) and an Arts subject (for Science students). A pass in the General paper required. Successful candidates will be placed at Level 200. Advanced Business Certificate Examination (ABCE) Applicants: Full Diploma Certificate in ABCE. Also, the applicant must have had credit passes in five (5) subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies in the General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) or Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) or West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). ABCE candidates may be considered for admission at Level 200 of the degree programme. Higher National Diploma (HND) Applicants: HND holders must have graduated with a good HND certificate (i.e. at least 2nd Class Lower Division). First-class HND holders may be admitted to level 300 if they are pursuing the same programme. First-class HND holders may be admitted to level 200 if they are pursuing a different programme. Second Upper and Second Lower HND holders may be admitted to level 200 irrespective of whether they are pursuing the same or different programmes. Post-Secondary Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’/Diploma Holders: Applicants with Post-Secondary Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’/Diploma awarded by any institution accredited by the National Accreditation Board may apply for consideration for Level 200. University Diploma Holders: Holders of University (Tertiary) Diplomas in relevant fields (e.g Communication Studies, Journalism) awarded by institutions accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) may apply. Applicants with a Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) of at most 2.99 and at least 3.0 shall be considered for Level 200 and Level 300 respectively. Mature Students: KNUTSFORD education provides opportunities for people who could not do so earlier in their lives to further their education at the tertiary level in all its programmes after some years in the workplace. The applicant must be at least 25 years old, and show proof of age with birth certificate or any legitimate documentary proof of date of birth which is at least 5 years old at the time of application; All applicants must pass Mature Students’ Entrance Examinations conducted by Knutsford University College in English Language, Mathematics and an Aptitude Test for entry into all programmes and at all levels; iii. The applicant should show proof of passes in English Language and Mathematics in SSSCE/WASSCE. Any other standard High School level examinations (for qualifications from countries outside WAEC’s aegis should be referred to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for determination of equivalences and eligibility for admission. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE): Applicants should have credit passes in five (5) GCE ‘O’ Level subjects (including English and Mathematics) and three (3) passes in the relevant subjects at the Advanced Level. International Baccalaureate (IB): Applicants should have a minimum of grade 4 at the Higher Level in three (3) subjects relevant to the programme of choice (minimum of grade 5 for Health and Allied Sciences). Applicants should, in addition, have a minimum of grade 4 in English/Literature and Mathematics (SL). American High School Grade 12 Examinations: Applicants should have at least Final Grade point of 3.0.
Career prospects
Registered nurses have global career opportunities in community agencies, hospital settings, childcare environments, the research sector, and more. A degree in nursing can also be used as a stepping-stone to another professional degree or further studies at the graduate level.