Bachelor of Nursing

The Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme specialises in training students to become competent nurses, focusing primarily on adults and children’s health process within the context of holistic person-centred care and contemporary nursing practice. The knowledge, skills and attitudes obtained by students will enable them to provide professional nursing care at all levels of health in hospital, urban clinic and rural health settings, not only in Papua New Guinea but also throughout the Pacific region. The BN has a mandatory number of clinical experiences as per the PNG Nursing Council requirements and BN graduates are eligible for registration with the Nursing Council of PNG.

The BN programme is 4 years in duration. At the end of the four years, the students will have completed 2170 clinical (practicum) hours from the Nursing Specialities courses in practicums carried out in approved hospitals, clinics and health centres around PNG and where required, overseas. Together with Theory, Independent Study and Supervised Laboratory/Tutorial Hours, the student will have completed 4,940 hours of learning.. These are offered within two semesters per year and a total of eight academic semesters over four years. The academic year begins in February as per the academic calendar of the University.

The aim of the course is to integrate sound nursing knowledge, skills and attitudes where nurses recognise each patient as a unique individual who is holistic in nature, is valued and respected, regardless of social, economic, religious and cultural background. Nurses must have the opportunity to develop and maintain standards of professional skills and practices at a high level of competency. Nursing is a team activity which involves cooperation between professional nurses, nursing colleagues and other health care providers.

The graduates from the BN will demonstrate competency in practice skills, critical thinking, analysis of research data, implementing findings and decision making. The research subjects prepare students for further studies.

A minimum upper C pass in Mathematics A or a minimum B pass in Mathematics B; plus a minimum upper C pass in one science subjects (biology, chemistry, or physics).

N.B. The Academic Registrar will advise on minimum equivalence grades for non-PNG applicants.