MAHELPRA10 Clinical Studies for Public Health Nursing Students Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

This course has a focus on the public health nurse’s work at the population, group and individual level with a basis in evidence-based practice. The students will further develop their skills in planning, implementing and assessing adapted cooperation with users of the services at different levels. It also includes practical cooperation with colleagues and interdisciplinary partners.

Practical training in public health nursing takes place in relevant public health arenas in the municipality/city district, ideally at children’s health clinics, the school health service and the youth health centres. Teaching sessions on campus and ten weeks of supervised practical training are taken over two semesters in the municipality/city district; four weeks in the first semester and six weeks in the second. 

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences - Specialisation in Public Health Nursing.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge

The student

• can critically assess the public health nurse’s functions and areas of responsibility at the population, group and individual level    
• can assess the public health nurse’s role in interprofessional cooperation
• can analyse how, on the basis of public health at the population level, services can be adapted to each individual user in practice 

Skills

The student

• can work independently in and take an evidence-based approach to the public health nurse’s areas of responsibility at children’s health clinics, the school health service and youth health centres
• can adapt communication at the population, group and individual level and assess the use of educational approaches
• can analyse and assess the need to provide referrals to other professionals

General competence

The student

• can integrate ethical principles in professional practice at the population, group and individual level
• can analyse and reflect on their own practice based on supervision
• can apply a culturally sensitive approach to children, adolescents and their families
• can take the initiative to carry out quality improvement of the service

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. Work and teaching methods comprise supervised practical training with adapted learning situations. Other teaching methods used are lectures, oral and written assignments (individually or in groups), seminars, skills training and self-study.

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can take the final examination:

• a minimum of 90% attendance during practical training
• the student will prepare an individual plan for the practical training period based on the learning outcomes for the course
• written assignment individually or in groups of two to three students of up to 1,500 words 

Assessment of practical training, with a midway and final assessment.

Not relevant.

Pass/fail.

An attendance requirement applies to practical training. If a student’s absence exceeds 10%, he/she will fail the course.

During the second period of practical training, the student and practical training supervisor will carry out a midway and final assessment. A lecturer normally participates in the midway assessment and otherwise as necessary. If there is a risk of the student failing the course, they must be notified at least three weeks before the final practical training. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university. An external programme supervisor is affiliated to the course.

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