Master's Programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development - Part Time 4 Years Programme description

The Master's Programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development has a scope of 120 credits in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 1 December 2005. Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development.

The programme is offered as a full-time course of study over two years or a part-time course of study over three-four years. The programme also allows for an alternative course of study building on a completed Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing (60 credits) or Public Health Nursing Education (60 credits). The advanced education programme must have learning outcomes at master's degree level. Students can then complete the nursing programme by taking four courses, included a master's thesis, over the course of one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

The Master's Programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development is a professional specialisation in the field of nursing that emphasises scientific thinking and research methods. Key areas of nursing research and the consequences of different concepts of knowledge analysed.

Through the master's degree programme, the nursing discipline will be developed and applied in close context with the clinical field of nursing. The term 'clinical' directs attention towards recipients of healthcare and the role of nurses. 'Clinical' in this context must be seen in broader terms to include knowledge about and an understanding of the actual or potential needs of patients and next of kin in various contexts, and an understanding of the ethical and knowledge-related basis for and actions of nursing. The focus of research and knowledge development will be related to care for groups of patients and next of kin, individually an at the system level.

Society, science and education

The master's degree programme is continuously evolving in line with relevant developments in institutional, national and international research in the field of nursing. The programme disseminates knowledge from completed and ongoing research at the Faculty of Health Sciences through courses in ethics, lifestyle, quality of life, pain, and suffering and dignity. Through its many years of educating nurses, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University has developed a close collaboration with the specialist and municipal health services. This provides a unique opportunity to offer a master's degree programme that addresses important needs relating to clinical research and professional development.

New challenges for research, education and practical training

Practical training of nurses is currently a complex system that poses great requirements of practitioners at all levels. There are several large hospitals with accident and emergency units in the Oslo and Akershus area with a significant need of nurses with advanced clinical expertise. Treatment time in hospitals is short and the municipal health services have major challenges in relation to safeguarding patients and users with complex diseases and conditions, along with their families and next of kin. We see that changes in the welfare state, treatment institutions and the roles of professions have given rise to new challenges. It is not least relevant that scientific nursing research, education and practice deal with an ever growing group of actual and potential patients who, due to old age, impairments, or for cultural, ethnic or religious reasons, do not benefit in full from the health services.

It is important that students develop a professional and reflected integration of knowledge and values through the course of the programme. Professional autonomy and critical awareness are important aspects in achieving the necessary professional, scientific and political engagement.

Relevance to working life

Nurses holding a master's degree are qualified for work in specialist and municipal health services, where patient situations are complex, and decision-making, sense of responsibility, research and professional development constitute key requirements. In addition to practising direct patient care, nurses holding a master's degree can supervise students and colleagues, conduct development projects and be given extended professional responsibility in the clinical field.

Relevance to further studies

Candidates who have completed and passed the Master's Programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development can apply for admission to various PhD programmes.

The target group for the master's degree programme is nurses who wish to specialise in the nursing field, with an emphasis on scientific thinking, research, professional development and research methods.

The target group for the alternative course of study is nurses who have passed the Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing or Public Health Nursing Education at master's degree level (60 credits).

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet.

The basis for admission is a three-year bachelor's degree or equivalent in nursing and Norwegian authorisation as a registered nurse.

Admission to all master's degree programmes at OsloMet requires an average grade of C or better (numerical grades: 2.7 or better) from the bachelor's degree.

Additional points are also awarded for professional clinical practice as a nurse after completing the bachelor's degree in nursing, as well as for relevant education over and above the minimum admission requirement. By relevant education is meant higher education in the health and social studies field.

There is no requirement for clinical practice after completing the Bachelor's degree program in order to apply for admission to this Master's program and thirty per cent of places on the programme are reserved for applicants competing for admission on the sole basis of minimum admission requirements (without additional points).

The elective courses can also be taken as individual courses. Special requirements apply to admission to individual courses; see the individual course descriptions.

Applicants who have completed the Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing or Public Health Nursing Education at master's degree level

Candidates who have completed the Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing (60 credits) or Public Health Nursing Education (60 credits) must apply for admission to the master's degree programme in accordance with the ordinary application procedure. These candidates' education may be recognised in full or in part on application.

Other relevant further education/courses at master's degree level may be recognised after admission.

After completing the master's programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge of clinical research and professional development in the field of nursing
• has advanced knowledge in selected clinical areas of specialisation
• has advanced knowledge about the relationship between theory and empirical data in clinical research and professional development
• has advanced knowledge of theory of science and research methods

Skills

The candidate is capable of

• analysing and taking a critical approach to different sources of information and using them to structure and formulate argumentation in the field
• analysing clinical issues as a basis for research and professional development in nursing
• initiating research and professional development in practice by means of relevant research methods
• carrying out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable standards of research ethics
• developing patient care by implementing research and engaging in professional development

Competence

The candidate is capable of

• assessing the strengths and weaknesses of specific research methods and arguing in favour of a method for solving a specific research problem
• contributing to new ideas and innovation processes in the specialist and municipal health services
• disseminating knowledge about nursing as a profession and as a science

The programme is offered as a full-time course of study over two years or a part-time course of study over three to four years. It consists of a combination of compulsory and elective courses and a master¿s thesis.

Students who have previously completed the Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing or Public Health Nursing Education will pursue an alternative course of study commencing in January.

Several courses, both compulsory and elective courses, are organised as joint lectures with students from several other master¿s degree programmes at the department. Some teaching activities may take place at the university¿s campus in Kjeller.

Compulsory courses

MASYK/D4000 Introduction to Clinical Research and Professional DevelopmentThe course is worth 10 credits and covers fundamental topics and issues relating to nurses' responsibility for clinical research and professional development.

MASYK/D4050 Theory of Science and Research MethodsTheory of science is an important part of the basis for understanding scientific activity and different research paradigms. The course provides an overview of methodology and presents approaches to knowledge acquisition and systematic development of the profession, as well as in-depth knowledge of the research process.

MASYK/D4060 Research Methods, Quantitative ApproachThe course provides an introduction to the design of quantitative studies and analysis and assessment of quantitative data. Students will receive a practical introduction to basic statistical concepts and key statistical methods. Computer exercises using the statistics program SPSS will make up part of the course.

MASYK/D4070 Research Methods, Qualitative Approach

The course provides an introduction to qualitative methodology, enabling students to read and understand scientific articles. Students will also be introduced to how to prepare, plan and conduct a research project based within the framework of a qualitative study design.

Specialisation through elective coursesStudents must choose two elective courses in the course of the programme. Students taking the alternative course of study must choose one elective course. Elective courses can come from both the programme¿s own portfolio and other master¿s degree programmes. All elective courses have a scope of 10 credits. Different elective courses are offered each year. The elective courses are intended to help the students to acquire special expertise through in-depth study of a specific topic. Students will develop analytical competence and further develop their clinical understanding and assessment skills in their chosen topic.

From the programme¿s portfolio of master's degree courses:

• MASYK4100/MASYD4100 Clinical Examination and Approach ¿ Systematic Clinical Assessment and Use of Standardized Instruments
• MASYK4200/MASYD4200 Pain and Pain Alleviation
• MASYK4300/MASYD4300 Suffering, Dignity and Vulnerability
• MASYK4400/ MASYD4400 Quality of Life
• MASYK4500/MASYD4500 Clinical Ethics
• MASYK4600/MASYD4600 Communication and Health Counselling
• MASYK4800/MASYD4800 Health, Body and Lifestyle

For the 2019/2020 academic year, the following elective courses are offered:

• MASYK4400/ MASYD4400 Quality of Life (Autumn 2019)
• MASYK4300/MASYD4300 Suffering, Dignity and Vulnerability (Spring 2020)

Master¿s thesisThis course concludes the programme and is an independent, delimited research or development project. The scope of the thesis is 60 credits. Students with a recognised Advanced Programme in Cancer Nursing or Public Health Nursing Education will write a thesis worth 30 credits.Students who choose an exchange carry out a 30-credit assignment. The quality requirements/assessment criteria are the same, but the scope of the data used in the thesis is more extensive for a master¿s thesis worth 60 credits.

Progress requirements

All compulsory and elective courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.

Learning is reliant on the students' own activity, but takes place in cooperation with others in the learning community comprising fellow students and lecturers. The person learning must personally construct their knowledge and understanding. This view of learning builds on a constructivist premise where the idea is that students learn best when they are part of a binding cooperation with fellow students, lecturers and other resource persons, and when their learning is coordinated in a way that allows the work to be organised by theme.

Students will work on shared thematic areas at an increasingly advanced level. Through group work on the subject matter, each student will cover a certain aspect of the topic the group is working on. The constructivist premise means that the students present their knowledge and understanding to a given recipient group and receive feedback on their work to enable them to advance their own insight. Feedback (formative assessment) and supervision are the learning community's key activities.

Study methods that promote evidence-based practice are used throughout the programme in that the students integrate knowledge from research, experience and patient knowledge.

The programme emphasises student-active methods intended to encourage the students to actively seek relevant and reliable sources of knowledge. The process will alternate between individual work and interaction with fellow students and others in group work, seminars, exercises and clinical training.

Lectures

Lectures are, together with digital learning aids, used to introduce new subject matter, give an overview and highlight main elements and links between different topics, and also to communicate relevant issues. Some courses may be taken by students on several other programmes. Most lectures are held in Norwegian, but they can also take place in English.

Group work

Group work is used as a teaching method to encourage cooperation between students, support the learning of subject matter and provide training in cooperation and interaction skills, which are necessary in professional practice.

Seminars

Seminars are held at which students present assignment they have been working on and receive oral feedback from fellow students and lecturers. The purpose of the seminars is to stimulate each other¿s learning process, clarify students' own understanding of the subject and develop cooperation skills. The students are given an opportunity to practise their academic formulation skills, and academic discussions are facilitated between students and lecturers.

Master's seminars are organised in connection with the master's thesis at which the students present and discuss the drafts of their theses in a larger forum. Key research-related topics relevant to work on the master's thesis will be raised at these seminars. This is done to facilitate academic discussion between students and lecturers, with a focus on theory of science and scientific methods.

Self-study

The students' own activities outside formal teaching activities are an important part of their study effort throughout the programme. These activities normally take the form of individual work, but also includes cooperation with fellow students, either online and/or when meeting in person. Self-study also helps to encourage independent activity and reflection.

OsloMet has established partnerships with universities and university colleges in and outside Europe, and is a member of various academic networks. Students can apply to take parts of the programme abroad, preferably at one of OsloMet's partner institutions.

Only students who normally have passed all exams so far in the programme can take part of the programme abroad. It is possible to go on an international exchange in the third semester for full-time students and in the fifth or sixth semester for part-time students. The programme uses guest lecturers from foreign partner institutions, and the programme's own lecturers gain knowledge and experience through exchanges with the same institutions.

Masterstudium i sykepleie - klinisk forskning og fagutvikling (engelsk: Master's Programme in Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development) er en mastergrad på 120 studiepoeng i henhold til § 3 i forskrift om krav til mastergrad, fastsatt av Kunnskapsdepartementet 1. desember 2005. Bestått studium kvalifiserer for graden master i sykepleie - klinisk forskning og fagutvikling (engelsk: Master of Nursing - Clinical Research and Professional Development).

Studiet gjennomføres på heltid over 2 år eller på deltid over 3-4 år. Studenten skal gjennomføre totalt syv emner, inkludert masteroppgaven. Studiet har i tillegg et alternativt studieløp som bygger på fullført videreutdanning i kreftsykepleie (60 studiepoeng). Videreutdanningen må være på masternivå. På dette løpet skal studentene ta fire emner i masterstudiet inkludert masteroppgave over ett år på heltid eller 2-3 år på deltid.

Masterstudium i sykepleie - klinisk forskning og fagutvikling er en faglig fordypning innenfor sykepleiens kunnskapsområde med vekt på vitenskapelig tenkning og forskningsmetode. Med utgangspunkt i klinisk praksis belyses sentrale områder for sykepleieforskning, og konsekvenser av ulike kunnskapssyn og kunnskapsformer analyseres.

Gjennom masterstudiet vil sykepleiefaget utvikles og anvendes i et nært samarbeid med sykepleiens kliniske felt. Begrepet klinisk retter oppmerksomheten mot mottakere av helsehjelp og sykepleiernes funksjon i pasientomsorgen. Klinisk må her ses i vid forstand og omhandler kunnskap om og forståelse av konkrete eller potensielle pasienters og pårørendes behov i ulike kontekster, samt forståelse for sykepleiens etiske og kunnskapsmessige grunnlag og handlinger. Fokus for forskning og kunnskapsutvikling vil være knyttet til omsorgen for pasientgrupper og pårørende på ulike plan.

Samfunn, vitenskap og utdanning

Masterstudiet er i løpende utvikling i takt med den institusjonelle, nasjonale og internasjonale utvikling av forskning som er relevant for sykepleie. I masterstudiet formidles kunnskap fra avsluttet og pågående forskning ved Fakultet for helsefag om blant annet etikk, livsstil, livskvalitet, smerte samt lidelse og verdighet. Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus (HiOA) har gjennom sin mangeårige utdanning av sykepleiere utviklet et nært samarbeid med spesialist- og kommunehelsetjenesten. Dette gir en unik mulighet til å tilby et masterstudium som ivaretar viktige behov for klinisk forskning og fagutvikling.

Nye utfordringer for forskning, utdanning og praksis

Sykepleiepraksis er i dag kompleks og stiller store krav til yrkesutøverne på alle nivåer. I Oslo- og Akershus-regionen ligger det flere store sykehus med akuttfunksjon, der behovet for avansert klinisk kompetanse hos sykepleierne er betydelig. Liggetiden i sykehus er kort, og kommunehelsetjenesten har store utfordringer i forhold til å ivareta pasienter og brukere med komplekse sykdomstilstander, herunder deres familie og pårørende. Dessuten ser vi nye utfordringer med endringer av velferdsstaten, behandlingsinstitusjonene og profesjonenes rolle. Det er ikke minst relevant at sykepleievitenskapelig forskning, utdanning og praksis forholder seg til den stadig større gruppen av aktuelle og potensielle pasienter som på grunn av alderdom, svekkelse, kulturelle, etniske eller religiøse årsaker ikke fullt ut drar nytte av helsevesenets ytelser.

Det er gjennom masterstudiet vesentlig å utvikle en profesjonell og reflektert integrasjon av kunnskap og verdier. Faglig autonomi og kritisk bevissthet er viktig for å bidra til et nødvendig profesjonelt, vitenskapelig og fagpolitisk engasjement.

Relevans for arbeidsliv

Sykepleiere med mastergrad har kompetanse til stillinger i spesialist- og kommunehelsetjenesten, der pasientsituasjonene er komplekse og krav til beslutningsdyktighet, ansvarlighet, forskning og fagutvikling står sentralt. I tillegg til å utøve direkte pasientomsorg, kan sykepleiere med gjennomført masterstudium være veiledere for studenter og kollegaer, drive utviklingsprosjekter samt inneha et utvidet fagansvar i det kliniske feltet.

Relevans for videre studier

En kandidat med fullført masterstudium i sykepleie - klinisk forskning og fagutvikling kan søke opptak til ulike doktorgradsprogram.

Målgruppen for masterstudiet er sykepleiere som ønsker en faglig fordypning innenfor sykepleiens kunnskapsområde med vekt på vitenskapelig tenkning, forskning, fagutvikling og forskningsmetode.

Målgruppen for alternativt studieløp er sykepleiere med bestått videreutdanning i kreftsykepleie på masternivå (60 studiepoeng).

Det vises til Forskrift om opptak til studier ved Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus.  

Grunnlaget for opptak er 3-årig bachelorgrad eller tilsvarende i sykepleie og norsk autorisasjon som sykepleier.

For opptak til alle masterstudier ved HiOA kreves det gjennomsnittskarakter C eller bedre (tallkarakterer: 2,7 eller bedre) fra bachelorstudiet.

Det gis tilleggspoeng for klinisk yrkespraksis som sykepleier opparbeidet etter fullført bachelorstudium i sykepleie.

Det gis tilleggspoeng for relevant utdanning utover minstekravet for opptak. Relevant utdanning kan være ulike videreutdanninger i sykepleie.

30 % av studieplassene forbeholdes søkere som kun konkurrerer på grunnlag av minstekravet for opptak (uten tilleggspoeng).

De valgfrie emnene kan også tilbys som enkeltemneopptak. Ved enkeltemneopptak gjelder særskilte opptakskrav; se den enkelte emneplan.

Søkere med tidligere gjennomført videreutdanning i kreftsykepleie på masternivå

Kandidater med avlagt videreutdanning i kreftsykepleie (60 studiepoeng) må søke opptak til masterstudiet på ordinær måte. De vil etter søknad kunne få innpasset hele eller deler av sin utdanning.