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What is Nursing?
Nursing, a science and a practice discipline, is the study and practice of professional caring in the human health experience, which aims to promote, maintain and restore health, as well as to alleviate suffering and support peaceful death when life cannot be sustained. Nurses value a holistic view of human beings and regard them as bio-psycho-social spiritual beings who have the capacity to set goals and make decisions about their lives and their health, and who have the right and the responsibility to make informed choices congruent with their own beliefs and values. Nursing knowledge is derived from theory, research, and practice in nursing, as well as from the biological and behavioral sciences; it is applied through the nursing process.

What should nurses possess in the 21st century?
Professional nurses require a sound knowledge of the art and science of nursing, the biological sciences, and the humanities; communication, possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and a deep and tolerant understanding of humanity. Today’s nurses should be curious, open to new ideas, and tolerant of uncertainty and ambiguity. They need to understand, appreciate, and use pluralistic methods of generating knowledge of the human health experience; and to understand the relationships between and among the theory, research and practice which comprise our developing knowledge base. Nurses need the ability to provide expert client care; to cooperate and collaborate with clients, nurses, and other professionals, to advance knowledge of promoting, maintaining and restoring human health and to translate that knowledge into policies and practices which will improve the human condition.

The Bachelor of Nursing curriculum prepares graduate nurses with the knowledge and skills to function competently in meeting the needs of the existing and future demands for health care.

Why did we introduce a Bachelor of Nursing Curriculum?
Around the world, far-reaching changes are taking place in the science and practice of medicine. Over the coming years, there is likely to be a transformation in health care as far as reaching as any scientific revolution in the past.
Advances in knowledge and technology, increasing complexity in every aspect of life, demographic changes, declining resources, and globalization are just a few of the forces propelling changes in the education, roles and image of nurses. The traditional image of the nurse as a “task-oriented technician” is changing to one of the nurse as an autonomous health care professional, able to work independently and interdependently with other members of the health care team, in providing holistic health care.
There are many significant reasons why those entering professional nursing must be equipped with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

-         The information explosion in science and technological advancement will continue and new skills will be needed to evaluate and apply this new knowledge.

-         People will live longer and chronic diseases will increase.

-         There will be changes in the nature of disease and lifestyles.

-         Concerns about the costs of health care will lead to an increased focus on preventive care, the promotion of health, and an increased demand for nursing professionals with the skills to provide effective community-based care.

-         Patients will have a more sophisticated understanding of medicine and nursing.

-         Scientific and medical advances will result in new and even more complex economic and ethical challenges.

Professional Recognition
Graduates who have satisfactorily completed all programme requirements will be eligible for direct registration as registered nurses with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.

Programme Design and Curriculum
The structure of the Bachelor of Nursing degree programme commenes with the concept of wellness and continues throughout the four years with an increasing focus on the more complex situations in the health/illness continuum. This curriculum structure allows maximum longitudinal and lateral correlation among courses.

Year 1: Begins with the concepts on Foundations of Nursing which provide students with a solid foundation of nursing knowledge and an understanding of fundamental concepts essential to nursing and health. Introduction to Clinical Nursing introduces students to nurse’s unique role and facilities them on applying the basic nursing skills to promote health and provide continuing care. Other courses include Health Assessment, Health Promotion and Education, Behavioral and Life Sciences. Field experiences include the practice of health assessment in community well elderly centers, and practice in non-acute hospital settings.

Year 2: Involves many of the medical and surgical alterations in health that occur in adult population in Hong Kong. Clinical Pharmacology, Life Sciences as well as Sociology of Health and Illnesses are also introduced. Field experiences are conducted mainly in medical and surgical health care settings.

Year 3: Examines health promotion and health maintenance of the family including infants, mothers, child health and care. Mental Health Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Nursing Theory and Nursing Research & Statistics are also included. Field experiences are conducted in accident and emergency settings, operating theatres, maternal and infant settings, paediatrics settings and mental health settings.

Year 4: Introduces students to the complex and critical health problems of an individual as well as gerontological nursing and community health nursing. Other courses include Research Projects, Professional Issues, Introduction of Chinese Medicine & Alternative Therapies as well as Nursing Electives. Field experiences are conducted in critical care, community and gerontology settings.
 

Bachelor of Nursing

This is a four-year honours degree programme offered by the Department of Nursing Studies of the Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. The objective of the Bachelor of Nursing degree programme is to provide comprehensive and holistic nursing education that strives to achieve professional excellence in nursing. The programme aims to produce generic nurses who will be able to work as a competent practitioner on various health care settings.

Successful completion of the programme will enable the graduate to sit for the Universal Licensing Examination required by Hong Kong Nursing Council for nurses to become a registered nurse in Hong Kong.
 

Clinical Teaching and Practicum

Students are exposed to a variety of clinical environments throughout the course. Experiential learning of clinical skills is under the supervision of experienced teaching staff. The process of teaching and learning is directed by nursing academics in the Department with a wide range of expertise, supported by the excellent facilities in the Faculty, particularly those of the Queen Mary Hospital.

Courses of the Bachelor of Nursing Programme are conducted by the Department of Nursing Studies in conjunction with supporting Departments in the Faculty such as Community Medicine, and its Behavioral Sciences Unit, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology.

Clinical practica occur in a wide variety of hospital and community settings with diverse populations in Hong Kong, such as Aberdeen Kai-Kong Welfare Association Social Service Centre, Caritas Medical Centre, Castle Peak Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Ruttonjee Hospital and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Fung Yiu King Hospital, Wong Chuk Hang Hospital, Kwai Chung Hospital, Tung Wah Hospital, Tung Wah East Hospital, Grantham Hospital, Haven of Hope Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.

Examinations/Assessments
During the programme, students will be required to pass continuous in-course assessments, in the form of quizzes, tests, written assignments, oral presentations, case studies or reports. There are semester-end assessments at the end of each semester. Nursing skills are assessed by competence tests, and the clinical practicum is assessed by both formative and summative assessments.

International Exchange Programme: Trans-cultural Exchange Practicum
The programme was designed to provide an opportunity for students of the Department to develop a deeper and broader understanding of nursing individuals in other cultures when they work as a member of a clinical team for a period in either a hospital or community setting in Canada and mainland China. The main goal of the progamme is to enrich students’ understanding of the values, attitudes, and beliefs when nursing these client populations in Hong Kong. The project also provides an opportunity for nursing students to enhance their leadership potential as well as foster their understanding on different health care practices.]

Current Student’s Voice
I applied to the Department of Nursing Studies at The University of Hong Kong was mainly due to its leading reputation, excellent facilities and supportive staff. As a third year student, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and have many interesting study experiences here.

The structure of the course has allowed me to put theory into practice. Spending time with patients, gaining their thrust, and watching them recover with my care and effort are regarded as the most encouraging and satisfying aspect of the course. By trainings in such a demanding degree, I have acquired critical time management and organizational skills and developed a broader horizon of life.

Apart from academic studies, there are also many social functions and opportunities to serve the community throughout the year. I firmly believe that the knowledge and skills gained from the course will allow me to make a great contribution and a real difference to the community in the future.

Hui So On, Year 3
Bachelor of Nursing Programme