Bachelor of Science in Nursing (UPGRADING)
Programme overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Upgrading) is an upgrading programme designed for registered nurses who wish to advance their professional knowledge, clinical competence, leadership capacity and research skills while continuing to work.
The programme builds on prior nursing education and experience to prepare competent, compassionate and ethical nurses capable of delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care across diverse healthcare settings. It integrates advanced clinical nursing, community health, maternal and child health, mental health, research, nursing education, informatics, leadership and health services management.
Learning is through a blended learning model delivered mainly online through the LMS, supported by structured course materials, discussions, simulations, case-based activities, assignments, assessments, and academic support. This shall be complemented by face-to-face skills sessions, relevant biomedical science practicals, and supervised clinical placements in approved health facilities to ensure learners acquire and demonstrate required nursing competencies.
The programme is aligned with the needs of working nurses and supports professional advancement without requiring learners to leave employment. It promotes critical thinking, cultural competence, interdisciplinary collaboration, health advocacy, innovation and lifelong learning.
Who The Programme is Designed For
The programme is intended for Kenya Registered Community Health Nurses (KRCHN), Kenya Registered Nurse Midwives (KRN/M) and Kenya Registered Nurses (KRN) who are registered by the Nursing Council of Kenya, or the equivalent professional regulator in the applicant’s country of origin.
Career Prospects in Nursing
Graduates will be prepared for professional growth and expanded responsibilities in areas such as:
- Advanced clinical nursing and care coordination
- Maternal, newborn and reproductive health nursing
- Community and public health nursing
- Nursing leadership, ward and unit management
- Nursing education and curriculum instruction
- Nursing informatics and digital health
- Mental health and psychiatric nursing
- Oncology and palliative nursing
- Health services management and quality improvement
- Nursing research and evidence-based practice
The programme strengthens the capacity of registered nurses to contribute to safer care, improved patient outcomes, healthcare innovation and health equity in Kenya and beyond.
Entry requirements
The general Open University of Kenya regulations for admission to undergraduate programmes shall apply. In addition, an applicant must satisfy the following programme-specific requirements:
Be a Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse (KRCHN), Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M) or Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN) from a recognised nurse-training institution.
Be registered as a nurse by the Nursing Council of Kenya or the equivalent professional regulatory body in the country of origin.
Programme structure
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the programme, learners will be able to:
Use critical thinking, biomedical knowledge, digital health skills and research evidence to analyse complex clinical situations, adapt care plans and contribute to nursing knowledge through inquiry and innovation.
Apply assessment techniques, evidence-based interventions and research methods to provide comprehensive care across the lifespan and improve individual and community health outcomes.
Communicate effectively with patients, families and healthcare teams while demonstrating professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality and respect for cultural diversity.
Demonstrate leadership in clinical practice, research, digital health, healthcare advocacy and quality improvement by promoting patient safety, lifelong learning, evidence-based innovation and effective use of health technologies.
Total Credit Hours and Course Units Required for Graduation
The programme is organised in eight trimesters and takes a minimum of 2.5 calendar years.
The programme carries a total of 269 credits, equivalent to 4,040 instructional hours.
Graduation requires successful completion of all prescribed courses, the five clinical placements and the final-year research project.
The degree is awarded without classification, in accordance with the programme regulations.
Assessment methods
- Assessment measures learners’ knowledge, skills and professional competencies through both formative and summative methods.
- Assessment is guided by the Open University of Kenya Examination Policy and the specific clinical requirements of the programme.
Formative Assessment
- Online quizzes and self-assessment activities
- Case studies and discussion forums
- Reflective journals and e-portfolios
- Virtual simulations and clinical scenarios
- Assignments, practical activities and other structured continuous assessments
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment is conducted at the end of each trimester, normally through a timed online examination. For taught courses, formative assessment contributes 50% and the end-of-trimester examination contributes 50% of the final mark.
Clinical Placement Assessment
- Clinical placements are assessed by OUK lecturers together with clinical preceptors at designated healthcare facilities.
- Learners maintain clinical logbooks and demonstrate prescribed competencies through case studies, case presentations, clinical portfolios, clinical logs, reports, reflective journals and practice assessments.
- A learner is expected to attain at least 95% attendance during clinical placements.
- Clinical practical examinations are marked out of 100%, with a pass mark of 65%.
Pass requirements
The pass mark for taught courses and the research project is 50%. Clinical practical examinations have a pass mark of 65%. Learners must complete and pass all prescribed courses and clinical placements to qualify for graduation.
Application hub
Typical duration
Delivery mode
Blended
Accreditation info
Fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised globally for digital-first excellence.
School of Science & Technology
Related programmes
Ready to study Bachelor of Science in Nursing (UPGRADING)?
Apply online in a few steps, or check the fees and talk to our admissions team about entry requirements and start dates.
Location
Nairobi, Kenya