Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BScN)
Duration
Minimum 3 calendar years, organised in 8 trimesters of 15 weeks each
Mode of study
Online
Academic school
School of Science & TechnologyJoin a world-class institutional environment designed for the digital age. This programme offers a direct pathway to global career outcomes through technology-enabled learning.
Academic overview
Expected outcomes
- Utilize critical thinking and research skills to solve complex clinical problems by incorporating biochemical principles to understand underlying health issues, analysing complex healthcare situations, critically evaluating research evidence, and adapting care plans to meet patient needs while contributing to nursing knowledge through inquiry and innovation.
- Apply assessment techniques, evidence-based interventions, and research methodologies to provide comprehensive patient care across the lifespan while analysing health trends, identifying risk factors, conducting research to generate new insights, and developing strategies for improving individual and community health outcomes.
- Establish effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams to facilitate optimal care outcomes while demonstrating professionalism through adherence to ethical research standards, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting cultural diversity in patient care and health research.
- Demonstrate leadership in clinical practice, research, and healthcare advocacy by promoting quality improvement, fostering a culture of safety, engaging in lifelong learning activities, pursuing advanced education, contributing to nursing research, and participating in professional organizations to drive evidence-based practice and healthcare innovation.
Entry requirements
- A Candidate must be a Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse (KRCHN), a Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M) or a Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN) from a recognised nurse training institution.
- The candidate must be registered as a nurse by the Nursing Council of Kenya or the equivalent in the country of origin.
- The Open University of Kenya's rules and regulations for admission into undergraduate studies shall apply.
- Credit transfer: a candidate may transfer credits from part or all of the coursework requirements if the Senate is satisfied that they have completed and passed the prescribed course(s) at the undergraduate level from accredited institutions and programs recognized by the Senate, with a minimum grade of 50%; no candidate shall be exempted for more than one third of the total number of courses required in the degree program, and the unit being transferred must have been passed with a minimum of a C grade.
Credit and Entry pathways
Programme structure
The programme shall take a minimum of three (3) calendar years, organised in eight (8) trimesters of fifteen (15) weeks each. The number of courses offered for this programme is 52 units, comprising 45 taught units, 2 university common units, and 5 clinical placements, equivalent to 4040 instructional hours and 269 credit hours. The programme shall be offered in terms of online taught courses, clinical placements and a final-year research project.
Assessment methods
Assessment shall be done per the University policy on assessment of undergraduate students.
Both formative and summative assessments are implemented to monitor learners' progress and achievement of learning outcomes in an online environment.
Formative assessment contributes 50% of the overall grade and includes online quizzes and self-assessment tools, case studies and discussion forums, reflective journals and e-portfolios, and virtual simulations and clinical scenarios.
Summative assessment contributes 50% of the overall mark for each course and is conducted at the End of the Trimester in the form of a Timed Online Examination.
All courses are marked out of 100%, with a pass mark of 50%; grading for core courses is A (75-100), B (65-74), C (50-64), F (0-49).
The complete assessment of a taught unit consists of coursework (50%) and a compulsory end-of-trimester examination (50%).
Clinical units are assessed during clinical placements by University lecturers together with Clinicians/Clinical Preceptors, using case studies, case presentations, clinical portfolios, clinical logs, clinical reports, field visit reports, microteaching, reflective journals and practice assessments; a candidate is expected to have 95% clinical placement attendance, and practical examinations are marked out of 100% with a pass mark of 65%.
Supplementary examinations, special examinations, compensation of marks, repeat status and deregistration provisions apply as per the Open University of Kenya Examination Policy.
Global careers
Application hub
Typical duration
Delivery mode
Online
Accreditation info
Fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised globally for digital-first excellence.
School of Science & Technology
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