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UndergraduateCode: RN-BScN

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 overview

Philosophy: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BScN) programme is founded on the belief that education is a continuous, lifelong journey that should be accessible, affordable, and flexible. Grounded in the principles of inclusivity, innovation, and excellence, the program builds on prior learning and leverages technology to break down geographical, economic, and social barriers, ensuring that all nurses have the opportunity to advance their education and careers. Aligned with the university's commitment to inclusive prosperity, the program nurtures professionalism, leadership, and evidence-based practice, preparing nurses for dynamic roles in healthcare. It fosters holistic care, cultural competence, ethical integrity, interdisciplinary collaboration, health advocacy, and critical thinking, equipping nurses to drive healthcare transformation at local and global levels. By embracing research, innovation, and lifelong learning, the RN-BScN programme empowers nurses to become competent, compassionate, and ethical leaders, entrepreneurs, and global citizens who contribute to healthcare excellence and promote health equity for all. Rationale: The healthcare landscape in Kenya is evolving rapidly, with a growing demand for highly skilled nurses to meet complex health needs. An online RN-BScN program will expand access to advanced nursing education, particularly for nurses in rural and underserved areas. It addresses the national shortage of healthcare professionals by allowing more nurses to pursue higher education without leaving their jobs. The flexibility of online education accommodates working professionals, enabling them to balance work and study. This program will enhance the nurses' clinical skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice. Advanced education through the RN-BScN program prepares nurses for leadership roles, improving management and healthcare delivery. It also promotes research skills, contributing to the advancement of nursing knowledge. The program aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the National Health Sector Strategic Plan, supporting national health policies, and it adheres to accreditation standards set by the Nursing Council of Kenya, ensuring quality and credibility. Leveraging modern educational technologies, the program offers interactive and innovative teaching methods, such as virtual simulations and online discussions. The programme is designed to accommodate the unique needs of working nurses who wish to advance their education, providing diploma-holding nurses (KRCHN, RN, RN/RNM) with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to excel in professional nursing practice, education, healthcare leadership, and research. Goal: The program aims to produce well-prepared graduates with the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to excel as proficient, compassionate, and ethically grounded nurses in diverse healthcare settings. This shall enable them to deliver high-quality patient-centred care, drive healthcare innovation, and advocate for health equity in diverse communities.

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

Explore how your previous studies or professional experience can be credited towards this qualification through our RPL framework.

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

- Professional nursing practice in diverse healthcare settings - Nursing education - Healthcare leadership and management - Nursing research and evidence-based practice - Specialised nursing care - Digital health

Application hub

Typical duration

Minimum 3 calendar years, organised in 8 trimesters of 15 weeks each

Delivery mode

Online

Fees

KES 344,000

≈ USD 2,911+10% Intl.

View full fee structure

Accreditation info

Fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised globally for digital-first excellence.

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