School of Nursing Sciences

2

Master of Science in Nursing

Candidates who pass both Taught Courses and Research Project examinations shall be awarded a Master of Science in Nursing of the University of Nairobi.

Part 1 Courses

  Code Title                                                                  Hrs

HNS 501  Advanced Nursing Practice                          420

HNS 502 Biomedical Sciences                                      180

HNS 503 Biostatistics and Epidemiology                  120

HNS 504 Research Methods & Communication

                  Science                                                           180

HNS 505  Pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics     120

HNS 506 Health Systems Management                      120

Part 2    Courses

Specialization Courses - Options

  Each candidate to select any ONE of the

  following areas of specialisation.

HNS 601  Medical -Surgical Nursing                            600

HNS 602  Community Health Nursing                      600

HNS 603  Nursing Administration and

                  Development                                               600

HNS 604  Critical Care Nursing                                    600

HNS 605  Geriatric Nursing                                          600

HNS 606  Paediatric Nursing                                        600

HNS 607  Oncological Nursing                                    600

HNS 608  Obstetrics Nursing/Midwifery                   600

HNS 609  Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing      600

HNS 610  Nursing Education                                      600

HNS 611  Disaster Management                                  600

HNS 612  Counselling                                                  600

HNS 613  Oral Health Care/ Dental Nursing             600

 (L/T/S = Lectures/ Tutorials / Seminar

Compulsory Course

HNS: 614                                                   Research Project                            600

The Master of Science in Nursing degree programme shall run for a minimum period of four (4) semesters and a maximum of twelve (8) semesters of 15 weeks each.

i)        The course shall be by course work and project.

ii)       Coursework shall comprise lectures, practicals, demonstrations, and seminars, while the project shall involve individual research in a specialised area. 

iii)      The first two semesters shall  consist of  coursework in which   candidates shall be required to take all courses offered in the form of  lectures, practicals, tutorials and seminars.

iv)      In the third and fourth semesters, candidates shall undertake coursework in their areas of specialization, carryout research and write a project report while they continue with practical.

v)       A course unit shall be defined as a total of sixty contact hours of lectures, practicals or demonstrations and seminars, separately taken or in a combination.

vi)      The research project shall be the equivalent of eight course units.

The common regulations for the Masters degree in the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Medicine shall apply.

Candidates eligible for admission into the Master of Science in Nursing shall have the following minimum qualifications.

(a)      Holders of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  The candidate must be registered by the professional body or

(b)     Holders of any first degree recognised by the Senate of the University of Nairobi as being of comparable academic status, in addition to holding a Diploma in Nursing.  The candidate must be registered or registrable by the Nursing Council of Kenya.

The University of Nairobi, Faculty of Medicine examination regulations shall apply.

The provision of quality nursing care is paramount in prevention of disease, promotion of health and management of diseases, in hospitals and communities.  In Kenya, the Nursing Profession is in need of nurses trained at higher levels to take up positions in clinical practice, research, and teaching.

The department of Nursing Science was established to train students for Diploma in Advanced Nursing in 1968.  This programme graduated several generations of candidates from Kenya and abroad.  The diploma graduates worked in the private and public sectors as Nurses, Teachers, and Nurse Managers both in Kenya and abroad.  In 1992, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Programme was started.  Several graduates have gone through the programme in the department.  These nurses continue to work in this country and abroad in both public and private hospitals, and other institutions.

In Kenya, there is no institution of higher learning offering a higher degree at Master of Science in Nursing (MSc.N), and there are only a few such institutions in the African region.  It is therefore recognized that a programme offering higher degrees and openings in further education at Masters and PhD levels is  required for the profession in Kenya.

The department will train nurses with proper nursing skills in various specializations within the nursing profession.  These major areas requiring specialized training include Obstetric Nursing/Midwifery, Medical- Surgical Nursing, Nursing Education, Paediatric Nursing, Nursing administration, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Oncology Nursing and Oral Care/Dental Nursing among others.  It is hoped that through training, there will be improved supply of skilled manpower in the field of Nursing.

The objectives of this programme are to:-

(i)      Develop personnel specialized in clinical areas of Nursing.

(ii)     Equip students with skills and ability to teach and carry out research in Nursing.

(iii)    Equip students with managerial and administrative skills to enable them undertake professional leadership positions in their areas of specialization.

6.1.1  A candidate shall only be allowed to sit for examination if he/she has attended at least two thirds of the prescribed course contact hours.

6.1.2  Course work shall comprise assignments, end of term papers, seminar presentations and such other tests as may be given during the course

6.1.3  Each course shall be examined through: a 1 x 3 hours written paper, 1 x 2 hour practical and 1 x

i)        A candidate may be allowed to transfer up to a maximum of one third of the taught units.

ii)       Applicants seeking transfer of credit shall:

          a)       Send a formal application to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies through the Dean of the Faculty, seeking transfer of credit, with justification of the request and attach evidence of credentials, which would support such a request.

          b)      Apply for transfer of credit, which shall be processed only after payment of the prescribed fees.

iii)      Applicants will only be allowed to transfer a unit, which is equivalent and/or at the same level with what is offered by the  University of Nairobi.

Advanced Nursing Practice Description
.Trends in Nursing practice. The changing role of the nurse; the Nurse clinician, the nurse advocate, the professional nurse, the Nurse executive. Scientific foundations of the nurse role. Definition and role differentiation, The Nurse practitioner

Biomedical Sciences Description
.Human anatomy and physiology of the stated systems; nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, genitourinary, endocrine, integumentary and musculoskeletal systems. Homeostasis: Biochemistry: - metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, vitamins, nucleic acids, proteins, purines and urates, plasma enzymes. Clinical Chemistry: - Fluid and electrolyte balance Hydrogen and homeostasis blood gases, duffer system. The clinician

Biostatistics And Epidemiology Description
.Scope of epidemiology, Natural history of disease, measurers of disease in population; ratios, proportions, incidence, prevalence, specific mortality and morbidity rates, descriptive studies; types, methods, analysis. Analytical studies, types, methods and analysis. Experimental studies; types, methods and analysis. Ecological studies, disease outbreaks, screening, surveillance, diagnostic tests; sensitivity and specificity, predictive values. Statistics; definition, scope, significance, types of statistics. Measures of central tendancy, measures of spread, measures of relative standing, inferential statistics, parametric tests, non parametric tests, sampling methods, size determination, error, probability. Data

Research Methods & Communication Science Description
.Nature and scope of research, types, characteristics and role of research. Empirical and scientific methods. The research process; identification of the problem, statement of the problem, justification, significance and purpose. Research objectives, statement of hypothesis, literature review, specification of variables, research design, sample; methods, sampling procedure, data; instrumentation, collection procedures, analysis, presentation. Results and discussion of findings, research report writing steps, presentation and dissemination of information research and publication. Introduction to computer packages for research analysis; excel/spreadsheet, word XP, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Epi

Health Systems Management Description
.Theories, Models and Principles of Management, advocacy, negotiation, leadership and innovation Consultancy in Health Care and Health Services Management, Management models for Health Service Organisations, Management concept. Organisations and the need for management, Management processes, Management roles, Health care delivery systems; the ethical legal and technological setting. The hospital organisation, strategic planning, resource utilization and control in Health care services. Problem solving and decision making, human resource Management. Administrative and Managerial skills, Organisational dynamics, change management, The Government Planning Process, Health Policy and development, health care financing.

Medical -surgical Nursing Description
.Nursing management of patients with immunodeficiencies; HIV/AIDS. Fluid and electrolytes imbalances, Care of clients with; cancer, vision and hearing disorders, disorders of the ear, intergumentary disorders, infectious/communicable diseases, developmental disorders, endocrine disorders, burns, respiratory disorders, haematological disorders, genito urinary disorders, endocrine disorders, orthopaedic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders and reproductive health disorders. Nursing care in operating theatre; pre-operative intra-operative and post-operative care of patients.

Community Health Nursing Description
.Introduction and scope of Community Health, Science Primary Health Care; elements, principles, strategies. Community Health and Epidemiology; Demography; concepts, population trends, sources and use of demographic data. Environmental Health; Health and diseases, water and sanitation, population, food hygiene, processing and storage. Occupational Health; principles, regulations and management. Special health programmes; school health, care of at risk groups. Family health; theories, types. Crisis, communication. Role of community Health Nurse; community mobilisation, intersectional collaboration, community diagnosis, community health administration; team building. Health management teams and boards; DHMT , HMB Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Societies. Community projects; proposal writing, needs assessment, project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Special Programmes; Bamako, initiative, income generating activities, Harambee.

Nursing Administration And Development Description
.Health Care Systems, in the world, Kenya Organisational Philosophy, budgeting and financial management, programming and capacity management, equity and resource allocation, health economic analysis, job analysis and performance appraisal, nurse manager roles and health care setting establishing and maintenance of physical environment, healthcare standards, health care audit, quality assurance in health care, leadership concepts; principles of leadership, leadership skills, advocacy role, negotiation, lobbying group dynamics. Governing Boards. Resource Management; human, strategic planning, project planning, implementation and evaluation, consultancy in health care

Critical Care Nursing Description
.Critical care concepts; philosophy and principles of intensive care, holistic approach, nursing process in critical care. Management of accidents and emergencies, care of critically ill patients with; cardiovascular disorders, respiratory and pulmonary disorders, burns, renal failure and neurological disorders. The principles of management of acute poisoning; specific and non specific poisons; Infection control in management of critically ill patients; Equipment and Unit design, monitoring. Principles of neonatal intensive care. Rehabilitation, home care, use of prosthetics.

Geriatric Nursing Description
.Concepts of aging and perceptions; aging process, individual perceptions of the elderly, self concept of the elderly; theories of geriatric care; Health assessment of the elderly; comprehensive history, mental status and functional disabilities, needs of the elderly; nutritional needs, accident prevention. Aging process; physiological and anatomical changes within the body systems: respiratory, integument, urinary, gastrointestinal, reproductive, musculoskeletal, nervous, special senses and immune system: social intervention: management of geriatric conditions; Alzheimer

Paediatric Nursing Description
.Management of childhood illness: Congenital malformations and disabilities, systematic paediatric conditions, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, genito uniurinary disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, intergumentary disorders, endocrine disorders, blood disorders. Infectious, Communicable and Immunizable Diseases, HIV/AIDS in paediatrics. Assessment in paediatrics; family and community assessment and intellectual assessment. Social adaptation and evaluation of the handicapped child. Management of paediatric emergencies; child resuscitation and paediatric intensive care. Integrated approach in management, quality issues in paediatrics. The children

Oncological Nursing Description
.Foundations and scientific basis of oncological nursing; principles, practice and scope of care. Anatomical, physiological, biochemical and cellular changes in cancerous conditions; Classification, causes and diagnostic modes of cancer. Effects of cancer on other body systems; Impact of cancer in the family and the community; nutritional management of cancer patients; epidemiology of cancer, management of cancer; clinical oncology nursing, counselling and follow-up care. Emergency care in oncology. Ethical issues in oncology. Thanatology; terminal care, HIV/AIDS, death and dying. Advances in oncology; Research Issues; screening for cancer prevention and Community sensitisation. Management of an oncology unit.

Obstetrics Nursing/midwifery Description
.Anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive system. Physiology of pregnancy, labour and preperium. Health care assessment and nutritional needs in pregnancy, labour and preperium. Diseases and their management in pregnancy; cardiovascular, respiratory, genitourinary, psychiatric, haematological and infectious diseases. Lactation management. Assessment of a newborn. Management of neonatal disorders; congenital, infective and surgical disorders. Resuscitation of the newborn; Requirements for nutrition, immunization and warmth. Management of patients with gynaecological conditions; diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Organisation and Management of an Obstetric/Gynae unit.

Mental Health And Psychiatric Nursing Description
.Trends in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing. Concepts in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing; motivation, learning, sensations, sleep, attention, self awareness, empathy, perception: Diagnosis of psychiatric conditions; biological approach, psychodynamic approach, interpersonal approach, humanistic approach, existential approach. Legal aspects of psychiatric nursing. Types of major psychiatric conditions according to ICD and DSM classifications; schizophrenia disassociate, mood disorders, anxiety, cognitive, personality disorders, aggressive and child hood disorders. Interventions in psychiatric conditions; - psychopharmacology, behavioural approaches, family and family therapy, group and group therapy, individual psychotherapy, milieu therapy, personal therapy, occupational therapy, family community support and rehabilitation.

Nursing Education Description
.

Principles of Education; Theories of learning; Theories of education, Educational policy Educational systems. Human resources management in education. Theories of curriculum development, Curriculum development process and strategies, Social and scientific forces affecting curriculum decisions; Curriculum and instructions, modes and media; competence based learning; subject centred learning, distance learning and communication technology, Nature of nursing education, characteristics of Higher Nursing Education: education law; managing the school as an educational organisation; financial accounting in institutions of learning, continuing education, clinical teaching for advanced nursing practice, tests and measurements in education, teaching practice during practicum.

Disaster Management Description
.Epidemiology of Disasters; descriptive, investigative, trends of disasters locally and globally; Ecology of disasters; human ecology, environmental, physical, social, biological. Demographic/population trends, populations at risks, Health hazards associated with disasters; communicable diseases, famine, environmental exposure, food and nutrition; Psychological response to disaster, Classification of disasters: natural disasters; floods, landslides, tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes. Metrological, topographical. Man made disasters; fires, wars and ethnic clashes, motor accidents. Stages of disaster evolvement: Phase 1

Counselling Description
.Cross Cultural Perspectives, Perspectives of the human Society, Social Psychology of Interpersonal relations. Deviant Behaviour, Family and Kinship in a multicultural context, Psychology of Personality, Theories of personality, Abnormal Psychology, Human Sexuality. Theories of Counselling, counselling skills and techniques, crisis counselling, confrontational counselling, marriage/family counselling, youth, child and group counselling, suicide, stress, hostility process. Change process, rational living, broken relationships, maturity, and dependency. Clinical issues in counselling, Counselling in HIV/AIDS situations. Counselling stages; reconciliation, making peace with the past. Personality and affect life cycle. Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology Issues of Chemical/Dependence, Psychodynamic, Psychotherapy, Cognitive and behavioural therapy. Group Psychotherapy, Professional Ethics and Law in counselling. Clinical Interviewing Techniques. Substance Abuse. Psychopharmacology. Survey and Assessment Procedures. Therapy with Chemically Dependent Family, Psychotherapeutic Techniques in Chemical Dependency. Test and Measurements in the Behavioural Sciences.

Oral Health Care/ Dental Nursing (l/t/s = Lectures/ Tutorials / Seminar Description
.Oral anatomy and physiology, Diseases of the oral cavity, diagnosis of oral diseases, management of oral diseases, community dentistry to include preventive, curative and promotive service, follow up cases, research in oral care, environmental effects on dentition and dental care, biomaterials commonly used in dentistry, dental instruments, care and sterilization, Overview of dentistry and dental nursing, maxillofacial surgery, Infection control and prevention, dental psychology, National oral health policy, Pediatric dentistry, Diagnosis and correction of malocclusion and jaw deformity, congenital orofacial anormalies, head and maxillofacial trauma, oral health care management, Hospital dental nursing, Causes and management of pain in dentistry, Nutritional and dental health.

Research Project Description
.Students,under a supervisor

Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics Description
.Concepts and trends in pharmacology and therapeutics, current trends in use of pharmacotherapeutic agents, rationale and choice of chemotherapeutic agents. Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug interactions and toxicities, Drug monitoring, Drugs acting on various systems; the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, genitourinary system, endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, Anaesthetics and their adjuvant, Drugs used in mental illness. Hormones, histamines and antihistamines; Drugs used in anaemia. Vitamins, antibiotics, vaccines, immunoglobulins and antigens, Drugs used in malignant diseases; radioisotopes. Drugs used in obstetric nursing/midwifery, Drugs used in paediatrics, Drugs acting on the eyes, ear, nose and throat. Local applications and antiseptics, Tropical medicine, management of poisoning, intravenous fluids, nutritional products.