Overview
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.
Structure
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.
Admission Requirements
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.
Careers
Graduates can pursue careers as KRCHN in clinical settings including hospitals, community health agencies and maternity units; as managers of nursing services and in academics.
Fees and Funding
| Year 1 | Year 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 384,000 | 384,000 | 768,000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | - | 5,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 6,500 | 13,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500 | 4,500 | 9,000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Totals | 421,000 | 446,000 | 867,000 |
Exam Regulations
The University of Nairobi, Faculty of Medicine examination regulations shall apply.
