Bachelor of Nursing Science

1. Special Regulations for the Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree Programme

Subject to the provisions of the General Academic Regulations and the Faculty of Health Sciences Special Regulations, the following Departmental Special Regulations shall apply:

2. Entrance Requirements for the Bachelor of nursing Science Programme: Generic Stream

2.1 Admission to Level 100 of the Bachelor of Nursing Science Generic stream shall be on the basis of performance in the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination, or its equivalent, in Science subjects. There shall be cut-off points, which shall be determined by the Directorate of Academic Services.

2.2 Applicants who register for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (Generic) stream shall be required:
a) To have taken at least 5 subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, at the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination or at one sitting of its equivalent;
b) To have obtained a minimum grade of Pass in English Language;
c) To have obtained a minimum grade of credit, or its equivalent, in Mathematics.

2.3 In addition to the above basic requirements, applicants must have a minimum grade of C, or its equivalent, in at least 2 of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology; and a minimum grade of B, or its equivalent, in Science. A double award or its equivalent is required. The other qualifying subject must be one of the following:
a) Development Studies
b) Literature in English
c) Design and Technology
d) Agriculture
e) Art
f) Food and Nutrition
g) Computer Studies
h) Fashion and Fabrics
i) Business Studies
j) Home Management
k) Any other subject deemed appropriate by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

2.4 An applicant who has grade E or better at Advanced (A)-level or equivalent qualifications in Science subjects, may be awarded credits and exempted from equivalent course(s) prescribed for a Degree Programme, subject to the recommendation of the relevant Head of Department and approval of the Deputy Dean.

2.5 Programme Structure for the bachelor of Nursing Science: Generic Stream

Level 100

Semester 1

General Education Courses

COM101 Communication and Academic Literacy Skills (Health Sciences and Pre-Med) (3)
ICT121 Computing Skills Fundamentals 1 (2)

Core Courses

BIO111 Principles of Biology (4)
CHE101 Chemistry (4)
MAT111 Mathematics (4)
BNS209 HIV/AIDS Education, Prevention and Control in Botswana (2)

Optional Course

PHY112 Geometrical Optics, Mechanics, Vibrations and Waves (4)

Semester 2

GEC Courses

COM102 Health Communication (Health Sciences and Pre-Med) (3)
ICT122 Computing Skills Fundamentals 2 (2)

Core Courses

CHE102 Chemistry (4)
MAT122 Mathematics (4)
BIO112 Diversity of Plants and Animals (4)

Optional Course

PHY122 Electricity and Magnetism (4)

Level 200

Semester 3

Core Courses

BIO231 Human Anatomy (3)
BIO223 Parasitology for Health Sciences (3)
STA111 Elementary Statistics (3)
PHY161 Physics for Nurses (3)
BNS201 Introduction to Professional Nursing (3)
BNS203 Basic Nursing Concepts and Skills in Health and Wellness (3)

Semester 4

Core Courses

BIO211 Cell Biology (3)
BIO216 General Microbiology (3)
BIO232 Human Physiology (3)
BNS202 Basic Nursing Concepts and Skills in Health and Illness (3)

Optional Courses (3)

All students shall take 1 optional course and one elective course

Level 300

Semester 5

Core Courses

BNS301 Pathophysiology (3) [prerequisitesBIO231, BIO223, BIO232]
BNS302 Nursing Management of Low Risk Childbearing Families (2) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO223, BIO232, PHY161, BIO211, BIO216, BNS201, BNS202, BNS203]
BNS303 Introduction to Community Health Nursing (2) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO223, BIO232, PHY161, BIO211, BIO216, BNS201, BNS202, BNS203]
BNS305 Basic Nursing Knowledge and Skills in Care of Well and Ill Adults (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO223, BIO232, PHY161, BIO211, BIO216, BNS201, BNS202, BNS203]
BIO307 Biochemistry (3)
BNS309 Community-Based Nursing Care Practicum (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO223, BIO232, PHY161, BIO211, BIO216, BNS201, BNS202, BNS203]
FSC102 Introduction to Nutrition

Elective Course (3 credits)

Students shall select 1 elective course, not already taken.

General Education Course (2 credits)

All students shall select a course not already taken from the list of General Education Courses.

Semester 6

Core Courses

BNS200 Pharmacology (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO232, BNS301]
BNS300 Health Assessment (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO232, BNS201, BNS202, BNS203]
BNS304 Community Mental Health Nursing (2) [prerequisites BNS201, BNS202, BNS203, BNS301]
BNS306 Introduction to Nursing Research (3) [prerequisites BNS201, BNS202, BNS203, BNS301]
BNS310 Institution-Based Nursing Care Practicum (2) [prerequisites BNS201, BNS202, BNS203, BNS301]
SOC332 Traditional and Alternative Medical Systems (3)
BNS311 Internship (4)

General Education Courses (2)

All students shall select a course not already taken from the list of General Education Courses.

Optional Courses

Students shall choose 1 of the optional courses listed in the optional course menu.

Level 400

Semester 7

Core Courses

BNS401 Principles of Management and Education in Nursing (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS402 Parent and Child Practicum (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS405 Advanced Knowledge and Skill in Adult Health (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS407 Nursing Management of High Risk Childbearing Families (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS410 Adult Health Nursing Practicum (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]

General Education Courses (6)

In addition, all students shall select 3 courses not already taken from the list of General Education Courses.

Semester 8

Core Courses

BNS403 Principles and Practice of Community Health Nursing (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS404 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS406 Adolescent Health and Development (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS408 Community Health Nursing Practicum(2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS409 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]

General Education Courses (4 credits)

In addition, all students shall select 2 courses not already taken from the listed General Education Courses. Students shall also take one elective course, and one optional course chosen from the following list:

Optional Courses Menu

BSW201 Introduction to Group Work (3)
BSW202 Introduction to Working with Families and Individuals (3)
BSW309 Social Policy (3)
EFH201 Counselling over the Lifespan (3)
EFH202 Theories and Techniques of Counselling (3)
EFH402 Counselling Persons with Special Needs (3)
EFP100 Introduction to Educational Psychology (3)
HEE444 Issues in Food and Nutrition (3)
LAW441 Ethics and Law in Health Care (3)
POP220 History of Fertility, Mortality and Migration (3)
POP221 Theories of Fertility, Mortality and Migration (3)
POP225 Demographic Aspects of the HIV/ AIDS Epidemic (3)
POP303 Urbanisation, Migration and Development (3)
POP404 Gender, Reproductive Health and Development (3)
POP405 Demographic Dimensions of Poverty (3)
SOC234 Social Problems in Southern Africa (3)

3. Entrance Requirements for Bachelor of Nursing Science: Completion stream

Candidates for the Bachelor of Nursing Science Completion stream will fulfil the following requirements:
a) A Diploma in General Nursing or its equivalent;
b) A minimum of 2 years’ nursing experience after completion of a Diploma in a General Nursing Programme;
c) Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana or its equivalent;
d) BGCSE or its equivalent with either a credit in Combined Science or a pass in any one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics and a pass in any other 4 subjects.

4. Programme Structure for the Bachelor of Nursing Science: Completion Stream

Level 200

Semester 3

Core Courses

BIO231 Human Anatomy (3)
CHE109 Introductory Chemistry for Nursing Science (3)
PHY161 Physics (3)
STA111 Elementary Statistics (3)
BNS201 Introduction to Professional Nursing (3)

General Education Course

ICT121 Computing Skills Fundamentals 1(2)
COM101 Introduction to Communication and Literacy skills (3)

Semester 4

General Education Course

ICT122 Computing Skills Fundamentals 2 (2)
COM102 Health Communication (3)

Core Courses

BIO232 Human Physiology (3)
BIO216 Introductory Microbiology (3)
BIO120 Introductory Biochemistry (3)

Optional Courses (6)

Students shall also choose two of the 3-credit optional courses listed at the end of this section.

Level 300

Semester 5

Core Courses

BNS301 Pathophysiology (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO232]
BNS307 The Individual in Health Illness (3) [prerequisites BNS201]
BNS309 Community–Based Nursing Care Practicum (3)
EFP213 Introductory Psychology (3)
In addition, all students shall take 1 elective course.

Semester 6

Core Courses

BNS300 Health Assessment (3) [prerequisites BIO231, BIO232]
BNS304 Community Mental Health Nursing (3) [prerequisites BNS201]
BNS306 Introduction to Nursing Research (3) [prerequisites BNS201]
BNS308 The Nursing Process in Family Health (3) [prerequisites BNS307]
BNS310 Institution Based Nursing Care Practicum (3) [prerequisites BNS309]
SOC332 Traditional and Alternative Medical Systems (3)
BNS311 Internship (4)

General Education Course (4 credits)

Students shall select 2 GEC courses from the University-wide listing. Students shall also choose one optional course.

Level 400

Semester 7

Core Courses

BNS401 Principles of Management and Education in Nursing (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS402 Parent and Child Health Nursing Practicum (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS405 Advanced Knowledge and Skills in Adult Health Nursing (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS407 Nursing Management of high Risk Childbearing Families (2) [prerequisites ALL LEVEL 300 COURSES]
BNS410 Adult Health Nursing Practicum (2)

General Education Courses (6)

In addition, all students shall select 3 General Education Courses not already taken.

Semester 8

Core Courses

BNS403 Principles and Practice of Community Health Nursing (2)
BNS404 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory (2)
BNS406 Adolescent Health and Development (2)
BNS408 Community Health Nursing Practicum (2)
BNS409 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum (2)

General Education Courses (6 credits)

In addition, students shall select 3 General Education Courses not already taken. Students shall also choose one elective course and one optional course from the following listing:

Optional Course Menu

BSW201 Introduction to Group Work (3)
BSW202 Introduction to Working with Families and Individuals (3)
BSW309 Social Policy (3)
EFH201 Counselling Over Lifespan (3)
EFH202 Theories and Techniques of Counselling (3)
EFH402 Counselling Persons with Special Needs (3)
EFP100 Introduction to Educational Psychology (3)
HEE444 Issues in Food Nutrition (3)
LAW441 Ethics and Law in Health Care (3)
POP220 History of Fertility, Mortality and Migration (3)
POP221 Theories of Fertility, Mortality and Migration (3)
POP225 Demographic Aspects of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (3)
POP303 Urbanisation, Migration and Development (3)
POP405 Demographic Dimensions of Poverty (3)
SOC234 Social Problems in Southern Africa (3)
POP404 Gender, Reproductive Health and Development (3)

5. Assessment

a) Continuous assessment in Levels 200, 300 and 400 shall be based on tests and/or assignments, and where applicable, clinical practice.
b) The ratio of continuous assessment to an end of semester examination shall be 1:1, unless otherwise specified in the Departmental Special Regulations.
c) The above Regulations shall apply to both Generic (Pre-service) and In-service Bachelor of Nursing Science Streams.
d) General Regulations 00.811 to 00.826 and 00.842 shall apply to the Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree.

6. Progression from Year to Year

To proceed from one semester to the next, a student must pass all courses and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above as specified in General Regulation 00.842.

7. Award of Degree

To be awarded a Degree, a student must satisfy the relevant General Academic Regulations 00.851 and 00.852. The Degree shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of General Academic Regulations 20.4, with the cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above completed in accordance with General Regulation 00.86. Faculty of Education

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