Mbarara University Department of Nursing Postgraduate Courses
THE MASTER OF NURSING SCIENCE (MNSc) PROGRAMME
The Master of Nursing Science, MNSc program was established in October 2000. The focus of this program is to produce nurses who are adequately prepared for advanced nursing practice. This program prepares nurses for leadership roles in healthcare and institutions of nursing education. The theoretical, experiential, and research basis for practice will help the post graduate demonstrate specialized clinical skills as well as expertise in nursing administration and education. Postgraduates in this programme undertake full-time study.
Course Description
The Master of Nursing Science program is designed as an academic and advanced nursing practice degree. As an academic degree, the program of study comprises foundational courses in nursing science and research methodologies, a master’s thesis, and courses from related disciplines such as biostatistics, education, philosophy, and administration. The practice of Advanced Nursing is facilitated by didactic and practicum experiences in Advanced Health Assessment within the two-year course of study. Academic studies will occupy the first year of study while the research experience will occur on the second year. Further, the Master of Nursing Science program is designed as preparation for doctoral education in Nursing (PhD, DNSc), the discipline’s terminal degree.
Objectives of the programme
Upon completion of the two-year program of academic studies and experiential learning, the candidate is expected to exhibit:
- COURSE CONTENT (CURRICULUM)
YEAR ONE
Term I Courses - Philosophy of Science in Nursing I
- Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing
- Research Methods I (Quantitative)
Term II Courses - Philosophy of Science in Nursing II
- Theories of Nursing I
- Research Methods II (Qualitative)
- Educational Administration
- Philosophy of Education
Term III Courses - Theories of Nursing II
- Advanced Nursing Research (Thesis Proposal writing)
- Philosophy of Education
- Theory Construction in Nursing I (optional)
- Educational Administration
Term IV Courses
Final Examinations for course conducted in first year.
YEAR TWO
Term I Courses - General Teaching Techniques and Strategies (ED 320)
- Master’s thesis (Data collection stage)
- Health Assessment (Didactic and Practicum)
- Advanced Biostatistics
- Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice
Term II Courses - Masters thesis (Analysis and First Draft)
- Health Assessment (Didactic and Practicum)
- Advanced Biostatistics
- Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice
Term III Courses - Masters Thesis (Submission of Final draft for defence)
- Health Assessment (Didactic and Practicum)
Term IV Courses - Final Masters thesis defence
- Health Assessment final Examinations
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
A. Philosophical Bases Of Nursing (Philosophies of Science in Nursing)
The course of study focuses on the development of philosophies of science in nursing as grounding contemporary nursing knowledge development and practice. The course work involves the analysis of varying philosophies of science, including but not limited to, Positivism, Realism, Existentialism, Historicism, Modernism and Postmodernism as these influence nursing knowledge development and practice.
B. Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing
The focus of this course is the historical development of nursing knowledge, theory, and research. Varying epistemology, ontology, etymology, and anthropology of nursing and related concepts are discussed. Ways of knowing in nursing is analysed to clarify and extend processes toward the continuing evolution of nursing as a discipline and a profession.
C. Theories of Nursing
This course allows the student to study extant theories of nursing and their theorists from the perspective of paradigm variations, e.g. Totality Paradigm, Simultaneity Paradigm, Caring, and others. Representative theories of nursing in each of the identified paradigms will be selected.
D. Theory Construction in Nursing (Optional Course)
With the varying levels of theories (mid-range, meta-theories, practice theories, grand theories, etc), this course allows the student to create, innovate, and integrate knowledge of Philosophies of Science in Nursing and other related fields towards the design development, and implementation of theories of nursing. Evidence of excellent scholarship will be reflected in the practical value of the theory.
E. Advanced Nursing Research: Thesis Proposal
In this course the student is guided to develop a proposal for his/her Master’s thesis. The student in consultation with the supervisor chooses a topic that will advance nursing scholarship. The student will be required to carry out this study only after the supervising professor or lecturer has dully approved it.
F. Advanced Research Methods. Quantitative and Qualitative
These courses focus on the study of extant quantitative and qualitative research designs and methodologies that nurse researchers can use in the conduct of their investigations. For example Experimental, Quasi Experimental, Descriptive Research Methods, Surveys, Ethnographic, and Phenomenological Approaches to Nursing Inquiry.
G. Advanced Health Assessment.
This course focuses on the study and practice of Physical Assessment of human beings from infancy to older adulthood. Although the emphasis is directed toward the skills of Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation, as a preparation toward advanced nursing, the scope of practice is enhanced to include early diagnosis and referral of common health problems.
H. Roles for Advanced Practice Nursing
This course focuses on the roles of advanced practice nursing. It allows the student to study the development of Advanced Practice Nursing, Professional Socialization of the Advanced Practice Nurse, and the various specialized practice arenas in Advanced Practice Nursing.
EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
The format of progression shall apply throughout the two years of study. Progressive assessments for the first year study and the second year study shall be in accordance with Faculty of medicine and university regulations.
University Examinations for Postgraduate Student
There shall be two university examinations, one for each of the two-year postgraduate program. The first university examination shall occur on term IV of the first year of studies. The second university examinations shall occur on the last term of the second year of studies. The defence of the masters thesis is a separate requirement for graduation and will be scheduled separately.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate will be considered due for graduation if he/she has:- An approved Masters thesis duly prepared for dissemination on the recommended paper
- Completed all the required subjects in the program of study
- Successfully sat and passed all the examinations required under this program of study.