Introduction

BSc Hons in Nursing degree is designed to prepare a competent, caring, compassionate and reflective nursing graduate, skilled in autonomous and collaborative nursing care in a variety of settings for health promotion, prevention of illness, care of ill, rehabilitation and palliative care. This makes the graduates capable of becoming caregiving leaders, educators, health system managers, researchers and health policymakers in the field of nursing.
The degree is designed to equip nurse practitioners with the competencies needed to provide safe and effective nursing care of the highest standard across varies settings. The curriculum provides a sound scientific and humanistic foundation for nursing practice, enabling the undergraduates to develop necessary competencies for delivering nursing care focused on disease prevention, treatment, health care, maintenance, rehabilitation and health promotion.
Apart from being sensitive and -compassionate towards their clients, graduates of this programme will possess the ability to articulate the nurses' role to other health care disciplines. The programme also includes introduction to nursing research and evidence-based nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on developing critical and reflective thinking, problem solving abilities and social skills among students, as well as equipping them with the necessary skills to address professional, moral, and ethical issues. The programme is designed to further encourage students to acquire knowledge and insight through self- directed learning and innovative approaches.
BSc Hons in Nursing degree programme is conducted since 2008, as a four-year degree programme with 120 credits. Initial curriculum was designed in year 2007 and has been revised subsequently to meet the international standards. More than the half of the entire 120 credits is focused on the enhancement of clinical competency (2800 hrs) in both general and specialized care units at Teaching Hospitals. The degree has obtained the accreditation from Sri Lanka Nursing Council (SLNC).
Following completion of the four-year degree programme in B.Sc. Hons in Nursing, undergraduates will be able to;

• acquire scientific knowledge in the field of human, biological and health sciences that underpin and contribute to professional nursing practice and health promotion.
• commit and participate actively and effectively as a member of the healthcare team in preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care delivery.
• promote health by assessing the needs of the individuals, families and the community while respecting the values, beliefs of different cultures.
• plan and implement nursing care effectively while maintaining the interpersonal relationships with all the stake holders.
• demonstrate competence in application of safe patient care, effectively, and efficiently with use of technology and resources while enhancing the occupational safety.
• appreciate and enhance continual personal and professional development of self and colleagues with the specific focus on communication and interpersonal skills.
• demonstrate awareness of ethical principles and legal aspects that will be helpful in ethical decision making and professional nursing practice.
• contribute to knowledge by planning and conducting nursing research activities, sharing the findings with their colleagues and successfully follow the postgraduate studies as a continual learner