Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a programme that provides comprehensive training in nursing science, patient care and healthcare management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Maseno University, Moi University, Mount Kenya University, Kenya Methodist University, Aga Khan University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in nursing, healthcare and clinical practice.

The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, mental health nursing, maternal and child health nursing, paediatric nursing, nursing leadership and management, nursing research, nursing ethics, primary healthcare, emergency nursing, critical care nursing, research methods, biostatistics and a research project. Students develop clinical and patient care skills through lectures, laboratory sessions and extensive clinical rotations.

Kenya's healthcare system expansion, nursing shortage and universal health coverage agenda create strong demand for nursing graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, nursing skills laboratories, clinical rotations in hospitals, community health practice, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as registered nurses, nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists, community health nurses, nurse educators, critical care nurses, theatre nurses, nurse researchers and nurse entrepreneurs. They work in hospitals, clinics, county governments, Ministry of Health, NGOs, schools, research institutions and as consultants.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 364,000
Private, up to: Ksh 766,900
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Anatomy and Physiology
Pharmacology
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Community Health Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Paediatric Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management
Nursing Research
Primary Healthcare

Modules

10 in the programme

Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Human body structure and function. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Drug therapy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Adult nursing care. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Community Health Nursing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Community healthcare. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Mental Health Nursing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychiatric nursing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
MCH nursing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Paediatric Nursing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Child nursing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Nursing Leadership and Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Nursing management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Nursing Research
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods in nursing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Nursing Management
Nursing leadership. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Critical Care Nursing
ICU and emergency. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Mental Health Nursing
Psychiatric nursing. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Community Health Nursing
Community healthcare. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending nursing lectures, working in nursing skills laboratories, studying pharmacology, practising patient care techniques, attending clinical rotations in hospital wards, learning community health nursing, studying nursing ethics, and working on nursing research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand due to nursing shortage
NCK registration enables professional practice
Socially rewarding profession helping patients

Against it

Clinical work involves emotional stress
Shift work including nights and weekends
Exposure to infectious diseases

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public275k to 364k

275k at Kenyatta University364k at University of Nairobi

Private188k to 767k

188k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa767k at United States International University-Africa

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 275K, UoN 364K/yr (victormatara). CUEA 188K, USIU 767K/yr (educationnewshub, USIU fee schedule).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Health sector organisations may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

AMREF International University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Health sciences students demonstrating financial need
Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in health sciences

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in nursing (KRCHN) from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics or Physics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Clinical Practicals
Practicum30% of the mark
Clinical rotations and skills lab
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Offered at UoN, KU, JKUAT, Maseno, Moi, MKU, KEMU, AKU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4. NCK registration required for professional practice.

Accredited by

Nursing Council of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for regulation of nursing education and practice in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Registered Nurse
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Clinical nursing
Nurse Educator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Nursing education
Nurse Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Nursing management
Community Health Nurse
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Community nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Specialised nursing

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as registered nurses, nurse managers and clinical nurse specialists in hospitals, county governments and healthcare organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Stethoscope
Medical equipmentPrimary
Primary diagnostic tool.
KenyaEMR
Health is
Electronic medical records.
Surgical Instruments
Medical equipmentPrimary
Surgical tools and equipment.
Laparoscopic Equipment
Medical equipment
Minimally invasive surgery systems.
PACS
Imaging systemPrimary
Picture Archiving and Communication System.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Nursing is just about giving injections.
The programme covers pharmacology, mental health, community health, leadership, research and specialised clinical practice.
Nursing is a female profession.
Nursing is open to all genders, with growing numbers of male nurses.
There are no nursing jobs in Kenya.
Kenya has a critical nursing shortage, creating strong demand.
Nursing is less rigorous than medicine.
Nursing is a demanding programme with extensive clinical training and scientific foundation.