Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Upgrading

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Upgrading is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in nursing - upgrading. The programme falls under the Health Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Advanced Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Nursing, Advanced Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, Advanced Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Advanced Community Health and Public Health Nursing. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Advanced Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Advanced Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Advanced Community Health and Public Health Nursing. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Advanced Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership and Management. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Upgrading pursue careers as Registered Nurse / Clinical Nurse (Degree Level), Critical Care Nurse / ICU Nurse, Nurse Manager / Ward Manager, Community Health Nursing Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 364,000
Private, up to: Ksh 210,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process
Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Nursing
Advanced Paediatric and Child Health Nursing
Advanced Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
Advanced Community Health and Public Health Nursing
Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Nursing
Advanced Geriatric and Chronic Disease Nursing
Nursing Leadership, Management and Education
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Nursing

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced nursing fundamentals, nursing theory, nursing process, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, nursing documentation, communication, therapeutic communication, and sup...
Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced medical nursing, surgical nursing, perioperative nursing, medical-surgical conditions, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, renal ...
Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Nursing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced maternal health nursing, antenatal care, intrapartum care, postnatal care, labour and delivery, neonatal nursing, newborn assessment, breastfeeding support, and supporting advanced materna...
Advanced Paediatric and Child Health Nursing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced paediatric nursing, child health nursing, adolescent health, growth and development, paediatric assessment, immunisation, nutrition, common childhood illnesses, and supporting advanced pae...
Advanced Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced mental health nursing, psychiatric nursing, mental disorders, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and supporting adv...
Advanced Community Health and Public Health Nursing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced community health nursing, public health nursing, health promotion, disease prevention, health education, community mobilisation, home-based care, family health, and supporting advanced com...
Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Nursing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced critical care nursing, ICU nursing, emergency nursing, trauma nursing, cardiac monitoring, ventilator management, haemodynamic monitoring, and supporting advanced critical care nursing.
Advanced Geriatric and Chronic Disease Nursing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced geriatric nursing, elderly care, chronic disease management, diabetes nursing, hypertension nursing, cardiovascular nursing, respiratory nursing, palliative care, and supporting advanced g...
Nursing Leadership, Management and Education
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Nursing leadership, nursing management, quality improvement, patient safety, nursing education, curriculum development, clinical supervision, team leadership, resource management, and supporting nu...
Research Methods, Evidence-Based Nursing and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, biostatistics, research ethics, NACOSTI, scientific writing, KNMC regulations, evidence-based nursing, independent research project, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Advanced Paediatric Nursing
Specialises in advanced child health nursing, paediatric assessment, immunisation, and childhood illnesses.
Nursing Leadership and Management
Focuses on nursing management, quality improvement, patient safety, and 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.
Advanced Mental Health Nursing
Concentrates on advanced mental health nursing, psychiatric nursing, therapeutic communication, and psychopharmacology.
Advanced Critical Care Nursing
Focuses on advanced ICU nursing, critical care, haemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, and emergency nursing.
Nursing Education
Focuses on nursing education, curriculum development, clinical supervision, and teaching. 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 starts with morning lectures on advanced nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, or nursing leadership, followed by laboratory practicals, clinical rotations, or nursing practicum at affiliated hospitals. Students conduct advanced patient assessments, manage complex nursing care, supervise junior staff, implement quality improvement, conduct nursing research, and work on their research project. Clinical rotations at KNH, MTRH, county hospitals, and health centres provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Career advancement — degree qualification enables leadership positions, teaching roles, and higher salary scales.
Builds on experience — students have diploma-level clinical experience, allowing for advanced practice and leadership.
Leadership skills — programme includes management, education, quality improvement, and research components for leadership roles.

Against it

Work-study balance — balancing work, study, and clinical rotations can be challenging for working professionals.
Cost — upgrading programmes may be expensive, though employer sponsorships and bursaries are available.
Time commitment — upgrading requires 2-3 years of full-time study away from work.

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

Private199k to 210k

199k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa210k at Mount Kenya University

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 275,400; UoN 364,000 KUCCPS. CUEA 99,500/sem; MKU 210,000/yr kenyaeducationguide.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and county bursaries. Employer sponsorships from county governments or hospitals, and international nursing scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
County Government Bursaries
Employer Sponsorships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
Hospital Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Some hospitals may sponsor nursing students in exchange for service commitment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Nursing or KRCHN from KNMC-accredited institutions is required for admission. Relevant nursing experience is advantageous.

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

How you are assessed

5 components

Clinical Rotation Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of clinical rotations at hospitals including patient care, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering advanced nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, maternal health, paediatrics, and mental health.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and nursing care plans throughout each semester.
Nursing Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of advanced nursing competencies including patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and clinical skills.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent nursing research project, assessed through written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Nursing and Midwifery Council (KNMC). Graduates must register with KNMC to practise. The Nursing Act governs nursing practice. UHC requires a strong nursing workforce.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.
Kenya Nursing and Midwifery Council
ProfessionalRequired
KNMC accredits nursing programmes, regulates nursing practice, and registers nurses. Graduates must register with KNMC to practise.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Registered Nurse / Clinical Nurse (Degree Level)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 170,000
Provides advanced patient care, manages complex nursing cases, and implements nursing care plans at hospitals, health centres, or clinics registered with KNMC.
Critical Care Nurse / ICU Nurse
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides specialised care for critically ill patients in ICU, CCU, or HDU settings at referral hospitals.
Nurse Manager / Ward Manager
Medium demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 190,000
Manages nursing units, supervises nursing staff, ensures quality patient care, and manages resources at hospitals or health centres.
Community Health Nursing Officer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000
Coordinates community health services, health education, home-based care, and public health interventions at county governments or the Ministry of Health.
Nursing Educator / Lecturer
Medium demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 190,000
Teaches nursing at universities or nursing colleges, develops curriculum, conducts research, and supervises student clinical rotations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as registered nurses, nurse managers, and nursing educators. Nursing upgrading is in high demand for career advancement. Salaries range from KES 80,000 to 180,000 per month. Ministry of Health, county hospitals, private hospitals, and universities offer the main opportunities.

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 upgrading is the same as the regular BSc Nursing.
This upgrading programme is designed for diploma holders and includes advanced nursing, leadership, management, education, and research components for career advancement.
Diploma holders don't need a degree.
Degree-level qualification is increasingly required for leadership positions, teaching roles, and career advancement in Kenya's healthcare sector.
Upgrading takes longer than the regular programme.
The upgrading programme is typically 2-3 years for diploma holders, building on existing clinical experience and knowledge.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.