The Diploma in Nursing programme is one of the programmes offered by the School of Health Sciences since the 2007/2008 session in response to the rapid development in medical technology and the increasing number of government and private hospitals, where the demand for nurses has escalated to a critical level. The shortage of nurses has affected the quality of health services.
The structuring of the Diploma in Nursing Programme is based on the criteria set by the Malaysian Nursing Board that a nursing programme must have sufficient nursing skill training components to enable the students to register with the Malaysian Nursing Board. It also fits the aim of the university to produce nursing graduates who possess excellent academic knowledge and competent clinical skills to achieve the nation’s aspiration to produce a healthy society.
This programme covers six (6) semesters of three (3) years. The programme encompasses the following aspects:-
- Biological Sciences
- Behavioural Sciences
- Nursing Sciences
- Technical Skills
- Co-Curriculum
These aspects are incorporated into the nursing curriculum to strengthen the basic knowledge in nursing practice and scientific knowledge to produce competent nurses of caliber, innovative, proactive, critical thinking, and independent. This will assist in enhancing professionalism and the image of nursing for the benefit of clients, society, and the country.
Diploma in Nursing programme offered by the School of Medicine (PPSP) in 1994/1995 academic year with the acquisition of 38 students and was terminated in 2003. In order to meet the shortage of nursing workforce at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia and Malaysia in general, the programme was again offered by the School of Health Sciences in 2007 with the acquisition of 81 students.
