Karnali Academy of Health Sciences(KAHS)

Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS) has been established in 20th October 2011 (2068/07/03), by an Act of parliament of Nepal. The goal of KAHS is to support in access of Quality healthcare services and education for the people of backward (Pichhadiyako) areas. The backward areas (9 districts) mentioned in act of KAHS are: Humla, Jumla, Kalikot, Dolpa, Mugu, Jajarkot, Bajura, Bajhang and Achham districts. Now other districts of Karnali Province are also included (Surkhet, Dailekh, Rukum and Salyan) according to federal system of Nepal. KAHS is one teaching and research institutions which is located in rural and remote area in Karnali province of Nepal. The School of Nursing and Midwifery at KAHS was established in 2012 and completed four batches of PCL nursing graduates. Similarly, Bachelor in Midwifery program is started since 2018 to prepare the professional midwives which are the maternity care workforce of Nepal. Now the bachelor in Nursing Science program is going to start immediately. The bachelor of Nursing science program is needed in this region to produce mid-level nursing workforce for health care delivery system of Nepal.

Philosophy
According to national goal of education and the institution's philosophy, the KAHS Bachelor
in nursing science curriculum is intended to develop a self-reliant, committed nurse, and a
responsible citizen and a contributing member of the society. Through a systematic process of
study and experience, evidence-based knowledge is gained, skills are developed and attitudes
are inculcated through providing conducive learning environment. The self-directed learning
methodology will develop committed nurses as lifelong learners.
Human resource development of Nursing especially for the Karnali province is of urgent need
in order to provide quality health care services to people. Nurses are skilled health care
professional, with rational, analytical and critical thinking which can make sound judgment and
provide holistic and specialized nursing care services with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
Nursing profession is an integral and important component of the national health care delivery
system, which requires innovative and creative patterns of holistic care in a variety of settings
to assist individual, group, family and community to achieve optimal level of health within the
country's economic capacity. The community-based approach aims to assist all people to have
access to health care which is scientifically and technologically sound, and economically
feasible. The nurse collaborates with members of health care team and other sectors to help
individuals, family, groups and community to meet their basic health needs.

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KAHS believes that the education for nursing professionals needs to be achieved through a
curriculum that unifies the essential concepts of nursing, health, person and environment which
are defined as follows:

Nursing
We believe that nursing is a caring art and a science with a professional discipline and
committed to promote, maintain and achieve optimal health of a client by utilizing a unique
body of knowledge based upon theory, practice and behavioral sciences. Clients are individuals,
families, groups and communities with health-related concerns. We believe that competent
nursing practice occurs when professional nurses demonstrate the values and ethics of the
profession in their roles as caregiver, communicator, critical thinker, leader, manager, teacher
and researcher.
Health
We believe that health is an essential resource and physical capabilities for daily living. It is a
personal state of wellbeing that enables an individual to adapt their environment to lead
physically, psychologically, socially and economically productive life by preventing illness and
promoting health
Environment
We believe that the environment is dynamic state where multi- faceted life experiences occur.
Each individual’s health habits and lifestyle patterns are determined by socioeconomic and
cultural environment of their society
Person
We believe that a person is a unique and holistic being with biophysical, psychological,
spiritual, and socio-cultural dimensions and has inherent dignity with and the capacity to
growth. Each individual is accountable for their health care decisions and has the capacity to
think, make decisions and adapt to his/her surrounding environment during the period of sick
and wellness.

Conceptual framework
The conceptual framework of this bachelor in nursing science curriculum, focus on developing
dedicated health care providers through the triangular fusion of Community based teaching
learning, nursing system and learner system, helps in the formulation of the objectives, selection
of the content and the methods of evaluation in preparing the nurses with the competencies of
compassionate care, decision making, communication, researcher, leadership and management

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and who will be able to assist, individual, family, group and community in attaining optimum
level of health.

Model of Conceptual Framework: Mid-level Leadership Role of Nurse in Primary Health

Care
Aim of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) program
The aim of bachelor of nursing science (BNS) program is to prepare the competent graduate of
middle level nurses who work independently as a member of health care team in different
hospitals, community setting to provide health service on preventive, promotive, curative and
rehabilitative care as a researcher, manager, supervisor, coordinator, care provider, leader,
teacher, evaluator, critical thinker, facilitator, communicator, change agent, counselor, problem
solver, advisor, advocator, planner, and motivator.

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Therefore, the main aim of this bachelor of nursing science program is to prepare nurses who
can use independent judgment in decision making process, leadership function, and conduct
research in clinical and community setting for the nursing practice.

Objectives of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) program
On the completion of the bachelor in nursing science course, the graduates will be able to:
• Apply knowledge of nursing, biomedical, behavioral and applied sciences in providing
health care to individual, family, group and community throughout the lifespan.
• Utilize sound body of knowledge in planning, implementing and evaluating the
comprehensive care given to the client.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and health team members in a
variety of health care settings.
• Provide quality-nursing care by utilizing nursing process dealing with a problem of
individual, family, group and community at different situation.
• Demonstrate competency in leadership quality and decision-making abilities in various
nursing care situation independently.
• Provide guidance and supervision for subordinate members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate positive attitudes to seek new knowledge for personal and professional
growth.
• Conduct and participate in research activities for development of nursing profession.
• Apply ethical principles and moral values in their professional and personal-life.
• Identify the learning needs of client, family, group, community by demonstrating
effective teaching learning skills in both formal, informal settings.
• Initiate self-directed and life-long learning as a member of the nursing profession.
• Demonstrate the competency in elective course regarding various nursing care.
• Critically analyze research studies and apply to clinical practice.

Program structures
The Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) has been structured to make it three academic years.
In first year, there is 895 hours (60 credit hours) in theory and 614 hours (21 credit hours) in
practical. Likewise, in second year there is 650 hours (43 credit hour) in theory and 984 hours
(33 credit hours) in practical. Similarly, in third year there is 400 hours (27 credit hours) in
theory and 1188 hours (40 credit hours) in practical. One credit equal to 15 hours in theory and
30 hours in practical. In this way the program consists of 224 credit hours in both theory and

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practical. Hours, marks, and credit are based on subjects, national health policy and strategies
of the country.
The major first academic year subjects are Human Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nursing Concept & Theory,
Medical and surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Comprehensive
English, and Epidemiology. Similarly, in second academic year subjects are Pediatric Nursing,
Psychiatric Nursing, Educational Sciences, Midwifery Nursing, Gynecological Nursing, Social
& Behavioral Science, Health Economics, and Applied Computer. In regard to subjects of third
academic year are Research, Biostatistics, Leadership and Management, Oncology Nursing,
Major subjects (Pediatric Nursing, Medical and Surgical Nursing, Community health nursing,
and Psychiatric Nursing).

Course Code
Regarding the course code, each subject has specific course code number.

Duration of the Course
The course has been designed for three academic years in bachelor in Nursing science (BNS)

Admission requirement
The selection procedure for the candidates entering into the program is competency in basic
knowledge and skill in nursing. In order to be eligible for acceptance into the program, the
candidate;
• Must have at least one years of nursing experience after getting registration in Nepal
Nursing council following the completion of three years’ proficiency certificate level
nursing program, and should have secured an average of 50% or more marks.
• Must pass entrance examination as per examination rule of Karnali Academy of Health
Science (KAHS).
• Must secure the at least 50% marks to pass the entrance examination.
• Must be selected on the merit basis.

Eligibility for enrollment
Student Enrollment: The following policy must be followed in enrolling students in BNS
program
• Intake is annual
• Maximum number of student intake size is 40

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• Entry qualification is PCL nursing and pass from recognized institution with at least one
year of work experience following PCL nursing
• Selection basis as per university policy

Graduation requirement
Bachelor in nursing science program is full time academic program. In order to receive the
bachelor of nursing science degree, a student must complete three academic years and must;
• Attend 80% of each theory course before being allowed to sit for internal assessment
• Attend 85% of the practicum in order to pass the practicum.
• Must pass internal assessment in each subject before being allowed to sit for the annual
examination in the respective courses.

Examination policies
• Students must sit for internal assessment and final examination on the specified date set
for examination
• If the students fail in the internal assessment, she/he will be given only one more chance
for reassessment before the final examination.
• Students must pass all theory courses with a minimum of 50% theory and practical
course with 60%.
• There will be final examination for both theory and practical courses.

Name of award
The successful candidate will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) by
Karnali Academy of Health Science, Jumla.