1. General Information

1.1 Background

Aligned with the objectives of the Ethiopian Higher Education Proclamation and the strategic direction of Debre Berhan University (DBU), the Comprehensive Nursing Department was established in 2000 E.C. with a mandate to train competent, ethical, and socially responsive nurses. This initiative responds to Ethiopia’s critical health workforce shortage, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is guided by national policies aimed at achieving universal health coverage and equity in health service delivery.

Despite efforts to expand medical education, Ethiopia continues to face challenges related to quality, relevance, and the practical orientation of training. The Higher Education Proclamation (Proclamation No. 1152/2019) stresses the importance of applied and community-oriented education, academic freedom, research, and technology transfer. In line with this, DBU’s nursing curriculum focuses not only on technical skill development but also on ethical reasoning, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving.

The Comprehensive Nursing Program prepares graduates to meet both national and global standards, reflecting Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening primary healthcare through a scientifically grounded, practically driven education model.

2. Vision and Mission of Debre Berhan University

Vision
To become one of the leading national universities in practice-oriented teaching and applied research by 2030.

Mission

• M1: Produce knowledgeable, skilled, and value-driven graduates prepared for the national and global job market through practice-oriented learning.
• M2: Promote applied research and innovation that supports industry and societal transformation.
• M3: Foster strategic partnerships for the enhancement of academic quality, research, and community engagement.

3. Alignment with National Legislation and Policy

The department strictly adheres to:

• The DBU Legislation (2021 Revised Version)
• The Ethiopian Higher Education Proclamation No. 1152/2019
• Ministry of Education (MoE) Guidelines and Standards for Program Accreditation (ETA)
• Ethiopian Nursing and Midwifery Council regulations
• National Health Sector Transformation Plan II (HSTP II)

Our program embodies these directives by delivering practice-based, equitable, and context-relevant education aligned with national health system goals.

Organogram of Comprehensive Nursing

4. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) of Nursing Program

• PEO1: To produce competent professional nurses who are able to provide culturally sensitive and high quality comprehensive care at all levels of health care system. 

  PEO2: To produce ethically disciplined and technically qualified nurses who are employable in national and international health care industries.  

  PEO3: To produce competent nurses who can be self-employed and can create job opportunities for other nursing graduates. 

  PEO4: To produce nurses who have a potential to be a leader in health care industries, works on researches and community service.

5. Program Outcomes (POs) of Nursing Program

Graduates of the Comprehensive Nursing Program will be able to:

   1. Apply the knowledge of biomedical sciences, concepts and models of social and population sciences, disease  prevention and health promotion in health care service provision  

2.Demonstrate the ability to integrate indigenous knowledge and culturally appropriate practices into nursing care, especially in community and rural settings by identifying psychosocial, environmental and behavioral determinants of health  

3.  Provide basic holistic care for individuals, families, and communities using the nursing process as a framework   

4. Use critical thinking to analyze and interpret health data collected, by using the functional health pattern (Gordon’s) /other recent evidence, to establish priorities and make the appropriate decision  

5.    Perform basic and advanced nursing procedures, and assist advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using the latest evidence  

6. Perform activities in prevention, control, diagnoses and management of emerging and re-emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases 

7.      Provide comprehensive maternal, child health  and mental health nursing care services  

8.      Apply professional, ethical, and legal standards and codes in nursing practice 

9.      Apply informatics and technology for health data management and patient care 

10.  Utilize research and related evidences for patient health care services  

11.  Exercise leadership and involve in the management of the health care system 

12.  Demonstrates commitment to the continuous personal and professional development and lifelong learning

6. Career Opportunities

Graduates are eligible for employment in:

• Hospitals and Health Centers
• Teaching and Research Institutions
• Non-Governmental and International Organizations (NGOs, UN agencies)
• Leadership roles in public health and policy

They can also pursue advanced degrees such as:

• MSc Programs: Adult Health, Critical Care, Maternity, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Oncology, Neonatology, Surgical Nursing, etc.
• MPH Specializations: Nutrition, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Reproductive Health, Environmental Health, Public Health Leadership.
• Doctoral Studies: PhD in Nursing/Public Health, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

7. Admission Requirements

In accordance with MoE and DBU guidelines, applicants must:

• Be from a natural science background.
• Meet national HEI admission requirements.
• Pass the department’s internal entrance screening.
• Demonstrate physical and mental fitness appropriate for nursing practice.
• Show commitment to the profession and good performance in freshman courses.

8. Quality Assurance and Accreditation

The program is developed in line with the Education and Training Policy of Ethiopia and is subject to continuous review and institutional self-assessment. It is also reviewed in line with Education Quality Assurance standards set by the Ministry of Education and is regularly audited for relevance, effectiveness, and societal impact.

9. Conclusion

The Comprehensive Nursing Program at Debre Berhan University reflects the university’s legal, educational, and ethical obligations to prepare transformative health professionals. Rooted in applied science and driven by public need, the department contributes directly to national health goals, community empowerment, and the advancement of nursing as both a discipline and a vital service to society.

10. Core and Supportive Courses to Program Outcome Mapping

Table 2. Core and Supportive Courses to Program Outcome Mapping

11.  Teaching and Learning Methods

·       Role play

·       Case study

·       Simulated practice/clinical skills lab/SDL/BSL

·       Clinical practicum

·       Team training and community based learning

·       Laboratory practice

·       Whole group session

·       CBD (Case based discussion)

·       Lecture, Problem Based Learning/PBL

12.  Assessment Methods

ü  Direct observation of clinical skills (DOCS)

ü  Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

ü  Oral exams

ü  Written exam /formative, summative/

ü  Logbook /formative assessment

ü  Global rating/using multiple source of information /

ü  Clinical work samplings

13.  Promotion requirements 

ü  Required to achieve a passing mark of C (50%) in knowledge based

ü  C+ (60%) in performance assessments

ü  Any student scoring below 60% in core modules having hospital or community based clinical practice assessment will repeat the module

ü  Should score half of the percentage in each modular course. 

ü  A score below half in one modular course will result in repeat of the module

ü  Failure in one course of the module results in repeating the module.

14.   Grading System

Table 3: Grading system

15.  Staff Profile and Resources

Staff profile refers to the number of academic staff with the appropriate credentials and experience required to run the proposed graduate program.

Table 4: Nursing Program Staff Profile