In today’s fast-paced world with accelerating pace of technology advancement, many individuals find it difficult to pursue a conventional, in-person education. This is even more challenging for working adults who wish to further their studies while juggling with multiple tasks and responsibilities in life. The demand for online education has been increasing steadily, and the nursing profession is no exception.
With this in mind, this year in February, the International Medical University (IMU) is proud to welcome its first intake of the Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) programme in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, which promises to provide accessible and flexible education for aspiring working nurses to upgrade their qualifications from a diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
This new Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) ODL part-time programme is designed specially to accommodate the needs of students who are unable to attend in-person physical classes due to work or personal commitments. The programme offers a comprehensive nursing education that includes both theoretical and clinical practice training, allowing students to update their knowledge and skills needed to succeed as competent nurse practitioners, leaders, researchers, and most indispensably, as reflective lifelong learners.
This year (2023) marked a new milestone for the University, when a pioneer batch of working nurses from different healthcare institutions joined the inaugural intake of Bachelor of Nursing (Hons), a three-and-a-half years part-time undergraduate programme delivered in ODL mode – A good mix of students with various nursing background who aim to upgrade themselves to be more equipped and resilient in facing the ever-changing demanding healthcare systems of tomorrow.
The programme is delivered through a mix of online interactive lectures, e-tutorials, and clinical training. Students have access to a variety of learning resources, including study materials, guided readers, interactive quizzes, virtual libraries, and online discussion forums, which help facilitate learning and enhance their overall educational experience.
During the first week of orientation on 20 to 24 February 2023, our nursing students were introduced to the curriculum, faculty, resources, and student support services available to them. New students were also provided with a comprehensive student handbook with detailed study guides to assist students in learning. An online workshop on “Balancing Work and Study” was conducted by the university’s professional counsellor, specifically designed for nursing students in helping them to cope with online study, work and other personal commitments.
| Let’s hear from our new Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) ODL students on what they said about the programme: | |
|---|---|
| Ms Ho Kit Yeng | I decided to further my study and upgrade myself to a degree as it will definitely enhance my career pathway with better job opportunities especially overseas as we know that the minimum requirement to work as a registered nurse overseas must be at least a degree holder.
I choose IMU as the programme is recognised internationally. So far, I find the programme very interesting and engaging! |
| Ms Norzuraida Binti Hashim | I chose IMU because the university has a long-standing good reputation in providing quality education and research in health sciences. I decided to further my study for better employment in the future.
This ODL programme is designed perfectly for staff nurses like me who work full-time office hours in the hospital. The programme is very flexible in online format, allowing students to access course materials and complete assignments at own pace.
The lecturers are really helpful and informative to guide students in mastering all modules |
| Ms Siti Nursalwane Binti Mazlan | The reason why I decided to further my study in this Bachelor of Nursing ODL programme is because I believe that my long-term career goals can only be achieved with this ODL programme as I am also a full-time working staff nurse.
I chose IMU is because I have received positive feedbacks from my friends who had done her nursing degree and graduated from IMU.
So far I am coping well with my study. Time management is crucial in balancing my study with my work. |
| Mr Phong Fu Zheng | I decided to enroll in this programme to update my knowledge as we know that IMU produces the best graduates in the field.
So far I find this ODL programme really helpful for me as I can decide when and where I want to study. This flexibility offered is of paramount importance for us as working adults. |
