The Faculty of Nursing recently took another step forward in shaping confident, competent, and safety-focused nurses through its signature workshop, “Mastering the BCG Jab: Precision, Safety & Skill in Action.” Designed mainly for IMU nursing cohort of NU122 students, this initiative was more than a practical session; it was a benchmark in experiential learning, focusing on one of the most technically challenging yet essential procedures in nursing: the safe administration of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, but for nursing students, the BCG jab represents both a technical hurdle and a professional milestone. The intradermal injection requires steady hands, precision, and confidence. To meet these demands, I crafted a structured programme that combined classroom learning, simulation practice, and supervised training in a way that brought textbook knowledge vividly to life.

The workshop unfolded across four carefully timed sessions, beginning with the first group of NU122 students on 9 June 2025, followed by a refresher on 3 July. The second group began their journey on 7 July, returning for their refresher on 31 July. The sessions also extended their reach to twelve NU121 students. For these juniors, it was a valuable early window into the world of clinical practice, providing them with a glimpse of the skills they would soon need to master.

I led the workshop, supported by Ms Lee Mei Ying, who co-facilitated the sessions. The sessions combined interactive lectures with live demonstrations before moving into the heart of the training: hands-on practice.

Students trained using specially designed DIY paediatric arm models, crafted to simulate the feel of administering a BCG injection. These models allowed students to practise repeatedly in a safe, controlled setting where mistakes could be made and corrected without fear.

Under the close supervision of facilitators, every attempt became a step towards mastery.

The workshop was not only innovative in design but also grounded in strong evidence. A randomised controlled trial by Al-Moteri et al. (2022) confirmed that simulation-based practice significantly enhances psychomotor performance. In contrast, Cho and Lee (2023) demonstrated that repeated immunisation practice more effectively fosters both confidence and clinical readiness than lectures alone. Long-term retention was also supported by An, Kim, and Lee (2021), who demonstrated that simulation-based learning enables students to retain procedural skills for several months.

The curriculum was further aligned with the Malaysian Nursing Board’s accreditation standards, which require graduates to demonstrate identified competencies and meet registration criteria (MOH Malaysia, 2013), and consistent with WHO-linked guidance on intradermal BCG administration, where the correct technique is confirmed by the appearance of a 5–8 mm “orange-skin” wheal immediately after injection (MSF/WHO, 2023). By drawing on such evidence and aligning with these global and national standards, the workshop ensured students were trained to the highest levels of clinical safety and competence.

The student voices reflected just how transformative the experience was. Many described the workshop as a turning point in their confidence, noting how the combination of theory, practice, and feedback eased their anxieties. One NU122 participant admitted, “I felt nervous at first, but the refresher session helped me consolidate everything. By the end, I wasn’t just practising, I felt ready for the real ward.” Others praised the approachable nature of the facilitators and the reassurance of using the practice arms, which allowed them to refine their technique without the immediate pressure of a clinical environment. The refresher sessions were highlighted as invaluable, ensuring that learning was not fleeting but reinforced and retained.

What stood out most, however, was how the workshop went beyond the mechanics of an injection. It instilled a reflective, evidence-based mindset, reminding students that every procedure they perform carries profound responsibility. Administering the BCG vaccine is not just about piercing the skin; it is about safeguarding a child’s health, ensuring vaccine efficacy, and preventing complications.

By the end of the programme, students had not only sharpened their skills but also deepened their sense of accountability and professional pride. We will continue to track its progress during clinical postings, measuring how this workshop translates into real-world competence and safe patient care.

The success of “Mastering the BCG Jab” is not only in its carefully designed curriculum but in the confidence it cultivated and the professional standards it upheld. At IMU University, nursing education has always been about more than just learning to perform procedures. It is about mastering them with care, accuracy, and compassion. This workshop embodied that mission, proving that every jab delivered by an IMU-trained nurse carries with it the assurance of skill, safety, and excellence.

“From Classroom to Clinic, Precision Protects.”

Written by: Deepa Kaliappen, Faculty of Nursing
Reviewed by: Dr. Lim Swee Geok, Head of Nursing Division