​​Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)​

The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery in East Africa (AKU-SONAM EA) was established in 2001 to provide quality education to nurses and midwives in East Africa and beyond. Our curricula and teaching methods focus on developing nurses and midwives who can lead, think critically, and innovate to improve the health and well-being outcomes of our population. We are intentional about transforming our students from being learners into leaders and have graduated more than 3000 nurses and midwives across the region. 

Our four-year Direct-entry BScN programme aims to equip nursing students with the skills and competencies needed to function in areas such as patient-centered care, teamwork and interprofessional practice, evidence-based practice, quality improvement and use of informatics and technology to enhance the quality of care. 

Upon completion, the graduates get an opportunity to enter the nursing profession as intern nurses. After graduating, they are eligible to sit a mandatory licensure examination by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Upon passing, they must complete a one-year internship to qualify for a license to practice as professional nurses.

​​Why SONAM?

Our vision of “Transforming nurses and midwives towards a global future” inspires a focus on developing healthcare professionals who are equipped to be the best in their field and are ready to make a positive impact on healthcare. 

​With faculty who are leaders in several nursing and midwifery organizations both locally and internationally, a binding philosophy of interdisciplinary education with the Medical College, simulation education through the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) and a focused elective course which will allow learners to build knowledge and skills on contemporary and emerging healthcare issues, our students will be learning from the best in the region.  

The programme will take advantage of the emerging innovations in electronic health records, telemedicine and data science as well as embrace interprofessional learning between medicine and nursing students and simulation learning within AKU. The curriculum will inculcate unique values in nurse graduates both in the clinical setting and community level, not only curative and rehabilitative services but also preventive and promotive services. 

The Aga Khan University offers merit- and needs-based financial assistance and scholarships to students admitted in all our programmes.​

At the end of the four-year programme, nursing graduates shall be able to:  

  • Acquire knowledge in basic and nursing sciences that are relevant to the practice of nursing.
  • Apply skills from nursing and other disciplines to provide competent, evidence-based, safe and culturally sensitive care to patients/clients and community.
  • Apply therapeutic communication skills in supportive care, counselling and education to strengthen partnerships with patients/clients and community.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills, critical thinking, problem solving and ability to work with multiprofessional teams across healthcare systems and the community.​
  • Integrate primary healthcare, health promotion and disease preventions skills in nursing practice while recognizing the social, gender and cultural influences of health.  ​
  • Demonstrate the commitment as a life-long learner for personal and professional growth. 
  • Demonstrate innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial skills in response to prevailing and emerging healthcare needs.
  • Demonstrate high standards of professional integrity and ethics in the practice of nursing. ​

The programme curriculum is expected to facilitate the training of graduates who will promote and advocate for a wholesome experience of care for patients/clients and the wider community. It is inspired by the “International Council of Nurses framework of competencies” and the “WHO Quality of Care Framework for maternal and newborn health”.   

The curriculum:  

  • Promotes professional, ethical and legal practice through courses such as Professionalism and Ethics as well as Leadership and Management.

  • Prioritizes care provision and management through the science courses. 

  • ​Focuses on the professional, personal and quality development of the learner through courses such as entrepreneurship as well as academic writing. 

  • Includes behavioral and socioeconomic subjects, in addition to basic, community and clinical sciences.

  • Approaches learning from a holistic view by examining the health system, the care process, and care outcomes as key interconnected components of achieving quality care. ​

  • Includes behavioral and socioeconomic subjects, in addition to basic, community and clinical sciences.

The curriculum conforms to the requirements of the Commission for University Education and the Nursing Council of Kenya.

The four-year course is divided into the following segments:   

1st Year: Foundation Courses (Basic Sciences) and Professionalism and Ethics in Health Sciences, Communication and Counselling, Critical Thinking and Academic writing.   

2nd Year: Nursing concepts and Nursing Practice (Medical-Surgical Nursing, Gynaecology and reproductive health, Midwifery, Medical Sociology & Anthropology, Psychology).  

3rd Year: Community Health Nursing; Research; Midwifery; Specialty Areas (Pediatric Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, Peri-operative Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, ENT Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Dental Nursing, Orthopedic Nursing, Palliative Nursing, Oncology Nursing); Mental Health; Teaching and Learning. 

4th Year: Nursing Leadership and Management; Electives (Entrepreneurship, Forensic Nursing, Teaching Practice).


You are invited to apply for the programme if the primary mode of instruction in your previous learning institution was in English. We also accept foreign students from institutions in Kenya or overseas who have successfully completed or are completing their secondary school education and meet the eligibility criteria.

To participate in the admissions process, you must meet the minimum academic eligibility requirements applicable to candidates who are directly out of secondary school as well as successfully complete our admission assessments. 

Applications are evaluated on the basis of your achievements in the most current academic qualification.  

​​For the 2024 admissions cycle, eligible candidates must satisfy the criteria below. 


  1. ​​Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): A minimum aggregate score of C+ (plus). In addition, a candidate must meet the cluster grades as shown below:
    ​

    • Cluster A: Applicants should possess an aggregate grade of C+ in the following cluster of subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics; and English or Kiswahili. 

    OR


    • ​Cluster B: Applicants should possess an aggregate grade of C+ in the following cluster of subjects: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics; and English or Kiswahili.  


  2. Advanced level certificate holders: Minimum entry requirements include Principal passes of C in Biology and Chemistry, along with at least a subsidiary pass in either Mathematics or Physics

  3. International Baccalaureate (IB): Grade 4 and above in the cluster subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics or Physics.​


NB


  • Final year applicants who have not received their final results have the option to apply using Predicted Grades. This will enable them to follow through with the processes. However, the official admission letter will only be issued after the submission of results by Friday, August 9, 2024.

  • International applicants are required to obtain equivalence of their grades from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) for proper assessment and recognition in the admission process.

  • Individuals with a Diploma in Nursing/Midwifery may apply for admission to the Post RN/M Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Midwifery programs.



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2024 Admissions Cycle  

Open Day | January 26, 2024

Admissions window | January 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024 ​

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