Page 29 - Nursing Education in Malaysia

3/ tHE status of NursiNg iN Malaysia

the degree programme or meeting conditions for clinical requirements in the academic
setting.

Some universities also offer post-graduate certificate and diploma as part of continuing
education for degree holders.

There is now a need to synchronize the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Ministry
of Higher Education, to avoid duplication and redundancy.

In-service education programmes are training programmes provided by a healthcare
agency or institution, designed to increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of
nurses and other healthcare profesionals employed by the institution.

In Malaysia, continuing and in-service education programmes are well planned and
extremely well received by nurses.

other Educational Programmes

The Nursing Board of Malaysia, in 2007, had produced “Guidelines on Standard and
Criteria for Approval of Nursing Programmes” and one of the programmes mentioned was
the “Post Registration (Degree)”.

The Post Registration Degree programme, known also as a “TOP-UP” programme
worth 80 credits, admits diploma graduates for two years full-time. At least five institutions
of higher learning are known to conduct or will conduct this degree programme within two
years part-time (instead of full-time). These institutions are: Open University Malaysia
(OUM), MAHSA University College, Masterskill University College, International
University College of Nursing (IUCN) and SEGI University College.

For all intentions and purposes, the product of this programme must be clinically
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competent, i.e, At the 3 level (competent level) of the Benner: From Novice to Expert
Nursing Standard, and proficient in the use of the Nursing Process Model. The graduates
must also be skillful in critical thinking, problem solving and the research process.

A formal study needs to be conducted on the graduates of these programmes to find
out the proficiency level in critical thinking and problem solving, the application of the
Nursing Process Model and Research process. The question arises whether two-year part
time degree programmes should be allowed to be conducted by any institution.

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