Post Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science (PBNS)

Post-Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science (PBNS) at Koshi Health Institute

The Post-Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science (PBNS) at Koshi Health Institute, Biratnagar, is a three-year bachelor's-level nursing program affiliated with Purbanchal University. The revised curriculum is offered through the Faculty of Medical and Allied Sciences and combines advanced nursing study with clinical practice, community health, leadership and management, research, and elective specialization.

PBNS is designed for nurses who have already completed Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) Nursing and are progressing to bachelor-level nursing education. The three-year structure develops nursing knowledge across medical-surgical care, pediatric nursing, midwifery, community health, psychiatric nursing, geriatric care, education, management, research, oncology, and a selected major area.

Quick Highlights

The PBNS program was restructured from an earlier two-year format into a three-academic-year course. Purbanchal University adopted the name Post-Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science from the 2075/76 academic year.

Eligibility and Admission

Academic eligibility includes:

• completion of PCL Nursing from a recognized institution; and

• at least one year of work experience in a recognized health institution after obtaining the Nepal Nursing Council licence.

Admission to nursing education follows the prevailing rules of the Medical Education Commission (MEC). Admission is based on MECEE-BL and follows the applicable MEC entrance, matching, code of conduct, scholarship, seat allocation, fee structure, and admission procedures.

Seats, fees, scholarship provisions, and admission arrangements may change from one academic year to another according to MEC decisions and its official academic calendar.

Course Structure

The three years combine theoretical nursing study with progressively broader clinical, educational, research, community, and management practice.

First Year

The first year strengthens biomedical and nursing foundations through:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Pharmacology

• Pathophysiology

• Microbiology and Parasitology

• Biochemistry

• Nutrition and Dietetics

• Basic Science and Nutrition Practice

• Medical-Surgical Nursing I

• Nursing Concepts and Theories

• Pediatric Nursing

• Medical Sociology and Anthropology

• Professional English

Practical experience includes Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, basic science laboratory work, and nutrition practice. First-year clinical placements include general and children's hospital settings.

Second Year

Second-year study moves into maternal health, community care, mental health, education, epidemiology, and care of older adults. Subjects include:

• Midwifery I

• Community Health Nursing I

• Psychiatric Nursing I

• Educational Science

• Epidemiology

• Geriatric Nursing

• Applied Computer Technology

• corresponding practical components

Clinical and practical learning includes maternity, specialty and mental health settings, senior citizen care, nursing education practice, and community health placements. Community practice may involve health offices, primary healthcare facilities, health posts, and selected communities.

Third Year

The third year concentrates on leadership, research, oncology nursing, and a major elective area.

Students study:

• Leadership and Management

• Research and Biostatistics in Nursing

• Oncology Nursing

• Elective Subject

• Elective Subject Practicum

The elective options are:

• Community Health Nursing II

• Midwifery II

• Medical-Surgical Nursing II

• Psychiatric Nursing II

The selected elective carries both theoretical study and an extended practicum, allowing students to concentrate on one nursing area during the final year.

Clinical and Practical Learning

Clinical practice runs throughout the PBNS program rather than being confined to a single internship period.

First-year placements focus on medical-surgical and pediatric nursing, along with basic science and nutrition practice. Second-year experience extends into maternity care, psychiatric nursing, community health, geriatric care, and nursing education.

Third-year practical work includes leadership and management, research, oncology nursing, and the selected major subject. Research practice covers proposal development, conducting research, and report writing.

The third-year curriculum assigns seven weeks to Leadership and Management practice, nine weeks to Research and Biostatistics practice, two weeks to Oncology Nursing practice, and 12 weeks to the elective practicum.

Koshi Health Institute also operates within the same cooperative structure as Morang Cooperative Hospital, a 100-bed healthcare facility, and has nursing-related laboratories, classrooms, a library, and other health science learning facilities.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include interactive lectures, group discussion, observation, demonstration, assignments, presentations, practical assignments, term papers, observation visits, self-directed learning, and problem-based approaches.

Assessment has internal and final components.

For theory:

• Internal Assessment: 20%

• Final Examination: 80%

For practical study:

• Internal Assessment: 80%

• Final examination in the major elective subject: 20%

Each academic year follows a 52-week operational calendar that incorporates subject study, clinical practice, vacation, revision, and final examinations.

Nursing Registration and Professional Practice

PBNS is part of professional nursing education, and graduates remain subject to the regulatory requirements of the Nepal Nursing Council.

After completing the program, graduates must meet the prevailing professional council licensing requirements applicable to their professional practice. Academic completion and professional licensing requirements should therefore be treated separately.

Academic Areas Developed Through PBNS

The course builds on previous nursing education and professional experience rather than starting with introductory nursing alone. Across three years, students work with:

• advanced nursing care;

• maternal and reproductive health;

• medical-surgical nursing;

• pediatric and geriatric nursing;

• psychiatric and mental health nursing;

• community health nursing;

• nursing education;

• leadership and healthcare management;

• epidemiology;

• nursing research and biostatistics;

• oncology nursing;

• specialized elective practice.

This combination places clinical nursing, community care, management, and research within the same bachelor-level program.

Who May Consider PBNS?

PBNS is intended for PCL Nursing graduates who meet the required professional experience and licensing conditions and want to continue to bachelor-level nursing education.

The program involves extensive clinical and practical work in addition to classroom study. Students also need to undertake research, management practice, community work, and a final-year elective practicum, making previous nursing knowledge and professional experience central to the course structure.

FAQ

What is the duration of PBNS at Koshi Health Institute?

The Post-Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science is a three-year academic program affiliated with Purbanchal University.

Who is eligible for PBNS?

Applicants must have completed PCL Nursing from a recognized institution and have at least one year of work experience in a recognized health institution after obtaining an NNC licence.

Is PBNS admission based on MECEE-BL?

Yes. Nursing education admission follows the prevailing Medical Education Commission framework, including MECEE-BL and the applicable matching, seat allocation, scholarship, fee, and admission procedures.

What subjects are studied in the first year of PBNS?

First-year subjects include Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, Medical-Surgical Nursing I, Nursing Concepts and Theories, Pediatric Nursing, Medical Sociology and Anthropology, and Professional English.

What are the elective areas in PBNS?

Students can study an elective in Community Health Nursing II, Midwifery II, Medical-Surgical Nursing II, or Psychiatric Nursing II.

Does PBNS include research work?

Yes. Third-year study includes Research and Biostatistics in Nursing with practical work covering proposal writing, conducting research, and report writing.

Does PBNS include clinical practice?

Yes. Clinical and practical learning is included throughout all three years in hospital, community, educational, management, research, oncology, and elective practice settings.

Is professional licensing relevant after completing PBNS?

Yes. Graduates must meet the prevailing professional licensing requirements of the Nepal Nursing Council before entering regulated nursing practice.