Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) in Oncology

Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) in Oncology at Pokhara University

Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS) in Oncology is an undergraduate nursing program offered through the Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, under Pokhara University. The School is located at Dhungepatan, Pokhara-30, Kaski.

The BNS curriculum is arranged over three academic years. It is designed for candidates who have already completed Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) Nursing. Students first study basic sciences, nursing concepts, medical-surgical nursing, and community health nursing. The second year introduces several nursing specialties, including Oncology Nursing I, while the third year allows advanced study in Gerontology Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, or Oncology Nursing. Students choosing the oncology pathway complete both theory and practical study in Oncology Nursing alongside research, biostatistics, leadership, and management.

BNS in Oncology at a Glance

The 20-seat intake is subject to Medical Education Commission determination and may change between admission cycles.

What is BNS in Oncology?

The BNS program builds on prior nursing education rather than beginning with general nursing preparation from the secondary-school level. Applicants enter after completing PCL Nursing, which makes the course different from B.Sc. Nursing in terms of its admission route.

Oncology is introduced formally during the second year through Oncology Nursing I theory and practical courses. During the third year, students can continue into the oncology specialty through Oncology Nursing theory and practical study.

The oncology component deals with nursing care related to cancer, including the biology of cancer, cancer treatment, symptom management, and patient care in oncology settings.

The wider BNS curriculum remains important even for students following the oncology pathway. Nursing Concepts and Principles, Medical Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Gerontology Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Obstetric and Gynaecological Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Educational Science, research, biostatistics, leadership, and management are all incorporated into the program.

Eligibility for BNS

Candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences program must have passed the Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) Nursing program with at least 50% aggregate marks.

This entry route means BNS is intended for students who already hold a nursing qualification at PCL level.

Admission to nursing bachelor-degree education follows the prevailing rules and procedures of the Medical Education Commission (MEC), Nepal, including the applicable bachelor-level entrance framework.

MEC provisions governing the relevant admission cycle may cover entrance procedures, merit, seat allocation, scholarships, fees, code of conduct, and other admission requirements.

MECEE-BL and Admission

BNS admission falls within the bachelor-level medical and nursing education framework. Applicants must follow the MECEE-BL process applicable to the program and admission year.

The admission process involves:

• Meeting the PCL Nursing academic eligibility requirement

• Participating in the applicable MEC bachelor-level entrance process

• Meeting the merit requirements for the admission cycle

• Securing a place within the seats determined for the program

• Completing Pokhara University and SHAS admission formalities

Seat numbers are not permanent. The 20-seat figure applies to the program information for the relevant cycle and may be revised through later MEC decisions.

The same caution applies to scholarship distribution, fees, admission schedules, and procedural requirements.

BNS Course Structure

The curriculum runs for three academic years and combines theory with substantial practical study. The first year establishes the academic foundation, the second year exposes students to major nursing specialties, and the third year allows concentrated study in Gerontology, Psychiatric, or Oncology Nursing alongside research and management.

The course structure therefore carries 174 equivalent credit hours across the three years.

First Year: Nursing and Basic Sciences

The first year provides the academic base required before students enter the specialty-focused stages of BNS.

Subjects include:

• Basic Sciences I

• Basic Sciences II

• Basic Sciences III

• Basic Sciences practical

• Nursing Concept and Principles

• Medical Surgical Nursing theory

• Medical Surgical Nursing practical

• Community Health Nursing theory

• Community Health Nursing practical

• Health Sociology and Psychology

• English

• Computer Science as a non-credit course

Community Health Nursing practical carries a substantial practical component, while Medical Surgical Nursing also combines theoretical and clinical study.

The first-year structure therefore strengthens core nursing knowledge while adding basic science, social science, communication, and community-health perspectives.

Second Year: Introduction to Oncology Nursing

The second year exposes students to several distinct areas of nursing rather than requiring immediate concentration on one specialty.

Students study:

• Gerontology Nursing I

• Psychiatric Nursing I

• Oncology Nursing I

• Obstetric and Gynaecological Nursing

• Child Health Nursing

• Educational Science

Each major clinical nursing area includes practical work.

Oncology Nursing I carries both a theory course and a practical course. The theory component is allocated 50 hours, while the practical component carries 150 hours. Each component forms a defined part of the second-year curriculum.

This stage allows students to study oncology alongside gerontology, mental health, women's health, child health, and nursing education before undertaking their third-year specialty.

Third Year: Oncology Specialization

The third year is where the oncology pathway becomes more concentrated.

Students select advanced study from one of three nursing areas:

• Gerontology Nursing

• Psychiatric Nursing

• Oncology Nursing

For students following the oncology pathway, Oncology Nursing theory is allocated 150 hours and 9 equivalent credit hours. Oncology Nursing practical is allocated 450 hours and 15 equivalent credit hours.

This makes practical specialty work a substantial part of the final-year oncology component.

The remaining third-year courses apply alongside the chosen specialty:

• Research and Biostatistics theory

• Research and Biostatistics practical

• Leadership and Management theory

• Leadership and Management practical

Research and Biostatistics provide an academic basis for examining nursing questions systematically, while Leadership and Management addresses responsibilities connected with the organization and management of nursing services.

The third year totals 58 equivalent credit hours.

Oncology Nursing Focus

Oncology nursing centers on the nursing needs of people receiving care for cancer.

The program's oncology description includes study related to:

• Biology of cancer

• Cancer treatment

• Symptom management

• Nursing care for patients in oncology settings

The practical component is particularly significant because oncology nursing requires students to connect nursing knowledge with patient care.

The course does not isolate oncology from general nursing. Medical-surgical nursing, community health, psychiatric nursing, gerontology, women's health, child health, education, research, and management remain part of the broader BNS preparation.

Research, Biostatistics, and Leadership

The final year adds subjects that extend beyond direct clinical nursing.

Research and Biostatistics includes both theory and practical study. The practical component carries 300 hours and 10 equivalent credit hours.

Leadership and Management also includes theory and practical work. The practical component carries 300 hours and 10 equivalent credit hours.

These subjects add research and organizational dimensions to the clinical specialty component. Students following Oncology Nursing therefore complete the degree with academic work covering specialty nursing, research, quantitative study, leadership, and management.

BNS Fee at Pokhara University SHAS

For the 2025 fee structure, BNS has the following charges:

The security deposit and FSU fee are separate from the BNS program fee.

Medical education fees are subject to the prevailing MEC framework. Applicants entering in a later academic year should follow the fee structure applicable to their own admission cycle.

Clinical and Practical Learning

Practical learning runs throughout the BNS curriculum.

The first year includes practical study in basic sciences, medical-surgical nursing, and community health nursing. The second year adds practical courses in gerontology, psychiatric nursing, oncology nursing, obstetric and gynaecological nursing, child health nursing, and educational science.

Students taking Oncology Nursing as their third-year specialty complete an extensive advanced oncology nursing practical component.

SHAS also has a simulation laboratory within its nursing learning environment, supporting demonstration and practice activities associated with nursing education.

Professional Licensing

Nursing is a regulated profession. Academic completion of BNS and professional entry are separate requirements.

After completing the degree, graduates must meet the licensing requirements of the Nepal Nursing Council, including the applicable licensing examination before entering professional nursing practice.

Council rules and examination arrangements may change, so the requirements applying at the time of graduation govern professional entry.

Career Areas After BNS

BNS graduates may consider nursing work across several areas. The nursing program identifies fields such as:

• General nursing practice

• Medical surgical nursing

• Pediatric nursing

• Community health nursing

• Psychiatric nursing

• Gerontology nursing

• School health nursing

• Industrial nursing

• Obstetrical and gynecological nursing

• Advanced nursing practice

For students following the oncology pathway, oncology nursing adds a specialized area connected with cancer treatment, symptom management, and patient care in oncology settings.

Career outcomes depend on licensing, qualifications, available positions, experience, institutional requirements, and recruitment procedures.

Further Study

BNS is among the nursing qualifications accepted for Master of Public Health (MPH) admission at Pokhara University.

MPH admission also requires registration with the respective professional council and successful participation in the applicable MEC entrance and recommendation process.

FAQ

How long is BNS in Oncology at Pokhara University?

The BNS course structure runs for three academic years.

What is the eligibility for BNS?

Applicants must have passed PCL Nursing with at least 50% aggregate marks.

How many seats are available?

The program carries a 20-seat intake figure for the relevant admission cycle. MEC may revise seat allocation in later cycles.

What is the BNS fee?

For the 2025 fee structure, the BNS program fee is NPR 518,000. A refundable security deposit of NPR 10,000 and FSU fee of NPR 1,000 are separate.

When does Oncology Nursing begin?

Oncology Nursing I is studied in the second year through both theory and practical courses.

Is Oncology Nursing available as a third-year specialty?

Yes. The third-year BNS structure allows specialization in Gerontology Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, or Oncology Nursing.

Does BNS in Oncology include research?

Yes. Third-year students study Research and Biostatistics through both theory and practical components.

Do BNS graduates need professional licensing?

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