Bougainville College of Nursing

Diploma in General Nursing

The Diploma in General Nursing is a three-year, full-time program accredited by the PNG Nursing Council. It provides students with a comprehensive foundation in nursing theory, clinical practice, and professional ethics. Through classroom instruction, clinical laboratory training, and supervised clinical placements, the program prepares graduates to deliver safe, competent, and compassionate nursing care across hospitals, health centres, and community health settings.

Program Structure

The program is structured into six semesters over three years, progressively building students’ knowledge and clinical competencies.

• First Year: Foundations of nursing, basic health sciences, and introductory clinical practice.
• Second Year: Intermediate nursing concepts, patient care management, and clinical placements.
• Third Year: Advanced nursing practice, leadership, research, and community health.

First Year Subjects

Semester 1

• NUR 111: Fundamentals of Nursing 1
• NUR 112: Communication & IT Skill Development
• NUR 113: Introduction to Mathematics for Nursing
• NUR 114: Anatomy & Physiology
• NUR 115: Social Determinants of Health & Primary Health Care
• NUR 116: Nursing Practice 1

Semester 2

• NUR 121: Fundamentals of Nursing 2
• NUR 122: Applied Science & Pharmacology
• NUR 123: Integral Human Development
• NUR 124: Maternal and Neonatal Health 1
• NUR 125: Maternal & Neonatal Health Practice 1
• NUR 126: Nursing Practice 2

Second Year Subjects

Semester 1

• NUR 211: Medical–Surgical Nursing 1
• NUR 212: Community & Family Health
• NUR 213: Maternal and Neonatal Health 2
• NUR 215: Comprehensive Health Assessment
• NUR 216: Community & Family Health Practice 1
• NUR 217: Medical–Surgical Nursing Practice 1
• NUR 218: Maternal and Neonatal Health Practice 2

Semester 2

• NUR 221: Medical–Surgical Nursing 2
• NUR 222: Paediatric Nursing
• NUR 223: Communicable Diseases
• NUR 224: Maternal and Neonatal Health 3
• NUR 225: Paediatric Nursing Practice
• NUR 226: Medical–Surgical Nursing Practice 2
• NUR 227: Maternal & Neonatal Health Practice 3

Third Year Subjects

Semester 1

• NUR 311: Health Across the Lifespan
• NUR 313: Non-Communicable Diseases
• NUR 314: Mental Health Nursing
• NUR 315: Sexual Health
• NUR 316: Community & Family Health Practice 2
• NUR 317: Mental Health Nursing Practice

Semester 2

• NUR 321: Nursing Management & Leadership
• NUR 322: Transition to Professional Practice
• NUR 323: Emergency & Disaster Nursing
• NUR 324: Disability & Rehabilitation
• NUR 325: Community & Family Health Practice 3
• NUR 326: Emergency Nursing Practice

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the PNG Nursing Council and contribute effectively to healthcare delivery throughout Papua New Guinea.