Course description for 2025/26
Master's Thesis in Clinical Nursing
SYK305H
Course description for 2025/26

Master's Thesis in Clinical Nursing

SYK305H
The master's thesis is a piece of independent scientific research work conducted under supervision. Candidates choose research issues at individual, unit/group or community level. There is a large scope in the choice of approach and methods within the field of clinical nursing, and different issues can be derived from the same theme. At the master’s seminars, candidates present their projects for critical discussion together with their lecturers and fellow students. Candidates raise questions for advice and reflection, and act as opposition to each other. A project proposal is to be prepared for the master’s thesis, where students highlight an issue of their choosing, as well as demonstrate their ability to written presentation and documentation. It is the academic supervisor’s responsibility to verbally approve the project proposal during the fourth semester as part of the guidance process.

There is large scope in the choice of approach and method within the subject area of clinical nursing. Relevant issues for the master¿s thesis can be chosen at individual, unit/group and community level and in the connection between the levels (see fig. I). Both qualitative and quantitative approaches may be used. The students will be appointed an academic supervisor on the basis of the research problem and method. Each supervisor organises the supervision sessions (individual/group supervision) and compulsory writing seminars for their student(s). The students present their projects for critical discussion together with their lecturer and fellow students.

A project proposal is to be prepared for the master¿s thesis. In this proposal the student(s) will shed light on their chosen research question as well as show/exercise their ability concerning written presentation and documentation. It is the academic supervisor¿s responsibility to approve the project proposal (5 ECTS of the Master¿s thesis¿s scope of 45 ECTS). The project proposal is to be approved during the course of three academic semesters.

The master¿s thesis shall comprise a scientific article submitted for peer review in a relevant Norwegian or English language journal. Both master candidates have equal authorship and the academic supervisor is co-author.

Enrolled in the master program in Clinical Nursing and all mandatory courses must be accepted.
All mandatory courses in the program and the optional courses 30 SP must be accepted before submitting the master thesis.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, the candidate:

Knowledge:

- be able to critically investigate and apply existing theories, methods and interpretations within the subject area

- be familiar with significant problem areas in clinical nursing and topical national/international debates

Skills:

- be able to initiate, implement and lead professional development within clinical nursing and participate in research

- be able to document and quality assure professional practice

General competence:

- show thorough knowledge within clinical nursing and in-depth knowledge within his/her chosen area of specialization

- show that the knowledge in the area of specialization critically and analytically may be used in clinical nursing practice

- show an ability to critically analyse and reflect over theory and practice, and the connections between these

No costs except semester registration fee, syllabus literature and printing of master thesis.
Compulsory for the Master in Clinical Nursing programme.

The students will be appointed an academic supervisor on the basis of the research problem and method. Each supervisor organises the supervision sessions (individual/group supervision) and compulsory writing seminars for their student(s). The students present their projects for critical discussion together with their lecturer and fellow students.

A project proposal is to be prepared for the master¿s thesis. In this proposal the student(s) will shed light on their chosen research question as well as show/exercise their ability concerning written presentation and documentation. It is the academic supervisor¿s responsibility to approve the project proposal (5 ECTS of the Master¿s thesis¿s scope of 45 ECTS). The project proposal is to be approved during the course of three academic semesters.

The study programme is evaluated, orally and online, annually by students by way of course evaluation studies (mid-term evaluation and final evaluation). These evaluations are included in the university´s quality assurance system.
n/a

Master`s Thesis with oral component, grading scale Letter grades. The oral exam is arranged at the campus or online by using ZOOM or Teams. The internal and external sensors participate during the examination.

  • Compulsory attendance, comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Approved/ Not approved. Compulsory attendance - four seminars out of five are obligatory for students. Seminars will be arranged at the campus or online by using ZOOM or Teams.
      • Must be passed prior to submission of the Master`s Thesis with oral component.
  • Written assignment, comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Letter grades.

The exam answer must always be made by the candidate personally.

For more information about ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence - as well as source references, unregulated collaboration and plagiarism: See Guidelines for Examination Candidates at Nord University - Chancellor's decision 16.05.23 - www.nord.no/en/student/examinations-and-assessment

All is accepted