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Overview

Course Duration

2 years

Type of course

Full-time

Campus where course is offered

ITE College East

Course Certification

Nitec

Nursing - The Caring Heartbeat of Our Nation

Be a part of an extraordinary profession - Nursing, join the Nitec in Nursing course. The healthcare industry is growing with a wide range of career opportunities for school leavers. You will learn to assist in administering medications, perform specific nursing procedures and treatment orders and teach patients self-care.

The Nitec in Nursing course comprises two components - 15 months of full-time training at ITE College East and 9 months of supervised clinical attachment at healthcare institutions which includes shifts and weekend duties.

Students are assigned to healthcare institutions according to vacancies available. Students are also expected to achieve the compulsory 100% attendance during their supervised clinical practice. For registration with the Singapore Nursing Board as an Enrolled Nurse, students are required to complete all the theoretical and practical components of the course successfully.

 

Note: All students in this course are required to participate in a Group Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance [GHSI(Healthcare)] scheme which provides coverage for hospitalisation expenses plus an outpatient rider for clinical attachments.

What you'll learn

  • Promote the well-being of both healthy and sick individuals in the community and in the hospitals
  • Monitor, report and document significant changes in patients’ condition
  • Perform specific nursing procedures and treatment orders
  • Teach patients/care-givers self-care
  • Assist in administering medications as approved by the hospital/institution

Entry Requirements

GCE ‘O’ level grades (in any two subjects):

  • Grade 1-8

or

GCE ‘N’ level passes in English Language, Mathematics and one other subject:

  • Grade A-D or Grade 1-5

Note: Shortlisted applicants for this course must undergo pre-course interview and clear a pre-entry medical check-up.

 

Occupation Traits and Functional Ability Requirements

Nature of Work Functional Abilities

Enrolled Nurses (ENs) work as an integral part of the healthcare team to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for patients, in partnership with the family, significant others and the community to achieve the most optimal care outcomes.

The Singapore Nursing Board’s core competencies for Enrolled Nurses define the knowledge, skills and attributes for ENs to practice in the healthcare sector. The core competencies of ENs encompass generic skills under the following categories:

  • Client/Health Assessment / Reassessment
  • Provision of/Assist in client’s Activities of Daily Living
  • Management of Care
  • Infection Control
  • Communication, Teamwork & Service Skills
  • Client/Health Education & Community Care
  • Critical Thinking / Problem-solving Skills

In this regard, to be a competent enrolled nurse requires efficient psychomotor and co-ordination skills in order to handle equipment and accessories (for e.g., suctioning apparatus, BP monitoring devices, infusion pumps and dressing sets).

Nurses have to be able to interact with patients and provide a listening ear so as to be better able to anticipate patients’ needs and requests.

24-hour shift work is a requirement of the job.

hand and finger dexterity, physical mobility, colour recognition ability, sensory (visual, hearing) ability, communication skills, interaction with strangers, interpersonal skills

attentiveness to safety & hygiene

mental agility in dealing with non-routine schedules

ability to work long hours and under time constraints

Nitec in Nursing graduates can be employed in various healthcare organizations and hospitals upon registration with the Singapore Nursing Board.

Due to the special requirements of the healthcare profession and in delivery of direct patient care, all applicants have to pass a pre-admission medical examination and be free from physical and mental handicap to ensure suitability. Whilst not comprehensive, the following medical conditions will lead to non-acceptance into the course:

  • Epilepsy
  • Legal Blindness
  • Active Tuberculosis
  • Profound Deafness
  • Psychiatric Condition
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes
  • Uncontrolled Hypertension
  • Uncontrolled Asthma
  • Mobility Restricted (Hindering performance)
  • Physical Dependence Upon Mobility Equipment
  

This course is less suitable for students who do not possess the functional abilities indicated.  If in doubt, please consult your school career guidance officer or visit ITE College East for further academic advising.

Progression Opportunities

Nitec in Nursing graduates with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 may apply for progression to the following Work-Study Diploma course at ITE:


Nitec in Nursing graduates with a GPA of 3 and above may apply for progression to the first year of a related diploma course at the Polytechnics. For more details on diploma courses for progression, please refer to the Joint Polytechnic Admissions website.

Nitec in Nursing graduates with a GPA of 2.3 and above may apply for progression to related Higher Nitec courses offered by ITE. For more information on progression, please click here.

Career Opportunities

Nitec in Nursing graduates are employed as Enrolled Nurses in various healthcare organisations and hospitals.

There are excellent opportunities for career advancement within the healthcare industry. This challenge is for students to upgrade their technical skills and knowledge by taking up higher-level courses such as the Diploma in Nursing conducted by the Polytechnic.