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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Care Management under the number 149212c. Who is the Distance Learning Course in Nursing Management (B. A.) Suitable For?
The Bachelor's degree programme in Nursing Management is aimed at professionals from nursing and healthcare who wish to take on leadership responsibilities in institutions of healthcare and elderly care, outpatient services, or consulting. The course is also suitable for career changers who aspire to enter the management level in nursing and want to systematically acquire the nursing fundamentals. You will particularly benefit from this programme if you want to gain not only nursing knowledge but also business management, legal, and organisational expertise in order to effectively manage processes, quality, and personnel.
What formal entry requirements must you meet?
You can commence the course via two routes:
- Direct entry: General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), advanced technical college entrance qualification, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (appropriate field), master craftsman’s certificate, advanced training qualification (e.g. business administrator), a vocational qualification relevant to the field of at least three years’ duration, or an already completed university degree. A higher education entrance qualification obtained abroad is also recognised following an individual assessment.
- Entry without Abitur: Completed vocational training of at least two years or comparable knowledge, as well as proof of professional practice. You must successfully pass an assessment test in order to obtain the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification.
For obtaining the additional qualification as a certified care advisor (§ 7a SGB XI) the following are additionally required: vocational training in the nursing field or as a social insurance clerk, or a one-week internship in outpatient nursing services and a two-day internship in a day care nursing facility. Previously completed relevant training and professional experience can be recognised as internships.
Personal requirements for the course include a strong interest in nursing, management, and the healthcare system, willingness to take on responsibility and design tasks, as well as communicative skills for interdisciplinary collaboration. You should possess analytical thinking, be able to comprehend complex legal and economic contexts and be capable of developing solutions for organisational and personnel issues. High self-motivation, structured time management, and a pronounced willingness to learn are particularly important for successfully completing a distance learning course. Initial nursing or social professional experience is helpful but not mandatory.
What study contents does the Bachelor in Nursing Management offer in the distance learning programme?
In the distance learning programme Nursing Management (Bachelor of Arts) at APOLLON University, you earn 180 ECTS. The interdisciplinary curriculum is practice-oriented and combines nursing science insights with management know-how. You develop skills in business analysis, law, leadership and communication. The following areas are the focus:
- Nursing science and nursing research: Scientific fundamentals, methods, quality development and evidence-based nursing practice.
- Business administration and management: Basics of business administration, investment, financing, controlling, external and internal accounting as well as project management.
- Law and ethics in nursing: Social law, legal framework of the healthcare system, legal questions in nursing and ethical decision-making.
- Quality management and hygiene management: Introduction, implementation and control of QM and hygiene processes in nursing facilities.
- Personnel management and communication: Leading teams, employee motivation, conducting conversations, conflict management and intercultural collaboration.
- Public Health and Digital Health: Epidemiology, care management and digitalisation in healthcare.
- Nursing education: Planning and conducting training, guidance and motivation of employees and trainees.
- Palliative care & culturally sensitive nursing: Handling seriously ill people and intercultural care needs.
Additionally, during the course you choose two elective compulsory subjects, for example in inpatient nursing management, outpatient services, elderly care facilities, gerontology or nursing education. An extensive internship as well as the bachelor thesis complete your studies.
During the course you acquire three additional qualifications:
- Certified nursing consultant (§7a SGB XI)
- Hygiene consultant (depending on your choice of elective)
- Quality management representative
How is the study process organised in the distance learning programme Nursing Management?
The distance learning programme is consistently designed for part-time, flexible learning. You can start at any time and complete your studies within 36 or 48 months. Maximum flexibility is ensured through the following elements:
- Learning materials are available digitally on the APOLLON Online Campus – as PDFs, e-books or audio files.
- Study booklets can be additionally delivered as print versions on request.
- Examinations are taken as online exams (open-book) or at over 30 examination centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- Four attendance phases (optionally completely online): a total of 8 seminar days to deepen key skills, maintain networks and exchange experiences.
- Introductory seminar at the beginning of studies for orientation and to get to know the community.
- Practical project (20 ECTS): Internship achievements can also be credited within the framework of suitable professional activities.
- Free extension of study duration by up to 18 or 24 months is possible if you wish to take a break during your studies.
The distance learning programme promotes independent, research-oriented learning and offers individual support by experienced lecturers from academia and practice.
What career prospects and professional opportunities can you expect after graduation?
With the bachelor’s degree Nursing Management (B. A.) you are qualified for middle and upper management and leadership roles in nursing. Typical fields of activity include:
- Management of inpatient nursing facilities, outpatient services or elderly care facilities
- Head of nursing service and facility management (with relevant prior qualifications)
- Quality and hygiene management in health and social institutions
- HR management and personnel development in clinics and nursing businesses
- Consulting and advisory services for health insurance companies, social insurers or care providers
- Specialist consultant or project management in associations, clubs, public bodies or companies
- Nursing education and teaching at health and nursing schools
- Self-employment, e.g. founding an outpatient nursing service or working as a nursing consultant
Additionally, the degree programme enables you through the qualifications as certified nursing consultant and other additional qualifications to work independently in advisory, training or quality management roles. The bachelor’s degree grants you access to consecutive master’s programmes in health and social care.
What special features are there regarding the study location and spatial organisation?
The programme Nursing Management is offered as an internet-based distance learning programme at the APOLLON University of Health Economics in Bremen. The majority of the courses and exams take place online. Your options include:
- Online exams via APOLLON Campus usable worldwide
- Optional examination centres in Germany, Austria, Switzerland as well as at Goethe Institutes or consulates abroad
- Seminars and attendance phases can also be completed entirely digitally
- Networking and exchange with lecturers and fellow students via the digital campus
The entire programme is designed for maximum location independence and is especially suitable for those in employment who wish to study alongside their job and family commitments.
How high are the costs and which financing options are available to you?
The distance learning programme Nursing Management (B. A.) at APOLLON University involves the following tuition fees:
- €288 per month in the 36-month model (total costs: €12,780)
- Free extension of study duration by up to 18 months (36-month model) or 24 months (48-month model)
- If you have creditable prior achievements (e.g. nursing training), you can save some months and corresponding fees
Financing options and funding:
- Entitlement to BAföG (depending on individual circumstances)
- Financial support possibly from your employer or tax deductibility as work-related expenses
- Numerous scholarships and funding programmes in the social and healthcare sectors
- For registered nurses, 20 creditable continuing education points annually
Immediately after registration, you receive a four-week free trial phase. Within this period, you can try the programme risk-free and withdraw free of charge.
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