The University of Nairobi’s Department of Nursing Science has announced a major overhaul of its Master of Science in Nursing (MSc Nursing), Postgraduate Diploma in Renal, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs to align with Competency-Based Education (CBET).
The announcement was made during a Curriculum Review Workshop held from January 7 to 9, 2026, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Westlands.
The workshop aimed to transition existing curricula to a learner-centered model that emphasizes practical skills, measurable outcomes, and real-world relevance in healthcare practice.
The shift is part of the national agenda to produce nurses who are fully competent from the first day on the job.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Ayub Gitau, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, highlighted the urgency of the transition.
“We need to emerge from this curriculum with a blueprint for nursing education. We must consider instructional technologies and modern teaching methods to prepare graduates for the real demands of the profession,” he said.
Prof. Rosemary Imonje, Chairperson of the CBET-CPI steering committee, urged participants to refine every detail of the curriculum.
“We must integrate modern pedagogies and instructional technologies, from clear matrices to blocked clinical hours, ensuring our students gain the skills they need,” she said.
Prof. Daniel K. Ojuka, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, stressed the role of competent nurses in achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“By embedding CBET principles, we ensure our graduates don’t just have a degree—they have proven skills to save lives from Day One,” he said.
Prof. Emmah K. Matheka, Chair of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, outlined the key pillars of the restructuring: adding specialized courses, re-coding program modules, and auditing credit hours.
The review focused on Midwifery, Community Health Nursing, and Nursing Administration, consolidating redundant material and increasing simulated practice and clinical practicums to enhance practical training while balancing study and work-life commitments.
The revised programs include new specializations such as Digital Health Informatics, Advanced Genomics for Clinicians, and Global Health Security.
A new course-coding system clearly distinguishes between Foundational (700-level), Specialized (800-level), and Research/Thesis (900-level) modules.
By revising teaching strategies and assessment methods, the department aims to produce ethical, highly skilled nurses capable of leadership in complex clinical settings.
The changes are expected to make the programs more accessible to working nurses while maintaining standards required for national and international accreditation.
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