Study Guide: Nursing in Malaysia
While doctors make diagnostic choices and perform surgical operations, nurses are often in charge of providing medical care. As a result, becoming a nurse is a really fulfilling profession because you are literally helping sick people get better. Regardless, you must deal with unpleasant events and extended work hours. If you believe you have what it takes, check out our nursing study guide for all the details.
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Nursing​
Nursing is generally associated with the health care sector as a professional who care for individuals, families, and communities in maintaining, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Their responsibilities related to assist physicians, prepare patients for procedures and keeping the healthcare facilities. Different type of nurses have different roles in the workplace, such as pediatric nurses explain procedures to patients and addressing the question of their parents.
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While there is no denying the importance of doctors, it is nurses who render holistic care to the sick, checking allergies and drug interactions, providing ongoing care and conveying critical information to the doctor. In fact, nurses are so crucial to the healthcare ecosystem that studies have shown that hospital death rates are higher when there are fewer nurses staffed in hospital wards.
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Within the field of of Nursing, there are several fields in which you can choose to specialise your career in.
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Accident and Emergency: Accident and emergency nurses work in hospitals and treat patients suffering from critical injuries and acute illnesses. They take patients’ vital signs, examine their physical condition, administer medication, and perform treatment procedures.
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Paediatrics: Paediatric nurses care for children from infancy through the late teen years. They are skilled in communicating with children and dispelling their fears to gather accurate information for diagnosis and treatment.
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Obstetrics: Obstetrics nurses specialise in the female reproductive system and provide care for pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn babies immediately after delivery. This branch covers pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postpartum care.
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Oncology: Oncology nurses provide care for patients who have or are at risk of getting cancer. They conduct necessary assessments, administer treatments, and communicate with patient care providers to create treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
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Ophthalmology: Ophthalmology nurses help to prevent, diagnose, and treat patients with eye disorders and injuries. Most patients in this field are elderly individuals as they are more susceptible to eye disorders and degenerative diseases.
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Outpatient Department (OPD): Nurses in outpatient facilities draw blood, check vital signs, monitor blood pressure and pulse, help doctors prepare equipment, and provide treatment according to the doctor’s instructions.
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Geriatrics: Geriatric nurses focus on caring for older adults by understanding and treating the often complex physical and mental health needs of older people.
Entry Requirements to Study Nursing​
These are the general entry requirements to pursue a nursing degree. Entry requirements for some universities may be higher, so do make sure you check the details carefully.
SPM/O-Level:
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A pass with 5 credits including Bahasa Malaysia, Mathematics and a Science subject (applicable to foundation and pre-university qualification)
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A pass with 3 credits including Bahasa Malaysia, Mathematics and a Science subject (applicable to diploma qualification)
Pathway to Study Nursing
This is the general pathway to study nursing after completing your SPM or IGCSE.
Step 1: Complete STPM/UEC/Pre-university programme for 1-2 years. You can also opt to be enrolled in Diploma in Nursing for 3 years.
Step 2: Once you graduate with a diploma, you can choose to go straight to the workforce as a registered nurse.
Step 3: If you intend to pursue a nursing degree after you've completed your Diploma in Nursing, enrol in 2.5-year nursing degree programme or also known as Degree in Nursing (Post-Registration)
Step 4: If you want to pursue a nursing degree after you finish your STPM, Foundation or Pre-University programme, enrol in a 4-year nursing degree programme or also known as Degree in Nursing (Pre-Registration).
Step 5: Once you've completed your degree, you can choose to go straight to the workforce.
Subjects in A Nursing Degree​
In Malaysia, a nursing degree takes at least 4 years long to complete and the total anticipated costs for a 4-year nursing degree might range from RM20,000 to RM84,000.
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Generally, a nursing course covers 3 main core sciences – namely health sciences, behavioural sciences and nursing sciences. Here are some of the subjects that you may study in a Nursing Degree.
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Anatomy and Physiology
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Microbiology & Parasitology
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Pharmacology
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Epidemiology
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Nutrition
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Environmental Health
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Psychology & Sociology
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Integrated Nursing Sciences
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Nursing Skills & Practice
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Over the course of your nursing programme, there will also be multiple clinical postings (i.e. placements in health institutions, community health and rehabilitation centres) throughout your Degree in Nursing for you to gain practical hands-on experiences and necessary skills.
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Job Prospects with A Nursing Degree
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Studying a nursing course in Malaysia does not mean that your career option is limited to being a nurse. Here are some jobs that are directly related to a nursing education or which a nursing education would be useful:
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Adult nurse
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Children’s nurse
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Paramedic
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Physician associate
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Health service manager
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Learning disability nurse
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Midwife
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Nurse educator
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Travel nurse
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Nursing administrator
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Universities to Study Nursing
MAHSA University
Diploma in Nursing
Intakes: January, April & August
Total Fees: RM67,400
Duration: 3 years
MAHSA University
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Nursing
Intakes: N/A
Annual Fees: Rm118,740
Duration: 4 years
MAHSA University
Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) Public Health
Intakes: N/A
Total Fees: RM65,800
Duration: 3 years