Bougainville College of Nursing, also known as the Arawa School of Nursing, is located in Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. The institution provides nursing education and training for students seeking to develop professional skills for careers in the health sector.
The nursing school reopened in 2016 after being closed for more than 29 years following the Bougainville conflict. Since its reopening, the institution has continued to strengthen its learning environment and expand opportunities for nursing students.
Through its partnership with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), the college has benefited from improved learning facilities, including a new large classroom. Students also have access to free Wi-Fi provided through NICTA, which supports online learning, research and the preparation of academic assignments.
Diploma in General Nursing
Program Code: NURS 15/1
Duration: Three years
Qualification: Diploma in General Nursing
Annual Fee: K10,000
Student Quota: 20
The Diploma in General Nursing is a three-year program that combines classroom learning with nursing practice and clinical training. The course progressively introduces students to health sciences, nursing care, community health, patient management and professional nursing practice.
The program is registered with the PNG Nursing Council and is available through the National Online Selection System (NOSS).
Program Navigation
First Year Subjects | Second Year Subjects | Third Year Subjects
Program Structure
The Diploma in General Nursing is completed over three academic years and consists of six semesters. Students move from basic nursing concepts and health sciences in the first year to more advanced clinical, community health and professional nursing studies in the later years.
- Year One: Introduction to nursing, health sciences, communication, mathematics and basic clinical practice.
- Year Two: Medical-surgical nursing, maternal and neonatal health, paediatric nursing, community health and clinical practice.
- Year Three: Mental health, non-communicable diseases, emergency nursing, leadership, professional practice and community health.
First Year Nursing Subjects
Semester 1
- NUR 111: Fundamentals of Nursing 1
- NUR 112: Communication & IT Skill Development
- NUR 113: Introduction to Mathematics for Nursing
- NUR 114: Anatomy & Physiology
- NUR 115: Social Determinants of Health & Primary Health Care
- NUR 116: Nursing Practice 1
Semester 2
- NUR 121: Fundamentals of Nursing 2
- NUR 122: Applied Science & Pharmacology
- NUR 123: Integral Human Development
- NUR 124: Maternal and Neonatal Health 1
- NUR 125: Maternal & Neonatal Health Practice 1
- NUR 126: Nursing Practice 2
Second Year Nursing Subjects
Semester 1
- NUR 211: Medical-Surgical Nursing 1
- NUR 212: Community & Family Health
- NUR 213: Maternal and Neonatal Health 2
- NUR 215: Comprehensive Health Assessment
- NUR 216: Community & Family Health Practice 1
- NUR 217: Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice 1
- NUR 218: Maternal and Neonatal Health Practice 2
Semester 2
- NUR 221: Medical-Surgical Nursing 2
- NUR 222: Paediatric Nursing
- NUR 223: Communicable Diseases
- NUR 224: Maternal and Neonatal Health 3
- NUR 225: Paediatric Nursing Practice
- NUR 226: Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice 2
- NUR 227: Maternal & Neonatal Health Practice 3
Third Year Nursing Subjects
Semester 1
- NUR 311: Health Across the Lifespan
- NUR 313: Non-Communicable Diseases
- NUR 314: Mental Health Nursing
- NUR 315: Sexual Health
- NUR 316: Community & Family Health Practice 2
- NUR 317: Mental Health Nursing Practice
Semester 2
- NUR 321: Nursing Management & Leadership
- NUR 322: Transition to Professional Practice
- NUR 323: Emergency & Disaster Nursing
- NUR 324: Disability & Rehabilitation
- NUR 325: Community & Family Health Practice 3
- NUR 326: Emergency Nursing Practice
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the Diploma in General Nursing program must satisfy the academic requirements set for the course.
- An overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of more than 2.8 across all subjects.
- A minimum grade of 2 in Advanced Mathematics or a minimum grade of 3 in General Mathematics.
- At least two grades of C or better in Language & Literature, Biology and Chemistry.
Local Application Requirements
Applicants may also be required to provide additional documents as part of the institution's local application process.
- A completed application form.
- Payment of the applicable application fee.
- Two recent passport-size photographs.
- Certified copies of Grade 10, Grade 12 or FODE academic certificates.
- Transcripts for additional qualifications, including certificates or diplomas where applicable.
- Three reference or recommendation letters from suitable referees, such as a community leader, pastor or priest, or school principal.
- A Police Clearance Certificate.
- A Medical Report.
- A 500-word handwritten essay.
Important NOSS Application Information
Applicants should monitor the status of their application after submitting it through the National Online Selection System. An application may be displayed with a yellow background when the higher education institution has not yet provided or completed the required local information.
If an applicant believes that the institution should already have received or submitted the required information, they should contact the college directly to confirm the status of their application.
Career Opportunities
The Diploma in General Nursing provides students with academic and practical preparation for work in different areas of healthcare. Training covers nursing care, community and family health, maternal and neonatal care, medical-surgical nursing, paediatric nursing, mental health and emergency nursing.
After completing the program, graduates can apply for registration with the PNG Nursing Council, subject to the applicable registration requirements. Registered nurses can work in hospitals, health centres, community health programs and other healthcare settings across Papua New Guinea.
Course Information at a Glance
| College | Bougainville College of Nursing |
| Also Known As | Arawa School of Nursing |
| Location | Arawa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea |
| Program | Diploma in General Nursing |
| Program Code | NURS 15/1 |
| Study Duration | 3 Years |
| Number of Semesters | 6 |
| Annual Fee | K10,000 |
| Quota | 20 Students |
| Professional Registration | PNG Nursing Council |
| Selection System | National Online Selection System (NOSS) |
| College Website | www.bcon.ac.pg |
Official College Website
For additional information about the college and its nursing program, visit the official Bougainville College of Nursing website:
Note: Applicants should confirm current fees, admission requirements, application deadlines and other course information directly with the institution or through the relevant NOSS information before applying.