Nursing Department Structure

Nursing Department

The Department of Nursing at Baghdad College of Medical Sciences strives to play a leading role in advancing nursing knowledge and sciences, aiming to be at the forefront in meeting community needs, building capacities, and developing them at both the local and regional levels.

Head of the Nursing Department

  • Presiding over the Department Council and appointing the department rapporteur.
  • Direct supervision of the department to ensure the proper progress of the educational process.
  • Direct supervision of the scientific research plan and the management of research in the department, and submitting them to the dean’s office.
  • – Chairing the scientific committees in the department in accordance with the regulations and guidelines.

  • – Developing specialized plans and organizing the department’s work in accordance with the Ministry’s instructions
  • Overseeing twinning programs with public universities.
  • Supervising departmental conferences and seminars, and encouraging faculty to attend local and international events.
  • – Conducting annual performance evaluations of the department’s faculty and requesting letters of appreciation for outstanding cases.
  • – Exercising the powers of the Head of Department in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
  • Exercising the authority related to student attendance and administering examinations in accordance with the applicable regulations.
  • Assigning teaching duties according to specialization.
  • Assigning faculty members to committee tasks within the department.
  • – Facilitating the provision of supplies and equipment for the department’s laboratories.
  • – Submitting proposals that contribute to the development of the department’s work and help enhance the scientific level.
  • – Overseeing student training in hospitals, health centers, and field visits

The department consists of six specialized scientific branches, namely:

First: Fundamentals of Nursing Branch

This branch specializes in teaching Nursing during the first stage of the four academic years, for a full academic year consisting of the first and second semesters. In this course, students are introduced to all the fundamental concepts of providing nursing care to patients by following correct scientific techniques essential for patient care. The subject is taught in two parts: theoretical, with (3) hours per week, and practical, with (12) hours per week. During the first semester, students train in the college laboratory, while in the second semester, they train in one of the teaching hospitals in Baghdad. Other scientific subjects related to the basic sciences are also taught within this branch.

Branch Objectives: The branch aims to introduce students to the basic principles of nursing, guide them in applying scientific steps in providing nursing care, and develop their nursing skills in caring for patients of different age groups.

Second: Medical-Surgical Nursing Branch

This branch teaches Medical-Surgical Nursing in the second year, combining theory and hospital training. Students learn to care for adult patients with medical and surgical conditions over two semesters.

In addition, students undergo summer training for 5 days a week over one month during the summer break, with evaluation marked as Pass or Fail.

Third: Basic Medical Sciences Branch

This branch is specialized in teaching the basic medical subjects, which serve as the fundamental foundation supporting the development and expansion of various nursing specialties during the first and second years of study at the college. This branch covers: In the first year: Anatomy and Histology, Physiology, Parasitology, General and Clinical Biochemistry, and Nutrition. In the second year: Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiology. All these subjects are taught in both theoretical and practical components in the college laboratories.

Fourth: Maternal and Neonatal Nursing Branch

This branch specializes in teaching Obstetrics and Gynecology in the third stage of the four academic years, within a single semester system. Students are introduced to the various stages of fetal growth and development, as well as providing nursing care to pregnant mothers during pregnancy.It also covers labor, postpartum care, nursing care for mothers experiencing complications or undergoing various surgical procedures, and care for the newborn. The subject is taught in both theoretical and practical components, consisting of (3) hours of theory, (2) hours of laboratory work, and (12) hours of clinical practice per week. Students train in the college laboratories as well as in maternity and gynecology hospitals in Baghdad.

Branch Objectives: The branch aims to teach students the physiological and psychological aspects of pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and the postpartum period, while preparing them scientifically and equipping them with practical skills to address the challenges of pregnancy.

Fifth: Pediatric Nursing Branch

This branch specializes in teaching Pediatric Nursing and Human Growth and Development in the third stage of the four academic years, within a single semester system. In these courses, students learn about the characteristics of normal growth and development through both theoretical and practical classes, including attendance and training in nurseries, kindergartens, and elementary schools. In Pediatric Nursing, students are trained in providing nursing care to hospitalized sick children, as well as in preventive measures necessary to maintain children’s health. The subject is taught in two parts: theoretical (3 hours per week), laboratory (2 hours per week), and practical training (12 hours per week) in pediatric hospitals located in Baghdad.

Branch Objectives:

  • Enhancing students’ abilities through the application of self-learning and critical thinking in pediatric nursing care.
  • Equipping the professional (academic) nurse with a wide range of knowledge and skills in pediatric nursing across all areas of the healthcare sector.
  • Continuous updating of knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to child care in both health and illness.

Sixth: Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Branch

This branch specializes in teaching Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing in the fourth stage of the four academic years, within a single semester system. Students learn about the behavioral characteristics of individuals and society, as well as how to provide nursing care to people with mental and psychiatric disorders and to inpatients in psychiatric hospitals. Students also focus on the preventive aspect by promoting mental health and maintaining the well-being of individuals and society. The subject is taught in two parts: theoretical (3 hours per week) and practical (12 hours per week).

Branch Objectives:

  1. Enabling students to understand fundamental theories, concepts, and nursing sciences, and apply them in the care of patients with mental and psychiatric disorders, as well as in treating them as individuals within society.
  2. Developing students’ ability to follow scientific steps in providing nursing care for patients with mental and psychiatric disorders.
  3. Preparing nursing staff capable of providing specialized nursing care that takes into account therapeutic communication and social relationships, particularly in the clinical, preventive, and rehabilitative care of patients with mental disorders and their families.
  4. Preparing nursing staff with the ability to work with patients suffering from mental disorders and their families.

Community Health Nursing Branc

The Community Health Nursing Branch trains students in preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care to promote the health of individuals, families, and communities. The program combines theory and practice, with students engaged in maternal and child healthcare centers, school and environmental health, as well as institutions serving orphans, the elderly, and people with special needs.

Branch Objectives: The Community Health Nursing Branch aims to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in patient care across all age groups, while addressing community needs and contributing to solving related health issues.