This is a practice-based module that will develop your knowledge and skills for nursing or healthcare practice, and successful completion enables you to progress in your chosen programme of study. You'll be introduced to the essential aspects of practice as you begin to develop skills such as questioning, problem-solving, communication and relationship management skills and numeracy and literacy skills with application to safe and effective care. Your studies will also include the essentials of medicines management, anatomy and physiology and health promotion and will help you develop and maintain the required currency and relevance of your practice within an ever-changing healthcare environment.
You'll need to be working in a setting where you can gain appropriate practice learning experience, and your employer must be able to provide significant workplace supervision by a registered nurse. Further detail can be found in the Entry requirements.
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | K104 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
The theory element of this module requires 125 hours of study consisting of 16 learning guides which are studied alongside your work-based practice. Your tuition will be provided online by your module tutor who will support your learning and achievement in online tutorials, email or telephone-based discussions and feedback on your assessed work.
Learning Guides 1–7
The first seven learning guides are the essential building blocks from which you can begin to understand your role as a student and will inform the foundations of your learning and practice. Topics include:
The module materials are developed in ways that support and encourage you to apply your theory learning to your practice. They will inform the development of your skills in practice and support you in being proactive in developing your competence in your practice setting.
Learning Guides 8–15
The next eight learning guides introduce holistic, personalised, person and family-centred care for people in different settings and different fields of practice. You will be encouraged to take a questioning and problem-solving approach to care delivery, and explore the rationale for care and underpinning evidence that informs how and why care is delivered in particular ways. Topics include:
As you study the learning guides, you will continue to develop your skills in practice.
Learning Guide 16
In the final learning guide you will reflect on your ongoing development for your area of practice, and achievements so far. If you are continuing with your studies following on from this module, you will also look forward to the second stage of your qualification and how you will make the transition to working and studying at level 2.
Overall, this module will support the development of your practice. You will be supported throughout by your Practice Supervisor and Practice Tutor/Academic Assessor and your practice will be assessed by a Practice Assessor and your Practice Tutor/ Academic Assessor.
The following outcomes inform the content and assessment of the module. By studying this module you will be able to:
This practice-based module is an integral element of the Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate Practice, and the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice.
You will need to be employed in a setting where you can gain appropriate practice learning experience under supervision and be assessed in practice. Your workplace employer must be able to provide significant supervision by a registered nurse; they will oversee 770 practice hours, be accountable for assessment and evaluation of workplace performance, as well as completing three review meetings and liaising with practice tutors.
Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice (T01)
If you're studying this module as part of the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice, you are eligible to register on this module without going through a process of recruitment and selection.
Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate Practice (X20)
If studying this module as part of the foundation degree, you will undertake a recruitment and selection process. This requires you to:
If you are looking to study this module as part of our BA (Honours) Nursing (R39), please visit the KYN104 module description.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
As this module is delivered mainly online it is important to develop your confidence in the use of IT. There are a range of local and online resources to support people in developing their confidence in their IT skills and you may wish to consider these as preparation for this module. IT support will be provided within the module including an OU Computing helpdesk and exercises you can complete to prepare for your studies.
Online learning materials and resources, Practice Assessment Document (PAD), 16 learning guides and accompanying resource materials.
You will also have access to a module website, through which teaching and library resources are available that provide links to current information and relevant research-based materials relating to module content.
There will be some online activities in which you will be expected to participate.
You will be supported by a:
Module Tutor who will guide you through the study materials, mark and comment on your written work and provide advice and guidance through email, online tutorials discussion forums and by phone.
Practice Supervisor who will ensure that your development has been appropriately supported and your performance effectively reviewed and monitored to complete the Practice Assessment Document (PAD). This evidence is critical for successful completion of the module assessment requirements, and the proficiencies identified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (2019).
Practice Assessor who will work in collaboration with your Practice Supervisor to conduct assessments to confirm your achievement of proficiencies and programme outcomes for practice learning.
Practice Tutor/Academic Assessor who takes an overview of your practice development. Will support the Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor in readiness for practice assessment and in the verification of your achievements in your PAD.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) consists of an assignment and completion of your Practice Assessment Document (PAD).
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone. The Accessibility Statement below outlines what studying this module involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
All of the study materials for this module are online. Online materials are composed of pages of text with images, audio and video clips (all with transcripts/subtitles), diagrams, interactive media, animations and multiple-choice self-assessment quizzes. Online materials also include links to internal and external resources, online forums and online tutorial rooms.
The learning events for this module are delivered online and are a mandatory requirement under NMC rules. All assignments (Tutor Marked Assignments) are submitted and marked electronically. You will also have three practice review meetings with your Practice Supervisor and/or Practice Assessor and your Practice Tutor/Academic Assessor.
This is a work-based module during which students are required to work in healthcare practice settings.
This is a work-based module during which students are required to work in healthcare practice settings.
The study materials contain some diagrams. Interpreting these is an important part of the study of this module. Figure descriptions are provided for all figures.
You will be required to search for, and make use of, third party material online.
This module has Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs), Interactive Computer- Marked Assignments (iCMAs), an End-of-Module Assessment, and a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).
You will receive feedback from your tutor on your submitted Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs). This will help you to reflect on your TMA performance. You should refer to it to help you prepare for your next assignment.
All University modules are structured according to a set timetable and you will need time-management skills to keep your studies on track. You will be supported in developing these skills. Resources exist on StudentHome to support study skills development.
Introduction to healthcare practice (K104) has been developed in accordance with the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Visit the NMC website for more information.
Introduction to healthcare practice starts twice a year – in March and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2024 and March 2025. We expect it to start for the final time in March 2028.
This course is expected to start for the last time in March 2028.