Changes to policy and curriculum

Nursing qualifications (Q73, Q74, R41 and R42) - Qualification amendments

There has been a change to the start dates of some of the modules within the new BSc (Hons) Nursing. Depending on the intensity in which a student chooses to study, this may mean that they complete their qualification slightly later than initially anticipated.

We plan to transfer students on these qualifications to our new BSc (Hons) Nursing qualification later in the year, which will enable students to study against the NMC 2018 education standards. This qualification is planned to apply to all four fields of nursing as reflected by a student's intended field of practice.

As part of the transition to this new qualification, students will need to successfully complete the bridging module Meeting transitioning requirement (K105). This module will prepare them for the 2018 Nursing Standards through practice hours worked as part of their normal role. Students don’t need to complete this module before commencing their Stage 2 study, but they will need to successfully complete it to be eligible for their nursing qualification.

What this means for students

Once a student has successfully completed the Stage 1 modules An introduction to health and social care (K*101) and Enhancing your healthcare practice (K*117), they will move on to the new BSc (Hons) Nursing and will undertake the following modules:

• Meeting transitioning requirement (K*105) - This bridging module will run every February and October from October 2020 until February 2022

Stage 2

• Understanding nursing: knowledge and theory (K*210) – This module is planned to run every February and October from October 2020 until February 2028, and will run for 30 weeks
• Developing nursing practice (K*211) – This module is planned to run in October 2020 and March 2021. After that it is planned to run every July and October until July 2028, and will run for 45 weeks

Stage 3

• Assimilating nursing: knowledge and theory (K*325) – This module is planned to run in October 2021 and February 2022.  After that it is planned to run every June and October until June 2029, and will run for 30 weeks

A student's final practice module will depend upon their chosen field of practice.

• Becoming an autonomous practitioner: adult (K*326) – This module is planned to start for the first time in November 2021 and August 2022. After that it is planned to run every November until 2028. The module will run for 45 weeks
• Becoming an autonomous practitioner: mental health (K*327) – This module is planned to start for the first time in November 2021 and August 2022. After that it is planned to run every November until 2028. The module will run for 45 weeks
• Becoming an autonomous practitioner: learning disabilities (K*328) – This module is planned to start for the first time in November 2021 and August 2022. After that it is planned to run every November until 2028. The module will run for 45 weeks
• Becoming an autonomous practitioner: children and young people (K*329) – This module is planned to start for the first time in November 2021 and August 2022. After that it is planned to run every November until 2028. The module will run for 45 weeks

Students will be able to continue to work towards their Nursing Degree as planned. If they are studying at full time intensity, this change shouldn’t impact upon when they complete their degree. However, if they are studying at part time intensity this may mean that they will complete their qualification slightly later than initially anticipated.

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.