Credit Transfer Factsheet
BSC HONS ADULT NURSING Q73
If you have previously studied elsewhere and your studies were completed at the
same academic level as OU modules, we may be able to award you credit transfer
towards an OU qualification: this will reduce the number of OU modules you have to
study to complete your OU qualification. You need to decide which OU qualification
you wish to study for with us before you can apply for credit transfer.
This factsheet tells you about transferred credit from elsewhere into this particular
OU qualification.



Please note that:
We can only confirm how much credit you can be awarded once you have made a
formal Credit Transfer application which has been considered by an OU assessor.
Your previous studies must be at the same academic level, and carry at least as
many Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CATS) points, as the OU study from which
you are to be exempted. More details about CATS points and levels can be found on
our website at www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer.
We will award you as much credit transfer as possible, but this may be less than the
maximum available towards this OU qualification. This is because the amount of
credit transfer you can be awarded depends on several factors (such as the number
of credits you achieved and how closely your previous study matches the OU
modules).
We will also assess your study towards our Open degree, as you may be eligible
for more credit towards that degree. To find out more about our Open degree
programme, please see: www.open.ac.uk/study/explained/study-explained/ourrange-qualifications/open-qualifications.
Credit transfer towards the BSc Hons Adult Nursing
(Qualification Code: Q73)
Please note that any award of credit transfer towards this qualification does not
guarantee acceptance onto the programme. For further advice about entry to the
qualification, please contact your staff tutor in your local National/Regional Centre
before submitting your credit transfer application.
Maximum credit transfer available towards this qualification
The maximum number of credits that can be transferred towards this qualification are
shown in the table below. The actual number of credits that you are awarded will be
determined when your application for credit transfer has been assessed and may be
less that the maximum shown below. Credit transfer is usually awarded in multiples
of 30 credits.
Total number of credits required for this qualification
360 credits
Maximum credit transfer
180 credits
Minimum number of OU credits to be completed
180 credits
Last Updated 04/12/12
Time limits towards this qualification
The duration of study for the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing is limited to 7 years from the
date of starting the OU programme. The study forming the basis of an award of
transferred credit does not need to be within this 7 year time limit.
Age of previous study
For this qualification we can consider previous study completed up to 5 years ago for
credit transfer. We will calculate the age of your previous study using the date we
receive your completed application with all required supporting evidence.
Study for which you could be awarded credit transfer
Attached to this factsheet is a document which explains what sort of previous study
can be considered for credit transfer into this qualification. When you make your
application for credit transfer you will need to send a credit transfer application form,
the form in the following guidance (see page 4) and original evidence of your
previous study.
However, if you have already completed any OU modules that are eligible to count
towards this qualification, and if you choose to include any of them, your start date
will be the start date of the earliest OU module that you choose to include. The
number of years that you have to complete your qualification will still depend on the
amount of OU credit that you have left to complete given your credit transfer award
(see table above). You may find that including an earlier OU module(s) gives you no
time, or insufficient time, to complete the qualification, in which case you will not be
able to include that module(s).
When we assess your application for credit transfer we will look at how similar the
study you completed is to the OU modules in this qualification.
How much credit you are awarded is likely to depend in part on how closely the
subjects of your previous studies match those of the modules in this qualification. If
your previous study is in an unrelated subject area we will not be able to award you
credit transfer towards this qualification. To read about the subjects covered in this
qualification visit the qualification description
www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/Q73.htm
What do I need to provide with my application?
Every application must be supported by original hardcopy evidence, usually in the
form of academic transcript and/or certificate. Please see the application form and
the FAQs on our website for more information about the evidence you will need to
provide.
For applications towards this qualification you will also need to provide syllabus
information in order that the academic expert can map how closely your previous
study matches that of the OU modules in the qualification. Your academic transcript
will provide a list of the modules or units you completed, but syllabus information
provides a detailed description of the content of each of those modules, often about a
paragraph per module/unit. If you do not provide syllabus information we will be
unable to assess your previous study towards this qualification.
Last Updated 04/12/12
You will also need to provide the transcript of professional training, which should
confirm the study and practice hours successfully completed.
You will also need to complete the APL form that follows this factsheet, without this
information we will be unable to process your application.
Unique study rule
For each OU qualification, you must include an amount of OU study that is unique to
that particular qualification (credit from study completed at the OU which has not
previously been counted towards another OU qualification). Full details are given in
the degree regulations, in the Qualification Regulations section of the qualification
description: www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/q73.htm.
Further information you will need
To find out more about credit transfer, and to download a Credit Transfer application
form, visit our Credit Transfer website: www.open.ac.uk/study/credit-transfer. This
site also tells you what previous study can be used for credit transfer and explains in
detail how the application process works
You should read this Credit Transfer factsheet in conjunction with the qualification
description which can be found at:
www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/q73.htm which will
o Contains the University regulations
o Gives information on the structure of your chosen OU qualification
Have you considered our BA/BSc Open degrees?


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You may be interested in finding out more about our unique Open programme:
It gives you a huge choice in terms of the subjects and modules you study to make
up your Open degree: you can take modules form any of our undergraduate subjects
Currently the only restriction on the age of credit counting to the Open degree is that
the study must have been completed in the last 16 years.
Previous study completed in any subject area can be transferred into the Open
degree.
You can find out more from The Open Programme website
www.open.ac.uk/study/explained/study-explained/our-range-qualifications/openqualifications.
Last Updated 04/12/12
If you require a version of these notes in an alternative format, such as large print, please
contact us.
This factsheet has been prepared by the Credit Transfer Centre, The Open University, PO
Box 80, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AS.
You are welcome to contact us regarding your application for credit transfer, however please
note that we are unable to advise you how much credit transfer you could be awarded before
we have assessed your formal application.
You may find that your query has already been answered at www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer.
E-mail: credit-transfer@open.ac.uk Website: www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer
The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391) an exempt charity
in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the information in this publication may
change in the light of altered regulations, policy or other constraints.
Copyright © 2013 The Open University
SUPP CODE 031300
Last Updated 04/12/12
Pre-registration Nursing:
BSc (Hons) Nursing in Adult Nursing
BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing
GUIDANCE FOR THE
ACCREDITATION of PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
An important consideration
We recognise that applicants will need to invest time in preparing an application for
consideration. Before you start to complete these documents, ask yourself:
Are you currently working in practice as a healthcare support worker?
Would your manager be prepared to support you in progressing an application to the preregistration nursing programme?
Can you get sponsorship to the pre-registration nursing programme?
Do you live near to an Open University commissioned care setting? (you can find out at
http://www.openuniversity.co.uk/chooseprnp
Have you undertaken any studies within the last 5 years?
If you can answer YES to each of these questions, The Open University pre-registration
nursing programme might be right for you.
Please note that this document is in two sections;
The first section explains the requirements and processes for transferring prior learning credit.
The second section contains the forms that you will need to complete in addition to your credit transfer
application form.
5
CONTENTS
Page
1.
Introduction
3
2.
NMC requirements for theoretical and practice learning
3
Table 1: An analysis of hours across the pre-registration nursing programme
3
Table 2: The structure of the pre-registration nursing programme
5
3.
Guidance for the accreditation of prior learning (APL)
6
4.
Modules that can be considered against applications for APL
8
Table 3: KYN101 An introduction to health and social care
8
Table 4: KYN117 Enhancing your healthcare practice
10
Table 5: SKYN277 Human biology
12
Table 6: SKYN228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health
13
Table 7: KYN238 Understanding health and illness (working title)
16
Making an application through APL
18
Form 1: Application for the accreditation of prior learning
19
Form 2: Portfolio of prior experience
20
Form 3a: Assessment of prior learning matched against module learning
outcomes (KYN101)
23
Form 3b: Assessment of prior learning matched against module learning
outcomes (KYN117)
25
Form 3c: Assessment of prior learning matched against module learning
outcomes (SKYN277)
27
Form 3d: Assessment of prior learning matched against module learning
outcomes (SKYN228)
29
Form 3e: Assessment of prior learning matched against module learning
outcomes (KYN238)
31
5.
6
1.
INTRODUCTION
An Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process has been developed for the pre-registration
nursing programme leading to a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing or BSc (Hons) in Mental Health
Nursing, adhering to regulations set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and The
Open University (OU).
The NMC (2010) identifies APL as a process used in higher education to allow previous
certified learning or experiential learning to be accepted as meeting programme learning
outcomes and requirements. The NMC has recently lifted the threshold of possible
accreditation within pre-registration programmes from one third (i.e. maximum of 120 credits)
to one half (i.e. up to 180 credits). As the OU requires all Stage 3 study to be completed within
the qualification, APL can only be considered against Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules. The OU
does not allow partial credit within modules therefore any application against provision
must be matched against the learning outcomes for the entire module and will not be
considered against partial modules. Although the NMC permits accreditation of up to 180
credits, it is anticipated that this level of prior study and/or experience linked to a programme
of study would be unusual.
Each application will be reviewed on its individual merit. Credit applications will be considered
against both theoretical instruction and practice application. In both instances, evidence will
need to be provided in order to support the application. Without this evidence, the application
cannot be progressed. Students applying for the programme therefore need to demonstrate
that they have the relevant prior learning before entry to the programme of study, in order to
be awarded credit.
2.
NMC REQUIREMENTS FOR THEORETICAL AND PRACTICE LEARNING
The NMC requires pre-registration nursing programmes to be equally balanced in terms of
theoretical and practice learning, with a minimum of 2,300 hours demonstrated in both by the
completion of the programme (i.e. a minimum of 4,600 hours in total). Any application made
for practice-based modules must account for equivalent practice hours, as well as certified
credit. This means that any application against KYN117 Enhancing your healthcare practice
must provide evidence to demonstrate prior learning in experience (experiential learning), as
well as prior achievement of credit (certificated learning).
Table 1 summarises the study hours across the programme and Table 2 shows the structure
of the programme for the BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing and BSc (Hons) in Mental Health
Nursing.
Table 1: An analysis of hours across the pre-registration programme
Pre-registration nursing programme BSc (Hons) in Adult/Mental Health Nursing
Module
KYN101
An introduction to
health and social
care
KYN117
Enhancing your
healthcare practice
SKYN277
Human biology
(Adult nursing only)
Credit awarded on
successful completion
Theory hours
60 credits
600 hours
60 credits
250 hours
30 credits
300 hours
7
Practice hours
600 hours
SKYN228
The science of the
mind: investigating
mental health
(Mental health
nursing only)
KYN237
Principles and skills
for nursing practice
KYN238
Exploring
perspectives on
health and illness
KYN317
Preparing for
graduate practice
KYN316
Exploring practice
Summary
30 credits
300 hours
60 credits
200 hours
30 credits
300 hours
60 credits
200 hours
60 credits
600 hours
Total study hours for adult nursing and for mental health nursing = 4750
Minimum hours required by the NMC = 4600
8
850 hours
850 hours
TABLE 2: THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRE-REGISTRATION NURSING PROGRAMME
STAGE 1
KYN101
KYN117
60 credits
60 credits
9 months
12 months
(theory module)
(theory and
practice module)
Acute
Primary care
An introduction to
health and social
care
Enhancing your
healthcare
practice
STAGE 2
SKYN277 (adult
nursing)
or SKYN228
(mental health
nursing)
30 credits
9 months
(theory module)
KYN237
60 credits
18 months
(theory and practice
module)
Human biology
(Adult nursing)
The science of the
mind: investigating
mental health
(Mental health
nursing)
Principles and
practice of nursing
KYN238
30 credits
6 months
(theory module)
Acute
Primary care
9
Exploring
perspectives on
health and2222
illness
STAGE 3
KYN317
KYN316
60 credits
60 credits
17 months
9 months
(theory and practice (theory module)
module)
Module applied in
Acute
the context of the
Primary care
student’s area of
practice learning
and field of practice
Preparing for
graduate practice
Exploring practice
3.
GUIDANCE FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
3.1
Introduction
This document has been developed to assess the application of accredited prior learning (APL)
against the learning outcomes and practice hours requirement of the pre-registration nursing
programme leading to a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing or Mental Health Nursing. It demonstrates that:

policies and procedures for administering APL are fair and are consistently applied

the decision making is transparent

an applicant making an APL application is appropriately advised of the requirements to
demonstrate their experience and analysis of their learning

all policies and procedures for APL are monitored and reviewed under the current departmental
and NMC quality assurance and monitoring arrangements.
3.2
What is APL?
In its Guidelines on the accreditation of prior learning – September 20041, the Quality Assurance
Agency (QAA) identifies three types of APL:
APL: accredited prior learning captures activities and approaches used formally to acknowledge and
establish publicly that some reasonably substantial and significant element of learning has taken
place. Such learning may have been recognised previously by an educational provider and is
therefore ‘APCL’, or it may have been achieved by reflecting on experiences outside the formal
education and training systems and is therefore ‘AP(E)L’.
APCL: accredited prior certificated learning – The identification, assessment and formal
acknowledgement of learning and achievement that occurred at some time in the past prior to entry to
a course of study, and for which the learner was awarded some form of official recognition.
APEL: accredited prior experiential learning – The identification, assessment and formal
acknowledgement of learning and achievement that occurred at some time in the past prior to entry to
a course of study, but not in the context of formal education and training. In many instances this could
focus on learning and achievement from practice experiences.
3.3
Guiding principles
The following principles will be used to inform the APL process to give applicants a fair and
transparent decision-making process:

the Department of Nursing will only award credit for the experience of prior learning, not
experiential learning

credit can only be counted once in an application

the department has a nominated member of staff to serve as the departmental APL assessor
to consider the documentation submitted to support an APL application.

Exemptions cannot be given for Stage 3 studies nor can partial credit be awarded towards
a module.
1
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2004) Guidelines on the accreditation of prior
learning [Online], Gloucester, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Available at.
www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Accreditation-Prior-Learning-guidelines.pdf (Accessed 14
November 2014).
10
3.4
Information queries
If an applicant is unsure whether to proceed with an application, the individual should contact the
appropriate APL contact in the Department of Nursing.
3.5
How to make an application
To make an application for APL, applicants must accurately complete the APL forms (Forms 1, 2 and
if relevant 3a-e enclosed in this document) and use the following advice to strengthen their evidence
and application.
Acceptability: you must demonstrate there is an appropriate match between the evidence presented
and the learning achieved to merit accreditation by prior learning. You should clearly identify which
credit you are seeking exemption from through APL and you must match statements of prior learning
to the learning outcomes of the credit associated with the modules in this document.
Sufficiency: sufficient evidence is required to demonstrate the achievement of learning. You must
provide sufficient documentation as evidence and appropriate certification (for APCL) or documented
evidence such as a portfolio (for APEL). For example, evidence could be transcripts and certificates
from previous institutions or professional bodies. References from employers will also be considered
for APEL, with supporting evidence.
Authenticity: the evidence you provide must demonstrate that you have already achieved the
knowledge and skills described in the learning outcomes of the credits for which you are seeking
exemption.
Currency: the Department of Nursing will normally only accept prior learning that occurred within the
previous five years.
All APL applications must be made prior to applying to the pre-registration nursing programme.
Modifications to your programme plan (if you are successful in your application to the pre-registration
nursing programme) are complex once established. Applications once you have started the
programme are unlikely to be considered.
APL can only be granted where previous studies can be mapped sufficiently onto existing modules
identified in this document and where appropriate evidence is supplied to justify the application.
Please note: all students must submit the Application for the accreditation of prior learning (APL)
form (see page 19) with their application.
3.6
Processing an APL application
We will assess evidence of APL against the requirements and learning outcomes of the specific
modules, taking into consideration the following:

subject content and knowledge

volume of learning

level of learning

evidence of achievement

currency of the student’s knowledge in the light of the time that has elapsed since the applicant
acquired the learning and in relation to the learning outcomes and credit aims

any restrictions imposed by professional or statutory bodies.
The nominated APL assessor(s) will assess your application after receiving your forms and supporting
evidence.
11
Please note that it is a matter of academic judgement whether the department accepts or rejects your
APL application. If you feel there has been a procedural error please contact the Credit Transfer
Centre to discuss your query/concern as follows:
Electronically via
By telephone
www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer
+44(0)1908 653077
12
4.
MODULES THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED AGAINST APPLICATIONS FOR APL
As the NMC allow up to 180 credits of prior learning to be credited, consideration for credit (either for prior learning or learning with relevant
experience) will be considered against:

KYN101 An introduction to health and social care (60 credits)

KYN117 Enhancing your healthcare practice (60 credits)

SKYN277 Human biology (30 credits) – Adult nursing field of practice only

SKYN228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health (30 credits) – Mental health nursing field of practice only

KYN238 Exploring perspectives on health and illness
Tables 3–7 detail the aims and learning outcomes of these modules that will inform any application considered against APL.
Table 3: KYN101 An introduction to health and social care
AIMS
KYN101 develops a broad awareness of the world of health and social care. The learning outcomes have been
developed to reflect the things you will know, understand and be able to do, having completed the module. These
outcomes will be a useful reference point if you want to demonstrate what you will have gained by studying
KYN101.
KYN101 is a multifaceted module through which you will learn many different things and indeed different kinds of
things. The list of outcomes demonstrates the richness of the learning experience that KYN101 offers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The scale and variety of caring activity within the UK, the complexity and sensitivity of individual care situations,
and the main health care and social care services through which care and support are provided.
2. The impact of care needs and care services on people’s lives and on their sense of identity, and the importance
of providing care and support in ways which take account of people’s life experience.
3. The influence of care environments on the quality of care provision and on the experience of those receiving and
providing care and support.
4. The significance of the broader context of care in terms of the nature of local communities, diversity and change.
5. The importance of systems and procedures which promote safe care practice, including keeping records,
observing rules of confidentiality and being accountable.
Cognitive skills to:
13
APL to be completed in
order to ensure 600 practice
hours
SEE SEPARATE
DOCUMENTATION TO BE
COMPLETED BY THE
STUDENT
1. Describe care situations objectively, focusing on important points and leaving out unimportant details.
2. Analyse case studies of care situations, drawing out their relevance to concepts and ideas from the module.
3. Develop arguments in your own words, while drawing on concepts and ideas you have read about.
Key skills to:
1. Manage your studies through effective planning, organization and time management.
2.Review your development by identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and responding to feedback.3.
Learn effectively from a range of print and web-based resources (including written teaching materials, academic
texts, policy documents and audio-visual material) as well as from conversations with tutors and fellow students. 4.
Communicate ideas and arguments in a logical and well-structured way.
5. Search for relevant online information relating to care needs.
6. Confidently use a computer and the internet for basic learning activities.
7. Read and interpret simple tables, charts and graphs.
Practical/professional skills to:
1. Identify aspects of care relationships that conform, or fail to conform, to principles of good care practice.
2. Anticipate communication difficulties in care situations and develop plans to address them.
3. Show awareness of problems of access to care services and suggest ways to overcome them.
4. Show awareness of health and safety issues in care situations and of appropriate measures to address them.
5. Apply rules of confidentiality to specific situations, identify protection issues, and outline appropriate measures.
14
Table 4: K(YN)117 Enhancing your healthcare practice
AIMS
K(YN)117 aims to be inclusive of all fields contributing towards healthcare practice. This is in recognition that even
in the diverse sector of healthcare practice, many issues are common, regardless of the professional discipline you
are working to support. Take for instance the area of dignity, which should be a concern for all practitioners. By
exploring content from a holistic perspective (thinking from all fronts) not only will you be able to consider the
relevance of learning to your own practice, but you will also gain a clearer understanding of the impact of other
practitioners in the field on the service user and carer experience of healthcare.
K(YN)117 takes a UK-wide perspective. UK nations differ in their policies and priorities, and these differences can
be quite complex. In this module, these differences are brought out from time to time by way of illustration. Where
specific policy is referred to in order to illustrate learning, the module team encourages you always to question and
seek out any comparable local and national policies relevant to your practice.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The key biological, physical, social, political, ethical and psychological concepts relevant to the delivery of your
healthcare practice.
2. The range of different approaches to high quality, person-centered care.
3. The development of health and social care in the UK and the contemporary context in which care takes place.
4. Theories, concepts and professional principles that underpin healthcare practice.
5. A range of basic research methods and their application to healthcare practice.
Cognitive skills to:
1. Describe and analyse your own healthcare practice and that of others.
2. Apply concepts, principles and theories to your healthcare practice.
3. Select, describe and interpret ideas and evidence to develop an argument that provides new insights into
practice.
4. Develop reflective skills to examine your own values and those of others.
Key skills to:
1. Communicate ideas, arguments, principles and theories effectively in speech and in writing, using visual and
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools where appropriate.
2. Prepare, manipulate, present and interpret data (textual, numerical and graphical) using appropriate qualitative
and quantitative techniques.
3. Make effective use of appropriate information and communication technologies.
15
APL to be completed in
order to ensure the 600
hours of practice learning
and 250 hours of theoretical
learning
SEE SEPARATE
DOCUMENTATION TO BE
COMPLETED BY THE
STUDENT
4. Manage your own learning, organise your own time, and begin to work independently in a way appropriate for
continuing personal and professional development.
Practical and professional skills to:
1. Act in accordance with the legal, ethical, political and policy boundaries of your healthcare practice.
2. Recognise the personal boundaries of your practice and be able to make appropriate referrals.
3. Work effectively and maintain appropriate relationships with others including the multi-disciplinary team.
4. Use appropriate knowledge and evidence to assist in decision-making.
5. Respond sensitively to the needs of service users from a diversity of backgrounds.
6. Contribute to the development of quality services and working with change.
7. Reflect on and engage in personal or professional development.
16
Table 5: SKYN277 Human biology (Adult nursing field of practice only)
AIMS
1. To place human biology in an interdisciplinary context that will appeal to students from a variety of backgrounds,
whether in science, technology, the humanities or the paramedical professions.
2. To enable students to appreciate how such knowledge is relevant to issues in health and healing as well as
disease.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. Terms, conventions and units of measurement appropriate to human anatomy and physiology of the major body
systems.
2. The underlying concepts and principles associated with human anatomy and physiology.
3. Ways in which important parameters can be affected by genetic and environmental (physical, psychological and
social) stimuli.
4. Ways in which individual, system and metabolic malfunctions are manifested as disease.
5. Appropriate methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing scientific data/information relevant to human biology.
Cognitive skills to:
1. Use and apply knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts and principles and theories relating to
human biology.
2. Apply such scientific knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar situations.
3. Work with scientific data and information relevant to human biology and interpret data in the context of major body
systems or the whole body.
4. Evaluate information from a range of sources.
5. Engage with some of the current developments in human biology, including applications and the philosophical
and ethical issues involved.
Key skills to:
1. Locate, deal with and respond to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, graphical and computer
based), including some appropriate literature outside of the module.
2. Communicate scientific information accurately and effectively using written, visual, numerical and graphical forms
in an appropriate style.
3. Use simple numerical data to extract information or support an argument.
4. Understand the complementary roles of observation, experimentation and theory in the pursuit of biological
knowledge and the development of biological theories.
17
APL to be completed in
order to ensure 300 hours
SEE SEPARATE
DOCUMENTATION TO
BE COMPLETED BY THE
STUDENT
Table 6: SKYN228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health (Mental health field of practice only)
AIMS
In the introductory block you’ll explore the relationship between mind and body and the idea that mental phenomena
have a physiological basis in the brain. You will be introduced to two models of studying and explaining mental
health conditions. The first is the biomedical model of mental health. Here, an understanding of brain function is
considered to be sufficient for understanding mental health conditions. The second model, the biopsychosocial
model, is where the functioning of the brain is considered necessary but only as a factor that interacts with other
psychological and social factors.
The overarching aim of the module is to illustrate how, and why, the biopsychosocial model has emerged as a
reaction to the limitations of the biomedical approach with the development of the field of health psychology. All
blocks demonstrate how the biopsychosocial model can be applied to enhance our understanding of mental health
and ill health. Throughout the role of preventive measures to guard against mental ill health is discussed, as well as
the promotion of well-being.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The key terminology, nomenclature, classification systems, conventions and units of measurement that are
central to the study of mental health and ill health.
2. The structure and function of major systems and organs in the human body, and their association with health,
disease, disorder, dysfunction and pathology.
3. Ways in which biological, psychological and social factors interact in mental wellbeing and ill-health at the level of
the individual, community and society.
4. The development of the theoretical basis of diagnosis and intervention in defined medical conditions.
5. Appropriate methods to generate, interpret and analyse scientific data and information in defined contexts within
the study of mental health and ill health.
Cognitive skills to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to apply your knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and
theories relating to the psychology of mental health and ill health in defined contexts.
2. Apply such scientific knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar examples.
3. Analyse, interpret, synthesise and summarise simple scientific data and information appropriately
4. Show that you can recognize different lines of evidence and appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of
current knowledge in defined areas of mental health and ill health.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of some of the key social, psychological, biological and ethical issues surrounding
18
APL to be completed in
order to ensure 300 hours
SEE SEPARATE
DOCUMENTATION TO
BE COMPLETED BY THE
STUDENT
mental health and ill health topics.
Key skills to:
1. Locate, retrieve and respond to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, graphical and computerbased) in defined contexts.
2. Communicate scientific information accurately and effectively using written, visual and numerical forms in a style
that suits purpose and audience.
3. Prepare, process, present and interpret data in defined ways using appropriate qualitative and quantitative
techniques.
4. Use a range of study skills appropriate to degree-level study and apply them to improve your own learning.
5. Use your ICT skills as appropriate to locate online information sources, enhance your own learning, carry out
simple data analysis, and communicate and discuss scientific information with others.
6. Reflect on and manage your own learning, organise your own time, and begin to work independently in a way
appropriate for continuing personal and professional development.
Practical and professional skills to:
1. Use your skills in interpreting data derived from health-related investigations.
19
Table 7: KYN238 Understanding health and illness (working title)
AIMS
KYN238 provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically engage with a variety of understandings of
health and illness, promotion and care, both physical and mental – meanings, causes and responses – as they
impact at different transitional periods across the life course.
It begins with a preliminary investigation of some meanings of heath and illness, promotion and care, mental and
physical, drawn from the disciplines of sociology, psychology and biology; this investigation will include looking at
the underpinning causes of health and illness indentified within these disciplines.
Having established these initial categories of meanings and underpinning causes, KYN238 looks at how these
concepts might be experienced and acted on across a number of key transitional periods in the life course, including
childhood, adolescence and youth, young adulthood, middle adulthood, old age and death, dying, grief and loss.
Exploring how the concepts might be experienced and acted on will be undertaken from a variety of perspectives:
professional/practitioner, service user and carer.
While it is obvious that age, however ‘blurred and ragged’ is a key focus of these explorations, five other factors are
threaded through, allowing students to develop their understanding of their influence on health and illness. These
factors include gender, ethnicity, ability, sexuality and social class.
As part of the exploration of health and illness during each period of the life course, KYN238 encourages students to
focus on the relationship/interaction between physical and mental health.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The concepts of health and well-being, public health and health promotion needed to meet the needs of
individuals and communities.
2. The value of interdisciplinary collaboration and interagency working across a range of health and social service
providers.
3. Practice that accords with legal, ethical moral and professional frameworks and respects culture and diversity.
Cognitive skills to:
1. Critically examine the underpinning disciplines of biology, psychology, sociology, pharmacology and their
application to nursing practice across the life span and health–illness continuum.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the values held by members of the multi-professional team.
20
APL to be completed in
order to ensure 300 hours
SEE SEPARATE
DOCUMENTATION TO
BE COMPLETED BY THE
STUDENT
Key skills to:
1. Independently plan, monitor and evaluate and improve your own learning and performance.
2. Use information literacy, technology tools and numeracy skills as appropriate to find, critically evaluate, process,
present and communicate information.
Practical and professional skills to:
1. Sensitively develop, deliver and document care across the lifespan to promote optimal health, appropriate
rehabilitation or a peaceful death.
2. Analyse the impact of the values held by members of the multi-professional team, including on their relationship
with service users, carers and other professionals/practitioners.
21
5.
MAKING AN APPLICATION THROUGH APL
An applicant intending to submit an application for APL consideration must complete Form 1 and as
many of forms 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d & 3e as are required. These will need to be submitted with the
Credit Transfer application form available from the Credit Transfer Centre (CTC). On receipt of these
forms, a Department of Nursing assessor will make an assessment of the application and the
evidence submitted.
Form 1: APL Application Form:
This will need to be completed to accompany the Credit Transfer (CT) Application Form that the CTC
requires.
Form 2 is for the applicant to provide any evidence as a Portfolio of Prior Experience;
In order to be considered for the award of credit against the Stage 1 practice module KYN117
applicants must provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating completion of 600 hours in practice
within a formal course of study. This practice experience may have been completed in either or both of
the statutory and non-statutory (voluntary) clinical environments.
Form 3a is for the applicant to identify prior learning relevant to KYN101
All prior learning must be relevant to healthcare and demonstrate a close match to the learning
outcomes of the module against which an application is made.
Form 3b is for the applicant to identify prior learning relevant to KYN117
All prior learning must be relevant to healthcare and demonstrate a close match to the learning
outcomes of the module against which an application is made.
Form 3c is for the applicant to identify prior learning relevant to SKYN277
All prior learning must be relevant to healthcare and demonstrate a close match to the learning
outcomes of the module against which an application is made.
Form 3d is for the applicant to identify prior learning relevant to SKYN228
All prior learning must be relevant to healthcare and demonstrate a close match to the learning
outcomes of the module against which an application is made.
Form 3e is for the applicant to identify prior learning relevant to KYN238
All prior learning must be relevant to healthcare and demonstrate a close match to the learning
outcomes of the module against which an application is made.
If you have any queries regarding the filling in of these forms prior to submission please contact the
Qualifications Manager as follows:
Electronically via
Charlie.Worvill@open.ac.uk
By telephone
+44(0)1908 653914
22
Form 1:
APL APPLICATION FORM
FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
(to be completed after consulting the notes of guidance attached)
Part A: Personal details
Surname and forename(s):
Personal Identifier number (if known):
Degree programme:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing / Mental Health Nursing
(delete as appropriate)
Part B: Exemption from specific module(s)
Which modules do you wish to be exempted from for the above programme of study? Please give
module code, module title and the number of credits. Note that we cannot give partial credit for an
OU module; you must provide evidence that accounts for the full module credit for which
exemption is sought.
Module code
Module title
No. of credits
e.g. KYN101
An introduction to health and social care
60 credits
Part C: Accreditation of PRIOR learning
Please give details below of qualifications/courses taken previously that you wish to be considered for
exemption from the modules listed above (grades need to be included where appropriate). Please
submit the appropriate Form(s) 3a - e if you are applying for the accreditation of prior
certificated learning.
Form 2 should be submitted if you wish to apply for accreditation of practice hours in respect
of KYN117. Please note that we may need to contact the institution at which you studied for
verification of your achievement of practice hours.
Institution name:
Institution address:
23
24
Form 2:
BSc (Hons) Nursing in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
PORTFOLIO OF PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Please complete one of these forms for each area of experience you have undertaken.
(Please attach additional information as relevant to support your application.)
Date
Domain of practice and experience gained
From/To
Area of work:
In this section, give a brief description of the area in which you gained
experience and identify if this was personal, professional or voluntary.
Care, compassion and communication:
Identify any professional, legal or ethical frameworks that governed your
practice or the practice of those who worked with you. What was your
experience in providing care that was personalised to service users? How
have you maintained dignity, privacy and confidentiality for those with whom
you have worked? How have you provided culturally sensitive care? What
was your involvement in communication and documentation?
Organisational aspects:
What is your experience of responding to emergencies or deterioration in
the health and well-being of service users? How did you contribute to the
maintenance of their health and well-being? To what extent were you
involved in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care? What
is your experience of working with others in teams and with other
professional groups? What practice skills did you develop? Who were you
responsible for and accountable to?
25
Number of
hours
Infection prevention and control:
To what extent were you aware of local and national policies that impacted
on this area of care delivery? What skills do you have/have you learned that
reduce the risk of cross contamination? What were regular practices
involving infection prevention and control in your practice?
Nutrition and fluid management:
What role have you had in meeting the nutritional needs of service users?
What practices have you been involved in and what have you learned from
such experiences? What have you observed about the role of other
professional groups in supporting the nutritional assessment and
management of service users?
Medicines management:
What role, if any, have you participated in when considering medicines
management of others? Please describe the responsibility of others in
safeguarding medicines.
26
Department of Nursing assessor:
Form 3a:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING MAPPED AGAINST THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES FOR KYN101
Name:
Date:
For consideration of APL, you need to submit a copy of your credit transcript that details
previous modules that you have successfully completed and a copy of the content of each
module against which you are making an application. This will usually be part of a
programme/module guide. Without this, applications cannot be progressed, as NMC
standards require programme providers to match content of previous study against the
outcomes of the pre-registration nursing programme.
Aspect of
programme:
KYN101
Provide evidence below about how the module learning Notes by Department of
Nursing assessor
outcomes were achieved through prior studies. Please
also highlight any areas of deficit. Please refer to Table 3 (Not for use by applicant)
when completing this form.
Knowledge and
understanding
learning
outcomes
Cognitive
learning
outcomes
27
Key skills
learning
outcomes
Practical and
professional
learning
outcomes
Please provide separately, further evidence (for example, a portfolio of your work,
copies of any assessed work you feel may be relevant) that can be used by the
Department of Nursing assessor to judge the applications you are making. It is
important that you are as thorough as possible and provide an appropriate amount of
evidence to support your application.
28
Department of Nursing assessor:
Form 3b:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING MAPPED AGAINST THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES FOR KYN117
Name:
Date:
For consideration of APL, you need to submit a copy of your credit transcript that details
previous modules that you have successfully completed and a copy of the content of each
module against which you are making an application. This will usually be part of a
programme/module guide. Without this, applications cannot be progressed as NMC standards
require programme providers to match content of previous study against the outcomes of the
pre-registration nursing programme.
Aspect of
Notes by Department of
Provide evidence below about how the module learning
programme: outcomes were achieved through prior studies. Please
Nursing assessor
also highlight any areas of deficit. Please refer to Table 4 (Not for use by applicant)
KYN117
when completing this form.
Knowledge and
understanding
learning
outcomes
Cognitive
learning
outcomes
29
Key skills
learning
outcomes
Practical and
professional
learning
outcomes
Please provide separately further evidence (for example, a portfolio of your work,
copies of any assessed work you feel may be relevant) that can be used by the
Department of Nursing assessor to judge the applications you are making. It is
important that you are as thorough as possible and provide an appropriate amount of
evidence to support your application.
30
Department of Nursing assessor:
Form 3c:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING MAPPED AGAINST THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES FOR SKYN277 (adult nursing field of practice only)
Name:
Date:
For consideration of APL, you need to submit a copy of your credit transcript that details
previous modules that you have successfully completed and a copy of the content of each
module against which you are making an application. This will usually be part of a
programme/module guide. Without this, applications cannot be progressed as NMC standards
require programme providers to match content of previous study against the outcomes of the
pre-registration nursing programme.
Aspect of
Notes by Department of
Provide evidence below about how the module learning
programme: outcomes were achieved through prior studies. Please
Nursing assessor
also
highlight
any
areas
of
deficit.
Please
refer
to
Table
5
SKYN277
(Not for use by applicant)
when you complete this form.
Knowledge and
understanding
learning
outcomes
Cognitive
learning
outcomes
31
Key skills
learning
outcomes
Please provide separately further evidence (for example, a portfolio of your work,
copies of any assessed work you feel may be relevant) that can be used by the
Department of Nursing assessor to judge the applications you are making. It is
important that you are as thorough as possible and provide an appropriate amount of
evidence to support your application.
32
Department of Nursing assessor:
Form 3d:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING MAPPED AGAINST THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES FOR SKYN228 (mental health nursing field of practice only)
Name:
Date:
For consideration of APL, you need to submit a copy of your credit transcript that details
previous modules that you have successfully completed and a copy of the content of each
module against which you are making an application. This will usually be part of a
programme/module guide. Without this, applications cannot be progressed as NMC standards
require programme providers to match content of previous study against the outcomes of the
pre-registration nursing programme.
Aspect of
Provide evidence below about how the module learning
programme: outcomes were achieved through prior studies. Please also
highlight any areas of deficit. Please refer to Table 6 when
SKYN228
completing this form.
Knowledge and
understanding
learning
outcomes
Cognitive
learning
outcomes
33
Notes by Department
of Nursing assessor
(Not for use by
applicant)
Key skills
learning
outcomes
Practical and
professional
learning
outcomes
Please provide separately further evidence (for example, a portfolio of your work,
copies of any assessed work you feel may be relevant) that can be used by the
Department of Nursing assessor to judge the applications you are making. It is
important that you are as thorough as possible and provide an appropriate amount of
evidence to support your application.
34
Department of Nursing assessor:
Form 3e:
BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
Accreditation of Prior Learning
ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING MAPPED AGAINST THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES FOR KYN238
Name:
Date:
For consideration of APL, you need to submit a copy of your credit transcript that details
previous modules that you have successfully completed and a copy of the content of each
module against which you are making an application. This will usually be part of a
programme/module guide. Without this, applications cannot be progressed as NMC standards
require programme providers to match content of previous study against the outcomes of the
pre-registration nursing programme.
Aspect of
Notes by Department of
Provide evidence below about how the module learning
programme: outcomes were achieved through prior studies. Please
Nursing assessor
also highlight any areas of deficit. Please refer to Table 7 (Not for use by applicant)
KYN238
when completing this form.
Knowledge and
understanding
learning
outcomes
Cognitive
learning
outcomes
35
Key skills
learning
outcomes
Practical and
professional
learning
outcomes
Please provide separately further evidence (for example, a portfolio of your work,
copies of any assessed work you feel may be relevant) that can be used by the
Department of Nursing assessor to judge the applications you are making. It is
important that you are as thorough as possible and provide an appropriate amount of
evidence to support your application.
36