Nursing Degrees Online

The pre-registration nursing programme leads to the award of an Open University Diploma of Higher Education (Nursing) and the professional qualification of Registered Nurses on the NMC Register (Part 1).

Presented in partnership with and supported by Strategic Health Authorities; Workforce Development Confederations; The Scottish Executive, Department of Health; Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland; Trusts and independent health care providers, the programme is initially aimed at experienced health workers who meet the professional body’s minimum requirements for entry to nurse training. The programme enables you to study and qualify while remaining in work and maintaining your family and social commitments.

The programme involves a structured educational framework that uses the workplace as the site for student learning. It is therefore only open to you if your employer is/becomes involved in this Open University partnership.
Planning your studies

The programme is offered in collaboration with employing agencies only. The Open University provides study materials, organises tutorials and manages the assessment procedures. It supports the practice learning element of the programme, which is substantially managed by the student’s employer. Responsibilities are set out in a formal agreement signed by The Open University and the employing organisation.

You can study the programme over four, five or six years although it is expected that most students will take four to five years. (There is a time limit for studying this diploma of higher education. You must obtain the required 240 credit points within 7 years.) You remain in employment while you study but your employer is required to give you time off for study.

Throughout the programme, there is a 50:50 split between theory and practice, learning in practice opportunities being planned to ensure adequate and appropriate experience.

Designed to offer maximum flexibility, there are a number of ‘stepping on’ and ‘stepping off’ points throughout the programme enabling you to take study breaks if needed.

You must include at least 80 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded.

The pre-registration nursing programme leads to the award of an Open University Diploma of Higher Education (Nursing) and the professional qualification of Registered Nurse on the NMC register (Part 1).

Presented in partnership with, and supported by Strategic Health Authorities; Workforce Development Confederations; The Scottish Executive; Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland; Trusts and independent health care providers, the programme is initially aimed at experienced health workers who meet the regulatory body’s minimum requirements for entry to nurse training. The programme enables you to study and qualify while remaining in work and maintaining your family and social commitments.

The programme involves a structured educational framework that uses the workplace as the site for student learning. It is therefore only open to you if your employer is/becomes involved in this Open University partnership.

Planning your studies

The programme is offered in collaboration with employing organisations only. The Open University provides study materials, organises tutorials and manages the assessment procedures. It supports the practice learning element of the programme, which is substantially managed by the student’s employer. Responsibilities are set out in a formal agreement signed by The Open University and the employing organisation.

You can study the programme over four, five or six years although it is expected that most students will take four to five years. (There is a time limit for studying this diploma of higher education. You must obtain the required 240 credit points within 7 years.) You remain in employment while you study but your employer is required to give you time off for study.

Throughout the programme, there is a 50:50 split between theory and practice, learning in practice opportunities being planned to ensure adequate and appropriate experience.

Designed to offer maximum flexibility, there are a number of ‘stepping on’ and ‘stepping off’ points throughout the programme enabling you to take study breaks if needed.

You must include at least 80 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded.

Learners in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program are Registered Nurses who are either seeking employment or are employed in one of the nursing specialties listed above. The program combines part-time distance study with practice-based clinical education. BCIT grants credit for previous experience and education through a variety of transfer credit, course challenge, and prior learning assessment procedures.

The collaborative efforts of the BCIT Nursing Specialties faculty, nursing curriculum consultants, employers, learners, practising nurses, and clients have developed the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing. The curriculum focuses on the technology of specialized nursing practice. Technology is broadly conceptualized as the knowledge, skills and attitudes that specialty nurses require in order to practise.

The curriculum also focuses on building partnerships. BCIT views both nursing and learning as relational endeavours in which communication and collaboration enhance the processes and outcomes of these endeavours. Partnership, therefore, is the context in which students learn and enact specialty knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Faculty members are experienced clinical specialists, academically prepared as educators, who maintain their competency by regular clinical practice. They demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to practice-based education by active involvement in professional organizations and interest groups.

Graduate Characteristics
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program provides a broad range of perspectives, specialized knowledge, and skills. The intent is to build on learners’ previous experience and education to prepare them to competently care for individuals, groups and communities.

The following graduate characteristics facilitate competence in specialty nursing practice:
Development of reflective, critical-thinking skills
Participation in collaborative relationships
Further development of verbal and written communication skills
Development of systematic inquiry as a basis of practice
Expansion of professionalism through caring for and about individuals, groups and communities
Engagement in personal and professional growth

Learners in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program are Registered Nurses who are either seeking employment or are employed in one of the nursing specialties listed above. The program combines part-time distance study with practice-based clinical education. BCIT grants credit for previous experience and education through a variety of transfer credit, course challenge, and prior learning assessment procedures.

The collaborative efforts of the BCIT Nursing Specialties faculty, nursing curriculum consultants, employers, learners, practising nurses, and clients have developed the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing. The curriculum focuses on the technology of specialized nursing practice. Technology is broadly conceptualized as the knowledge, skills and attitudes that specialty nurses require in order to practise.

The curriculum also focuses on building partnerships. BCIT views both nursing and learning as relational endeavours in which communication and collaboration enhance the processes and outcomes of these endeavours. Partnership, therefore, is the context in which students learn and enact specialty knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Faculty members are experienced clinical specialists, academically prepared as educators, who maintain their competency by regular clinical practice. They demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to practice-based education by active involvement in professional organizations and interest groups.

Graduate Characteristics
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program provides a broad range of perspectives, specialized knowledge, and skills. The intent is to build on learners’ previous experience and education to prepare them to competently care for individuals, groups and communities.

The following graduate characteristics facilitate competence in specialty nursing practice:
Development of reflective, critical-thinking skills
Participation in collaborative relationships
Further development of verbal and written communication skills
Development of systematic inquiry as a basis of practice
Expansion of professionalism through caring for and about individuals, groups and communities
Engagement in personal and professional growth

Learners in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program are Registered Nurses who are either seeking employment or are employed in one of the nursing specialties listed above. The program combines part-time distance study with practice-based clinical education. BCIT grants credit for previous experience and education through a variety of transfer credit, course challenge, and prior learning assessment procedures.

The collaborative efforts of the BCIT Nursing Specialties faculty, nursing curriculum consultants, employers, learners, practising nurses, and clients have developed the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing. The curriculum focuses on the technology of specialized nursing practice. Technology is broadly conceptualized as the knowledge, skills and attitudes that specialty nurses require in order to practise.

The curriculum also focuses on building partnerships. BCIT views both nursing and learning as relational endeavours in which communication and collaboration enhance the processes and outcomes of these endeavours. Partnership, therefore, is the context in which students learn and enact specialty knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Faculty members are experienced clinical specialists, academically prepared as educators, who maintain their competency by regular clinical practice. They demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to practice-based education by active involvement in professional organizations and interest groups.

Graduate Characteristics
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program provides a broad range of perspectives, specialized knowledge, and skills. The intent is to build on learners’ previous experience and education to prepare them to competently care for individuals, groups and communities.

The following graduate characteristics facilitate competence in specialty nursing practice:
Development of reflective, critical-thinking skills
Participation in collaborative relationships
Further development of verbal and written communication skills
Development of systematic inquiry as a basis of practice
Expansion of professionalism through caring for and about individuals, groups and communities
Engagement in personal and professional growth

Flexible Learning Options
Learners may take all theory courses on a part-time basis via distance education modes. Selected courses may be offered on-site. Methods of delivery include print-based material, audio and video conferencing, computer-mediated communications, and classroom formats. BCIT designates three terms per year, each 12 weeks in length: winter, January to March; spring, April to June; fall, September to December. Registration should take place at least one month prior to the term start date.

BCIT offers clinical courses on a full-time or part-time basis at various appropriate clinical sites throughout BC The program may individually negotiate clinical placements outside of BC

Learners in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program are Registered Nurses who are either seeking employment or are employed in one of the nursing specialties listed above. The program combines part-time distance study with practice-based clinical education. BCIT grants credit for previous experience and education through a variety of transfer credit, course challenge, and prior learning assessment procedures.

The collaborative efforts of the BCIT Nursing Specialties faculty, nursing curriculum consultants, employers, learners, practising nurses, and clients have developed the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing. The curriculum focuses on the technology of specialized nursing practice. Technology is broadly conceptualized as the knowledge, skills and attitudes that specialty nurses require in order to practise.

The curriculum also focuses on building partnerships. BCIT views both nursing and learning as relational endeavours in which communication and collaboration enhance the processes and outcomes of these endeavours. Partnership, therefore, is the context in which students learn and enact specialty knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Faculty members are experienced clinical specialists, academically prepared as educators, who maintain their competency by regular clinical practice. They demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to practice-based education by active involvement in professional organizations and interest groups.

Graduate Characteristics
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing program provides a broad range of perspectives, specialized knowledge, and skills. The intent is to build on learners’ previous experience and education to prepare them to competently care for individuals, groups and communities.

The following graduate characteristics facilitate competence in specialty nursing practice:
Development of reflective, critical-thinking skills
Participation in collaborative relationships
Further development of verbal and written communication skills
Development of systematic inquiry as a basis of practice
Expansion of professionalism through caring for and about individuals, groups and communities
Engagement in personal and professional growth

Flexible Learning Options
Learners may take all theory courses on a part-time basis via distance education modes. Selected courses may be offered on-site. Methods of delivery include print-based material, audio and video conferencing, computer-mediated communications, and classroom formats. BCIT designates three terms per year, each 12 weeks in length: winter, January to March; spring, April to June; fall, September to December. Registration should take place at least one month prior to the term start date.

BCIT offers clinical courses on a full-time or part-time basis at various appropriate clinical sites throughout BC The program may individually negotiate clinical placements outside of BC