You will study this module if you are registered on a pre-registration nursing programme (PRNP). Your learning will be online in field-specific groups supported by a module tutor and structured around enquiry-based practices using case scenarios/vignettes that will encourage you to be an active learner. You will contribute to the learning of your peers by coming together bi-weekly to share knowledge and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment.
What you will study
This module progresses from foundational health and social care at OU level 1 and will develop generic and field-specific nursing content, allowing you to deep dive into the four fields of practice – Adult, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health – through use of an enquiry-based learning (EBL) approach. You'll be introduced to the broad principles that underpin nursing practice in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (NMC 2018), and use case scenarios and vignettes to discover a range of caring interventions.
The learning materials on the module website encompass five key themes:
Developing a professional identity
Improvement science and patient safety
Development across the life course
Integrated services
Wellbeing.
During tutorials you will be guided to study specific EBL materials to help you respond to and learn from the case scenarios and vignettes that you will discuss within tutorials. Your tutor will also guide you towards certain lines of enquiry where essential learning is necessary, for example, physiology, skills rationale, public health initiatives. We have identified these learning materials as essential for your study, and you’ll see these pages marked ‘Essential for study’ within the EBL materials. The remaining learning materials are available for you to study; you will be able to select lines of enquiry where you have a personal interest based on the scenario. You are also expected to study outside OU learning materials by seeking further information from the internet, as well as drawing on local trust and national policies to inform your tuition and practice.
This is the theory module that sits alongside Developing nursing practice (K211) and focuses on the development of your practice as part of the BSc (Honours) Nursing. It should be noted that in most instances, this module will run concurrently with K211 and therefore the content has been shaped to facilitate your application of learning to practice.
Entry requirements
This module is not available for standalone study. It is open only to students on the Pre-Registration Nursing Programme who are sponsored by their employer.
To study this module you should have:
satisfied the entry requirements for the qualification
registered on the BSc (Honours) Nursing (any field of practice)
normally completed the two OU level 1 modules Introducing health and social care (K102/KYN(L)102) and Introduction to health care practice (K104/KYN(L)104) or demonstrate equivalent knowledge
met the NMC entry requirements; demonstrated good character and health status through self- declaration; enhanced criminal disclosure; occupational health screening; review of previous sickness and absence; two references, one from current employer.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Online tuition will be via synchronous Adobe Connect meetings with bi-weekly online group tutorials. Where essential learning is necessary learning materials will be labelled as ‘Essential for study’. The remaining learning materials are available for you to study; you will be able to select lines of enquiry where you have a personal interest based on the scenario. You are expected to study additional sources of evidence beyond the learning materials within the module website. This will be achieved by seeking further information from the internet, as well as drawing on local trust and national policies to inform your tuition and practice.
Online tutorials will run in field-specific tutor groups. Students seeking individual support will be able to do so through their tutor.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
Course work includes:
2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment
What's included
Online learning materials and resources. You will 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.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying KYN210 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
If you’re using printed materials as part of reasonable adjustments to support your studies, note that printed versions of online materials are unavailable for this module.
Future availability
Understanding nursing: knowledge and theory starts twice a year in October and February.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
From 2028, this module will be available twice a year in July and October.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2035.