Letter of Proficiency
Health Assessment for Primary Care Nursing
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
The School of Nursing’s non-credit micro credential programming in primary care nursing builds on knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in undergraduate nursing education and aims to prepare learners to practice in primary health care clinics such as physicians’ offices and community primary care centers.
This two-course micro-credential program will assist nurses to develop a systematic process for assessing physical, mental, and functional aspects of patient health as well as improve understanding and expertise in the collection of data and diagnostic formulation. Learners will utilize clinical reasoning and decision-making to accurately assess clients to inform nursing diagnoses and comprehensive care plans for health challenges commonly seen in a primary health care setting across the lifespan.
OFFERED BY:
Information Session
Please join us for an information session on Wednesday, June 11, from 12:00-1:00 pm PST. This is an opportunity to speak with the instructors and ask any questions related to the program.
Register
OUTCOMES
By the end of this program, for health challenges commonly seen in a primary health care setting across the lifespan, learners will be able to:
- Develop a systematic process for assessing physical, mental, and functional aspects of patient health.
- Gain understanding and expertise in the collection of data and diagnostic formulation.
- Utilize clinical reasoning and decision-making to inform nursing diagnoses and documentation.
- Develop plans of care with team collaboration and referrals as needed.
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses with a university degree and registered in good standing in one of the Canadian Provinces
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses currently practicing in a primary care setting and wanting to further develop their skills to practice to a fuller scope
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses wanting to seek employment in a primary care setting
- Students in good standing in year four of a nursing baccalaureate program in one of the Canadian Provinces interested in primary care nursing.
SONNC 0001 – Health Assessment for Primary Care Fundamentals A blend of asynchronous coursework (approx. 22 hours) and online classes (8 hours). The synchronous portion of this course (8 hours) will consist of 4 online sessions lasting 2 hours each. These online and interactive classes will deepen your understanding of critical concepts through case presentations, conceptual questions, and group discussions.
- Course Duration: September 18 – October 30, 2025
- Synchronous Sessions:
- Thursday, September 18, 2025: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 2, 2025: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 16, 2025: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 30, 2025: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
SONNC 0002 – Health Assessment for Primary Care Preceptorship The clinical preceptorship includes a blend of asynchronous modules (approx.10 hours) and intentional learning practice activities (30 hours).
- Course Duration: November 1 – December 20, 2025
Delivery Mode:
Blended
Structure:
This 70-hour micro-credential program comprises two courses. The first course, Health Assessment for Primary Care Fundamentals, focuses on knowledge and skills acquisition. The second course, Health Assessment for Primary Care Preceptorship, is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained.
- You must successfully complete Health Assessment for Primary Care Fundamentals (SONNC 0001) prior to starting Health Assessment for Primary Care Preceptorship (SONNC 0002).
- Successful completion of SONNC 0001 and SONNC 0002 will result in a Letter of Proficiency.
Technology Requirements:
To be successful, you will need:
- An email account.
- A computer, laptop or tablet that has the latest version of one of the following web browsers installed: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. UBCO’s Canvas learning management system will not work with Internet Explorer. To verify your device’s browser is compatible with UBCO’s Canvas learning management system, please visit the Canvas supported browser page.
- A reliable internet connection.
- The technology to watch videos, listen to audio and read or download PDF files.
- A webcam and a microphone.
- Zoom
If you have technology-related questions or support, please use the link in the course or email cpe.ubco@ubc.ca
Shannon Moore (RN(c), BScN)
Primary Care Registered Nurse in Kelowna, British Columbia, an MSN student in the School of Nursing at UBC Okanagan and is passionate about advancing the role and scope of primary care nurses. Over a two-decade nursing career, Shannon has worked in Alberta, BC, and the NWT doing a little bit of everything, including primary, acute and critical care, emergency, pediatrics, psychiatry, sexual health and teaching a variety of certification courses and precepting.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, learners are awarded a UBC Okanagan Letter of Proficiency (a non-credit credential).
The credential is provided in paper format. Learners will also receive a verifiable digital badge (which has descriptive metadata about the learning achievement) for sharing through digital channels.
To be eligible for this program, you must be either a Registered Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse who is in good standing in a Canadian Province or Territory or a 4th-year student registered and in good standing in a Bachelor of Science Nursing program in a Canadian School of Nursing.
In addition, this program involves a preceptorship component in a primary care setting. The preceptor may be a Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Licensed Medical Physician. To provide flexibility for learners with respect to timing, location and context, all learners are responsible for identifying a potential preceptor and working with UBC Okanagan to secure the placement. In cases where learners are unable to identify a potential preceptor, UBC Okanagan will work with a learner to arrange for a preceptorship but cannot guarantee a placement in all cases.
The application is focused on 1) ensuring that you meet the eligibility requirements and 2) identifying where you are in the process of identifying your potential preceptor so that we are able to assist you as appropriate.
Gather Information Required For Application:
- For Registered Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses:
The name of the relevant regulatory body (e.g., British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals and Midwives), your registration number, and the province or territory in which you are licensed to practice. - For Nursing Students:
A letter from your university confirming your good standing. View sample letter here. - Potential Preceptor Information:
If you have identified a potential preceptor, ensure that you have gathered their contact details (name, credentials, employer, location) and obtained their permission to share them. Note that if you have not, you will be asked to provide information about your location and employer so that we can assist you.
More information on Placements and Preceptorships (opens in new tab)