Micro-credential
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. This micro-credential is part of a series of stackable micro-credentials for primary care nurses. For more information on these micro-credentials, please click here.
OFFERED BY:
Program Regulations
We encourage learners to review the Program Regulations Handbook before beginning the program. Please note that while coursework is delivered fully online, this program includes an in-person clinical preceptorship component (30 hours) completed within your local community. For nurses living in Saskatchewan, along with others with questions related to the preceptorship, please contact nursing.placements@ubc.ca
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 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.
Standard Fee:
$625
You may withdraw up to seven days before the start date and receive a refund (less a $50 administration fee) or a full fee transfer to another CPE offering with open registration. Please see Policy & Resources.
Required Textbook:
The textbook title, version, and purchasing information will be announced by mid-August. The estimated cost will be $200-$300. The textbook may be available through local health authority libraries to employees.
SONNC 0001 – Health Assessment for Primary Care Fundamentals A blend of asynchronous, self-directed 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 3 – November 5, 2026
- Asynchronous (self-directed) work:
- Required self-directed learning (readings and other activities) begin two weeks prior to first synchronous session and continue throughout the course
- Synchronous Sessions:
- Thursday, September 17, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 1, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 15, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 29, 2026: 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: October 16 – December 20, 2026
- The expectation is to complete the preceptorship within these dates
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
Textbook Requirements:
The textbook title, version, and purchasing information will be announced by mid-August. The estimated cost will be $200-$300. The textbook may be available through local health authority libraries to employees.
Shannon Moore (RN(c), MSN)
Primary Care Registered Nurse, UBC Okanagan School of Nursing Adjunct Professor and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) who 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).
Learners will also receive a verifiable digital badge (which has descriptive metadata about the learning achievement) for sharing through digital channels.