NUR 3816 1
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH
SCHOOL OF NURSING
TITLE: Professional Nursing Concepts
COURSE NUMBER: NUR 3816
CREDIT HOURS: 4 Semester Hours
PRE-REQUISITES: NUR 3065L Health Assessment of Individuals Across the Lifespan
NUR 3619 Family and Community Assessment
NUR 1028L Nursing Competencies
NUR 3066L Clinical Practicum I
NUR 3128 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
CO-REQUISITES: NUR 3225: Adult Health Nursing
NUR 3235L: Clinical Practicum II
NUR 3536: Psychiatric and Rehabilitative Nursing Concepts
Course Faculty may be reached and/or voice mail accessed through the School of Nursing at (904) 620-2684
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course includes information on the profession of nursing and introduces the student to the heritage of nursing. The focus is on philosophical, theoretical, and ethical bases of professional nursing practice. Principles of leadership and management are explored. The emphasis is on multi-faceted dimensions of nursing as a vital component of health care.
Copyright © UNF School of Nursing, Fall, 2009
August 26, 2009
NUR 3816 1
POLICIES
GENERAL UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL OF NURSING POLICIES
Students are responsible for knowing the University of North Florida, Brooks College of Health, and School of Nursing policies and procedures as outlined in the current editions UNF Student Handbook, Undergraduate Catalog, and School of Nursing Student Handbook. The School of Nursing Student Handbook is a required text in every nursing course, and may be accessed on the School of Nursing Blackboard site. In particular, students are directed to these documents for information on the Drug-Free Workplace Act, on Sexual Harassment, on Religious Holidays, and to more specific information on the following areas:
· Standards of Professional Behavior
Students in nursing and other health professions curricula are held to standards of conduct that both differ from and exceed those usually expected of university students. Consequently, nursing students are required to demonstrate professional accountability for their actions and behaviors as nursing students and citizens. Students are also required to demonstrate clinical competence, including reasonable skill, safe practice and professional behavior in the care of persons. Students are expected to adhere to the standards of acceptable conduct outlined in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, and the Florida Nurse Practice Act. Students may be removed from classroom, laboratory or clinical experiences at any time in a course for unsafe or unprofessional behavior.
· UNF Academic Integrity Code
The University expects all members of the academic community to behave with academic integrity. Academic misconduct is any attempt to misrepresent one’s performance on any exercise submitted for evaluation. This includes but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication and falsification, multiple submissions, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Infractions known by any person should be brought to the attention of the faculty member to whose course it pertains. Infractions may result in actions including, but not limited to, counseling, reprimand, grade of F or grade reduction for either the work in question or for the course.
· Accommodations Due to Disability
Students with disabilities who seek reasonable accommodations in the classroom or other aspects of performing their coursework must first register with the UNF Disability Resource Center (DRC) located in Building 10, Room 1201. DRC staff members work with students to obtain required documentation of disability and to identify appropriate accommodations as required by applicable disability laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). After receiving all necessary documentation, the DRC staff determines whether a student qualifies for services with the DRC and if so, the accommodations the student will be provided. DRC staff then prepares a letter for the student to provide faculty advising them of approved accommodations. For further information, contact the DRC by phone (904) 620-2769, email (), or visit the DRC website (http://www.unf.edu/dept/disabled-services).
· Incomplete Grades
An incomplete grade may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor as an interim grade for a course in which the student has: (a) completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade, (b) been unable to complete course requirements prior to the end of the term because of extenuating circumstances, and (c) obtained agreement from the instructor and arranged for resolution of the incomplete grade.
· Attendance and Conduct
Students are expected to be present for all classes, laboratory and clinical experiences, other learning experiences, and examinations. Students who have extraordinary circumstances preventing attendance should explain these circumstances to the course instructor prior to the scheduled class or clinical lab, or as soon as possible thereafter. Instructors will then make an effort to accommodate reasonable requests. A grade penalty may be assigned for the late assignments, including tests.
Faculty and students are responsible for maintaining a professional atmosphere in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting. This includes, but is not limited to, arriving on time; being respectful of faculty, guest speakers, agency staff, preceptors, and classmates; and actively participating in the learning process. Activated cell phones and pagers are not allowed in either the classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting. Any faculty member has the right to remove any student from the classroom, laboratory, or clinical area if, in the faculty member’s judgment, the student is being disruptive, presents an unprofessional appearance or in any way is a threat to person safety or comfort.
· Software Use
All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against the University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.
EVALUATION
· In order to achieve a passing grade in a course in which tests are a portion of the course grade, the minimum test average must be 70. If, and only if, the minimum test average of 70 is achieved, the other course grades will be counted toward the final course grade. Regardless of other grades achieved in the course, a student achieving less than a 70 test average will have failed to successfully complete the course, and will be given a grade of D (if between 60 and 69) or F (if <60).
· Grading Scale
A 92-100
A- 90-91
B+ 88-89
B 82-87
B- 80-81
C+ 78-79
C 70-77 70 is minimal passing grade
D 60-69
F < 60
NUR 3816 1
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
1. Analyze the development of nursing knowledge including the use of standardized languages and classification systems.
2. Examine the contributions of nursing theory to the profession and practice of nursing.
3. Describe the history of and contemporary issues in nursing and their impact on current nursing practice.
4. Describe the professional, regulatory, ethical and societal climates in which professional nursing exists.
5. Analyze simulated person/nurse scenarios using ethical decision-making frameworks.
6. Examine personal and professional values and their impact on the processes and outcomes of the collaborative partnership.
7. Identify key aspects of nursing in the various components of the health care system.
8. Examine theories and concepts related to leadership and management.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Ackley, B.J., & Ladwig, G.B. (2007). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
American Nurse’s Association. (2008). Foundation of nursing package. Washington, DC: Author. Publication # 08FNDN.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Bulechek, G.M., Butcher, H.K., & Dochterman, J.M. (2009). Nursing interventions classification (NIC) (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. (2009). Contemporary nursing issues, trends, and management (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Harkreader, H., & Mosby (2007). Fundamentals of nursing (3rd ed). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Moorhead, S., Johnson, M, & Maas, M.L., & Swanson, E. (2009). Nursing outcome classification (NOC) (4th ed.). St Louis, MO; Mosby.
Schmidt, N.A., & Brown, J.M. (2009). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
UNF School of Nursing Student Handbook, current edition.
RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL RESOURCES
Butts, J. & Rich, K. (2009). Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into practice (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
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GRADING
The course is graded A-F according to the School of Nursing Grading Scale. In order to achieve a passing grade (defined by the School of Nursing as A-C), test average must be at least 70%. Then, and only then, will grades on other assignments be calculated into the final course grade.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
Profession of Nursing
Nursing History
Nursing Languages
Evidence-based Nursing Practice
Health Care Systems
Contemporary Nursing Roles
Laws, Morals, Standards
Professional Organizations
The Future of Nursing
Philosophical, Theoretical and Ethical Bases of Nursing
Theoretical Foundations
Values Clarification
Ethical theory and concepts
Ethical Issues
Ethical Decision-making
Leadership and Management
Leadership styles
Management styles
Delegation
Change
Organizational Theories
Health Care Finance
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LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND EVALUATION METHODS
EXAMINATIONS 45%
Learners take three examinations. A weighted average of 70 on exams must be achieved in order to pass the course, regardless of the other grades in the course.
Exam 1 15%
Exam 2 15%
Exam 3 15%
ETHICS DEBATE 20%
Learners will participate in a debate based on a case study.
LITERATURE SEARCH PROJECT 15%
Learners will complete a literature search on a clinical nursing problem.
PAPER 20%
Learners will find and read the evidence related to their clinical nursing problem and prepare a scholarly paper on the topic based on the evidence and on interviews with practicing nurses.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class attendance and participation is an expectation of all students enrolled in this course. This entails: (a) being in class each week; and (b) attending to what is going on in class! Missing class or not attending to what is going on in class will result in a reduction in the course grade.
Discussion of course issues based on scholarly readings and clinical practice is an expectation. This entails (a) being prepared by having done the readings; (b) participating by leading class discussions; (c) participating by speaking out on issues, and asking and answering questions; and (d) meaningful participation in Discussion Board activities. Poor or absent participation in any of these aspects will result in a reduction in the course grade.
Professional attitude and behaviors are expected at all times. This entails: (a) being consistently on time for class; (b) listening to opinions and arguments of others who may or may not share your view; and (c) being open, straightforward, and diplomatic when sharing your own opinions/views. Non-professional attitude and behaviors will result in a reduction in the course grade.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF ETHICS DEBATE
Learners will be assigned an ethics case study and a debating stance relative to that study. As part of a debate team, each member will put forth an argument for (or against) the particular issue based on analysis of ethical theory and principles as well as relevant statutes.
DEBATE: 50%
Convincing arguments based on adequate background information
PRESENTATION: 50%
Professional dress and demeanor. Active, convincing participation in the debate with appropriate arguments from a philosophical, ethics and legal perspective, not merely personal opinion.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF LITERATURE SEARCH PROJECT
See pages 25-27 of this syllabus.
1. Searches are complete--2 appropriate search printouts are submitted;
2. CINAHL or MEDLINE article contains 20-100 citations related to the PICO question (printout of the citations only, do not include all the abstracts); Internet search includes a printout of the search engine page that has the URL and title of the site you chose. Both search printouts are appropriately highlighted as outlined above;
3. Search history printout from CINAHL or MEDLINE literature search shows use of advanced search methods to refine the search electronically;
4. Research articles on the printout are correctly identified; abstracts from 3 articles, highlighted on CINAHL or MEDLINE printout as research, are included and are correctly identified as research articles on the article list;
5. Internet site evaluation following the format provided in this syllabus; evaluation should be clearly presented, using complete sentences, and without grammatical errors, referenced appropriately within the text, and a reference list provided;
6. Entire project includes a cover sheet. APA (including grammar, punctuation, etc) applies where appropriate (i.e. not on the printouts, but on everything else).
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF PAPER
Learners will find and read the evidence related to the clinical nursing problem and write a 7-10 page paper according to the following criteria:
ABSTRACT: 10%
Not to exceed 120 words in length
INTRODUCTION: 10%
A 2-3 paragraph overview of the chosen topic including reasons for choice, importance/significance to the nursing profession.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: 30%
Search theoretical and data-based literature on your clinical nursing problem. What is known about the topic? What is the evidence regarding the topic? Hint – your sources should have already been identified in the Literature Search Project.
INTERVIEW DATA: 25%
Interview two or more nurses about their opinion of and experience with your clinical nursing problem and the evidence you uncovered. Write a synopsis of your conversations (1-2 pages) and compare with the literature.
IMPLICATIONS: 15%
3-4 paragraphs describing, from your perspective, the responsibility of the nursing profession as well as individual nurses in working with this issue. Identify two potential nursing research questions that relate to your topic.
ESSENTIALS HANDOUT: 10%
A one-page handout for the class outlining essential information on the topic
FORMAT:
Citations are required for documentation throughout the paper. A Reference page is also required. Evaluation of format will include adherence to APA style. Grammar, spelling, typos, poor APA, etc. will result in deduction of points.
COURSE OBJECTIVE ONE
The learner will be able to analyze the development of nursing knowledge including the use of standardized languages and classification systems.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Knowledge of American society
Ability to use standard English grammar
Mastery of the basic principles of writing
Ability to write coherent analytical and persuasive papers using effective expression, clarity, and organization of thoughts
Ability to use systematic processes to form and support conclusions
Ability to read and analyze complex texts
Ability to locate, retrieve, and filter information using appropriate technological resources