Master Resource Outline

 

Course Title: NRSG 116 Introduction to Professional Nursing

Credits: 2 (Lecture)

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: None

 

Course Description:

This course serves to provide knowledge of the origins of the profession of nursing. Content will explain the historical context of the emergence of the professional nurse and its relevance to current healthcare delivery. Content and activities expose students to issues surrounding the profession of nursing, multiple roles of nursing in society and healthcare, and concepts related to the dimensions of nursing practice: nurse, client, health and environment.

Catalog Description:

This course provides knowledge of the professional origin of nursing, including the historical context and its relevance to current healthcare delivery. Students will explore issues surrounding the profession, multiple nursing roles and concepts related to the dimensions of nursing practice.

 

Course Objectives:

  1. Describe the multiple roles of nurses.
  2. Discuss how nurses collaborate with other health care providers.
  3. Discuss the theoretical foundation and historical origins of the professional nurse.
  4. Examine the interrelationships of health care professionals, consumers, economics, and health care delivery.
  5. Describe the influence of value systems on professional nursing.

 

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon completing this course the student will be able to:

  1. Analyze selected issues affecting the practice of professional nursing.
  2. Discuss the multiple roles of nurses within the context of the healthcare delivery team.
  3. Explain the impact of selected historic, political, sociocultural, and other environmental influences on nursing.
  4. Describe the influence of value systems on professional nursing.

 

AACN Competencies [AACN Essentials, 2021]

This course introduces:

1.2 Apply theory and research-based knowledge from the arts, humanities, and sciences.

6.3 Use knowledge of nursing and other professions to address the healthcare needs of patients and populations.

AACN Threads

  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Diversity
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Communication
  •   Ethics
  • Clinical Judgement
  • Mental Health

Required Content and Concepts:

  1. Professional responsibility for environment of care
  2. Professional origins:
  3. Florence Nightingale
  4. Major theorists
  5. American Nurses' Association (ANA) policy statement
  6. Emergence of nursing as a profession
  7. Responsibilities: confidentiality, liability insurance, accountability
  8. Image of nursing: past/present
  9. Educational pathways: AD, BSN, MS, etc.
  10. College of Nursing philosophy and curriculum (theory, research, practice)
  11. Nurse Practice Act; Certification; ANA Standards of Care; National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
  12. Advocate role
  13. Nursing organizations: ANA/MNA/MSNA; Sigma Theta Tau/Zeta Upsilon; National League for Nursing/Montana League for Nursing; Specialty organizations

Selected Issues:

  • Image of Nursing
  • Nursing shortage, aging of nurses
  • Entry into practice
  • Organizational structure - Autonomy/governance
  • Compensation/collective bargaining/unions
  • Components of a healthy work environment

Multiple Roles of Nursing in Society and Health Care:

  • RNs as generalists
  • Advanced Practice RNs – specialists – Population Focus
  • Nurse as member of health care team
  • Career pathways within nursing; goal setting; research, service, education
  • Nurse researcher
  • Leadership
  • Nursing practice models
  • Case management
  • Where do nurses practice? – Hospital, Community, Primary Care, Schools, Ambulatory
  • Introduction to rural nursing role
  • Advocacy: responsibility to client/consumer/community/etc. (Client/Consumer Bill of Rights)
  • Value Systems
  • Values clarification
  • Accountability (policy on refusal of patient care)
  • Human rights - Hospital Bill of Rights; Nursing Home Residents' Rights
  • ANA Code of Ethics
  • Ethical dilemmas (introduction)
  • Misconduct (e.g., Montana Nurse Practice Act statements)

Suggested Student Learning Activities:

  • Web-based content modules
  • Small group discussions
  • Values clarification assignment
  • Literature searches/APA utilization

 

Approved by UAAC: 2021

Approved by Faculty: 2021