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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Foundations of Nursing Practice

Course Title:	NR312 - Foundations of Nursing Practice
Department:	Health Sciences
Instructor:	Richard Pessagno, MSN, RN, CS E-Mail - Vita
Credits:	4 Semester Credits

Course Description:

This course is offered to augment the knowledge base of the licensed RN, with regard to the history and the development of the profession of nursing. This course will explore a variety of topics related to professional practice, and will provide the learner with the opportunity to analyze the social, legislative, ethical, financial and legal aspects of nursing. Students will be exposed to various issues related to nursing theory and nursing research, while evaluating the status of the current healthcare system. The course will also provide opportunity for the learner to identify and assess current trends in nursing practice and to identify future challenges for the profession.

This course is a self-paced learning course. Course objectives are outlined below, as are the required text and other course requirements. Learners are expected to complete this course in a nine-week time frame. Communication with the instructor can be completed through e-mail, US mail, telephone and fax. Students should feel free to contact the instructor at any time during the course for any assistance or guidance.

Course Objectives:

1. To evaluate the historical foundations for nursing practice and to gain an understanding of nursing standards, nursing ethics, and nursing values.
2. To utilize critical thinking skills in analyzing the legal, social, legislative and ethical foundations of nursing practice, as applied to various clinical practice areas.
3. To identify and gain a deeper understanding of nursing theory and nursing research as noted through the analysis of change within the profession over time.
4. To enhance the students overall understanding of professional nursing practice in order to encourage life-long learning and professional development.

Required Texts: Online Bookstore

Kittrell-Chitty, Kay. (2001). Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges (3rd Edition). W.W. Saunders. ISBN #: 0721687113

* Books can be purchased on-line through the on-line bookstore.

Grading:

Students are expected to earn a C or better in this course.

A B C F

93 - 100 84 - 92 83 - 75 74 and below

Paper and Examinations

Examination 1 Examination 2 Examination 3

30% 30% 40%

Examination 1 = 30% of grade

The exam will consist of a series of multiple choice questions. Exam 1 will cover Chapters 1 through Chapter 7 in the assigned textbook. Exam content comes from the assigned readings. When the student has completed the assigned reading and is then ready to take the examination, he/she is to contact the instructor via e-mail. The instructor will notify the college and the student will be allowed access to the testing area. Once the student has gained access to the examination, the student has 3 hours to complete the examination. Books should not be used during the test.

Examination 2 = 30% of grade

This exam will consist of series of multiple choice questions, which again will be taken from the assignments made from assigned text. Exam 2 will cover Chapters 8 through Chapter 14. Exam content comes from the assigned readings. When the student has completed the assigned reading and is then ready to take the examination, he/she is to contact the instructor via e-mail. The instructor will notify the college and the student will be allowed access to the testing area. Once the student has gained access to the examination, the learner has 3 hours to complete the examination. Books may not be used during the examination.

Examination 3 Final Exam = 40% of grade

This exam will consist of a series of multiple choice questions, taken from the assigned reading. Exam 3 will cover all material covered in Chapter 15 through Chapter 22, as well as material from all other chapters. This exam is comprehensive in nature, and will cover all assigned readings. When the student has completed the assigned readings is and ready to take the examination, he/she is to contact the instructor via e-mail. The instructor will notify the college and the student will be allowed access to the testing area. Once the student has gained access to the examination, the learner has 3 hours to complete the examination. Books may not be used during the examination.

Reading Assignments and Schedule for Examinations

Week One
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Week Two
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Week Three
Examination 1
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Week Four
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12

Week Five
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 13
Chapter 14

Week Six
Examination 2
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 15
Chapter 16

Week Seven
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19

Week Eight
In Kintrell Chitty: Professional Nursing Text read the following chapters
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22

Week Nine
Review all chapters
Final Examination 3