I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Professional Concepts & Issues in Nursing

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NURS 2500

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 0

Internship Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course examines the complexity and nursing judgment required of the professional nursing role and focuses on leadership and management, delegation and supervision, teaching, ethical and legal concepts and the use of informatics in the provision of evidenced-based nursing practice, and the processes of critical thinking and synthesis. This course focuses on the many roles of the professional nurse and builds on all previously learned concepts as the student develops their own art and science of nursing and professional identity. Current trends and issues in nursing will be researched and shared.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

7. Other Prerequisites

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Current State of MN LPN licensure Current CPR Certification

9. Co-requisite Courses:

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Alexandria Technical College, NURS 2340 Progressional Nursing, 2 credits
Ridgewater College, NURS 2000 Professional Nursing, 3 credits
Ridgewater College, NURS 2120 Nursing Leadership, 1 credit

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Nursing, AS Degree

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Describe the changing health care system and changes in nursing regarding: a. Cost containment b. Evaluation of health care c. Access to health care d. Financing health care for individuals;
• Explore your personal response to change and how you might more successfully adapt to changes in your work environment;
• Delineate models of change that can be used to facilitate change and reduce resistance;
• Explain how the various types of nursing care delivery systems function and give examples of each;
• Describe the leader characteristics of and advantages and disadvantages of different styles of leadership;
• Explain why it is important for a nurse to have more than one leadership style;
• Compare and contrast the skills involved in leadership and management;
• Describe ethical issues that relate to nursing practice;
• Explain the ethical decision-making process and how nurses can utilize this;
• Describe situations in which inappropriate nursing actions may violate criminal law;
• Describe how power and leadership are important components of nursing practice;
• Describe the concept of managed care in nursing practice;
• Differentiate between the terms authority, power, and accountability;
• Identify ways an individual can empower another;
• Discuss the role of communication in nursing practice. Demonstrate use of effective communication techniques;
• Explain how nurses can utilize conflict management techniques in nursing practice;
• Discuss the importance of time management in nursing practice;
• Describe and give examples of effective delegation and supervision in nursing practice;
• Discuss the importance of teams in health care settings and identify key factors in effective team function;
• Describe the elements of an effective performance-appraisal system, including the conduct of the interview;
• Identify and analyze the major elements addressed by the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act;
• Outline the role of the State Board of Nursing;
• Differentiate between licensure by examination and licensure by endorsement;
• Explain the format of the NCLEX-RN;
• Review and explain how management of client care relates to advance directives, advocacy, client rights, confidentiality, continuous quality improvement, informed consent, organ donation;
• Describe the theoretical foundations of nursing. List the four main components of nursing theory;
• Explain the term “evidence-based practice” (EBP) and its application to nursing;
• Discuss the role of technology in nursing and effective strategies for evaluating information resources;
• Explain the functions and advantages of a career portfolio and prepare your own career portfolio;
• Differentiate between cultural variations and apply them during all steps of the nursing process.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Exploring the growth of the nursing profession
• nursing theory
• history & philosophy
• educational preparation
• APA format
2. Career opportunities & professional growth
• graduate competencies,
• reality shock
• preparing for an interview,
• resume & portfolio preparation,
• orientation to Interview Stream,
• orientation to library/research data base;
3. Working with others for patient care
• leading change and managing conflict
• delegation/supervision,
• team building
• motivating others,
• advocacy
• continuous quality improvement
4. Delegation and Supervision
• practice & interview skills practice via small groups;
• virtual interview assignment discussion
5. Student research small group discussions
• delegation/supervision
• conflict management
• team building/motivating others
• advocacy
• evidence-based practice
• quality improvement
• ethical issues in nursing
6. Ethical concerns in nursing
• ethical concept
• ethical decision-making process
• Bioethics
7. Legal responsibilities for practice
• classification of laws in nursing,
• legal issues common in nursing,
• professional boundaries,
• Nursing licensure,
• NCLEX-RN exam structure,
• understanding scope of practice
• accreditation,
• credentials for health care providers
8. Initiating the leadership & management role
• understanding accountability & authority,
• leadership styles,
• communication skills in leadership role,
• performance appraisal,
• time management,
• prioritizing
9. Health care finance & control
• cost of health care
• power in health care system,
• managed care,
• political process for nurses;
10. Preparing for workplace participation
• organizational relationships
• shared governance
• Magnet hospitals
• patterns of nursing care delivery
• political action
• professional organizations
11. Nursing in the future,
• nursing informatics
• understanding community-based nursing
• health promotion and disease prevention
• complementary therapy,
• evidence-based practice
• technology in health care,
• service learning;
12. Cultural awareness,
• cultural diversity,
• nursing interventions with appropriate cultural awareness
• self-awareness and perception of cultural differences