I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Professional Nursing Fundamentals

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NURS 1540

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Credits - Variable: 0

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

Professional Nursing Fundamentals provides an introduction to the theoretical foundation for client assessment and nursing skills. An introduction to the nursing process provides the student with a beginning framework for decision making. The key concepts of client-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence based practice, quality improvement, safety and informatics, professional identity / behavior, nursing judgment, managing care of the individual client are introduced. Basic pathophysiology will include nutrition, elimination, sensory perception, mobility, sexual health, sleep and rest, skin integrity, oxygenation, circulation, and fluid electrolyte balance. Application of the content will be made in Professional Nursing Fundamentals Lab.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites
Admission to the Traditional Nursing Program and Proof of successful completion of CLC’s NSGA 1110 Nursing Assistant course OR another MN Department of Health approved nursing assistant course, taken within the last five years. If no proof of course, but you can provide proof that you are currently on the State of Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry, the class requirement can be waived.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

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

Nursing - Associate in Science Degree

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Discuss the nursing process used to accurately assess, plan, implement, and evaluate holistic, client-centered care as it relates to the diagnosis and treatment of actual or potential nursing problems of clients and families across the lifespan.
Utilize appropriate technology	Use technology to complete assignments, prepare for class, and to complete summative nursing problems using the nursing process.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Identify the personal preferences of a patient including culture, motivation, and adherence. Explain how culture will influence a client’s health and illness.

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

• Discuss the attributes, personal and legal roles of a professional nurse in various healthcare settings across the life span;
• Recognize the nursing process as a systematic method to assess, plan, implement and evaluate actual and potential health problems;
• Identify the fundamental pathophysiology, assessment, potential complications and nursing interventions for nutrition, elimination, sensation, perception and cognition, pain, physical activity and mobility, sexual health, sleep and rest, skin integrity and wound healing, oxygenation, circulation, and fluid electrolyte balance;
• Recall basic medical terminology and be able to utilize to recognize more complex terminology;
• Describe the basic components of therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication;
• Recognize the relationship of psychosocial factors to overall health, defense mechanisms and adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms;
• Identify the personal attributes, preferences and resources of a client and explain how they will influence a client’s health and illness and assist the nurse in providing client/relationship centered care;
• Describe the principles of documentation; and
• Describe care competencies and qualities of the professional nurse including communication, collaboration, safety, technology and informatics, evidence based nursing, quality improvement, professionalism, leadership, holistic care, client advocacy, educator, critical thinking and clinical judgment.

V. Topical Outline

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

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Nursing Introduction
• Define nursing, nursing practice, and the expanded nursing roles
• Discuss and differentiate the various forms of nursing educations and its transition
• Identify how nursing practice is regulated
• Name and recognize the four purposes of nursing care
• Describe the United States healthcare delivery system, including sites for care, types of workers, regulation, financing, and issues related to health care reform
2. Nursing Process
• Identify and discuss critical-thinking skills, attitudes, and attitudes
• Define and discuss the nursing process
• Define and discuss nursing assessment
• Discuss use of nursing frameworks (Maslow’s) to organize data.
• Define and discuss nursing diagnosis, diagnostic reasoning, diagnostic label, defining characteristics, related factors, health problem
• Define and discuss client goal, outcome, expected outcome, S.M.A.R.T. goals
• Define and discuss nursing intervention and identify 4 separate types
• Identify and describe the “five rights” of delegation
• Describe a process for evaluation client health status (outcomes) after interventions
• Describe a process for evaluating the effectiveness of the nursing care plan
3. Communication
• Discuss communication, identifying the basic levels of communication
• Identify the elements of the communication process
• Discuss the characteristics of verbal and nonverbal communication
• Compare and contrast techniques that enhance communication to techniques that hinder communication
• Discuss communication with clients with impaired hearing, speech, or cognition
• Discuss communication with clients whose culture or language is different from you
4. Family
• Distinguish among different family structures
• Describe approaches to working with various types of families to provide optimal care to both well and ill clients
• Identify family risk factors in the different stages of the family life span
• Discuss family assessment and care planning
• Identify common health beliefs and communication patterns among families
• Review risk factors, such as illness and death, substance abuse, violence, mental health disorders, financial hardship, unemployment and other issues, can change a family’s structure, communication, and coping strategies
5. Culture
• Discuss concepts pertaining to cultural diversity in nursing
• Define and give example of culture universals and culture specifics
• Identify the phenomena of culture, including how they affect the nursing care needs of clients and families
• Discuss the differing views of culturally diverse clients, including biomedical, holistic, and alternative health systems, such as folk medicine
• Discuss techniques for communication with clients when there is a language barrier
6. Spirituality
• Describe the differences and similarities between religion and spirituality
• Discuss what is meant by spirituality
• Identify barriers to spiritual care
• Discuss guidelines for performing a spiritual assessment
7. Physical Activity and Mobility
• Discuss the physiology of movement
• Identify proper use of body mechanics when providing client care
• Compare the effects of exercise and immobility on the body
• Discuss the factors that affect body alignment and activity
• Identify clients who are at risk for immobility or activity intolerance
• Discuss nursing care related to a client’s mobility problems
8. Skin Integrity
• Discuss factors that affect skin integrity
• Describe the phases of wound healing
• Describe types of wound drainage
• Review complications of wound healing
• Discuss factors involved in the development of pressure ulcers
• Discuss use of the Braden scale to assess risk for pressure ulcers
• Discuss the pressure ulcer staging system
• Describe care techniques for wounds including drains, wound irrigation, wound dressings, and types of dressings
9. Oxygenation
• Describe the structure and function of the respiratory system
• Identify individual, environmental and pathological factors that influence oxygenation
• Identify components of assessment of client oxygenation
• Discuss diagnostic testing related to oxygenation, breathing, and gas exchange
• Discuss outcomes and interventions for maintaining and improving oxygenation
• Identify measures for promoting optimal respiratory function
• Explain the purpose of suction of the upper and lower airways
• Identify the role of the professional nurse related to the nursing care of a client with respiratory and/or oxygenation function issues
10. Circulation
• Describe the structure and function of the cardiovascular system
• Identify individual, environmental and pathological factors that influence circulation and perfusion
• Identify components of assessment of client circulation and perfusion
• Discuss diagnostic testing related to circulation and perfusion
• Discuss measures to promote peripheral circulation
• Identify the role of the professional nurse related to the nursing care of a client with circulation and/or perfusion function issues
11. Grief and Loss
• Describe types of loss
• Identify and compare and contrast the types of grief
• Discuss factors that affect grieving
• Define and discuss end-of-life care, hospice care and palliative care
• Discuss client/ family rights and decision making
• Discuss assessing, diagnosing, planning of care of dying clients and their families
12. Sensation, Perception and Cognition
• Identify the components of the sensory experience
• Compare and contrast sensory deprivation and overload
• Discuss the hazards of sensory defects in vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and proprioception
• Identify components to be assessed with clients to identify signs and symptoms of altered sensory perception
• Discuss client assessment of sensation, perception and cognition identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
• Define stress
• Discuss the difference between adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies
• Explain the relationship between stressors, responses, and adaptation
• Describe the effects of prolonged stress and unsuccessful adaptation on the various body systems
• Discuss assessment of client experiencing stress, identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
• Explain the relationship of psychosocial factors to overall health and development
• Identify factors that influence the development and stability of self-concept
13. Urinary Elimination
• Describe the normal structure and function of the organs of the urinary system
• Describe the processes of urine formation and elimination
• Discuss factors that affect urinary elimination
• Describe diagnostic tests used in the identification or urinary elimination problems
• Discuss common elimination problems: urinary tract infection, urinary retention, and urinary incontinence
• Discuss client assessment of client urinary elimination needs, identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
14. Documentation
• Explain the purposes of documentation
• Compare and contrast the differences between electronic and written documentation
• Identify a variety of charting formats and their purpose
• Describe guidelines for written and electronic documentation in the clinical setting
• Identify approved abbreviations to use in charting
• Discuss the key elements of giving an oral client report
• Discuss the process for verifying or questioning a medical order
15. Bowel Elimination
• Identify the basic structures and functions of the gastrointestinal system
• Discuss factors that affect bowel elimination
• Describe normal bowel elimination
• Differentiate among the various types of bowel diversions
• Discuss common bowel elimination problems
• Describe diagnostic tests used to identify bowel elimination problems
• Discuss client assessment of client bowel elimination needs, identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
16. Nursing Informatics
• Define informatics and its components
• Describe the importance of computers in evidence-based nursing practice
• Discuss the benefits of the electronic health records
• Describe the importance of protecting personal health information
• Describe the process of literature database searching
• Outline a process for evaluating evidence and determining a solution
17. Nutrition
• Identify the types, functions, metabolism, and major food sources of energy nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water
• Differentiate among the various sources of nutritional information
• Identify the primary nutritional considerations for various developmental stages
• Discuss factors affecting a client’s nutritional status
• Describe tools and techniques for gathering information about a client’s nutritional status
• Identify laboratory values that are indicators of nutritional status
• Describe nursing interventions for clients with special needs: Impaired Swallowing, NOP, older adults and nausea
• Discuss client assessment of client nutritional needs, identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
18. Physical Examination
• Identify the purposes and components of a physical examination
• Discuss the differences among a comprehensive, focused, and ongoing physical examination
• Explain adaptations that may be required when examining clients of various ages
• Identify the components of a general survey
• Discuss the expected findings of a physical examination
• Discuss documentation of the findings of a physical examination
19. Pain
• Define and classify pain
• Describe the physiological changes that occur with pain
• Discuss physiological mechanism involved in pain modulation
• Discuss pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain relief measure
• Describe chemical and surgical pain relief measures
• Explain why pain is considered as the fifth vital sign
• Identify the steps involved in creating a pain management program for a client
20. Sleep and Rest
• Explain why sleep and rest are important
• Describe the functions and physiology of sleep
• Identify factors that influence rest and sleep
• Discuss how sleep impacts physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
• Explain circadian rhythms and how they regulate sleep
• Describe nursing implications for age-related differences in the sleep cycle
• Identify common sleep disorders
21. Sexual Health
• Identify female and male reproductive organs
• Describe the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human sexuality
• Explain how gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation contribute to expression of sexuality throughout the life cycle
• Explore physical and psychological issues that affect sexuality and sexual functioning
• Discuss how sexual health is challenged by high-risk sexual behaviors
22. Fluids, Electrolytes, & Acid-Base Balance
• Identify fluid compartments within the body
• Describe the location and function of the major electrolytes of the body
• Differentiate among active and passive transport, osmosis, diffusion, and filtration
• Describe the body mechanisms for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance
• Summarize the major fluid and electrolyte balance disorders
• Compare and contrast respiratory and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis
• Describe compensatory mechanisms for acid-base imbalance
• Discuss client assessment of client fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance needs, identifying nursing diagnosis, identifying client goals and outcomes, and identifying nursing care interventions.
23. Quality, Safety and Education for Nurses (QSEN)
• Differentiate personal values and morality professional values
• Discuss the formation of professional values
• Discuss the role of nurse and as client advocate in the delivery of ethical nursing care
• Discuss protecting the privacy and confidentiality of client information
• Discuss the formation and maintenance of professional boundaries
• Define nursing research
• Describe the signifance of evidence-based nursing practice
• Describe how to use nursing research in nursing practice
• Define quality improvement
• Identify the differences between quality assurance and quality improvement
• Identify strategies for quality improvement
• Describe the signifance of collaboration in providing nursing care to clients
• Describe the role of clinical judgement in providing nursing care to clients
• Discuss developmental and individual factors that create safety risks
• Identify safety hazards in the health care institution, home, community environment and interventions to prevent injury from them
• Discuss nursing interventions that can be used to keep clients safe
• Discuss critical thinking and its role in the nursing process and providing care to clients