MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
NUR 213
Professional Issues in Nursing
2-2-0

Course Description

This course explores current issues in nursing such as legal-ethical questions, management styles, leadership roles, nursing research and healthcare delivery systems. It emphasizes transition from student nurse to professional nurse by exploring professional responsibilities and accountability to self, profession and society. This is a non-clinical course.

Course Objectives

  1. Discuss how current trends in society and healthcare influence nursing practice.
  2. Evaluate issues of professionalism in nursing.

    3.  
  3. Formulate effective leadership strategies.

    4.  
  4. Analyze legal and ethical dilemmas confronting nurses using legal and ethical principles and decision-making strategies.

    5.  
  5. Develop strategies for making a successful transition from student to professional nurse.
Pre-Requisite

The first four sequences of the nursing program.

Program Progression

NUR 212; Humanities elective
 
Faculty

Deborah L. Dalrymple (641-6475 or ddalrym@admin.mc3.edu)

Course Schedule

Monday, 10:30 - 12:20

Methodologies

Classroom activities, role playing, discussion, audiovisuals, CAI, IVD, assigned readings.

Grading

All assignments are due at the beginning of class. The most current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association will be used for format, where appropriate.
 
Issues and Trends Assignment 
Political Action Assignment
Resume and Cover Letter
Ethical issues and trends
Class Participation (including news articles)		 25%
10%
20%
25%
20%

It is the responsibility of the student to notify faculty members prior to the beginning of the course of any special learning needs.

As indicated in the Student Nurse’s Handbook, cheating is not acceptable. Any episodes of cheating will be dealt with according to College and department policy

Attendance

For successful achievement of course objectives, students are expected to attend all
scheduled classes. In the event of an absence, students are responsible for information covered, handouts distributed, and any changes in assignments.

Required Textbook

Zerwekh, J. and Claborn, J. (1997). Nursing today, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Homework Load

Approximately 4-6 hours per week

Topical Outline

I. ORIENTATION TO COURSE AND ROLE TRANSITION

II. LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT ISSUES

2. Leadership styles

3. Assertiveness (how to be a good leader and follower)
 

 B. Management Issues III. NURSING: A DEVELOPING PROFESSION 1. Public perception vs. reality

2. Nurses’ self-image

3. Nurses’ proactive and reactive effect on image

 IV. CHANGING PATTERNS OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY 1. Primary, secondary, tertiary

2. Community-based

3. Extended care
 

 B. Financing Healthcare 1. Insurance systems

2. Medicare

3. Medicaid

4. Managed care

 V. NURSING AS A PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE 1. Academic preparation

2. Certification

3. Advance practice nursing

4. Continuing education
 

 C. Nursing Research VI. POLITICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE VII. EMPLOYMENT ISSUES VIII. MAINTAINING STANDARDS OF PRACTICE 1. Nature of legal problems in nursing

2. Situations leading to legal action

3. Protecting oneself from legal action

4. Analysis of legal cases
 

 B. Ethical Dimensions Of Nursing Practice 2. Guidelines for ethical decision-making

3. Analysis of ethical dilemmas

 IX. CARE OF SELF X. CONSUMERISM/ADVOCACY

XI. PRACTICE ISSUES