Nursing (NURS) 324
Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice (Revision 6)
Revision 6 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Note: Follow directions on the [Undergraduate Course Registration] form to register in the course. Online course materials cannot be accessed prior to your course contract start date.
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
Prerequisite: Post-LPN BN: Pre-or co-requisite NURS 250.
Precluded Course: NURS 324 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for NURS 444.
Faculty: Faculty of Health Disciplines
Centre for Nursing and Health Studies
NURS 324 is not available for Challenge.
Overview
Welcome to NURS 324, an introduction to theory and reasoning in nursing. You will be introduced to several different theoretical frameworks in nursing and to the contributions of selected nurse theorists. You will also be exposed to different perspectives regarding patterns of knowing in nursing, the art and science of nursing, and the ethical principles that guide nursing practice. As you work through the various units, you will begin to articulate and refine your own philosophy of nursing and to evaluate its impact on your own practice. You will consider ethical issues in nursing practice.
Course Objectives
Nursing 324: Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice is organized around the following general learning outcomes. In completing this course you will:
- Articulate and demonstrate the relationship between values, ethics, scholarship, and professional integrity.
- Apply ethical theory and ethical decision-making models to your academic conduct and professional practice behaviour.
- Compare and contrast the relationship between the art of nursing and the science of nursing.
- Describe the relationship between nursing philosophy, nursing theory, and nursing practice.
- Articulate your nursing practice philosophy including; knowledge, values, beliefs, standards, theory, and ethical principles.
Course Structure
Nursing 324: Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice includes 10 units:
Unit 1: Academic Honesty and Scholarship
Unit 2: Professional Integrity
Unit 3: Values Clarification and Development
Unit 4: Knowledge, Theory, and Reasoning in Nursing
Unit 5: Florence Nightingale and the Art and Science of Nursing
Unit 6: Ethical Theories In Nursing
Unit 7: Nursing Philosophy
Unit 8: Ethical Decision-Making
Unit 9: Everyday Ethics In Nursing Practice
Unit 10: Issues and Ethics in Nursing Practice
Evaluation
To receive credit for NURS 324, you must complete all of the required assignments and achieve an overall composite grade of “C-” (60%). The assignments and weighting of the composite grade are as follows:
| Assignment 1: Annotated Bibliography | Assignment 2: Philosophy of Nursing Scholarly Paper | Assignment 3: Ethical Issue Scholarly Paper | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
The course package for Nursing 324: Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice includes:
Textbooks
Burkhardt, M.A., Nathaniel, A.K., & Walton, N. A. (2014). Ethics and issues in contemporary nursing (2nd Canadian ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson.
Johnson, B. M., & Webber, P. B. (2010). An introduction to theory and reasoning in nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Nightingale, F. (1860/1969). Notes on nursing: What it is and what it is not. New York: Dover.
Other Materials
A number of additional readings are included throughout the course using Athabasca University's Library Digital Reading Room or the Internet.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 6, May 14, 2013.
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