Course Syllabus
Athabasca University
Nursing (NURS) 441
Consolidated Professional Practice (Revision 1)
Revision 1 closed, replaced by current version.
Delivery mode: Paced study online with practicum component.
Note: Please consult the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies web site at www.athabascau.ca/cnhs for the most recent information relating to clinical course registration and start dates. Online course materials cannot be accessed before your course contract start date.
Credits: 9* - Applied Studies
*Effective for students registering in NURS 441 with a start date of Sept. 1, 2007 or later.
Prerequisite: This course is open only to Post-LPN program students. Professor approval required. Students must have completed all other required nursing and non-nursing courses and all support and elective courses. .
Centre: Centre for Nursing and Health Studies
NURS 441 is not available for challenge.
Overview
NURS 441: Consolidated Professional Practice is a focused practicum course completed with the guidance of a preceptor. This clinical course provides students with the opportunity for application, integration, synthesis and further growth of nursing knowledge, skills and attitudes in a selected nursing practice setting. The emphasis is on the complexity of nursing care with clients (individuals, families and/or aggregates).
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of NURS 441, the student will achieve or exceed the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate the synthesis and integration of theory, practice and research while working with complex clients (individuals, families and/or aggregates);
- Apply management and leadership theory throughout the clinical practice experience;
- Apply concepts related to population health, primary health care and health promotion while working with individuals, families and groups/aggregates with complex health care problems;
- Work independently and collaboratively with other disciplines and across health care sectors; and
- Comply with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) Entry-to-Practice Competencies (September, 2005).
Course Structure
Unit 1: Developing a Learning Contract
Unit 2: Clinical Practice
Evaluation
To receive credit for NURS 441, students must complete all of the required assignments. All papers submitted must follow the guidelines of the APA Publication Manual (5th ed.)(2001). The clinical practicum is graded on a pass/fail basis and students must successfully complete the practicum in order to pass the course. The required assignments are as follows:
| Learning Contract & Documentation | Pass/Fail |
| Knowledge Advancement Project | Pass/Fail |
| Evaluations | Pass/Fail |
| Total | Pass/Fail |
Course Materials
Textbook
There are no required textbooks for NURS 441. It is expected that students will consult reference materials, including textbooks, journals and Internet resources, for information directly related to their clinical practice.
Other Materials
Students will receive an Access Letter in the course package with instructions for gaining access to this online course. A variety of electronic journals and web sites are used in the course and paper copies are not included in the course package.