PTVN P009: Nursing Fundamental Concepts

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Credit Hours

Two (2) semester hours

Course Description

This course will introduce the basic concepts that form the foundation of the nursing profession. Concepts relating to professionalism and nursing ethics are outlined in relationship to health care providers.  The nursing process is introduced and related to critical thinking.  Math utilized when administering medications is covered.  Basic terminology relevant to the nursing field of practice is covered generally.  Student resources important to education in the health field are also outlined.

Course Prerequisites

None

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

•   Describe the historical evolution of nursing occupations.

•   Define the concept of professionalism as it relates to nursing  occupations.
   

•  Describe the ethical and legal implications related to patient         confidentiality and the practice of nursing.
   

•   Use correct terminology related to each body system.
   

•  Identify their role and responsibilities related to patient rights and advocacy.
   

•   Perform basic mathematical operations in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
   

•    Calculate accurate medication dosages using dimensional analysis.
   

•    Identify and define medication-related abbreviations.
   

•    Identify and explain patient “Standards of Care”.
   

•    Access available campus and community educational resources.
   

•    Explain and apply each step in the Nursing Process.
   

•    Demonstrate problem-solving abilities using concept mapping.

Course Materials

Texts:

•   Medical Terminology
   

•  Dimensional Analysis for Medication Administration

 

Additional Reading:

For all readings not included in the course textbooks, you will be directed to electronic documents.

Course Delivery Method

This Nursing Fundamentals course delivered via distance learning will enable participants to complete academic work in a flexible manner. You will be required to visit the campus once to take the HOBET toward the end of the course. Textbooks, articles, and access to an online course platform will be made available to each student. Online assignments include discussion questions (accomplished through a threaded Discussion forum) and individual assignment (submitted for review to the Faculty Member).

Special Requirements

•   Internet access

•  Microsoft Office Suite software

Course Assignments/Assessments

The learning outcomes will be fostered and assessed in a variety of ways. As best practice suggests, assessment will be formative and summative and will include the application of new knowledge to real-world situations. This course includes the following:

•  Postings to the Discussion forum

•    Application Assignment

Course Outline

Week 1: Nursing History & Review Medical Terminology Ch. 1

Week 2: Nursing Process & Review Medical Terminology Ch. 2

Week 3: Nursing Ethics & Critical Thinking

Week 4: Study techniques & Review Medical Terminology Ch. 3

Week 5: Test-taking & Review Medical Terminology Ch. 4

Week 6: Professionalism & Review Medical Terminology Ch. 5

Week 7: Introduction to Dimensional Analysis

Week 8: HOBET

Evaluation Procedures and Grading Scale

Points will be given for Discussions, Applications, and Reflections based on the rubrics provided at the Grading link on the navigation bar.

Assignments		Points
Applications
Term Paper	1 @ 35 points	35
Discussions
Discussion Forum Participation	7 @ 5 points	35
Tests
Tests	2 @ 15 points	30
HOBET
Mandatory Test	PASS/FAIL
	TOTAL COURSE POINTS	100

Instructor Feedback Schedule: Written assignments will be returned within seven working days following the due date. Faculty will respond to Discussion forum postings at least four times per week. Responses to email and voice mail queries will be made within 48 hours.

At the end of the course, students will earn a grade based on the following scale:

Points Earned	Letter Grade
94 – 100	A
87 – 93	B
75 – 86	C
74 or below	F

Policies on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Academic Honesty:

Porterville College considers academic honesty to be essential for each student’s intellectual development. As an institution fundamentally concerned with the free exchange of ideas, the College depends on the academic integrity of each of its members. In the spirit of this free exchange, students and faculty of Porterville College recognize the necessity and accept the responsibility for academic honesty. A student who enrolls at Porterville College thereby agrees to respect and acknowledge the research and ideas of others in his or her work and to abide by those regulations governing work stipulated by the school or academic program and, in turn, the Faculty Member.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is defined as use of intellectual material produced by another person without acknowledging its source. For example:

•    Wholesale copying of passages from works of others into an assignment, paper, Discussion forum posting, or thesis or dissertation without acknowledgment

•    Using the views, opinions, or insights of another without acknowledgment

•    Paraphrasing another person’s characteristic or original phraseology, metaphor, or other literary device without acknowledgment

Faculty Members monitor student work for evidence of plagiarism.

Further information about the Porterville College Student Conduct and Responsibilities may be found in the Student Catalog.

Policies on Accessibility

Any student who is eligible for, or who has questions about requesting, academic accommodations due to a disability must contact the Disability Services within the first two weeks of a course.

Course Format

The following is an overview of the course format with a description of each course component:

The course consists of eight weeks, each containing activities and assignments designed to increase understanding of a given topic. These activities and assignments should be completed in sequence, since the course content is progressive. See the descriptions below for more information about these activities and assignments.

Introduction

Each week begins with an Introduction that presents an overview of content to be addressed and establishes the context for the new knowledge.

Objectives

Each week’s objectives provide a list of measurable learning goals related to course content.

Learning Resources

Note: Course content is progressive. You are advised to address the Learning Resources in the sequence in which they appear.

•  The Resources provide new knowledge on the topic(s) covered within a week and are provided via reading assignments, and Web sites. The Learning Resources will inform Discussion forums, and Application Assignments and may be found by clicking on each week’s Resources link on the navigation bar.

Discussion Forum

The online discussions provide opportunities for collaboration and dialogue with other students. Each Discussion consists of the following:

•   Introductory information to be considered prior to making your initial posting in the Discussion forum.

•   A Discussion forum activity, in which you are asked to interact with your colleagues to brainstorm ideas, practice using new skills and strategies, and begin applying your knowledge. For the online Discussion, you will be directed to:
  
  Post your initial thoughts/insights/ideas for your colleagues to consider by Wednesday.
  Read a sampling of your colleagues' postings.
  Respond to at least three of your colleagues' postings during the week.
  Review your initial posting and consider your colleagues' responses and your own learning.

•   All postings need to be done by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

•  You are expected to participate in class a minimum of three different days each week.

•  Your participation in class is tracked in the Discussion forum. Postings in the Student Lounge or Q & A Forum do not count as class participation. Points are deducted for lack of participation. 

Grading of Discussion Forum Assignments

The requirements of your initial posting, and your choice of responses to your colleagues' postings, can be found in each week's Discussion instructions. Points will be deducted for missing components. You are welcome to offer more information in your initial posting than is required (e.g., three examples instead of two) and to respond to more than the required number of your colleagues' postings. The more ideas and insights posted and the more interaction generated among colleagues, the more meaningful and dynamic the learning experience will be for all.

Discussions in this course have been structured to build on the comments of others, and timely participation is important to ensure that everyone has the necessary input from others to complete their own work. Timeliness also will allow for the broadest degree of collaboration and will help cultivate a sense of community. To ensure that colleagues have sufficient time to respond to discussions, you are expected to make your initial posting by Wednesday. All postings need to be done by Sunday at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. You are expected to participate in class a minimum of three different days each week. Your participation in class is tracked in the Discussion forum. Postings in the Student Lounge or Q & A Forum do not count as class participation. Points are deducted for lack of participation. 

Application

The Application Assignments provide an opportunity to apply concepts and strategies to an authentic context. Typically, Applications are written papers that are submitted to the Faculty Member at the end of the week and require you to pull together information from the Resources, the Discussion forum, and your own experiences to address an issue from the perspective of a real situation.

Unless otherwise noted, Application Assignments must follow APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines.

Course Procedures

Discussions

Discussions in this course are structured to build on the comments of others, and timely participation is important to ensure that everyone has the necessary input from others to complete their own work. Timeliness also will allow for the broadest degree of collaboration and will help cultivate a sense of community. To ensure that your colleagues have sufficient time to respond to discussions, you must make your initial posting by Wednesday. All postings need to be done by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. You are expected to participate in class a minimum of three different days each week. Your participation in class is tracked in the Discussion forum. Postings in the Student Lounge or Q & A Forum do not count as class participation. Points are deducted for lack of participation. 

Delivery of Assignments via the Dropbox

Assignments that are to be delivered to the Faculty Member are to be submitted via the Dropbox no later than 11:59 p.m. on the due date specified in your Schedule of Assignments, located in the Course Home area.

Late Assignments Policies

It is essential that assignments and Discussion forum postings are submitted by the time and date specified. In extenuating circumstances, the Faculty Member may agree to accept a late assignment. If possible, such arrangements should be made in advance. In the event that a late assignment is accepted, the Faculty Member will impose a grade penalty. Up to 5 points may be deducted from an assignment depending on the number of days it is overdue. Assignments more than one week late are not accepted.

It is not possible to make up missed Discussion forum postings. Points will be deducted for missed postings.

Keeping Your Coursework

You will have access to the course and your coursework from the course start date until the course ends. After this time, you no longer will be able to access the course or related materials. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you retain copies of your completed assignments and any documents you wish to keep. The College is not responsible for lost or missing coursework.