General Information

• Name: Foundations of Nursing Theory
• Discipline: Nursing (NURS)
• Units (Credits): 3
• Schedule History: See when this course was offered over the last three years.
• Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
• Academic Division: Nursing and Allied Health

Prerequisites and Recommended Courses

• Prerequisites: admission to the nursing program
• Corequisites: NURS 137 & NURS 138

Course Outline

I: Catalog Course Description

Introduces students to the role of the associate degree nurse in contemporary practice. Students are guided to utilize knowledge from the sciences, humanities and nursing to understand man as a bio/psycho/social/cultural and spiritual being. Students are introduced to the nursing program organizing concepts and outcomes which include professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, nursing process, clinical decision making, management of care and teaching learning.

II: Course Objectives

Upon completion of NURS 136, the student will be able to:

• Discuss the definition of nursing, its historical background, nursing theory, and the status of nursing as a profession and as a discipline.
• Discuss the eight competencies expected of a graduate nurse as identified by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
• Identify regulatory and professional organizations that impact nursing.
• Develop knowledge of the nursing process, interpersonal skills, legal responsibilities and professional nursing ethics.
• Discuss Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and its application to the framework of the nursing process in the delivery of nursing care.
• Identify reflective and critical thinking skills used within the nursing process.
• Describe the impact of cultural, psycho/social and spiritual influences upon the health of the patient/client.
• Identify the scientific rationale necessary to meet the basic physical, psychosocial and cultural needs of all patients based on evidence-based practice.
• Identify functional and dysfunctional behaviors that affect patient's health.
• Identify nursing interventions to modify dysfunctional behaviors.
• Utilize basic communications skills during interactions with patients and staff.
• Demonstrate college level writing skills and APA in a 4-6 page reflective paper on an event of the student's choosing during clinical practice.

III: Course Linkage

Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.

Linkage of course to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes, Nursing Program Mission, Nursing Program Outcomes, and General Education Outcomes.

Link to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes

The purpose of the Assocate of Applied Science degree is to provide employment-related knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a chosen field of study.

Students who complete programs in occupational areas are expected to demonstrate that they

1. Know subject area of the degree
2. Are able to acquire skills and perform tasks necessary for employment or career enhancement

Link to the Nursing Program Mission

The mission of the nursing program at Western Nevada College is to meet the nursing educational needs of the service area. The program prepares qualified students to function as entry-level registered nurses and transfer to higher degree programs.

Graduates are prepared to function in a variety of health care settings, providing culturally sensitive, holistic nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan. The nursing faculty supports graduate competency in an evolving and complex health care environment by facilitating the students' development of clinical judgement, promoting professional behaviors, and fostering the value of lifelong learning.

Link to at least one Nursing Program Educational Outcome

Utilize the nursing process in a competent and caring manner to safely meet the bio/psycho/social/cultural and spiritual needs of patients across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.

Link to at least one general education outcome

Understand the importance of cultural traditions, diversity, and ethics in the modern world.