NUR402 Transition to Professional Nursing

Course Description:
This course explores the traditional and less traditional roles of the professional registered nurse in addition to
implications for future practice. The course addresses the added complexities that technological advances bring to the
health care delivery systems, and includes topics such as critical thinking, socioeconomic issues, patient selfdetermination, cultural diversity, research and evidence-based practices and ethical issues in healthcare.
Course Student Learning Outcomes

Identify the theoretical perspectives and practical application of baccalaureate education in professional nursing
practice. (PO 7)*
Define professional nursing using knowledge from class work and review of existing literature. (PO 7)
Apply theoretical knowledge of psychosocial concepts utilized in the nursing care of clients/families with
potential/actual environmental stressors. (PO 6)
Demonstrate the ability to develop a nursing care plan utilizing selected appropriate nursing diagnoses based on
a relevant data base. (PO 6)
Collaborate with other health care providers to assist the client with potential or actual environmental stressors.
(PO 4)
Develop an awareness of research related to professional nursing and evidence-based practice. (PO 2)
*PO = program outcome

Course Credits: 3 credits (didactic course only)

Course Textbook(s):
You will need to keep the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (used in NUR402)
for use in all future NUR courses.
Cherry, B. & Jacob, S. (2016). Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends & management (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: MosbyElsevier. ISBN: 9780323390224
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) American Psychological Association.
9781433805615
IMPORTANT:
This is a proctored course. Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) requires validation that a student who
takes the examination is the same person who enrolled in the program and that the examination results will reflect the
students own knowledge and competence in accordance with stated learning outcomes. (Retrieved August 28, 2016,
from http://www.deac.org/searchresult.aspx?SearchText=proctor). Grantham University utilizes the services of
ProctorU to meet this requirement.
PROCTORED EXAM INFORMATION: This course includes a proctored exam in Week 7. You must register to take your
exam using this link. You may register for and schedule your exam at any time after the course start date. To take the
proctored exam you must:

Have a webcam
Provide valid picture ID to the proctor before the exam starts
Allow the ProctorU live proctor to temporarily take control of your computer
1

Cannot have administrative right limitations

Test must be scheduled at least 72 hours prior to the time you plan on completing the exam or there will be a $5
fee paid directly to ProctorU (credit card or debit card only)
Take the exam in a room with no other people, distractions, or interferences
Review these two links: ProctorU How it Works and the exam rules

Evaluation Methodologies: The following methodologies are utilized in this course.

threaded discussion question postings
written assignments
weekly quizzes
final project
Rubrics are utilized to grade each of these items and are found in the weekly course folders. A course grade is
determined based on the percentage of points as designated in the following chart.
Assessment
Discussions
Assignments
Proctored Exam
Quizzes
ePortfolio Assignment
Final project

Percent of Final Grade

23%
23%
3%
13%
3%
35%

Below is an at-a-glance look at the weekly discussion and assignment topics. In each Getting Started module within
the course, you will find details about your weekly readings, lectures, supplemental resources, discussions and
assignment instructions, and rubrics. You must respond to at least two colleagues posts if there is a discussion question
post.
TOPICAL OUTLINE BY WEEK
Week 1:

Development of Professional Nursing Practice

Discussion:

Examine the Nurse Practice Act in your state; appraise the act for the strongest aspect of the act and
the area that might need strengthening/updating. (SLO 1)*

Assignment:

Submit 1-2 page paper, APA format with a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references: inspect concepts
related to major nursing theorists, then propose two elements from each concept that you would
include in your own theory of nursing practice. Explain why you think these elements are essential to
nursing practice. (SLO 1)
Establish the ePortfolio and follow the guidelines posted in the course materials regarding
documents that must be placed in the portfolio. (SLO 1)

Week 2:

Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice

Discussion:

Visit the government website on research and discuss the pros and cons of the regulations in regard
to nursing research, indicating whether the regulations assist or hinder a nurse researcher and your
own feelings about having to follow these guidelines if you were a nurse researcher. (SLO 6)

Assignment:

Submit a 2-3 page paper, APA format and a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references, distinguishing
2

between quantitative and qualitative and identifying pros and cons to each (SLO 6)

Week 3:

Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing & Health Care

Discussion:

What role does ethics play in the work environment? Does the work climate shift when the
professional ethics are breached? (SLO 1)

Assignment:

Submit a 2-3 page paper, APA format and a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references, distinguishing
at least two provisions in the Nursing Code of Ethics that are most important with an evaluation of
how these provisions affect your role as a nursing professional. (SLO 1)

Week 4:

Information Technology & the Workforce Environment

Discussion:

Determine the benefits of CIS for nurses, other health care professionals and patients. Are there any
drawbacks and if so, what? (SLO 1)

Assignment:

Choose a workforce issue from the reading and one that you have experienced. Find two current
articles/websites that enhance your understanding of the issue. Complete a synopsis of the articles
and explain how the articles affected your understanding of the issue. (SLO 1)

Week 5:

Nursing Leadership & Management Concepts

Discussion:

Summarize in 1-2 paragraphs the various principles of delegation and determine which method you
would choose or think is best. (SLO 2)

Assignment:

Group work: Using the Case Study presented: submit a 15 minute, 7-9 slide PowerPoint presentation
with audio (or use Jing) addressing performance issues and policies that would guide the resolution
of the issue. Include why a failure to document performance problems and counsel employees
affects patients and other staff members. (SLO 2)

Week 6:

Healthy People 2010/2020

Discussion:

Locate a particular area you would like to see emphasized in Healthy People 2020. Specify who you
chose this area. (SLO 6)

Assignment:

In a 2-3 page paper, APA style and a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references, evaluate whether
nurses in your community are aware of the initiative, assess whether any of the targets have been
met and compare your communitys Healthy People 2020 with the World Health Organization Goals.
(SLO 6)

Week 7:

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety

Discussion:

Nurses Strategic Action Team (N-Stat) summarize the role and assess this organizations impact on
3

ability to mobilize and take effective grassroots action in shaping national health care policy. (SLO 5)
Assignment:

In a 2-3 page paper, APA format and a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references, assess your own
health insurance companys plan include the answers to the questions posted in the lesson. (SLO 5)

Week 8:

Nursings Agenda for Health Care Reform

Discussion:

Discuss your opinion of what you learned about professional nursing and its contribution to health
care. (SLO 1, 6)

Assignment:

Final Project: Nursing Process Paper on a family within your community see course materials for
selection of the family and the specific contents of the project. (SLO 4)
ePortfolio Assignments: Create 2-3 PowerPoint slides that address the Program Outcome for the
course. Upload slides and required artifacts to ePortfolio. (SLO 1)

*SLO = student learning outcome

The following table outlines the academic effort required by students to be successful in this course. While the times in
the table are approximate, it is presented to help students with their time management. Please note, depending on the
student's background knowledge and experience of the course subject and an individual student's academic capabilities,
these times will vary. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.
Week

Type of Activity
Online

1
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

2
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity

Online

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.4
3.0
0.0
2.3
2.0
8.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.1
3.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
6.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments

Estimated Hours Required

1.5
3.0
0.0
4

Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

4
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

5
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

6
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

7
Preparation

Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

2.1
2.0
6.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.8
3.0
0.0
1.7
2.0
6.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.4
3.0
0.3
1.6
2.0
1.8
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.4
3.0
1.0
3.0
2.0
8.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.6
3.0
0.0
1.9
2.0
6.3
0.0
5

Week

Type of Activity
Online

8
Preparation

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.3
3.0
1.0
0.8
2.0
29.0
0.0

Follow this link for course-related Policies and Contact Information.