Jennifer Dougherty

NURS 601
June 5, 2016

Curriculum:

ADN

Course:

Nursing 1, Medical Surgical Nursing

Topic:

Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Setting:

Face-to-face, classroom

Time:

One class: One-hour time limit.

Two to three-page paper: Three hours to complete at home
50 question exam: One hour
Total Time: 5 hours

Class 1:

Herbalism, Yoga and Meditation, Laughter and humor

Class 2:

Relaxation, Spirituality, and Religion

Outcomes:

After this two day, two-hour lecture, the learner will be able to:

Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies

Identify a minimum of one purpose for each selected

complementary and alternative therapy

Describe the complementary and alternative therapies that nurses

can use in a variety of different healthcare settings
(Ignatavicius & Workman, 2002).

Measuring Outcomes: Students will write a 2-3-page paper on one specific complementary or
alternative therapy of choice that is discussed. Questions to be answered:

Describe one complementary or alternative therapy that was

chosen, and why it was chosen

Describe the purpose and uses of the chosen therapy

Jennifer Dougherty
NURS 601
June 5, 2016

Have you personally used this alternative therapy, or know

someone who has?

If not, describe one reason why you would or would not use the
chosen therapy

Aligning Objectives with Measuring Outcomes

Differentiate between complementary and
alternative therapies

Describe one complementary or alternative

therapy chosen, and why it was chosen

Identify a minimum of one purpose for each

selected complementary and alternative
therapy
Describe the complementary and alternative
therapies that nurses can use in a variety of
different healthcare settings

Describe the purpose and uses of the chosen

therapy
Have you personally used this alternative
therapy, or know someone who has?
If not, describe one reason why you would or
would not use the chosen therapy

(Ignatavicius & Workman, 2002).

A 50 question multiple choice, and short answer exam will be given at the end of this fourchapter unit. This is one of the four chapters which will account for of the exam.

Teaching Strategies: The teaching strategy I will use is first an interactive lecture using
PowerPoint allowing time for class discussion, sharing and interaction about the topic. The
students should have already come to class and read the chapter regarding complementary and
alternative therapy, therefore I expect that there would be discussion about different therapies
that the students have run into in everyday life. By having the students share what they have
encountered, this will encourage classroom interaction, keep the students on task, and engaged in
learning about the topic. I would also use humor with cartoons such as those below for example:

Jennifer Dougherty
NURS 601
June 5, 2016

By using a variety of different teaching strategies, it will enable a multitude of different learning
theories to accommodate different types of learning.

Description:

According to Clarke, Black, Stussman, Barnes, & Nahin,

(2015), between 2002-2012 the use of complementary and
alternative therapies has increased significantly by all age groups.
The greatest use, and increase of use of these therapies occurred
between the ages of 18-44. Because of this, the nurse will need to
have a better understanding, and be aware of the choices of the
patient which deal with a more mind-body approach to their
therapy, as opposed to focusing on the body to treat a certain
illness.
This lecture will focus on some commonly used
complementary and alternative therapies, and by all means not all
therapies as there are many more examples that time does not
permit to cover.

Commonly Used Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Herbalism
Yoga and Meditation
Laughter and Humor
Relaxation
Spirituality and Religion

Jennifer Dougherty
NURS 601
June 5, 2016

Touch
Herbalism

Herbs
Vitamins
Minerals

Yoga and Meditation

Improve Flexibility
Pain Reduction
Optimal Joint Position

Laughter and Humor

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

Physiological Effects
Stimulating Cortex of the Brain
Strengthen Immune System
Decrease Cortisol Levels
Increasing Circulation
Psychological Effects
Distraction
Relaxation
Stress Reduction

Relaxation

Physiologic Effects
Endocrine System
Immune System
Autonomic

Techniques
Aromatherapy
Imagery
Music
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Spirituality and Religion

Jennifer Dougherty
NURS 601
June 5, 2016

Spirituality

Help to find a purpose and meaning to ones life

Religion
System of Beliefs
Commitment to a Higher Power

Touch
Touch Therapy

Reduces Anxiety
Decreases diastolic blood pressure
Slows heartrate
Therapeutic Touch
Promotes:
o Healing,
o pain relief
o relaxation
o anxiety reduction

Reflexology

Promotes energy flow

Releases congestion

(Ignatavicius & Workman, 2002).

References
Clarke, T. C., Black, L. I., Stussman, B. J. Barnes, P. M., & Nahin, R. L. (2015). Trends in the
use of complementary health approaches among adults: United States, 2002-2012.

Jennifer Dougherty
NURS 601
June 5, 2016

National Health Statistics Reports, 79, 1-15. Retrieved from

https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/NHIS
Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L. (2002). Medical surgical nursing: Critical thinking for
collaborative care (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.