NURS 3770, Summer 2015

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
COLLEGE OF NURSING

NURS: 3770: The Nursing Profession: History, Role and Trends

Summer 2015
June 1-July 24, 2015

Course Faculty:
Kelly Henrichs, DNP, RN, GNP-BC
Assistant Professor
College Of Nursing, Ed2North, Rm 4303
Office Hours: By appointment
Kelly.Henrichs@ucdenver.edu
303 724-8765 Office

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Focuses on professional nursing responsibilities and development. Course content includes
historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of nursing; professional issues and trends,
and explores the nursing profession to provide a foundation for theory-guided, evidence-based
nursing practice.

EXPECTED OUTCOME COMPETENCIES: The following course competencies focus on

professional nursing history, philosophy, issues, and trends
1. Interpret nursing as a professional discipline, the historical evolution of nursing, and
professional issues and trends.
2. Discuss the role of nursing theory and philosophy in guiding nursing practice.
3. Articulate the difference between technical and professional nursing practice.
4. Apply the philosophy and curricular framework of the College of Nursing to theory-
guided, evidence-based professional nursing practice.
5. Explore the nurse’s role in current quality and safety trends in health care.

COURSE OVERVIEW: This 8 week course starts June 1, 2015, and ends July 24, 2015. There
are 6 learning modules. Each is designed to engage you in readings and discussions, linking to
relevant internet sites, resources, and learning activities.

WORKLOAD EXPECTATIONS: You should expect to spend approximately 4-6 hours each
week involved in learning activities for this course. Although the actual time required may
depend on your background and experience, the estimated time is based on the formula for a
traditional 1-credit academic on-line course over an 8-week semester. This is not a self-paced
course. Although you can choose when you wish to participate in this online class, it is important
that you keep up with the class and class activities each week. Engagement in all discussions and
timely assignments are particularly important given the flow of content in this course. The
modules and assignments are expected to be completed as noted in the Course Schedule.
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TEXTBOOKS and READINGS:

Required:
All required readings will be provided to students on the course site, or available via Biomedical
Library collections.
Additional Readings will be posted within the course site (See the Course Readings tab) and
modules; those readings will be supplied if possible or a complete reference will be given to
access via the Health Sciences Library.
Library Tutorial. There is a library Tutorial link in the course site or at:
http://hslibrary.ucdenver.edu. I strongly suggest all students complete the tutorial. Doing a
general Google or PubMed search often does not allow access to full text articles without an
associated cost. Using the library allows you free access to full text articles that can be
downloaded. It also allows access to Endnote that can be sued to collect important citations that
can be used in writing. If you have addition questions, please contact the librarian.
COURSE POLICIES:
Student Conduct. Students are expected to engage in conduct that:
a) is consistent with designated policies and procedures of the course and college, and
b) demonstrates professional behaviors.
Therefore, students are expected to have read and abide by the CU-CON Policy Statement for
Professional Role Behaviors and the CU Honor Code in the current student handbook
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/nursing (Go to ‘students’ select ‘student handbook’). The
health professions are based on a high degree of trust by the individuals they serve. Students entering the
health professions have a particular obligation, therefore, to conduct themselves at all times in a manner
that reflects honesty, integrity and respect for others.
Course Ethics. The University of Colorado College of Nursing student honor code policy requires that
course instructors and fellow students who suspect plagiarism or other violations of the honor code must
immediately report the incident to the Student Honor and Conduct Committee. This committee evaluates
the situation and determines the appropriate consequences. Potential consequences include termination of
the student’s enrollment in the School of Nursing.
Attendance and Participation. Students are expected to participate in the on-line course weekly. Plan
your schedule carefully for weekly readings, discussion, and learning activities. Because a new topic is
covered weekly, make-up activities are not possible. Participate in discussions to define, interpret,
summarize, give examples, and make conclusions, about the topic concepts discussed and the views
presented/discussed by your classmates. Completion of all learning activities by due dates is required for
successful completion of this course.
Late Assignments. Due dates for assignments are clearly posted in the syllabus. It is the student’s
responsibility to submit these on time. Assignments not submitted/completed by the posted deadline
will not be graded and the student will receive a zero for that assignment. If you anticipate being
unable to meet a deadline for an assignment because of a significant extenuating circumstance, please
communicate with course faculty in a timely manner BEFORE the assignment due date. Course
faculty will determine if an individual's circumstance warrants a negotiated due date.
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Course Communication. Course faculty will notify students by CON email and/or Canvas®
Announcements regarding any course changes or updates. It is the responsibility of students to notify the
University of any changes or difficulty with their email accounts. Develop the habit of checking
University e-mail AND Canvas® announcements DAILY. Finally, instructor will enable the ‘subscribe’
links to discussion forums within Canvas. Consider registering for RSS feeds to those forums with
important instructor notes.
ADA Accommodations. For students requesting accommodations, you will need to contact the Office of
Disability Resources & Services (DRS) located in Building 500, Rm. W1103. The physical address is
13001 E. 17th Place, and the phone number is (303) 724-5640. Their staff will assist in determining
reasonable accommodations as well as coordinating the approved accommodations. Only approved
accommodations are implemented in the course.
Military Duty. Please contact the course coordinator if you are called for military duty. Plans will be
made according to the length of military service and class or clinical time missed.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: There are three major elements graded in this course (See the
“Assignments” tab in Canvas® for complete details about each assignment.):
1. Module discussion participation. (8 points per module for 6 modules = 48 points). At least 2
thoughtful posts are required for each module for each week of discussion. Posting more than twice will
add to the overall value. Posts should be spaced out through the week to maintain discussion flow and
show evidence of integration of module content/readings and group engagement. Your 1st post should
be submitted no later than Wednesday at 8 am and your 2nd post no earlier than Wednesday 8 am.
For each week’s discussion, posting closes at 11pm on Sunday unless otherwise indicated. Points will be
deducted if a student posts only once during the discussion week.
2. Group presentation outlining a nurse theorist. (37 points total; 24 pts for overall Power point
presentation (all group members get same pts); 5 pts for peer review evaluation of participation; 8 pts for
discussion participation [4 points for each of 2 posts]). Presentation due Monday June 22nd at 8pm; full-
class discussion comments due by June 28th, and peer review due by 26th at 11pm.
3. Personal philosophy video. (15 points). Due by July 10th at 11pm.
Total = 100 points. Note: Each point represents a percentage point for the overall course grade.
COURSE EVALUATION METHODS: Grading Scale
94% and above A
90-93% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
63-66% D
60-62% D-
Below 60% F
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Required Grade to Pass: A final grade of at least 73% (C) for undergraduate students is required to pass
this course and continue progression in the undergraduate program. The Grading Scale for the course is
listed above.
Critical Elements for Competency Performance Assessments (CPA):
1. Read and analyze articles/book chapters/books assigned for each module
2. Written assignments must include the following elements:
a. Complies with Standard English usage (grammar, spelling, syntax), and is consistent with
the language of the profession, and uses APA format.
b. Uses standards of critical thinking, is clear, accurate, precise, relevant, and logical.
c. Does not plagiarize the words and ideas of others as dictated by academic protocols and
APA format.
d. Adheres to paragraph, page, or space limitations of the assignment.
e. Referencing and formatting must follow APA guidelines, except where formatting has
been specified. Use your APA manual. Review information can be found at
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/CLAS/Centers/writing/resources
(Specifically APA Citation Guide-Sample APA pages and under topics under Grammar
and punctuation) and http://www.apastyle.org/apa-style-help.aspx.
3. Threaded Discussions: A threaded discussion is a running commentary of posts or messages that
relate to one topic. For this course, a Module discussion may include one or more topics; each
topic will have a variety of associated posts that generate new ideas, allow for reflection and
further the concepts under discussion.

The purposes of the threaded discussions are to:

a. Facilitate discussion and share learning relevant to reading assignments and learning
activities.
b. Provide a platform for reflection, knowledge acquisition, building skill in organizing
and presenting thoughts, critically listening to others, revising ideas on the basis of new
perspectives, evidence, or questions, identifying and defending positions, and coaching
among peers.

Participation in threaded discussions is required to pass this course: ALL students must
post to EACH assigned topic/learning activity at least twice during the module; content of posting
must be substantive, and include references when appropriate. Each student is expected to
participate fully in seminar discussions. Participation includes:
a. reading assigned articles/chapters/websites;
b. critical analysis/evaluation of assigned readings and NOT restating content;
c. responding to faculty questions;
d. sharing your informed critical analysis and relevant personal experiences; and
e. responding to discussions of others.
Specifics for posting:
a. Think of posting your messages in the Discussion Board of your Group as participating
in a regular classroom setting.
i. Please do not just post a response to the Learning Guide questions.
ii. First read the assigned readings, module/unit introduction, AND ongoing
discussion.
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iii. Initial posts are typically in greater depth and length than responsive
posts
iv. In responsive posts, Please do not simply post "me too" or "I agree". Please
adhere to "Netiquette", demonstrating consideration of others' viewpoints,
avoiding aggressive comments, or shouting (excessive use of bold or capital
letters) etc.
v. Keep in mind that your nonverbal behavior is not visible, so please craft your
postings carefully in terms of both substantive content and respect.
vi. Postings will be evaluated for both quality and quantity. It is also acceptable
to pose new, related questions.
b. As reading lengthy entries online is difficult, discussion posts are succinct and ideally
between 1 and 3 paragraphs (approximately 1/2 page).
c. Be sure that each of the following steps is evident in your discussion: READ the
material assigned for the topic; REFLECT on the meaning of the material: RESPOND
to prompts/questions in your small group Discussion Board and interact with your
colleagues in a threaded discussion.