NURS 5012
Nursing Science and Patterns of Knowing in Advanced Nursing Practice

School of Nursing

Syllabus – FALL 2015

Excluding materials for purchase, syllabus information may be subject to change. The most up-to-date syllabus is located within the course in HuskyCT.

Course and Instructor Information

Course Title: Nursing Science and Patterns of Knowing in Advanced Nursing Practice

Credits: 3. A grade of B or better in this course is required for progression to the next course.

Format: online

Prerequisites: Graduate status or permission of instructor

Professor: Amy L. Kenefick, PhD, CNM, FNP-BC, APRN

Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Associate Professor, School of Medicine

University of Connecticut

Email:

Office Hours/Availability: Mondays 3-5PM, Storrs Hall 311. Best way to reach me is at . I will respond to your email as soon as possible, certainly within 48 hrs.

Course Materials

Required course materials should be obtained before the first day of class.

Texts are available through a local or online bookstore. The UConn Co-op carries many materials that can be shipped via its online Textbooks To Go service.

Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2015). Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 ed.). Burlington MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., Tabacco, A., & Hanson, S. M. (2014). Family health care nursing: theory, practice, and research (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

Additional course readings and media are available within HuskyCT, through either an Internet link or Library Resources

Course Description

An historical, contemporary and futuristic exploration of the art and science of nursing praxis including patterns of knowing: empirical, ethical, aesthetic, existential and emancipatory. Theories and models derived from nursing and the social sciences are synthesized for their usefulness in advanced practice nursing care for individuals, families, and communities to promote health and manage a variety of problems such as health threats, acute and chronic illnesses, and transitions. Opportunities are provided for students to synthesize family health concepts for use in clinical practice, scholarship, and research.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

1. Examine how personal, professional, societal and cultural values influence the development of the nurse practice act and a code of ethics.

2. Explore the patterns of knowing in nursing and their integration with contemporary advanced nursing praxis.

3. Analyze the foundations of traditional and emerging grand and midrange theories and their relevance to contemporary advanced nursing praxis.

4. Integrate relevant knowledge in nursing and other disciplines as a basis for contemporary advanced nursing praxis including care of patients, families, and communities.

Course Outline and Calendar
Week of / Module # / Topic / Readings, worksheets and discussions
August 31 / 1 / Foundations of Nursing Science / Butts and Rich text
Ch 1 Philosophy of Science: An Introduction
Ch 2 The Evolution of Nursing Science
Ch 3 The Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Sept 8 (one day extension because Labor Day is Sept 7)
Sept 7 / 2 / The Structure and Function of Theory / Ch 4 Theory as Practice
Ch 5 Components and Levels of Abstraction
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Sept 14
Sept 14 / 3 / Interdisciplinary Philosophies and Theories / Ch 6 Complexity Science and Complex Adaptive Systems
Ch 7 Critical Theory and Emancipatory Knowing
Ch 8 Feminist Ethics: Some Applicable Thoughts
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Sept 21
Sept 21 / 4 / Interdisciplinary Philosophies and Theories continued / Ch 9 Theories and Models in Ethics
Ch 10 Educational and Learning Theories
Ch 11 Health Behavior Theories
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Sept 28
Sept 28 / 5 / Interdisciplinary Philosophies and Theories continued / Ch 12 Theories Focused on Interpersonal Relationships
Ch 13 Environmental Philosophy and Theories
Ch 14 Economic Theories
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Oct 5
Oct 5 / 6 / Interdisciplinary Philosophies and Theories continued / Ch 15 Theories of Organizational Behavior & Leadership
Ch 16 Theoretical Approaches to Quality Improvement
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Oct 12
Oct 12 / 7 / Select Nursing Models and Theories / Ch 17 Models Focused on Nursing Goals& Functions
Ch 18 Models Focused on a Systems Approach
Ch 19 Models of Human Existence and Universal Energy
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Oct 19
Oct 19 / 8 / Select Nursing Models and Theories continued / Ch 20 Models Focused on Competencies and Skills
Ch 21 Theories Focused on Caring
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Oct 26
Oct 26 / 9 / Select Nursing Models and Theories continued / Ch 22 Models Focused on Culture
Ch 23 The Praxis Theory of Suffering
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Nov 2
Nov 2 / 10 / Tools for Integrating and Disseminating Knowledge / Ch 24 Theory Testing and Theory Evaluation
Ch 25 Using Theory in Evidence-Based Advanced Practice
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Nov 9
Nov 9 / 11 / Foundations in Family Health Care Nursing / Kaakinen et al. text
Ch1. Family Health Care Nursing: An Introduction
Ch 2. Demography and Family Health
Ch 3. Theoretical Foundations for the Nursing of Families
Ch 4. Family Nursing Assessment Models
Ch 5. Family Social Policy and Health Disparities
Worksheet and discussion due by Nov 16
Nov 16 / 12 / Families Across the Health Continuum / Ch 6. Culturally Sensitive Nursing Care of Families
Ch 7. Canadian Context of Family Nursing
Ch 8. Genomics and Family Nursing Across the Lifespan
Ch 9. Family Health Promotion
Ch 10. Families and Chronic illness
Ch 11. Families in Palliative and End-of Life Care
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Nov 30
Nov 23 / THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov 30 / 13 / Nursing Care of Families in Clinical Areas / Ch 12. Family Nursing with Childbearing Families
Ch 13. Family Child Health Nursing
Ch 14. Nursing and Families in Adult Medical-Surgical Settings
Ch 15. Gerontological Family Nursing
Ch 16. Family Mental Health Nursing
Ch 17. Families and Community/Public Health Nursing
Ch 18. Nursing Care of Families in Disaster and War
Ch 19. Advancing Family Nursing
Worksheet and discussion due by noon on Dec 7
Dec 7 / There are no more assignments

.

Course Requirements and Grading

Summary of Course Grading:

Course Components / Weight
Online worksheets / 50%
Online discussion posts / 50%

Links to worksheets are found in the modules. They are closely linked to the reading assignments. You may spend as long on them as you want. You may enter and leave the worksheet before submitting it, but make sure to save your work each time. Worksheets must be completed by the due date or 10% will be deducted for each day late.

Online discussion posts are also linked to the reading assignments. Questions to start the discussion are found for each module on the discussion board. Discussion posts must be uploaded to the discussion board at least one each week by the due date or no credit will be earned.

This is the rubric to be used to grade the discussion posts

Grading rubric for postings: (Thanks to Dr. Robin Miller)

0 Points – Not completed on time

1 Point – The posting is lacking in two areas--thoughtfulness, substance, and/or pertinence.

2 Points – The posting is lacking in one area--thoughtfulness, substance, or pertinence.

3 Points – The posting is thoughtful (indicating careful consideration of the material with reference to other students’ postings), substantial (has an adequate amount of valuable content – usually 2-3 paragraphs), and pertinent (relevant to a previous discussion; its connection to a previous discussion is made clear).

Grading Scale:

Grade / Letter Grade / GPA
93-100 / A / 4.0
90-92 / A- / 3.7
87-89 / B+ / 3.3
83-86 / B / 3.0
80-82 / B- / 2.7
77-79 / C+ / 2.3
73-76 / C / 2.0
70-72 / C- / 1.7
67-69 / D+ / 1.3
63-66 / D / 1.0
60-62 / D- / 0.7
<60 / F / 0.0

Due Dates and Late Policy

All course due dates are identified in the topical outline, posted on the Course Overview and Syllabus page in the HuskyCT site. Deadlines are based on Eastern Standard Time; if you are in a different time zone, please adjust your submittal times accordingly. Worksheets must be completed by the due date or 10% will be deducted for each day late. Discussion posts must be uploaded to the discussion board at least one each week by the due date or no credit will be earned. Please advise the instructor if you believe you are experiencing extraordinary circumstances. The instructor reserves the right to change dates accordingly as the semester progresses. All changes will be communicated in an appropriate manner.

Feedback and Grades

I will make every effort to provide feedback and grades in 48 hours from the assignment due date. To keep track of your performance in the course, refer to My Grades in HuskyCT.

Student Responsibilities and Resources

As a member of the University of Connecticut student community, you are held to certain standards and academic policies. In addition, there are numerous resources available to help you succeed in your academic work. This section provides a brief overview to important standards, policies and resources.

Student Code

You are responsible for acting in accordance with the University of Connecticut's Student Code Review and become familiar with these expectations. In particular, make sure you have read the section that applies to you on Academic Integrity:

●  Academic Integrity in Undergraduate Education and Research

●  Academic Integrity in Graduate Education and Research

Cheating and plagiarism are taken very seriously at the University of Connecticut. As a student, it is your responsibility to avoid plagiarism. If you need more information about the subject of plagiarism, use the following resources:

●  Plagiarism: How to Recognize it and How to Avoid It

●  Instructional Module about Plagiarism

●  University of Connecticut Libraries’ Student Instruction (includes research, citing and writing resources)

Copyright

Copyrighted materials within the course are only for the use of students enrolled in the course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Netiquette and Communication

At all times, course communication with fellow students and the instructor are to be professional and courteous. It is expected that you proofread all your written communication, including discussion posts, assignment submissions, and mail messages. If you are new to online learning or need a netiquette refresher, please look at this guide titled, The Core Rules of Netiquette.

Adding or Dropping a Course

If you should decide to add or drop a course, there are official procedures to follow:

●  Matriculated students should add or drop a course through the Student Administration System.

●  Non-degree students should refer to Non-Degree Add/Drop Information located on the registrar’s website.

You must officially drop a course to avoid receiving an "F" on your permanent transcript. Simply discontinuing class or informing the instructor you want to drop does not constitute an official drop of the course. For more information, refer to the:

●  Undergraduate Catalog

●  Graduate Catalog

Academic Calendar

The University's Academic Calendar contains important semester dates.

Academic Support Resources

Technology and Academic Help provides a guide to technical and academic assistance.

Students with Disabilities

Students needing special accommodations should work with the University's Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD). You may contact CSD by calling (860) 486-2020 or by emailing . If your request for accommodation is approved, CSD will send an accommodation letter directly to your instructor(s) so that special arrangements can be made. (Note: Student requests for accommodation must be filed each semester.)

Blackboard measures and evaluates accessibility using two sets of standards: the WCAG 2.0 standards issued by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act issued in the United States federal government.” (Retrieved March 24, 2013 from

http://www.blackboard.com/platforms/learn/resources/accessibility.aspx)

School of Nursing Policies

As a student in the School of Nursing, you are expected to abide by the following School policies:

●  Policy and Procedures for missed exams/coursework (PDF)

●  Grade Rounding Policy (PDF)

●  Religious Observant Conflict Policy (PDF)

●  Cell Phone Usage (PDF)

●  Social Media Policy (PF)

●  Procedure for Taking an Exam (PDF)

●  Clinical Practicum Courses (PDF)

●  Dress Code Policy (PDF)

●  Policy Regarding Math Competency (PDF)

●  Laptops: All students are required to have their own laptop computer with wireless capability prior to the start of second semester sophomore year for baccalaureate students and prior to the start of the CEIN program.

●  Clinical Agency Dismissal Statement: "Removal from clinical by agency personnel is grounds for failure in the course."

●  The School of Nursing reserves the right to make final decision regarding clinical assignments and to modify such clinical assignments to facilitate the student's completion of the course objectives.

Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Inappropriate Romantic Relationships

The University is committed to maintaining an environment free of discrimination or discriminatory harassment directed toward any person or group within its community – students, employees, or visitors. Academic and professional excellence can flourish only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. All members of the University community are responsible for the maintenance of an academic and work environment in which people are free to learn and work without fear of discrimination or discriminatory harassment. In addition, inappropriate Romantic relationships can undermine the University’s mission when those in positions of authority abuse or appear to abuse their authority. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination and discriminatory harassment, as well as inappropriate Romantic relationships, and such behavior will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University
More information is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2884.
Sexual Assault Reporting Policy
To protect the campus community, all non-confidential University employees (including faculty) are required to report assaults they witness or are told about to the Office of Diversity & Equity under the Sexual Assault Response Policy. The University takes all reports with the utmost seriousness. Please be aware that while the information you provide will remain private, it will not be confidential and will be shared with University officials who can help.
More information is available at http://sexualviolence.uconn.edu/.