INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT

Masters in Nursing Science Degree

NRS 534

Breyer State University
Instructor: David A. Dutcher, BSN, RN, MSN, DC

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the final course, Independent Study Project. I am pleased to mentor you through this course. This is an exciting course. The national shortage of nurses continues. And YOU are now in great demand. You have now positioned yourself in the most prestigious and highest paying discipline in nursing.

At this point in your studies you have acquired a level of proficiency in the specialty area of critical care nursing that has provided you with the skills needed in all aspects of emergency and critical care medicine, Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Telemetry, PICU and NICU, as well as the ability to function independently and professionally in one or several of these specialty areas. Congratulations.

The future of Critical Care Nursing is taking a turn to the wholly computerized unit. This involves computerized charting, patient assessment, care planning; every aspect of patient care. Now that you understand the complex issues of medical intervention and treatment and are able to apply advanced nursing care across the gamut of acute care services, your future in nursing is secure. With your understanding of the complex nature of family interaction and ethics issues, you are prepared to act as a role model for your peers. These skills were not acquired easily or quickly. You’ve worked hard, and you’re almost there.

In Critical Care Nursing III, you mastered Critical Care. Now, as you complete this final course you will demonstrate knowledge of your mastery of the subject.

TIME FRAME: This is a six (6) hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete your paper by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day that you notify me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded six (6) semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no textbooks for this course.

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EXAMINATIONS: There are no examinations for this course.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

The grading sheet for your written paper is as follows:

CONTENT: Weight 48%.
1. Content is comprehensive, accurate and/or persuasive.
2. Major points are stated clearly, and are supported by specific details, examples, and/or analysis.
3. Research is adequate for the topic.
4. The context and purpose of the writing is clear.

ORGANIZATION: Weight 28%.
1. The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.
2. The structure of the paper is clear and easy to follow.
3. The paper’s organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose and is directed.
4. The conclusion reviews the major points.

FORMAT/GRAMMAR: Weight 12%.
1. Spelling is correct.
2. Word usage is correct.
3. Punctuation is correct.

READABILITY/STYLE: Weight 12%.
1. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
2. The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
3. Development of each paragraph provides one idea per paragraph and provides consistency and flow.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a “chat” room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: There is one (1) written assignments for this course. This assignment is to be a 10-15 page paper on the assigned topic. I will email you the topic as soon as I am contacted by administration of your enrollment. This paper must follow APA format: double-spaced with 1.0-inch margins, proper heading, format and references. You must send these papers via email by the end of the eighth week of the course.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

David A. Dutcher, MSN, RN, DC, currently teaches courses at Breyer State University. Additionally, he teaches two certificate courses through Canyon College-Online: Musculoskeletal Complaints - Rapid Assessment and Correctional Nursing. He holds a degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Masters of Science in Nursing Education. He has owned and operated his own Chiropractic clinic, managed all aspects of a professional clinic and managed staff of eight. Dr. Dutcher lives in Southern California. He has also published a children's science fiction book, "Feebie Brainiac and the Lysis Virus." Dr. Dutcher’s adult fiction novel, “Whitelighters for April,” will be published June 1st.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Develop an Effective Abstract/Paper
2). Present a Masters Level paper to meet degree requirements
3). Contribute significantly to your own learning process
4). Take higher-level responsibilities for independent learning
5). Acquire skills and motivation for lifelong higher-level learning and achievements
6). Acquire a higher level of overall knowledge and skill development in a focused area of professional nursing practice
7). Evaluate attainment of all defined goals for the Critical Care Nurses Masters Courses
8). Critically evaluate experiences of independent, self-directed learning.

ASSIGNMENTS: The paper is the only assignment for this course.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the instructor at drdd@comcast.net.

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