Masters of Science in Nursing Completion Program

NRS 550 - Nursing THeory

Instructor: WILLIAM PAUL EMMERLING, EdD, FNP-C, RHIA, LFACHE

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Nursing Theory course in the curriculum for the MSN Completion Degree for the APN. This course is intended to cultivate an appreciation for knowledge upon which nursing practice is founded and to take seriously the work that is required to develop this knowledge. Your readings will open your minds to the patterns of knowing and possibly which pattern, if any surfaces more in nursing than the others do. I invite you to stimulate your ideas to conceptualize nursing knowledge.

No theoretical approach to nursing practice could be achieved without spending some time learning about the theories that have become a cornerstone of nursing practice and the women, yes women, who have contributed to the wealth of knowledge we have relative to nursing practice.

Since nursing is dependent upon knowledge and knowing the theoretical basis for nursing practice is critical for the professional nurse to understand. In the short time that we have to expend on this course I am hopeful you will gain an insight into the fundamental patterns of knowing, the pathways and empirical knowledge. Explaining, structuring, describing, critiquing as well as replicating and validating knowledge using research will be addressed.

This course is intended for you to gain knowledge. It is not intended to see how much you can memorize for short-term use. Rather, you have the opportunity to step back and take a serious look at practice in light of what theorists have gleamed from their own practice of nursing.

Do not get caught up in rationalizing that theory has no place in the fast paced world of managed care, productivity oriented practices or other environmental issues that will destroy your opportunity to gain KNOWLEDGE.

TIME FRAME: This is a three-hour course. You are allotted ten weeks to complete all requirements for the course. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register or the day that you notify me that you have your text and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded three hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: The following textbooks are required for this course

Book 1: Theory and Nursing: Integrated Knowledge Development. Chinn, P.L. & Kramer, M.K. 5th ed. St. Louis: Mosby. 1999

Book 2: From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical nursing practice. Benner, P. Comm. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 2001

Book 3: Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

This publication is a vital reference for all of the documents you will be writing for the MSN Completion Program. Keep this manual handy at all times and use it.

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Please note that the two theory specific textbooks were selected so as not to overwhelm you with voluminous writings on theoretical nursing and yet provide you with critical information.

EXAMINATIONS: You will have one exam for this course at the end of the tenth week of the course.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: When you have completed reading a Chapter in the required texts you are required to summarize the key points that the author(s) present in the chapter and submit it by email attachment to me. This is the only assurance I has that the required readings are being read as required for this course. It affords me a way of noting what you are deriving from the required texts.

Consider the following weights for each paper:

APA style accuracy: 15%
Theory accurately presented: 25%
Strengths and Weaknesses presented: 25%
Relevance or Application of the theory: 25%
References: 10%

Each Paper is weighted for 40% of the overall grade for the course
The Chapter summaries constitute 20% of the overall grade for the course

GRADING: The grading for this course is as follows:

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

COMMUNICATION: You are expected to communicate with me on a weekly basis. I am available to assist you in meeting the goals for successfully matriculating this initial course. Email is the primary means of communicating. I can be available to converse by telephone should that be necessary. Depending upon the number of students enrolled in this course at any one-time group chatting will be scheduled. It will be imperative to notify me if you change your email address during this course.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Bill Emmerling, Ed.D, FNP-c, RHIA, LFACHE, is the MSN Completion Program Instructor. He is a retired USPHS Commissioned Nurse Officer (06) and is a Primary Care Provider at the Paiute Health and Human Services Clinics in Nevada. He is also the internal Registered Health Information Administrator Consultant at the clinic operations. Dr. Emmerling has held Nursing Administration as well as Hospital Administration positions during his career. He has served in State and Federal positions for health facility licensure and certification.

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

1). Understand how theories are constructed.
2). Understand the key components of a theory.
3). Understand the application of theory in nursing practice.
4). Become familiar with the theorists in nursing.
5). Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of specific theories.
6). Apply theories to a nursing practice setting.
7). Accurately use APA style for written assignments.
8). Utilize clarity in written assignments.
9). Validate written statements with resources.

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the course, you may contact the instructor at drbill45@netzero.net.

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