Foundation of Professional Nursing
- Health Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 234 pages
- 17 units
This course introduces students to the foundational aspects of professional nursing practice. It explores the historical development of nursing, the concepts underpinning the profession, and the factors influencing health and the human environment. Students will examine the nurse's roles as a teacher, counsellor, caregiver, manager, and researcher. The course also covers physical assessment, diagnostic measures, and the integrated approach to health, wellness, and illness, equipping students with essential skills for various healthcare settings.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 90 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Discussion Forum Participation
- Laboratory Practicals
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of NSC219, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
NSC219 · UNIT 2: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NURSING
In ancient cultures, religious leaders assumed responsibility for health and medical care because the causation of illness was tied to myths and religion. Hence nurses were seen to be below religious leaders. Nurses then worked under priests and physicians, performing custodians and personal hygiene care. The physician-directed nursing activities, except the role of midwifery where nurses had always been accepted.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the historical evolution of nursing and its significance in contemporary healthcare.
- Describe and differentiate various concepts and theories that underpin nursing practice.
- Analyze the roles and responsibilities of nurses in diverse healthcare settings.
- Apply fundamental nursing skills in patient assessment, care planning, and intervention.
- Evaluate the impact of societal, environmental, and technological factors on nursing practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical principles and professional standards in nursing.
What it prepares you for
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Manager
- Public Health Nurse
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Community Health Centers
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Public Health Organizations
- MS Office Suite
- Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Health and Human Environment
Unit 1: Concept of Health and Illness
Requires understanding of complex physiological and psychological interactions and their impact on health and illness perceptions.
- Module 4: Fundamentals of Nursing
Unit 4: Diagnostic Measures in Patients Care
Involves synthesizing knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology to interpret diagnostic results accurately.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 1: Historical Development of Nursing I · 4 hours
Read about the significance of studying nursing history.. Identify key events in the pre-Nightingale era.. Discuss the roles of religious leaders and nurses in ancient cultures..
- Week 2Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 1: Historical Development of Nursing I · 4 hours
Examine Florence Nightingale's impact on nursing.. Analyze her beliefs about nursing and their relevance today.. Discuss the establishment of the Nightingale Training School..
- Week 3Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 2: Historical Development of Nursing II · 4 hours
Compare nursing developments in the USA and Nigeria.. Discuss the influence of religion and British colonial administration on nursing in Nigeria.. Explain the factors that facilitated nursing education in Nigerian universities..
- Week 4Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 2: Historical Development of Nursing II · 4 hours
Discuss the impact of globalization on nursing.. Summarize the roles of international nursing organizations.. Examine the influence of the West African College of Nursing..
- Week 5Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 3: Concepts of Nursing · 4 hours
Define the concept of nursing.. Compare and contrast the concepts of nursing by Florence Nightingale and Virginia Henderson.. Identify the common focus of nursing activity in different concepts..
- Week 6Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 3: Concepts of Nursing · 4 hours
Examine the concepts of nursing by Hildegard Peplau, Myra Levine, Dorothea Orem, and Callista Roy.. Identify the linking ideas between different nurse leaders.. Discuss how a concept of nursing guides nursing activities and model development..
- Week 7Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 4: Nursing as an Art and a Science · 4 hours
Define art and science in general usage.. Describe the historical development of art and science in nursing.. Discuss the application of art and science in nursing content and process..
- Week 8Module 1: Nature of Nursing I
Unit 5: Nursing as a Profession · 4 hours
Define 'profession'.. Enumerate the characteristics of a professional discipline.. Discuss how nursing is progressing towards professional status..
- Week 9Module 2: Nature of Nursing II
Unit 1: The Role of the Nurse · 4 hours
Identify the polyvalent role of a nurse in a changing society.. Describe the changing roles of nurses and their effects on healthcare delivery.. Discuss the managerial process required by a nurse manager..
- Week 10Module 2: Nature of Nursing II
Unit 2: Nursing Care Deliver · 4 hours
Define 'nursing care delivery'.. List the major categories used in determining nursing care delivery systems.. Describe the four common nursing care delivery systems..
- Week 11Module 2: Nature of Nursing II
Unit 3: Nursing and Society · 4 hours
Examine the societal changes and nursing practice.. Discuss the current societal trends and their influence on nursing practice.. Identify the place of nursing in society..
- Week 12Module 2: Nature of Nursing II
Unit 4: Nursing and Human Environment · 4 hours
Define 'environment'.. Describe the components of the environment.. Describe at least two ways by which the environment could affect human health..
- Week 13Module 2: Nature of Nursing II
Unit 4: Nursing and Human Environment · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Complete assignments and prepare for final examination.. Focus on key concepts and areas of difficulty..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines of key events in nursing history (Units 1-2) to understand the profession's evolution.
- Develop concept maps linking nursing concepts (Unit 3) to practical applications in patient care.
- Practice applying ethical principles (Unit 5) to case studies involving complex patient scenarios.
- Review the different nursing care delivery models (Module 2) and their advantages/disadvantages.
- Focus on mastering the techniques for assessing vital signs (Module 4) and interpreting abnormal findings.
- Create mnemonics to remember the steps involved in physical examination (Unit 3, Module 4).
- Practice identifying different types of diagnostic measures (Unit 4, Module 4) and their purposes.
- Review the principles of infection control (Unit 5, Module 4) and their application in healthcare settings.
Questions students ask about this course
What is NSC219 about?
This course introduces students to the foundational aspects of professional nursing practice. It explores the historical development of nursing, the concepts underpinning the profession, and the factors influencing health and the human environment. Students will examine the nurse's roles as a teacher, counsellor, caregiver, manager, and researcher. The course also covers physical assessment, diagnostic measures, and the integrated approach to health, wellness, and illness, equipping students with essential skills for various healthcare settings.
How many units does NSC219 have?
NSC219, Foundation of Professional Nursing, has 17 units across 4 modules, over 234 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is NSC219?
NSC219 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Health Sciences.
Is NSC219 hard?
NSC219 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does NSC219 take to study?
About 90 hours of study, spread across its 17 units.
How is NSC219 assessed?
NSC219 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments, Discussion Forum Participation, Laboratory Practicals and Final Examination.
What can I do with NSC219?
Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Manager and Public Health Nurse.