NURS 620: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Cross-Listed: NURS 702
Credit Hours: (3)
Examines development of nursing theory and its uses in nursing practice and research. Includes the study and critique of nursing theories and theories from related disciplines. Explores philosophical issues related to contemporary nursing theory.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
This online course may incorporate lectures, faculty/student directed discussions, class participation, reading assignments, and written work. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used.
Topical Outline
1. Overview of theory in nursing
a. Nursing’s patterns of knowing
b. Components of theory
c. The process of theory development
d. Critique of theory
e. The relationship between theory, research, and practice
2. Nursing theories
a. History of the development of nursing theory
b. Nursing's four metaparadigm concepts: person, environment, health, and
nursing
c. Current issues in theory development in nursing
d. Analysis and critique of selected nursing theories
3. Theoretical frameworks from related disciplines commonly used in nursing
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This online course may incorporate lectures, faculty/student directed discussions, class participation, reading assignments, and written work. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Discuss the components of theory.
2. Describe the process of theory development.
3. Explain the relationships among theory, research and practice in nursing.
4. Compare different conceptualizations of nursing's metaparadigm concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.
5. Critique selected nursing theories.
6.Describe nursing theories related to transcultural care, family intervention, and health promotion.
7. Identify theories from other disciplines that are commonly used in nursing.
8. Discuss philosophical issues related to the current state of knowledge development in nursing.
9. Integrate nursing’s patterns of knowing: empirics, aesthetics, ethics, and personal knowledge
10. Analyze theories related to student's area of interest.
Assessment Measures
Assessments may include but are not limited to: tests, presentations, papers, and class participation.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Revised November, 2009
Approved April, 2010