NURS 2445 - Transition to Professional Nursing

Credit Hours: 1.50

Course Outcome 1: Students will  analyze and apply the critical components of evidence‐based nursing practice.

Course Objectives:

1. The student will analyze and apply the critical components of evidence‐based nursing practice for personal and professional growth.
2. The student will analyze and apply the critical components of evidence‐based nursing practice to manage the healthcare environment.

Nursing Program Outcome 2: Students will recognize quality improvement strategies as an integral component of nursing practice.

Course Outcome 2:

Course Objectives:

1. The student will recognize quality improvement strategies as an integral component of nursing practice to manage the healthcare environment.
2. The student will recognize the quality improvement process as an integral component to change nursing practice.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Role Transition and Issues Related to the Graduate Nurse
   1. Concept of transition
   2. Types of transition
   3. Strategies used to ease transition from student to professional nurse 
   4. Goal setting: short and long term
2. Employment Considerations and the NCLEX-RN Exam
   1. Employment process
   2. Development of a resume
   3. Interviewing skills
   4. Preparation process for NCLEX exam
   5. Computer adaptive testing and NCLEX test plan
   6. Application for RN licensure and Application to take NCLEX-RN exam
3. Professional Identify and Image of Nursing
   1. Characteristics of a profession
   2. Stereotypes held by public about nursing
   3. Role of media in creating stereotypes
   4. Strategies to improve professional image
4. Conflict and Conflict Resolution 
   1. Factors leading to conflict
   2. Types of conflict
   3. Conflict resolution techniques
   4. Preferred conflict management style
   5. Positive communication techniques to use in cognitive rehearsal
5. Delegation in the Clinical Setting
   1. National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation
   2. Factors influencing delegation in nursing practice
   3. Five rights of delegation
   4. Use of SBAR communication 
   5. Guidelines for delegation of care
6. Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing
   1. Ethical principles relevant in nursing practice
   2. ANA Code of Ethics
   3. Steps involved in ethical decision-making process
   4. Dilemmas encountered in clinical practice
7. Evidence-based Practice and Safety
   1. Definition of evidence-based practice
   2. QSEN competencies for nurses
   3. Focus on medication errors and medication safety
   4. Patient advocacy
8. Workplace/Workforce Issues Facing Graduate Nurses  
   1. Issues affecting nursing practice
   2. Strategies to deal with workplace issues 
      1. Impaired practice
      2. Sexual harassment
      3. Unsafe staffing ratios
      4. Environmental hazards
      5. Workplace violence
      6. Caring for LBGTQI clients
      7. Aging workforce