Nursing Theory I

This course introduces the student to the profession of nursing, including the role of the nurse as a member of the health team. Students demonstrate knowledge of professional behaviours of a, Registered Practical Nurse through utlization of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Standards of Practice and gain an appreciation of the scope of practice and its limitations. Students also learn about the various roles of members of the health care team within different practice environments. Students study the principles of the nursing process and how to work through the stages of assessment, planning, implementation and the evaluation of nursing interventions. Students begin to use nursing problem statements (nursing diagnoses) to make decisions, problem solve and begin to use critical thinking to understand the interaction of person, health, environment and nursing. Students learn the theories and rationales that will guide their nursing practice (communication, safety and professional responsibilities) in the simulated learning environment and with clients in the clinical setting.