NURS 443
Nursing of Children

1.   Catalog Entry

NURS 443. Nursing of Children
Three hours lecture, 6 hours practicum (5).

Prerequisites: NURS 360, 362, 364, 366

Semester offered: Fall and Spring

Focuses on normal growth and development, health promotion, protection, restoration, and the application of the nursing process to childrenwith simple to complex health concerns with application of the theory in a variety of clinical settings, such as home, schools, day care, community clinics, and hospitals.

2. Detailed Description of the Content of the Course

The objectives and content of this Level 2 Course are derived from the School of Nursing’s philosophy and conceptual framework, and facilitate achievement of the School’s program objectives. Additionally, the major topics and skills covered in this course are common to major leadership and professional development nursing textbooks, and represent areas covered on standardized achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advancement in theory and clinical practice also determine content.

Emphasis is placed in the following areas:

1. Influences of family, culture and religion on child health
2. Family centered and community based care
3. Normal growth and development, health promotion and common health concerns of

a. Infant
b. Toddler
c. Preschool
d. School age
e. Adolescence

4. Care of children with more complex health problems in the following Areas

• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary
• Respiratory
• Cardiovascular
• Hematologic
• Immunologic
• Cerebral
• Endocrine
• Musculoskeletal
• Neuromuscular
• Integumentary
• Cognitive/sensory
• Chronic illness, disability or death

3. Detailed Description of the Conduct of the course

The following teaching strategies will be employed:

• Lectures, discussion, multimedia, case studies and guided clinical practice.

4. Goals and Objectives of Course

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Apply the nursing process in an independent manner to provide holistic nursing care to children and families in a variety of settings.
• Adheres to established standards of professional nursing practice and accepts individual responsibility for nursing interventions.
• Apply health care and information technology skills interdependently in nursing care of children.
• Utilize critical thinking, standards of nursing practice and research Findings when providing care to children.
• Employ therapeutic nursing interventions and make clinical decisions based on theory and evidence when providing care to children and families from diverse populations.
• Refines skills for effective written, oral and nonverbal communications with children and their families.
• Demonstrates increasing skill in the application ethical decision making frameworks in the care of children and families.
• Interacts with children and families from various cultural backgrounds in collaboration with other members of the health care team to advocate for and to provide culturally sensitive holistic health care.
• Assumes responsibility for ongoing learning through selection and examination of personal and professional goals and a review of the methods used to attain these goals.
• Demonstrates increasing accountability for words and actions and applies leadership skills to enhance delivery of professional nursing care to children in a variety of settings.
• Integrates legislative and policy issues within the provision of nursing care to children and families.

5. Assessment Measures

May include:

• Exams; Quizzes
• Paper
• Project, Individual or Group
• Oral Presentations
• Class Participation

 The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory, measured through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the final grade after the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.

Final grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and clinical/lab components. Clinical/lab performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.

6. Other Course Information

Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.

Students With Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall, telephone 540-831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me no later than the 2nd week of the semester.

Attendance: For attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.

7. Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Review Director