Course Description

This foundational course content in professional nursing practice explores the attributes and role of the nurse, interprofessional collaboration and teamwork, and the well-being of the nurse in promoting quality patient care. Students analyze professional identity and master effective communication with patients and colleagues. Content and activities emphasize evidence-based approaches to high-quality care, leadership and management principles, and clinical judgment. Students explore concepts related to autonomy and ethical decision-making within their professional scope of practice. 

Topics (skills, knowledge)

  • Role and attributes of the nurse
  • Interprofessional/interdisciplinary practice
  • Professional identity and professionalism
  • Wellness
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Quality and safety
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Critical thinking/clinical judgment
  • Ethics

Themes threaded throughout the curriculum (concepts)

  • Communication
  • Decision making
  • Peer review and feedback
  • Autonomy in nursing practice
  • Scope of practice

Program Objectives

Are you wondering why you are taking this course? You'll be developing knowledge, skills, and perspectives aligned with overall program objectives for your education at KSMA. The program objectives that guided the development of this course are listed below.

Nursing Management and Professional Development

PC-23 - Able and willing to apply effective communication methods to manage conflicts, stress and innovation in the organization of nursing services, conduct self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses, plan their own time and build a strategy for personal and professional
development and learning.

PC-25 - Able and ready to manage the material resources of health facilities for the purpose of their rational use; conduct a commodity analysis of medicines, dressings, medical instruments and other medical products using marketing research methods.

PC-26 - Able and ready to plan nursing staff in healthcare facilities based on modern human resources technologies (HR -technologies).

PC-27 - Able and ready to carry out quality control of nursing activities (determination of control participants, means of control; control mechanisms).

- Social-Personal and General Cultural Competences (SPGCC):

SPGCC-1 - Able and ready to implement ethical, deontological and bioethical principles in professional activities.

Course Objectives

1. Describe the attributes of a nurse. (Personality traits of a nurse)
2. Explain how an interprofessional (also called “interdisciplinary”) team promotes high-quality patient care.
3. Implement wellness strategies that sustain a nurse’s wellbeing in professional practice.
4. Analyze the roles of professional identity and professionalism in professional nursing practice.
5. Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and community members.
6. Participate in evidence-based strategies that assure safety and quality in patient care.
7. Explain basic leadership principles, structures, and approaches in nursing. (Leadership)
8. Explain basic management principles, frameworks, and strategies in nursing. (Management and collaboration)
9. Differentiate critical thinking and clinical judgment.
10. Describe ethical principles and the ethical decision-making process in nursing.

Classroom norms and expectations

This syllabus is like a contract between the student instructor. It describes what the student agrees to do to be successful in the course, and it describes what the instructor will do to support student learning and success.

Setting common expectations early in a working relationship is essential for mutual respect and interpersonal engagement in education and practice.  A shared understanding of expectations allows everyone an optimal opportunity to get the full benefit from this course.

Please keep the following norms and expectations in mind throughout the semester as you attend class and communicate with your instructor and peers.

  • The students and instructor should maintain professional and respectful behavior that contributes to an effective learning environment for all.
  • Call others by the name they prefer (I invite you to call me Dr. Tornwall), and use professional language in all verbal and written communication related to this course.
  • Regular attendance is essential for academic success, and students should arrive on time and remain for the entire class session, as late arrivals and early departures are disruptive to both instruction and fellow students.
  • During class, students must demonstrate respect toward peers, the instructor, and guest speakers through attentive listening and constructive participation.
  • Disruptive behavior, such as excessive talking, side conversations, inappropriate use of technology interfere with the learning process for everyone in the room. Students who engage in disruptive conduct may be asked to leave class and could face additional academic consequences.
  • By fostering a culture of mutual respect and engagement, we create an environment where all students can achieve their academic goals and contribute meaningfully to class discussions and activities.