Temple University (Department of Nursing)

Temple University, Department of Nursing requires that all students consistently demonstrate personal integrity, civility, accountability and professional practice that reflects responsible behaviors consistent with the Professional Nursing Law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. Failure to comply with this statement may result in action toward academic dismissal from the program at any time.

PHILOSOPHY

Temple University addresses the complex array of economic, political, social, and health problems in the Greater Philadelphia region. Consistent with the University and the College of Health Professions’ mission, the Department of Nursing provides opportunities for education, service and research in professional nursing to students, faculty and communities.

Faculty members of the Department of Nursing believe that nursing is a profession based on a unique body of knowledge derived from the humanities and sciences. The methodology for practice is the nursing process which consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The curriculum and research activities focus on health concerns and the nursing care of diverse populations with an emphasis on the underserved. This faculty believes that health care is a basic human right.

The faculty believes that baccalaureate education is essential preparation for entry into professional nursing practice. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimal level of education for clinical competency as an advanced practice nurse. The faculty believes that the MSN provides a foundation for leadership in clinical practice, nursing education, and research and encourages further study at the doctoral level. At each level of education, students both learn and apply general nursing principles and concepts to client care. Role development, professional socialization, critical thinking, academic excellence, and research-based scientific knowledge are emphasized.

Faculty members are role models who facilitate active learning, self-direction, and a spirit of inquiry. Faculty members are involved in scholarly and professional activities, maintain clinical competence, and conduct, disseminate and utilize research. Nursing, as an integral part of the complex health care system, shares responsibility with other disciplines for assuring the availability of evidenced-based comprehensive health services to all consumers. Health is a dynamic state, which embodies physical, psychological, and social dimensions; not merely the absence of illness. The definition of optimal health varies with the client and is determined by personal goals and values and past and present health factors.

Nursing is a humanistic profession characterized by the therapeutic use of self in a holistic approach to the care of clients. Nursing supports clients in achieving and maintaining optimal health through health promotion, illness prevention, support, health restoration, and rehabilitation. Client systems are conceptualized as the individual, family and community. The client is an open system engaged in interaction with the environment. The client system perceives and responds to the environmental stimuli as an integrated whole.

The professional nurse provides leadership in directing and coordinating nursing care and is accountable to clients and the profession through ongoing evaluation of nursing services. As a client advocate, the professional nurse improves clients’ health through social, organizational, and political action. Advocacy is also demonstrated through health counseling and health teaching. Professiona l nurses are committed to professional growth and the expansion and validation of nursing knowledge.

---

Department of Nursing Location

Department of Nursing Courses

MICROBIOLOGY
Introduction to the organisms that cause infectious disease, the mechanisms involved in disease production, and methods for prevention and control. Physical and chemical procedures for sterilization and disinfection as well as specific and nonspecific body defenses against disease.

NUTRITION
Principles of nutrition: the effects of diet on the health status of individual and community systems. Fundamental concepts of nutrition, i.e., nutrients, function, food sources, needs, and metabolic processes.

NURSING CARE OF ADULT CLIENT SYSTEMS
In this course students will develop an understanding of systems theory as it is applied to client systems, nursing practice and the delivery of healthcare. Theories from biological and behavioral sciences provide a foundation for examining dimensions of client systems in their cultural context. This course focuses on care of the client system in the acute care, home care and the community settings. There is an emphasis on health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention. Specific alterations in health as exemplars will be selected for classroom discussions of disease management.

INTRODUCTION TO NURSING SYSTEMS
This course provides the foundation for all nursing courses. This course is usually taken concurrently with Nursing Care of the Adult Patient and Nursing Practicum I. Emphasis is placed on the use of scientific principles, general systems theory and the attainment of associated skills in the learning resource center laboratory and classroom. Students will develop skills in the application of the nursing process to the care of individual systems.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR REGISTERED NURSES
An introduction to health assessment with emphasis on the range of normal findings in the individual system. Theory and practice: the development of skills in obtaining a health history, physical assessment, and a systematic method of recording data. Laboratory included.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF CLIENT SYSTEMS
An introductory course to health assessment is presented with emphasis on understanding the range of normal and common abnormal findings. The focus is on individuals across the lifespan including newborn, pediatric, adult and geriatric populations. Theory and practice focus on effective interviewing for the health history, health assessment techniques and systematic method of recording data. Defining characteristics of nursing diagnoses are identified. Principles of therapeutic communication and critical thinking are emphasized.

PRACTICUM I: CARE OF THE ADULT CLIENT SYSTEMS
Students in this course use the skills and knowledge obtained in Fundamentals of Nursing Course and Nursing Care of the Adult Client Systems course. Students apply theory from biologicial, behavioral and social sciences, nursing courses and laboratory experiences in clinicial situations. Students in this course provide care to patients in acute care and home care environments weekly throughout the semester. Case studies and discussions during pre-conferences, post-conferences, and reflective journaling aid in the development of critical thinking skills.

CARE OF THE DEVELOPING FAMILY SYSTEM
This course provides an introduction to the care of the developing family system. Its focus is the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health for developing families and their members. Care of individuals and families will be addressed from the family and community perspective.

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING FOR REGISTERED NURSES
The historical development of nursing as a framework for understanding the issues within the profession today. Major issues from social, economic, and political perspectives. The role of the professional organization as a vehicle for collective action.

ETHICS AND HEALTH CARE
This course explores the role of the health care professional in enabling patient or client systems to achieve optimal health through critical thinking and collaborative problem solving that leads to participation in health care decisions, behavior change and the attainment of self-direction. Application of concepts of bioethics are utilized in an interdisciplinary approach for health promotion and restoration. Theories and principles of bioethics are analyzed as a basis for analyzing ethical dilemmas and problem solving. A variety of classroom activities is used to enhance student learning. Evaluation is done with student participation, presentations, case simulations, written assignments and examinations.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING I
The first of two courses designed to examine alterations in the functioning of human subsystems and relevant pharmacological treatments. The main purpose of this course is to augment the student's knowledge of scientific principles for nursing care. Basic concepts related to genetics and cellular function will be emphasized. Physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms and major categories of drugs used in clinical practice will be discussed for the following body systems: immune, neurologic, endocrine and cardiovascular.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING II
The second of two courses designed to examine alterations in the functioning of human subsystems and relevant pharmacological treatments. The main purpose of this course is to augment the student`s knowledge of scientific principles for nursing care. Physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms and major categories of drugs used in clinical practice will be discussed for the following body systems: hematologic, renal, reproductive, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and integumentary.

NURSING CARE OF CHILDBEARING FAMILY SYSTEM: PRACTICUM IIA
Learning experiences are provided over the semester as one rotation of 12 hours per week for six weeks. The practicum experience is designed to provide opportunities for the student to care for individuals, families and community aggregates during the childbearing experience. Knowledge of human development, health assessment skills, principles of nutrition, theories of teaching and learning and cultural awareness are applied in developing a comprehensive approach to the use of the nursing process. Clinical experiences in a variety of settings are planned. Sites for clinical experiences include acute care settings as well as out-patient clinics, visits to clients` homes and a variety of settings for childbirth education. Collaboration with other members of the healthcare team and families is stressed.

RESEARCH METHODS
Introduction to nursing research. Methods of the research process and research reports. Ethical considerations for the protection of human subjects. The nurse as a consumer of research is emphasized.

NURSING CARE OF THE CHILD-REARING FAMILY SYSTEM: PRACTICUM IIB
Learning experiences are provided over the semester as one rotation of 12 hours per week for six weeks. The practicum experience is designed to provide opportunities for the student to care for individuals, families and community aggregates during the child-rearing years. Knowledge of human development, growth, health assessment skills, principles of nutrition, theories of teaching and learning, family proceses theory and cultural awareness are applied in developing a comprehensive approach to the use of the nursing process. Clinical experiences in a variety of settings are planned. Sites for clinical include acute care settings as well as out-patient clinics, children`s rehabilitation facilties, home visits and a variety of settings for community outreach and education. Collaboration with other members of the healthcare team and families is stressed.

PERIOPERATIVE NURSING SYSTEM
The students learn the concepts and processes of health care delivery in the perioperative environment. The students are introduced to the role of the perioperative nurse and the phase I & II post-anesthesia departments. Using the nursing process as a basis for practice, the course includes both theory and preceptor model of practice to engage in nursing activities designed to meet the client family needs in the perioperative milieu.

TEACHING STRATEGIES
Theory and practice in teaching strategies for health promotion. Theories of learning as basis for selection of teaching methods. Class plans developed and evaluated through micro-teaching experiences using videotapes.

CARE OF CHRONICALLY ILL CLIENT SYSTEM
This course provides an introduction to the care of the client system with problems of chronic illness. The focus will be on community system responses to chronic health alteration with emphasis on the aged and mental health/illness of client systems. Biophysical concepts, theories of aging, mental health and mental illness, and prototypes of chronic illness will be explored.

HEALTH CARE OF DIVERSE CLIENT SYSTEMS
This course provides the student with a background and historical perepctive to recognize the effects of race and racism on health, health planning, and access to healthcare system. This course provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts and methodologies from cross-cultural healthcare and anthropology to care of diverse client systems.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN HEALTH CARE
Cultural concepts, racial misconceptions, health beliefs, values, mores, and religious practices will be examined in relationship to health and health care. Exploration of cultural concepts and diversity within ethnic groups will prepare the student to practice and/or plan healthcare in a multicultural, multiracial society. Guest lectures, field trips, and special projects will further enhance learning.

CARE OF CLIENT SYSTEMS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH ALTERATION: MENTAL HEALTH CLINICAL PRACTICUM
This course provides an opportunity for the student to apply knowledge from science and the humanities to care of the client system with chronic mental health alterations. Clinical experiences will take place in both hospital and community settings. Opportunities will be provided for students to apply theory and principles of practice, plan interventions, and refine critical thinking and therapeutic communication.

EPIDEMIOLOGY IN NURSING SYSTEMS
This course provides students with the opportunity to understand, integrate and evaluate the principles of epidemiology. The course is designed for undergraduate nursing students. Historical and current epidemiological data are used to illustrate epidemiology in practice with emphasis on prevention and control of the spread of disease. The goal is to provide the student with new ways of thinking about health and disease.

NURSING MANAGEMENT OF CLIENT SYSTEMS IN CRISIS
This course provides students with the opportunity to actively learn how to manage clients systems during a crisis. Students build on learning from prior courses to determine the best approach to manage individuals, families, and community systems experiencing a crisis. Using case studies, the students will work as groups to analyze crisis situations. The student groups will develop a plan of care based on the context in which the crisis occurs, the nature of the crises, the characteristics of the client systems, and the resources available to manage and prevent further crises of the same nature.

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
This course focuses on the major issues facing the nursing profession. The issues are examined from historical, political, social and economic perspectives. Professional accountability and socialization into the profession are addressed.

NURSING SYNTHESIS
This course provides a forum for students to further develop their critical thinking skills through the use of group analysis and synthesis of real and contrived patient case studies. Emphasis is placed on how to read and analyze information, and prepare for the NCLEX-RN Licensing exam.

CARE OF CLIENT SYSTEMS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH ALTERATION: GERIATRIC CLINICAL PRACTICUM
This course provides an opportunity for the student to apply knowledge from science and the humanities to care of the geriatric client system with chronic health alterations. Clinical experiences will take place in primary, secondary and tertiary settings. Opportunities will be provided for students to apply theory and principles of practice, plan interventions, and refine critical thinking and therapeutic communication.

NURSING LEADERSHIP
This writing intensive, capstone course serves as an introduction to theories of leadership and management. Its focus is on leadership as an essential component of the professional nurse`s role. In addition, managerial issues related to healthcare delivery systems are discussed.

CARE OF CLIENT SYSTEMS IN CRISIS: ADVANCED MEDICAL SURGICAL PRACTICUM
In this course the students are assigned to provide direct care to clients in an acute care setting under the direction and close supervision of a clinical instructor. During that time students have the opportunity to apply scientific principles and the nursing process in a comprehensive manner to the care of individuals, families and community systems with complex needs. They have the opportunity to practice advanced technical skills and to improve oral and written communication skills.

CARE OF CLIENT SYSTEMS IN CRISIS: MENTORSHIP PRACTICUM
In this course students are assigned to a staff nurse in a mentorship or preceptorship relationship. A clinical faculty member is available at the site to the student and mentor in a consultant role. The student continues to gain experience in providing care to groups of patients and to apply principles of leadership and management. Students assume an active role in their own learning and critically evaluate care, the environment and self-growth. This experience provides students with the opportunity to assume leadership roles within the clinical environment and prepares the student for the transition from student to professional nurse.

EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR REGISTERED NURSES
This course focuses on epidemiology and its relationship to the nursing process. It presents essential epidemiological concepts and principles in the context of selected epidemiological studies. The nurse's role in the prevention and control of diseases across the lifespan is emphasized.

COMMUNITY HEALTH
In this course, students explore the concept of health from both a population and a social justice perspective. Its focus is the application of all levels of prevention in promoting the health of populations. Nursing's role in influencing public policy is emphasized. Practicum experiences focus on examining the roles of community health nurses, identifying and planning for meeting the needs of selected communities and exploring community resources.

PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR
This course examines the concepts of stress, coping and crisis intervention. Related contemporary topics will be addressed from an evidence-based approach. Complimentary healthcare practices are explored as a method of coping.

INDEPENDENT STUDY IN NURSING
Individual study of a theoretical or clinical nursing problem or topic. Student-initiated focus under the guidance of appropriate faculty.

LEADERSHIP
This writing intensive course is designed to help the RN student further develop the professional nursing role. Leadership is the focus of this course. The student designs and manages the practicum learning experience. Attention is given to the development of leadership in the professional nurse`s role.

Other nursing schools in Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania (School of Nursing) We are pleased to learn of your interest in the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Our unique position as one of the top ranked Nursing Sc... Address: 418 Curie Boulevard, Claire M. Fagin Hall

La Salle University (School of Nursing and Health Sciences) La Salle University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Undergraduate Programs. Since the 90's, there has been an emerging revolution in ... Address: 1900 W. Olney Ave.

Philadelphia University (Midwifery Institute) The Midwifery Institute of Philadelphia University offers an innovative midwifery model of distance learning. Our faculty exemplify the midwifery b... Address: 222 Hayward Hall, Schoolhouse Lane & Henry Avenue

Back to: » Nursing schools in Pennsylvania » Nursing schools in Philadelphia

More information: » Marinas » Boats for sale