Overview
Nursing 250: Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice is the first nursing course in Cluster B in the Post-LPN BN program. The course is developed to honour what you have achieved as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and to introduce concepts of professional nursing practice to the LPN enrolled in the Post-LPN BN Program as related to a baccalaureate prepared nurse.
There are several times during this course when you will be required to participate in mandatory real-time video conference learning activities. The exact dates and times for these mandatory real-time experiential learning activities will be set at the beginning of the course with the course instructor. Participation in these mandatory real-time experiential learning activities is a graded element of the course. A pass in the mandatory real-time experiential learning activities is required to pass NURS 250.
Outline
- Unit 1: Introduction to Role Transition
- Unit 2: Applying Models of Change
- Unit 3: Real-Time Video Conference 1: Introductions and Role Transition
- Unit 4: Navigating the Library, Scholarly Sources, and Academic Integrity
- Unit 5: History of Nursing
- Unit 6: Professionalism
- Unit 7: Ethical and Legal Foundations
- Unit 8: Care in Diverse Communities
- Unit 9: Understanding Culture in Nursing Practice
- Unit 10: Real-Time Video Conference 2: Group Presentation Project Synopsis
- Unit 11: Real-Time Video Conference 3: Group Presentation Project Synopsis
- Unit 12: Next Steps: Preparing for Your Future in the Post-LPN BN Program
This is a paced synchronous course that is completed over 14 weeks, available in Fall (September 1), Winter (January 1), and Spring (May 1)
Learning outcomes
After completing Nursing 250: Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice, you will be able to do the following:
- Examine the personal and professional role transition required to move from LPN to BN.
- Articulate the impact of historical context on current BN practice.
- Recognize the impact of trauma, cultural factors, and the social determinants of health on individuals, various populations, and BN practice.
- Assess the ethical and legal principles, competencies, frameworks, and standards foundational to BN practice.
- Establish a learning community with a cohort of learners.
- Build your library and scholarly writing competencies.
Evaluation
To receive credit for NURS 250: Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice, students must complete and submit all the required assessments and achieve an overall composite grade of at least 64% (C). Attendance of all videoconferencing sessions is expected. All submitted assignments must follow the current edition of the APA Publication Manual.
The assignments and weighting of composite grades are as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: The Challenges of Role Transition | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Synthesis of Scholarly Literature | 25% |
| Assignment 3: Group Presentation Project | 30% |
| Assignment 4: Video Conference Attendance, Participation, and Synopsis Presentation | 20% |
| Assignment 5: Forum Posts | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
There is no textbook for this course.
Each study guide unit includes readings, videos, and other resources. Clicking on the link of the resource will allow you to access it directly via the Athabasca University online library or the Internet. Each unit has a reference list that contains all required and supplemental resources.
Other Materials:
All other course materials can be found online.