I. Course Title: Clinical Nursing Practicum
II. Course Number: NURS 454
III. Credit Hours: 4 credits
IV. Prerequisites: NURS 443, NURS 444, NURS 448
Corequisites: NURS 451, NURS 453
V. Course Description:
Provides students with the opportunity to synthesize theoretical concepts, current
research, and nursing practice skills in a specific clinical setting. Professional
roles are applied through structured clinical learning experiences and learning is
facilitated through a selected clinical role model serving as preceptor to the student.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
This course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize theoretical concepts,
current research, and nursing practice skills in a clinical setting. Professional
roles are applied through structured clinical learning experiences and learning is
facilitated through a selected clinical role model serving as preceptor to the student.
Topic Outline
1. Application of:
A. Standards for Clinical Nursing Practice
B. Ethical conduct and legal aspects of clinical practice
C. Nursing leadership theory and skills
2. Professional career development and life-long learning
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
Learning activities may include, but are not limited to:
Experiential clinical practice, journals, appraisal of critical incidents, practicum
presentation, policy research and review, educational staff in-service, computer-assisted
learning exercises, and ongoing Kaplan testing.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
The objectives and content of this Level Four course are derived from the School of
Nursing鈥檚 philosophy and conceptual framework, and facilitate achievement of the School鈥檚
program objectives as well as the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (AACN). Additionally,
the major topics and skills covered in this course represent content found on standardized
achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advances
in theory and clinical practice also determine content.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply scientific principles of nursing knowledge in partnership with the client
to promote, protect, and restore the client鈥檚 holistic health.
2. Apply the Standards of Nursing Practice in the clinical setting.
3. Implement safeguards and decision-making tools embedded in patient care technologies
and information systems to ensure a safe practice environment for both patients and
health care workers.
4. Identify abuse and exploitation of children, elderly, and disabled patients encountered
in the health care setting and intervene as necessary.
5. Utilize and demonstrate critical thinking, clinical judgment, and clinical reasoning,
research findings, and the Standards of Nursing Practice through involvement with
health care issues.
6. Demonstrate competence by participating in evidence-based research in collaboration
with other members of the health care team to improve patient outcomes.
7. Make use of inter-professional and intra-professional resources to resolve ethical
and other practice dilemmas.
8. Exhibit caring and accountability in a variety of clinical settings.
9. Utilize and model effective written, oral and non-verbal inter- and intra-professional
communication and collaborative skills to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered,
culturally competent nursing care.
10.Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning to support excellence in nursing
practice and foster professional growth and development.
11.Exhibit leadership qualities commensurate with entry-level professional nursing
practice.
12.Advocate on a regional, state, national and global level to promote the advancement
of nursing practice through the application of health care policies.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
May include but not limited to:
鈥� Exams; Quizzes
鈥� Paper
鈥� Project, Individual or Group
鈥� Class Participation
Review and Approval
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Review Director
February 2011, Kim Carter, Director
March 2021, Iris Mullins, Director