The purposes of this course are to promote an understanding and appreciation of the development of the nursing profession and issues related to the role of the Associate Degree Nurse. This course will assist you in developing an awareness of the current trends in nursing, as well as the ethical and legal concerns of the profession, the role of professional organizations and the need for continuing education in Nursing. In addition, you will learn how to apply for licensure to practice professional nursing.

Issues related to the nursing topics presented in this course will be explored via class discussions using a reflective approach. It is hoped that these discussions will facilitate greater awareness and understanding of these critical topics. You will also complete a minimum of five (5) hours of community service.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Describe key events and/or elements in the development of nursing.
• List the formal characteristics of a profession and will discuss nursing with regard to these characteristics.
• Distinguish between roles of the Associate Degree Nurse and BSN prepared nurse.
• Describe an associate degree nursing program in terms of educational focus, competencies, functions and roles especially as they relate to changes in health care delivery systems.
• Identify nursing issues such as incompetence and chemical dependency in the work place, and describe possible disciplinary measures.
• Discuss the legal aspects of nursing practice.
• Discuss ethical/bioethical and multi-cultural issues/concerns in nursing practice.
• Develop an awareness of the need for nurses to demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability.
• Identify career choices for the Associate Degree Nurse.
• Discuss the realties of employment in Nursing, i.e., realty shock, and burnout.
• Review the Virginia Nurse Practice Act and identify requirements for licensure for practice.
• Identify professional organizations for and about nursing.
• Discuss the need for continuing education through participation in workshops, conferences, certification and/or obtaining advanced degrees.
• Initiate the internalization of the values and norms of the profession of nursing into the student's own self-concept.
• Develop a commitment to becoming a member of the Nursing profession.
• Develop a personal understanding of service learning through critical reflection.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Zerwekh, JoAnn and Claborn, JoCarol. Nursing Today . 3 rd Ed. . Philadelphia, 2000: W. B. Saunders Co.

  OR

• Tappen, Ruth., Weiss, Sally, & Whiteahd, Diane. (2004). Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management. 3rd Ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Your course grade will be determined by the assignments and exams, according to the following points:

There is one online exam. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : wdooley@nvcc.edu,
Telephone : ( 703) 822-6583

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.