The NLN Core Components and Competencies and the Butler Learning PACT skills provide the outcomes of the Department of Nursing's organizing framework. Client needs from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) organize the content within the framework. There are 4 categories of client needs:
Client Need |
Definition |
Safe and Effective Care Environment
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The nurse promotes achievement of client outcomes by providing and directing nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting in order to protect clients, family / significant others and health care professionals.
This client need includes 2 subcategories:
- Management of care
The nurse provides and directs nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting to protect clients family / significant others and health care professionals.
- Safety and infection control
The nurse protect clients, family / significant others and health care professionals from health and environmental hazards.
|
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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The nurse provides and directs nursing care of client, family / significant others that incorporates knowledge of expected growth and development principles; prevention and/or early detection of health problems; and strategies to achieve optimal health.
|
Psychosocial Integrity
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The nurse provides and directs nursing care that supports and promotes the emotional, mental and social well being of the client, family / significant others experiencing stressful events, as well as clients with acute or chronic mental illness.
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Physiological Integrity
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This client need includes 4 subcategories:
- Basic care and comfort
The nurse provides comfort and assistance in the performance of activities of daily living.
- Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
The nurse provides care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies.
- Reduction of risk potential
The nurse reduces the likelihood the clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing conditions, treatments or procedures.
- Physiological adaptation
The nurse manages and provides care for clients with acute, chronic or life threatening physical health conditions.
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Client needs are also how the content on the National Licensure exam for professional nurses is organized.
ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Behaviors
Integrated throughout the nursing courses are the American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice and the Standards of Professional Performance. "The six Standards of Practice describe a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the critical thinking model known as the nursing process. The nursing process includes the components of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation and evaluation. The nursing process encompasses all significant actions taken by registered nurses and forms the foundation of the nurse's decision-making. " (ANA, Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004, page 4)
The nine Standards of Professional Performance describe a competent level of behavior in the professional role - including activities related to quality of practice, education, professional practice evaluation, collegiality, collaboration, ethics, research, resource utilization, and leadership. All registered nurses are expected to engage in professional role activities, including leadership, appropriate to their education and position. " (ANA, Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004, page 4)
Wellness - Illness Continuum
The first course in the nursing program focuses on the concept of health promotion / health maintenance and simple altered health states in the adult and older adult. The second nursing course focuses on the same concepts but the clients change to children, mothers and families.
The third course moves to high acuity medical - surgical and mental health altered health states in the adult and older adult. The final nursing course explores chronic or progressive irreversible altered health states in the older adult.
The organizing framework moves the curriculum from the simple to complex altered health states of clients.
General Education Courses
These general education courses, also known as support courses, provide foundation content that is necessary for the success of the nursing student. Examples of these courses are English and Anatomy and Physiology.
Community / Stakeholders
The area outside the oval represents those agencies, individuals, communities and influencing factors on the organizing framework.
The Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) is the regulatory agency for nursing. In addition to granting licensure to practical and professional nurses, it also oversees the schools of nursing in the state of Kansas. The Kansas Nurse Practice Act states what the requirements are for accredited nursing programs including curriculum guidelines, faculty qualifications, clinical resources, educational resources and student policies. Changes in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act influence the curriculum of the school.
The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) is a national organization who is responsible for accrediting nursing education programs. Butler Community College is accredited by NLNAC and will be going through the reaccreditation process in spring 2008. "Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. " (NLNAC website)
Clinical agencies provide feedback through Advisory Council meetings about changing health care needs and the educational needs of professional nurses. This feedback assists the department of nursing to keep the curricular content current and to better prepare our graduates for the workplace.
The Department of Nursing makes a commitment to be aware of community health care needs and trends. As the community's needs change, our organizing framework adapts as well.
Summary
The Butler Department of Nursing organizing framework terminology is evident in all nursing classes. The four nursing courses implement the ANA Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance, with content leveled using Client Needs. These nursing courses are designed for the student to achieve learning outcomes which demonstrate achievement of the NLN Core Components and Competencies as well as document specific Butler Learning PACT skills.
Return to Student Handbook Index
Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008
Return to Student Handbook Index
Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008