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University of Arkansas
College of Education and Health Professions
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing

COURSE # AND TITLE: NURS 5003 Theoretical Foundations in Nursing

CREDIT HOURS: 3 Credit hours

FACULTY:
Martha Butler, PhD, RN
Martha.Butler@sckans.edu
(620)229-6306 (Office)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course utilizes the critical reasoning process to examine the element of nursing knowledge. Emphasis is placed on concept analysis and the evaluation of nursing theories. Identification of the links between theory and empirical indicators is examined. The clinical relevance of mid-range and practice theories is explored.

CO-REQUISITES: None.

PRE-REQUISITES: Admission to the graduate program or by permission of the instructor.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Discuss the basic elements of theory and the theory development process.

  1. Discuss the basic elements of theory and the theory development process.
  2. Analyze the current structure of nursing knowledge.
  3. Differentiate between borrowed and shared theory in nursing.
  4. Use critical thinking skills to analyze selected concepts relevant to the discipline of nursing.
  5. Explain linkages among theory, research, and clinical or functional practice.
  6. Analyze and evaluate selected theories that can be used in nursing research and advanced nursing practice.
  7. Apply a selected mid-range or practice theory to an identified clinical problem experienced by individuals or groups.

TEACHING METHODS:
Assigned readings, interactive class discussions, written/technological communication activities, and exercises in critical thinking.

EVALUATION METHODS:

  1. Introductory Assignment, including Scavenger Hunt (10 pts)
  2. Concept Analysis (100 pts)
  3. Theory Presentations (2 @ 150 pts ea. - 1 Nursing Theory and 1 Mid-Range Theory)
  4. Philosophy of Nursing (150 pts)
  5. Theory Analysis and Evaluation Term Paper (200 pts)
  6. Discussion Board Responses (14 wks @ 20 pts ea)
  7. Final Exam (200 pts)

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 1240 pts

*Students will be responsible for presenting On-line one (1) Nursing Theory (NT) and (1) Mid-Range theory (MRT). Each student will select from a list provided at the beginning of the semester which NT and MRT they would like to present.

GRADING SCALE:

A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= <60%

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Grades and degrees earned by dishonest means devalue those earned by all students. Academic dishonesty involves acts that may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process. The University of Arkansas Academic Honesty Policy, as stated in the current University of Arkansas Catalog of Studies, will be fully adhered to in this course.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

American Psyhological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.).

Fitzpatrick, J. & Whall, A. (2005). Conceptual Models of Nursing: Analysis and Application (4th ed.). Pearson-Prentice Hall: New Jersey.

Peterson, S. & Bredow, T. (2009). Middle Range Theories: Application to Nursing Research (2nd ed). Lippincott, Williams, and Williams: New York.

CONTENT OUTLINE:

Conceptualization

Nature of Knowledge for Nursing Practice
Philosophies, Models and Theories In Nursing Practice

Application

Nursing Philosophies
Nursing Models
Middle Range Theories
Practice Theories

Evaluation

Areas for Further Development of Theory
Based Nursing Practice
Future Directions of Theory Based Practice

REFERENCES:

Books:

Blegan, M., & Tripp-Reimer, T. (1997). Implications of nursing taxonomies for mid-range theory development. Advances in Nursing Science. 19(3): 37-49.

Fawcett, J. (1999). The Relationship of Theory and Research (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Fawcett, J. (2000). Analysis and Evaluation of Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Nursing Models and Theories. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Hardy, M. (1974). Theories: Components, development, evaluation. Nursing Research. 23(2): 100-107.

Parker, M. E. (2000). Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice. Philadelphia: FA Davis.

Tomey, A. M., & Alligood, M. R. (Eds). (2002). Nursing Theorists and Their Work (5th ed). St. Louis: Mosby.

Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (1993). Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (3rd ed.). Norwalk , CT : Appleton & Lange.

Young A., Taylor S. G., Renpenning, K. (2001).Connections: Nursing Research, Theory and Parctice. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.

Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-Directed Nursing Practice (2nd. Ed.). Springer Publishing Co.; New York.

Internet Links:

Some of these sites are described in your text (Peterson and Bredow)

Clayton College and State University Department of Nursing: Nursing Theory Link Page

Formulating Nursing Theory

Health Science Resource Library

The Nursing Theory Page - University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing

Nursing Theory - Nursing Theory Network