Design the Ideal Nurse

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We had a thread recently about what ADN grads could do vs BSN grads. Let's change course and knowing what we know about today's workplace, design the ideal entry level RN. First, I found the below blurb from the NLN interesting:

History of the National League for Nursing (NLN)

Supporting Nursing Education for over a Century

1893 - The American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses is created. This is the first organization for nursing in the United States of America. The society is formed for "the establishment and maintenance of a universal standard of training" for nursing. Ever since that remarkable stroke of courage and spirit over 100 years ago, the National League for Nursing has continued to be the leading professional association for nursing education.

http://www.nln.org/aboutnln/info-history.htm

Looks like this is something that has been going on for a while!!

This is free-style so just start throwing out what you think re nursing education, general education, length of program, clinical, skills, types of tests, etc.. Then, when we're finished, someone will compile it all together. Not me...I'm just getting the ball rolling. Maybe we can do it in less than 100 years!

To help, I've listed program info from NSU school of nursing in Louisiana because it has ADN, BSN, and MSN programs. I've included info from the Baton Rouge Hospital School of Nursing, also in Louisiana. You can list info from each, for ex., if you think something from the MSN program needs to be taught for entry level education, put it in. If you think something from other fields needs to be included, do so. If someone has a brief blurb about diploma and BSN history, please put it in. My books are packed in preparation for a move next week and this computer at work is so slow, I can't stand it!.

Associate Degree in Nursing

A two-year technical degree nursing education program that prepares graduates for basic nursing care in hospitals and long term care settings. Four semesters of clinical are offered at Shreveport and Leesville.

Purpose

The purpose of the Associate Degree program is to provide education experiences and opportunities, which enable persons to practice nursing within the identified roles of the associate degree nurse. General academic courses in English, Mathematics, Social and Natural Sciences provide the foundation for the nursing courses. Upon completion of the course of study, the graduate is eligible to write the National Council for Licensure Exam for R.N. (NCLEX-RN).

Program Objectives

Graduates of the Associate Degree Program of the College of Nursing will be prepared to:

1. Provide nursing care founded upon selected scientific principles utilizing the nursing process.

2. Assist clients to achieve dynamic equilibrium by facilitating the satisfaction of needs.

3. Communicate effectively with clients, their significant others, health care team members and citizen groups to promote, maintain and restore health.

4. Teach clients and/or significant others who need information or support for health.

5. Manage selected aspects of nursing care for a group of clients with clearly defined health problems.

6. Demonstrate accountability for actions as members of the nursing profession and expand individual knowledge and skills through avenues of continuing education.

History

Developed by Mildred Montag from her doctoral thesis, The Education of Nursing Technicians. Started at Columbia University, Teachers College in 1952.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A four-year professional nursing education program that includes liberal arts education preparing graduates for beginning nursing practice in a wide variety of settings including acute and long term care, community and school health and critical care. After three semesters of academic courses and acceptance into clinical courses, students must complete five semesters of clinical courses on the Shreveport campus.

Purpose

The role of the beginning professional nurse continues to encompass three broad areas.

1. Provider of direct and indirect care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.

2. Designer, manager, and coordinator of care.

3. Member of a profession.

Program Objectives

To implement the role of the beginning professional nurse which includes providing care for individuals, families, groups, and communities the graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate theory from nursing, the arts, humanities, and sciences to provide culturally sensitive care in the global community.

2. Apply the nursing process using critical thinking, communication, assessment, and technical skills.

3.Collaborate with clients and other members of the interdisciplinary health care team for health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, disease management, and health restoration.

4. Utilize information and health care technologies in nursing practice.

5. Integrate research findings to promote evidence based nursing practice.

6. Incorporate knowledge of economic, legal, ethical, and political factors influencing health care systems and policy to advocate for recipients of nursing care.

7. Apply principles of leadership to design, manage, coordinate, and evaluate health care delivery.

8. Demonstrate professional nursing standards, values, and accountability.

9. Assume responsibility for professional development and lifelong learning.

Master of Science in Nursing

This program provides the student with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge, intellectual skills and clinical competence necessary for the role of the advanced practice nurse. Areas of concentration include: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult Nursing Critical Care Nursing of the Adult, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Maternal-Child Nursing, Mental Health-Psychiatric Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).

Master's Curriculum Purpose

The Graduate Studies and Research in Nursing Program's purpose is: to provide learning opportunities for development of knowledge, intellectual skills, and clinical competence necessary to fulfillment of the role for the practice of advanced nursing, to provide learning opportunities for the development of skills and knowledge to function as an educator, an administrator, a clinical nurse specialist, or a nurse practitioner and to furnish a foundation for doctoral study

Program Objectives

1. Practice nursing utilizing advanced knowledge and skills as evidenced by scientific thinking in the use of theoretical formulations in the design of nursing interventions, and self-direction in the exercise of leadership involving health care problems.

2. Consider cultural diversity of clients and practice within ethical principles and standards.

3. Function as an advanced practitioner of nursing with people of all ages and their families, utilizing critical decision making, logical thinking and reasoning through advanced knowledge, skills and clinical application.

4. Demonstrate independent-thought and action, professional autonomy, and effective communication in collegial and collaborative relationships with peers and with members of allied disciplines.

5. Function independently in providing nursing care and interdependently with other health professionals in the coordination and delivery of health care to individuals, families and communities.

6. Implement effective strategies for management and utilization of health information to improve quality of care, contribute to the development of nursing knowledge, and facilitate interdisciplinary communication in support of the business of health care delivery.

7. Implement the research process within the context of Evidence-Based Practice as a producer and consumer of research evidence to contribute to nursing theory and improve nursing practice.

8. Analyze the needs of health care delivery systems at the national, state, and local level, and evaluate and/or prescribe nursing's present and emerging role in these systems.

9 Function as a consumer advocate in the delivery of health care by utilizing knowledge of the sociocultural, economic, and political forces which influence the health of humankind.

10. Analyze strategies to effect change relevant to the nursing profession and the health of humankind for the betterment of health care and the improvement of nursing education and nursing practice at the local, state, and national level.

11. Utilize knowledge of organizational behavior and role theory for the delineation and development of a functional role consonant with individual career goals.

12. Implement professional standards of practice by serving as a role model in the demonstration of responsibility and accountability to clients, to the nursing profession, and to society.

13. Continue learning through further graduate study and/or other avenues for post master's education.

BATON ROUGE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER SCHOOL OF NURSING

The mission of the school of nursing is to prepare registered nurses for entry-level practice. The nursing program will prepare the graduate to practice nursing safely and effectively as a novice in a generalist setting. The graduate nurse accepts responsibility for continuing the process of personal and professional growth in the advancement from novice to expert. Faculty members expect the graduate to serve as a positive role model in the practice setting by promoting principles of heathful living and participating in the process of bring healing to the sick. The program provides graduates with a foundation to accept responsibility to develop and maintain their expertise in practice and accountability to the public.

i surely hope you jest about holding a candle to his 'zen level' of nsg.

Thanks registered nut. I'm still looking for that CD....

I have been "around the horn" once or twice and usually feel good about the nursing care I provide. I have missed a few along the way...seldom happened again. I guess my education continues.

i surely hope you jest about holding a candle to his 'zen level' of nsg.

as i read his responses, i am masochistically amused at consistent elements of human interaction that he just never seems to learn....despite his advanced education. as i've said before, some things just can't be taught. :rolleyes:

Would you elaborate till I get it? Advanced education? I don't have a Ph.D. and never will till they come out with one in liberal arts. :rotfl: You might want to learn about Zen...or practice it before you talk about "Zen Levels."

Would you elaborate till I get it? Advanced education? I don't have a Ph.D. and never will till they come out with one in liberal arts. :rotfl: You might want to learn about Zen...or practice it before you talk about "Zen Levels."

sorry randy but i choose not to elaborate as i'd be expending way too many negative energies. it's not your fault. there are just certain things that you fail to learn in spite of repetitious feedback from various people.

fyi, i was not talking about the zen level but merely referencing it. peace.

btw, aren't all nursing programs accredited by the NLN or some organization like that? I might be wrong on the organization, but the group that does the accrediting sets the standards, right? and those aren't different between ADN and BSN schools.. are they?

Don't you hate it when a nursing instructor tell you to "go look it up." Go fish for yourself!

come on randy. i think you just love a good debate, don't you?

Never took a debate class, but did have speech. But, unlike some of the lurkers, I can take a stand for our profession. Give me credit for that. Why don't you make a list of what's wrong with the profession and I'll tell you which ones are still present since I've been in the business (1970)!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
Don't you hate it when a nursing instructor tell you to "go look it up." Go fish for yourself!

Never took a debate class, but did have speech. But, unlike some of the lurkers, I can take a stand for our profession. Give me credit for that. Why don't you make a list of what's wrong with the profession and I'll tell you which ones are still present since I've been in the business (1970)!

oh, darn. i always figured you were also a master debater as well. :chuckle

www.nlnac.org

sorry randy but i choose not to elaborate as i'd be expending way too many negative energies. it's not your fault. there are just certain things that you fail to learn in spite of repetitious feedback from various people.

You talking about the feedback I get from those who don't get it?

oh, darn. i always figured you were also a master debater as well. :chuckle

Master debater?

No, but you go ahead!

I really don't consider myself a master of anything now, just a generalist.

Hated losing to LSU in the Sugar Bowl. Loved the Tiger fans passion for the game. They were more impressive in the stands than the team on the field.

Randy, you gained ground...must not be all bad.

It just dawned on me what I am doing at 0200...Getting ready for my next PALS class. The second I was able, I took ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC...I am not saying that is the reason it took me a while to go back for my BSN but I felt it was priorty. I now instruct all but the TNCC course. Teach all disciplines: MD, DO, MS, BSN, ADN, LPN, RT, EMT, ANP, PA...I have yet to have a physician or anyone with a higher education than mine say they would feel better if I had my MS...

When we went to our first PALS provider class in, one of the instructors asked us where we were from and what type of NICU/PICU we had. We told her we were from a smaller rural hospital...She immediately asked why we needed PALS!!!! And yes she was serious. It is that same short sighted, narrow minded approach that I perceive in this thread.

Damn, where is that CD

Hated losing to LSU in the Sugar Bowl. Loved the Tiger fans passion for the game. They were more impressive in the stands than the team on the field.

Randy, you gained ground...must not be all bad.

I'm really not a bad guy...guess I could get independant confirmation of that if requested!

It just dawned on me what I am doing at 0200...Getting ready for my next PALS class. The second I was able, I took ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC...I am not saying that is the reason it took me a while to go back for my BSN but I felt it was priorty. I now instruct all but the TNCC course. Teach all disciplines: MD, DO, MS, BSN, ADN, LPN, RT, EMT, ANP, PA...I have yet to have a physician or anyone with a higher education than mine say they would feel better if I had my MS...

Oh, heck, my ACLS is coming up soon!

When we went to our first PALS provider class in, one of the instructors asked us where we were from and what type of NICU/PICU we had. We told her we were from a smaller rural hospital...She immediately asked why we needed PALS!!!! And yes she was serious. It is that same short sighted, narrow minded approach that I perceive in this thread.

Do a "Randy" on her...slap her about the head and shoulders and remind her that "all" education comes in handy!

Damn, where is that CD

You left it in your car.

No confirmation needed please.

If you haven't tried it yet...go for the ACLS EP. Great program. I was surprised.

Last time I tried a Randy on someone was when I gained a deeper appreciation for pain management. I needed a bunch.

Looking for a CD....Not in the Car... Still have 8 track there.

No confirmation needed please.

If you haven't tried it yet...go for the ACLS EP. Great program. I was surprised.

I'll check it out.

Last time I tried a Randy on someone was when I gained a deeper appreciation for pain management. I needed a bunch.

Pain is just weakness leaving the body. If you hurt, you know that you are still alive.

Looking for a CD....Not in the Car... Still have 8 track there.

8 track? What are you driving?

Since some of you are asleep at this hour and I would like for you to value the liberal arts (and to decrease your anxiety over spending all that money on them), I will include a few blurbs to help you in designing the ideal nurse.

Princeton University:

"The University requirements for graduation transcend the boundaries of specialization and provide all students with a common language and common skills. It is as important for a student . . . to engage in disciplined reflection on human conduct, character, and ways of life or to develop critical skills through the study of the history, aesthetics, and theory of literature and the arts as it is for a student . . . to understand the rigors of quantitative reasoning and to develop a basic knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of scientific inquiry and technological development."

Jacksonsun.com:

Students who graduate from a liberal arts university are uniquely prepared for the world because of the program of study and strategy in place for preparing them. A true liberal arts education is multi-disciplinary. While non-liberal arts universities focus more on majors, liberal arts students focus on a broad base of subjects within their first two years and then move into classes that help them develop specialized skills. Thus, liberal arts colleges emphasize the types of learning and experience that benefit a student over his or her total lifetime.

While conventional wisdom might suggest that a student is better prepared for the workforce by going to a specialized school, recent surveys of CEO's suggest otherwise. In a Fortune Magazine article entitled "Wanted: Liberal Arts Grads," CEO's who were surveyed said they were looking for graduates whose liberal arts backgrounds helped them to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. These business executives gave preference to liberal arts graduates because of their ability to develop self-discipline, their exposure to diverse ideas, and their global perspective.

In today's world, graduates will find themselves facing not only multiple jobs, but multiple careers in the years ahead. Single-career training is not enough. A liberal arts education is the perfect foundation for today, and the future.

The following is a statement by leaders of Canadian high-technology corporations underscoring the importance of liberal arts education in the digital economy:

Funding of higher education in this country needn't be an either/or proposition between technology or liberal arts and sciences, as public debate suggests.

As leaders of some of Canada's growing high-technology companies, we have first-hand knowledge of the necessity for a balanced approach.

Yes, this country needs more technology graduates, as they fuel the digital economy. But it is impossible to operate an effective corporation in our new economy by employing technology graduates alone. We have an equally strong need for those with a broader background who can work in tandem with technical specialists, helping create and manage the corporate environment.

A liberal arts and science education nurtures skills and talents increasingly valued by modern corporations. Our companies function in a state of constant flux. To prosper we need creative thinkers at all levels of the enterprise who are comfortable dealing with decisions in the bigger context. They must be able to communicate * to reason, create, write and speak * for shared purposes: For hiring, training, managing, marketing, and policy-making. In short, they provide leadership.

For example, many of our technology workers began their higher education in the humanities, and they are clearly the stronger for it. This was time well spent, not squandered. They have increased their value to our companies, our economy, our culture, and themselves, by acquiring the level of cultural and civic literacy that the humanities offer.

We stand with the chancellors of Ontario's universities, who recently stated that funding must "permit universities to manage enrolment demand and maintain a diverse and forward-looking curriculum."

Susanne Hiller, National Post:

The Ph.D. taxi driver is a cliche. Unlike some cliches, it's also false. Those who dismiss a liberal arts degree as a surefire way to a career flipping hamburgers or serving coffee should think again. A study by the University of British Columbia economist Robert Allan shows that engineers and commerce grads may not rule the world after all.

Professor Allan found that graduates of arts, humanities, and social sciences actually have lower unemployment rates than graduates with technical degrees. He based his findings on Statistics Canada figures taken from graduates five years after they left school -- 10% of those who took vocational courses were unemployed, 9% of humanities grads were unemployed, while 6% of social science grads were unemployed. Furthermore, Prof. Allan's research shows that an arts degree is more likely to lead to a managerial position than is a technical degree.

Zenman:

Nursing, as a science, "should" have an "art" component. The person who is skilled in the art of nursing is superior to the technician. One might view that the sciences of medicine and nursing (which are based upon scientific experimentation and research) is flawed, considering that quantum physics has revealed that it is impossible to separate the observer from what is being observed. This leads one to question all research upon which medicine and nursing is founded.

Sweet dreams darlings from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

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