The course provides an overview of professional nursing with a focus on reflective thinking. A synthesis of current and projected trends in nursing practice and education, with an introduction to topics on ethical, social, and legislative issues, are explored. This course is divided into five modules: nursing as a career, nursing as a profession, nursing as art and science, nursing as communication, and nursing and relationship-centered care.

The course focuses on the translation of current evidence into nursing practice through the identification of practice issues, appraisal and application of evidence, and the evaluation of outcomes. Development of evidence is examined using the research process. Concepts explored include research ethics and legal precepts, clinical judgment in knowledge development and application, and the integration of client values and preferences. Students learn to use reliable evidence to inform practice and make clinical judgments to promote nursing best practice.

The two semester course advances knowledge of human physiology and the pathopsychological variations in selected global disease states in adults and children. Students explore how the human body uses its adaptive powers to maintain a steady state and how alterations affect normal processes. Pharmacological agents used on theses alterations are examined.

The course emphasizes human development, interaction and learning across the lifespan as essential to safe, effective relationship-centered care. An exploration of selected theoretical perspectives on human development, education and learning and group development prepares students to engage in professional practice.