In this course the student explores community health policy and the processes of community health education and health policy development. The student examines ethical considerations, the political process and legislative concepts and processes including nursing's role in affecting policy. The student is encouraged to apply critical thinking, make independent decisions, and relate sociopolitical theories to collaboration with other professionals, families and community groups. In this course the focus for nursing is upon competency in assessment and meeting the needs of the individuals and families in the community setting. The community as a client system and participant in health care receives emphasis.
Emphasis is upon meeting the needs of the client for health promotion, attainment and maintenance.
The student assumes the roles of caregiver and teacher in acting as a community resource for the improvement of nursing and health care. Basic students will have a clinical experience with acutely ill children to complement their learning in the NSG 4192, Child Health Nursing course. Theoretical aspects of leadership and management in nursing are approached through the role of the nurse as a leader which encompasses the behaviors of care coordinator and change agent. Content focus is on internal and external restrictions of organizational structure and upon the strengths provided by that structure for clinical practice by the nurse generalist. Concepts of law and legal implications in professional nursing are examined.