Course Description
In this course, students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills for respectful, compassionate and ethical relational nursing practice, the foundation for health promotion. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between health as a socio-environmental construct and the importance of nurses being responsive to the uniqueness of people and their contexts. In addition, students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for effective participation in learning groups.
Course Content
In this course, establishing a relational nursing practice is the focus of discussion. Concepts and essential content that will be addressed relative to these topics are listed below. In addition, the core curriculum concepts are integrated into this course.
Relational theories
- Socio-environmental perspective
- Pragmatic perspective
- Multiple ways of knowing in relational practice
Relational capacities
- Authenticity
- Intentionality
- Mutuality
- Reciprocity
- Othering
Promoting and constraining factors associated with relational practice
- Trust
- Compassion
- Structural
- Personal
Relationship building processes
- Respect
- Genuineness
- Empathy
- Self-disclosure
- Relational power
- Therapeutic nurse-client relationships
Communication
- Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
- Interviewing techniques
- Nonviolent communication (e.g. promoting civility)
Self-awareness
- Identity
- Perception
- Values and beliefs
- Emotions
- Reflective practice
Self-care
Partnerships
- Reciprocal
- Evolving
- Group process
- Forming learning groups
- Conflict resolution models
Diversity and context
- Personal
- Socioeconomic
- Spiritual
- Cultural
- Political
- Historical
- Uniqueness of persons
Ethics of care
Learning Activities
It is the intent of faculty to facilitate student learning, and promote critical inquiry, reflection and analytical reasoning through a variety of learning processes such as role-play and interaction analysis, client care studies, and reflective exercises.
Means of Assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. A course evaluation schedule and other course evaluation information are provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester. This is a graded course.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, successful students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the understanding that relational practice is a respectful, compassionate, and ethical partnership between the client and nurse and that this partnership is the basis for health promoting nursing practice.
- Use multiple forms of knowledge to inform relational practice.
- Identify the effects of their values, beliefs and attitudes on relationships with others and apply this understanding in building effective relationships with clients and in learning groups.
- Relate with others in ways that reflect an understanding of relational power.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with therapeutic relationships and effective interpersonal communication with clients, with an emphasis on adults and older adults.
- Demonstrate the understanding that honoring diversity requires the nurse to understand the uniqueness of clients who affect and are affected by their environments.
- Reflect on interactions with others to develop a deeper understanding of self, others and relationships, and to further develop relational capacities.
- Demonstrate an understanding of factors that promote or constrain relational practice.
- Apply knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with relational practice in client care simulations.
- Develop a plan for self care, to promote and maintain fitness to practice.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.