Teaching - Learning
Teaching – learning is a dynamic process by which the teacher promotes active student involvement in the learning process by acting as a facilitator, focusing on individual student learning styles and diverse needs. Effective teachers empower learners to think critically, communicate effectively in speaking, writing, and interaction with others, as well as reflect on their own learning to make it more meaningful.
Learning is a life-long process. Due to the generation of new knowledge that keeps health care content ever changing, learning experiences must focus on developing student abilities to be self-directed in gathering, analyzing and integrating new knowledge into their existing knowledge base. This will enable them to develop creative and innovative solutions to intellectual and clinical problems.
Therapeutic Interventions
Therapeutic interventions are the skills and techniques used by nurses to implement the plan of care developed in the nursing process. These skills and techniques help clients achieve the desired outcomes.
Culture
Culture refers to one’s values, beliefs, norms, and practices of these systems in one’s life. Cultural awareness or knowing about the similarities and differences among cultures helps to end prejudice and discrimination. Nurses must provide culturally competent care, appreciating the diversity and adapting care to fit the cultural context of the client
Standards of Practice
Standards of practice are formal statements by a profession related to quality of care and accountability of its practitioners. Evidence based practice is essential for quality nursing care.
Ethical and Legal Principles
Nurses routinely practice using the beliefs and values inherent in professional nursing. Ethical decision making is guided by the Nurse’s Code of Ethics, while the Nurse Practice Act and governing laws provide rules of conduct and regulations to guide the nurse legally.
Nursing Process
Nursing process is a specific problem-solving method nurses use for decision-making. It is comprised of five (5) specific steps:
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Planning
- Implementation using therapeutic interventions
- Evaluation
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a purposeful process that enables a nurse to interpret, clarify and analyze nursing problems, as well as generate multiple therapeutic solutions, evaluating the merits and shortcomings of each. In this process, one monitors and reflects on his/her own thinking and learning.
Therapeutic Communication
Therapeutic communication is an art in which nurses use interpersonal skills to help clients communicate their thoughts and feelings while displaying non-judgmental acceptance that promotes trust, an essential element to the therapeutic nurse-client relationship. Communication techniques, self-awareness and collaborative skills are essential components of therapeutic communication.
Caring and Client Advocacy
Caring is an art in which the nurse watches over, attends to, and provides for the needs of clients. Essential to caring is an attitude of respect, empathy, and nurturing. Client advocacy is acting in the best interest of the client. Nurses must advocate for clients who are unable to do so for themselves.
Leadership and Management
Leadership is a role and a process in which the nurse involves others in their plan for action. The leader must use the skills of facilitation, coordination, communication and mentoring to get others to work more effectively. Management regulates care and resources through planning, organizing, directing, delegating, coordinating, and controlling.
Essential Functions
Graduates of the Practical Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, and Medical Assisting programs must have the essential skills and knowledge to function in a broad variety of healthcare settings and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning.