Course Title: Philosophic Inquiry in Nursing

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Philosophic Inquiry in Nursing

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

NURS1093

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010

NURS2095

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Alistair Ross

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6634

Course Coordinator Email: Alistair.Ross@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bldg.201.7.06

Course Coordinator Availability: Mondays and Tuesdays


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Registration as a Division 1 nurse


Course Description

This course introduces the student to an examination of philosophical thought and the development of scientific knowledge underpinning the discipline of nursing. Students will be invited to engage in scholarly debate pertaining to evolving paradigms, shifting currents in philosophical thought and, theory development integral to the ongoing quest for clarity about the essential nature of contemporary nursing education, practice and research.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The dimensions of capability developed in the course are:
C2. Analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge and application to practice
C3. Advanced knowledge in specialised area
C4. Professional responsibility and accountability to make ethical decisions
C8. Engaging in reflective practice and professional development of self and others



At the completion of the course you should be able to:

  • Examine the fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing
  • Explore critically philosophy as a knowledge base for informing the practice of professional nursing.
  • Examine critically paradigm shifts and changing philosophical dimensions of nursing practice over time
  • Analyse critically the place of nursing theory in contemporary nursing education, practice, and research.
  • Critique contemporary philosophical viewpoints about the nature of nursing practice.
  • Apply lateral and critical thinking processes of problem-solving in professional nursing practice.
  • Review assumptions and prejudices implicit in taking a philosophical stance in relation to the impact on professional development and emerging patterns of practice
  • Examine critically one’s personal philosophical stance in relation to professional nursing education, practice and research.

The underpinning knowledge and skill developed in the Fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing

  • Philosophy as a knowledge base for informing the practice of profession of nursing.
  • Paradigm shifts and changing philosophical dimensions of nursing practice over time
  • The place of nursing theory in contemporary nursing education, practice, and research.
  • Contemporary philosophical viewpoints about the nature of nursing practice
  • The use of lateral and critical thinking processes of problem-solving in professional nursing practice.
  • Assumptions and prejudices implicit in taking a philosophical stance in relation to the impact on professional development and emerging patterns of practice
  • Reflection on own philosophical stance in relation to professional nursing education, practice and research


Overview of Learning Activities

  • Lectures
  • Class discussion, references 


Overview of Learning Resources

  • Lecture notes
  • Course reading
  • Guided discussions 


Overview of Assessment

Summative:
Assignment