Nursing Art & Science: Vulnerable Populations

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
NURS 3411
Descriptive
Nursing Art & Science: Vulnerable Populations
Department
Nursing
Faculty
Health Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
202220
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
36
Contact Hours
4 hours/week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Seminar
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 lecture, group discussion, debate, client-based scenarios, and use of electronic resources.

Course Description
In this course, a population health approach is taken in addressing the nursing care of vulnerable populations. This includes persons with common, predictable and emerging mental health issues and substance use disorders. Students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable them to engage respectfully with clients and provide safe, competent, compassionate and holistic nursing care in mental health and community settings.
Course Content

In this course, a population health approach is taken in addressing vulnerable populations including those with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. In addition, vulnerable populations’ lived experiences of health, healing, health promotion and prevention are emphasized.  Concepts and essential content that will be addressed relative to these topics are listed below.  In addition, the core curriculum concepts are integrated in this course. 

Community health and population health

  • Application of principles of population health in nursing practice
  • Application of nursing practice initiatives to achieve a healthy society

Mental health initiatives

  • Provincial
  • National
  • Global

Vulnerability

  • Advocacy
  • Marginalization
  • Stigma
  • Discrimination
  • Cultural competence
  • Cultural humility
  • Cultural safety
  • Inclusiveness
  • Respect
  • Recovery
  • Hope
  • Resilience
  • Health literacy
  • E-health literacy
  • Epigenetics

Vulnerable populations

  • Mental health challenges (chronic/persistent and acute)
  • Substance use disorders
  • Harm reduction
  • Homelessness
  • Poverty
  • First Nations people
  • Sexual orientation, sexual identity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Violence and abuse
  • Refugees and immigrants

Nurse’s role

  • Prevention
  • Health maintenance
  • Living with health challenges
  • Recovery
  • Client-centered care  
  • Nursing practice decision-making
  • Trauma informed practice
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, successful students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for safe, competent, compassionate, and holistic care for vulnerable people including those with common, predictable and emerging mental health challenges and substance use disorders, and those in a community context. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to formulate evidence-informed nursing practice decisions through critical inquiry, reflection and analytical reasoningin planning care for vulnerable people in mental health and community settings.
  • Apply previously learned knowledge and integrate new knowledge from a variety of sources to expand their understanding of peoples’ experiences of vulnerability.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of their role as a member of an inter-professional team working with vulnerable individuals, families, groups and communities.
  • Critically reflect on public mental health policy and population health issues and trends, and consider the implications for nursing practice.
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. 

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. 

Prerequisites

NURS 3311 AND NURS 3312 AND NURS 3313 AND NURS 3315 AND NURS 3316

Students in the BSN program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites
Which Prerequisite