Nursing Art & Science: Vulnerable Populations
Curriculum guideline
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.
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
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.
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.
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.