NMHS43260 Nursing Knowledge: Philosophy & Practice

Academic Year 2022/2023

Within this module students explore the distinctive knowledge that underpins nursing as a professional practice discipline. Students analyse and critique various patterns/types of nursing knowledge, including their evolution and philosophical foundations, in order to explicate the relationship between professional practice knowledge and disciplinary knowledge and the inter-relationship between philosophy, science and practice. Key contemporary issues, future developments and contextual forces and constraints that impact the range and depth of nursing knowledge are explored. Having a critical understanding of these issues in addition to understanding how knowledge evolves and is accepted within the profession and discipline of nursing is essential to enable nurses, whether engaged in clinical practice, education, administration or research to value, articulate, utilise and contribute to the generation of the diverse knowledge types required to meet the social mandate of the nursing profession. It ensures society benefits from the profession's unique contribution to promoting and protecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations.

This module is offered in a blended format combining two on-campus sessions with the convenience and flexibility of online learning using virtual live classes and asynchronous lectures. There is a clear emphasis on student centred learning. Students are required to be active self-motivated learners, who engage in self-directed online learning activities.

To successfully complete this module students need access to a computer with a broadband connection and need to have good IT skills (i.e. an ability to browse the internet, use email and use word processing applications).

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:
-Critically discuss the concept of nursing knowledge in the context of nursing, a professional practice discipline.
-Critically appraise nursing knowledge patterns/types, including their philosophical foundations (ontological, epistemological and ethical nature).
-Critically appraise the assumptions, propositions and domain concepts of nursing's conceptual models, frameworks, theories and nursing's distinctive contribution to patient-centred quality care/outcomes.
-Critically appraise nursing knowledge in relation to the on-going development of nursing as a distinctive professional practice discipline with emerging nursing specialties.
-Critically evaluate nursing knowledge in the context of nurses' roles in multidisciplinary teams within health care systems.

Indicative Module Content:

Professional and Discipline criteria
Philosophy (Epistemology Ontology)
Nursing Knowledge types/patterns
Theory development and Structure
Nursing models (exemplar Careful Nursing)
Nursing language
Clinical Decision Making
Digital Nursing
Person Centred Cultures
Health Systems
Specialist and Advanced Nursing

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6

Specified Learning Activities

100

Autonomous Student Learning

67

Online Learning

27

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Interactive online lectures, reflective learning, directed reading and activities, critical writing, peer discussions 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Completion of UCD level 3 modules or equivalent.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Online MCQ questions. The MCQ questions will cover the content covered in weeks 1-6 as outlined by the module co-ordinator. Unspecified n/a Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No

20

Essay: The essay will enable students to reflect on, explore and critique the foundations of Nursing knowledge within their nursing practice. Week 11 n/a Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No

80


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

MCQ. Individual student feedback (provisional grade) for the MCQ will be provided via Brightspace within 4 weeks of the exam. Essay. Individual student feedback, including the provisional grade, for the essay is provided in early-to-mid January via Brightspace. Group/class feedback will also be sent to the student cohort via email in mid-to-late January. Students who want to avail of further feedback can contact the module coordinator.

Name Role
Dr Aoife Claire MacCormac Lecturer / Co-Lecturer