UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON
School of Nursing

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course: Nursing 389, Family Health Nursing
Credit Hours: 4 Semester Hours
Time Allocation: 4 Lecture Hours per Week
Placement: Fall Semester
Prerequisites: NSG 215
Corequisite: NSGL 389
Course Description: A course for registered nurses which focuses on use of the nursing process with families in all phases of the life cycle. It incorporates communication patterns, family development and the professionalnurse's role in primary and secondary prevention. A clinical framework is developed from relevant theories and research. Nursing roles of care provider, coordinator, client teacher and advocate are explored. Responsibility and accountability for interactions with families are emphasized as the need for change within family and health care delivery systems is identified.


Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student will: 		RN Level Objective:
1. Distinguish factors in family assessment. 1, 2, 3
2. Examine health needs of families related to stage of the family life cycle. 1, 4, 10, 11
3. Assess the need for change within family systems, respecting the right to choose. 11, 13, 14
4. Analyze communication patterns in families. 1, 2, 5
5. Evaluate own communication relative to the process of collaborating with others. 1, 5
6. Explore the role of the professional nurse in primary and secondary prevention with families. 1, 4, 6, 15
7. Determine interventions, including teaching, needed by families relative to primary and secondary prevention. 3, 6
8. Formulate a clinical framework for primary and secondary prevention. 1, 2, 3
9. Examine ethical dilemmas for family and nurse encountered in primary and secondary prevention. 1, 2, 3
10. Establish the client advocacy role of the professional nurse in primary and secondary prevention with families. 4, 7, 8
11. Examine factors affecting change in delivery of primary and secondary prevention measures with families. 14, 15
12. Evaluate own learning activities directed toward meeting self-identified learning needs. 9, 13

Units of Instruction

UNIT I. The Nursing Process in Family Nursing Related to Course Objective
1. Examine concepts used in family nursing. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11
2. Assess structure and function of families. 1, 4, 5
3. Explore ways nursing concepts can be used to influence family function. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14
4. Evaluate the impact of values held by nurses and families on family nursing. 4, 9, 12
5. Relate a nursing classification or vocabulary sytem to family care. 1, 2, 6, 7, 12
6. Apply a clinical framework to family nursing. 8
7. Examine family dilemmas occurring in family nursing. 9, 13, 14
UNIT II. Conceptual Frameworks in Family Nursing Related to Course Objective
1. Develop a clinical framework for family nursing. 5, 6, 8, 11, 12
2. Compare prevention and health promotion approaches to family nursing. 2, 7, 11
3. Evaluate the effect of culture, ethnicity, and beliefs on family function. 1, 4, 9
4. Use role theory to explain family communication patterns and social interaction. 1, 2, 4, 5
5. Evaluate the impact of family development on family function. 2, 3, 10, 11
6. Determine coping mechanisms families use for managing stress and crisis. 1, 2, 4, 7
UNIT III. Issues in Family Nursing Related to Course Objective
1. Explore family nursing with families vulnerable to abuse or addictive behaviors. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
2. Evaluate the contribution of spirituality to family life. 1, 3, 4, 7
3. Classify nursing involvement with family health policy. 5, 10, 11, 12

Teaching Methods:

Class Format

Time allocation for classroom activities generally will be as follows:

Time Learning Activity
5:00 - 6:30 Lecture/Discussion
6:30 - 6:45 Break
6:45 - 7:30 Assigned Reading Discussion
Group Work
7:45 - 9:00 Student Presentations/Family Nursing Practice Discussions

Evaluation

Activity Grade Allocation
Mid-Term Examination 30 points
Final Examination 30 points
Class Presentations
  • Faculty and Peer Evaluation (10)
  • Submit Peer Grade (5)
 15 points
Term Family Project
  • Oral Presentation (5)
  • Written Report (20)
25 points
TOTAL 100 points

Grading Scale

See Student Handbook.
In order to progress in the nursing concentration, a student must receive a grade of "C" or above in each nursing course.

Attendance

Class attendance is mandatory. Absences from class may result in a failing grade.

Required Textbooks:

Bomar, P. (1996). NURSES AND FAMILY HEALTH PROMOTION: CONCEPTS, ASSSESSMENT, AND INTERVENTIONS. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Wright, L.M. & Leahey, M. (1994). NURSES AND FAMILIES: A GUIDE TO FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Reserve Textbook:

Stanhope, M. and Lancaster, J. (eds.). COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING: PROCESS AND PRACTICE FOR PROMOTING HEALTH. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book

Return to NSG 389 Homepage

last updated: 18 August 1997