About the Nursing Program

Conceptual Framework

The program design of the curriculum at OC is based on the faculty’s beliefs concerning the client, health, caring, nursing and nursing education.  It is designed to emphasize the individuality of each client and address the changing needs of clients and health care.  These needs are based on physiological, psychological, and spiritual needs of the clients, families and communities.

The primary concepts of the program are the Role of the Nurse as Provider of Care, Coordinator of Care and Member of the Profession.  These concepts are based on the Texas Board of Nursing objectives for graduates.

In the role of the Nurse as Provider of Care, the Nurse is to provide competent and appropriate care to clients in a caring, culturally sensitive and holistic manner.  To prepare students for this role, a strong background in Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Assessment, Microbiology and Nursing Interventions is required, as well as an awareness of the emotional, financial, cultural, and spiritual concerns specific to each client.  After gathering all the needed data, the nurse must assimilate this data using the decision-making skills taught in the program and arrive at appropriate nursing diagnoses, goals and interventions to meet the client’s needs.  After implementing the care, the nurse must evaluate the effectiveness of care and revise it as needed.  To further prepare students, and provide a more realistic experience, students are required to care for multiple clients, as well as learn the delegation of care to other team members.

In the role of Coordinator of Care, the Nurse is to collaborate with and encourage effective communication between clients, families and other members of the health care team.  In preparation for this role, students are encouraged to learn about the many resources available to clients in our area, as well as any state and national organizations that may be of assistance to their clients.  Nursing is a team effort, and emphasis is placed on collaboration with families, and other health care team members.  The faculty believes that client and family education is essential in assisting the client to achieve and maintain their optimal level of wellness.

In the role of Member of the Profession, the Nurse assumes accountability and responsibility for his/her own actions and practices within the boundaries of the Nursing Practice Act and the Nurse’s Code of Ethics.  Preparation for this role includes being responsible for care of the client(s), and acting as an advocate when necessary.  The Nurse is to project a professional image as well as conducting himself or herself in a professional manner when in the clinical setting.  Confidentiality is emphasized, as well as the Texas Nurse Practice Act.  The Nurse is informed of the Texas Board of Nursing requirements to maintain currency in the practice and encouraged to participate in activities that promote the profession of nursing. 

Program Objectives/Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will demonstrate competency in the following roles:

In the role of Provider of Care, the graduate will be able to:

1. Determine the health status and health needs of clients (individuals and families) based upon interpretation of health data and preventive health practices in collaboration with clients (individuals and families) and interdisciplinary health care team members.
2. Using decision-making skills, analyze clinical data and current literature as a basis for determining nursing diagnoses and appropriate interventions.
3. Formulate goals/outcomes and plan of care based on nursing diagnoses in collaboration with clients (individuals and families) and interdisciplinary health care team members.
4. Implement plan of care within legal and ethical parameters, including scope of practice in collaboration with the client (individuals and families) and interdisciplinary health care team to assist client (individuals and families) in meeting health care needs.
5. Evaluate clients’ (individual and families) responses and outcomes to therapeutic interventions.
6. Provide for the care of multiple clients either through direct care or assignment and/or delegation of care to other members of the health care team.

In the role of Coordinator of Care, the graduate will:

1. Coordinate human and material resources for the provision of care for clients (individuals and families).
2. Collaborate with clients (individuals and families) and the interdisciplinary health care team for the planning and delivery of care.
3. Develop and implement teaching plans for clients (individuals and families) concerning promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
4. Refer clients (individuals and families) to resources that facilitate continuity of care.
5. Function within the organizational framework of various health care settings.

In the role of Member of Profession, the graduate will:

1. Assume accountability and responsibility for the quality of nursing care provided to clients (individuals and families).
2. Act as an advocate to promote the provision of quality health care for clients (individuals and families).
3. Participate in activities that promote the development and practice of professional nursing.
4. Represent themselves and their chosen profession in a manner which reflects positively on the profession of nursing.

Secondary Concepts

Decision-making skills are based on the scientific method of inquiry, using both intellectual and creative skills to make sound clinical decisions.  Graduates are taught to use critical thinking to implement the nursing process in each client encounter and base nursing actions on scientific knowledge as well as previous experiences and socioeconomic, cultural and spiritual factors to prioritize client needs.

Communication skills include written, verbal, and nonverbal techniques and presencing as essential components of the provision of holistic health care.  Students are taught how to use communication skills effectively to establish trust and convey a caring attitude toward the client/family.  Caring attitudes involve compassion, nonjudgmental affirmation, respect and the art of being fully present to another human being.  Graduates also learn the art of documenting written client information to accurately portray client condition, nursing actions, and client responses to nursing actions.

Growth and Development encompasses changes encountered as a person matures physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and intellectually from the fetal stage through death.

Continuum of Care is the Nurse’s intervention when necessary throughout the life cycle.  Graduates care for clients of all ages in partnership with the clients and/or families in health promotion, health maintenance and health restoration.  Care is based on the cultural, socioeconomic and spiritual needs and developmental level of the individual client and family.

Health Promotion/Disease Prevention includes providing education and health care activities to promote the highest level of performance for the client/family.  In accomplishing this goal, the student is to rely on knowledge of growth and development cultural and socioeconomic influences and community resources to encourage the client/family to achieve a high level of function.

Professionalism indicates a desire for excellence in the Nurse’s chosen field of nursing and demonstrates a sense of ethics and responsibility in relationships to nursing.  Graduates are taught that professionalism is a lifelong endeavor to achieve excellence in the practice of nursing.  Graduates are expected to demonstrate an attitude of openness and kindness in interpersonal relationships, focus on the needs of others and to exhibit conduct that facilitates good communication between members of the health care team and clients/families.