VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE PROGRAM
NURS 315: WRITING AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF HEALTH
RELATED ISSUES IN NURSING
(4 UNITS - 8 WEEKS)
Created: 08/06
Revised: 04/27/2012
Posted: 07/12
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
BSN PROGRAM
Course Number:
NURS 315: Writing and Critical Analysis of Health Related Issues in
Nursing
Faculty and Contact Information: TBD
Class Days/Times:
Tuesday, 6-10 p.m.
Wednesday, 6-10 p.m.
Units:
4 units
Pre-requisite:
Admission to BSN program
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on critical thinking and research writing relevant to learning and practice in
nursing. Includes self-assessment, collaborative learning, problem solving approaches, and
clinical decision-making. Applies critical analysis to health-related issues. Proper APA format
will be emphasized and required for all written work.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Critically analyze and evaluate writing pertaining to health-related issues.
Review a broad range of concepts related to decision making.
Improve critical thinking, writing and presentation skills.
Demonstrate ability to support positions presented in writing.
Communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
Identify and retrieve written current, relevant research pertaining to health-related issues.
Identify and evaluate the limitations of research.
Include essential research elements in written assignments.
Understand and use APA format properly.
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Critical Thinking: Use a systematic approach in applying critical analysis to healthrelated issues.
2. Communication: Use professional communication theories and techniques in both oral
and written presentations and in interacting with group members.
3. Information and Technology: Demonstrate technology skills in locating, retrieving,
applying, and evaluating the integrity of information while using information
responsibly and ethically.
AACN/CCNE CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES
Essential I: Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
1. Use skills of inquiry, analysis, and information literacy to address practice issues.
2. Use written, verbal, non-verbal, and emerging technology methods to communicate
effectively.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND LITERATURE
Required Texts
VanderMey, R., V. Meyer, J. Van Rys, P. Sebranek, The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking,
Writing, and Researching, 4th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011.
ISBN: 978-0495-91583-6
(Reference Chapters 33-39 for punctuation, mechanics, usage, and grammar when
completing writing assignments.)
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition.
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance and Tardy Policy
You must be at class on time and remain present until dismissed. Class attendance is necessary
in order to complete the course. The School for Professional Studies relies on the dynamics of
class interaction and group processing in order to integrate and apply the learning of academic
content. This model also emphasizes the development and practice of interpersonal
communication skills and teamwork (e.g., group problem solving and negotiation). The format
therefore necessitates class attendance. In practical terms, one course session is equivalent to
three weeks of traditional semester course work.
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Due to the concentrated scheduling and the emphasis upon participatory learning,
students need to be in attendance every week. Students who miss more than one class
meeting (or more than five class hours) in any given course will automatically receive a
failing grade and need to retake the course to obtain a passing grade. If an instructor
deems that a student’s second absence was under extremely unavoidable and unusual
circumstances (i.e., an auto accident), the professor may file an academic petition on
behalf of the student to the Dean of SPS. If the academic petition is approved, the
instructor may give the student a “W” (Withdrawal) grade in place of a failing grade.
The student will still be required to retake the course.
Students who arrive late disturb the class. Students who arrive late will not receive
participation points for the unit covered. Students who are habitually late may be asked to
withdraw from the course.
Degree Requirements
Students must achieve a minimum grade of C for all major course requirements. Any major
course in which the student receives a grade below C must be retaken.
Class Participation
Students must be prepared and participate in all discussions. Criterion: Is the student engaged
in classroom discussions? Does the student demonstrate an ability to handle assigned material
with a degree of proficiency? (e.g., ask questions and participate in dialog consistently, and in a
manner that reflects familiarity with the assigned material). Participation evaluated according
to quality, not quantity, of participation. Attendance will be scored, and no participation
points will be awarded if the student is absent from class.
Late Paper Policy
You are responsible for submitting assignments on time (by 6:00 p.m.). Unless authorized by
the Professor in advance, no credit will be given for assignments not turned in when due.
Academic Dishonesty
Work submitted for assessment purposes must be the independent work of the student
concerned. Plagiarism, or copying and use of another’s work without proper acknowledgment,
is not permitted. Nor is it permissible for any former or present student to allow another
student to refer to, use as a sample, or in any way copy or review their work. If a student
needs guidance, he or she must seek the Professor’s assistance. See Vanguard University’s
Plagiarism Policy.
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Disability Services
For students with documented medical or psychological disabilities, please contact the
Coordinator of Disability Services to request reasonable accommodations. The Coordinator of
Disability Services is located in the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Scott
Academic Center and can be reached at extension 4489 or by e-mail at
disabilityservices@vanguard.edu
For students with a documented learning disability who would like to request appropriate
accommodations, please contact the Director of Learning Skills, located upstairs in Scott
Academic Center at extension 2540 or by e-mail at disabilityservices@vanguard.edu
Classroom Diversity Statement
As students and faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California, and foremost as
Christian believers, we endeavor to communicate with honesty and confidentiality, to speak
with encouraging and edifying words, and to create a safe environment where we shelter one
another with love when vulnerabilities arise. This classroom intends to foster a Christ-centered
community that promotes appreciation and respect for individuals, enhances the potential of
its members, and values differences in gender, ethnicity, race, abilities, and generation.
Teaching / Learning Methods
Learning Activities
4 units = 60 contact hours
in-class and online activities
1. Eight 4-hour sessions on
campus = 32 hours
2. Position paper
development with faculty
feedback = 28 hours
Out-of-Class Activities
120 hours
Total Teaching Learning
Methods / Contact Hours
1. Book assignments = 20 hours
2. Essays = 30 hours
3. Position paper= 30 hours
4. Required readings =
4 units = 60 hours of contact
40 hours
4 units = 120 hours of outof-class activities
Teaching/learning methods include:
1. Reading assignments
2. In-class lecture and faculty feedback on assignments
3. Electronic database search
4. Synthesis of knowledge through oral presentations, written papers, and classroom
discussion
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COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be evaluated on their performance on attendance and class participation, writing
assignments, an oral presentation, and in-class quizzes. The final grade will consist of the
following:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Class participation (10 points each class)
Book assignments (25 points each)
Essays (75 points each)
In-class activities
Quizzes
Position paper
Breakdown of Position Paper grade:
a) Working Thesis (Week 2)
b) Annotated Bibliography (Week 3)
c) Review of Literature (Week 3)
d) Outline (Week 6)
e) Rough Draft + Peer Review (Week 7)
f) Oral Presentation (Week 7/8)
g) Final Paper (Week 8)
TOTAL
Max. Points Possible
80
50
150
150
20
550
25
50
50
50
100
50
225
1000
Grading Scale
Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 to continue in the undergraduate program. A required
course in which a grade of C – or less has been earned must be repeated.
Percentages Points
Grade
Significance
GPA
93-100%
90-92.9%
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
80-82.9%
77-79.9%
73-76.9%
70-72.9%
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
60-62.9%
00-59.9%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Exceptional
4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
0.00
930-1000
900-929
870-899
830-869
800-829
770-799
730-769
700-729
670-699
630-669
600-629
000-599
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Failure
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CLASS SCHEDULE
Hour 1
Wk 1
Wk 2
Wk 3
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
Hour 2
Hour 3
Hour 4
Intro & course overview
Thesis statements
In-class Activity
Library Orientation
Position paper topics
Preview next week
Review &
reflect;
Conducting research; Evaluating sources; Annotated Bibs; APA citation
In-class Research;
Discuss
system
Preview next week
homework
Review &
APA quiz 1;
reflect;
Drafting a research paper; Outlining;
Literature Reviews; Interview Reports;
Preview next
Discuss
Avoiding plagiarism; VU’s plagiarism policy Info. Essays
week
homework
Review &
APA quiz 2;
reflect;
Types of Analytical Writing ; In-class Assignment
Preview next
Discuss
week
homework
Review &
reflect;
Preview next
Grammar Issues; Types of Persuasive Writing; In-class Assignment
Discuss
week
homework
Review &
Preview next
reflect;
week;
Revising; Editing & Proofreading
Oral Presentations; In-class Activity
Discuss
Schedule
homework
Presentations
Wk 7
Group 1 Presentations
Wk 8
Group 2 Presentations
Peer Reviewing Process
Peer Editing of draft of position paper
Course
evaluation
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