Sacred Acts and Human Needs: Foundations for a Caring Science Curriculum

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Russell Rich
10 years ago
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1 6-A THIRD Sacred Acts and Human Needs: Foundations for a Caring Science Curriculum Bethany Correlli, MSN, RN Master's Degree in nursing education has opened her up to transformative learning practice -- intentionally creating a safe learning space and having an authentic presence with her students. As an assistant professor at Notre Dame of Maryland School of Nursing, she has been involved in the process of creating a unique caring science curriculum for their new entrylevel nursing program. She is currently working on her PhD in education at Notre Dame and hopes to continue her work in transformative learning practice to offer students the possibility of transformation on the journey of becoming nurses.

As an assistant professor at Notre Dame of Maryland School of Nursing, she has been involved in the process of creating a unique caring science curriculum for their new

2 Sacred Acts and Human Needs: Foundations for a Caring Science Curriculum Bethany Correlli, MSN, RN Assistant Professor School of Nursing [email protected] A Long History For more than 30 years, Notre Dame has educated nurses through an RN BSN program. 6 years ago, we added a Master s program with concentrations in Leadership in Nursing Education and Leadership in Nursing Administration. Another New Beginning In 2011, we began accepting entry level students at Notre Dame to begin their journey toward nursing. We have formally accepted a class of students into the nursing major to begin their nursing coursework as juniors this fall. 1

6 years ago, we added a Master s program with concentrations in Leadership in Nursing Education and Leadership in Nursing Administration. www.ndm.

3 Foundations of a Caring Profession NDMU s School of Nursing Program Outcomes Caring (Nursing) Process Hills & Watson s Creating a Caring Science Curriculum 10 Caritas Processes Presence Caring Praxis Self care 1.Practice Loving Kindness 2.Instill Faith and Hope; honor others 3.Cultivate Sensitivity 4.Develop a Helping Trusting Relationship 5.Express Positive and Negative Feelings 6.Creative Solution Finding 7.Relational Teaching Learning 8.Create a Healing Environment 9.Caringly Tend to Basic Human Needs 10.Open to Mystery and Miracles Advocacy Scholarship Leadership (NDMU SON, 2011; Adapted from Hills & Watson, 2011) Presence Caring Praxis Self care Assess develop a helping trusting relationship, cultivate sensitivity, ascertain physical, psychological, social, environment, and spiritual human needs Diagnose instill faith and hope through considering the holistic needs of the patient Plan create solutions with healing acts, allow for miracles and unknowns Implement caringly tend to human needs, perform sacred acts, and create healing environments Evaluate determine outcomes, express positive and negative feelings Advocacy Scholarship Leadership (NDMU SON, 2011; Adapted from Hills & Watson, 2011) 2

Creative Solution Finding 7.Relational Teaching Learning 8.Create a Healing Environment 9.Caringly Tend to Basic Human Needs 10.

4 Foundations of a Caring Profession Some concepts considered in this course: Communication & Professionalism Information Management Safety & Quality Improvement Sacred Acts Skin/Wound Care Sleep & Rest Comfort & Pain Care Oxygenation Infection Control Sensory Perception Mobility Nutrition Care Elimination Stress & Coping Perfusion Fluid Balance Creating a Caring Space Created with 4. Developing a Helping Trusting Relationship (Hills & Watson, 2011) It begins with us Listening Creating a caring space Being present preparing a space for beingwith [students] that reveals authentic nursing presence opening possibilities for meaningmaking, cultural understanding, and reflective practice in diverse settings (NDMU SON, 2011). 3

5 5. Express Positive and Negative Feelings (Hills & Watson, 2011) Establishing a safe environment for students to freely express feelings Encourage active engagement in classroom conversations and activities Clinical Journal Reflections Developing their natural curiosity toward learning and knowing Exemplar: Sacred Acts 8. Create a Healing Environment (Hills & Watson, 2011) Create a sacred space for sacred acts of bathing and hygiene care Ensure appropriate time for patient (without interruptions) Provide privacy by drawing the curtain/closing the door Adjust room temperature Create a quiet space; play relaxing music Give pain medications prior to bathing 4

Create a Healing Environment (Hills & Watson, 2011) Create a sacred space for sacred acts of bathing and hygiene care Ensure appropriate time for patient (without

6 9. Caringly Tend to Basic Human Needs (Hills & Watson, 2011) Encourage independence; provide a mirror Allow family members to be involved, if patient desires Allow patient to use own toiletries, if possible Use warm towels Apply lotion; use essential oils, when appropriate Take a moment to give a hand massage Speak positive, encouraging words 10. Allow for Mystery, Miracles, & Unknowns (Hills & Watson, 2011) Guide patient through deep breathing or simple meditation exercises Ask patient if there is anything on their mind that they d like to share Offer to share a moment of prayer or silence together dailythoughts4us.blog spot.com Let s be open together rruffner.blogspot.com 5

7 References Hills, M. & Watson, J. (2011). Creating a caring science curriculum. New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing (2011). Program outcomes for the baccalaureate nursing program. 6

COURSE SYLLABUS Southeast MO State University. Title of Course: Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice New: _X_

COURSE SYLLABUS Southeast MO State University Department of Nursing Title of Course: Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice Course No. NS371 Revision: New: _X_ I. Catalog Description