Program Learning Outcomes

ADN (AN DTA/MRP) Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the North Seattle College Associate Degree Nursing Program, the graduate will exhibit the National League for Nursing Competencies for the Associate Degree Nurse by demonstrating:

1. Human Flourishing – Advocate for patients and families in ways that promote their self–determination, integrity, and ongoing growth as human beings:

a. Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized plans of care focusing on services and activities that promote independence, maintain or restore health, or support a peaceful death based on the patient's functional health pattern (Think, Collaborate, Connect);

b. Promote access and quality of care for a diverse patient population (Collaborate, Communicate);

c. Deliver holistic care across the human lifespan that responds to culturally–influenced health behaviors (Think, Collaborate, Communicate);

d. Incorporate teaching–learning concepts to support and facilitate the patient's functional health patterns, self–determination, and a desire for a healthy lifestyle in health promotion, maintenance, and disease prevention activities with the delivery of care (Collaborate, Communicate);

e. Apply therapeutic communication techniques that consider the developmental, cognitive, intellectual, physical, and emotional status of patients to encourage trust, disclosure, and sharing of ideas (Collaborate, Communicate).

2. Nursing Judgment – Make judgments in practice, substantiated with evidence, that integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients within a family and community context:

a. Employ principles of clinical reasoning in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care (Think, Connect);

b. Apply effective organizational skills in the provision of patient care (Think);

c. Analyze, synthesize, and apply principles from nursing research and evidence–based practice in patient care delivery (Think, Connect, Continued Learning);

d. Utilize the nursing process as a basis for clinical judgment to optimize the functional health patterns for the patient, family, and community (Think, Connect);

e. Perform key nursing skills as identified by essential lab criteria (Think, Connect);

f. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability in delegation to and supervision of other nursing personnel within the scope of practice (Collaborate, Communicate, Think);

g. Incorporate principles of quality and safety, healthcare policy, and cost effectiveness to improve health outcomes for the patient, family, and community (Think, Collaborate, Connect);

h. Implement effective therapeutic communication techniques to foster collaboration with the patient, family, and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team (Collaborate, Communicate);

i. Apply knowledge of healthcare disparities to the delivery of patient care across the lifespan (Collaborate, Connect).

3. Professional Identity – Implement one's role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practice, and an evolving identity as a nurse committed to evidence-based practice, caring, advocacy, and safe, quality care for diverse patients within a family and community context:

a. Recognize situations beyond ones' knowledge and experience, and seek consultation from appropriate resources (Think, Connect, Collaborate, Continued Learning);

b. Exhibit professional behaviors/practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory principles of nursing (Collaborate, Communicate);

c. Integrate caring behaviors in managing care for diverse patient populations (Collaborate, Communicate);

d. Demonstrate integrity while acting within the various roles of the professional nurse (Communicate, Think);

e. Practice within quality and safety parameters established by healthcare/community facilities, organizational institutions, and/or governing agencies (Communicate, Connect);

f. Utilize information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making (Think, Connect, continued Learning).

4. Spirit of Inquiry – Examine the evidence that underlies clinical nursing practice to challenge the status quo, question underlying assumptions, and offer new insights to improve the quality of care for patients, families, and communities:

a. Identify and evaluate evidenced–based literature/research for use in nursing practice to foster positive outcomes for patients and families (Think, Connect, Continued Learning);

b. Recognize the importance of continuous learning and advanced education within the nursing profession (Connect, Continued Learning).

RN Program Learning Outcomes

1. Holistically care for self, others and community within an ethical, legal and diverse framework within the scope of practice of the RN.

2. Demonstrate competency in educating and communicating with patients, patient’s family, the health care team, system administration and wider community with a focus on Health Promotion.

3. Demonstrate competency in assessment, analysis, planning, implementing patient care and comprehensive evaluation of outcomes within a variety of settings utilizing appropriate technology.

4. Synthesize patient assessment data with anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology using critical thinking in order to safely manage rapidly changing and complex patient problems.

5. Provide leadership to effectively delegate and collaborate with patient, patient’s family, health care team, system administrators and the wider community.