Pharmacology 1 NURS 1063

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to selected drug categories.
• Use a drug classification system as an information source for selected drugs.
• Explain assessments required when administering medications and monitoring patients for therapeutic drug effects, adverse reactions, toxicity, and drug interactions.
• Apply selected pharmacological concepts and principles to patient situations.
• Demonstrate on-line learning skills including accessing course materials and resources, and effective on-line interaction and communication.

Process Threads Relevant to this Course

Professionalism

• • Students develop professionalism by participating in learning partnerships with peers and nursing instructors, and they begin to use reasoning and reflection as they develop a knowledge base related to pharmacology and the role of the professional nurse. They anticipate and prepare for potential clinical decision making situations. They explore cases and respond with sound clinical judgement. Students begin to demonstrate honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability and moral commitment consistent with the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2008) and BCIT Policy 5104: Academic Integrity and Appeals (2009).

Communication

• Professional communication in nursing establishes shared meaning and partnership to develop human beings capacities for healing and/or growth. Students in this course improve computer literacy by using Internet course materials and resources and by communicating through asynchronous discussion forums. Students thoughtfully discuss course content on-line and in class. Students facilitate on-line group functioning to achieve course goals.

Systematic Inquiry

• Systematic inquiry includes three processes: critical thinking, decision making, and research. Students begin to use reflective questioning and feedback to help them think critically. Students discuss their own work with others and take action to improve own clinical decision making. Students begin to develop independent clinical reasoning. Students access course materials, academic literature and on-line resources for research information and course work. Students begin to challenge assumptions, consider the importance of context, and imagine alternate perspectives to further develop critical thinking and decision making ability. Clinical judgement for nursing students is a decision making process that includes critical thinking and research that allows them to make the best decision possible with the information they have at the time.

Professional Growth

• Through a process of self-inquiry and self-discovery, students focus on participating in group learning by sharing accurate, relevant information in a professional manner. Students are responsible and accountable for their learning and evaluating their performance and assess learning gaps. Through reflection on these gaps students identify their learning needs, and utilize resources to meet their learning needs. Students become aware of the need to continually update their pharmacology knowledge. Professional growth and personal growth impact each other. Students begin to develop professional growth through self-discipline, initiative and commitment to the profession. Partnerships with instructors and students enhance professional growth.

Creative Leadership

• Students begin to develop creative leadership that enhances and supports the creative potential within group members by nourishing a common vision and focusing activity towards the common goal. Students begin to develop on-line facilitation skills within groups. They begin to demonstrate credibility, accountability, assertiveness, problem solving, judgement and initiative within groups. They begin to establish meaningful partnerships and incorporate nursing ethics in their learning. Students recognize the contributions of others while supporting self-direction.

Technology-in-Practice

• Students begin to develop an understanding of the impact of technology on their own learning. They use electronic media to discuss rationales and nursing responsibilities related to the administration of medications and to the assessment of patients who receive medications. Students begin to develop skills in using electronic educational and research technology.

Effective as of Winter 2016