Master Resource Outline

Credits: 2 credits lecture

Semesters Offered: F, Sp

Co-requisites: NRSG 323; NRSG 327; NRSG 316

Course Description

This course explores selected psychosocial concepts and theories relevant to nursing practice with clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings.  Topics include the developmental impact of trauma, family theories, crisis theory, anxiety, loss, grief and other human responses; and related psychosocial nursing strategies. 

Catalog Course Description: This course explores nursing psychosocial concepts and theories with clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings.  Topics include developmental impact of trauma, family theories, crisis theory, anxiety, loss, grief and other human responses; and related psychosocial nursing strategies. 

Course Objectives

  1. Analyze psychosocial factors influencing health and formulate strategies that that promote healthy behavior.
  2. Explore effective communication and behaviors related to the nurse-client relationship.
  3. Examine family systems and theories.
  4. Identify nursing interventions for clients experiencing crisis situations.
  5. Assess the effects of culture, beliefs, and values on the health seeking behavior of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan.
  6. Explain patterns in family violence, addictive behaviors, and psychophysiological distress.
  7. Identify the nurse’s legal and ethical responsibilities related to abuse.
  8. Formulate psychosocial nursing strategies for the health promotion of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will:

  1. Identify impact of trauma on physical and emotional development and lifelong health outcomes.
  2. Apply therapeutic communication techniques in nurse-client interactions.
  3. Describe the process of grief and loss.
  4. Demonstrate effective crisis intervention skills.

AACN Competencies

This course introduces:

1.2 Apply theory and research-based knowledge from the arts, humanities, and sciences.

1.3 Demonstrate clinical judgement founded on a broad knowledge base.

2.2 Communicate effectively with patients (individuals, families, and groups.

2.8 Promote self-management.

3.2 Engage in effective partnerships.

3.4 Advance equitable population health policy.

3.5 Demonstrate advocacy strategies.

6.3 Use knowledge of nursing and other professions to address the healthcare needs of patients and populations.

8.3 Use information and communication technologies and informatics processes to deliver safe nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of settings.

9.1 Demonstrate an ethical comportment in one’s practice reflective of nursing’s mission to society.

9.2 Employ nursing’s participatory approach to patient-centered care.

9.6 Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to one’s professional identity.

10.1 Demonstrate a commitment to personal health and well-being.

AACN Threads

  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Diversity
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Communication
  • Ethics
  • Clinical Judgement
  • Mental Health

Required Content and Concepts

  1. Therapeutic use of self, therapeutic communication
  2. Family roles, functions, and structure
  3. Effects of culture, beliefs, and values on the health seeking behavior of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan
    1. Developmental stages of the family
    2. Review of family theories
    3. Clinical strategies for working with families
  4. Crisis theory and intervention – Suicide prevention training
  5. Loss and grief theory
  6. Anxiety, stress, and trauma to include trauma informed care models (such as but not limited to ACEs)
  7. Stigma and biases as barriers to seeking and obtaining healthcare

Suggested Student Learning Activities 

  • Reflective journaling
  • Guest lectures
  • Interviewing
  • Genograms
  • Community cultural guest speaking
  • Storytelling
  • Preparing and giving a speech about interventions with an anxious client – appropriate interventions at the four levels of anxiety
  • Instructor guided group exercises and activities
  • Independent group presentations
  • Written exercises
  • Role playing exercises