Assignment 1: Foundations and Feedback Units 1–5: 15%

In the NURS 324 study guide units there are several Learning Activities in each unit. Students are
encouraged to complete all unit learning activities because they are designed to enhance your
knowledge, encourage achievement of course learning outcomes, and assist with successful assignment
completion.

Purpose

The purpose of Assignment 1 is for you to receive feedback from your tutor regarding your understanding
of Units 1–5 prior to submitting Assignment 2. By completing Assignment 1 you will increase your
knowledge of core course content and receive feedback regarding your skills in scholarly writing, citing
and referencing, and your understanding of key course concepts. Students are encouraged to submit
Assignment 1 well before submitting Assignment 2. This will ensure your opportunity to receive valuable
tutor feedback prior to submitting Assignment 2.

In Assignment 1, you will choose 3 Learning Activities from Units 1–5 from the specified activities
listed below and in the study guide units. Note that you can choose only one learning activity per
unit.

Guidelines

 Complete the selected learning activity clearly and with succinctly.

 Include at least one scholarly reference to support your responses.
 Make each completed Learning Activity no longer than strong one page, double-spaced.
 Include a title page and reference page; you do not need an introduction or conclusion.

Marking Criteria

Submit

Three completed Learning Activities (5% per learning activity) as outlined in the Study Guide Unit or from
the lists below.

Content (3 marks per Learning Activity)

 Demonstrates substantive, original, and critical thinking; 

 Demonstrate understanding of key concepts; 
 Relate the work to, and integrate, course content; and
 Demonstrate a scholarly approach, with at least one accurately cited peer-reviewed source. 

Format  (2 marks per Learning Activity)

 Use clear, complete sentences and structure, and is scholarly in tone.

 Contain accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Adhere to APA current edition for format, citation(s) and reference(s).

Learning Activities that can be considered for Assignment 1:

 Unit 1
Section 3 Learning Activity 1: Self Reflection
  Unit 2
Section 2 Learning Activity 2: Global Views on the Professional Integrity of Nurses
 Unit 3
Section 3 Learning Activity 1: Institutional Values: How do they fit with me?
 Unit 4
Section 2 Learning Activity 1: How do my values influence how I think about ethical dilemmas?
Section 2 Learning Activity 3: Ethical decision-making frameworks: Why do they matter?
 Unit 5
Section 1 Learning Activity 2: How can changing ourselves change the culture of nursing and
health care? 

Assignment 2: Ethical Issue Scholarly Paper 30%

Purpose of Assignment

1. Present a balanced view of an ethical issue.

2. Articulate clearly both sides of an ethical issue.
3. Identify an ethical framework, model, theory, or set of principles, and describe its application to an
ethical issue.

Assignment Guidelines

 Include a title page, introduction, and conclusion; do not include an abstract.

 Use a minimum of four scholarly references, cited following current APA guidelines.
 Aim of the paper
o Choose an ethical issue in health care or nursing.
o State why this issue is of importance to society.
o Clearly state your position (supported by evidence) as a nurse on this issue.
o Identify the values (personal, professional, and/or institutional) underpinning your
position.
o Clearly state at least one other position (or "side") to this issue, grounding it in the
evidence.
o Speculate as to the values (personal, professional, and/or institutional) underpinning this
opposing position.
o Include a discussion describing the use of an ethical framework, model, theory, or ethical
principles to support your position on this issue.
o Conclude with a brief summary as to why you believe your position is the best position on
this issue.
o Paper should be six to eight pages in length, excluding the title page and references list.

Marking Criteria

Content of Paper (20 Marks)

 Each element of the assignment guidelines is addressed.

 The paper integrates material from course references, or other scholarly sources, including at
least four peer-reviewed journals.
 The paper demonstrates critical inquiry, analysis, and synthesis.

Scholarly Format of Paper (10 Marks)

  Keep within the page limit (6–8 pages).
 Write clearly, using complete sentences and a scholarly tone.
 Include accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Adhere to APA current edition for format, citation(s) and reference(s). 

Helpful Hints for Getting Started

 When choosing an ethical issue, look for one that is currently being debated: Consider what you
have heard, seen, or read online, on TV news, in newspapers, and at your workplace.
 For a review of course content related to values (personal, professional, and institutional) refer to
Unit 3 Values Clarification and Development.
 For a review of course content related to ethical frameworks, models, theories, or ethical
principles, refer to Unit 4 Ethical Theories and Decision-Making in Nursing.

Assignment 3: Foundations and Feedback Units 7–9 15%

Purpose

The purpose of Assignment 3 is for you to receive feedback from your Tutor regarding your understanding
of Units 6–9, prior to submitting Assignment 4. By completing Assignment 3 you will increase your
knowledge of core course content and receive feedback regarding your skills in scholarly writing, citing,
and referencing as well as on your understanding of key course concepts. Students are encouraged to
submit Assignment 3 well before submitting Assignment 4. This will ensure there is an opportunity to
receive and integrate valuable feedback from your Tutor prior to submitting Assignment 4.

In Assignment 3 you will select 3 Learning Activities from Units 7–9 for the list of activities below.
Note that you can only choose one learning activity per unit in Assignment 3.

Guidelines

 Complete the selected learning activity clearly and succinctly.

 Include at least one scholarly reference to support your responses.
 Ensure that each completed Learning Activity is no longer than one page, double-spaced .
 Include a title page and reference page; you do not need an introduction or conclusion

Marking Criteria

Submit 3 completed Learning Activities (5% per learning activity) as outlined in the study guide unit or
from the list below.

Content (3 marks per Learning Activity)

 Demonstrate substantive and original and critical thinking. 

 Demonstrate good understanding of key concepts. 
 Relate to, and integrate, course content. 
 Demonstrate a scholarly approach, with at least one accurately cited, peer-reviewed source. 

Format (2 marks per Learning Activity)

  Write clearly, using complete sentences and a scholarly tone.
 Include accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Adhere to APA current edition for format, citation(s) and reference(s).

Learning Activities that can be considered for Assignment 3 are as follows:

 Unit 7
Section 1 Learning Activity 1: The evolution of nursing theory.
Section 3 Learning Activity 2: Visual presentation comparing two nurse theorists.
 Unit 8
Section 1 Learning Activity 2: A Challenge to the philosophical core of nursing.
Section 1 Learning Activity 3: Philosophies of nursing articulated by professional associations.
 Unit 9
Section 1 Learning Activity 1: Practice scenarios: How has your thinking changed?

Assignment 4: Philosophy of Nursing Scholarly Paper 40%

Purpose of Assignment

This assignment aims to provide you with the opportunity to articulate your personal philosophy of nursing
as it relates to your current nursing practice. We are looking for you to support your own personal
philosophy by using scholarly references. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to
developing your personal philosophy, as long as you can back it up with credible literature.

Assignment Guidelines

 Include a title page, introduction, and conclusion; do not include an abstract.

 Use a minimum of 5 scholarly references.
 Consider the following prompts or questions to help guide the content of your paper as you
articulate your own philosophy of nursing.
o What are the key values and beliefs that are embedded in your philosophy of nursing?
o Describe the philosophy of practice in your work environment (current or former) and
which concepts, theories, and values guide nursing practice in that workplace?
o How does your personal philosophy of nursing align with the values in your workplace?
o Provide at least one clear and specific example of a situation where your nursing practice
was guided by your philosophy of nursing.
o Choose a nursing theory that you think fits best with your nursing practice or personal
philosophy.
o How do these concepts and theories help you think about your nursing practice?

Marking Criteria

Content of Paper (25 Marks)

 Each element of the assignment guidelines is addressed.

 The paper integrates material course references, and other scholarly sources including at least 5
peer-reviewed journals.
 The paper demonstrates critical inquiry, analysis, and synthesis.
 The paper is 8–10 pages in length, excluding the title page and reference list.
Scholarly Format of Paper (15 Marks)

 Keep within the page limit (8-10 pages).

 Write clearly, using complete sentences and a scholarly tone.
 Include accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Adhere to APA current edition for formatting, citation(s) and reference(s).