Nursing Curriculum Overview
The nursing curriculum at Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is designed to prepare students to assume the roles and responsibilities of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) graduate. It aligns with the mission, philosophy, and educational outcomes of both the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the OTC nursing program.
The curriculum is structured around nine core components of associate degree nursing practice. These components are fully integrated throughout the curriculum, guiding students to provide safe, holistic, effective, culturally sensitive care that promotes optimal health outcomes. The definitions and expectations for each component are outlined below:
1. Professional Behavior
Professional behavior reflects adherence to the ethical, legal, and professional standards of nursing. It requires accountability, responsibility, and self-direction. The development of professionalism begins at entry into the nursing program and is demonstrated through punctuality, preparedness, respectful conduct, and active participation in both classroom and clinical environments.
As students progress, they are expected to practice within legal and ethical frameworks, engage in lifelong learning, and participate in professional organizations. These behaviors contribute to growth as competent, compassionate, and ethical practitioners.
2. Communication
Effective communication is central to nursing and involves conveying and receiving messages clearly through verbal, non-verbal, written, and technological means. It is essential in building trust, promoting therapeutic relationships, and delivering culturally sensitive care.
Communication skills are introduced early and are continually developed across the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic techniques, active listening, documentation, and respectful interactions within diverse populations and healthcare teams.
3. Collaboration
Collaboration is the nurse’s ability to work effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams to deliver quality, client-centered care. It requires open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making.
Nurses serve as advocates, coordinators, and liaisons between clients, families, and the healthcare team. Collaboration is introduced in the first nursing course and remains a key focus throughout clinical and theoretical instruction.
4. Assessment
Nursing assessment is the systematic collection of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual data to identify client needs and inform care planning. It involves recognizing normal versus abnormal findings and using critical thinking to interpret clinical data.
Assessment forms the foundation of the nursing process and is reinforced throughout the curriculum to ensure accurate and comprehensive care planning.
5. Clinical Decision-Making
Clinical decision-making involves applying critical thinking to assess situations, integrate knowledge, and make sound clinical judgments. It includes analyzing assessment data, prioritizing care, and selecting appropriate interventions.
This competency is introduced in foundational courses and strengthened throughout the program to prepare students for increasingly complex clinical environments.
6. Nursing Interventions
Nursing interventions are actions carried out to achieve client goals and improve outcomes. These may include physical care, emotional support, education, or collaboration with other providers.
Students learn to select and implement appropriate interventions based on evidence-based practice, clinical experience, and client preferences, using critical thinking to guide decision-making.
7. Managing Care
Managing care refers to the coordination and delivery of effective, efficient, and cost-conscious nursing care to individuals or groups. This includes planning, prioritizing, and delegating tasks appropriately, while ensuring quality and cultural sensitivity.
This component is introduced early and expanded in advanced courses, progressing from individual care management to handling the needs of multiple clients in complex healthcare settings.
8. Providing Care
Providing care involves the direct implementation of nursing interventions and reflects the caring behaviors, knowledge, and technical skills essential to meeting client needs. It emphasizes compassion, respect, cultural sensitivity, and the creation of a therapeutic environment.
Caring is central to the nurse-client relationship and is integrated throughout the curriculum, supporting the development of trust, safety, and empathy in client interactions.
9. Teaching and Learning
Teaching and learning encompass the nurse’s role in educating clients, families, and communities to promote health and manage illness. Students learn to assess learning needs, plan appropriate educational interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
The teaching-learning process is reinforced across the curriculum, guiding students from foundational knowledge to independent critical thinking and decision-making. Instruction is structured along a continuum that integrates classroom theory with practical application in clinical settings.
Conclusion
The integration of these nine core components ensures that graduates of the OTC ASN program are well-prepared to enter the nursing profession as competent, compassionate, and collaborative entry-level practitioners. The curriculum is designed to foster both technical proficiency and professional growth, meeting the healthcare needs of diverse populations and promoting lifelong learning in an evolving healthcare environment.