The Trilogy Course
Overview
The Trilogy of this introspective study is composed of Called, Care and Comfort, and Commitment leading to Engagement.
As it is presented here, suggestions are given for integration into either personal study or the nursing curriculum.
Purpose
To challenge the spirit of students of nursing and nurses in practice to develop moral courage in personal and professional living.
Preface
Recognition that nurses arrive in the practice theater from a wide variety of educational experiences while also bringing learned behaviors from heritage and environmental influences prompts me to create a new learning experience for them, assisted by modern technology. Over time personal observation and academic pursuits have brought to my attention variations in demeanor and attitude of health care providers and caregivers toward each other and toward those they serve. In this dynamic adventure the finest concepts and examples portray ideals that realign reasons for choosing nursing or another health care career, behaviors that facilitate quality practice, and attitudes toward the difficulties of public service.
This Trilogy is best appreciated when read as successive parts of a series in ever-expanding comprehension of the relationship of the nurse to the workplace, and by extension, to the profession. In its electronic format it encourages exploration into links, videos, etc. that are meant to enhance the text and the learning experience.
Trilogy Course Outline
Part 1
1. Describe the nursing shortage through researched lenses of:
a. Turnover – retention--fatigue
b. Early losses of disillusioned new graduates
c. Aging phenomenon leading to retirement
d. Changes in society's demographics and conditions
2. Relate recent research in job satisfaction and organizational shortcomings and what nurses really want in the workplace
3. Describe the rapid trend in establishing nursing programs that market brevity and convenience. Compare with the urgent recommendations of study groups that call for strengthening curriculum to prepare graduates for changing society demographics and behaviors, health care reform, disparity in caregiver-recipient ratios, and advancing disease and growing emergency insults to members of societies. Reference Public Health Determinants of Health.
4. Explain the relevance and purpose of this trilogy and its parts:
a. Called
b. Comfort and Care
c. Commitment, Engagement, Joy
Part 2
(Begin with the scenario of a case study)
5. Overview to conceptual and theoretical sources:
a. Jean Watson – Caring; informed moral passion vs. moral fatigue; Agency
b. Levine’s Conservation Model, with three theories of:
i. Conservation
ii. Therapeutic Intervention
iii. Redundancy
Part 3
c. The Whole Person; Human Need
d. Biblical Spiritual Fruits
e. Emotional Intelligence – Gardner and Goleman; Mindfulness
6. Discuss the concepts of:
a. Purpose
b. Passion
c. Power
7. Expectation: That readers will deeply embrace a spirit of commitment impassioned with moral courage to express and demonstrate perceptive and effective care in service to humanity.
