DE ANZA COLLEGE
NURSING 50: CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN NURSING
FALL QUARTER 2020
Units: 2
Class: Section 01Z: Friday 1:30- 3:20PM
Section 03Z: Friday 3:30-5:20PM
Room: Zoom (link available in Canvas to registered students)
Instructor: Patricia Williams, RN, MSN, CCRN
williamspatricia@fhda.edu
Telephone: 408/864-8641
Office Hours: Monday 9:30-10:30AM & 1:30-2:30PM
Friday 10:30AM – 12:30PM
Course description: This course is a survey of careers in the health field with emphasis on
current nursing education and nursing practice. NURSING 50 is designed to help the
student identify strengths and weaknesses affecting that individual’s admission into the
nursing program. Information about applying for De Anza’s Associate Degree in Nursing
Program and the process of student selection is discussed during this course.
Student Learning Outcome:
Differentiate among the various nursing educational programs, both the educational
preparation and scope of nursing practice.
Course objectives: The student will:
• compare and contrast the various careers in the health field with those in nursing.
• examine the impact of nursing history.
• evaluate the terms “science,” “art,” “academic degree,”
“credential/credentialing,” “certificate/certification,” “license/licensing,” and
“profession” as each applies to nursing.
• differentiate among various nursing programs as to length of “primary
preparation site” and level of preparation.
• compare the major nursing organizations as to membership and goals.
• analyze the impact of social change and social policy on health care.
• determine, based upon employer’s expectations, your own opportunities
and potential for success in the field of nursing today.
• identify the appropriate quarter for application to the nursing program.
Required text:
Black, Beth Perry. Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (9th edition).
Elsevier: St. Louis, 2020.
Materials needed:
• Note-taking materials
• Computer access for downloading course materials and taking tests
• Power Point slides are available on class Canvas site
Communication with instructor is best done through e-mail. Please type ‘Nursing 50’
under ‘subject’.
Method of Evaluation:
• Midterm and final exams*
• Group participation (attendance record will be monitored closely)
• Occasional “pop” quizzes
This course is graded on a “Pass/No Pass” basis. To successfully pass the course, the
student must:
• Earn a combined average of 75% or more on the 2 exams, and
• Meet attendance requirements**
*Note: Examinations will be given only as scheduled. The only exceptions to this rule
are at the sole discretion of the instructor for reasons such as serious illness with
hospitalization, death in immediate family, etc. with documentation required. The final
exam cannot be taken early for any reason, per department policy.
Students are expected to be in front of their computers and ready to start the test at the
scheduled time. If you are unable to take a test at the appointed time, you must notify the
instructor as soon as possible before the exam. You MUST have a computer with a camera
webcam for monitoring during exams.
**Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are expected in this course. Much of the
learning in the class depends on listening to the topics and participating in the discussions.
If you arrive to class more than 5 minutes after class has started, the virtual classroom
door may be locked to prevent disruption of the class. Students will be dropped from the
course on the 3rd absence, provided the drop date has not passed. If the drop date has
already passed a grade of NP (no pass) will be earned. Attendance will be verified by both
Zoom attendance (automatically recorded, including total time spent in class) and pop
quizzes given by the teacher based on information from the lecture. For attendance
purposes, two tardy notations = one absence. Plan ahead for technical difficulties and plan
to arrive in the waiting room at least 5 minutes prior to class. Note: early departure from
class (more than 15 minutes before class is dismissed) also counts as an absence.
All examinations, quizzes, assignments and homework are considered to be individual (not
group) work unless explicitly stated by the instructor. Dishonest behavior such as
cheating (or attempts to cheat), or placing yourself in a situation where cheating may be
perceived) on any required class-relate work or tests will result in a failing grade on that
assignment or examination.
De Anza College will enforce all policies and procedures set forth in the Standards of Student
Conduct (see catalog). Any student disrupting class may be ejected from class.
