39264 - Evolution and Structure of Nursing Studies (CE)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, the student will know the epistemological aspects of the nursing discipline, the main models and theories of nursing care, and the discipline's applied tools and methods. The student will also know the evolution of the professionalisation process, the ethical, deontological and legislative aspects relevant to professional practice, and the aims and organisation of the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (National Health Service).

Nota: nel testo originale compare "Sistema Sanitario Nazionale", mentre la denominazione ufficiale (L. 833/1978) è "Servizio Sanitario Nazionale", usata anche nel programma. Ho seguito quest'ultima; se preferisci mantenere la dicitura originale, la cambio

Course contents

From the Concept of Care to the Birth of the Nurse

• Introduction to care: the evolution of the concept of care and nursing care
• Florence Nightingale: thought and works
• The birth and development of the nurse in Italy
• The evolution of nursing education: role and function

The Professionalisation Process

• The evolution of legislation governing nursing practice
• The concept of profession and the professionalisation process
• Ethical and deontological aspects of the nursing profession
• Professional practice: areas of competence and responsibility
• Professional practice: the relationship with the Health and Social Care Worker (OSS)
• Nursing associations and professional culture
• OPI (Ordini delle Professioni Infermieristiche)

Epistemological Aspects of the Nursing Discipline

• Definition of discipline; the paradigms of the nursing discipline
• The concepts of health and illness; the concept of the person according to the biomedical, systemic and holistic approaches
• Theories, models and concepts of the nursing discipline

From the Scientific Method to the Nursing Process

• The method of the nursing discipline: the scientific method, problem solving, the nursing process
• The nursing process and its phases
• Initial assessment according to Gordon's model
• The nursing process and nursing diagnostic taxonomies (NANDA-I, NOC and NIC)

Information and Operational Tools in Nursing Care

• The medical record, the nursing record, the integrated record, the electronic health record
• Guidelines, protocols and procedures
• The nurse's responsibility in completing and managing healthcare documentation

The Birth and Evolution of the National Health Service

• From health insurance funds (mutue) to the National Health Service (SSN)
• The reorganisation of healthcare legislation
• Priority health problems and healthcare needs
• Health planning
• Overview of the Contratto Collettivo Nazionale di Lavoro (CCNL)
• Overview of the code of conduct and data protection

Readings/Bibliography

Wilkinson J.M, 2013 Processo infermieristico e pensiero critico 3° Edizione, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana Milano

Craven RF, Hirnle CJ Henshaw CM 2019 Principi fondamentali dell'assistenza infermieristica Bologna, Zanichelli ed Unità 2 capitoli 11-16 [pagg.103-168]

Wilkinson J.M., Treas L.S. & Barnett K.L Fondamenti di assistenza infermieristica. Milano, Casa editrice Ambrosiana.

Gordon, M., 2009 Diagnosi infermieristiche. Processo e applicazioni. CEA, Milano

Herdman, T.H., Kamitsuru, S. & Takào Lopes C. (2021) (a cura di) Diagnosi infermieristiche NANDA-I, Definizioni e classificazione 2021-2023 12°ed. CEA Milano,

Introduzione alle scienze infermieristiche – P.C. Motta, Carocci Fader, 2002 Roma

IPASVI- Collegi provinciali Regione Emilia – Romagna, (2011)

Autonomia-Competenza- Responsabilità infermieristica –

Codice deontologico Delle professioni infermieristiche, 2025

FNOPI – ROMA, Aprile 2019

Il solco dell’assistenza: otto lezioni di storia illustrata dell’assistenza infermieristica dalle origini a oggi – M. Negri, S. Montalti, C. Forni - Bonomo Editore, 2021 Bologna

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through interactive lectures. Group work and practical exercises on care planning will also be carried out.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the knowledge acquired by the student consists of two tests:

• Written test with 30 multiple-choice questions, required for admission to the oral examination. The test is passed with at least 21 correct answers out of 30. The total time allowed for the written test is 30 minutes.
• Oral examination aimed at assessing the depth of understanding of the course content and the ability to connect the different topics. It consists of the oral presentation of two topics, each from a different section of the programme, drawn at random by the student from a predefined list of 15 questions.

Teaching tools

Film screenings, Wooclap, slides prepared by the lecturer and teaching materials recommended by the lecturer.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Comanducci