This course provides the student with an organizing framework for defining professional nursing practice as a learned and complex therapeutic process through which the nurse engages individuals, families, or communities for the purpose of meeting health needs. Nursing philosophies are explored, with special emphasis given to interpretation of the influence of culture and caring on health. Processes deemed essential to professional nursing are emphasized, including informatics, critical thinking, nursing process, therapeutic communication and teaching-learning. Emerging nursing roles are examined within a historical and cultural context. The student is encouraged to consider a broad scope of roles in establishing a professional nurse identity with special attention to ecology, social justice, gender, and other ethical considerations. To earn credit, this course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. (Formerly 2312)