KING SAUD UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURSING EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Second Semester 1443 H
NURS 220 Professional Communication

Credit Hours: 2 hours

Prerequisites: None

Course Coordinator: Ms. Dalal Alshael

Days and hours of class meetings:

Faculty: Ms. Fatima A Basonbul

Email: [email protected]

Office hour: 10-11am Wed

9:30 -11am Thu

Course Description:

This course will introduce students to the interrelated aspects of communication and professional
behavior in nursing. It focuses on integrating their knowledge, attitudes and skills required to
communicate verbally, non-verbally and electronically in the practice setting. Students will be
introduced to the communication-related challenges facing people live in Saudi Arabia, and the
impact on their health care. The inclusion of Team Strategies & Tools to Enhance Performance
and Patient Safety (Team STEPPS) principles encourages the development of students with
contemporary skills in interdisciplinary communication and an acute awareness of preventing
harm through poor communication. The factors that need to be considered in caring for people
with diverse cultures will also be explored. Students will also begin a comprehensive and
integrated approach to deal with and manage difficult people and those with communication
disorders in the professional practice environment.

Instructional Methods:
 Traditional classroom
  Interactive lectures
 Board discussion
 Case scenario

Required Texts:

- Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2017). Interpersonal communication:

relating to others. Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson.

- Shwom, B. L. (2015). Business Communication: Polishing Your Professional Presence.

Pearson/Prentice Hall.

- Health Research & Educational Trust. (2015, June). Improving Patient Safety Culture
through Teamwork and Communication: TeamSTEPPS®. Chicago, IL: Health Research &
Educational Trust. Accessed at www.hpoe.org.

- Hughes RG (ed.). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses.
(Prepared with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). AHRQ Publication No.
08-0043. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; March 2008.

- [Developed for the Department of Defense Patient Safety Program in collaboration with the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]. (2010). TeamSTEPPS® : strategies & tools
to enhance performance and patient safety. [Falls Church, VA] :Dept. of Defense,
TRICARE : Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ Pub. No. 14-0001-2.

Recommended Resources:

- For information on a variety of communication skills: Free Management Library website

on resources in communication skills at
http://managementhelp.org/search/management_help_search.html?
zoom_query=communication+skills .

- For the study, development, and teaching of listening and the practice of effective
listening skills and techniques, International Listening Association,
http://www.listen.org/ .

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Course Objectives:

1. Develop effective communication skills between nurses and their patients, with members
of the community and with other health professionals.

2. Establish interdisciplinary communication skills in the health care environment.

3. Appreciate the influence of verbal, non-verbal and electronic communication on the

health care of people.

4. Identify the dynamics of cultural safety in nursing especially as they relate to the care of
different cultural groups.

5. Identify the basic principles of effective group dynamics and consider them in analyzing
work-related situations.

6. Apply safety in practice with clear articulation of the principle of Team STEPPS.

7. Recognize communication-related health issues relating to professional nursing practice.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively with their patients, members of the community and other health
professionals.

2. Utilize the interdisciplinary communication skills in the health care environment.

3. Appreciate the influence of verbal, non-verbal and electronic communication on the

health care of people.

4. Utilize the dynamics of cultural safety in nursing especially as they relate to the care of
different cultural groups.

5. Apply the basic principles of effective group dynamics and consider them in analyzing
work-related situations.

6. Apply safety in practice with clear articulation of the principle of Team STEPPS.

7. Participate in analyzing and managing communication-related health issues relating to

professional nursing practice.

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Course Requirements:

1. Quiz (10%), Midterm (30%) & Final exams (40%):

Due date of exams is listed in the timetable below and will be done in the classrooms. Exam
content will be based upon material addressed in the assigned text, assigned readings, class
assignments and in-class content. There is no make-up for exams, if a student is absent for exams
grade of zero will be recorded. Any exception should be discussed with the instructor at least 48
hours in advance of the exam.

2. Discussion Board (OR Self-reflective Journal) (10%):

There will be 2 discussions will be posted at scheduled times during the semester. Discussion
content will be based upon material addressed in the online session. There is no make-up
discussion.

3. Case Scenario Assignment (10%):

There will be 2 case scenarios to be completed during the semester. The case scenarios will be
completed independently and submitted by the required due date. There will not be any make-up
assignment. If you do not submit the assignment by the required due date, a grade of zero will be
recorded.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class face to face or through the black board
or Zoom meeting, based on the instructors’ guidelines. Students are responsible for all
announcements and any content covered in each class.

General policies, rules and Regulations:

 Students are expected to follow their program dress codes and comply with the professional
appearance.
 Students are required to attend the class through the black-board/ Zoom meeting with their
instructors.
 Students are required to be present and punctual every day. As per KSU rules and
regulations, you are required to attend at least 75 % of the classrooms in order to enter the
final exam. Attendance will be calculated from the first week of the semester regardless of
the day of enrollment in the course.
 As per KSU rules and regulations, sick leaves (out of KSU facilities) will not be accepted
unless being authenticated by KSU.
 Students are responsible for any missed class, in term of class content, homework,
assignments, and exams.
 Missed deadlines for homework and projects will affect your grade with no credit.

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 Missed quizzes will not be taken.
 Missed midterms or final exams, however, may be taken in accordance with KSU policy.
 Cheating or plagiarism on tests or assignments is cause for formal disciplinary action.
 Courses that have practical part, students will not enter the final practical unless they pass 85
% of the required clinical competencies for this course.
 Cell phones should be on silent mode in class.

Other Policies or Expectations:

Expectations of students
 keep up with the material covered every week
 Participate actively and courteously in the classroom
 Abide by the standards of academic honesty and student code of conduct.
 You are expected to demonstrate considerations of professional life, which includes
contacting your instructor if you will miss a class session.

Course Assessment &Evaluation:

30 %
Midterm exam (1)
Quiz (1) 10%

Case Scenario Assignment (1,2) 10 %

Self-reflective Journal (1,2) 10 %

Final Written Exam 40 %

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 Class Schedule:
Week Class Date Course outline Readings and Activities
Week (1) Introduction to the course Assign a leader
Ice breaking Discuss the course syllabus (ILO &
Assessment)
Managing the course
requirements
Week (2) Introduction to professional Chapter 1, Introduction to Interpersonal
communication: Key concepts Communication
and effective process.
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V.
(2017). Interpersonal communication: relating
to others. Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson.
Self-reflective Journal
And,
(discussion board)
Chapter 3, Managing the Communication
Process Analyzing, Composing, Evaluating.

Shwom, B. L., Snyder L. G., & Clarke L.

(2019). Business communication: polishing
your professional presence. 4th Ed. Pearson
Education, Inc.

Week (3) Introduction to professional Chapter 1, Introduction to Interpersonal

communication: Key concepts Communication
and effective process. (Cont.).
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V.
(2017). Interpersonal communication: relating
to others. Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson.

And,

Chapter 3, Managing the Communication

Process Analyzing, Composing, Evaluating.
Shwom, B. L., Snyder L. G., & Clarke L.
(2019). Business communication: polishing
your professional presence. 4th Ed. Pearson
Education, Inc.

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 Submission of Case Scenario (1(by
Students
Week (4) Understanding Communication Chapter 2, Interpersonal Communication and
and Interpersonal Skills Self
Chapter 3, Interpersonal Communication and
Perception
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond,
M. V. (2017). Interpersonal
communication: relating to others.
Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson

Week (5) Understanding Communication Chapter 4, Interpersonal Communication and

and Interpersonal Skills (Cont.) Diversity: Adapting to Others
Quiz 1 Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V.
(2017). Interpersonal communication: relating
to others. Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson.
And,
Chapter 2, Working with Others Interpersonal,
Intercultural, and Team Communication.
Shwom, B. L., Snyder L. G., & Clarke L.
(2019). Business communication: polishing
your professional presence. 4th Ed. Pearson
Education, Inc.

Week (6) Listening and Responding skills: Chapter 5, Listening and responding skills
a basic required competency for Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V.
professional nurse (2017). Interpersonal communication: relating
to others. Seventh edition. Boston: Pearson.
Self-reflective Journal (discussion
board)

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Week (7) Midterm Exam
(Materials week 2,3,5,6)

Week (8) Various types of communication Chapter 6, Verbal Communication Skills

and the role of the nurse: Chapter 7, Nonverbal Communication Skills
- Verbal communication, Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M.
- Non-verbal V. (2017). Interpersonal communication:
relating to others. Seventh edition. Boston:
communication.
Pearson.
- Electronic
communication.

Week (9) Various types of communication Chapter 6, Verbal Communication Skills

and the role of the nurse: (Cont.) Chapter 7, Nonverbal Communication Skills
- Verbal communication, Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M.
- Non-verbal V. (2017). Interpersonal communication:
relating to others. Seventh edition. Boston:
communication.
Pearson.
- Electronic Pearson.
communication.
Submission of Case Scenario (2 (by
Students
Week (10) Developing Your Professional Chapter 1, Developing Your Professional
Presence: Presence
- Benefits of and Shwom, B. L., Snyder L. G., & Clarke L.
Challenges facing (2019). Business communication: polishing
your professional presence. 4th Ed. Pearson
effective communication.
Education, Inc.
- Characteristics of
professional
communicators (required

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 competencies).

Week (11) Professional Chapter 32, Professional Communication

Communication and Chapter 33, Professional Communication and
Team Collaboration for Team Collaboration
Safe and Effective
Nursing Practice Hughes RG (ed.). Patient safety and quality:
An evidence-based handbook for nurses.
(Prepared with support from the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation). AHRQ
Publication No. 08-0043. Rockville, MD:
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality; March 2008.

Week (12) - Team Strategies & Tools [Developed for the Department of Defense
to Enhance Performance Patient Safety Program in collaboration with
and Patient Safety the Agency for Healthcare Research and
(TeamSTEPPS): An Quality]. (2010). TeamSTEPPS® : strategies
& tools to enhance performance and patient
evidence-based
safety. [Falls Church, VA] :Dept. of Defense,
framework to optimize TRICARE : Agency for Healthcare Research
team performance across and Quality, AHRQ Pub. No. 14-0001-2.
the health care delivery
system And
Chapter 34, Handoffs: Implications for Nurses

Hughes RG (ed.). Patient safety and quality:

An evidence-based handbook for nurses.
(Prepared with support from the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation). AHRQ
Publication No. 08-0043. Rockville, MD:
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality; March 2008.

Week (13)
Break
Week (14) Team Strategies & Tools to [Developed for the Department of Defense
Enhance Performance and Patient Safety Program in collaboration with
Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS): the Agency for Healthcare Research and

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 Quality]. (2010). TeamSTEPPS® : strategies
& tools to enhance performance and patient
safety. [Falls Church, VA] :Dept. of Defense,
TRICARE : Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, AHRQ Pub. No. 14-0001-2.
And
Chapter 34, Handoffs: Implications for Nurses
(Cont.) Hughes RG (ed.). Patient safety and quality:
An evidence-based handbook for nurses.
(Prepared with support from the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation). AHRQ Publication No.
08-0043. Rockville, MD: Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality; March 2008.

Week (15)

Revision

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Week (16)

Week (17) Final exam

Student Acknowledgement of Course Syllabus

We have received a copy of the syllabus for NUR 220, Section# We have read this syllabus and

understand that we are responsible for abiding by the course requirements and policies

mentioned in the syllabus.

Students Name Students ID Signature Date

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