This course is designed to facilitate student understanding of, and participation in, the role of the nurse as a member of the profession. Didactic content will be provided covering the importance of nursing’s value driven involvement in it’s professional governance; in the mission, goals, membership and processes of professional organizations and schools; and the leadership and membership roles and benefit  of students in professional student organizations. Practicum experiences include participation in student governance, active roles in professional student organizations, representation on School of Nursing and Health Science Center committees, and mentoring activities. All students will begin with the didactic and practicum parts of the course however students involved over several semesters in practicum activities may continue to register for the practicum component alone as indicated by the hours they have committed to their practicum roles (up to two credit hours a semester).  

Initial course registration:
1 Hour Theory
1–2  Hours Practicum for each 45 or 90 actual hours respectively of governance, representation, and/or
         mentoring as contracted between faculty and student at the beginning of the semester reflecting
         attendance, participation and defined outcomes expectations

Ongoing practicum registration:
1-2 Hour Practicum for each 45 or 90 actual hours respectively of governance, representation, and/or
       mentoring as contracted between faculty and student at the beginning of the semester reflecting 
       attendance,  participation and defined outcomes expectations

Initial Theory and Practicum Course  (must be taken together the first time a student registers for this):
Prerequisite:  Enrollment in the undergraduate program.
Co-requisite:  Election to student government position, assumption of professional student organizational role, representation on school or health science center committee, or enacted mentoring role.  

Ongoing Practicum:  (may be taken in one or two credit hour blocks depending on role(s) assumed and time committed to those roles.
Prerequisite: 1 Hour  Theory course
Co-requisite:  Election to student government position, assumption of professional student organizational role, representation on school or health science center committee, or enacted mentoring role.   

1. Reflect on the value of the role of the nurse as a member of the profession, including costs and benefits to the individual and the profession.
2. Demonstrate operational understanding of organizational theory and practices related to student, school, university and professional organizations governance.
3. Demonstrate operational understanding of leadership theory and practices related to student, school, university and professional organizations governance.
4. Demonstrate operational understanding of management theory and practices related to student, school, university and professional organizations governance.
5. Present specific information related to the organization, leadership, and management processes and outcomes of one lived practicum experience.
6. Explore application of theory (group process, motivation, conflict resolution, consensus building, communication, etc.)  to observed lived practicum experiences.   

1. Assume a role in student government, school or university committee representation, active professional nursing student organization, or mentoring relationship.  
2. Contract practicum activities and associated time with course faculty.
3. Participate as contracted in assumed role.
4. Apply theoretical content to assumed role activities and analysis
5. Maintain a monthly reflective log.
6. Participate meaningfully in monthly discussion group.
7. Complete all required Health Science Center compliance and student organization orientations and certifications.

Major Professional Nursing Organizations
          Organization
          Mission
          Vision / Goals
          Membership
          Activities
Specialty Professional Organizations
         Organization
         Mission
         Vision / Goals
          Membership
          Activities
Introduction to The University of Texas Health Science Center
          Organization
          Accreditation
          Governance
          Representation (community, faculty, students)
Introduction to The UTHSCSA School of Nursing
          Accreditation  
          Governance
          Representation (community, faculty, students)
Introduction to Student Organization
          Organization
          Governance Mission, Vision, Goals
          Roles
          Representation
          Activities
Introduction to mentoring and pipeline outreach