English Language and Evidence-Based Nursing (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

English oral and written language skills are practiced through specific tasks and content related to the field. Students will write and read texts, deliver oral presentations, engage in discussions, and practice essential vocabulary during the course, helping build confidence in using the language professionally.

Student gets familiar with the key concepts of evidence-based nursing and the concepts and principles related to nursing ethics. Studies include the use of essential nursing science databases and practices utilizing and applying evidence in nursing and prehospital care.

Objective

The aim of the course is to activate and develop the students’ field-relevant English language and communication skills.

Goals
• The students will gain professional skills in various spoken and written communicative situations encountered in working life and society.
• They will learn to utilize tools and techniques to further develop their skills in authentic, field-specific contexts.
• The students should have acquired skills to communicate at level B2 according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages, at B2-level students should be able to produce clear, coherent and well-structured texts, present detailed descriptions related to one’s field of interest, express and exchange opinions using fluent language, follow complex arguments, and read longer articles and reports.

Professionalism and ethics, nursing science and evidence-based practice in emergency care and nursing
• The student is familiar with and learns the key concepts, values, ethical principles and guidelines in nursing and practices their use in practical situations in nursing
• The student is able to draw a line between private and professional communication roles in social media
• The student understands the knowledge base of nursing.
• The student can identify the responsibilities and tasks of emergency nurses and nurses.
• The student is familiar with evidence-based operations in nursing.
• The student knows how to search for information and assess the fact-basis of information using the most common health sciences databases

Content

Contents
• Writing professional, field-specific texts
• Presenting and discussing field-specific topics in a professional manner
• Reading field-specific texts and utilizing the information in professional contexts
• Learning and using key terminology of their field
• Becoming professional, autonomous language users in working life
• Key concepts of epistemology and ethics
• Professional ethics and collegiality
• The rights and self-determination of patients
• Identification and handling of ethical problems
• Ethical approach in emergency care and nursing professions
• Nursing science as a discipline
• Evidence-based activities – concepts and bases for activities
• Key treatment recommendations
• Information seeking

Materials

Materials will be made available on the Itslearning learning platform.

- Materials shared by the teacher.
- Materials searched from the web by the students.
- Materials produced by the students themselves.
- All materials will be available in the Itslearning learning environment.
- There are no material costs for the students.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

- Work-life-oriented learning objectives and material
- Digital learning
- Independent work
- Group work and team learning
- Flipped learning
- Self-reflection
- Peer review

Completion alternatives

There are no optional completion methods.

Student workload

3cr = 81h

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course is graded on a scale of 0-5:

The course grade is influenced by attendance, as well as both oral and written performances. More detailed information will be provided during the course.

Course performances are scored, which will form the overall course grade. Both oral and written performances affect the grade. Some evaluated tasks are performed on campus, and some as independent work alone or in a group; see Itslearning for more detailed criteria.

Evaluation and feedback: Teacher’s feedback, task-specific points, self-reflection, peer feedback.

The course grade comprises as follows:
Compulsory attendance 75% No substitute tasks.
Evidence-Based Nursing: 40% - grading 0 to 5
Recording: 40% - grading 0 to 5
Presentation: PASS/FAIL
The remaining 20% are active in class participation and completing the assignments.

In addition to feedback from the teacher, students will receive peer feedback from other group members.

Both parts, English and EBN (Learning report: 40% - grading 0 to 5), must be successfully completed.

Failed (0)

Student fails to complete the course or leaves the course incomplete.
EBN: Not passed: The written task has not been completed, the text is plagiarized, or the content of the text is false

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

- The student's language usage is inconsistent and sometimes challenging to follow. However, the student demonstrates command of key professional vocabulary and can use it in speech and writing.
- The student's output contains structural and lexical errors, which may affect comprehensibility in certain instances. Despite these errors, the message is generally conveyed in speech and writing.
- The student participates in the instruction with varying activity levels and does not actively seek out language use situations voluntarily.
- Course assignments have been submitted.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

- The student's language is situationally appropriate, logical, fluent, and clear in written and oral expression. The speech and produced text are easy to follow.
- The student possesses a moderately well-mastered field-specific vocabulary, utilizing it effectively in written expression. Occasional errors may occur in speech and writing but do not critically impact comprehensibility.
- The student has adhered to the assignment instructions and has professional outputs.
- The student actively participates in instruction and interactive situations.
- Course assignments have been submitted and executed proficiently.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

- The student's language is diverse, skillful, appropriate, and precise in written and oral performances. Speech and produced text are enjoyable to follow.
- Mastering field-specific vocabulary is excellent, and the student adeptly incorporates it into their outputs.
- The student is a proficient communicator, eagerly seizing opportunities to use the language. Both oral and written outputs employ sophisticated structures.
- The student has been actively engaged in the course, and the course performances demonstrate outstanding proficiency in language use.

Further information

Email kim.vo@turkuamk.fi and saimi.ristimaki@turkuamk.fi, ItsLearning messages