Writing in the Discipline - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Writing in the Discipline of Nursing

Plan for WID: Nursing

I. Statement of the role of writing in the discipline: Writing is essential to communicating as a professional nurse. Professional nurses write as care givers, advocates, teachers, and researchers. Nurses use writing to provide high quality safe care to patients and communities, to propose improvements to health care delivery, and to promote changes in health care policy.

The forms of writing used in nursing are clinical writing (or workplace writing), academic writing, and reflective writing. Through various types of clinical writing, including care plans, charting, discharge summaries, nurses describe and document the care of patients. Clinical writing may also include promotional materials and policies developed to serve groups and communities. Professional nurses use academic writing to disseminate new knowledge in the discipline and promote evidence-based practice. Reflective writing, such as journaling and informal responses, serves as a way to learn (“writing to learn”) and as a means to self-understanding and professional growth.

II. WID Program Outcomes: Desired writing outcomes for the discipline

Students will understand the purposes of writing and employ the conventions of writing in the field of nursing. (Written communication outcome for General Education at Rhode Island College)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate will:

I. Effectively communicate in writing in the various professional nursing practice roles

II. Accurately and precisely document professional practice in clinical settings.

III. Prepare thoughtful and effective research papers in the discipline of nursing.

IV. Prepare oral and written presentations individually and collaboratively to achieve a specific purpose.

V. Engage in reflective writing for personal professional development.