Nursing

This course provides the learner an overview of the history of the nursing profession and the wide variety of roles nursing has to offer. The course discusses the communication and collaboration of nurses and other health care professionals. Learners begin to identify with the nursing process and how it relates to planning care for patients. Legal and ethical issues are examined through the Standards of Care, Scope and Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and an ethical decision making model. The application of basic math skills and medical terminology are reviewed. Formal application into the Nursing program takes place near the end of the course. Prerequisites: CHEM 101/103, BIOL 125, 211, 246, and 247. Pre/Corequisite: ENGL 210. TEAS and GPA of 2.75 must be achieved to enroll in the course.

NURS 205 — Fundamentals of Nursing I. 4 hours.

This course will build on the knowledge attained in the foundational science courses with emphasis on the well individual. Content includes assessment of major body systems in the adult population. Time will be spent in the Virtual Learning Center perfecting and demonstrating assessment skills. The course will culminate with the student performing a complete history and physical. Prerequisites: NURS 202 and admission to nursing program. Corequisite: NURS 205.

NURS 206 — Health Assessment. 3 hours.

This course will build on the knowledge attained in the foundational science courses with emphasis on the well individual. Content includes assessment of major body systems across the life span. Time will be spent in the Virtual Learning Center perfecting assessment skills. The course will culminate with the student performing a complete history and physical. Prerequisites: NURS 202 and admission to nursing program. Corequisite: NURS 205.

NURS 226 — Pharmacology for Nurses I. 2 hours.

Provides a foundation of pharmacological concepts and principles. Assessment and evaluation of medication administration along with symptom evaluation and the diagnostics related to drug therapy for the long term client. Prerequisite: NURS 202 and admission to nursing program or permission of the instructor. Corequisites: NURS 205 and 206.

NURS 315 — Fundamentals of Nursing II. 4 hours.

This course will build on the content presented in Fundamentals of Nursing I. Clinical skills are expanded and refined in the Virtual Learning Center along with an off-campus clinical site. A plan of care will be developed for selected individuals utilizing beginning clinical judgment and the nursing process. Prerequisites: NURS 205, 206, 226, and FACS 126.

NURS 327 — Pharmacology for Nurses II. 2 hours.

Assessment and evaluation of medication administration along with symptom evaluation and the diagnostics related to drug therapy for the acute client. Prerequisites: NURS 205, 206, 226, BIOL 330 and FACS 126. Corequisite: NURS 315.

NURS 335 — Community Health and Population-Focused Care. 2 hours.

The theoretical foundation of the nurse's role in the health and well-being at a local, state, and national level. Health promotion, health prevention, and health maintenance of individuals, families, aggegrates communities, and populations are assessed. Strategies of health education, health promition, and illness prevention, and illness prevention are analyzed to meet the needs of the community health nurses' clients. Discussions include the role, function, and structure of health care systems in the United States. The effects of the environment on health are investigated, and modification of risk factors in aggregates and populations are examined, along with principles of epidemiology. The role of the community health nurse in disaster management is explored. Observations in the community are assigned in Adult Health I. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 340, 342, 388, FACS 126, SOCY 120, COMM 105, MATH 120. Corequisite: NURS 466.

NURS 340 — Transcultural Family Nursing. 3 hours.

Focuses on developing insights into the diverse cultural venue. An emphasis is on transcultural nursing and its contribution to holistic healthcare. Theories related to both the family and transcultural nursing will be explored. The assessment element of the nursing process is discussed in relation to the nurses' role to provide cultural competent care. Prerequisites: acceptance into the nursing program and COMM 105, SOCY 120.

NURS 342 — Mental Health Nursing. 4 hours.

Presents the theoretical and clinical foundation of ethical and professional nursing care to individuals and small groups experiencing acute and chronic behavioral problems. The needs of individuals with mental illness as they impact the family and the community will be discussed. Students will apply the principles of therapeutic communication and the nursing process in this diverse setting. Selected therapeutic groups will be observed and group assignments completed. Prerequisites: NURS 205, 206, 226, FACS 126.

NURS 349 — Adult Health Nursing I. 5 hours.

Provides a strong theoretical and clinical basis for holistic nursing care needs of patients with a chronic disease. A variety of clinical areas provide the students with a diverse patient population in order to highlight evidence-based interventions. Clinical judgment and skills are developed by refining the nursing analysis of the patient's history and symptom severity, establishing rationale and priority for nursing and collaborative interventions, and evaluating patient response to various treatment modalities. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 340, 342, 388, FACS 126, SOCY 120.

NURS 378 — Childbearing Family Health. 4 hours.

The theoretical foundation of nursing care for the childbearing family during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal periods is the focus of this course. Women’s health issues and genetic considerations are addressed as they relate to the childbearing family. Community resources appropriate for the childbearing family are explored. Nursing research, cultural, sociopolitical, and legal aspects applicable to the childbearing family are studied. ANA and AWONN standards are addressed. Students will spend time in the clinical setting observing and providing care for the childbearing family. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 340, 342, 388, FACS 126, SOCY 120.

NURS 388 — Gerontology and Palliative Care. 2 hours.

This course will focus on nursing care of the geriatric patient. Current theories of aging, health promotion, and maintenance for geriatric patients, and management of common geriatric health problems will be emphasized. Palliative care across the life span will also be studied, including ethical, legal, and sociocultural concerns. The role of the professional nurse will be explored. Prerequisites: NURS 205, 206, 226.

NURS 405 — Adult Health Nursing. 8 hours.

The theoretical foundation of nursing care to adults with acute and chronic illnesses and the application of that theory are the focus of this course. Medical, surgical, nutritional, and alternative treatment modalities are explored. Students use the nursing process as they provide care to clients in health care facilities, such as medical and surgical hospital units, surgery, and post-anesthesia. Students are encouraged to exhibit ethical, moral, spiritual, and professional behaviors. Prerequisites: all Level II nursing courses.

NURS 415 — Child Health Nursing. 4 hours.

Provides a theoretical and clinical practice foundation for nursing care of children and adolescents. Family-centered care is the patient-centered approach in providing nursing care to the acute and chronically ill child and adolescent. An emphasis on evidence based practice, quality improvement measurements, and patient safety principles are used as a framework to study nursing theory. The 2008 Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice is the foundation for theory and clinical practice. Development of clinical reasoning is emphasized in this course. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 340, 342, 378, 388, FACS 126, SOCY 120. Corequisite: NURS 449.

NURS 435 — Community Health and Population-Focused Care. 2 hours.

Focus of this course is the theoretical foundation of the nurse's role in the health and well-being at a local and national level. Health promotion, health prevention, and health maintenance are assessed and evaluated in relation to sociopolitical forces and the health care delivery system. The effects of the environment on health are analyzed, and modification of risk factor in aggregates is explored, along with principles of epidemiology. Prerequisites: all Level II nursing courses.

NURS 439 — Adult Health Nursing II. 5 hours.

Continues topics of Adult Health Nursing I, with an emphasis on analyzing the holistic nursing care needs of patients with a chronic disease who are now demonstrating co-morbid sequelae. Strong development of clinical judgment, skills, and critical thinking and the safe application of evidence-based practice remain the essential focus of the course. Prerequisites: NURS 335, 349.

NURS 440 — Senior Synthesis I. ½ hour.

This seminar integrates the application and analysis of scenarios utilizing nursing concepts and principles presented in Adult Health, Child Health, and Community. Also included within the seminar are current issues impacting nursing today. Prerequisites: all Level II nursing courses.

NURS 441 — Advanced Adult Health. 8 hours.

The theoretical foundation of nursing care to individuals who are experiencing complex multi-system dysfunction is the focus of this capstone course. The practicum will apply the nursing process to co-morbid, high-risk, or critically ill patients. An emphasis upon professional role development and providing comprehensive care for a patient group is made in final preparation for entry into professional nursing. Prerequisites: all Level III nursing courses.

NURS 449 — Adult Health Nursing III. 5 hours.

Exposes the learner to the complex and delicate care needs of the patient experiencing end-of-life symptom severity, co-morbidities, and complications. Evaluation of the patient's response to critical treatment modalities are peer reviewed. Prerequisites: NURS 378, 439, 450, 456, 466.

NURS 450 — The Global Community. 2 hours.

The role of the nurse in preserving and promoting health in diverse global communities is presented. Students will discuss health promotion, health prevention, and health maintenance of the global communities. Populations are assessed and evaluated in relation to health care access and sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and cultural forces. The effects of the global environment on health are analyzed and modification of risk factors in aggregates is explored, along with principles of epidemiology. The theoretical experience from the Community Health and Population Focused Care and this course will culminate with a student led project in the community. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 335, 340, 342, 388, 466, FACS 126, SOCY 120, COMM 105, MATH 120. Corequisite: second required intercultural course.

NURS 455 — Leadership in Nursing. 3 hours.

This course studies leadership theory, organizational structure of the present health care system and the requisite professional nurse leadership behaviors and knowledge base. NCLEX preparation for entry into practice is guided through an online review of nursing theory. Successful completion of the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) predictor test is required for graduation approval. Prerequisites: all Level III nursing courses.

NURS 456 — Leadership and Trends in Nursing. 4 hours.

Studies of leadership theory and organizational structure of our present health care system at the national and local levels aer analyzed. Collaborative strategies are investigated to impact healthcare teamwork and national patient safety initiatives. Commonly encountered administrative and professional dilemmas, including patient issues are student researched and presented utilizing evidence basedd practice and quality improvement strategies; students will apply ethical decision-making models to these situations in preparation for their transition into the role of the professional nurse. A leadership shadow experience exposes the student to some of the challenges typically experienced by the nurse administrator, director, or manager. Students will prepare a professional portfolio. Prerequisites: NURS 335, 349.

NURS 465 — Senior Synthesis II. ½ hour.

This seminar integrates the application and analysis of scenarios utilizing nursing concepts and principles presented in Advanced Adult Health, Leadership, and Global Community. Nursing issues confronting the new graduate nurse will also be examined. Prerequisites: all Level II nursing courses.

NURS 466 — Nursing Research. 3 hours.

This course focuses on research as a team process. Students will discuss the ethical, moral, legal, and professional concerns pertinent to the research process. Emphasis is on the importance of life-long learning as a foundation for evidence-based nursing practice and research utilization. Students will critique selected research articles. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 327, 340, 342, 388, FACS 126, MATH 120, SOCY 120.

NURS 478 — Synthesis and Capstone in Nursing. 3 hours.

The practice course places the student with an experienced RN Preceptor who helps the student with their continued development of patient analysis, professional team communication, documentation, clinical judgment and critical thinking, and prioritizing and delegating. Students complete 120 clinical hours and attend a weekly seminar which provides opportunity for a shared debriefing of clinical experiences. A program-end ATI review course assists with final preparation for the NCLEX as entry into practice. Successful completion of the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) predictor test is required for graduation approval. Prerequisites: NURS 439, 456, 466. Corequisites: NURS 415, 449.

NURS 499 — Topics in Nursing. 1-3 hours.

Provides opportunity for individual attention to selected topics of interest in the field of nursing, or to expand on topics covered in other nursing courses.. This course will provide flexibility and allow responsiveness to the dynamic and rapidly changing field of nursing. Hours to be arranged. Prerequisites: all Level II nursing courses and approval of the Department Chair.