NUR 311
Critical Thinking in the Clinical Management of Patients
Fall, Semester 1: 8 credits, 4 hrs. lecture, 12 hrs. lab/clinical
This foundational course will focus on decision making in the clinical setting based on core nursing knowledge and basic nursing skills. Students will learn application of the nursing process to the management of basic human needs. This first clinical course will utilize both simulated and actual client situations.
NUR 312
Health Assessment
Fall, Semester 1: 3 credits, 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
This course provides students with the theoretical knowledge and clinical skill necessary for comprehensive and systematic collection of subjective and objective patient data. Students will learn to develop a data base through collection of a health history and performance of a physical assessment. The emphasis of this course is on the differentiation between normal and abnormal findings. This course includes a laboratory experience which will provide the students with the opportunity to refine clinical assessment skills and synthesize the components of the health history and physical assessment findings.
NUR 321
Pathophysiology
Fall, Semester 1: 3 credits
This course explores concepts in pathophysiology and their use in implementation of the nursing process. Common pathophysiologic processes are discussed in conjunction with recent research. The interrelationships between clinical pathophysiology and basic physiology and genetics are emphasized.
NUR 331
Prevention, Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
Fall, Semester 1: 2 credits
This course focuses on national goals for the promotion of health, the prevention of disease and the maintenance of health. Issues of chronicity and management of chronic illness within a context of health will be explored. National initiatives such as Healthy People 2010, the Institute of Medicine’s quality initiatives and health/illness projections for the 21st century will be examined for their implications on the health of individuals and the nation. Students will explore their own values and beliefs about health and illness.
NUR 322
Pharmacophysiology
Spring, Semester 2: 3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the pharmacologic treatment of pathology. General principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be covered. Major classification of drugs used therapeutically will be presented. Pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of major physiologic systems will be discussed. Utilizing a prototype drug approach, this course will emphasize comprehension over memorization.
NUR 341
Contemporary Issues in Nursing
Spring, Semester 2: 2 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the professional nursing role through the critical examination of current trends and issues influencing nursing care delivery. Legal, ethical and local and global health care issues will be discussed and analyzed. Current issues affecting the health care of Americans and implications for professional nursing will be evaluated.
NUR 313
Acute Care of the Adult and Aging Patient
Spring, Semester 2: 8 Credits, 4 hours lecture, 12 hours clinical
This course focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills involved in nursing care of the adult patient. Concepts which address prevention, health promotion, disease management and therapeutic interventions for adults will be addressed. Health issues and disease processes commonly experienced by individuals and their families in the adult years will be explored. Clinical practice experiences are provided in both out-patient and acute care settings and will focus on knowledge and skills necessary for competent and compassionate care of adults within the context of their families and community.
NUR 342
Spiritual and Cultural Competence in Nursing Care Delivery
Spring, Semester 2: 3 credits
This seminar course introduces students to frameworks designed to develop cultural and spiritual competencies in managing patients. The course will focus on the development of skills to identify and deal with a diversity of cultures and approaches to spirituality encountered in the delivery of nursing care.
NUR 431
Research, Theory and Evidence Basis for Nursing Care
Summer, Semester 3: 3 credits
This course focuses on the theoretical and research foundations of nursing care. Research methodologies and theories from nursing and other disciplines will be used to demonstrate the basis for nursing care and the creation of nursing knowledge. Students will be introduced to the process of scientific inquiry in nursing and nursing theory development. Current nursing research will be discussed in relation to key theories explaining phenomena relevant to nursing practice. Critical analysis of published research studies with regard to implications for clinical practice.
NUR 411
Nursing Care of Women and the Childbearing Family
Summer, Semester 3: 4 credits, 2 hours lecture, 6 hours clinical
This course focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills involved in the continuum of nursing care of women and the family from pre-conception, through pregnancy, delivery, post-partum and neonatal periods. Concepts which address prevention, health promotion, disease management and therapeutic interventions for women and the childbearing family will be addressed. Health issues and disease processes commonly experienced by women and the childbearing family will be explored. Clinical practice experiences are provided in both out-patient and acute care settings and will focus on knowledge and skills necessary for competent and compassionate care of women and the childbearing family and their communities.
NUR 412
Nursing Care of Children
Summer, Semester 3: 4 credits, 2 hours lecture, 6 hours clinical
This course focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills involved in managing the health care of children in acute care and community environments. Concepts which address prevention, health promotion, disease management and therapeutic interventions for children will be addressed. Health issues and disease processes commonly experienced by children will be explored. Clinical practice experiences are provided in both out-patient and acute care settings and will focus on knowledge and skills necessary for competent and compassionate care of children and their families within the context of their communities.
NUR 413
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Fall, Semester 4: 3 credits, 2 hours lecture, 6 hours clinical
This course focuses on needs/problems of individuals/families with a focus on assisting them to promote, maintain, restore and promote mental health and well-being. Psychological alterations in health, which affect individuals/families, are discussed. Clinical practice experiences are provided in both out-patient and acute care settings and will focus on knowledge and skills necessary for competent and compassionate care.
NUR 414
Nursing Care of Aggregate Populations
Fall, Semester 4: 3 credits, 2 hours lecture, 6 hours clinical
This course focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills involved in nursing care of the patients in their communities. A population focus is used to address the needs of aggregates. The role of the nurse in caring for the community as patient will be emphasized. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of community health settings.
NUR 451
Nursing Leadership
Fall, Semester 4: 3 credits
This course focuses on the development of professional nursing leadership skills. Theories of leadership, management, change, and delegation will be reviewed and applied to nursing and health systems. Students will explore the influence of culture, gender, age and other variables on leadership styles. Emphasis will be placed on concepts of collaboration, the interdisciplinary nature of the health care team and case management.
NUR 452
Transition to the Professional Nursing Role
Fall, Semester 4: 3 credits, 144 clinical hours
This capstone clinical course focuses on the integration and application of theory, research, evidence, critical thinking and psychomotor skills in a mentored practicum. Students will have the opportunity to synthesize the roles and functions of the professional registered nurse. Professional registered nurse preceptors and faculty mentors guide the student through this four week intensive clinical immersion experience.