Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 4.04.08

[1] Courses in Nursing (NURS)

2305 HEALTH ASSESSMENT This theory/laboratory course addresses assessment of the adult patient across the life span. Focuses on knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health history, physical examination, and environment assessment, and use of clinical assessment tools to establish a database from which to derive nursing diagnoses. Prerequisite: Admission to the major. Pre-/Corequisite: BIOL 2411. Fall.

2310 PHARMACOLOGY This theory course covers the basic principles of pharmacology and drug therapy necessary for nursing practice. Concepts include drug effectiveness, pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, side and adverse drug responses, drug interactions, and patient education. Prerequisite: BIOL 2411, Corequisite: NURS 2510. Spring.

2505 CONCEPTS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING This theory/laboratory/clinical course introduces concepts of the multi-faceted roles of the professional nurse. Focus is on role development, professional values, core competencies, and core knowledge concepts and on caring for adults across the life span, particularly the older adult. Prerequisite: Admission to the major. Pre-/Corequisite: BIOL 2411. Fall.

2510 CARING FOR THE MEDICAL-SURGICAL PATIENT This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on caring for adult patients experiencing selected health problems across the life span within the acute care environment. The concept of caring is introduced with a focus on sensitivity to patients’ unique needs and their cultural beliefs, to diversity, and to the technical skills and scientific principles which provide a foundation for critical thinking applications to professional nursing. Prerequisite: BIOL 2411, Corequisite: NURS 2510. Spring.

3113, 3213, 3313 SPECIAL STUDIES IN NURSING These courses are varied to meet the needs and interests of nursing students, and may include NCLEX preparation, guided readings, and clinical practice with a preceptor. Prerequisite: Permission of the Undergraduate Director.

3200 TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL NURSING Required of all RN and LPN/LPTN licensed students in their first semester in the nursing major. Builds upon the nurse’s previous education and experience. Independent study and discussion. Prerequisite: Admission to the major. Fall.

3201 NURSE AS EDUCATOR This theory course presents the nurse-as-educator as an essential dimension of the professional nursing role. Patient and staff education, selected trends, issues, teaching/learning theories, principles, competencies, and strategies are emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses. Fall.

3501 CARING FOR THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on caring for childbearing families, particularly in the areas of antepartal, postpartal, intrapartal, newborn, and family. The course uses a wellness/illness continuum and addresses cultural aspects of care with both low-risk and high-risk patients in a variety of clinical settings. Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses, BIOL 4311, FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Pre-/Corequisites: PHIL 2325 or 1301. Fall.

3505 CARING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on caring for children and their families, with special emphasis on the unique developmental needs and differences of infants, children, and adolescents. Concepts related to health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, and illness and disease management are included. Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses, PHIL 2325 or 1301, BIOL 4311, FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Spring.

3510 CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on nursing theories and practices in the care and treatment of patients across the life span and their families as they respond to psychiatric/mental health problems. The course assists students in effective management of patients experiencing psychosocial stressors in other settings. Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses, BIOL 4311,FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Pre-/Corequisites: PHIL 2325 or 1301. Fall.

3515 CARING FOR ADULTS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on nursing care of culturally diverse adult patients across the life span who are experiencing chronic health problems and end of life issues. Additional focus is on well elderly persons in order to reduce health risks, promote health, and prevent illness. Prerequisites: Completion of all required 2000-level nursing courses, PHIL 2325 or 1301, BIOL 4311, FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Spring.

4114, 4214 SPECIAL STUDIES IN NURSING These courses are varied to meet the needs of nursing students, and may include NCLEX preparation and clinical practice with a preceptor. Prerequisite: Permission of the Undergraduate Director.

4213 RESEARCH IN NURSING This theory course introduces the language and processes of research within the nursing profession. Course content focuses on retrieving, reading, evaluating, disseminating, and using research in nursing practice. Prerequisites: Completion of all 3000-level required nursing courses and a statistics course (PSYC 2330, SOC 2321, MATH 2311, or PSCI 2312). Fall.

4220 HEALTH POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING This theory course explores current issues and trends confronting nurses, nursing, and health care delivery as well as presenting career planning and transitioning into the workforce. Prerequisite: Completion of all 3000-level required nursing courses. Fall.

4310 NURSING ETHICS An elective course designed primarily for nursing students. A study of ethical principles and reasoning applied to particular issues and cases related to health care and especially to nursing concerns. The course will examine standard theoretical approaches to health care/nursing ethics with an emphasis on the application of those theories to the needs of specific providers, clients, individuals, and institutions. The course will include lecture and discussion in an online format. On demand.

4314 HONORS IN NURSING This course is taught over two semesters and is part of the senior honors program in nursing. Prerequisite: Enrollment by invitation. See the bulletin Nursing Honors Program. Fall.

4325 GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CARE An overview of alternative/complementary health care philosophies and therapies and their role in health care today. Addresses issues of self-treatment, safety, effectiveness, and resources. Examples include nutritional supplements, massage, aromatherapy, herbal therapy, and relaxation therapy. On demand.

4330 CULTURAL AND HUMAN DIVERSITY IN NURSING An elective course which examines the influences of culture on client responses to wellness, health challenges, and health care. The effects of cultural diversity on concepts such as time, health, food, and end-of-life rituals will be investigated. Cultural assessments and the use of these assessments in planning and implementing culturally congruent nursing care will be explored. On demand.

4505 CARING FOR ADULTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH PROBLEMS This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on nursing care of adult patients across the life span who are experiencing complex, multi-system health problems and life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and on psychological, cultural, social, economic, and spiritual concerns of patients. Advanced technology, assessment skills, and collaborative practice are addressed. Prerequisite: Completion of all 3000-level nursing courses. Fall.

4510 COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING This theory/laboratory/clinical course focuses on synthesis of professional nursing and public health science applied to promoting and preserving the health of populations. The course is concerned with both wellness and illness in providing and facilitating the delivery of direct and indirect health-care services. Prerequisites: Completion of all 3000-level required nursing courses and NURS 4213. Spring.

4515 LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN NURSING This theory/laboratory/clinical course examines nursing leadership and management. The course provides innovative and practical opportunities to influence the delivery of health care and the development of health-care policy to meet the unique challenges of today’s health-care environment. Prerequisites: Completion of all 3000-level required nursing courses and NURS 4213. Spring.