Return to Nursing | Courses Index
[1] Courses in Nursing (NURS)
2305 HEALTH ASSESSMENT The student develops the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health history, physical examination, and environmental assessment to establish a database from which to derive nursing diagnoses. Lab experience is focused on practicing assessment techniques and comparing expected and unexpected findings . Sensitivity to patient’s needs, values, and beliefs, is central to the refinement of clinical skills in health assessment. (2 credits theory, 1 credit lab with 30 clock hours). Pre-/corequisite: BIOL 2411, admission to the major. Fall.
2310 NURSING 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: NURS 2305 and 2505, BIOL 2411; corequisite: BIOL 4311. Spring.
2505 CONCEPTS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING Introduces the student to essential concepts for preparing professional nurses for their multi-faceted role. Focus is on a self and peer assessment of health promoting behaviors, role development, professional values, psychomotor skills, and fundamental nursing concepts. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 45 clock hours). Prerequisite: Admission to the major; pre-/corequisite: BIOL 2411. Fall.
2510 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING Introduces theories and principles of nursing care of adult patients with medical and/or surgical conditions. Emphasis is on clinical reasoning to determine patient problems based on hands-on assessments in acute inpatient health care facilities. Students gain basic competencies or selected skills while in a laboratory setting and theoretical bases of medical/surgical conditions in a classroom setting, followed by application of knowledge in the patient care setting. Students gain experience in developing comprehensive plans of nursing care. (2 credits theory, 3 credits lab/clinical with 135 clock hours). Prerequisites: NURS 2305 and 2505, BIOL 2411; corequisites: NURS 2310, BIOL 4311. Spring.
3V13 SPECIAL STUDIES IN NURSING (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) This course is 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.
3101 STRATEGIES FOR NURSING TESTS SUCCESS (I-IV) An elective online independent study course focused on an analysis of the student’s test-taking errors and a review of effective test taking strategies for nursing course exams and the NCLEX-RN exam. Prerequisite: Current enrollment as a UCA Nursing student. Fall, spring.
3130 NCLEX-RN STRATEGIES (I-IV) A required, online, independent study course based on the student’s results on the standardized exam(s) offered the previous semester. This course uses online resources for an intensive review of course-specific or comprehensive nursing content. Prerequisite: Scoring below the cut score on one (1) course-specific standardized exam offered the previous semester. Fall, spring.
3201 NURSE AS EDUCATOR Provides communication skills, basic education principles, and knowledge of available resources for use in client-centered teaching. The course focuses on development and incorporation of client-centered teaching into professional nursing practice. Formal and informal health teaching with individuals, families, peers, and communities in a variety of health care settings will be examined. Emphasis is placed on identifying appropriate resources, developing patient education materials, and perfecting written and oral communication skills. Prerequisite: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses. Fall.
3230 NCLEX-RN STRATEGIES (I-VI) A required, online, independent study course based on the student’s results on the standardized exam(s) offered the previous semester. This course uses online resources for an intensive review of course-specific or comprehensive nursing content. Prerequisite: Scoring below the cut score on two (2) course-specific standardized exams offered the previous semester. Fall, spring.
3245 LPN TO BSN TRANSITION Builds on the Licensed Practical Nurse’s previous education and experience. Emphasis is on self-reflection and collaboration of student and faculty in the development of a personal framework for professional nursing practice.
3501 MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING 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. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses and BIOL 4311; pre-/corequisite: FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Fall.
3505 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NURSING 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. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses, BIOL 4311, and FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Spring.
3510 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 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. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: Completion of all 2000-level required nursing courses and BIOL 4311; pre-/corequisite: FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Fall.
3515 CHRONIC HEALTH NURSING AND OLDER ADULT WELLNESS 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. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: Completion of all required 2000-level nursing courses, BIOL 4311, and FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370. Spring. [UD UCA Core: R]
4V14 SPECIAL TOPICS IN NURSING (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) This course is 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.
4101 GUIDED READING IN NURSING (I-VIII) An online book study used to stimulate thinking and promote a broadened perspective of nursing and nursing issues. Prerequisite: Current enrollment as a UCA nursing student. Fall, spring.
4140 NCLEX-RN REVIEW OF SELECTED CONTENT (I-VI) An elective, online, independent study course focused on the review of one content area in preparation of the NCLEX-RN. Prerequisite: Good standing in the BSN program. Fall, spring.
4220 HEALTH POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING Focuses on healthcare policies and issues that directly and indirectly influence nursing practice, as well as the nature and functioning of the healthcare system. Prerequisite: All fall-semester level IV nursing courses. Spring. [UD UCA Core: D]
4240 NCLEX-RN REVIEW OF SELECTED CONTENT (I-VI) An elective, online, independent study course focused on the review of at least two content areas in preparation of the NCLEX-RN. Prerequisite: Good standing in the BSN program. Fall, spring.
4245 RN TO BSN TRANSITION Builds on the Registered Nurse’s previous education and experience. Emphasis is placed on self-reflection and collaboration with students and faculty in the development of a personal framework for professional nursing practice.
4250 ACLS SUPPLEMENTATION Focuses on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) through BLS, ECK rhythm interpretation, pharmacology, and a combination of these in scenario circumstances. Assessment skills and collaborative practice are used to acquire and synthesize data, plan and provide nursing care, and evaluate outcomes of the adult patient. This course utilizes HeartCode ACLS. Successful completion paired with skills verification meets the requirements for the issuing of an American Heart Association ACLS Provider card to the participant. Prerequisites: NURS 3515, 4505. Spring.
4255 PALS SUPPLEMENTATION This course focuses on Pediatric Cardiac Life Support (PALS) through BLS, ECG rhythm interpretation, pharmacology, skills stations, and a combination of these in scenario circumstances. Assessment skills and collaborative practice are used to acquire and synthesize data, plan and provide nursing care, and evaluate outcomes of the pediatric patient. This course utilizes HeartCode PALS. Successful completion paired with skills verification meets the requirements for the issuing of an American Heart Association PALS Provider card to the participant. Prerequisites: NURS 3505, 3515. Spring.
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 The honors program offers opportunities to explore special interests in nursing through an independent project. Successful completion of the project qualifies the student to graduate with 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 Undergraduate Bulletin description of the Nursing Honors Program. Fall.
4315 RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE Introduces research methodology and the evidence-based practice process. Emphasis is on identifying clinical practice problems, appraisal and integration of evidence, and dissemination of findings. Prerequisites: Three clinical nursing courses and a basic statistics course. [UD UCA Core: I]
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.
4335 NURSING INFORMATICS Explores the use of informatics in nursing and its role in enhancing care and quality patient outcomes. Provides a theoretical foundation and application to build basic skills for information management competencies. Topics include an overview of health information systems, information management infrastructure, the role of informatics in nursing, privacy, security, and ethical standards. Prerequisites: Level II nursing courses. Annually.
4340 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT Development and refinement of health history-taking methods, physical examination skills, health promotion techniques, and clinical assessment tools for health assessment of the whole person. The student will choreograph a head-to-toe exam for a complete screening examination as well as develop skills for focused examination of the adult.
4345 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL APPLICATIONS Builds on pre-licensure nursing education and experiential knowledge. Healthcare related sciences are used to understand the etiology, pathogenesis, and functional consequences of various disease states and health-related conditions. Emphasis is placed on alterations in the structure and function of the body due to illness, injury, aging, or malfunction. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN track.
4430 IMMERSION EXPERIENCE This capstone experience prepares students for transition into professional nursing practice. Opportunities are provided for synthesis of previous learning, building clinical reasoning, personal and professional development, patient-centered care, teamwork, and delivery of safe and quality care. Prerequisite: All fall semester level IV nursing courses. (1 credit theory, 3 credits clinical with 135 clock hours). Spring. [UD UCA Core: Z]
4505 CARING FOR ADULTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH PROBLEMS Focuses on adult patients experiencing complex, multi-system health problems. Advanced technology, assessment skills, and collaborative practice are used to acquire and synthesize data, plan and provide nursing care, and evaluate outcomes of adult patients in acute care settings. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisite: Completion of all 3000-level nursing courses. Fall. [UD UCA Core: C]
4510 COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING Focuses on synthesis of professional nursing and public health science applied to promoting and preserving the health of diverse populations across the lifespan and throughout the continuum of the healthcare environment. Addresses creative direct and indirect strategies for wellness/illness holistic care for individuals, families, groups, populations, and communities in ever changing environments. Emphasizes self-care behaviors for personal and professional practice. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: All fall-semester level IV nursing courses. Spring.
4515 NURSING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 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. (3 credits theory, 2 credits lab/clinical with 90 clock hours). Prerequisites: Completion of all 3000-level required nursing courses and NURS 4213. Fall.