Return to Nursing | Courses Index
[1] Courses in Nursing (NURS)
2305 HEALTH ASSESSMENT A course for the development and refinement of clinical nursing skills for the assessment of the adult patient. Focus is on the holistic, developmental, and culturally diverse adult as the student develops the knowledge and psychomotor skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health history, a physical examination, and an environmental assessment. Lab experience is focused on practicing assessment techniques and comparing expected and unexpected findings. (2 credits Theory/1 credit lab with a total of 30 lab hours.) Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major.
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.
3V20 STANDARDIZED PARTICIPANTS IN SIMULATION (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) Under the guidance and direction of the Simulation Center Manager or designated faculty, students will participate In simulation based learning experiences (SBLE)/summative evaluation experiences (SEE) as standardized participants (SP). Students will have the opportunity to experience, practice, and model essential values of safety, quality, professionalism, accountability, and collaboration within SBLE/SEE. Prerequisite: Faculty approval.
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.
3102 PHARMACOLOGY I A course exploring the basic principles of pharmacotherapy used in the treatment of clinical problems necessary for generalist nursing practice. This foundational course establishes the student’s knowledge base for application to direct patient care and patient teaching. Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major.
3110 NURSING STUDENT SUCCESS Student will identify learning needs, practice test taking strategies, review content, and practice essential nursing skills as needed to increase opportunities for success in the nursing program. Prerequisite: Permission from the undergraduate coordinator.
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.
3205 PHARMACOLOGY II A course examining pharmacotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of illness and the promotion, maintenance and restoration of wellness in diverse individuals across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NURS 2305 and NURS 3102
3211 COACHING DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS This interprofessional education (IPE) upper-division elective course prepares students from all healthcare disciplines to coach community caregivers of people with dementia, with the goal of decreasing caregiver burden. Skills gained from this immersion level IPE course may be transferred to a variety of coaching situations across various disciplines. The course includes didactic and practical coaching experience. Students who participate in this course may go on to obtain certification through REACH Community, if they choose to do so. Prerequisites: Admission to a program of study within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and Junior level status or higher.
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.
3303 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING A course exploring concepts and theories basic to the discipline of nursing, emphasizing the role of the nurse as a member of the health care team. Students are introduced to the concepts of patient needs, safety, communication, teaching/learning, critical thinking, ethical-legal, cultural diversity, nursing history, and the program’s philosophy of nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 2305 and NURS 3102
3405 ESSENTIAL NURSING SKILLS A course focusing on psychomotor skills vital for performing nursing care throughout the lifespan. In a supervised laboratory environment, students perform skills in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process. 2 credit hours theory/2 credit hours laboratory with a total of 60 lab hours. Prerequisites: NURS 2305 and 3102.
3406 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NURSING A course focusing on nursing care of children and their families with emphasis on developmental needs and differences of infants, children and adolescents. Content is reinforced with clinical experiences that include care of typically developing children and children with special developmental needs in both acute care and community based settings. Students complete 67.5 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, 3405, 4335, 3205, and 3304.
3407 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING A course focusing on nursing theories and practices in the care and treatment of patients across the lifespan and their families as they respond to psychiatric/mental health problems. This course assists students in effective management of patients experiencing psychosocial stressors in diverse settings. Students complete 67.5 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, 3405, 4335, 3205, and 3304.
3408 NURSING CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT A course emphasizing an understanding of the aging process, age-related changes, and complex health and ethical issues impacting older adults. The clinical component allows students to experience older adults and their family members across a variety of healthcare settings. Focus of this course is on the role of the nurse and implications for promoting health for older adults in the least restrictive environment. Students will complete 67.5 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 2305 Health Assessment and NURS 3102 Pharmacology I.
3525 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I A course introducing 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 assessment in acute inpatient healthcare facilities. Students gain theoretical basis of medical surgical conditions in the classroom settings, followed by application of knowledge in the patient care setting. Students gain experience in developing comprehensive plans of nursing care. 3 credit hours theory and 2 credit hours clinical. Students complete 90 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, 3405, 4335, 3205, and 3304.
4113 AROMATHERAPY An introduction to aromatherapy, designed to teach students about select essential oils for personal and basic healthcare uses. Offers projects for practical applications
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.
4105 NURSING HONORS 2 NURS 4105 is devoted to implementing and presenting the project designed in the NURS 4205, Nursing Honors 1. The students continue to conduct extensive readings and study in a particular area of nursing practice or nursing science. Students will disseminate the honors project at the CHBS Research Symposium. Student projects must demonstrate evidence of independent, abstract, analytic, and critical thinking. In order to qualify to graduate with honors in nursing, the student must successfully complete NURS 4205, NURS 4105, and successfully complete an honors project. Prerequisite: Invitation to enter Nursing Honors Program and completion of Nursing Honors 1 (NURS 4205).
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.
4205 NURSING HONORS 1 The Nursing Honors Program offers opportunities for undergraduate nursing students to explore special interests in nursing through an independent honors project. In order to qualify to graduate with honors in nursing, the student must successfully complete NURS 4205, NURS 4105, and successfully complete an honors project. Prerequisite: Invitation to enter Nursing Honors Program.
4211 GUIDED IMAGERY AND SELF-HYPNOSIS FOR HEALTH Examines historical and current evidence for use of guided imagery and hypnosis in healthcare. Introduces techniques for self-hypnosis, relaxation, and use of positive suggestions. Explores the use of mind-body techniques for specific health conditions including resources and training.
4235 NURSING INFORMATICS A course exploring the use of informatics in nursing and its role in enhancing safety and quality of care for patient outcomes. Provides a theoretical foundation and applications to build basic skills for information literacy and information management competencies. Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing major.
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.
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, ECG 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 uses 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.
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.
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.
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: Admission to the Nursing major and MATH 2311 or another introductory statistics course (GEOG 2330, PSCI 2312, PSYC 2330, QMTH 2330, SOC 2321). [UD UCA Core: I, C]
4320 HEALTH POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING A course that focuses on healthcare policies and economics, the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, and issues that directly and indirectly influence nursing practice. Students will explore diverse perspectives on health policies and healthcare delivery systems. Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major. [UD UCA Core: D]
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.
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.
4335 NURSING INFORMATICS FOR RNs A course exploring the use of informatics in nursing and its role in enhancing safety and quality of care for patient outcomes. Provides a theoretical foundation and applications to build basic skills for information literacy and information management competencies. Prerequisites: Admission to the RN-to-BSN program.
4340 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT FOR RNs This course focuses on the 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. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program.
4345 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL APPLICATIONS FOR RNs This course 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 program.
4403 MATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING A course that explores the collaborative role of the nurse when providing for the health needs of childbearing families from preconception, through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Emphasis is placed on the nursing process and clinical reasoning to provide collaborative care in acute and community environments. Students will complete 67.5 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, NURS 3405, and NURS 3205.
4404 NURSING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT A course that focuses on nursing leadership and resource management in an evolving healthcare environment. Emphasis is on advanced communication and collaboration with interprofessional teams. Students will synthesize leadership theories and concepts related critical thinking, change theory, conflict resolution, and changes that affect the healthcare system. Students will complete 67.5 hours of supervised practicum experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, NURS 3405, and NURS 3205.
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. NURS 4430 must be completed in the final semester of study. 1 credit theory, 3 credits clinical. Students complete 135 clock hours with a clinical preceptor. Prerequisites: NURS 2305, 3102, 3303, 3405, 4335, 3205, 3304, 3525, 3406, 3407, 4315, 4525, 4403, 4404. [UD UCA Core: Z]
4511 COMMUNITY AND POPULATION HEALTH NURSING FOR RNs This course is designed to prepare students to assist individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain optimal health. In addition, an epidemiological model is used to help student understand nursing care of families and individuals experiencing disorders across the life cycle in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program. [UD UCA Core: R]
4516 NURSING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FOR RNs Focuses on nursing leadership and resource management in an evolving health care environment. Provides opportunities for integration of theories and principles, examination of health care delivery, and use of professional nursing practice standards in classroom and clinical experiences. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program.
4525 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II This course is a continuation of Medical-Surgical Nursing I and focuses on the management of patients with emergent and acute conditions in complex environments. Emphasis is placed upon clinical reasoning, advanced medical technology, assessment skills, and collaborative practice with interprofessional teams. Students will acquire and synthesize data, plan and provide nursing care, and evaluate outcomes of adult patients in acute care settings. Students will complete 90 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisite: NURS 3525.
4530 COMMUNITY AND POPULATION HEALTH This course is designed to prepare students to assist individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain optimal health. In addition, an epidemiological model is used to help students understand nursing care of families, and individuals experiencing disorders across the life cycle in a variety of settings. Students will complete 90 hours of supervised practicum experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 3303, 3405, and 3205. [UD UCA Core: R]