Nursing

LPNC 100 Drug DOSAGE CALCULATIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

Fall, 3 credit hours

This course introduces the principles related to pharmacology. It examines a variety of drug classifications and their effects on the body. The course places emphasis on use of the nursing process in drug administration and includes drug calculations.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), Composition & the Spoken Word (ENGL 101), Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101), and PN Fundamentals (LPNC 101). Practical Nursing Certificate Majors only.

LPNC 101 PRACTICAL NURSING FUNDAMENTALS

Fall, 8 credit hours

This course examines the evolution of nursing including current trends, and introduces the health care delivery system to the student. Communication techniques, including documentation, are explored. Legal and ethical considerations and the role of the LPN within healthcare are examined. Students will be encouraged to utilize the nursing process and critical thinking in providing nursing care to clients who are at various points on the health illness continuum. In lab, students will develop skills fundamental to the practice of nursing. Lab and theoretical content will be applied in the long-term care and clinic settings. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory, a twelve-hour clinical component required weekly.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), Composition & the Spoken Word (ENGL 101), Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101), Drug Dosage Calculations and Pharmacology (LPNC 100), or permission of instructor. Practical Nursing Certificate Majors only.

LPNC 102 PRACTICAL NURSING: SPECIALTY POPULATIONS

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course introduces students to data gathering and nursing care concepts focusing on maternity, newborn, pediatric, and mentally-ill clients. The nursing process and clinical reasoning skills are utilized to adapt nursing concepts and procedures to these special populations.

Prerequisites: LPNC 101 PN Fundamentals, ENGL 101 Composition and the Spoken Word, BIOL 217 Anatomy and Physiology I

Corequisites: LPNC 103 PN Medical-Surgical Nursing, BIOL 218 Anatomy and Physiology II, PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology

LPNC 103 PRACTICAL NURSING: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING

Spring, 8 credit hours

Students utilize clinical reasoning and the nursing process in learning about fundamental disease processes and the LPN's role in prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and the restoration of health in the adult client. Concepts related to safety, emotional support, communication, client teaching, and pharmacology are integrated throughout the course. Students utilize the nursing laboratory to enhance their psychomotor and clinical reasoning skills in practicing advanced nursing skills. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to apply theory/lab in the medical- surgical units and specialty units of acute care hospitals and clinics. Clinical component is required.

Prerequisite: LPNC 100 Drug Dosage Calculation & Pharmacology, LPNC 101 PN Fundamentals, BIOL 217 Anatomy and Physiology I, ENGL 101 Composition and the Spoken Word

Corequisites: LPNC 102 Practical Nursing - Special Populations, BIOL 218: Anatomy and Physiology II, PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology

NURS 101 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING

Fall, 6 credit hours

This course provides the student with knowledge and skills basic to nursing. Clinical experiences assist students in applying NURS 101 theory to client care. Skills performed in the nursing laboratory on campus facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the clinical setting. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory, and a six-hour clinical component required weekly.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Pharmacology I (NURS 103), Nursing Seminar (NURS 105), Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), Composition and the Spoken Word (ENGL 101). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 103 PHARMACOLOGY I

Fall, 1 credit hour

This introductory pharmacology course will explore the basic principles surrounding pharmacology. Topics include basic pharmacological principles, dosage calculations, regulatory compliance, patient education, and reduction of medication errors. Restricted to nursing students.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: NURS 101, NURS 105, ENGL 101. NURSING MAJORS ONLY or permission of instructor.

NURS 104 PHARMACOLOGY II

Spring, 1 credit hour

This pharmacology course explores the various classifications of drugs, and their associated nursing care. Drugs used to treat psychiatric, reproductive, bone/joint disorders, analgesics, and those commonly used drugs during pregnancy will specifically be discussed. One hour lecture per week.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Pharmacology I (NURS 103), Fundamentals of Nursing (NURS 101), Mental Health Nursing (NURS 106), Maternal/Child Nursing (NURS 107), or permission of instructor. NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 105 NURSING SEMINAR

Fall, 1 credit hour

This course serves as an introduction to the nursing program. It includes differentiating a program of study from individual courses; clarifying experiences; learning study skills and test taking strategies; practicing stress and coping techniques; and enhancing organizational and time management skills. Students explore critical thinking within the context of nursing. The seminar format provides an opportunity to apply critical thinking to current course-work. Attendance with active participation in discussions is expected. Attendance is required in this course because of the importance of dialogue in thinking and learning. The different viewpoints shared during the seminar will help expand the thinking of all participants. One hour lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Nursing Students Only

NURS 106 MATERNAL Newborn NURSING

Spring, 4.5 credit hours - 7 week course

Concepts from nursing fundamentals are adapted to the nursing care of the family. The course emphasizes utilization of all components of the nursing process in caring for individuals, within the context of family and community, during the childbearing period. Concepts of pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, and newborn will be discussed. The student will build on skills using the nursing process and critical thinking to meet maternal health care needs within the family system. Clinical experiences are provided in area hospitals, community agencies and women’s health clinics.

Prerequisites: NURS 101, NURS 103, NURS 105, BIOL 217, ENGL 101, Completion of Infection Control & Child Abuse Courses

Corequisites: BIOL 218, NURS 104, NURS 107, PSYC 101

NURS 107 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

Spring, 4.5 credit hours - 7 week course

This course offers an examination of concepts and theories related to psychiatric and mental health nursing within the context of the therapeutic relationship. Exploration of methods for promoting and maintaining optimal mental health function. Emphasis is placed on relationship-centered care, teamwork, quality and safety for diverse patient populations with psychiatric disorders. Six hours lecture, two hours laboratory, a seven-hour clinical component required weekly.

Prerequisites: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), Fundamentals of Nursing (NURS 101), Pharmacology I (NURS 103) and Nursing Seminar (NURS 105); and Composition & the Spoken Word (ENGL 101).

Corequisites: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 218), Pharmacology II (NURS 104), Maternal/Child Nursing (NURS 106), and Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 200 PHARMACOLOGY III

Fall, 1 credit hour

This course explores classifications of drugs used to treat, fluid and electrolyte Imbalances, infection, and cancer. Additionally, drugs used in the treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine disorders will be discussed. One hour lecture per week.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Pharmacology II (NURS 104), Mental Health Nursing (NURS 107), and Maternal/Child Nursing (NURS 106). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 201 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I

Fall, 10 credit hours

Course content focuses on application of nursing process to care of pediatric and adult patients experiencing medical-surgical conditions along the health-illness continuum. Topics covered include those related to acute/complex respiratory, endocrinology, gastrointestinal, oncologic, musculoskeletal and fluid, electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Students apply their learning to clients in medical-surgical clinical settings. Skills performed in the nursing laboratory on campus facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the clinical setting. Six hours lecture, two hours laboratory, and a nine-hour clinical component required weekly.

Prerequisites: Maternal/Child Nursing (NURS 106), Mental Health Nursing (NURS 107), and Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 217).

Corequisites: Microbiology (BIOL 209), Pharmacology III (NURS 200), Human Development (PSYC 225) or Child Development (PSYC 220). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 202 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II

Spring, 10 credit hours

This course focuses on application of nursing process to care of adult patients experiencing medical-surgical conditions along the health-illness continuum. Topics covered include those related to acute/complex cardiovascular, neurologic, hematologic, integumentary, immunologic, sensory, reproductive, emergency, and disaster events or disorders. Students will apply their learning to clients in medical-surgical clinical settings. A ten-hour clinical component is required. Skills performed in the nursing laboratory on campus facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the clinical setting.

Prerequisites: Maternal/Child Nursing (NURS 106), Mental Health Nursing (NURS 107), Medical-Surgical Nursing I (NURS 201), Microbiology (BIOL 209), and Human Development (PSYC 225) or Child Development (PSYC 220).

Corequisites: Professional Issues and Trends in Nursing (NURS 203), Pharmacology IV (NURS 204). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 203 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND TRENDS IN NURSING

Spring, 1 credit hour

Students explore and analyze socio-economic and political variables that affect professional nursing and healthcare. Students examine the professional growth and transition of the student nurse, current issues in healthcare, nursing management, and career development. One hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Medical-Surgical Nursing I (NURS 201). Writing intensive course. NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 204 PHARMACOLOGY IV

Spring, 1 credit hour

This course explores nursing care associated with the classifications of drugs used to treat cardiovascular, blood, sensory, neurological, immune, and skin disorders. In addition, drugs used in the emergency setting will be examined. One hour lecture per week.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Pharmacology III (NURS 200), Medical-Surgical Nursing I (NURS 201), and Medical-Surgical Nursing (NURS 202). NURSING MAJORS ONLY.

NURS 300 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS IN NURSING

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course examines the historical development and evolution of nursing theory and its interrelationship to research and professional nursing practice. The course includes critical thinking activities used to conceptualize, apply, analyze, and synthesize knowledge related to specific nursing theories and their importance in nursing education, practice, and research. A group project that incorporates the students’ knowledge of nursing theory and nursing theorists will be used to demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of theory to practice. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Students must be enrolled in the RN-BS program or permission of instructor.

NURS 302 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE

Spring, 3 credit hours

The student will examine the legal and ethical issues related to health care as they impact the health services and health care decision making. A variety of commonly experienced legal situations and ethical dilemmas will be discussed, including professional liability, patients’ rights, abortion, AIDS care, informed consent, organ transplantation, health care delivery and resource allocation and issues related to death and dying. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite: Students must be enrolled in the RN-BS program or permission of instructor.

NURS 303 HEALTH ASSESSMENT IN NURSING

Fall, 4 credit hours

This course will provide the student with knowledge and skills basic to health assessment in nursing. The course emphasizes critical thinking skills required for accurate collection and analysis of client health information and provides opportunities for enhancement of physical assessment skills. Students will be responsible for finding a qualified preceptor (with the approval of the course instructor) in order to successfully complete the clinical portion of this course. Three hours lecture and three hours clinical per week.

Prerequisite: Students must be admitted into the RN-BS program or permission of instructor.

NURS 304 HEALTH PROMOTION AND RESTORATION

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course provides the student with knowledge of the major individual and community models and theories that guide health-promotion interventions across the life span. This course presents information that enhances the students’ ability to provide holistic health promotion and preventive care. The planning, implementing and evaluating of health promotion, prevention, and restoration activities for individuals, families, and communities is stressed. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: Conceptual Frameworks in Nursing (NURS 300), Health Assessment in Nursing (NURS 303), or permission of instructor. Enrolled in RN-BS.

NURS 370 RESEARCH METHODS IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES

Fall/Spring, 3 credits

The purpose of this course is to understand and apply research findings to practice. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite/Corequisites: Enrolled in RN-BS, Statistics (MATH 141) or equivalent coursework or permission of instructor.

NURS 400 NURSING MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course introduces the student to the conceptual basis for the application of leadership and management principles. The student gains a better understanding of the application of these principles in the management and coordination of health care delivery systems. Exploration of the critical components of leadership and management in diverse health care settings and application of course content enhances the coordination of quality client care and the role of the nurse as a leader and manager. Two hours lecture per week and 45 hour preceptorship.

Prerequisites: Conceptual Frameworks in Nursing (NURS 300), Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care (NURS 302), Health Assessment in Nursing (NURS 303), Health Promotion and Restoration in Nursing (NURS 304) or permission of instructor. Writing intensive course.

NURS 402 COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Fall, 4 credit hours

This course will examine public and community health theory and practice as they relate to the Registered Professional Nurse. Public health principles, epidemiology, and community health nursing theory will be utilized by the student in conducting a community health assessment and implementation of a service-learning project within the community. Four hours lecture per week, Service Learning Project.

Prerequisites: Conceptual Frameworks in Nursing, (NURS 300), Health Assessment in Nursing (NURS 303), Health Promotion and Restoration (NURS 304), Research Methods in the Health Sciences (NURS 370), or permission of instructor.

NURS 403 TRANSCULTURAL NURSING

Spring, 2 credit hours

This course provides the student with an overview of the influence of culture on health care practices and in the delivery of nursing care for individuals, groups, and communities. Increased awareness of culturally diverse nursing care and a sound understanding of the impact of cultural beliefs, values, and practices upon health and health care delivery is a direct outcome of this course. The student explores and reflects upon their own cultural beliefs related to health and health care delivery and examines client behaviors, cultural perspectives, and barriers to transcultural communication. Two hours lecture per week.