Nursing Course Descriptions

NOTE: Once you begin the Associate Degree Nursing Program, you must take all courses in sequence. A minimum of a "C" is required for all Nursing courses and in HLTH128, HLTH129, HLTH130, HLTH131 and BIOL110. In order to continue in the nursing program, a 2.70 overall cumulative GPA must be maintained.

NOTE: The BSN nursing courses (NURS305, NURS310, NURS315, NURS320, NURS325, NURS350, NURS410, NURS420, NURS430, and NURS490) must have been taken with 5 years of acceptance into the RN-to-BSN program, or at the discretion of the RN-to-BSN committee on an individualized based, for the BSN nursing course credits to count towards completion the RN-to-BSN program.

           
   
NURS101 Nursing 1 (F) (5/9) 8 s.h.

Introduces the student to nursing, person and health, which are basic concepts to the practice of nursing. Emphasis is placed on communicative and observational skills that permit the assessment of the basic needs of individuals and their families. The study of the human needs of individuals provides a foundation for inquiry into the nurse's role in providing nursing care based on the nursing process. Corequisites: See note above, ENGL100, HLTH128, HLTH129 and PSYC100.

 
NURS102 Nursing 2 (Sp) (4/12) 8 s.h.

A continuation of Nursing 101, Nursing I, focuses on human needs according to Maslow. The course addresses the individual's needs related to activity/rest, safety/security, oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, love/belonging, and psychosocial well being. Emphasis is placed on communication, and teaching/learning skills as an essential part of the nursing process in the care of individuals and families. The family during the childbearing years and during the first year of life is studied in order for the student to develop beginning competencies in those technical skills necessary to carry out the nursing care plan for individuals of all ages and in selected health care settings. Prerequisites: See note above; co-requisites: BIOL110, PSYC240, HLTH130 and HLTH131.

 
NURS201 Nursing 3 (F) (4/12) 8 s.h.

An in-depth study of the human needs according to Maslow with emphasis on the application of the nursing process as the foundation for nursing care. Communication and health teaching are integrated as major strategies for assisting individuals and families to care for themselves in health and illness. Levels of wellness and alterations in human needs are studied as the course focuses on individual needs relating to nutrition/elimination, love/belonging, and psychosocial well being. Prerequisites: See note above; co-requisites: SOCI101, English elective and a free elective.

 
NURS202 Nursing 4 (Sp) (4/12) 8 s.h.

An extension of NURS201 - Nursing III. Continues to increase the knowledge base of human needs with application of the nursing process to individuals and families with alterations in their level of health. Communication and health teaching are integrated as major strategies for assisting individuals and families to care for themselves in health and illness. Levels of wellness and alterations in human needs are studied as the course focuses on individual needs relating to sexuality, oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, safety/security, and activity/rest. Prerequisites: See note above; co-requisites: SPCH102, Humanities elective, NURS212.

 
NURS205 Nursing Field Experience (Sp) 1, 2, or 3 s.h.

This elective field experience course will be offered in the Summer annually after satisfactory completion of Nursing 101 and 102. This experience will allow the student to pursue a personal interest in an area of nursing. Potential areas that may be utilized include: Emergency Department (ED/ER); Intensive Care (CPU, ICU, NICU); Medical/Surgical (Med.-Surg.); Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB-GYN); Operating Room (OR, PARR); Pediatrics (PEDS); Clinics with Nurse Practitioners; Community Health Agencies. Levels of wellness and alterations in human needs will be studied. Communication and health teaching will be utilized by the students as major strategies for assisting individuals and families to care for themselves in health and illness. NOTE: This course may not be substituted for a required course within the A.S.N. program.

 
NURS212 Nursing Transition (Sp) 2 s.h.

This seminar is designed as a transition course for nursing students in the last semester of their educational program. It provides an overview of historical events that have affected the evolution of nursing and presents the issues and trends that are molding the nursing profession of the new century. Prepares the student for graduation and the work world of nursing. This course runs concurrently with NURS202. Prerequisite: See note above.

 
NURS305 Nursing Infomatics 3 s.h.

An introduction to applications of infomatics systems in nursing practice and education. Integrates various theories, assisting students to develop skills for information literacy in the context of communication, self-expression, social  control in a diverse society, and in the use of electronic patient records and tele-health. Provides an introduction to technology in nursing. Learning experiences provide for the development of baseline infomatics and verbal and nonverbal professional communication styles needed in the healthcare delivery arena.

 
NURS310 Foundations for Professional Practice 3 s.h.

A seminar course focused on the theoretical foundations of professional practice and theory development in nursing.  Restrictions Upon Registration:  Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor

 
  NURS315 Pathophysiology  3 s.h.
Studies the physiologic mechanisms altered by illness, injury, or disease processes in humans throughout the life span. Fundamental disease processes, specific illnesses, and their effects on homeostasis as well as the links between pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions are emphasized. Students will critically analyze diverse client presentations of selected illnesses for symptomatology, pathophysiology, and health care implications.  Restrictions Upon Registration:  Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor.  
  NURS320 Health Assessment  3 s.h.
Focuses on identification and demonstration of advanced assessment techniques with emphasis on normal and abnormal findings throughout the life span. Learning experiences provide for development of a systematic approach to physical assessment to facilitate integration of assessment findings and major health deviations. Principles of therapeutic communication will be emphasized as an adjunct to performing a health assessment. Restrictions Upon Registration: Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor  
  NURS325 Pharmacology for Nursing  3 s.h.
Designed to provide an overview for nurses of drug therapy integrating the use of the nursing process in pharmacokinetics. The emphasis is to provide a big picture approach to the systemic use of drugs in the treatment and or management of diseases. Restrictions Upon Registration: Students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse. Graduate nurses may be admitted to the BSN program on a provisional basis while awaiting NCLEX results. If space is available, other students may enroll with permission of the instructor.  
NURS350 Care of the Critically Ill  3 s.h.
Provides fundamental information about the nursing care of clients across the life span in critical care settings. Clinical activities will focus on advanced concepts of critical care related to multi-organ/system function and dysfunction. Restrictions Upon Registration: Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor. Prerequisites: NURS315, NURS320, HLTH415, CHEM111 (or RECR205) -- all completed with a C or better  
NURS410 Nursing Home, Community & Public Health 3 s.h.
Reviews current and evolving roles of home health, community and public health nurses. Health promotion, health teaching, economic, political, legal and ethical influences, environmental issues, epidemiology, communicable diseases and vulnerable populations are addressed. Focus is on the application and integration of health and wellness concepts. Restrictions Upon Registration: Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor. Prerequisites: NURS310 and NURS320  
  NURS420 Nursing Leadership & Management in Practice 3 s.h.
A capstone nursing course with focus on leadership and management issues in health care. Seminars provide opportunities for students to share commonalities and unique aspects of their practical experiences in nursing . Course culminates in a concentrated external experience in an area and agency selected by the student. Restrictions Upon Registration: Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor. Prerequisites: NURS310  
NURS430 Nursing: Contemporary Issues, Policy and Politics 3 s.h.
Exploration of policy and politics, strategies of policy development and political action, and application of such strategies in four spheres: workplace, government, organizations, and community. Focuses on the political roles and responsibilities of professional nurses in efforts to discuss unresolved issues of interest to nurses, their colleagues, and consumers of health care. Restrictions Upon Registration: Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor. Prerequisites: NURS420  
NURS490 Nursing Research 3 s.h.

Focuses on the theoretical basis of research methodology with emphasis on analyzing, critiquing, and interpreting nursing research. Development of a research proposal based on an identified nursing problem will be completed.  Restrictions Upon Registration:  Enrolled in RN to BSN program or permission of instructor.  Prerequisites:  MATH107 (or equivalent) with a grade of C or better - Must be completed within 5 years of registering for this course.