NU300 - Comprehensive Health Assessment for Nursing Practice

This course focuses on developing and utilizing comprehensive assessment skills in caring for individuals and population units across the lifespan which includes planning intervention strategies relative to the needs, problems, and level of wellness of the population unit. There is emphasis on systematic and comprehensive health assessments as a database for identifying nursing diagnoses and nursing intervention plans. This course utilizes a variety of learning activities develop advanced skills in assessment of physical, cognitive, spiritual, socioeconomic, genetic and environmental domains.

Credits: 4


NU304 - Introduction to Nursing Care Informatics

Prerequisite:  RN License

Teaches the use of information technology to access, retrieve, organize and evaluate information related to nursing practice. Using the nursing process and clinical judgement, students will use information technology resources to examine health related problems, obtain and organize pertinent information and professionally communicate findings.

Credits: 2


NU308 - Research Procedures in Nursing Practice

Prerequisite:  RN License and MA200

Emphasis on accessing, analyzing and critiquing scientific literature to determine implications for practice. The importance of evidence based practice in relation to patient outcomes is examined. Specific elements of the research process including needs assessment, problem identification, review of the literature, variables, principles of quantitative and qualitative methods of research design, sampling concepts, use of data gathering and measurement instruments and data analysis are explored. Critical evaluation of research studies and the development of a research proposal. A review of the literature and design method will be included.

Credits: 3


NU310 - Family Nursing Care Across the Lifespan

Prerequisite:  RN License and NU300

This course focuses on the family as a basic unit of society and the promotion of family health across a lifespan. Utilizing the nursing process and clinical judgement, students will explore the role of the professional nurse as educator, counselor, and advocate to emphasize health promotion. Additional topics include dealing with the family unit challenged by acute, episodic illness /injury or chronic conditions/disabilities, adding, separating and dealing with the death of family members, variables affecting families, family assessment, cultural diversity, anticipatory guidance, multigenerational families and family as care giver. Major theories related to family nursing will be explored.

Credits: 3


NU318 - Nursing Theory and Practice Issues

This course will explore selected nursing theorists and the concepts of nursing, person, health and environment as a basis for implementing and evaluating nursing care. Current and future issues and trends that influence professional nursing practice will be discussed. This course will address how the profession of nursing has adapted to change throughout the years and how the present and future health care delivery system impacts the nursing profession.

Credits: 3


NU402 - Community Health Nursing

Prerequisite:  RN License

Examines the nurses role in the delivery of primary health/community based services focusing on health promotion, disease prevention and management of episodic illnesses. Addresses health risks and disparities of populations across the lifespan within the context of family, culture, and socioeconomic status. Epidemiological methods, public health mandates and immunization theory will be explored and discussed in this course. Healthy People 2030 objectives and goals as well as other national initiatives will be used to provide direction for developing nursing strategies.

Credits: 3


NU450 - Leadership and Management for Professional Practice

Prerequisite:  RN License

Focuses on the role of the professional nurse as a leader in today’s health care environment. Students will identify various leadership styles and compare and contrast leadership and management behaviors. Topics include organizational structure and behavior, workplace issues important to the nurse manager, delegation and change theory. Motivational and decision making strategies, conflict management principles, patient safety goals, and quality care for positive patient outcomes will be addressed.

Credits: 3


NU470 - Pharmacology for the Registered Nurse

Prerequisite:  RN License

Correlates the nurse’s knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Basic concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, therapeutic and toxic effects, and drugs with multiple indications are discussed. Challenges related to drug therapy and specific body systems will be addressed. Topics include major drug classifications focused on therapeutic actions, which emphasize the nursing process and focus on patient care teaching. Prototypes of the major drug groups are emphasized. Lifespan considerations, evidence based practice; patient safety and clinical judgement are integrated throughout the course.

Credits: 3


NU484 - Leadership Seminar

Prerequisite:  RN License, NU300, NU304, NU308, NU310, NU318, NU402, NU450, and NU470 
Corequisite:  NU486

This seminar will focus on the application of baccalaureate level nursing knowledge pertaining to leadership, collaboration, consultation, management, and research. Using clinical judgement, the seminar activities will emphasize an evidence-based approach, with consideration of cultural, socio-economic, and diversity factors. Students will develop and evaluate clinical objectives for their own unique capstone clinical experience.

Credits: 2


NU486 - Professional Nursing Syntheses/Capstone

Prerequisite:  RN License, CPR, NU300, NU304, NU308, NU310, NU318, NU402, NU450 and NU470
Corequisite:  NU484

This course will allow students to demonstrate integration of the bachelors of nursing knowledge and practice. The student will work with a clinical preceptor, select a clinical area of practice, and collaborate with a faculty member for an in-depth clinical experience. All students are required to complete 135 practicum hours. Emphasis is on clinical judgement, critical thinking, communication, leadership, management and evaluation. Application of core concepts pertaining to health, ethics, care, and evidence-based approaches to nursing will be highlighted.

Credits: 4