Nursing
Director: Dr. Sharon I. Richie
Assistant Professors Healy and Lapierre; Lecturers Hardy, Kiernan, Marchewka, Pitcher and Woods.
Accreditation
The BSN Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202)-887-8476 and approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing , Office of Professional Regulations, 89 Main Street 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05520-2482, (802) 828-2396.
Mission
The mission of Norwich University’s Baccalaureate Nursing Program is to educate qualified nurses to serve individuals and communities throughout the life cycle in health promotion and disease management. Through educational excellence, this program challenges students to respond to the complex system of health care in order to ensure optimum quality and value inpatient care.
Philosophy
Nursing at Norwich University is grounded in core essentials of baccalaureate education and predicated on the profession’s ideals to meet the needs of a complex, dynamic healthcare environment. Inherent in professional practice are the emerging trends in population health, patient care technology, and cultural diversity. The Faculty believes that through direct patient care and simulated clinical experience students will acquire the knowledge base to ensure optimum health outcomes for our patients, families and communities.
The Faculty further believes that teaching and learning evolves, through a seamless progression, in competency based nursing practice. Graduates become proficient in patient centered care with emphasis on quality improvement methods and patient safety. The responsibility of the professional nurse is complex, requiring expertise in leadership, communication and teamwork.
Program Objectives
- Integrates knowledge derived from nursing science, health related sciences, and humanities when designing and providing patient-centered care.
- Provides patient centered care in which the dignity, spirituality, and rights of the individual family and community are respected.
- Promotes the profession’s obligation to legal, ethical and moral standards.
- Leads based on the values of commitment, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.
- Employs informatics to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
- Communicate effectively in a manner that fosters respectful and collaborative decision making, thus enhancing patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
- Integrate political awareness, critical thinking, social justice and participation in the policy process with professional role behavior.
- Use the best current evidence coupled with clinical reasoning to minimize risk and improve quality and safety of patient care.
- Values the pursuit of practice excellence, lifelong learning, and professional engagement to foster professional growth and development.
Overview
The Nursing Department offers a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The first year of the BSN program is dedicated to courses in the Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences and 2 foundation courses in Nursing. The clinical experience begins in the spring of the sophomore year and continues through the remainder of the program. By graduation students will have practiced in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community/home health agencies, schools and clinics. Well equipped, modern, simulation laboratories provide on-campus learning labs for skill acquisition and health assessment practice. Morning, evening, and weekend hours are utilized for the clinical experience. Students will take a pre-NCLEX exam in their senior year to determine readiness for NCLEX exams. Students are required to purchase student uniforms. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical agencies. Nursing majors must have current “American Heart Association Health Care Provider ”certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) upon entering the sophomore year and through all subsequent nursing courses.
Admission standards
In addition to the university General Admission Requirements , nursing applicants must:
- Complete 4 years of high school (HS) math including Algebra, Geometry and Trig
- Complete 3 years of HS science including biology and Chemistry
- Transfer college level science courses current within 5 years
- Online science courses are not transferable
- College level GPA must be at a minimum of 3.0
- Transfer students must submit a letter of reference form the Chairperson/Dean of the transferring school prior to acceptance.
- Background screening is a requirement for admission and condition of both acceptance and progression in nursing
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Students must also submit to intermittent background screening as required by clinical agencies. A criminal record deemed to be of consequence or the habitual intemperate use or addiction to habit forming substances precludes enrollment in the Program.
Progression and Graduation
A minimum grade of C+ is required in all nursing courses. C grades are required in BI 215, BI 216, BI 220, CH 111 and CH 102 to progress within the program. In order to progress, students must meet the criteria for academic progression as stated in the Norwich University 2012 Academic Regulations. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is awarded the Bachelor of Science Nursing degree.
Each state’s Board of Nursing has the sole authority to grant graduates the privilege of taking the NCLEX-RN examination; therefore, students are directed to refer to the state in which they plan to practice for specific legal requirements. An applicant may be required to submit additional documentation and could be denied the privilege of sitting for the NCLEX-RN examination subject to the particular state’s regulation
B.S. in Nursing - Curriculum Map
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | MA 232 Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| BI 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 |
| NR 104 Focus on Nursing | 3 | NR 105 Promoting Healthy Individuals | 3 |
| PY 211 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | BI 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| HI Elective | 3 | CH 101 Introduction to General Chemistry | 4 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MA 235 Clinical Mathematical Methods | 3 | BI 220 Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| NR 206 Health Assessment | 3 | NR 215 Client, Psy/Mental Health Prob (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 3 |
| NR 204 Nursing Informatics | 1 | NR 215L Client, Psy/Mental Health Prob (Grade of Satisfactory Required) | 2 |
| SO 216 Soc of Health, Wellness & Med | 3 | NR 225 Evidenced - Based Practice | 3 |
| CH 102 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry | 4 | NR 219 Simulations Clinical Practice | 2 |
| PY 220 Developmental Psychology | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NR 316 Care of the Adult 1 (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 3 | NR 351 Family Centered Nursing | 1 |
| NR 316L Care of the Adult 1 (Satisfactory grade required) | 3 | Literature Elective2 | 3 |
| PH 350 Medical Ethics | 3 | NR 331L Care of Women-Childbearing Family Prac (Grade of Satisfactory Required) | 1 |
| NR 314 Tech Innovations Clinical Nsr | 1 | NR 321 Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| NR 399 Pathopharmacology for Nursing | 1-4 | NR 331 Care of Women and Childbearing Family (Grade of C+ required) | 3 |
| SO 316 Aging in Society | 3 | NR 341 Care of Children&Child Rearing (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 3 |
| NR 341L Care of Children&Child Rearing (Grade of satisfactory required)1 | 2 | ||
| 14-17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NR 416 Care of the Adult II (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 4 | NR 421 Coordinator of Care (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 3 |
| NR 416L Care of Adult II (Satisfactory grade required) | 4 | NR 421L Coordinator of Care Practicum (Grade of satisfactory required)1 | 4 |
| NR 420 Care at End of Life | 2 | NR 431 Promoting Health in Communities (Grade of C+ or higher required) | 3 |
| MG 360 Health Economics & Policy | 3 | NR 431L Promoting Health in Communities: Clinical Practicum (Satisfactory grade required) | 2 |
| Humanities/Arts Elective3 | 3 | NR 441 Nursing Capstone | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits: 126-129 | |||
Courses
NR 103 Introduction to Professional Nursing 3 Credits
This course provides a forum in which to explore the present and emerging role of the professional nurse. The student is introduced to the Norwich University BSN Program and the major strands (Nursing Process, Communication, Teaching/Learning, Leadership, Research, Personal and Professional Growth, Life Span Development and Caring) that will be built upon during subsequent courses. Socialization into professional nursing is examined. Students are introduced to nursing infomatics with an emphasis on acquisition and ethical use of knowledge through the use of the Internet. Open to Nursing Majors only, or by permission of the instructors. Classroom 3 hours.
NR 104 Focus on Nursing 3 Credits
NR 105 Promoting Healthy Individuals 3 Credits
NR 204 Nursing Informatics 1 Credit
This course is designed to provide students with an initial experience in accessing information from a variety of sources. Further, through active learning, this course guides students through utilization of a number of commonly used information technologies. Basic information and computer competencies will be learned and assessed. Classroom 3 hours. Concurrent: NR 104, NR 105.
NR 206 Health Assessment 3 Credits
This course focuses on the development of beginning skills in assessment of the healthy adult. A family and community assessment is also developed. Interviewing, obtaining a health history, and the components of a physical assessment are presented. Students learn to integrate interview data with physical findings to formulate nursing diagnoses that will guide the nursing process. Practice will be provided in a laboratory setting and selected clinical settings. Students continue to gain proficiency in interviewing and data collection. Patient's rights and issues of privacy are continued to be reinforced throughout the course. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: NR 103, NR 207. Co-requisites: NR 208, BI 216 or permission of the instructor.
NR 207 Fundamentals of Nursing I 6 Credits
This course provides the foundation for Professional Nursing Practice. Emphasis is placed on wellness, physiological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual factors which contribute to the well-being of the individual and family. The concepts of Nursing Process, Gordon's Functional Health Patterns and clinical decision making are explored. Communication is emphasized as an essential aspect of the professional role and is applied through interviews and data collection. Related theory from behavioral and physical sciences is incorporated. Prerequisites: BI 101, CH 112, & NR 103. Co-requisites: NR 305, MA 232, BI 215. Classroom 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
NR 208 Medical/Surgical Nursing I 7 Credits
This course builds on the theoretical concepts and nursing practice skills learned in NR 207. Students continue to build critical thinking skills to effectively assess client needs and implement the nursing process to plan and provide basic nursing care. This course examines common alterations in health patterns and variety of health care problems and serves as the theoretical foundation for the future study of complex Medical/Surgical nursing problems. The theoretical concepts of stress and adaptation, inflammation, pain, fluid and electrolyte, acid base balance as well as alterations in nutrition and elimination are studied while related nursing interventions are integrated. Classroom 4 hours, clinical 9 hours. Prerequisites: NR 207, MA 232, NR 305. Co-requisites: NR 403, BI 216, NR 211.
NR 211 Nursing Pharmacology 3 Credits
A study of the therapeutic use of chemicals and their interactions in the human body to produce biologic effect. Students will identify pharmacotherapeutic interventions for clients of all age groups utilizing a nursing process approach. Clinical decision making in pharmacotherapeutics will be explored through the use of critical thinking exercises. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: CH 112. Co-requisites: NR 207, BI 215 or permission of the instructor.
NR 215 Client, Psy/Mental Health Prob 3 Credits
In this course students are introduced to current theory and research about contemporary practices in mental health nursing. Students develop their use of self as a therapeutic tool and focus on a holistic approach to assessment and care of persons with psychological issues and selected psychiatric disorders and conditions. Students will provide care to patients with mental health and social health problems and their families as part of the interdisciplinary health care team. Prerequisites PY 211, PY 220, NR 204, NR 206. Co-requisite NR 215L. Classroom 3 hours.
NR 215L Client, Psy/Mental Health Prob 2 Credits
NR 219 Simulations Clinical Practice 2 Credits
NR 225 Evidenced - Based Practice 3 Credits
NR 303 Nursing in Today's World 3 Credits
This course provides a forum in which to explore the present and emerging role of the professional nurse. The RN/BSN student is introduced to the Norwich University BSN Program, and the major strands (Nursing Process, Communication, Teaching/Learning, Leadership, Research, Personal and Professional Growth, Lifespan Development and Caring) that will be built on during subsequent courses. Socialization into professional nursing is examined. Students are introduced to nursing infomatics with an emphasis on acquisition and ethical use of knowledge through the use of the Internet. Classroom 3 hours. Open to nursing majors only.
NR 312 Medical-Surgical Nursing II 9 Credits
NR 312 emphasizes the role of the nurse in the care of adults with acute and chronic Medical/Surgical problems in the acute care setting. Students refine their assessment, critical thinking and clinical decision making skills. Students apply previously learned knowledge in the use of the nursing process, and teaching/learning principles to provide care to two clients, planning care to promote or restore health. Students carry out learned complex nursing skills in providing planned care. Classroom 5 hours, clinical 12 hours for 14 weeks. Prerequisites: NR 208, NR 211, NR 305, NR 403, BI 215, B I216. Co-requisites: BI 360.
NR 313 Mental Health Nursing 4 Credits
NR 313 provides an overview of current mental health issues. Current theories and nursing care of clients with mood/affect, neurotic and/or psychotic disorders will be explored. Selected clinical experiences will enhance the theory. Confidentiality is emphasized to ensure a patient's complete privacy. Classroom 2 hours, clinical 65 hours. Clinical hours are done in a five-week rotation. Prerequisites: NR 211, NR 312, PY 211, PY 220, and SO 201. Co-requisites BI 220 and NR 315.
NR 314 Tech Innovations Clinical Nsr 1 Credit
NR 315 Maternal-Child Health Nursing 7 Credits
NR315 builds on fundamentals of nursing and medical-surgical nursing to explore the fields of maternity and pediatric nursing. NR315 theory will emphasize nursing process, teaching/learning, and health promotion in these special populations. Students will care for clients in a variety of settings across the wellness-illness continuum. This course has two separately graded components (one for each content area), both of which must be passed. It also has two clinical components. Students will continually apply proper ethical/legal considerations into clinical practice. Classroom 4 hours, clinical 130 (65 pediatric and 65 obstetrics) hours. Prerequisites: NR312, PY220, NR211, NR305. Co-requisite NR313 and BI220.
NR 316 Care of the Adult 1 3 Credits
In this course students integrate the physiological, psychological, spiritual, developmental and socio-cultural dimensions of adults as they study nursing care during wellness and illness. Focus is on the musculoskeletal, endocrine, immune, integumentary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Students learn the professional nursing role in planning care of the adult client. 3 Lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: NR 219 Co-Requisite NR 316L.
NR 316L Care of the Adult 1 3 Credits
NR 321 Nursing Leadership 3 Credits
In this course students focus on theoretical foundations and conceptual principles of nursing leadership and the skills necessary to practice leadership competently in healthcare environments. The course is designed to enhance leadership self-awareness and to encourage students to fashion personal perspectives on how to lead professionally. Analyzing trends and issues in the current healthcare system has implications for exercising leadership and will help students determine the way they can make a difference. 3 lecture hour Prerequisites: NR 314, NR 316, or permission of the instructor.
NR 331 Care of Women and Childbearing Family 3 Credits
In this course students are introduced to current evidence based knowledge, theory and skills of the practice of maternal/newborn and women’s health nursing building on knowledge from preceding courses in the social and physical sciences, and nursing courses, to help the student further develop the professional role behavior. Covered topics may include health promotion, disease prevention, genetics, social justice, issues of access and gender in healthcare. The continuity of care delivery from practitioner’s office to hospital to home is stressed enabling the emerging clinician to see the interdisciplinary team at work in the care of women and childbearing families. Prerequisites: NR 314 and NR 316 Co-requisites: NR 331L.
NR 331L Care of Women-Childbearing Family Prac 1 Credit
In the clinical practicum of Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing Families students apply current knowledge, research and skills in contemporary practice of maternal/newborn and women’s health nursing to the care of selected clients. Client selection will be based on availability and will include newborns, postpartal mothers, antepartal mothers and families, and intrapartal mothers and families. The emphasis will be on safe, evidence based care for this vulnerable patient population. Clinical hours 45. Prerequisites: NR 314 and NR 331 Co-requisite: NR 331.
NR 341 Care of Children&Child Rearing 3 Credits
In this course students focus on the nursing care of children, adolescents and families dealing with health and developmental challenges of childhood and explore health promotion needs of childrearing families. This course employs a developmental perspective through which major causes of morbidity and mortality are examined while it challenges students to develop critical and creative reasoning skills and utilize empathetically appropriate communication skills as the basis for care. 3 lecture hours per week. Prerequisites NR 316, NR 316L Co-Requisite NR 341L.
NR 341L Care of Children&Child Rearing 2 Credits
In this course students apply knowledge of the causes of childhood and adolescent illness in context with the relevant developmental challenges specific to the patient. Health promotion needs of the child and family in illness are stressed. Critical thinking and empathetically appropriate communication serve as the context for care. Clinical hours - 80. Prerequisites: NR 316, NR 316L Co-Requisite NR 341.
NR 351 Family Centered Nursing 1 Credit
In this course students acquire an understanding of family centered care from a variety of cross disciplinary theoretical perspectives. Students will apply critical thinking in the analysis of family care across clinical settings and contexts. Traditional and contemporary family definitions will be examined along with the changes in structure, role, and function as families begin, age and face end of life issues. An introduction to the medical home will be incorporated, indentifying the roles of the health care team, the family and the client. 1 lecture hour Prerequisites: NR 316, NR 400.
NR 399 Pathopharmacology for Nursing 1-4 Credit
NR 400 Independent Study 3 Credits
A course in which there is an opportunity to select and read in a specific area of interest that is not available through regular course offerings. Prerequisites: three baccalaureate nursing courses and permission of the instructor. Students will continually apply proper legal/ethical considerations into clinical practice.
NR 403 Nursing Research 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the principles and methods of research and emphasizes the application of research in nursing as a product and process. It prepares students to critically read research articles and relate the value of that research to nursing practice and client outcomes; to develop a research problem and literaturereview; to participate with a research team; and to utilize nursing research in their practice. Confidentiality is emphasized to promote and ensure complete patient privacy. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: NR 103, MA 232. Co-requisites: NR 208 or permission of the instructor.
NR 404 Nursing Leadership 3 Credits
This course examines the leadership process in nursing. The student studies the effects of leadership theory in the management of people and tasks within the health care environment, such as teaching assistive personnel the requirements of ensuring security of patient's medical information and professional ethics. Emphasis is placed on a humanistic model for teaching and learning that stresses interpersonal communication as an essential component of nursing and leadership. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: NR 103 or NR 303, NR 315 or permission of the instuctor.
NR 405 The Nurse's Role in Health Promotion and Health Protection 8 Credits
The role of the baccalaureate nurse in the health promotion and protection of individuals, families, and populations is emphasized. The student is introduced to the components of community health nursing. The focus of the clinical components is the nursing care of families and populations. Students will continually apply proper ethical/legal considerations and the insurance of patient privacy. Classroom 4 hours, clinical 12 hours for 14 weeks. Prerequisites: NR 312, NR 315.
NR 416 Care of the Adult II 4 Credits
In this course students are required to integrate the physiological, psychological, spiritual, developmental and socio-cultural dimensions of adults as they study nursing care during wellness and illness. Focus is on the neurological system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, hematology and oncology. Students learn the professional nursing role in planning care of the adult client. 4 lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: NR 331, NR 331L, NR 341 and NR 341L Co-Requisite NR 416L.
NR 416L Care of Adult II 4 Credits
In this course students apply knowledge of the physiological, psychological, spiritual, developmental and socio-cultural dimensions of adults as they study nursing care during wellness and illness. Students learn the professional nursing role in planning care of the adult client through clinical experiences at external agencies. Acquisition of communication and psychomotor skills is critical to providing nursing care. 12 clinical hours a week/ Simulation 1 hour 40 minutes every other week. Prerequisites: NR 331, NR 331L, NR 341 and NR 341L Co-Requisite: NR 416.
NR 420 Care at End of Life 2 Credits
In this course students will study current theory and research about contemporary practices caring for clients and their families at the end of life. It teaches students effective interaction skills with clients, families and health care providers. Throughout the course, students develop their use of self as a therapeutic tool and focus on a holistic approach to assessment and care of persons with a variety of life-limiting illnesses/diseases. Interventions will be discussed regarding the physical care as well as psychological, social, cultural and spiritual care of clients and their families as they face life’s final journey. Classroom: 2 hours. Prerequisites: NR 331 NR 331L, NR 341, and NR 341.
NR 421 Coordinator of Care 3 Credits
NR 421 - Coordinator of Care 3 credits
In this course students integrate the physiological, psychological, spiritual, developmental and socio-cultural dimensions of adults as they study nursing in the context of uncertain and complex clinical environments. Students will use previous medical surgical nursing knowledge and builds skill sets as they prepare to enter the nursing professions as a new graduate nurse. Students will work one on one with an agency preceptor in a specialty of interest. 3 lecture hours per week
Prerequisites: NR 416 and NR416L Co-Requisite NR 421L.
NR 421L Coordinator of Care Practicum 4 Credits
NR 421L - Coordinator of Care Practicum 4 credits
In this final undergraduate clinical practicum, students demonstrate achievement of knowledge and skills in nursing practice as they enter into professional practice. Clinical experiences include seven weeks of practice under the guidance of an agency preceptor. Students integrate knowledge and skills from the humanities and basic, behavioral, social leadership and nursing sciences in developing the professional role in selected adult and pediatric health environments. Learning experiences allow students to gain confidence; practice critical thinking, leadership and ethical decision making in clinical situations. 168 hours clinical, 30 Simulation hours Prerequisites: NR 416 Co-Requisite NR 421.
NR 431 Promoting Health in Communities 3 Credits
NR 431 - Promoting Health in Communities 3 credits
In this course students learn current theory and research about contemporary practices in community/public health nursing. In population-focused nursing, the group, aggregate, community, or population is the unit of care. Epidemiologic studies have shown that lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors are major determinants of population health. Students will work collaboratively with community agencies to address population-focused health issues. Classroom 3 hours
Prerequisites: NR 416 and NR416L Co-requisite: NR 431L. 319.
NR 431L Promoting Health in Communities: Clinical Practicum 2 Credits
NR 431L - Promoting Health in Communities:
Clinical Practicum 2 credits
In this course, students will apply concepts of community/public health in providing population-focused care to groups, aggregates, and communities. Clinical experiences are coordinated in a variety of settings and require students to engage with individual agencies and in collaboration with community partners in addressing community/public health issues. Students are encouraged to clarify their own beliefs and values in order to provide nonjudgmental nursing care. Clinical hours: 80.
Prerequisites: NR 416, NR 416L Co-requisite: NR 431.
NR 441 Nursing Capstone 4 Credits
NR 441 - Nursing Capstone 4 credits
In this course the student begins to transition to the role of graduate nurse and explores issues relevant to contemporary nursing practice including the ethics and regulation of practice. Local, state, national and international policies and initiatives and their influence on health of populations are examined. Students create and implement an approved capstone leadership project which is undertaken with guidance of faculty and clinical partners and reflects integration of all elements of the BSN curriculum. Classroom 2 hours; seminar leadership project 2 hours.
Prerequisites: NR 416 and NR 416L.