Nursing Curriculum Overview

NR 104 Focus on Nursing 3 Cr.

This survey course introduces the profession of nursing and offers insight into career options, roles and opportunities open to the baccalaureate nurse. This course encourages the student to think broadly about nursing while it provides an introduction to the foundations of the profession. Nursing major only.

NR 105 Nutrition and Health Promotion 3 Cr.

This course focuses on the use of basic concepts from nursing, nutrition, integrative therapies and biophysical sciences, as well as Healthy People 2020 to explore the determinates of health, wellness, and illness of individuals. Environmental, and sociocultural economic and lifestyle factors that influence health will be discussed. This course provides the beginning foundation for an understanding of the relationship of nutrition to physiological and pathophysiological functions. Evaluation of health information as relevant and reliable will be incorporated as a foundation for health promotion. Prerequisite: NR 104 (C+), BI 215 (C+). Nursing Majors only.

NR 206 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 3 Cr.

Students study age specific approaches to assessment of human health. Focusing on evaluation of health and function of individuals, students acquire knowledge of health assessment and promotion in relation to comprehensive nursing care. The concepts are presented within the context of human growth and development, culture, and environment. Students learn to perform a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the patient including: systematic collection, analysis, and synthesis of health data from patients and secondary sources. Successful students will demonstrate a physical examination on a laboratory partner at the end of the course. 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab. Prerequisites: BI 216(C+), NR 105 (C+), CH 101(C+). Nursing majors only.

NR 215 Client, Psychological/Mental Health Problems 3 Cr.

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 CH 102 (C+), NR 206 (C+), NR 232 (C+), PY 220. Co-requisite NR 215L. Nursing majors only.

NR 215L Client, Psychological/Mental Health Problems 2 Cr.

This immersion course teaches students how to apply current theory and research about contemporary practices in care of patients with mental health and social health problems. Students demonstrate the use of self as a therapeutic tool and focus on a holist 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. Clinical failure will result in overall NR 215 failure regardless of course theory grade. Prerequisites: NR 232 (C+).Corequisite: NR 215. Nursing majors only.

NR 217 Simulation for Nursing Practice 4 Cr.

NR 2XX Simulation for Nursing Practice 4 Cr. Students learn fundamental cognitive, psychomotor, and behavioral practices of professional nursing. Essential nursing skills, process, and diagnoses are addressed through concept based learning. Simulations foster critical thinking about patients, families, and related nursing interventions that promote beginning competence prior to entering acute care facilities. 3 lecture hours and 2 hours of lab. Pre-reqs: NR 206 (C+), NR 232 (C+), CH 102 (C+), PY 220. Restriction: Nursing majors. Offered: Spring, Summer.

NR 225 Research For Evidence-Based Practice 3 Cr.

Introduces clinical based nursing information technology. Nurses are expected to provide safe, competent, and compassionate care in an increasingly technical and digital environment. A major theme in healthcare environment is the increase of information systems and technologies to improve the quality and safety of patient care. This course provides foundational informatics competencies that all nurses should possess to meet the standards of providing safe, quality, and competent care. Prerequisites: NR 232 (C+), NR 206 (C+), CH 102 (C+), PY 220. Nursing majors only.

NR 232 Technology and Informatics in Healthcare 3 Cr.

This course stresses the ethical and legal issues, including privacy and security, related to electronic systems in healthcare. It is designed to provide students with an introduction to and an initial experience of accessing information from a variety of sources, including information systems and technologies as the foundation for evidence-based practice, clinical-decision support tools, the electronic health record (EHR) and quality improvement systems. While Nursing Informatics is a highly specialized field, this course provides foundational informatics competencies that all practicing nurses and graduating nursing students should possess to meet the standards of providing safe, quality, and competent care. Pre-requisite: NR 105 (C+), CH 102 (C+) and NR 206 (C+). Nursing Majors only.

NR 316 Care of the Adult 1 3 Cr.

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. Pre-requisites: NR 215 (C+), NR 217 (C+), Co-Requisite NR 316L. Nursing major only.

NR 316L Care of the Adult 1 Practicum 3 Cr.

This course asks students to 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. Co-requisite: NR 316. Nursing majors only.

NR 321 Nursing Leadership 3 Cr.

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 316 (C+), NR 316L (C+), NR 365 (C+), or permission of the instructor. Nursing majors only.

NR 331 Care of Women and Childbearing Family 3 Cr.

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 232 (C+), NR 316 (C+), NR 365 (C+). Co-requisites: NR 331L. Nursing majors only.

NR 331L Care of Women-Childbearing Family Prac 2 Cr.

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. Prerequisites: NR 316L (C+), NR 365 (C+), PH course and SO course. Co-requisite: NR 331. Nursing Majors only.

NR 341 Care of Children&Child Rearing 3 Cr.

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 (C+), NR 316L, NR 365 (C+). Co-Requisite NR 341L. Nursing majors only.

NR 341L Care of Children&Child Rearing 2 Cr.

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. Prerequisites: NR 316L (C+), PH course and SO course. Co-Requisite NR 341. Nursing majors only.

NR 365 Pathopharmacology for Nurses 4 Cr.

This course builds upon the student’s prerequisite biological/chemical science courses. Students begin a comprehensive study of human pathophysiology and the application of pharmacotherapies commonly encountered with each of these disease processes. Epidemiology, disease state presentation with common clinical evaluations, mortality and morbidity will be addressed. At the conclusion, students demonstrate cumulative knowledge of the pathophysiologic and pharmacologic processes utilized in the care of and promotion of health and wellness across the lifespan. Evidence based practice for use, cost, ease of administration, compliance and efficacy will be discussed. Pre-requisite: BI 220 (C+), CH 102 (C+), NR 215 (C+), NR 217 (C+), NR 225 (C+), Nursing Majors only.

NR 416 Care of the Adult II 4 Cr.

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 321 (C+), NR 331 (C+), NR 341 (C+), NR 365 (C+). Co-Requisite: NR 416L, Nursing majors only.

NR 416L Care of Adult II 4 Cr.

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. Co-Requisite: NR 416. Nursing majors only.

NR 420 Care at End of Life 2 Cr.

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 321 (C+), NR 331 (C+), NR 365 (C+), NR 341 (C+). Nursing majors only.

NR 421 Coordinator of Care 3 Cr.

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 (C+), NR 420 (C+), Co-Requisite NR 421L. Nursing majors only.

NR 421L Coordinator of Care Practicum 4 Cr.

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 ,Co-Requisite NR 421. Nursing majors only.

NR 431 Promoting Health in Communities 3 Cr.

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 (C+), NR 420 (C+). Co-requisite: NR 431L. Nursing majors only.

NR 431L Promoting Health in Communities: Clinical Practicum 2 Cr.

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. . Co-requisite: NR 431. Nursing majors only.

NR 441 Nursing Capstone 4 Cr.

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 (C+), NR 420 (C+). Nursing majors only.