Course Descriptions

Nursing Concepts I
NURS 3500 3 cr. 3hr.
This is one of two courses that can be taken either semester or concurrently with Nursing Concepts ll for the registered nurse student. The factors in society and nursing that promote the nurse’s return to school are explored and discussed. Selected topics such as evidence-based practice, legal and ethical standards as well as historical perspectives underlying professional practice are explored.

Nursing Concepts II
NURS 3600 3 cr. 3 hr.
This is one of two courses that can be taken either semester or concurrently with Nursing Concepts l for the registered nurse student. Students have the opportunity to elicit a comprehensive health history. Critical thinking skills are developed through the application of health assessment techniques to examine clients with common health problems. Developmental anatomy modifications of examination techniques and expected findings for the aging adult are integrated throughout the content. Health promotion strategies for clients across the lifespan are discussed.

Topics: Portfolio Preparation
NURS 3650 1 cr. 2 hr.
This course introduces registered nurse students to the concept of portfolio preparation for advanced placement. The development of the professional portfolio allows students to substantiate the achievement of the clinical outcomes they have fulfilled. Students will discuss the opportunities and challenges they encounter as they progress through the process of portfolio preparation.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1200, BIOL 1200 and 1300, BIOL 2700, PSY 1100, PSY 2200, SOC 1100
For Diploma Graduates only: pre or co-requisite ACE II exams.

Nursing Research
NURS 4000 2 cr. 2 hr.
This course prepares students to be knowledgeable research consumers. Nursing students identify and explore research problems in nursing practice. Students will discuss historical and current ethical issues in research. Students will use the knowledge acquired in this course to critique clinical nursing research.
Prerequisites: MATH 1700. Pre or co-requisite: NURS 3500, NURS 3600

Community Health Nursing
NURS 4400 5 cr. 9 hr.
This course teaches systems concepts as a basis for applying the nursing process with aggregate clients in the community. Special emphasis is placed on nursing care of vulnerable populations including the homeless, people of poverty, minority populations, women and children, and older adults. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention are used when applying the nursing process in a variety of distributive care settings. Clinical experience occurs in community agencies.
Prerequisites: NURS 3500, NURS 3600

Nursing Care of Diverse Populations*
NURS 4500 2 cr. 2 hr.
Culturally competent health care is required for professional nursing practice. Culture extends beyond traditional boundaries of race and ethnicity to other marginalized populations including sub-cultures within society. This course will explore challenges to providing such competent care in professional nursing practice generated by language, race, ethnicity, health beliefs and practices, sexual orientation, and sub-culture affiliation. Additionally, specific barriers to culturally competent care including biases and stereotypes will be challenged in this course.
Pre-requisites:  NURS 3500, NURS 3600, NURS 3650

End of Life Care*
NURS 4510 3 cr. 3 hr.
The manner of course delivery allows students the opportunity to assess and intervene in the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual dimensions of end of life care. There is a focus to utilize evidence-based practice to improve the quality of life for clients in the last stage of life. In addition to lectures, class participation and the discussion of case studies enhance the learning process.
Pre-requisites:  NURS 3500, NURS 3600, NURS 3650

Introduction to Forensic Nursing*
NURS 4520 3 cr. 3 hr.
Violence occurring in the home, community, and health care institutions has a negative effect on client health and on providers of care. Preventing and reducing the consequences of violence is an integral component of professional nursing practice. Early identification and intervention with potential and actual victims and perpetrators of violence can reduce negative health outcomes. This course explores the individual, socio-cultural, environmental, and systematic factors related to violence and trauma. Necessary professional forensic nursing competencies and roles will be explored. Students will learn specific forensic health assessment, violence prevention, and intervention strategies.
Pre-requisites:  NURS 3500, NURS 3600, NURS 3650

Selected Nursing Practicum
NURS 4800 10 cr. 21 hr.
This capstone course offers opportunities for in-depth exploration of an area of nursing interest. Nursing process with clients experiencing complex health problems, leadership and management principles, and professional issues are integrated into clinical practice. A preceptor model is used to facilitate increased independence in professional practice.
Prerequisites: NURS 4000, NURS 4400
Co-requisite: NURS 4850

Leadership and Management Concepts for Nursing Practice
NURS 4850 2 cr. 2 hr.
This course teaches concepts underlying professional career development in nursing. The roles of the nurse manager of client care, as part of a health care institution hierarchy, and as a member of a professional collective are explored. Students will discuss effective leadership and management, decision making, networking, and the changing healthcare environment.
Prerequisites: NURS 4000 and NURS 4400

*These courses will initially be offered as Topics courses and will be submitted to governance.