Course Descriptions
Nursing
NUR 303
Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing Practice
4 credits
This course provides a basis for the role transition of the registered nurse to the BSN student providing an opportunity for exploration of the many dimensions of professional nursing. The student considers the multiple roles of the nurse, the conceptual basis for nursing practice, and selected issues facing the profession of nursing. The course includes an introduction to information literacy, writing, and presentation skills. Class sessions and course assignments are designed to foster critical thinking skills. During this course, the students are required to complete a credentialing profile. Detailed instruction on mandatory credentialing is located on the College of Health Professions BSN Student site. There is a private vendor's fee associated with the credentialing process, and is the financial responsibility of the student. Completed credentialing is mandatory for students to continue with NUR core course selection.
Prerequisite(s): Registered nurse and BSN major, ENG 310 highly recommended
NUR 316
Quality Improvement & Technology
3 credits
This course is designed to provide the baccalaureate student with the foundational knowledge of technology and quality improvement in healthcare. Technology such as electronic health records, mobile communications, telemedicine, and other emerging technologies are presented. This course will allow students to identify gaps in care or inefficient practices through the use of technology, which can lead to quality improvement projects. The process of quality improvement will also be introduced in this course.
Prerequisite(s): NUR 303
NUR 327
Hispanic Cultural Immersion (for Hispanic Cultural Certificate only)
3 credits
In this course, students will utilize the skills and knowledge they gained in previous courses in Hispanic language and culture. Students will participate in a community learning experience within a Hispanic community setting. Student's preparing to register for this course are required to speak with the Program Chair prior to registration.Prerequisite(s): ETN 340, SPA 301, SPA 302, SPA 305, HLT 371
NUR 333
Leadership in Nursing Practice
3 credits
This course focuses on the development of leadership skills for professional nursing practice. The course explores the leadership role of the professional nurse through current literature, theories, case studies, self-awareness, and professional development. Areas of leadership exploration include leadership styles, conflict management, creating a culture of safety, and policy development. These concepts are explored through various course assignments and activities.
Prerequisite(s): Registered Nurse and BSN Major, NUR 303
NUR 343
Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice
3 credits
The emphasis in this course is placed on the ability to read, understand, and critique published research reports. Students learn the relevance of research and strategies for utilization. Advocacy and accountability in the conduct and use of research are stressed.
Prerequisite(s): Registered Nurse and BSN Major, NUR 303, and MAT 308
NUR 363
Chronic and Palliative Care
3 credits
This course emphasizes the professional nurse’s role in health restoration and maintenance for individuals and families affected by chronic conditions from diagnosis through end of life. Palliative care issues are examined. The impact of chronic health problems on the individual, family, and community are explored. During this course students will complete a practice-focused learning opportunity, exploring the specialized skills required to improve and integrate chronic care into professional nursing practice.
Prerequisite(s): Registered Nurse and BSN Major, NUR 303
NUR 392
Independent Study in Nursing Research
2 credits
This course is intended to increase the student’s ability to relate research findings to their clinical practice. Through independent research, the student identifies nursing research studies that relate to specific clinical problems. Students preparing to register for this course must speak with the Program Chair prior to registration.
NUR 393
Independent Study in Nursing Practice
3 credits
This course recognizes the student’s personal and/or professional experiences and/or accomplishments relevant to nursing. The student will independently document the experience and/or accomplishment to show achievement of course objectives. If contracting for more than 1 credit, a review of relevant literature is required. Examples of personal and/or professional experiences and/or accomplishments related to nursing include: missionary work, disaster/humanitarian relief work, military experiences, volunteer work, community service, conference presentation, political action, national certification, parish nursing, and/or corporate training courses. Students preparing to register for this course must speak with the Program Chair prior to registration.
NUR 413
Holistic Health Assessment
3 credits
This course focuses on acquiring the skills to complete a holistic health assessment on an individual and family. Emphasis is placed on: physical assessment skills, communication skills, assessment of growth and development, identification of learning needs, and awareness of cultural diversity.
Prerequisite(s): Registered Nurse and BSN Major, NUR 303
NUR 419
Health Equity & Inclusion In Nursing Practice
3 credits
This course will examine the implications of diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and unconscious bias for professional nursing practice. Strategies to address social determinants of health will be applied to reduce health disparities and inequities across the continuum of care.
Prerequisite(s): NUR 303
NUR 430
Community and Population Health: Senior Capstone
6 credits
This course focuses on the healthcare needs of communities from the perspective of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Students explore a variety of frameworks such as epidemiology, health care systems, and health care planning as conceptual bases for diverse community health nursing roles. Students will integrate the knowledge of nursing research, leadership and management, and nursing theories while embedding themselves in a community-based care setting. The final community experience consists of 60 direct care hours. Special emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease prevention. The course ends with a summative Senior Capstone Project that measures skills in communication, information dissemination, and the application of evidence-based research. The project provides evidence of the student meeting Program and Graduation competencies to be awarded a BSN.
Prerequisite(s): NUR 303, NUR 316, NUR 333, NUR 343, NUR 363, NUR 419, ENG 310, CURRENT AND UNENCUMBERED RN LICENSE ON FILE IN STUDENT’S CREDENTIAL PROFILE
NUR 475
Contemporary Infectious Diseases
3 credits
This course introduces the student to the role of epidemiology in the study of infectious disease. Students will explore relationships among biological, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political factors in the development and transmission of infectious diseases.NUR 480
Excellence in Clinical Nursing
3 credits
RN to BSN students who have earned national certification in a nursing specialty or who are certified to teach CPR courses may use this experience to PLA their 3 credit NUR upper level elective.