Nursing (NURS)

Link to the School of Nursing website for additional information

Update: Link to descriptions of new courses approved in spring 2006.

110. Introduction to Health

Both semesters. Three credits.

This interdisciplinary course introduces the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence health. It includes discussion of approaches to health promotion and disease prevention; leading causes of illness, injury and death in a university community; cultural practices and beliefs about health, and emergency preparedness.

111. Humanizing Health Care: Nursing's Past, Present, and Future

Both semesters. Three credits.

This course is designed to explore the history of health care in the United States as it relates to nursing. Beginning with the work of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, the impact of events and the contributions of individuals will be examined, in light of present day concerns. Historical imperatives, dealing with such issues as gender related constraints and other social, political and economic factors will be identified. Both external and internal forces that shape the substance of nursing education, practice and research and reinforce its mission to society will be analyzed.

112. Health Care Delivery System

Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open only to Nursing majors.

A historical and contemporary exploration of the American health care delivery system: its evolution and development, legal and regulatory perspectives, roles of all providers and finances. A comparison with socialized health care will be made.

200. Clinical Science I

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PNB 264, may be taken concurrently; open only to Nursing majors. Open to sophomores or higher. Not open to students who have completed NURS 207.

Critical examination of concepts from  pathophysiology, pharmacology and nutrition as they relate to preventative health care of adults.  Emphasis  will be placed on nutritional aspects of preventative health care.

201. Clinical Science II

Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: CHEM 122; NURS 200;PNB 264. PNB 265 concurrent or prerequisite; open only to Nursing majors. Open to sophomores or higher. Not open to students who have completed NURS 204.

Critical examination of concepts from microbiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology as they relate to health care of individuals throughout the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on microbiology and anti-infectives.

212. Clinical Science for Sub-acute and Chronically Ill Adults

First semester. Three credits. Prerequsites: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in  NURS 110, 111, 112, 200, 201 and 221; open only to Nursing majors.

Critical examination of concepts of pharmacology, microbiology, nutrition and pathophysiology as they relate to nursing care of adults with sub-acute and chronic health problems and their families.

213. Nursing Research

First semester. Three credits.  Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in STAT 100QC or 110QC; open to Nursing majors only.

An introduction to qualitative and quantitative research. A variety of processes and resources is used to identify scholarly writing, critique research, and apply research findings to nursing.

213W. Nursing Research

Prerequsite: STAT 100QC or 110QC; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

218.  Nursing Science for Adults with Sub-Acute or Chronic Health Issues

First semester. Three credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 110, 111, 112, 200, 201 and 221; open to Nursing majors only.

Critical examination of theory, research and expert clinical practice supportive of nursing with adults experiencing sub-acute and chronic health problems and their families.

219. Practicum with Sub-acute and Chronically Ill Individuals

First semester. Six credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 110, 111,112, 200, 201, 221; NURS 212, 218 concurrent; open to Nursing majors only.

Nursing and interdisciplinary care of person and family with sub-acute and chronic health issues.

221. Health Assessment throughout the Lifespan

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: NURS 200; PNB 264; PNB 265 concurrent. Open to Nursing majors only. Open to sophomores or higher.

In this course, students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and values needed for assessing individuals through the lifespan. Supervised laboratory sessions will provide opportunity to practice newly acquired skills.

225. Ethical Ways of Knowing

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 219, or RN license; open to Nursing majors only.

An exploration of the ethical way of knowing in nursing. Selected models and theories illustrating an ethical approach will be analyzed.

232. Clinical and Nursing Science: Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family

Both semesters. Four credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, and 219; open to Nursing majors only.

This course builds on students' understanding of microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition and pathophysiology as these sciences relate to childbearing families. Emphasis is on development of clinical decision making skills related to nursing care of childbearing families with a particular focus on anticipatory guidance, prevention, intervention and health restoration.

235. The Aesthetic Way of Knowing in Nursing

Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 219 or RN license; open only to Nursing majors.

An exploration of the aesthetic way of knowing in nursing.

239. Practicum with Childbearing Families

Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, and 219; NURS 232 concurrent; open to Nursing majors only.

This course provides experience in the application of principles of nursing used in the care of childbearing families. Clinical placements will be settings such as day care centers, childbirth education classes, schools, clinics, group homes, women's health centers and agencies providing acute and chronic care.

250. Nursing Leadership in the 21st Century

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 219, 239, 259, and 279; NURS 289 concurrent; open to Nursing majors only.

An in-depth analysis of the components that facilitate new nursing graduates to become leaders at the patient bedside, within interdisciplinary groups, and in the community. Emphasis is on communication, leadership, social disclosure and social justice to
benefit the client and the discipline.

252. Clinical and Nursing Science for Nursing Care of Childrearing Families

Both semesters. Four credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, 219; NURS 232 concurrent; open only to Nursing majors.

This course builds on students' understanding of microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition and pathophysiology as these sciences relate to childrearing families. Emphasis is on development of clinical decision making skills related to nursing care of childrearing families with a particular focus on anticipatory guidance, prevention, intervention and health restoration.

259. Practicum with Childrearing Families

Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, 219; NURS 252 concurrent; open to Nursing majors only.

This course provides experience in the application of principles of nursing used in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. Clinical placements will be settings such as day care centers, schools, clinics, group homes, womens health centers and agencies providing acute and chronic care.

262. Clinical Science for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Both semesters. Two credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 218, 219; 263, 269 concurrent; open only to Nursing majors.

Biochemical, neural activity, functional and structural aspects of the brain, cognition, mental health and illness (behavioral health) are overviewed. The psychopharmacology and nutrition of behavioral health is addressed. Psychopharmacological issues will consist of how to offer a safe and effective biochemical environment for a person (group or family) with mental health (behavior health) issues. Psychological, sociological, and physiological integrity will be addressed for behavioral health.

263. Nursing Science for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Both semesters. Two credits. Prerequsite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, 219; NURS 262 and 269 may be taken concurrently; open only to Nursing majors.

The role of nursing, in regard to psychiatric and social parameters of any person, family or group with a medical or psychiatric illness is examined. Major elements are the use of therapeutic communication, critical thinking, and the nursing process to examine multiple therapeutic interventions. This course stresses assessment of health and mental illness in populations that will be the focus of interventions in a professional nurse's career. Students will be exposed to knowledge that explicates how to provide a safe and effective environment in diverse milieus; how to promote health and support growth and development issues through the lifespan; how to assist persons in coping and adaptation and how to reduce risks in population of interest.

269. Practicum for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, 219; NURS 262 and 263 must be taken concurrently; open only to Nursing majors.

This course entails the clinical application of theory from nursing and related disciplines to mental health and illness (behavioral health). The focus is on psychiatric illness, critical thinking, communication skills, the nursing process in persons with a primary or secondary/adjunctive illness. The target of nursing care is the individual, family, group or community.

270. Public Health Nursing

Second semester. Three credits. Open only to Nursing majors.

Theories from nursing and public health are examined within the context of aggregate/population based care. Primary, secondary and tertiary approaches are used to promote the health of selected population/community.

272. Clinical Science for Adults with Acute Illness

Both semesters. Two credits. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 218 and 219; open only to Nursing majors.

Critical examination of pharmacology, microbiology, nutrition and pathophysiology as they relate to nursing care of adults experiencing acute, life threatening problems.

273. Nursing Science for Acutely Ill Adults

Both semesters. Two credits. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218 and 219; NURS 272, which may be taken concurrently; open only to Nursing majors.

Critical examination of theory, research and expert clinical practice supportive of nursing with adults experiencing acute life-threatening health problems.

279. Practicum with Acutely Ill Adults

Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 212, 213W, 218, 219; NURS 272, 273 must be taken concurrently; open to  Nursing majors only.

Nursing and interdisciplinary care of acutely ill persons and their families.

289. Capstone Practicum

Second semester. Variable credits. Recommended preparation: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in all nursing courses through first semester, senior year; NURS 250 concurrent; open only to Nursing majors. Undergraduate students should register for 6 credits.

 Synthesis of knowledge, skills, and values from all prior learning to provide professional nursing care as a beginning practitioner.

290. Health Assessment and Fundamentals of Nursing Praxis

Second semester. Variable credits, 1 through 12.  Prerequsite: PNB 264/265, CHEM 122, BIOL 107, MCB 200, NURS 200, Portfolio Review as required; equivalent coursework will be accepted for all courses. Student must be accepted into Basic Nursing (MbEIN) Certificate Program.

This course utilizes a combination of didactic and laboratory methods to explore all realms of health assessment (inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation) and introduces learners to the technological skills necessary for safe nursing practice: vital signs, activities of daily living, medication administration, wound healing and dressing changes, tubes and lines, safety and isolation precautions, and routine monitoring. Patient populations are adults in sub-acute and chronic settings. The course will address the nursing science, clinical science and disease science as appropriate to the assessment and skills.

291. Nursing Across the Lifespan I

Variable credits, 1 through 12. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 290. Student must be accepted into Basic Nursing (MbEIN) Certificate Program. 

This course is a problem based learning course examining issues in both parent-child health and community health. The nursing care of three major populations is explored: parents of childbearing and childrearing age, children, and clients in the community (wellness care and morbidity care in the home). The course will explore the major health and illness problems associated with these populations and incorporate clinical science, nursing science, and disease science knowledge appropriate to them. Major concepts of birth, wellness, prevention, grief and grieving, and chronicity will be explored. Settings will include but are not limited to hospitals, clinics, and homes.

293. Nursing Across the Lifespan II

Variable credits, 1 through 12. Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, a student must have earned a "C" or better in NURS 291. Student must be accepted into Basic Nursing (MbEIN) Certificate Program. 

This course examines the major health and illness issues with adults through a problem based learning approach. Primary areas of focus are acute care and psychiatric mental health nursing. Hospitals and community centers are the primary areas of practice although students may also follow clients to their homes, long term care facilities, or other residential facilities. Major concepts of infection, coping, grief and grieving, loss, aeration/oxygenation, communication, and circulation are addressed.

298. Special Topics in Nursing

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit.

299. Independent Study

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor.

Primarily for qualified students who wish to extend their knowledge by investigating special problems in nursing. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit.