Department Of Nursing

Nursing is a scholarly discipline that focuses on the Christian practice of compassionate care and service. Nursing, as a caring science and a healing art, assists individuals to manage their responses to health-related issues using a holistic approach. Nurses are advocates and health educators for patients, families and communities. Nurses care for people of all ages helping them to regain and maintain health. These services are provided in a variety of practice settings.

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to provide a baccalaureate educational program of excellence that prepares professional nurses for the diversity in health care needs of the twenty-first century. The Huntington University baccalaureate program in nursing is built upon a strong liberal arts foundation and Christian principles. The program will prepare a generalist who is a competent practitioner, who provides holistic care that contributes to safe and high quality out-comes, and who is a critical thinker and a leader. Graduates will impact their world through service.

Huntington University received authorization from the Indiana State Board of Nursing to begin its BSN program in the Fall of 2007. The Department of Nursing faculty has initiated the process for accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the only agency devoted exclusively to accrediting baccalaureate and higher degree programs in nursing.

Department of Nursing: Educational Philosophy and Purpose

The faculty of the Department of Nursing at Huntington University believes that learning is a dynamic, interactive process that fosters the maturation of students. This maturation is built upon the values of excellence, creativity, spirituality, human dignity, collaboration and integrity. The faculty is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service that enhances student learning, which positively affects the health and wellness outcomes of individuals, families and communities.

The upper division nursing major is developed from a strong foundation in the liberal arts, sciences and religious thought. The faculty is committed to providing settings for learning in which students can appreciate the contributions of the discipline of nursing to improving the quality of health care. Nursing is based on caring and compassion.

Faculty works in partnership with students to facilitate learning and is responsible to provide a learning environment that promotes inquiry and creativity. Students are responsible to be involved in learning, to identify their goals, to become skilled and knowledgeable and to propose new ideas. Learning is a continuous process. Learning environments should be flexible, interactive and promote mutual growth of faculty and students.

Consistent with the University philosophy, the faculty of the Department of Nursing encourages students to develop their faith, to interpret fields of learning from a Christian perspective, to commit themselves to Christ as Savior and Lord, and
to develop traits of Christian character and service.

Bachelor's Program Outcome

The program, in reflecting the University mission, prepares graduates who (1) practice within the profession’s ethical and legal framework and a Christian worldview; (2) practice using the appropriate theories and research from the disciplines of nursing, liberal arts, sciences and religious thought; (3) pro-vide quality, safe and culturally appropriate care to individuals and communities; (4) commit to scholarship for the improvement of nursing practice at the local, regional and international levels; (5) are competent in the roles of the professional nurse who is a critical thinker, educator, consultant, collaborator, leader, communicator and user of research; (6) appreciate that continued professional competency, service to others and personal and professional commitment to life-long learning.

Admission to the Nursing Program

Admission to the nursing major is competitive. Students admitted to the nursing major are guaranteed clinical placement if they progress in the program with the cohort with which they were admitted. Please contact the Department of Nursing for further information.

Course Requirements for the Nursing Major

Courses in Nursing

NU 300 Pharmacology                              (2)

This course focuses on the essentials of the human body’s reaction to drugs and the effects of drugs on the body. In addition, the impact of using over-the-counter medications, herbal and other supplements is included. The nurses’ role in medication administration and patient/client teaching is emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the major

                                                                         Fall

NU 305 Pathophysiology                                           (2)

In this course, the general principles covered in anatomy and physiology are applied to the disease process. The impact of environment, culture, nutrition and genetics in the development of diseases is also discussed. Prerequisite: BI 232/L and admission to the major

                                                                      Fall

NU 310 The Discipline of Professional Nursing               (2)

This course introduces the student to the profession of nursing (e.g., the educational, service and scholarship components). Content includes the roles and responsibilities of the professional nurse, the evolution of modern nursing and the science that underpins nursing practice, the nursing process, informatics, etc. Prerequisite: Admission to the major

Fall

Fall

NU 320 Fundamental Skills                                   (3)

Fall

NU 325 Gerontological Nursing                (2)

This course provides the study of healthy aging and caring for older adults. Students learn about some of the significant problems that older adults experience and identify appropriate interventions to facilitate the healthiest outcome possible. Concepts include cultural perspectives on aging, spirituality, nutritional issues, mobility concerns, etc. Prerequisite: PY 230 and admission to the major

Fall

NU 330 Adult Health I                     (4)

This course presents a comprehensive approach to the use of the nursing process in the management of the most common conditions encountered by adults. Students identify patient problems, develop a plan of care, determine interventions and appropriate outcomes. Evaluation of the effect of interventions on outcomes is also included. Topics include: problems of acid-base, fluid and electrolyte balance; pain; cardiovascular problems; problems of oxygenation; problems of mobility; etc. Students will apply previously and currently learned material to the care of clients/patients in a variety of health care settings. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 335 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Care I           (2)

Students are introduced to concepts of mental health and mental illness, including the relevant theories and therapies. The course content focuses on therapeutic communication, anxiety, depression, grief and stress related problems commonly found in acute care settings. Students apply this knowledge in the care of adults with common health conditions in acute care settings. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 340 Nursing Care of Developing Families         (4)

Using the nursing process framework, students continue development of assessing and caring skills with new mothers, babies and families as the focus. The concepts of family, culture, nutrition, client teaching, communication, spirituality and critical thinking are integrated throughout the course. There is an emphasis on community and home care to reflect the shift from hospital care to home and other settings. Using the knowledge and skills gained, students work with new mothers, babies and families in various health care settings. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 345 Nursing Care of Children                       (4)

This course, using the nursing process and emphasizing problem identification, care planning and intervention, focuses on health promotion as well as the specific health problems encountered by children and adolescents. The role and influence of family, culture and nutrition are emphasized. Chronic illnesses, spirituality, disability and end-of-life issues are also included. Students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in caring for children in a variety of healthcare settings. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to the major

NU 350 Research in Nursing                 (3)

Spring

NU 440 Adult Health II                         (4)

This course builds on the concepts learned in Adult Health I; i.e., a comprehensive approach to the use of the nursing process. Content in the management of the common conditions encountered by adults is continued, along with the introduction of conditions that are of increasing complexity. Students continue developing their abilities to identify patient problems, developing plans of care and determining interventions and appropriate outcomes. The course emphasizes the intervention and evaluation components of the nursing process. Examples include problems with digestion, nutrition and elimination; problems of tissue perfusion; problems of sensation, etc. Students apply previous and current skills and knowledge with patients/clients in acute care settings as well as selected additional healthcare settings. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Fall

NU 445 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Care II                     (3)

Selected psychobiological problems, from moderate to severe, are examined using the nursing process as a framework. The relationship between outcomes and interventions, as well as understanding the effect of culture and worldviews on psychobiological problems, is included. Topics include mood problems, eating disorders, chemical impairment, psychiatric emergencies, etc. Students apply knowledge and skills in working with clients/patients in several settings; e.g., inpatient, outpatient and community. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Fall

NU 450 Nursing Care of the Community                       (3)

This course provides a foundation of community and public health nursing concepts. Health promotion and disease prevention concepts are integrated such that students learn to develop interventions for individuals, families and communities. The multidimensional role of population-focused, community-focused nursing practice, as well as global health, is discussed. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are emphasized as well as the public health nurse’s role in disaster management. Students will apply knowledge and skills related to community and public health nursing with groups in community settings. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 451 Seminar in Nursing                          (2)

This course provides an overview of historic and current trends and issues and the impact on nurses’ roles and responsibilities. Topics include legal issues, workplace advocacy, the impaired nurse, informatics/technology, cultural competency and career management, including preparing for the NCLEX exam, etc. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 460 Adult Health III                                  (4)

This course builds on Adult Health I and II and integrates the concepts of family, culture, nutrition, client teaching, communication and critical thinking in the application of the nursing process for patients with multiple and complex health problems. In addition, the principles of rehabilitation are included. Students apply the know-ledge and skills from this course in Critical Care and rehabilitation settings. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

NU 465 Leadership in Nursing                    (4)

This course deals with leadership concepts and their application to the discipline of nursing. For example, health care organizations, leadership theory, decision making and conflict management, delegation, motivation, managing change, managing resources, power and politics, etc. Students apply the concepts learned in this course in various clinical settings. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Spring

NU 485 Role Transition                        (3)

Students, under the guidance of Nursing faculty and a mentor, have the opportunity to synthesize and integrate what they have learned in the practice of nursing and to apply this knowledge in the role of a beginning professional nurse. Students identify an area of clinical interest and work with faculty and a clinical agency to determine the site for the experience. They develop outcomes, as well as the means of accomplishing and evaluating the outcomes for the experience. A research utilization project is completed during this course. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to the major

Spring