Curriculum and Courses

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. Students are introduced to the terminology and abbreviations used in the practice environment.
Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology

This course will use the general principles covered in anatomy and physiology as they apply to the disease process. The impact of environment, culture, nutrition, and genetics in the development of diseases is also discussed. A systematic approach will be used to assist in understanding the relationship of the terms to the body and the disease process.
Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology

This course introduces the student to the profession of nursing (e.g., the educational, legal, 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, legal issues, and political issues. The issues surrounding such topics as licensure dilemmas and the impaired nurse will be reviewed. APA format will be introduced.
Prerequisite: Admission to the ABSN program

This course focuses on the data collection component of the nursing process. Students learn the terminology necessary to communicate in an interprofessional milieu. Students gather information relevant to the identification of client problems - across the lifespan. A client assessment includes psychosocial, physical, family, environmental, spiritual, cultural, and nutritional perspectives and the appropriate interpretation of the information collected. The impact of technology on assessment is discussed. Students gain proficiency in assessment skills, including therapeutic communication, interview, observation, inspection, percussion, auscultation, and palpation with peers and clients in the Nursing Laboratory and various other settings.
Prerequisites: Human Development, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology

This course focuses on understanding the theoretical frameworks that are foundational to basic nursing care competencies. In addition, the practical application of those competencies is considered, including the impact of technology. Topics include patient/client safety, standard precautions, hand washing, medication administration, etc. Students work with peers and clients in the Nursing Laboratory as well as in a variety of settings. Nursing majors will be introduced to the basic nursing skills necessary to care for patients in the healthcare environment.
Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology

This course presents a comprehensive approach to the use of the nursing process in the management of the most common conditions encountered by adults, including patients with multiple and complex health problems. Students identify patient problems, develop a plan of care, and determine interventions and appropriate outcomes. Evaluation of the effect of interventions on outcomes is also included. Students will apply previously and currently learned material to the care of clients/patients in a variety of health care settings, including the acute and critical care settings.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

Students are introduced the student 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. Selected psychobiological problems, from moderate to severe, are examined using the nursing process as a framework. Understanding the effect of culture and worldviews on psychobiological problems is included. Students apply knowledge and skills in working with clients/patients in various settings.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

Using the nursing process framework, students continue the 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.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

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.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

This course reviews research concepts and methods. There is an emphasis on evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. For example, students learn how to frame clinical questions in ways that help distinguish between strong and weak evidence, weigh the risks and benefits of the findings, and apply the evidence to improve patient outcomes.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

This course builds on 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 and integrates the concepts of family, culture, nutrition, client teaching, and communication. Students continue developing their abilities to identify patient problems, developing plans of care, determining interventions, appropriate outcomes, and critical thinking in the application of the nursing process for patients with multiple and complex health problems. The course emphasizes the intervention and evaluation components of the nursing process. Examples include problems with digestion, nutrition, and elimination; problems with tissue perfusion; and problems of sensation. Students apply previous and current skills and knowledge with patients/clients in acute care settings as well as selected additional health care settings.
Prerequisite: NUA 333

A foundation of basic community and public health nursing theories will be established in this course. Students will learn to develop interventions for individuals, families, and communities through the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention. The course will focus on the multidimensional role of the nurse through population-focused, community-focused, as well as global health community care. The student will study critical thinking and problem-solving skills from a community perspective. In clinical settings, the nursing student will apply knowledge and skills related to community and public health nursing within the community setting.
Prerequisites: NUA 301, 303, 313, and 323

This course focuses on preparation for NCLEX-RN® exam. Students take exams containing questions representative of the NCLEX-RN®. Topics will include how to prepare for the exam, applying for state licensure, legal and ethical issues associated with licensure, and the impact of licensure on health care delivery systems and patient care. This course will reinforce critical thinking and clinical judgement in preparation for the practice setting.
Prerequisites: NUA 345, 350, 443, and 450

This course deals with leadership concepts and their application to the discipline of nursing. For example, health care organizations, leadership theory, decision making, conflict management, delegation, motivation, managing change, managing resources, power, and politics. This course examines nursing theories and facilitates an understanding of professional leadership behavior. Students will be required to demonstrate the knowledge acquired in the course through a Leadership in Nursing Project.
Prerequisites: NUA 333, 345, and 350

Students, under the guidance of nursing faculty and a preceptor, 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. They develop outcomes, as well as the means of accomplishing and evaluating the outcomes, for the experience. Clinical sites will be determined by nursing faculty in collaboration with community agencies. Students will complete 144 clinical hours.
Prerequisites: NUA 345, 350, 443, and 450