Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Courses

• NURS-B 234 Promoting Healthy Populations (3-4 cr.) C: NURS-B235 This course focuses on preventive health care and health promotion in individuals, families, and communities considering the influence of culture and lifespan development.  Using biophysical, environmental, spiritual, sociocultural and economic determinants of health, students focus on improving health outcomes with individuals, families and communities.

• NURS-B 235 Promoting Healthy Populations Practicum (1-2 cr.) C: NURS-B234 Students assess individuals, families and communities, providing needed education, preventive services, and support.  Students provide individual and population based care in community based settings, giving consideration to the perspective of those being served.

• NURS-B 244 Comprehensive Health Assessment (2-3 cr.) P: or C: Anatomy & Physiology, or Microbiology. C: NURS-B244 This course focuses on helping students acquire skills to conduct a comprehensive health assessment, including the physical, psychological, social, functional, and environmental aspects of health. The process of data collection, interpretation, documentation, and dissemination of assessment data will be addressed.

• NURS-B 245 Health Assessment: Practicum (1-2 cr.) P: or C: Anatomy & Physiology, or Microbiology. C: NURS-B 244. Students will have the opportunity to use techniques of interview, observation, percussion, palpation, inspection, and auscultation in assessing clients across the life span in simulated and actual environments.

• NURS-B 253 Professionalism in Collaborative Practice (3 cr.) Students practice communication skills for working with health team members and clients, including self-awareness, interpersonal communication, team skills, and technological communication.  Students are introducted to ethics, scope and standards of nursing practice, roles of health team members, components of professional practice and leadership.

• NURS-B 260 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (5 cr.) P: Anatomy & Physiology. C: NURS-B 261. This course focuses on the fundamentals of nursing from a theoretical, evidence base.  Students will gain a knowledge base for, and have an opportunity to apply fundamental nursing concepts, skills and the nursing process.  The evidence based knowledge gained forms a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making as students develop their nursing skills.

• NURS-B 261 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (1-4 cr.) P: Anatomy & Physiology. C: NURS-B 260. This course provides a foundation in the pathophysiology of key disease processes and pharmacological therapies. Principles of pathophysiology and pharmacology are presented in an integrated manner to provide a basis for study of selected medications that are used to treat or manage diseases with an application to nursing practice.

• NURS-B 290 Transcultural Health Within a Global Context (3 cr.) Students apply a model of cultural competence to one's own and a different culture to appreciate the intercultural complexity in health and healthcare of diverse peoples. Students examine global cultures regarding economic, political, and environmental health and healthcare issues to develop a critical understanding of perspectives that support respectful communication.

• NURS-B 334 Transitional Care of Families and Populations (5 cr.) Using childbearing families as an extensive exemplar, this course focuses on family and community health: community assessment, epidemiology, and intervention with individuals, families, communities and populations. Students address prenatal care, normal and high risk pregnancy and childbirth, newborn care, genetic counseling, care coordination, complementary care, and environmental health.

• NURS-B 444 Nursing Intensive: Managing Health and Illness Across Care Environments (3-5 cr.) Students study a focused clinical area of concern for nursing, exploring the ways in which culture, health disparity, transitions between care environments, and health policy impact care for an aggregate, population, or specialty. Immersed in a care environment, students gain relevant clinical knowledge as well as an understanding of the aggregate health concerns.

• NURS-H 303 Pediatric Clinical Immersion (1 cr.) This clinical course addresses the specific needs of the pediatric population who are experiencing acute and chronic health problems using a patient and family centered approach. Emphasis will be placed on growth and development, family centered care, and the inter-professional approach to the care of this complex population.

• NURS-H 355 Data Analysis for Practice and Research (3 cr.) Introduces nursing and other health science students to the basic concepts and techniques of data analysis needed in professional health care practice. Principles of measurement, data summarization, and univariate and bivariate statistics are examined. Differences in types of qualitative data and methods by which these types of data can be interpreted are also explored. Emphasis is placed on the application of fundamental concepts to real world situations in client care.

• NURS-H 356 Clinical Nursing Care 1: Biophysical Processes (5 cr.) This course focuses on providing nursing care for individuals and families with acute and chronic biophysical illnesses across the lifespan. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at a beginning level.

• NURS-H 360 Clinical Nursing Care 2: Interactive Processes (5 cr.) This course focuses on nursing care management of individuals and families experiencing acute and chronic health problems related to interaction with the environment and others: sensory, motor, cognitive, affective, and interpersonal processes. Using a holistic approach this course addresses health problems occurring across the lifespan.

• NURS-H 371 Clinical Care 3: Adaptive Processes (5 cr.) The primary focus is on the nursing care and management of individuals and families experiencing acute and chronic health problems using an adaptive and holistic life span approach. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at an intermediate level.

• NURS-H 476 Clinical Nursing Care 4: Complex Processes (5 cr.) The primary focus is on the nursing care management of individuals and families experiencing complex and significant illnesses across the lifespan. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at an advanced level.

• NURS-L 230 Health Care Delivery Systems (3 cr.) Students examine health care delivery systems, leadership, health policy, regulation and economics. Students explore quality practices of health care organizations. Students analyze the impact of informatics on health care and nursing including the electronic health record, information technology in healthcare, and information literacy.

• NURS-L 430 Leadership in Health Care Delivery (3-5 cr.) This course focuses on development of effective leadership skills relevant in health care systems. Students examine health policy, study information management, and employ processes that result in exceptional organizational outcomes. Students use healthcare data and research evidence in quality improvement and change initiatives.

• NURS-R 375 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr.) This course focuses on nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students develop skills in retrieving and appraising literature relevant to clinical problems, understanding the research process, and critiquing evidence from research publications and other sources to inform evidence-based nursing practice.

• NURS-S 474 Applied Health Care Ethics (3 cr.) Building on the ANA Code of Ethics, this course explores the nurse's role in ethical clinical practice, academic work, health policy, and research conduct, focusing particularly on the advocacy role of the nurse.  Common ethical problems are discussed and strategies for resolution are applied.

• NURS-S 483 Clinical Nursing Practice Capstone (3-4 cr.) Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate competencies consistent with program outcomes and to refine their nursing care practice skills. Students will collaborate with faculty and a preceptor in choosing a care setting, planning and organizing a learning experience, and practicing professional nursing in a safe and effective manner.

• NURS-S 488 Synthesis for Professional Nursing Practice (2-3 cr.) Students integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program: critical thinking, information technology, cultural competence, care coordination, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills. Students demonstrate competence in evidence-based practice and quality and safety initiatives, as achieved in a complex and changing health care environment. Students begin the transition to professional practice.

RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Option Courses

• NURS-B 304 Health Policy (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) Social, ethical, cultural, economic, and political issues that affect the delivery of health and nursing services globally are critically analyzed. Government and entrepreneurial interests are examined. Emphasis is placed on the impact of policy decisions on professional nursing practice and health services.

• NURS-B 331 Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing Practice (3 cr.) This course bridges the nurse to the essential elements of baccalaureate professional practice. Students examine intra and inter professional communication, collaboration, and teamwork to enhance quality patient care. Students explore nursing professional organizations, issues in professional practice, and the impact of lifelong learning on career development.

• NURS-B 344 Comprehensive Nursing Health Assessment (3 cr.) This course focuses on the complete health assessment, the nursing process, and its relationship to the prevention and early detection of diseases across the lifespan. Students learn the skills of interview, inspection/palpation, percussion, and auscultation in assessing clients across the lifespan and comparing normal from abnormal findings.

• NURS-B 403 Gerontological Nursing (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course promotes a holistic approach to persons in the later years of life. Death and dying, legal and ethical issues, family care giving, and future challenges will be discussed in the context of best practices as outlined by the John A Hartford Foundation: Institute for Geriatric Nursing.

• NURS-B 404 Informatics (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course addresses nursing informatics: state of the science and issues for research, development, and practice. It clarifies concepts of nursing, technology, and information management; and comprises theory, practice, and the social and ethical issues in nursing and health care informatics.

• NURS-H 355 Data Analysis in Clinical Practice and Health-Care Research (3 cr.) P: All fourth-semester nursing courses. (RN-BSN) This course introduces nursing and other health sciences students to the basic concepts and techniques of data analysis needed in professional health-care practice. Principles of measurement, data summarization, and univariate and bivariate statistics are examined. Differences in types of qualitative data and methods by which these types of data can be interpreted are also explored. Emphasis is placed on the application of fundamental concepts to real-world situations in client care.

• NURS-K 301 The Art and Science of Complementary Health (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course will serve as an introduction to a variety of complementary therapies, including healing touch, guided imagery, hypnosis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage. The class will critically examine each therapy through assigned readings, literature reviews, presentations, guest lecturers, and optional experiential activities.

• NURS-K 305 New Innovations in Health and Health Care (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course explores emergent trends in health and health care, including technological advances in health care, developing approaches to care based on new knowledge and/ or research findings, and trends in health care delivery in a themed, survey or independent study format.

• NURS-K 434 Global Health Issues in Nursing (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course is designed to provide learning opportunities to acquire knowledge about global health issues, the diverse conditions that contribute to health and global health disparities, and an understanding of nursing’s role in addressing these health problems. Issues addressed include infectious and chronic illness, reproductive and women’s health issues, politics and public health policy, economics and health care, and health in conflict environments. Conceptual models and health equity concepts, evidence-based practice, and health care delivery systems are analyzed to explore strategies for addressing global health issues. Learning opportunities emphasize the knowledge and skills needed to use technology to investigate global health issues, advocate for health justice from a human rights perspective, and critically appraise global health issues.

• NURS-K 499 Genetics and Genomics (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course introduces a basic knowledge of genetics in health care, including genetic variation and inheritance; ethical, legal, and social issues in genetic health care; genetic therapeutics; nursing roles; genetic basis of selected alterations to health across the life span; and cultural considerations in genetic health care are all considered.

• NURS-P 345 Pharmacology (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course focuses on basic principles of pharmacology. It includes the pharmacologic properties of major drug classes and individual drugs, with an emphasis on the clinical application of drug therapy through the nursing process.

• NURS-R 375 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course focuses on nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students develop skills in retrieving and appraising literature relevant to clinical problems, understanding the research process, and critiquing evidence from research publications and other sources to inform evidence-based nursing practice.

• NURS-R 470 Clinical Nursing Practice Capstone (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course allows students to synthesize knowledge and skills learned in the baccalaureate program and to demonstrate competencies consistent with program outcomes and to refine their nursing practice skills. Students will plan and organize learning experiences, design a project, and practice professional nursing in a safe and effective manner.

• NURS-S 410 Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (3 cr.) (RN to BSN) This course focuses on the theoretical and practical perspectives of disaster response and emergency management for nursing professionals. Students will explore disaster/ emergency response preparedness, leadership principles, decision-making, and recovery training measures for health care providers devoted to supporting community disaster resilience.

• NURS-S 420 Care Coordination in Transitions of Care (3 cr.)

  (RN to BSN) Students will synthesize knowledge and skills relevant to care coordination to ensure smooth care transition.  Students will develop an understanding of the role of the RN as a member of a interprofessional team, as well as options for the most appropriate care setting for an individual patient.

• NURS-S 474 Applied Health-Care Ethics (3 cr.) P: All sixth-semester nursing courses. (RN-BSN) Building on the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, this course explores the nurse’s role in ethical clinical practice, academic work, health policy, and research conduct, focusing particularly on the advocacy role of the nurse.  Common ethical problems are discussed and strategies for resolution of ethical dilemmas are applied.  

• NURS-S 475 A Multisystem Approach to the Health of the Community (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) Basic epidemiological principles and community health nursing models are applied in collaboration with diverse groups. Disease prevention strategies are applied to individuals and populations to promote health.  Students apply the concepts of community assessment, disease prevention, and health promotion to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions for populations in the community. 

• NURS-S 487 Nursing Management (3 cr.) (RN-BSN) This course focuses on development of management skills assumed by professional nurses, including delegation of responsibilities, networking, and facilitation of groups, conflict resolution, leadership, case management, and collaboration.  Concepts addressed include organizational structure, delivery systems, change, managing quality and performance, budgeting and resource allocation, staffing, scheduling, evaluation and career development.