Degree Requirements

Foundations of Professional Nursing introduces the student to the profession of nursing. The student builds upon foundational knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and humanities and applies this to the content and process of nursing. The metaparadigm of nursing is presented in conjunction with the University's mission and organizing framework. Students are introduced to the concepts of health promotion, disease injury/prevention, effective intraprofessional communication, and demonstration of the teaching/learning process as part of person-centered care. Skills basic to nursing practice, safety, documentation, and regulatory guidelines that influence nursing practices are presented. Laboratory and simulated experiences are coordinated to offer the student practical experience with selected clients in providing basic nursing care in a professional caring manner. Students will demonstrate effective use of available technologies to assess and monitor patient care.
Prerequisite: Take NU-205L

Foundations of Professional Nursing introduces the student to the profession of nursing. The student builds upon foundational knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and humanities and applies this to the content and process of nursing. The metaparadigm of nursing is presented in conjunction with the University's mission and organizing framework. Students are introduced to the concepts of health promotion, disease injury/prevention, effective intraprofessional communication, and demonstration of the teaching/learning process as part of person-centered care. Skills basic to nursing practice, safety, documentation, and regulatory guidelines that influence nursing practices are presented. Laboratory and simulated experiences are coordinated to offer the student practical experience with selected clients in providing basic nursing care in a professional caring manner. Students will demonstrate effective use of available technologies to assess and monitor patient care.
Prerequisite: Take Co-Req NU-205

This course introduces the student to basic concepts, theories, and methods of exploring the health, wellness, and cultural diversity of individuals. Common factors that promote the health and wellness of individuals across the lifespan are explored. Cultural diversity expands this discussion to include the meaning and impact of culture on health and wellness through the exploration of cultural phenomenon such as perception toward time, communication, social organization, and healing traditions. Values clarification related to own culture as a part of the process of developing cultural awareness and competence is discussed. Disparities related to access to care and economic barriers are discussed including vulnerable populations. Current evidence related to the impact of culture on healthcare systems and treatment by culturally competent practitioners is included.
Prerequisite: Take NU-205, NU-215 and NU-220, NU-310

This course introduces assessment components including interviewing, history taking, functional assessment, and physical examination of patients across the lifespan with an emphasis on health promotion and disease/injury prevention. Emphasis focuses on the assessment phase of the nursing process using a systems focused assessment approach. This course begins with foundational concepts of professionalism, person-centered care, and safety. Students will examine patients using a head-to-toe approach. Additional course content focuses on the role of the nurse, inter- and intra-professional communication, data collection, documentation, and patient teaching. Students begin to develop clinical judgement to begin identifying problems and deficits in an effort to guide the development of a plan of care.
Prerequisite: Concurrently take NU-215L

This course introduces students to basic concepts of pharmacology used to promote, support, and restore the health status of individuals. Course content will focus on the pharmacodynamics and the pharmacotherapeutics of a broad range of drugs and their biologic, psychosocial, and cultural role in health and illness. Critical thinking with the application of the nursing process will be stressed in the assessment of patient responses, discussion of nursing implications of various drug groups, therapeutic interventions, and related evaluations. Throughout the course, issues of legal, ethical, and professional accountability will be addressed as they pertain to the safe administration of medications. Laboratory practice will focus on the development of medication administration and supporting documentation.
Prerequisite: Take BI-126, BI-127, BI-128, BI-129, CH-117, CH-119, MA-105;

This course introduces students to basic concepts of pharmacology used to promote, support, and restore the health status of individuals. Course content will focus on the pharmacodynamics and the pharmacotherapeutics of a broad range of drugs and their biologic, psychosocial, and cultural role in health and illness. Critical thinking with the application of the nursing process will be stressed in the assessment of patient responses, discussion of nursing implications of various drug groups, therapeutic interventions, and related evaluations. Throughout the course, issues of legal, ethical, and professional accountability will be addressed as they pertain to the safe administration of medications. Laboratory practice will focus on the development of medication administration and supporting documentation.
Prerequisite: Take NU-220

This course introduces students to the basic concepts and frameworks of psychiatric and mental health nursing and provides an introduction to the assessment and treatment of patients with mental health challenges. Traditional psychotherapeutic and alternative healing methods are discussed. Continuing themes of growth and development across the age continuum including gerontology, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communications, pharmacotherapeutics, client advocacy, teaching, and person-centered care are explored. Concepts related to social / ethical /legal considerations in relation to this vulnerable population are applied. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication, and personal self-awareness and self-growth as well as interprofessional collaboration and communication. Students implement the nursing process and develop beginning-level clinical skills in individual and group recovery focused care at a variety of mental health agencies and with a diverse group of psychiatric clients.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-215, NU-310

This course focuses on pathophysiology as it relates to the nursing actions and responsibilities needed to manage and provide care for clients who are experiencing acute or chronic physiologic health conditions. Reduction of risk potential including complications from existing conditions will also be explored as well as health promotion and disease prevention as it relates to the disease process. References to the aging process and genetics and their impact on pathophysiology will be included. Content builds on prior anatomy and physiology concepts learned in prerequisite coursework.
Prerequisite: Take NU-205 and NU-220

This course focuses on the culturally sensitive nursing practice and care of women, newborns, and families along the continuum of their growth and development. Integrated concepts include multidisciplinary evidence-based research and interprofessional collaboration with the emphasis on the improvement of the health of the family.  Legal and ethical issues that relate to the care of the family are interwoven. Clinical application of current research focuses on preconceptual, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal experiences. Students demonstrate critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgement when planning, implementing, and evaluating family-centered nursing care.
Prerequisite: Take NU-215, NU-310

Introduction to Adult Nursing is the first in the two-course sequence of adult nursing. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with common medical/surgical health problems. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Continuing themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment into classroom and clinical learning experiences. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to integrate the nursing process with new nursing interventions. Course content will focus on common health problems related to fluid and electrolytes, pulmonary, neurologic, cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders, problems of metabolism, sensation/ perception, circulation, and perioperative care. Clinical experiences will be conducted in acute/subacute care settings.
Prerequisite: Take NU-300 NU-310 NU-330, NU-210

Adult Nursing II is the second in the two course sequence of adult nursing. This course explores the roles of the nurse in relation to providing patient-centered care to patients with complex medical/surgical health problems. Course content emphasizes health promotion, disease/injury prevention, disease management, and health maintenance. Continuing themes of pharmacotherapeutics, gerontological considerations, safety, evidence-based practice, therapeutic communication, multiculturalism, as well as patient education and advocacy are explored. This course incorporates critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment along with evidence-based practice and the utilization of informatics while promoting synthesis of knowledge and interprofessional collaboration. Course content will focus on common health problems related to pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, oncological, infectious disease, hepatobiliary, and neurological. A structured experience in the simulation lab is included to practice advanced nursing interventions required to care for high-risk emergencies in a safe, controlled environment. Clinical experiences will be conducted in high acuity acute care settings.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-340, NU-300

This course prepares students to discover, examine, and critically appraise current evidence in nursing and healthcare. Students will develop skills needed to identify research questions in practice, analyze existing evidence, and develop strategies to integrate best current research with clinical expertise and patient/family preferences and values. Parameters for making a recommendation for an evidence-based practice change that enhances safety and promotes quality improvement will be discussed. Students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate skills in gathering data from a variety of sources using appropriate databases to find best current evidence.
Prerequisite: Take NU-300(840) NU-330(841)

This course focuses on the nursing profession and leadership principles which are integral to the provision of healthcare for individuals, families, communities, and a global society. Students are given the opportunity to explore complex issues and trends in nursing related to the provision of cost-effective, safe, quality patient care, nursing as a profession, and global health. The development of an understanding and awareness of their need to become involved in the development of healthcare policies and changes in healthcare systems will be fostered by an analysis of current issues such as cross-cultural communication, the nursing shortage, inefficient healthcare systems, and international issues. Discussion and assignments will include implementation strategies and skills for successful transition into the workplace environment and entry into practice.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-340

This course uses a patient and family-centered approach to explore anatomical, physiological, and developmental variations in children from infancy through young adulthood. Sociocultural influences on child health promotion are discussed as well as concepts related to safety, genetics, health education, acute and chronic disease management, injury prevention, palliative, and end-of-life care. Course content focuses on the application of clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and selected elements of growth and development. Students will engage in intra- and interprofessional collaboration and communication while advocating for the needs of this vulnerable population. Clinical experiences include laboratory simulation and psychomotor skill development. Students demonstrate professionalism and increasing levels of autonomy while providing care that is respectful and preserves human dignity.
Prerequisite: Take NU-340 as a Pre-requisite or Co-requisite

This course focuses on providing population-focused care. Community and family assessments identify the need for intervention strategies that support health promotion and disease/injury prevention while promoting optimal functioning of various populations. Nursing services/interventions are delivered based on this assessment with an emphasis on vulnerable populations and cultural variations in the community. Collaboration with community agencies/institutions and healthcare systems provide an opportunity to practice health promotion activities that address current or emergent health needs of specific populations. The development of community partnerships is a focus and encourages student engagement.
Prerequisite: Take NU-360, NU-374 and NU 370

This course utilizes the concepts of professionalism, leadership, and patient centered care in preparing the student to assume the role of baccalaureate nurse generalist. Critical discussions of professional issues prepare graduates for a successful transition into their first nursing role. Students will be expected to apply and synthesize previous course content while demonstrating accountability to self, peers, and the program as they prepare to take the NCLEX exam. Students analyze and evaluate individual learning needs and develop a learning contract to meet deficiencies. Content mastery testing is utilized to prepare students for the NCLEX exam.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-360, NU-374 and NU-370

This senior level capstone course is focused on the holistic delivery of professional nursing practice in the contemporary clinical setting.  The clinically based immersion experience affords the students and opportunity to refine the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to manage care as part of an interprofessional team within a healthcare system.  Theoretical learning becomes reality as students synthesize and reflect on their learning and experiences of the various roles and responsibilities of a professional nurse while being immersed in the clinical setting.  Through this course, students demonstrate and utilize evidence-based research to support clinical judgment.  The expectation is to analyze and reflect on experiences encountered during the clinical experience.  Focus is on moving the student toward autonomous professional nursing practice within their clinical setting.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-360 NU-374 NU-370

Lecture on the investigation of cell structure and function, tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Co:Take BI-127

Laboratory involves investigation of cell structure and function, tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-126

Lecture involves the investigation of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-126 BI-127

Laboratory involves the investigation of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI 126 and BI-127

A course focused on the study of microorganisms with emphasis on morphology, cultivation, genetics of bacteria, viruses and fungi, and infectious diseases caused by these microbes. Three hours of lecture per week. Nursing students only.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-162

Laboratory work stresses aseptic technique and the microscopic, nutritional, and biochemical characteristics of bacteria. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
Prerequisite: Co: Take BI-161

Designated for Nursing students, this course previews the principles of general chemistry, followed by a survey of organic chemistry. An overview of biochemistry and biomolecules and a study of metabolism and its regulation are presented. Two 75-minute class periods per week.
Prerequisite: Take CH-119

Designated for Nursing students, this course consists of eleven to twelve lab periods. Three to four dry labs are embedded within the course as a guided inquiry-based approach to the curriculum and computer problem-solving and molecular modeling using HyperChem. Experiments as well as dry labs are related to the subject matter covered in CH 117. One three-hour lab period per week.
Prerequisite: Take CH-117

Designed exclusively for Nursing students. Topics include college-level algebra, graphing, basic trigonometric functions, and appropriate applications for the health sciences. It is a problem-solving approach to mathematics.

This course is geared toward liberal arts, science, business, and health science majors." It introduces descriptive statistics, probability distributions (both discrete and normal), confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and correlation. Real-world applications are offered and computer statistical software may be used.

Progressivism will study progressive political thinking as a general philosophical approach to politics and social issues, present in all times and places, and as an evolving movement and body of thought in the United States.
Prerequisite: 100-level philosophy course

Introduction to psychology as the science of behavior, focusing on the physiological, cognitive, learning, sociocultural, and psychodynamic bases of behavior.

Traces development from conception through childhood, including basic concepts and theories as applied to psychological processes of perception, cognition, social interactions, affective, and moral development.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Students are taught how to investigate social issues as sociologists do-by tracing the troubles of men and women back to broader social forces and problems. The relevance of sociology is demonstrated through examples of applied sociology and through the students' use of social theory and methods to address social problems.

Literary and historical study of the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible in Judaism. Relationship of literary form and interpretation in passages from the Pentateuch, historical and prophetic books, and wisdom literature. Comparison and contrast of theological meanings of these writings for Jews and Christians.