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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take BI-126, BI-127, BI-128, BI-129, CH-117, CH-119, MA-105

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
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.  The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take BI-126, BI-127, BI-128, BI-129, CH-117, CH-119, MA-105

This course introduces the student to basic concepts, theories, and methods of exploring the health, wellness, and cultural diversity of individuals and groups. 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 perceptions regarding time, communication, social organization, and healing traditions. Values clarification related to a person's 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. This course will be offered in an accelerated format for students in the SDA program.
Prerequisite: Take Nu-205 NU-205L NU-220 NU-220L

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-206, NU-206L, NU-221(3693, NU-221L

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-206, NU-206L, NU-221(3693), NU-221L

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-206, NU-206L, NU-221, NU-221L

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-215L, NU-211

These two seminars are Sacred Heart University's academic signature common core. They are a direct reflection of the University's Mission. These seminars provide students with an understanding of the roots and development of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition as an interdisciplinary, ongoing 2,000 year conversation between the great writers, thinkers, and artists of the Tradition and the cultures in which they lived, asking fundamental questions about God, humanity, nature, and society. Using seminar pedagogy, these seminars ask students to join in this conversation and relate the texts and ideas of the seminars to students own lives and to the world in which they live.
Prerequisite: Take CIT 201

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/ illness/ injury prevention, disease management, health restoration, 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, clinical judgment and basic leadership skills 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. This course will be offered in an accelerated format for students in the SDA program.
Prerequisite: Take NU-310 NU-333

This course prepares students to discover, examine, and critically appraise current evidence in nursing and healthcare. Students 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 is 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.  This course will be offered in an accelerated format for students in the SDA program.
Prerequisite: Take NU-341

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.The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-216, NU-216L, NU-310, BI-161, BI-162

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 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. This course will be offered in an accelerated format for students in the SDA program.
Prerequisite: Take NU-341

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: TAKE NU-341

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-341

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. The course is offered in an accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-361, NU-373, NU-371

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-361, NU-373, NU-371

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-361, NU-373, NU-371

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. This course is offered in the accelerated format for second degree accelerated students.
Prerequisite: Take NU-361, NU-373, NU-371