Nursing Curriculum

This course is designed for pre-professional students (i.e., OTA, PTA and Medical Coding) as an introduction to a basic understanding of the structural organization of the human body starting with the tissues, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive, and nervous systems. The course will focus on the cellular organization and on the tissue and organ level of each system. In laboratory exercises, students study and learn structures from various available anatomical models. Not for science majors.

This course is a one semester course in chemistry to introduce students to concepts of chemistry who are not declared natural science majors. It consists of lecture, discussion, and problem solving. It is necessary to understand some of the basic concepts of chemistry and the physical sciences in order to better understand human health and physiology. There are several health and environmental notes or discussions in each chapter of the text that help to relate the chemical concepts to human health and the environment

The course is based on planning, drafting, writing and rewriting critical and expository essays utilizing argument, compare/contrast, cause/effect, definition, and summary/analysis. A short critical paper with cited sources in APA format will be assigned. Prerequisite: GLLN 110 or placement.

An introduction to psychology as a behavioral science and profession. Topics such as physiology and behavior, learning, memory and forgetfulness, intelligence, life span changes, personality development, social behavior, abnormal behavior and treatment approaches are examined.

This is the second of the two courses offered to pre-professional students. The course focuses on the organization of the cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems. Class discussions deal with the basic cellular, tissue level and organ level organization of each system. Functional significances as well as clinical correlations of some structures are also covered. Special focus will be on fertilization and reproduction, pregnancy and lactation, coronary and cerebrovascular circulation. Laboratory exercises include studying structures from available anatomical models. Not for science majors. Prerequisite: GSBN 117.

Introduces students to basic nursing principles, including concepts that form the theoretical basis for their roles as Registered Professional Nurses. Students develop nursing skills to meet the bio-psychosocial needs of a selected population, e.g. the elderly. The steps of the nursing process are introduced as the framework for nursing care and practice. The didactic (classroom) portion of this course includes the theoretical principles of: therapeutic communication, vital signs, infection control practices, body mechanics and safety, hygiene, comfort measures, skin integrity and wound care, nutrition, elimination, oxygenation, fluid and electrolytes, pain assessment, medication administration, care of the dying, introduction to the health care system and health care team, and legal and ethical issues that affect professional nursing practice. Students learn to initiate nursing actions in response to identification of self-care deficits, utilizing Orem's Self Care Deficit model. In the Nursing Skills Laboratory component of this course, students practice basic psychomotor skills related to theoretical topics introduced in the classroom. They then move on to the clinical component, applying these skills utilizing the nursing process within the framework of Orem's Theory, with patients in the traditional setting of medical-surgical hospital units.

This course provides the framework for preparing students to perform comprehensive health assessments on adult clients. Emphasis is placed on taking a through nursing history, performing physiological, psychological, sociological, cultural and spiritual assessments as well as identification of stressors and health risks. This course will focus on concepts such as patient-centered care, caring presence, safety, communication, and professionalism. (Lab = 45 hours) Prerequisites: GSBN 117/117L, GSCN 105. Corequisites: GSBN 118/118L, GNRN 110.

Establishes the basis for application of critical thinking skills in utilizing the nursing process and Orem's self-care theory in organizing nursing care. The course focuses on nursing management of adult patients with acute health problems. Emphasis is on the acute stages of disease as well as health promotion and prevention, nutrition, 135 diagnostics and treatments. Nursing care issues are addressed in physiological, pathophysiological and psychosocial contexts. Prerequisite: NUR 110.

Topics addressed include major drug classifications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, indications, uses, contraindications, cautions, side and adverse effects, toxicities, drug-drug, drug-food interactions and allergies.

This course covers the structure, reproduction, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and identification of microorganisms. It includes a study of their relationship to each other and to other living organisms, their distribution in nature, and their beneficial and disease-causing effects on humans.

A study of oral communication skills most frequently used in the professions, business and industry as well as our daily lives. The course explores communication anxiety, the value of listening, the impact of verbal languages on conversation, the effective use of social media platforms, interviewing, career and team building skills, impromptu speaking and effective presentations. Satisfies Speech Core requirement.

Effectiveness in public speaking is vital for students who wish to achieve prominence in their chosen field. Intensive study of the preparation and delivery of various forms of public speaking. Continued focus on oral fluency and clarity of articulation. Skills include audience analysis, the development of ideas, organization and outlining, unity and coherence of speaking through impromptu, informative, demonstration and persuasive speaking assignments. Satisfies Speech Core requirement.

Much of the pain and confusion that results from misunderstandings can be avoided through a more complete awareness of the process of communication. The ability to communicate effectively is determined by self-concept and by sensitivity to and understanding of others’ verbal and non-verbal behavior.

Designed to advance the theoretical and clinical knowledge of the student for managing care of the adult medicalsurgical patient. Emphasis is placed on identifying specific universal, developmental and health deviation self-care requisites and deficits, as well as gerontological changes that interfere with the adult patient's ability to manage increasingly complex self-care needs. Both the nursing and medical management associated with meeting the needs of patients with various medical-surgical conditions are discussed. The nursing process continues to be incorporated utilizing Orem's Self- Care Deficit Theory as a framework for the organization and provision of care for the adult medical- surgical patient. The course also introduces the nurse's role as manager of care. Clinical experiences include opportunities for students to care for adult medical-surgical patients in the acute care setting. Integration of the nursing process, as well as the psychosocial, physiological and socio-cultural needs of the adult medical-surgical patient population are investigated during each clinical experience. Prerequisite: NUR 200.

Builds upon and expands basic psychosocial knowledge and skills acquired in PSY 101, NUR 110 and NUR 200. Progression to more complex mental health patterns as they relate to nursing practice provides students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of human-environmental interactions and evolving mental health patterns within diverse cultures. Behavioral patterns as they appear in normative growth and developmental perspectives as well as alterations in these patterns with the resulting nursing implications are addressed. An intertwining of the nursing process and Orem's Self Care Deficit Theory forms the framework for the assessment of self-care deficits and interventions necessary to meet the self-care needs of psychiatric patients, their families and significant others. Prerequisite: NUR 200.

This course is the final course in the medical-surgical nursing sequence, with a heavy emphasis on preparing the student to transition to practicum. Through high-fidelity simulations case studies, games, role play, and clinical judgment exercises, students are required to actively apply didactic material in the classroom, interprofessional education, nursing laboratory, and clinical setting. The course further stimulates the development of clinical judgement by culminating in both an intensive clinical experience and weekly NCLEX preparation modules. Prerequisite: GNRN 300.

Builds upon the foundation acquired in NUR 110, NUR 130 and NUR 200. Uses the Nursing Process, Orem's model of self-care and a developmental approach to build upon principles of humanity, health and environment as they affect nursing care of women, infants and children. Emphasis is placed on health teaching and providing care to obstetrical, newborn and pediatric patients with complex problems, from the prenatal period through adolescence. Clinical experiences are provided in a structured multicultural medical center with a parent-child focus. Other learning experiences will occur in the classroom with assigned activities in the computer and skills lab. Prerequisite: NUR 200.

The student explores the concepts and principles of community service and Nursing as they apply to individuals, families, and the community. This course consists of online modules, readings, and a community service requirement. Students examine and reflect upon their service-learning through independent study. This one credit course (15 hours of completed assignments) is a requirement of the nursing program.