Nursing
The nursing program is nationally accredited. It reflects the mission and goals of the University and focuses on the uniqueness of each individual. The mission of the Department of Nursing is to enhance the health of individuals, families, groups, and communities. The philosophy expresses the beliefs of the faculty regarding person, environment, health, nursing, and education. Its goals are to help nursing students develop knowledge and skills essential to the present and future practice of nursing. Graduates of the program are prepared to provide care to individuals and groups, help people identify and meet their health care needs, be effective colleagues on the health care team, and shape the future of health care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The curriculum is divided into biological, social sciences, and
humanities as a foundation for courses in the major; and nursing
courses, which emphasize caring, critical thinking, problem solving,
decision making, and developing clinical skills. Clinical experiences
are offered in area hospitals and in community health agencies.
The senior year culminates in a practicum in which students apply
curriculum concepts to an interest area of their choice.
The faculty of the nursing program believe learning is a creative
process wherein students are active participants in their education,
growth, and development as professional nurses. Faculty members
are facilitators and mentors to students within a supportive, scholarly
environment.
Honors in major courses are offered to interested nursing students
who have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20.
The following prerequisite courses must be completed successfully
prior to the first clinical course, NURS 514, Techniques of Clinical
Nursing: ENGL 401; ZOOL 507-508; NUTR 400; PSYC 401; MICR 501; and
NURS 501. A course in statistics must be completed prior to, or
taken concurrent with, NURS 645, Nursing Research. Prerequisite
courses require grades of C or better and only one prerequisite
course may be repeated one time in order to achieve successful completion.
Most of the prerequisite courses also meet general education requirements.
A cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 must be attained and maintained throughout the program. Major and pre-requisite courses
require a minimum grade of C.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical
agencies, uniforms, professional equipment, liability and health
insurance coverage, and selected immunizations. Additional costs
associated with the program include laboratory fees each semester
beginning in sophomore year and fees associated with attendance
at professional meetings. Students must be certified in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation before the first clinical course and recertified as
necessary until graduation.
Freshman Year
ZOOL 507-508, Human Anatomy and Physiology
NUTR 400, Nutrition in Health and Well Being
ENGL 401, First Year Writing
PSYC 401, Introduction to Psychology
Electives 3
Sophomore Year
MICR 501, Microbes in Human Disease
NURS 501, Introduction to Nursing
One course in statistics*
NURS 502, Concepts of Pathophysiology/Pharmacology
NURS 508, Foundations of Nursing Judgment
NURS 514, Techniques of Clinical Nursing
Electives 2
Junior Year
NURS 615, Care of the Adult
NURS 615C, Clinical
NURS 619, Clinical Decision Making I
NURS 620, Caring for the Childbearing and Childrearing Family
NURS 620C, Clinical
or NURS 618, Caring for People with Alterations in Mental Health
NURS 618C, Clinical
and NURS 624, Nursing in the Community
NURS 624C, Clinical
NURS 622, Clinical Decision Making II
NURS 645, Nursing Research
Elective 1
Senior Year
HHS 698.D01, Special Topics: Medical Safety & Administration
NURS 703, Nursing Leadership/Management and the Organizational Context
NURS 618, Caring for People with Alterations in Mental Health
NURS 618C, Clinical
and NURS 624, Nursing in the Community
NURS 624C, Clinical
or NURS 620, Caring for the Childbearing and Childrearing Family
NURS 620C, Clinical
NURS 720, Clinical Decision Making III
NURS 720C, Clinical
Electives
*HHS 540, PSYC 402, SOC 502