Nursing
The nursing program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120. It reflects the mission and goals of the University and focuses on the uniqueness of each individual.
Vision
The vision for the department of nursing is to be a center of excellence for education, research, and service grounded in evidence-based nursing.
Mission
The mission of the department of nursing is to enhance the health of individuals, families, groups, and communities by preparing nurses who are:
- skilled, knowledgeable, and reflective practitioners and leaders;
- generating, disseminating, and applying evidence-based nursing knowledge to improve nursing practice; and
- influencing public policy, participating in professional activities, and providing consultation.
Statement of Philosophy
The philosophy of the nursing department is reflected in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and The Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing and faculty beliefs about nursing education.
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 3.4 in nursing courses entering junior year of nursing program.
Two of the following three high school courses must be completed with a grade of C or better: chemistry, biology, physics. If chemistry was not taken in high school or if grade was less than C in high school, the student must successfully complete biochemistry or chemistry with a grade of C or better prior to the first clinical course, NURS 512, Introduction to Nursing Interventions. The following prerequisite courses must be completed successfully
prior to the first clinical course, NURS 512, Introduction to Nursing Interventions; ENGL 401; ZOOL 507-508; NUTR 400; PSYC 401; and MICR 501. A course in statistics must be completed prior to, or
taken concurrent with, NURS 641, Translating Research for Practice. 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, 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. A criminal background report is required through the approved vendor; select clinical sites also require a finger print report to be on file at their site.
Freshman Year
ENGL 401, First Year Writing
NUTR 400, Nutrition in Health and Well Being
PSYC 401, Introduction to Psychology
ZOOL 507-508, Human Anatomy and Physiology
Electives 3 or 2 if chemistry is required
Chemistry if not taken at the high school level or if grade was less than C (may count as gen ed)
Sophomore Year
MICR 501, Microbes in Human Disease
NURS 500, Introduction to Professional Nursing
NURS 504, Diseases and Drugs 1
NURS 505, Diseases and Drugs 2
NURS 506, Lifespan Development, Interaction, and Learning for Professional Practice
NURS 512, Introduction to Nursing Interventions
NURS 601, Function and Well-being of Older Adults
One course in statistics*
Elective 1
Junior Year
NURS 611, Care of the Adult with Acute Illness 1
NURS 611C, Care of the Adult with Acute Illness 1 Clinical
NURS 612, Care of the Adult with Acute Illness 2
NURS 612C, Care of the Adult with Acute Illness 2 Clinical
NURS 616, Relationship-centered Care: Living with Mental Illness Across the Life Span
NURS 621, Maternal and Newborn Nursing
NURS 626, Clinical Reasoning and Judgment 1
NURS 627, Clinical Reasoning and Judgment 2
NURS 641, Translating Research for Practice
Elective 1
Interim
NURS 613C, Care of the Adult with Acute Illness 3, Clinical Concentration
Senior Year
NURS 702, Child Health Nursing
NURS 704, 21st Century Public Health Nursing
NURS 704C, 21st Century Public Health Nursing Clinical
NURS 705, Contemporary Leadership within health Care Systems
NURS 721, Integrating Professional Nursing Practice
Electives 2
*HHS 540, PSYC 402, SOC 502