The focus of the first nursing course is health promotion, restoration and maintenance. The health promotion and maintenance focus addresses the basic needs for: oxygenation, food and fluid, elimination, rest and activity, sexuality, and safety. The health restoration focus addresses the concepts of pain, inflammation and infection. These concepts and the stress adaptation phenomenon are applied to the adult and older adult. Communication, basic research skills, a philosophy of caring, and the ethical/legal standards of practice are taught as integral to professional role development.

The course introduces the student to the major categories of client needs: Promotion of Wellness/Health Promotion and Maintenance; Physiological Integrity; Safe, Effective Care Environment and Psychosocial Integrity. The concepts of adaptation, nursing process, professional role, communication, critical thinking and past, current and future trends in health care including an evidence-based approach to nursing practice complete the design.

The concurrent clinical component of the course provides the student opportunities to care for adults and older adults in structured medical/surgical settings. Simulated clinical experience enables the students to practice and refine psychomotor skills. With the direction of the faculty, students use these learning experiences to develop beginning skills and competencies.

The course fosters the use of critical thinking skills and nursing process. Learning experiences lead to the application of selected culturally competent therapeutic nursing interventions in the promotion of adaptation in the adult individual. Prioritizing and sequencing basic aspects of nursing care enables the student to contribute to the management of client care and promotes professional development.

Evaluation of course/clinical objectives achievement by the student and faculty provides mutual feedback. Self-evaluation is used to promote self-understanding and professional development.

Total Hours: 225 (class: 90; clinical: 135)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: BI 105 and BI 108

The second nursing course emphasizes the knowledge and skills essential for the nursing management of adult medical and surgical individuals and their families in structured settings as they adapt to changes in the health/illness spectrum. The focus is on health promotion and health restoration related to surgery and alterations in mobility; cell function; oxygenation; endocrine; neurologic, immune, gastro-intestinal and sensory functions; acid-base balance and sexuality.

Professional role, critical thinking and ethical-legal issues are explored and developed and a philosophy of caring is fostered through the use of nursing process and the application of culturally competent therapeutic nursing interventions.

Communication skills are used to promote wellness and adaptation of individuals and their families. The inter-relatedness of the health team is considered through application of beginning leadership and management principles. The research process is used as a vehicle to enable the student to suggest change to improve the quality of care.

Concurrent clinical experiences in care management for selected adult individuals are provided to allow students to correlate theoretical knowledge to the evidence-based practice of nursing and to foster growth in skills and competencies. Simulated clinical learning experiences in the nursing arts lab introduce the student to new nursing skills prior to their application in clinical practice. Further professional role exploration and development is emphasized through weekly self and faculty evaluations of the student’s clinical progress.

Total Hours: 270 (class: 90; clinical: 180)
Prerequisites: NU 101, BI 105 and BI 108 
Corequisites: BI 106 and PS 233

The third nursing course focuses on developing the professional role of the nurse in providing nursing care to women, children and their families. Communication and critical thinking skills are utilized in applying the nursing process. Culturally competent therapeutic nursing interventions are developed to promote adaptation for childbearing and childrearing families. Strategies within the health/illness spectrum are discussed related to high-risk pregnancy, high-risk parenting and common health problems of women and children.

A philosophy of caring is emphasized in order to provide support to individuals striving to adapt to change in family structure and function, and/or the effects of illness. Leadership and management principles are reinforced through clinical practice and clinical conferences.

Research concepts, historical and current perspectives are addressed in this specialty. Analysis of ethical and legal concerns and the exploration of cultural influences on client needs augment theoretical concepts and promote critical thinking.

Concurrent acute care and community clinical experiences are utilized to introduce the student to diverse professional nursing roles and the modeling of an evidence-based approach to nursing practice in the provision of care to childbearing and childrearing families. These clinical experiences provide numerous opportunities to employ teaching-learning principles and further develop specialized skills and competencies in assisting these populations. Simulated clinical learning experiences in the nursing arts lab provide opportunities to develop and practice skills that are utilized in the clinical area.

Evaluation of the course/clinical objectives by the students and faculty and student/faculty conferences provide feedback on student clinical progress to promote professional development.

Total hours: 270 (class: 90; clinical: 180)
Prerequisites: NU 101, NU 102, BI 105, BI 106, BI 108 and PS 233
Corequisites: SO 201 and ID 304 

The last nursing course focuses on the knowledge, skills and abilities required to care for adult individuals and is directed toward assisting individuals and families to adapt to complex stressors in the health/illness spectrum.

Concepts presented in this course focus on the physiological and psychological needs of individuals and families experiencing complex alterations in oxygenation, fluid balance, tissue perfusion, cardiac output, elimination, sensory perception and multiple organ dysfunction/shock. In addition, concepts related to altered thought, mood, relatedness, self-esteem, and self-concept are taught to introduce the student to the needs of individuals and families with mental health needs. Emphasis is placed on an evidence-based approach to nursing care of individuals and families. The planning, delivery and management of comprehensive, individualized, quality care is based on the utilization of research findings and is guided by ethical, legal and professional standards of nursing practice.

Professional role is further developed in order to initiate change and foster a safe, effective care environment. Leadership and management skills within the multi-disciplinary health care team are practiced as students assume responsibility for their own learning and for the care provided to clients.

A philosophy of caring permeates the students’ critical thinking skills and communication skills utilizing the nursing process. Students generate culturally competent therapeutic nursing interventions to promote adaptation of clients and families.

Concurrent clinical experiences are provided in acute care and community settings to further develop the skills and competencies necessary for beginning nursing practice. Nursing arts lab simulated clinical learning experiences, interwoven with an intravenous practicum provide opportunities to develop and practice skills that are required in the clinical area. Clinical conferences are held to reinforce learning and to assist students to correlate theoretical concepts to clinical practice.

Evaluation of the course/clinical objectives by the student and faculty and student/faculty conferences provide feedback of student clinical progress to enhance professional development.

Total Hours: 315 (class: 90; clinical: 225)
Prerequisites: NU 101, NU 102, NU 201, BI 105, BI 106, BI 108, PS 233, SO 201, ID 304
Corequisites: ID 211 

The fundamental facts and concepts of the normal structure and function of the human body are presented. The courses progress from the structure and function of cells and tissues to the anatomy and physiology of the integrated organ systems of the body. Laboratory work includes microscopic examination of tissues, dissection of preserved organ specimens and the cat, and investigation of various human physiological processes.

BI 105
Total Hours: 75 (class: 45 laboratory: 30)
Prerequisites: None

BI 106
Total Hours: 75 (class: 45 laboratory: 30)
Prerequisites: BI 105

In these courses, the student reviews the anatomical/physiology of the integrated organ systems of the body. These review courses are only available to students who have successfully completed a comparable Anatomy and Physiology I and/or II courses more than four years ago and, therefore, need six-week review course.

BI 108 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY/LAB (4 credits)
The general characteristics of microbes and their relationship to humans are explored, with emphasis on those that are pathogenic to humans and those which are of public health significance. This includes the biological characteristics of microbes, anti-microbial methods, concepts of immunity, diagnosis, and treatment and prevention of infection. The laboratory experience familiarizes the student with microbiological methodology and aseptic technique.

Total Hours: 75 (class: 45 laboratory: 30)
Prerequisites: None

In this course, the student reviews the content of BI 108 General Biology (see course description). This review course is only available to students who have successfully completed a comparable general microbiology course more than four years ago and, therefore, need a six-week review course.

Introduces students to the major theories, theorists, concepts, and methods used in the study of society. Considers a variety of topics including culture, socialization, and gender, racial, economic and social class divisions.

Total Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None

This course presents human development from infancy through old age. Emphasis is placed on cognitive, emotional, and social development with attention to implications for health care.

Total Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None

This course explores the philosophical and religious principles persons use in approaching ethical problems, with particular attention to the Christian ethical tradition. The focus of the course is on the ethical challenges of the contemporary world, including those in the student’s field of concentration. Stress is placed on skill development in ethical reflection and analysis.

Total Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None

Basic principles of statistics, including descriptive methods, classical tests, estimation, correlation and regression. Emphasis on applications.

Total Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None

The Writing Seminar provides a workshop setting in which students explore writing for learning and communication. The seminar also focuses on the complementary skills of speaking, listening, responding, and reading and thinking critically. Emphasis in the workshop is on process, peer group work, and constant revision. Students produce a portfolio of writing for evaluation at the end of the semester, which includes critical and analytical non-fiction writing as well as personal narrative. Conferences with instructors and writing assistants outside class supplement in-class workshops.

Total Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None

EN 106 CRITICAL READING, THINKING, and WRITING

This course focuses on critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.  Pracitce in writing full-length argumentative and persuasive essays or literary analyses challenges students to engage all skills emphasized in the course.  To further encourage deep critical thinking and more textured and sophisticated college-level writing, texts used may be interdisciplinary in nature and will be organized around a central theme of the instructor's choice and expertise.

Total Hours: 45

ID 211 SOCIAL ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE (3 credits)

This course is designed to raise the student’s awareness concerning the impact that changes in social, political, economic, legal, technological, historical and ethical issues are having upon the nursing profession. The course is primarily theoretical in its focus and taught in a seminar format. The role of the associate degree nurse as a manager and leader of care within the health care system is studied in-depth. A variety of classroom activities promote active learning and enhance problem solving, decision-making and critical thinking skills. An overview of the legal process that affects the practice of nursing, along with consideration of the consequences of the nurse’s actions, is studied and discussed. This course requires both a research project and term paper offering each student an opportunity to study a topic in-depth. This course is also designed to facilitate the individual’s role transition from student to registered nurse. It focuses on career selection and mobility as well as the nurses’ responsibility for continued professional growth.

Total Hours: 30
Prerequisites: NU 101, NU 102
Corequisites: NU 202

The transition seminar is for Advanced Placed students entering NU 102 Adult Nursing Practice or NU 201 Family-Focused Nursing Practice. Content focuses on theoretical concepts of the curriculum and assists students to adapt to the program. Selected components of the seminar may also be utilized to assist students transferring into the Program from other educational programs or reentering the program after a leave of absence.

The seminar facilitates student’s application of professional role, communication theory and critical thinking to nursing practice. Classroom activities include drug dosage calculation, role transition, ethical/legal standards of care, the management of IV therapy and nursing process. In simulated client situations students develop a plan of care for clients experiencing an acute medical/surgical problem.

Total Hours: 18
Prerequisites: None

Science Courses Transfer

Science courses will be accepted for transfer if they have been taken within the past four years. Students who successfully completed comparable science courses more than four years ago may take the abbreviated science review courses offered for credit/grade. These six-week courses are as follows:

BI 105R Anatomy & Physiology I: Review/Exam 4 credits
BI 106R Anatomy & Physiology II: Review/Exam 4 credits
BI 108R General Microbiology: Review/Exam 4 credits

CLEP or national Advanced Placement Examinations may be used for exemption for those general education courses within the curriculum listed below. The acceptable passing grade for CLEP is 50 and is established by the appropriate department of the College. Exemptions by examination within the curriculum count toward the maximum of the six exemptions allowed. CLEP examinations are accepted for:

College Algebra
Freshman College Composition with essay
Introductory Sociology