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Course Descriptions — Nursing
NUR3000 Introduction to Professional Nursing (3 semester hours)
This course explores the development of professional nursing. Students are introduced to selected concepts, themes and theories that will be used as a foundation throughout the curriculum. Major contemporary nursing issues are explored within historic, economic, philosophical and political contexts. The concepts of health and illness as influenced by psychological, social, cultural, ethical and legal issues are examined. Nursing theories, the ANA Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics for Nurses, and the Illinois Nurse Practice Act are explored. The development of nursing knowledge, diagnoses, interventions and outcomes are emphasized. This course fulfills the university requirement for a 3000-level writing-intensive course within the nursing major.
No prerequisites.
Concurrent with NUR3100 and NUR3260.
NUR3030WI Dimensions of Professional Practice (4 semester hours)
This R.N. bridge course focuses on furthering the development of professional values and value-based behaviors as foundational to the practice of nursing. Professionalism involves accountability for one's self and nursing practice, including continued professional engagement and lifelong learning. The R.N. student will be introduced to selected concepts, themes and theories that present an understanding of the historical, legal and contemporary context of nursing practice and serve as a foundation throughout the curriculum. The concepts of health and illness as influenced by psychological, social, cultural, ethical and legal issues are examined. Nursing theories, the ANA Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics for Nurses, and the Illinois/Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act are explored. This course fulfills the university requirement for a 3000-level writing-intensive course within the nursing major.
Prerequisite: R.N. students only.
NUR3090 Transcultural Nursing (4 semester hours)
This course examines the cultural influence on belief, values and practices in relation to health, illness and health-seeking behaviors. It strives to incorporate the constructs of cultural humility and cultural sensitivity. Identifies the knowledge and judgement to provide high-quality patient centered care that respects and addresses patient differences, values, preferences and expressed needs. Transcultural evidence-based research, critical analysis of issues and trends in the global health community are discussed. Required of R.N. students and an elective for basic nursing students.
No prerequisites.
NUR3100 Principles of Nursing I (6 semester hours)
This course applies major concepts from the liberal arts and sciences to the understanding of the nursing profession. The framework for nursing knowledge base is developed and fundamental nursing interventions (physiologic, communicative, behavioral and environmental) are taught using the evidence upon which the profession and the care of patients and populations is based. The course introduces the nursing student to the professional nursing role and its influence on health and illness, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual and population level across the lifespan. The professional role is explored within the context of the social, cultural, ethical and legal issues inherent in the nurse's role as provider of care, educator and advocate and as a member of the profession. The student is introduced to the health-care system and the nurse's role as a member of a multidisciplinary care team.
Clinical: An integration of laboratory and clinical experiences will focus on the development of the nursing student to begin to systematically analyze information and implement fundamental nursing interventions based on evidence based practice and recognize patterns of patient needs.
Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Nursing; all B.S.N. core courses; ENG1010, ENG1020.
Concurrent with NUR3260 and NUR3000.
NUR3110 Principles of Nursing II (6 semester hours)
This course builds on the conceptual framework developed in Principles of Nursing I. The course is designed to achieve patient outcomes through selected nursing interventions. (Spring)
Clinical: The integration of laboratory and clinical experiences will focus on the ability of the nursing student to systematically synthesize data and perform individualized nursing interventions to achieve patient outcomes.
Prerequisites: NUR3100, NUR3260.
Concurrent with NUR3400 and NUR3160.
NUR3160 Pharmacological Concepts (4 semester hours)
This course encompasses the study of drugs and their interactions with living systems. The focus of the course is based on the premise that scientific information is needed to understand the use of drugs as therapeutic agents. Pharmacological concepts are the study of the physical and chemical properties of drugs as well as their biochemical and physiologic effects on the client. In addition, this course includes knowledge of the history, sources, application and understanding of drugs as essential for nursing practice. (Spring)
Prerequisites: BI03050, CHM1200. Open to non-majors.
Concurrent with NUR3110 and NUR3400.
NUR3260 Health Assessment, Education and Promotion/Lab (4 semester hours)
This course provides the framework for the systematic collection, organization, interpretation, integration and communication of data reflecting the health status of individuals across the life cycle with emphasis on aging. This includes assessment of mental status, basic psychosocial status, functional health patterns and physical assessment skills. The National Health Objectives provide the organizing framework for promotion of health and reduction of risks that impact individuals, families and communities in aggregate. Health promotion strategies and practices are explored. Clinical laboratory guides integration for advancing critical thinking skills.
Concurrent with NUR3100 and NUR3000.
NUR3270 Health Assessment, Education and Promotion (5 semester hours)
This course provides the framework for the R.N. student to engage in the systematic collection, organization, interpretation, integration and communication of data reflecting the health status of individuals across the lifespan. including healthy aging. Knowledge acquisition related to wellness, health promotion, illness and disease management is core to the baccalaureate nurse practice. National Health Objectives provide the organizing framework for promotion of health and reduction of risks that impact individuals, families and communities in aggregate. Students identify, explore, plan and implement wellness teaching through class presentations and teaching projects.
Prerequisites: R.N. students only
NUR3400 Behavioral Health Issues (5 semester hours)
This course explores the continuum of mental health and illness across the lifespan. The connection between physical illnesses and behavioral health is discussed. An emphasis is placed on wellness achieved through enhanced stress management and coping skills. In addition, concepts of psychobiology and neuronen docrinology are examined as they relate to disorders of mood, thought, emotional modulation and addiction. (Spring)
Clinical: Clinical opportunities for interpersonal skill development with individuals, families, groups and communities are an integral part of the course.
Prerequisites: NUR3100 and NUR3260.
Concurrent with NUR3110 and NUR3160.
NUR4050 Nursing Research (3 semester hours)
Research provides the foundation for evidence-based professional nursing practice. A basic understanding of how evidence is developed incorporates the research process, clinical judgment, inter-professional perspectives and patient preferences. The role of the baccalaureate nurse as consumer of research is the focus of this course. Students will develop skills to accurately interpret evidence to improve patient outcomes.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000 level courses and MTH2320.
Concurrent with NUR4200 and NUR4300.
NUR4060 Nursing Research/RN. (4 semester hours)
Research provides the foundation for evidence-based professional practice. This course focuses on the role of the baccalaureate nurse as a consumer of research. The baccalaureate nurse can integrate reliable evidence for multiple ways of knowing to inform practice and make clinical judgements. R.N. students will participate in documenting and interpreting evidence for improving patient outcomes.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level courses, MTH2320.
NUR4200 Nursing: A Global Community Outlook (5 semester hours)
This course incorporates concepts from nursing and applies them to public-health functions and community-based patient care. The focus shifts from individual health to population-focused nursing. The dynamic influence of social justice, political agendas, health disparities and culture on the collective values of health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and quality and accessibility of health service are emphasized. Current trends in the global health community are explored.
Clinical: The clinical component for this course will apply nursing concepts and public health and community-based practices to selected populations to facilitate the promotion, maintenance and restoration of optimal health across the life span.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level courses.
Concurrent with NUR4050 and NUR4300.
NUR 4210: A Global Community OUrlook (6 semester hours)
This course transitions the R.N. to populations-focused nursing practice. Concepts from nursing and the liberal studies are applied to public-health functions and community-based patient care. The dynamic influence of social justice, political agendas, health disparities and culture on the collective values of health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and quality and accessibility of health services are emphasized. Current trends in the global health community are explored.
Clinical: The clinical project for this course will apply nursing concepts and public health and community-based practices to selected populations to facilitate the promotion, maintenance and restoration of optimal health across the lifespan.
Prerequisites: All NUR 3000-level courses and NUR 4060.
NUR4300 Medical Surgical Nursing I: Collaborative Practice in Health and Illness (7 semester hours)
This medical surgical nursing course builds on the conceptual foundations learned in the principles of nursing practice, health assessment, pharmacology and behavioral health nursing courses. Pathophysiologic processes of all body systems are discussed focusing on evidence based nursing interventions in the acute care setting. Application of the nursing process in interdisciplinary practice to prevent, promote, maintain and restore health throughout the lifespan is emphasized.
Clinical: The clinical practicum focuses on intermediate nursing care and critical thinking within a collaborative practice setting. Emphasis is placed on the integration of evidence-based nursing interventions with the goal of meeting the diverse health needs of vulnerable adult patients from young adulthood to older adults.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level courses.
Concurrent with NUR4050 and NUR4200.
NUR4500 Nursing Care of the Family (7 semester hours)
This course focuses on the emerging family in situational, maturational or physiological crisis. The student applies critical-thinking skills in meeting the health promotion, health maintenance and health restoration needs of families. Nursing interventions to support family development and dynamics from childbearing to child-rearing are considered and placed within a social, cultural and ethical context. (Spring)
Clinical: The clinical practicum focus is on the ability of the student to utilize nursing interventions and clinical decision making in the care and support of the family.
Prerequisites: All NUR 3000-level courses.
Concurrent with NUR4600 and NUR4800.
NUR4600 Leadership and Management (4 semester hours)
This course is the capstone course for the pre-R.N. student. The course facilitates the transition from the role of student to professional nurse. The course examines the roles, traits and contribution of the nurse in leadership and managerial positions. Conceptual aspects of power, problem-solving/decision-making, effective communication, conflict resolution, delegation and team-building are applied to a variety of situational contexts. The course is designed to facilitate student self-assessment of their leadership and management abilities as they develop the necessary skills. (Spring)
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level.
Concurrent with NUR4500 and NUR4800.
NUR4610 Leadership and Management/R.N. (6 semester hours)
This capstone course for the R.N. student will explore the development of the nurse leader role that includes an awareness of complex systems, and the impact of power, potential, policy and regulatory guidelines on these systems. Leadership requires incorporating ethical decision-making and effective work relationships based on respectful communication and collaboration. Care coordination, identification and development of leadership skills that include opportunities for scholarly inquiry, professional writing and presentation.
Prerequisites: All NUR4000-level courses.
NUR4760 Ethical Decision Making/R.N. (4 semester hours)
This course provides an ethical and legal framework in which the nurse can engage in ethical reasoning and actions that can impact social policies in health care. Trends, principles and theories that guide ethically sound behaviors are explored. The role of the nurse as advocate for social justice with vulnerable populations and those with health disparities are discussed.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level courses.
NUR4800 Medical Surgical Nursing II: Collaborative Practice in Health and Illness (6 semester hours)
This medical surgical course will build on the student's previous knowledge gained through collaborative practice experience in the medical surgical acute care setting. The student will become increasingly sophisticated in the use of the nursing process and critical thinking skills to facilitate adaptation to seriously complex physiological insults across the lifespan. Students will have an opportunity to increase organizational skills, through the expanding complexity of patient acuity levels and workloads in advanced medical surgical settings. Emphasis is on complex decision making through collaborative practice in critical care settings. The student will conceptualize care of the medical surgical client from admission to discharge and beyond as a means of holistic practice that demonstrates prevention, promotion, maintenance, and restoration of the client with complex health problems. (Spring)
Clinical: The clinical will focus on complex decision making and facilitate the student's socialization to nursing as a profession by providing opportunities to participate in discussions and decisions related to patient education, issues and problems of health care and nursing practice, social, cultural, legal, and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. The student will transition to a novice in preparation for employment after completing a clinical preceptor experience.
Prerequisites: All NUR3000-level courses.
Concurrent with NUR4500 and NUR4600.
Academic information on departmental Web sites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.
