NURS - Nursing

This hybrid course examines ethical positions arising from the advancement of modern medicine. Emphasis is placed on ethical theories and principles that guide decision-making in healthcare. Critical reasoning skills are used to analyze ethical issues and to help students understand how to make action oriented decisions for controversial healthcare questions. Aspects of inquiry and ways of knowing are explored, relative to selected ethical dilemmas or issues. Students will research and present a case study on an ethical health care issue.

This advanced course involves the study of drug preparations relative to their mechanism of action, physiological effects, methods of administration, therapeutic dosages, healthcare practitioner responsibilities, interactions, untoward effects, and legal implications. The course also explores the use of common herbal therapies, over the counter medications, and nutritional supplements. In addition, the course addresses off-label use of drugs and bioidentical preparations and their therapeutic use. Students will present a patient teaching plan.

In Nursing IV, the student increases skills in applying the nursing process to a group of clients with chronic and/or critical health problems. The student develops his/her professional role as a leader and manager and is prepared for the transition from student to graduate. Nursing IV involves the student in specialty areas such as the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and community agencies. Major health areas which are investigated include: Endocrine, Neurology, Cardiac, Respiratory, Obstetrical and Trauma Emergencies.

The focus of this senior level elective course is to increase clinical efficiency and self-confidence. The student is able to work as a member of the nursing team in association with a faculty member and RN preceptor. The nursing process is used to determine appropriate nursing interventions with emphasis on organization and priority setting among patients. Increased skill in using the nursing process, particularly the assessment and implementation phases, as well as increased ability to evaluate self-performance and increased levels of self-confidence are expected.

The focus of this senior level elective course is to increase clinical efficiency and self-confidence. The student works as a member of a nursing team in association with a faculty member and RN preceptor. The nursing process is used to determine appropriate nursing interventions with emphasis on organization and priority setting among patients. Increased skill in using the nursing process, particularly the assessment and implementation phases, as well as increased ability to evaluate self-performance and increased levels of self-confidence are expected.

This one credit elective course focuses on decision making in nursing and application of a problem-solving approach. The course is designed to assist the student to identify nursing behaviors as steps of the nursing process and define client needs and scope of nursing care to be provided. The emphasis is on applying the nursing process to selected health problems. Stress-reduction techniques and test-taking strategies are also included.

In Nursing III, the student applies the nursing process in assessing/analyzing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for one or more patients with chronic and/or critical health concerns. The student further develops his/her role as teacher by formulating and implementing teaching plans based upon a client's individual needs.

The focus of this elective course is to increase efficiency and self-confidence. The student works as a member of a nursing team in association with a faculty member and RN preceptor. The exposure to entire shifts under the direction and guidance of a preceptor is expected to increase students' abilities to identify factors influencing client needs. The nursing process is used to determine appropriate nursing interventions with emphasis on organization and priority setting.

In Nursing II, the student uses the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care to meet basic needs of clients with major health concerns. Health problems are studied in depth with emphasis on therapeutic communication, client education and prevention. Areas of concentration include: crisis, maternal-child health, the surgical experience, diabetes, and caring for individuals with respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal problems. The campus lab continues to be used for the acquisition, practice and evaluation of technical skills.