Houston Christian University Catalog

Nursing (NURS) Course Descriptions

  • NURS 3000 Core Nursing Competencies Lab

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3400
    Fee(s): BSN Lab fee

    This lab provides the opportunity for students to practice becoming inter-professional providers and application of therapeutic skills that support health.

  • NURS 3001 Adult Health I Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3401
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee & Malpractice Insurance Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic illness. Students will apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of medical surgical clinical/hospital settings. Students will demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 3005 Adult Health II Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3405
    Fee(s): BSN Lab fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic illness. This course builds on prior content where students will continue to apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of medical surgical clinical/hospital settings. Students will demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 3010 Mental Health Nursing Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3410
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee and Malpractice Insurance Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic mental illness. Students will apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of mental health care settings. Students will demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 3023 Health Assessment Lab

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3423
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Students will examine health patterns, and integrate theory and practice of health assessment and intervention strategies related to episodic illness and healthcare perspectives.

  • NURS 3024 Care of Individuals II Lab

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3424
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This is an 90 hour clinical experience that accompanies NURS 3424 Care of Individuals II.

  • NURS 3181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • NURS 3222 Perspectives on Health Care Delivery Systems

    Traditional BSN Prerequisite(s): Formal acceptance to the Nursing Program or Approval of the Department of Nursing
    Traditional BSN Corequisite(s): NURS 3223/3023 and NURS 3309 and NURS 3408/3008
    RN to BSN Prerequisite(s): Unencumbered RN license and formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program
    RN to BSN Corequisite(s): None

    Students analyze the trends that influence the healthcare system and methods of healthcare delivery in the United States. The class discusses agencies, initiatives, and roles for promoting quality improvement in the health outcomes. The practicum experiences provide opportunities to assess health service organizations and world healthcare delivery systems in order to determine their effectiveness in promoting health consistent with cultural beliefs. This is a two-semester hour course that includes 18 practicum hours.

  • NURS 3300 Healthcare Informatics

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into nursing program or permission of dean

    This course introduces the student to the technology used in healthcare for administrative, clinical, and facility needs. Support systems for healthcare are also discussed. This is an overview to become familiar with the breadth and scope of technology in healthcare and its impact on patients, providers, and payers.

  • NURS 3305 Informatics and Evidence Based Practice

    Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1414 and BIOL 2404 and BIOL 2414 and CHEM 1404 and NURS 3316 and PSYC 1313 and PSYC 2301 and PSYC 3313 and at least 27 semester hours of Liberal Arts Core Requirements; admission to the nursing programs or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student
    Recommended Concurrent Course(s): NURS 3500/3000 and NURS 3423/3023 and NURS 3309

    Students will learn the principles of nursing research and evidence based nursing practice. Students are introduced to technology used in healthcare for administrative, clinical, and quality improvement processes. Students are expected to develop the ability to critique research and professional standards and determine applicability for evidence-based practice. The application of ethics and advocacy for human subjects as essential components of nursing’s role in the process of improving health and healthcare will be integrated into the course. The course provides an overview of the breadth and scope of technology in healthcare and its impact on patients, providers, and payers.

  • NURS 3309 Pharmacology

    Prerequisite(s): RN to BSN, Unencumbered RN license, formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program, RN to BSN

    A course designed to assist students in preparing for clinical experiences by applying concepts of assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostic and laboratory testing analysis, and therapeutic interventions to specific clinical situations. The course involves didactic and experiential teaching methods and active learning experiences. In addition to preparing for clinical experiences, the course is designed to promote the development of critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills.

  • NURS 3314 Patho-Pharmacology I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3322 and (Admission to Nursing Program or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student)

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety during various alterations in health across the lifespan. Students will integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmacology, numeracy critical thinking, and clinical judgment.

  • NURS 3315 Patho-Pharmacology II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3314

    This course is a continuation of NURS 3314 which prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety during various alterations in health across the lifespan. Students will integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmacology, numeracy critical thinking, and clinical judgment.

  • NURS 3316 Pathophysiology

    Prerequisite(s): : BIOL 1414 and BIOL 2404 and BIOL 2414 and PSYC 1313 and PSYC 2301 and PSYC 3313 and at least 27 semester hours of Liberal Arts Core Requirements and admission to the nursing program or Pre- Nursing Honor’s student.

    Students describe the pathology of health conditions and use concepts of pathophysiology for applying caring/healing practices to designing health care plans for promoting fullness in living across the lifespan. The manifestations of pathology form a basis for health assessment. Synthesis of pathophysiology with levels of health promotion and prevention provides rationale for case management priorities.

  • NURS 3322 Perspectives of Healthcare

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into the pre-nursing or nursing program or approval by SNAH Dean

    This course introduces the concepts of healthcare delivery, provides an overview of the healthcare system, and principles of population health within an ethical and health promotion context. Emphasis will be placed on the history and development of various healthcare professions and professional frameworks across.

  • NURS 3394 Nursing Research

    Prerequisite(s): Entry into the Nursing Program or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student

    This course focuses on the research process. Students will learn how to find evidence-based research to apply to clinical issues. Students will be able to evaluate research for quality and applicability to clinical issues. Focus will be given to APA, literature search and review, and application of evidence.

  • NURS 3400 Core Nursing Competencies

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3322 and (Entry into the Nursing Program or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student)
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3000
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Students are provided in-depth theoretical knowledge, numeracy, kinesthetics, and the application of therapeutic skills that support health. Emphasis will be place on a holistic understanding of individual health experience of illness within the context of primary, secondary, and tertiary care.

  • NURS 3401 Adult Health I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3314 and Receipt of Pass on Novice Checkpoint
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3001

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic illness. Students will examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of medical surgical contexts.

  • NURS 3405 Adult Health II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3410/3010
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3005

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic illness. This course builds on prior content where students will continue to examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of medical surgical contexts.

  • NURS 3410 Mental Health Nursing

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3322 and Entry into the Nursing Program
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3010

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families experiencing acute and chronic mental illness. Students will examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of mental health care contexts.

  • NURS 3414 Pathophysiology for Health Care

    RN to BSN
    Prerequisite(s): Unencumbered RN license and formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program, RN to BSN

    Students describe the pathology of health conditions and use concepts of pathophysiology for applying caring/healing practices to designing health care plans for promoting fullness in living across the lifespan. The manifestations of pathology form a basis for health assessment. Synthesis of pathophysiology with levels of health promotion and prevention provides rationale for case management priorities. Four semester hours, including 14 laboratory hours.

  • NURS 3423 Health Assessment

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3322 and (Admission to Nursing Program or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student)
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3023

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Students will examine health patterns, theory, foundational nursing knowledge, and the practice of health assessment related to episodic illness and healthcare perspectives.

  • NURS 3424 Care of Individuals II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3404 and NURS 3004
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3024

    This is the second in a series of three courses that focus on nursing care of individuals. These courses must be taken in order. The dimensions of health are assessed in individuals experiencing health problems. Students apply concepts of case management and continuity of care to individuals across the lifespan, including care during perioperative experiences. Students are expected to be able to provide care in a variety of acute care settings. This is a four-semester hour course with an accompanying lab of 90 clinical hours.

  • NURS 3500 Core Nursing Competencies

    Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1414 and BIOL 2404 and BIOL 2414 and CHEM 1404 and NURS 3316 and PSYC 1313 and PSYC 2301 and PSYC 3313 and at least 27 semester hours of Liberal Arts Core Requirements; admission to the nursing programs or Pre-Nursing Honor’s Student
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3000
    Recommended Concurrent Course(s): NURS 3309 and NURS 3423/3023 and NURS 3305
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    Core Nursing Competencies introduces nursing principles that underpin future clinical practice. Students are introduced to the role of the professional nurse as provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, member of an interprofessional team, and member of the profession. Emphasis is on mechanisms of disease and how the nursing process facilitates systematic evidence-based individualized nursing care. Core Nurse Competencies incorporates the concepts of clinical reasoning and judgment, scope of practice, standards of care, patient-teaching, legal and ethical principles, and informatics through the use of the electronic health record.

  • NURS 3501 Adult Health I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3316 and NURS 3309 and NURS 3500/3000 and NURS 3423/3023 and NURS 3305
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3001
    Recommended Concurrent Course(s): NURS 3510/3010 and NURS 4405/4005

    This course prepares students to become nurses who provide patient-centered care as members of inter-professional teams and advocate for patient safety in acute care environments for adults experiencing acute and chronic medical-surgical health issues. Students apply systematic approaches, evidence-based practice, and therapeutic interventions for providing care to promote and restore health in clients. The course incorporates clinical reasoning and clinical judgment, scope of practice, and standards of nursing care as well as legal and ethical principles. This is a five semester hour course with an accompanying 90 hour clinical lab.

  • NURS 3505 Adult Health II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3501/3001
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3005

    This course builds upon NURS 3501/3001 to prepare students to become nurses who provide patient-centered care as members of inter-professional teams and advocate for patient safety in acute care environments for adults experiencing acute and chronic medical-surgical health issues. Students apply systematic approaches, evidence-based practice, and therapeutic interventions for providing care to promote and restore health in clients. The course incorporates clinical reasoning and clinical judgment, scope of practice, and standards of nursing care as well as legal and ethical principles. This is a five semester hour course with an accompanying 90 hour clinical lab.

  • NURS 3510 Mental Health Nursing

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3309 and NURS 3316 and NURS 3500/3000 and NURS 3423/3023 and NURS 3305. Must pass NURS 3501/300a if not taken concurrently.
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3010

    This course prepares students to become nurses who provide patient-centered care as members of inter-professional teams and advocate for patient safety when providing care for persons with mental health problems. Students learn systematic approaches, basic skills, and professional attitudes for providing care and evidence-based therapeutic interventions used to promote mental health in clients. The course incorporates clinical reasoning and clinical judgment, scope of practice, and standards of nursing care as well as legal and ethical principles for mental health nursing practice. This course is a five semester hour course with an accompanying lab of 90 clinical hours.

  • NURS 4005 Obstetric Nursing Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4405
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee and Malpractice Insurance fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety in women’s health. Students will apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of women’s health and obstetrical clinical settings. Students will demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 4006 Critical Care Across the Lifespan Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4406
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee and Malpractice Insurance Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for clients experiencing injury, unstable, life-threatening, and/or complex illness across the lifespan. Students will continue refine their ability to apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of critical care hospital settings. Students will further demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 4007 Pediatric Nursing Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4407
    Fee(s): BSN Lab fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for children and families experiencing acute and chronic illness. Students will apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of pediatric clinical settings. Students will demonstrate effective, safe, ethical, evidence-based care that is reflective of critical insight, clinical judgment, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 4008 Maternal-Child Nursing Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3405 and NURS 3305
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4408

    Students will apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variant of pediatric and woman’s health insight, clinical judgement, professional, and collaborative with the inter-professional team.

  • NURS 4010 Transition to Practice Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4410
    Fees: Nursing Lab Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families across the lifespan. Students will examine concepts and apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of healthcare contexts. This course builds on all content and prepares for the transition into licensed professional practice.

  • NURS 4015 Community Population Health Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4415
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for diverse populations and communities. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply and examine population health trends, complete a community assessment, and plan strategies that positively influence health outcomes in a variety of community settings.

  • NURS 4016 Professional Issues in Nursing Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4416
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on lifelong learning, professional development, and developing innovative strategies that strengthen the capacity to respond to current healthcare trends and issue.

  • NURS 4017 Nursing Leadership Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3501/3001 and NURS 3505/3005 and NURS 3510/3010 and NURS 4405/4005 and NURS 4407/4007 and NURS 4415/4015. Must pass NURS 4506/4006 if not taken concurrently
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4417
    Fee(s): Nursing Lab Fee

    This course transitions students to become professional nurses who are members of and leaders within inter-professional teams and advocate for patient safety across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on the appraising the changing healthcare environment, and factors that influence, the profession, healthcare, and professional nursing practice in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion in population health. This is the 90 hours clinical course accompanying NURS 4417.

  • NURS 4064 Health Care Administration for Nurses Laboratory

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3111 and NURS 3424/3024 and NURS 4434/4034 and NURS 4444/4044. A GPA of 2.5 or higher and successful completion of the Advanced Beginner Level Curriculum Checkpoint
    Corequisite(s): NURS 3434/3034 and NURS 4424/4024 and NURS 4564

    This is a 135 hour clinical experience that accompanies NURS 4564 Health Care Administration for Nurses.

  • NURS 4181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): Approval of the Department of Nursing and any other nursing courses as advised.

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • NURS 4281 Special Topics/Independent Study

    The student will select a special problem or interest area in nursing for intensive study. Written objectives and methodology are submitted to the instructor and department chairman for approval to register for this course.

  • NURS 4310 Transition to Practice

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 4408 and NURS 4008 and NURS 4415 and NURS 4015
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4010

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families across the lifespan. Students will examine concepts and apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of healthcare contexts using case scenarios and Simulation technology. This course builds on all content and prepares for the transition into licensed practice.

  • NURS 4312 Care of Vulnerable Populations

    Prerequisite(s): RN to BSN, Unencumbered RN license and formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program

    Students apply concepts of epidemiology to determine the factors that contribute to vulnerability in individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Students will examine (a) health norms for the elder population based on age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status in order to determine the major health problems and surveillance issues and (b) research methodologies/approaches/models that are employed to improve health outcomes for vulnerable aging populations. Students will also be expected to use communication skills and education theory to plan and present health information to promote health of a population. Critical thinking and mathematical skills will be developed in using a statistical approach to assessing and evaluating health outcomes. Concepts of health promotion and disease prevention serve as a basis for analyzing recommendations for health programming.

  • NURS 4381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    The student will select a special problem or interest area in nursing for intensive study. Written objectives and methodology are submitted to the instructor and department chairman for approval to register for this course.

  • NURS 4405 Obstetric Nursing

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3401/3001
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4005

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults, families, and women’s health. Students will examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety women’s health and obstetrical contexts.

  • NURS 4406 Critical Care Across the Lifespan

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 4408/4008
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4006

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for clients experiencing injury, unstable, life-threatening, and/or complex illness across the lifespan. This course builds on prior content where students will continue to examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of healthcare contexts.

  • NURS 4407 Pediatric Nursing

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3405/3005 and Receipt of Pass on Advanced Beginner Checkpoint
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4007

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for children and families. Students will examine critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of pediatric health contexts.

  • NURS 4408 Maternal-Child Nursing

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3405 and NURS 3305
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4008

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for women and children experiencing acute and chronic illness.

  • NURS 4409 Introduction to Research

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into nursing program or permission of dean

    Students will learn the basic principles of the research process, including the ability to critique research and determine its applicability. Additionally, the application of ethics and advocacy for human subjects as essential components of nursing’s role in the process of improving health and healthcare will be integrated into the course.

  • NURS 4410 Transition to Practice

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 4408 and NURS 4008 and NURS 4415 and NURS 4015
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4010

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for adults and families across the lifespan. Students will examine concepts and apply critical understanding and clinical judgment in a variety of healthcare contexts using case scenarios and Simulation technology. This course builds on all content and prepares for the transition into licensed practice.

  • NURS 4415 Community Population Health

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3405/3005
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4015

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety for diverse populations and communities. Emphasis will be placed on risks for the disruptions in health, health beliefs, group dynamics, and communication with key community stakeholders.

  • NURS 4416 Professional Issues in Nursing

    Prerequisite(s):NURS 4408 and NURS 4008 and NURS 4415 and NURS 4015
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4016

    This course prepares students to become inter-professional care providers while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on the appraising the changing healthcare environment, and factors that influence, the profession, healthcare, and professional nursing practice.

  • NURS 4417 Nursing Leadership

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3500/3000 and NURS 3505/3005 and NURS 3510/3010 and NURS 4405/4005 and NURS 4407/4007 and NURS 4415/4015. Must pass NURS 4506/4006 if not taken concurrently.
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4017
    Recommended Concurrent Course(s): NURS 4310 and NURS 4417/4017

    This course transitions students to become professional nurses on inter-professional teams while advocating for patient safety across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on the appraising the changing healthcare environment, and factors that influence, the profession, healthcare, and professional nursing practice in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion in population health. This is a five semester hour course with an accompanying 90 hours clinical course.

  • NURS 4424 Nursing in the Community and Nursing the Community, Traditional BSN

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 4444 and NURS 4044
    Traditional BSN
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4024, RN to BSN, Unencumbered RN license, and formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program
    RN to BSN

    This course is one of four courses for the Baccalaureate Nursing program that focus on care of groups, populations, and communities. Students analyze historical trends and characteristics and factors that have impacted community health nursing and contributed to community health issues. Students compare and contrast the professional nursing roles in the community and apply theories, models, and principles to community health nursing practice. Opportunities are provided to use systematic approaches to identify health needs to groups and populations and promote health in the community. This is a four-semester hour course, including 90 clinical hours.

  • NURS 4434 Care of Childbearing Families

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3110 and NURS 3404 and NURS 3004 and NURS 4414 and NURS 4014 and (BIOL 3433 or NURS 3214 and NURS 3215) and a GPA of 2.75 or higher and successful completion of the Novice Level Curriculum Checkpoint and approval of the Department of Nursing
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4034 and any other nursing courses and/or liberal arts core as advised.

    This is one of three courses that focus on specialty care of individuals and their families. The dimensions of health are assessed in childbearing families requiring specialized care. Students apply concepts of care to case management and continuity of care of childbearing families. Students use a systematic approach to providing care for childbearing families, in the community and in specialty care units such as labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care units, pre-natal and postpartum units. This is a four-semester hour, including 90 clinical hours.

  • NURS 4444 Care of Families with Children

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3110 and NURS 3404 and NURS 3004 and NURS 4414 and NURS 4014 and (BIOL 3433 or NURS 3214 and NURS 3215) and a GPA of 2.75 or higher and successful completion of the Novice Level Curriculum Checkpoint and approval of the Department of Nursing
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4044 and any other nursing courses and/or liberal arts core as advised.

    This is one of three courses that focus on specialty care of individuals and their families. The dimensions of health are assessed in families with children and adolescents. Students are expected to be able to apply concepts of care to case management and continuity of care of families with children and adolescents in the community and in pediatric health care environments. Students use a systematic approach to provide care for families with children and adolescents. This course is four semester hours, including 90 clinical hours.

  • NURS 4506 Critical Care Across the Lifespan

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 3501/3001 and NURS 3505/3005 and NURS 3510/3010 and NURS 4405/4005 and NURS 4407/4007
    Corequisite(s): NURS 4006
    Recommended Concurrent Course(s): NURS 4310 and NURS 4417/4017

    This course prepares students to transition to the role of professional nurses who provide patient-centered care as members of inter-professional teams and advocate for patient safety in critical care environments. Students analyze the application of systematic approaches, evidence-based practice, and therapeutic interventions for providing care to promote and restore health in critically ill clients. The course adapts clinical reasoning and clinical judgment, scope of practice, and standards of nursing care as well as legal and ethical principles to the complex, critical or life threatening needs. This is a five semester hour course with an accompanying 90 hour clinical lab.

  • NURS 4564 Healthcare Administration for Nurses

    Prerequisite(s): RN to BSN, Unencumbered RN license and formal acceptance into the RN to BSN program, RN to BSN

    This course focuses on professional issues in nursing, nursing management and the use of research in clinical practice as well as the study of health administration and leadership from the nurse’s perspective. Students apply leadership and management behaviors and skills to providing care for a group of patients and promoting positive consumer relationships; and analyze effectiveness and efficiency of care delivery systems promoting positive health outcomes. The course is five semester hours, including 108 clinical hours.

  • NURS 5000 FNP Adult Health I Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5500
    Fee(s): Graduate Nursing Lab Fee
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to progress in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course is the first of two that explores advanced studies in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses in adult patient populations. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 135 clinical hours.

  • NURS 5001 FNP Adult Health II Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5501

    This course is the clinical component where students have the opportunity to utilize the content learned in the didactic component while providing direct patient care. This course has 135 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5005 PNP Acute Health I Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5405

    This course will provide 108 clinical hours of management and diagnosis of acute health issues in children and adolescents.

  • NURS 5006 PNP Acute Health II Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5406

    This course will provide 108 clinical hours of management and diagnosis of acute health issues in children and adolescents in intensive and emergent areas.

  • NURS 5007 PNP Pediatric Health I Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5407

    This course is the clinical component where students have the opportunity to utilize the content learned in the didactic component while providing direct patient care to those age 0-21 years. This course has 108 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5008 PNP Pediatric Health II Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5408

    This course is the clinical component where students have the opportunity to utilize the content learned in the didactic component while providing direct patient care to those ages 0-21 years. This course has 108 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5017 Leading Diverse Work Teams Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in NURS 5302
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5317

    This course will provide students the opportunity to apply concepts learned in NURS 5317. 40 hours of clinical are required.

  • NURS 5023 Growth and Development Across the Lifespan Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5320 and 5120
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5223

    This course has 81 hours of precepted patient care clinical practice with guidelines for health supervision of patients across the lifespan.

  • NURS 5026 Healthcare Operations Immersion Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5316 and NURS 5318 and NURS 5319
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5326
    Fee(s): Graduate Nursing Lab Fee

    This course will explore competencies essential for organizational nursing leadership. Students will work with healthcare operations specialists to examine administrative, financial, legal and quality improvement activities necessary to run healthcare organizations and to support the core functions of treatment and payment.

  • NURS 5035 Woman’s Health Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5335

    This course is the clinical component where students have the opportunity to utilize the content learned in the didactic component while providing direct patient care. This course has 81 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5036 FNP Pediatric Health Clinical

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5336
    Fee(s): Graduate Nursing Lab Fee
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to progress in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course provides advanced nursing practice studies in the diagnosis and management of common, acute and chronic illnesses in pediatric patient population. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 81 clinical hours.

  • NURS 5229 Advanced Role

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5230 and 5030 or NURS 5220 and 5020
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to progress in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

    The purpose of this course is to provide a conceptual basis for advanced practice nursing. Students examine nurse practitioner competencies with emphasis on acquiring knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in healthcare delivery, health policy, and complex healthcare systems. Research and quality improvement mechanisms to implement change are explored.

  • NURS 5300 Theory Integration

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to MSN Program
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course explores and analyzes theories and propositions from social, psychological, medical, nursing, and interpersonal relations as a foundation to understanding research, practice, and scholarship in nursing.

  • NURS 5302 Leadership for Quality, Safety and Health Policy

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to MSN Program
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

    The principles and theories germane to leadership will be explored in relation to complex organizations and the development of leadership styles and policy making within microsystems, mesosystems, and macrosystems to transform those healthcare systems. Course content will include continuous quality improvement models, processes, and tools to measure outcomes in a healthcare facility. Emphasis will be placed on the political, demographic, and economic forces that influence the development of health policy and professional nursing practice. Ethical and legal dimensions of nursing practice and interprofessional relationships at advanced level will be explored.

  • NURS 5303 Advanced Pathophysiology

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into MSN
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course focuses on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan and the development of clinical reasoning skills that distinguish the relationships between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by injury and disease. Particular attention will be given to etiology, pathogenesis, developmental and environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems.

  • NURS 5304 Advanced Pharmacology

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into MSN
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents. The pharmacologic treatment of major health problems will be explored. Principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics will be examined. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic therapy will be emphasized. Legal aspects of prescribing will be fully addressed.

  • NURS 5305 Advanced Health Assessment

    Prerequisite(s): Admission into MSN
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5120
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse’s basic educational program. The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced practitioner utilizes comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated. Faculty and preceptors facilitate laboratory and clinical experiences, which focus on assessment of clients and presentation of findings in a variety of settings. This course will require 27 hours of precepted patient care hours practicing the didactic content across the lifespan.

  • NURS 5306 Advanced Diagnostics and Skills

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5305

    Focus in on managing complex healthcare problems through the development of evidence-based diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills. Participants evaluate the use of advanced diagnostic techniques in terms of best evidence, client values/beliefs, available resources, and clinical expertise. This course will also provide hands-on practice with the advanced skills needed in primary care. This class requires 20 simulation/lab hours on campus or alternative location. This class requires 20 simulation/lab hours on campus or alternative location. This course is 85% didactic and 15% simulation/lab.

  • NURS 5307 Advanced Healthcare Informatics

    Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department

    In this course, students will explore core concepts, skills, tools that define the informatics field, including the examination of health information technologies to promote safety, improve quality, and foster consumer-centered care and efficiency.

  • NURS 5308 Advanced Patho-Pharmacology

    Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department
    Corequisite(s): None

    In this course, students will explore physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacologic processes to prepare nurses for roles in leadership and education.

  • NURS 5309 Research Integration

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300

    Students will learn to integrate appropriate research to assist in resolving clinical issues. Evidence-based practice will be utilized to include patient preferences and values as well as clinical expertise while integrating research data.

  • NURS 5311 Curriculum Development

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5309
    Corequisite(s): None

    This course examines various classical and modern curriculum theorists as they apply to nursing curriculum development. Emphasis is placed on congruence between institutional mission, philosophy, and goals; professional standards; and needs and expectations of a program’s communities of interest. Students design a curriculum to meet the needs of a stated nursing role and setting.

  • NURS 5312 Effective Teaching Strategies

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5309

    This course will incorporate a learner-centered approach to course development and instructional delivery. Assessment tools and strategies used to evaluate student learning will be emphasized. Students will demonstrate instructional techniques and strategies in the teaching of didactic competencies and clinical proficiencies based upon evidence-based teaching practices.

  • NURS 5313 Evaluation of Learning

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5309

    This course examines a variety of assessment models and techniques used to evaluate student classroom performance and clinical performance, instructor performance, and effectiveness of education programs. Students will design and execute assessment and evaluation plans, interpret assessment data and develop closing the loop activities.

  • NURS 5316 Leadership Roles & Operations

    Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department

    This course will provide an introduction to the leadership role and operations in nursing service organizations. Included will be the study of leadership roles, styles, and their implications for the nurse leader.

  • NURS 5317 Leading Diverse Work Teams

    Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in NURS 5302
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5017

    This course will provide information on human resource management and related factors in nursing service organizations.

  • NURS 5318 Healthcare Finance

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5319

    This course covers principles of healthcare economics, third party reimbursement, costing, budgets and budgeting, variance, economic evaluation methods, and writing a business plan to successfully defend and market a healthcare program.

  • NURS 5319 Advanced Leadership for Health Policy and Quality

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5302

    This course focuses on the legal, ethical, regulatory, and fiscal environment faced by nurse leaders. It enables the nurse leader to manage the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues facing healthcare organizations.

  • NURS 5321 Healthcare Operations Immersion

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5316 and NURS 5318 and NURS 5319
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5021

    This course will explore competencies essential for organizational nursing leadership. Students will work with healthcare operations specialists to examine administrative, financial, legal and quality improvement activities necessary to run healthcare organizations and to support the core functions of treatment and payment.

  • NURS 5322 Advanced Health Assessment and Leadership for Population Health 

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5318 and NURS 5316  

    This course will focus on health assessment of patient populations, including studies in epidemiology and vulnerable populations. Leadership skills will be developed for quality and safety management, disaster management and pandemic management. This course requires 45 hours of clinical experiences. 

  • NURS 5323 Growth and Development Across the Lifespan

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5023

    This course is designed to provide the learner with an overview of growth and development, encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur from conception through late adulthood. This course will include an introduction to the human development theories common to all people, as well as five ways in which the population differs from others. The learner will gain hands-on experience through precepted direct patient care of individuals within the context of family. Evidence-based practice is interwoven with practical applications to parenting, teaching, healthcare, and public policy. This course will provide didactic and hands-on practice with guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents. This course has 81 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% direct patient care.

  • NURS 5325 Role of the Educator

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5305 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5304

    This course will investigate the essential skills needed for the roles and responsibilities of the nurse educator, including facilitate learning and learner development and socialization. Students will explore mechanisms for functioning within the educational environment. This course requires 90 hours of educator role experience.

  • NURS 5335 Woman’s Health

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5035
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course provides didactic in the diagnosis and management of woman’s health. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5336 FNP Pediatric Health

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5405
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5036
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course provides advanced nursing practice studies in the diagnosis and management of common, acute and chronic illnesses in pediatric patient population. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 81 clinical hours.

  • NURS 5381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • NURS 5400 Organizational Theory and Culture

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5302
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5000

    This course will provide an introduction to organizational theory, culture, and principles of practice in the administration of nursing services and patient care.

  • NURS 5401 Residency I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5400, NURS 5000

    This capstone course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses in various non-hospital systems. This course has a precepted clinical of 162 hours.

  • NURS 5402 Residency II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5400, NURS 5000

    This capstone course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses in various hospital systems. This course has a precepted clinical of 162 hours.

  • NURS 5405 PNP Acute Health I

    Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5005

    This course will provide an introduction to the diagnosis and management of acute health issues in children and adolescents.

  • NURS 5406 PNP Acute Health II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5405
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5006

    This course will build upon the diagnosis and treatment of acute health issues in children and adolescents in intensive care and emergent areas.

  • NURS 5407 PNP Pediatric Health I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5007
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program

    This course is the first in a series of two that provides content in the diagnosis and management of pediatric illness. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5408 PNP Pediatric Health II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5008
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program

    This course is the second in a series of two that provides content in the diagnosis and management of pediatric illness. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

  • NURS 5420 Advanced Practicum I

    Prerequisite(s): Approval of the Department of Nursing
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses. This course is a precepted clinical of 180 hours.

  • NURS 5421 Advanced Practicum II

    Prerequisite(s): Approval of the Department of Nursing
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses. This course is a precepted clinical of 180 hours.

  • NURS 5500 FNP Adult Health I

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5000
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course is the first of two that explores advanced studies in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses in adult patient populations. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 135 clinical hours.

  • NURS 5501 FNP Adult Health II

    Prerequisite(s): NURS 5306
    Corequisite(s): NURS 5001
    Restriction(s): A grade of “B” or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

    This course is the second of two that provides content in the diagnosis and management of adult illness. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.