NURS - Nursing

This academic success course introduces the student to expectations and strategies to be successful in a nursing program. Emphasis is on student behaviors, stress management, communication, time management, study strategies, and test-taking skills required to improve student outcomes. Prerequisites include courses required for admission to the School of Nursing. Co-requisites: NURS 2350 and NURS 2460.

Designed to introduce students to the major constructs of the nursing curriculum: adaptation of person (four dimensions which include biophysical, psychological, social and spiritual) and professional nursing (critical thinking, nursing process, communication, and professional role activities). Simulations and group activities will be utilized to provide students with an opportunity to learn how to use communication, critical thinking, nursing process, and clinical decision making. Another topic included is an introduction to the legal and ethical aspects of nursing. There is an introduction to professionalism with a focus on professional values, including altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice. Emphasis is placed on foundational content for nursing in medication administration. Students will be expected to demonstrate skill in computing dosage and solution problems. Eligibility to enroll is determined by the Nursing Admissions Committee. Prerequisite : Completion of 30 semester hours of courses applicable to the nursing degree. Lab fee.

This course focuses on the skills needed to conduct a comprehensive health assessment across the lifespan, including the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, functional and environmental aspects of health. Effective communication, assessment, and documentation will be practiced in a simulated laboratory setting. Emphasis is placed on the health continuum and the client focus includes individuals, families, and populations. Prerequisites include courses required for admission to the School of Nursing. Co-requisites: NURS 2350 and NURS 2460.

This course provides a foundation for the student in basic nursing interventions integral to providing effective nursing care. Emphasis is placed on application of theory to practice in both simulated laboratory and clinical settings. The clinical component of this course focuses on the wellness aspect of the health continuum and the patient focus includes individual, families, and populations. Prerequisites include courses required for admission to the School of Nursing. Co-requisites: NURS 2350 and NURS 2460.

This concept-based course is an overview of the role of the nurse as a health professional. The focus is on nurse collaboration within interdisciplinary healthcare settings. The patient focus includes individuals, families, and population. Prerequisites: NURS .2150, 2350, and 2460. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3210, 3320, and 3620.

This concept-based course provides an introduction to population focused care. The emphasis is on prevention of disease, injury and premature death. Nursing care for individuals, families, populations across the lifespan and in diverse settings is explored. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, and 2460.. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3200, 3320, and 3620.

This concept-based course provides students the opportunity to explore moral sensitivity, ethical reflection, analysis, and principles. A foundation for ethical decision-making in clinical practice and policy development within diverse health care systems is established. Prerequisites: NURS 2460 and 3312. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3210, 3300, 3320, and 3620.

Designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to gather information through health history and assessments about an individual's biopsycho-social-spiritual needs. Included are those theories, concepts, and processes related to interviewing to obtain a health history, and for doing a physical examination of adults. Relevant content from developmental theories (particularly aging), health beliefs, and cultural concepts are included which influence health assessment skills. Prerequisites: Eligibility to enroll is determined by the Nursing Admissions Committee. Completion of 45 semester hours of courses applicable to the nursing degree including A&P I and II , and completion of NURS 2310 (or concurrent enrollment). Non-nursing majors must have junior standing (including A&P I and II) with approval of instructor. Lab fee.

Designed to provide students with additional concepts related to adaptation, including health promotion and maintenance, sociocultural influences on the individual, and on family functioning, family theories, and professional values. Included in the course is an emphasis on health services available to women, infants, and children through federal and state financed health and welfare programs. Also included are concepts related to assertive communication and professional values used in ethical decision making. An emphasis is placed on health teaching, discharge, and referral process. The nursing role in administering and monitoring commonly used groups of pharmacologic agents is also included. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, Concurrent enrollment in 3610, and 3611 is usual.

This concept-based course highlights the major drug classifications and the nursing role in the management of medication administration. Information regarding core drug knowledge, patient variables and assessment in drug therapy will be discussed. The course content provides the foundation of basic pharmacology necessary for nursing practice. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3210, 3200, 3320, and 3620. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3321, 3325, and 3621.

Concepts from prerequisite science courses will be built upon in discussions of disease processes. This is the first of two courses that correspond to nursing care provided in the delivery of care to patients across the lifespan. Factors that contribute to altered physiological functioning of selected body systems and interrelationships among selected pathophysiological processes are explored. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, and 2460. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3210, 3200, and 3620.

Concepts from prerequisite science courses will be built upon in discussions of disease processes. This is the second of two courses that correspond to concepts of nursing care to patients across the lifespan. Factors that contribute to altered physiological functioning of selected body systems and interrelationships among selected pathophysiological processes are more complex and expanded. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3210,, 3200, 3320, and 3620. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3315, 3325, and 3621.

The purpose of this concept-based course are to investigate the research process and to critique nursing research studies. The focus is on identification of best practices and the impact of findings on nursing practice. Prerequisite: Quantitative Reasoning (Statistics) NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3210, 3200 ,3320, and 3620. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3315, 3321, and 3621.

This concept-based course is an overview of the role of the nurse as a health professional. The focus is on nurse collaboration within interdisciplinary healthcare settings. The patient focus includes individuals, families, and population. Prerequisites: NURS 2460 and 3312. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3210, 3215, 3320, and 3620.

This course will provide students the opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the management of patient care with a focus on care of the medical-surgical patient.

This course will provide students the opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the management of patient care with a focus on care of the patient requiring care in a specialty unit.

A clinical nursing course designed to acquaint students with concepts and processes of nursing in providing care to adults with adaptive bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs related to hygiene, comfort, safety, activity- exercise (mobility), oxygenation, nutrition-metabolic, ingestion-digestion, alterations in reproduction, auditory and visual dysfunctions, and alterations in elimination. Included in this course are related pharmacologic and nutritional nursing interventions as well as application of nursing health assessment concepts and skills. Concepts emphasized are restoration, maintenance, and rehabilitation of adults with selected health needs presented in this course. Students are provided with learning opportunities to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional values and standards that are appropriate to meeting adult client needs. Lab fee. Prerequisites: All non-nursing courses listed under Admission to the Program and NURS 2310 and NURS 3312 and 3611 is usual. Lab fee.

A clinical nursing course designed to acquaint student with concepts and processes of nursing in providing care to adults with adaptive bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs related to fluids and electrolytes, pharmacologic and surgical interventions, alterations in regulation, cellular proliferation, grief, dying, and death. Included in this course are related pharmacologic and nutritional nursing interventions. Concepts emphasized are restoration, maintenance, and rehabilitation of adults with selected health needs presented in this course. Students are provided with learning opportunities to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional values and standards that are appropriate to meeting adult client needs. Lab fee. Prerequisites: All non-nursing courses listed under Admission to the Program and NURS 2310 and NURS 3312. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3313 and 3610 is usual. Lab fee.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with concepts and processes in nursing that are related to the client/family adaptive needs during the childbearing years. Emphasized are the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of parents/fetus-neonate in both normal and high risk conditions. Included are concepts related to antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal periods. Pharmacologic and nutritional concepts are used in the application to these clients. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional values and standards that are appropriate to meeting maternal and neonatal client needs. Lab fee. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3313, 3610, and 3611. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3614. Lab fee.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with concepts and processes in nursing that are related to the client/family adaptive needs during the childrearing years. Emphasized are the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of family and child in each developmental stage. Pharmacologic and nutritional needs unique to children are included. Also included are medical and surgical alterations common to children. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional values and standards appropriate to meeting child client needs. Lab fee. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3313, and 3611. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3612. Lab fee.

This concept-based clinical course concentrates on the application of the nursing process in the continuum of care of wellness to acute illness. Students will provide nursing care, patient education, and health promotion to patients across the lifespan in a variety of settings. The patient focus include individuals, families and populations. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, and 2460.. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3210, 3200, and 3320.

This concept-based clinical course concentrates on the application of the nursing process for patients with complex concept based health interruptions. Emphasis is on the impact of major diseases across the lifespan in select healthcare settings. Comprehensive nursing care for patients with a wide range of disorders will be addressed as well as the need for patient teaching and continuity of care as the patient returns to the community. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3210,,3200, 3320, and 3620. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 3315, 3321, and 3325.

Students must demonstrate readiness for the National Council Licensure Examination – RN (NCLEX-RN) for successful completion of this course. Standardized comprehensive exit exams are taken in this course during the students’ last semester. The ATI Comprehensive Predictor, HESI I, HESI II, HESI III, and HESI IV exit exams test the breadth and depth of a student’s knowledge base within the scope of practice of the BSN graduate nurse. The course is graded on a “Credit/No Credit” option. A grade of “Credit” is required to graduate from the BSN program within the School of Nursing.  The course will be offered each semester including May minimester and summer I and summer II.

The Nursing Capstone Course is a culminating experience in which students are expected to synthesize concepts and processes studied through a liberal arts foundation and the nursing curriculum. Through integration of knowledge, skills and experiential learning, students will demonstrate critical thinking, effective communication, clinical competence, scholarly work and professionalism appropriate for entry level BSN practice.

This seminar course will identify and explore current trends and issues related to health care in the United States. Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3210,,3200,,3315, 3320, 3321, 3325, 3620, 3621, 4240, 4310, 4410, and 4620. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 4330, 4000, and 4700.

This course builds upon the biophysical concepts exemplified through previous pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy courses. Students examine increasingly complex pathophysiological processes occurring across the lifespan and explore the interrelatedness of the pathophysiologic process to the body’s function as a whole. Critical pharmacotherapies utilized to affect positive change in the identified pathophysiological processes are investigated from a nursing perspective.

Prerequisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620, ,3320, 3325, 3621, and 3321.  Co-requisites: Concurrent enrollment in NURS 4310, 4410, and 4620.

This course will explore healthcare systems as well as current and emerging health issues on local, state, national, and international levels. Influencing factors such as economics, policy, and nursing roles will be addressed. Pre-requisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620, ,3320, 3325, 3621, and 3321.Co-requisites: NURS 4240,4620, 4410.

Designed to acquaint students with the research process in nursing. Emphasized are basic research concepts such as problem identification, methodologies, designs, data presentation and analysis, interpretations, and conclusions. Also considered are the ethical and legal implications of doing research. Emphasis is given to the critique of research studies to determine their validity and adequacy. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3611, 3313, 3612, and 3614 (or their equivalents); plus a statistics course. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 4610 and 4614 is usually expected for the traditional student.

Designed to provide students with learning opportunities related to the individual practitioner, regulatory processes, juris-prudence, political processes, ethics and professional values. Emphasis is given to the Texas Nursing Practice Act. Issues/trends related to professionalism and practice may vary depending on current concerns. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3614, 3313, 4610 , 4614, and 4312. Concurrent enrollment in 4516 and 4518 is usually expected for the traditional student. Lab fee.

This course will assist students in the integration of theory and practice as they approach the completion of the nursing major and transition into the role of professional nurse. Emphasis is placed on the synthesis of previous coursework and knowledge as students prepare for the role of an entry-level professional nurse. Pre-requisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620,,3315, 3320, 3325, 3621, 3321, 4620, 4310, 4410, and 4240. Co-requisites: NURS 4230, 4700, and 4000.

This course examines theories and strategies from various disciplines for the management of patient care delivery. The context ranges from community based practice to large integrated healthcare delivery systems. Resource allocation for patient populations and systems will be evaluated within an interprofessional context from both financial and leadership perspectives. Pre-requisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620, 3320, 3325, 3621, and 3321.Co-requisites: NURS 4240, 4310 and 4620.

This course is designed for the RN student who is seeking a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The focus of this course is on the transition to role of the professional nursing practice and professional growth built upon prior learning and clinical experience.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with learning opportunities related to providing nursing care to individuals, families and populations in a community setting. Populations considered in this course may include any client across the lifespan. Concepts/processes emphasized are community and population based care, global health perspectives, epidemiology, communicable diseases, vulnerable populations, health promotion and health teaching and collaboration. Emphasis is also placed on diverse nursing roles in the community setting. Additionally, research findings pertinent to the care of these groups of clients are considered. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional standards and values that are appropriate to meeting health needs of clients/families/communities.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with learning opportunities related to further developing leadership/management skills in the delivery of nursing care in a variety of health delivery systems. Opportunities are given for students to plan and implement nursing care for groups of clients integrating nursing clinical models, while managing nursing personnel and resources. Emphasized are theories and concepts of change, the use of research findings, management, evaluation, critical thinking, decision-making, leadership, strategic planning, economics, and organizational structure. Also emphasized is the ability to apply concepts related to client care needs, interpersonal relationships, communication theory, and clinical decision making. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional standards and values that are appropriate to meeting groups of clients' health needs. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3614, 3313, 4312 , 4610, and 4614. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 4313 and NURS 4616 is usual for the traditional student. Lab fee.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with concepts and processes in nursing that are related to the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of clients/families with adaptive stressors affecting their mental health . Emphasized are alterations in adaptation due to stress; anxiety, crisis; and adjustment, developmental, psychotic, organic, and substance abuse disorders. Also emphasized are preventive health measures and other care standards based on research findings which are designed to maintain the mental health clients/families. Pharmacologic, nutritional, ethical, and legal aspects involved in the care of mental health clients are also included. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional standards and values that are appropriate to meeting needs of clients/families with mental health needs. Lab fee. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3614, and 3313 (or their equivalents). Concurrent enrollment in NURS 4312 and 4614 is expected of the traditional student. Lab fee.

The student will examine physiological and psychological adaptation to responses and interventions to address these using evidenced based practice. The course includes a clinical component.

A clinical nursing course designed to provide students with concepts and processes in nursing that are related to the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of clients/families facing a critical illness episode. The nursing care of clients with acute physiological crises related to oxygenation, circulation, neurological alterations, and renal failure is emphasized. Standards of care based on research findings are considered. Included in this are legal and ethical considerations, family assessment, and support during these crises. Both nutritional and pharmacological considerations are included which may be age or condition related. Students are provided with learning experiences to develop nursing roles and skills based on professional standards and values that are appropriate to meeting needs of clients/families health needs facing a critical illness. Lab fee. Prerequisites: NURS 2310, 3312, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3614, and 3313 (or their equivalents). Concurrent enrollment in 4312 and 4610 is expected for the traditional student. Lab fee.

Explores nursing health promotion strategies to facilitate individual, group, and community health and wellness across the lifespan. The development of disease states and methods to prevent or decrease risk factors will be discussed. The course will focus on developing skills in problem-solving, clinical judgment, critical thinking so that students may function as a beginning member of the healthcare team in the provision of interdisciplinary care for a variety of patient situations. Emphasis is on the role of the professional nurse in planning and implementing effective teaching and interventional behaviors. Pre-requisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620, 3320, 3325, 3621, and 3321.Co-requisites: NURS 4240, 4310 and 4410.

This course is a culminating experience in which students are expected to synthesize concepts and processes studied through a liberal arts foundation and the nursing curriculum. Through integration of knowledge, skills and experiential learning, students will demonstrate critical thinking, effective communication, clinical competence, scholarly work and professionalism appropriate for entry level BSN practice. Pre-requisites: NURS 2150, 2350, 2460, 3200, 3210, 3620,,3315, 3320, 3325, 3621, 3321, 4620, 4310, 4410, and 4240. Co-requisites: NURS 4230, 4330, and 4000.