4000

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.