RN to BSN Course Descriptions
Nursing 301: Health Care Informatics (3 credits)
This course will examine technology and its impact upon nursing and the healthcare industry. The students will explore how computers are utilized in education, practice, administration and research. Students will review software for its applicability in nursing and healthcare. Students will learn about word processing, electronic mail, computerized literature searches, Internet research, and electronic presentation software. (Prerequisite: ENG 102)
Nursing 215:Scholarly Writing in Nursing (3 credits)
Scholarly writing in nursing communicates knowledge, expertise, and advances the profession. This course explores the process of scholarly writing and provides students the opportunity to develop their writing skills. Students will practice the craft of academic writing and become effective writers by the end of this course. (Prerequisite: NURS 301)
Bible 100:Biblical Literature in Contemporary Context (3 credits)
This course will introduce the student to the entire biblical story of the people of God. The main components of the program will be: the Creation Theology (discussing the meaning of Genesis and the Wisdom literature), the Covenantal People (featuring Exodus and the Sinai events), Prophetic Theology (analyzing the socio-political significance of the prophets), the message of Jesus (discussing the Gospels and the developing church), the theology of Paul and the developing Christian tradition (thinking through Paul and the other New Testament document which conclude the biblical story).
Nursing 210:Health Care Ethics and Christian Nursing (3 credits)
In a world where legal, financial, scientific, religious, societal and personal concerns converge when making healthcare decisions, nurses must be prepared to critically reflect, choose, and guide others in these directions. Participation in Healthcare Ethics and Christian Nursing will provide students the opportunity to explore the foundations of ethical behavior as well as address how Christian faith molds nursing practice. The course will offer the student an opportunity to examine and evaluate the various factors and relationships that impact health care decisions. (Prerequisite: NURS 215)
Nursing 302:Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (3 credits)
An overview of the historical, political, conceptual and theoretical development of the profession of nursing, within the context of the Christian tradition. Special attention is given to the scientific nature of the profession as well as the characteristics of its professional practitioners. (Prerequisite: NURS 215)
Nursing 303: Psychosocial-Spiritual Assessment (3 credits)
This course focuses on psychosocial-spiritual assessment of individuals at all ages of the life span. Topics include culture / ethnicity, sexuality, stress, loss/grief, group process, communication, values, family theory, crisis theory, alternate healthcare modalities, and bioethical issues. (Prerequisite: NURS 302)
OM 370: Cross-Cultural Studies (3 credits)
Managing diversity is the major theme of this course, with emphasis on cultural sensitivity and empowerment of people to reach their full potential. Readings and interviews are used to explore the values, customs, and perceptions of various racial and ethnic groups, as well as the impact on social and economic life.
Nursing 305: Physical Assessment (3 credits)
This course combines a holistic approach to nursing care of clients with the sciences of anatomy and physiology to obtain an accurate assessment of patient needs. (Pre or Co-requisites: minimum grade of "C" in NURS 302, Anatomy and Physiology I, II)
Nursing 306: Health Promotion and Health Education in Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course is designed to focus on the role of the practicing nurse in the promotion of health and the provision of health education. Students will explore the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention as the challenge of the 21st century. Students will also have the opportunity to discuss and apply teaching and learning theories. The central role of the nurse as a primary health educator will be explored. (Prerequisite: NURS 305)
Nursing 401: Population-Focused Nursing: A Global Approach (3 credits)
This course focuses on critical historical landmarks in public health nursing, essential existing nursing roles in population-focused care of individuals, families, and aggregates in a variety of local and global community settings. The course will engage students in the process of exploration vis-à-vis community assessment skills and epidemiological principles that guide public health policy, funding, and programming. National and international, public, private, and faith-based population-focused organizations will be examined, as well as national and international policies, goals, and efforts that address global health issues from both a holistic nursing practice perspective and a Christian world view. (Prerequisite: NURS 306)
Math 220: Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
Meaning, purposes and processes of statistical methods; selection of representative, parallel or equivalent groups; graphic representation; measures of central tendency; variability; normal distribution; probability; binomial coefficient; random sampling; confidence levels; inference; t-test, analysis of variance; chi square; correlation; Man-Whitney U Test. Theory and practice application of above operations with use of computer where applicable. This course does not count toward the requirements for the major or minor in mathematics.
Nursing 404: Nursing Research (3 credits)
The research process is examined as systematic problem-solving for the improvement of healthcare. Emphasis is placed on analysis and evaluation of research findings for application to nursing practice. (Prerequisite: MATH 220 [Statistics] and NURS 401)
INST271: Justice in a Pluralistic Society (3 credits)
This interdisciplinary course uses both biblical and philosophical frameworks to examine the complexities of social justice in a pluralistic society. The focus is on the United States, with connections to the global community. Principles of social justice are used to explore issues of race, gender and class. Emphasis is placed on the student understanding her/his own identity and life situation, including what values, attitudes and knowledge have shaped her/his own worldview. Attention is given to students developing skills in interacting with people from diverse groups and in bringing about social justice in the larger society. Satisfies the gen. ed. requirement for Commitment to Justice/Doing Justice.
Nursing 402: Leadership in Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Principles of leadership related to the organization and delivery of nursing care are studied within this course. Organizational management, power, decision making, and change theories are examined in relationship to the independent role of the nurse. (Prerequisite: NURS 404)
Nursing 405: Senior Seminar/Practicum (4 credits)
The seminar focuses on the process of leadership, teaching / learning, and accountability and responsibility for scholarly pursuits. Topics addressed are student-selected areas of importance to the profession. Seminar leadership and participation is based on a synthesis of knowledge derived from theory and research. The practicum component requires the student to collaborate with a faculty advisor and an agency resource person in the design and implementation of an individualized practicum. A change project is required. Students share clinical experiences in the seminar setting. (2 hours/week class, 40 hours per semester clinical practicum.) (Prerequisite: NURS 402)
Nursing 480: Nursing Capstone: The Art of Nursing (3 credits)
Throughout this course the larger questions related to personal and global healing will be explored. The work of Florence Nightingale and Jesus serve as examples of spiritually grounded healing praxis and leadership. These perspectives also highlight the body-mind-spirit nature of persons. Shared personal experiences of illness derived from the literature will illuminate responses to both illness and healthcare providers. These insights guide us toward self-healing and the facilitation of healing in others. In addition, creative and purposeful strategies for leadership that enhance nurses' ability to do the work necessary to manifest healing environments that lead to a healthy world will be examined. Leadership and group process strategies whereby there is a merging of power with openness, connectedness, and love will be practiced throughout the course. This model can be used to facilitate strong and peaceful transformation of the world inside and around us. (Prerequisite: NURS 405)