Nursing and Allied Health

This course is an introductory course establishing foundational knowledge and the professional standards associated with nursing practice: ANA Scope and Standards, QSEN, Virginia Board of Nursing Regulations and the National Patient Safety Goals. This course also introduces the NSU Program Learning Outcomes and relationship between the professional standards. The basis for the Nursing Students' Portfolio will be introduced.

This three-credit course will provide information and skills to RN to BSN students in the areas of programmatic pathways, RN to BSN online expectations, advance library, writing, and APA skills needed to be successful in the program. Upon successful completion of this course, the RN to BSN student will be prepared for success in the BSN program

Contact the department for specific course information

This course focuses on information technology in current healthcare environments and how nursing informatics tools, principles, and practices are used to make healthcare safer.

This course investigates the ethnical, cultural and diverse health care needs of disparate populations. It is universally recognized that minorities are the recipients of lower quality health care and are therefore classified as a vulnerable population group. This course is designed to assist the student to appreciate the intricacies of such populations as well as to clarify personal values and develop an appreciation for the values that underpin health decisions made by consumers of health care. Topics related to age, race, ethnicity, gender, class and disabilities will be emphasized. Concepts related to workforce diversity, health care belief systems, patient rights and management of health care appropriate to the patient population will be explored. This course focuses on the challenges of nurses to provide culturally competent care to members of a diverse society. Students will examine the effects of cultural beliefs and practices that influence health care practices and health care delivery. This course will also explore bioethical concepts that impact upon nursing practice. Students will focus on ethical concepts as they apply to nursing practice.

This course investigates the ethnical, cultural and diverse health care needs of disparate populations. It is universally recognized that minorities are the recipients of lower quality health care and are therefore classified as a vulnerable population group. This course is designed to assist the student to appreciate the intricacies of such populations as well as to clarify personal values and develop an appreciation for the values that underpin health decisions made by consumers of health care. Topics related to age, race, ethnicity, gender, class and disabilities will be emphasized. Concepts related to workforce diversity, health care belief systems, patient rights and management of health care appropriate to the patient population will be explored. This course focuses on the challenges of nurses to provide culturally competent care to members of a diverse society. Students will examine the effects of cultural beliefs and practices that influence health care practices and health care delivery. This course will also explore bioethical concepts that impact upon nursing practice. Students will focus on ethical concepts as they apply to nursing practice.

This course is designed to facilitate the development of expertise in obtaining health histories and performing physical assessments on clients of ages across the life span who are experiencing varying levels of wellness. Content is presented in the classroom arena and the students will have the opportunity for application and refinement of skills in the oncampus laboratory.

Contact the department for specific course information

Contact the department for specific course information

This course explains the role of nursing in the therapies, health conditions, and disease risk of conditions having a genetic or genomic element. The course introduces genetic and genomics related research, to include the Human Genome project. An understanding of the relationship of genetics and genomics to health, prevention, screening, diagnostics, prognostics, selection of treatment, and monitoring of treatment effectiveness is examined. Ethical, legal and social implications, along with ethnic, racial and cultural considerations with providing genetic services are emphasized.

This course is designed to facilitate development of knowledge and skills that are required for the design and implementation of systems of nursing care for well individuals who may experience actual and potential minor deviations from wellness. Basic or fundamental nursing skills are introduced to establish a foundation for nursing competencies in laboratory and clinical settings. These skills are cultivated so as to enable students to identify disturbances in physiological and psychological functioning and accompanying self-care deficits.

This course is designed to facilitate development of knowledge and skills that are required for the design and implementation of systems of nursing care for well individuals who may experience actual and potential minor deviations from wellness. Basic or fundamental nursing skills are introduced to establish a foundation for nursing competencies in laboratory and clinical settings. These skills are cultivated so as to enable students to identify disturbances in physiological and psychological functioning and accompanying self-care deficits. Skills demonstrated include, but are not limited to: client hygiene, hand washing, medical asepsis, surgical asepsis, wound care, nutritional assessment, basic and advanced dosage calculation, basic medication administration. Students will develop nursing care plans based on bio-psycho-social-cultural assessments so that homeostatic equilibrium may be maintained and/or restored. As a result, the role, relationship, and responsibilities of the nurse as a member of the health care team are identified and examined critically.

Contact the department for specific course information

Contact the department for specific course information

This course provides students with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process and prioritization of needs; special consideration is given to the physiological, psycho/social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients. The pharmacological interactions are explained in relation to the disease processes of the body systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, nervous systems, musculoskeletal, and mental health. Pharmacotherapeutics regarding anti-infective and immunology are presented. Analgesics are also introduced with emphasis on inflammation, pain, and fever. End of life and multisystem medications and physiology are also incorporated. The indications, modes of action, effects, dosages, side effects, nursing implications, contraindications and interactions for selected drugs involved in selected disease processes are emphasized. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized.

This course emphasizes the design of systems of nursing assistance for individuals experiencing acute and/or chronic alterations in physiologic homeostasis. Specific attention is devoted to analyzing self-care deficits and planning appropriate nursing assistance based on this analysis. Students will be assisted to effectively use the nursing process to design systems of nursing assistance related to selected acute and/or chronic physiological disease processes. Classroom experiences are designed to assist the student to integrate concepts from previous courses, currently presented information and the use of the nursing process in selected client situations. Specific alterations in physiologic homeostasis, including fluid and electrolytes and acid/base disturbances, serve as the foundation for assessing, planning, and implementing, and evaluating nursing and collaborative care.

This course provides students with laboratory and clinical experiences in the provision of nursing care for clients with common acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the delivery of competent, safe, and evidence based healthcare for diverse clients in a variety of settings. Focus is on the use of healthcare and information management technologies in the implementation, documentation and evaluation of nursing interventions.

Study of cognitive and psychomotor skills related, to basic nursing assistance of the well individual, through the provision of health promotion, strategies and care of the individual experiencing, minor deviations from wellness resulting in, self-care deficits which necessitate the, application of beginning and intermediate nursing, skills.

This course is designed for the study of the normal physiology of various systems of the human body and how alterations in structure and function can initiate the onset of disease. Pre-licensure students will explore pathophysiology through the lens of body function concepts and what happens when function is altered through injury or disease. Utilizing the nursing process, emphasis will be placed on the integration and application of pathophysiological concepts.

Development of expertise in obtaining nursing histories and performing physical assessments on clients throughout the life span experiencing varying levels of wellness. Opportunity for application and refinement of skills in the oncampus laboratory.

Introduction to concepts underpinning the practice of professional nursing, including concepts of self-care, nursing process, systems theory, theories of family development and crisis.

Honors: This course introduces the baccalaureate nursing student to concepts and theories underpinning the practice of professional nursing, including concepts of self-care, nursing process, systems theory and theories of family development and crisis.

Focus on designing systems of nursing assistance for clients experiencing significant life cycle events which have a major impact on the lifestyles and activities of the individual and small groups, including child-bearing and child- rearing. Also, discussed is the client with selected alterations in psychological homeostasis.

Focus on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for individuals, families, and large groups in community and tertiary care settings, including clients throughout the life span and of diverse cultural backgrounds, experiencing self-care deficits with multiple etiologic factors and/or having a potential for multiple risk factors.

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for families, groups and communities, specifically high-risk populations throughout the life cycle. Students will use selected conceptual models in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care and analyzing the management of care delivery by others in a variety of settings. The students are expected to continue their head to toe assessment skills.

This course focuses on the implementation of learned skills specific to caring for families, groups, communities and high-risk populations throughout the life cycle. Students will use appropriate skill sets to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care as well as to analyze the management of care delivery by others in a variety of settings. The clinical settings for this course will be conducted as a Preceptorship within the local community. Selected clinical sites will be designed to focus on the management of care in a community setting.

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for individuals and families, in tertiary care settings. These clients, throughout the lifespan and of diverse cultural backgrounds, experience selfcare deficits with multiple etiologic factors and/or have a potential for multiple risk factors

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for individuals and families, in tertiary care settings. These clients, throughout the lifespan and of diverse cultural backgrounds, experience selfcare deficits with multiple etiologic factors and/or have a potential for multiple risk factors.

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for individuals and families, in tertiary care settings. These clients, throughout the lifespan and of diverse cultural backgrounds, experience selfcare deficits with multiple etiologic factors and/or have a potential for multiple risk factors.

This course focuses on designing systems of nursing assistance for clients experiencing significant life cycle events, which have major impact on self-care management, lifestyles and activities of the individuals and small groups. These life-cycle events result in selected alterations, primarily in psychological homeostasis that range from minor alterations, such as anxiety to major alterations such as psychotic disorders. Students will effectively use therapeutic communication and interventions to assist individuals and small groups to restore psychological and/or physiological homeostasis.

This course focuses on designing systems of nursing assistance for clients experiencing significant life cycle events, which have major impact on self-care management, lifestyles and activities of the individuals and small groups. These life-cycle events result in selected alterations, primarily in psychological homeostasis that range from minor alterations, such as anxiety to major alterations such as psychotic disorders. Students are taught how to effectively use therapeutic communication and interventions to assist individuals and/or small groups to restore psychological and/or physiological homeostasis.

Design of systems nursing assistance for diverse groups of individuals and/or aggregates experiencing acute and/or chronic alterations in physiologic homeostasis, which has a major and significant impact upon the life-style and activities of the individual/aggregate. Specific attention to analyzing self-care deficits and planning appropriate nursing assistance based on this analysis.

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for individuals and families, in tertiary care settings. These clients, throughout the lifespan and of diverse cultural backgrounds, experience self-care deficits with multiple etiologic factors and/or have a potential for multiple risk factors

The focus of this course is the nursing care of women, neonates and their families in a variety of settings. Normal pregnancy and childbirth will be addressed, as well as the identification and management of high risk childbearing situations among diverse populations. Selected content related to the health care of women across the lifespan is include

This course focuses on the theoretical concepts and clinical application of nursing care of infants, children, and adolescents in varied health care and community settings. Students are expected to use the nursing process and synthesize assessment, pathophysiologic, pharmacologic, and therapeutic concepts. Family-centered care of children within developmental, cultural, ethnic, religious, and social structures.

This course focuses on the theoretical concepts and clinical application of nursing care of infants, children, and adolescents in varied health care and community settings. Students are expected to use the nursing process and synthesize assessment, patophysiologic, pharmacologic, and therapeutic concepts. Family-centered care of children within developmental, cultural, ethnic, religious, and social structures.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the research process and provide a foundation for the utilization of research findings to drive decisions in the provision of nursing care. The course will examine the steps of the research process, guide the student to identify practice questions, review relevant literature, critique research findings and apply evidence to promote patient safety and improve the quality of care.

Study of research skills used in making inferences relating to nursing practice, understanding the research process, critiquing research articles, utilizing research findings in enhancing, and identifying researchable questions.

This course emphasizes the examination of theory and concepts concerning the functions of management, the leadership process, and organizational structures. The students will have the opportunity to analyze, apply, and evaluate theory in complex health care settings. Further, each student will be encouraged to evaluate self in relation to achievement of stated expectations and objectives and the effectiveness of own leadership behavior. Through individual learning activities, the students will analyze complex health care delivery systems, coordinate efforts for consumer health and nursing service, act as colleagues with other health professionals, evaluate the quality and direction of health and nursing, and encourage change as appropriate. Additional responsibilities and course work will be given to students who desire to earn credit for an honors course.

Examination of theory and concepts concerning the leadership process, organizational structure, and management strategies. Analyze complex health-care delivery systems, coordinate efforts for consumer health and nursing service, act as colleagues with other health professionals, evaluate the quality and direction of health and nursing, and encourage change as appropriate.

This course maximizes socialization as a professional nurse through the examination of the role of the nurse in current issues in health care and nursing. Attention is directed to forces which affect health care delivery and the impact of these changes on the scope of nursing practice. This capstone course is designed as a synthesis of theoretical nursing concepts through the use of case studies, application exercises and simulation activities.

This course maximizes socialization as a professional nurse through the examination of the role of the nurse in current issues in health care and nursing. Attention is directed to forces which affect health care delivery and the impact of these changes on the scope of nursing practice. This capstone course is designed as a synthesis of theoretical nursing concepts through the use of case studies, application exercises and simulation activities.

This course maximizes socialization as a professional nurse through the examination of the role of the nurse in current issues in health care and nursing. Attention is directed to forces which affect health care delivery and the impact of these changes on the scope of nursing practice.

This capstone course promotes the integration of knowledge and concepts obtained in previous nursing, science and general education courses into the design and implementation of nursing systems for groups of individuals and/or aggregates throughout the life span with complex deviations from wellness, including an intensive preceptored clinical experience. Successful completion of the course is dependent upon passing a comprehensive examination.

This course provides an opportunity for the emerging generalist in the practice of professional nursing to apply knowledge and skills in an area of personal interest in nursing. Under the supervision of the instructor, students will identify and conduct a project or participate in work experience. Projects chosen by students may be related to research, leadership or nursing practice. Examples of projects that may be selected include, but are not limited to: (1) creation and presentation of a research poster; (2) planning for and teaching of patient/clients or lay health workers; and (3) development and implementation of educational or service programs. Student projects are designed to address contemporary and emerging issues in nursing.

This course focuses on the study of a variety of contemporary topics in nursing and health care, for which the student may select topics of interest for group presentations, workshops, and/or research projects. Projects and/or presentations may be offered on weekday evenings and/or Saturdays.

This course focuses on the design and implementation of systems of nursing assistance for families, groups and communities, specifically high-risk populations throughout the life cycle. Students will use selected conceptual models in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care and analyzing the management of care delivery by others in a variety of settings.

This community clinical course is designed to apply principles of community health nursing. Expanding upon current knowledge and experience base, students will participate in a variety of clinical activities in the community. Students will design, implement and evaluate a project focusing on community health. This project will challenge critical thinking skills as students analyze and synthesize data to develop health promotion and disease prevention strategies for population groups.