Nursing Department Home Page

Nursing (NUR)
The nursing department at DWU offers the following programs:
     Associate of Arts in Nursing, AA - Mitchell and Huron
     Associate of Arts in Nursing, AA - LPN-RN, Sioux Falls
     Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, BAN - RN-BAN Completion Program

Mission Statement of the Department of Nursing
The Dakota Wesleyan University Department of Nursing aspires to prepare students for a meaningful career in professional nursing in a liberal arts setting. The nursing faculty cultivates a challenging learning environment based on Christian values and acceptance of diversity. The department of nursing fosters professional growth, leadership, lifelong learning and commitment to service.

Associate of Arts in Nursing, AA - Mitchell and Huron
The nursing program at DWU reflects the institution’s commitment to service and leadership within the region. The associate degree nursing program provides a curriculum designed to prepare the graduate for general staff nursing positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other community agencies. Students accepted into the two-year nursing curriculum, available in Mitchell and Huron, can complete the required 71 credit hours in the nursing program within two years and two summer sessions. Courses for the required 25 nursing credits in the one-year LPN-RN curriculum, offered on the Southeast Technical Institute campus in Sioux Falls, are designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to enhance knowledge of human health needs and nursing interventions while developing management of care skills needed by the registered nurse (RN) in the current health setting. Upon successful completion of the program and upon full payment of all money due to the university, the graduate will receive the Associate of Arts degree and will have satisfied the academic requirements necessary for eligibility to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) for licensure as an RN. The DWU Department of Nursing was awarded continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) through 2011 and is approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Information about the nursing program may be obtained from NLNAC, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006; 1-800-669-1656; or www.nlnac.org.

The nursing program includes nursing and non-nursing courses. Graduates of a NLNAC-accredited associate of arts degree nursing program may apply the hours of nursing credit earned as a minor toward a non-nursing Bachelor of Arts degree at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Licensed practical nurses and applicants with previous learning in nursing may be enrolled with advanced placement in the nursing curriculum. Credit for science courses taken 10 years ago or more must be validated by successful completion of a test or retaking the course. The university may waive this requirement for applicants who maintain current knowledge in the sciences by working in nursing.

Applicants who enroll with credit for previous learning must take at least the last 23 hours of nursing courses at DWU in order to graduate from the nursing program. Nursing students who enter the nursing program with credit for prior learning in nursing are required to take NUR 105 before or concurrently with the nursing course taken in the nursing program in Mitchell or Huron.

Students who are licensed practical nurses must hold and maintain active licensure in South Dakota throughout the course of study.

Dakota Wesleyan University Department of Nursing has contracts for nursing student clinical experiences with Avera Queen of Peace Hospital/Avera Brady Health and Rehab, Mitchell; Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron; Avera St. Benedict Health Center, Parkston; Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls; Sanford Health, Sioux Falls; Veterans Administration Medical Center, Sioux Falls; Firesteel Healthcare Center, Mitchell; Huron Nursing Home; Violet Tschetter Memorial Home, Huron; Human Services Center, Yankton; Community Counseling, Huron; and other hospitals and community agencies across the state. Clinical rotations may require some travel.

Policies described in “Academic Regulations” and in the DWU Student Handbook apply to nursing students; however, because of the nature of the program, additional policies regarding health requirements, class and clinical attendance, grading scale and progression are available to nursing students in the DWU Nursing Student Handbook.

There are specific laws and rules regulating nursing in South Dakota that list reasons a license to practice nursing may be denied, revoked or suspended. Questions regarding these rules should be clarified by seeking advice from the South Dakota Board of Nursing at 605-362-2760 before admission into the nursing program. A candidate for licensure as a registered nurse must have the abilities and skills that enable him/her to acquire essential specialized knowledge and to use this knowledge in planning and delivering nursing care. A copy of “Abilities, skills and characteristics essential for admission and retention in the Dakota Wesleyan University Nursing Program,” included in the DWU Nursing Student Handbook, is available from the department of nursing. Nursing students are asked to verify that they have the physical, emotional and other capabilities required to function as a nursing student and as a registered nurse. Admission may be denied or revoked if a student is unable to meet these basic abilities and skills.

Nursing students are expected to adhere to the principles of the Code of Nurses, adopted by the American Nurses Association, which communicates a standard of professional behavior throughout the nursing program. A copy of the American Nurses Association’s Code of Nurses is included in the DWU Nursing Student Handbook.

Associate of Arts in Nursing Admission Requirements (Mitchell and Huron)
Students who wish to be considered for the nursing or pre-nursing program must provide documentation of the following requirements:

• ACT composite score of 18 or above;
• reading placement of 11 or above, or an 18 or above in the reading portion of the ACT; and
• high school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above. Transfer students must provide documentation of earning a minimum grade of C in English composition and C- in other prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university. Science courses must be completed in the past 10 years. No support course can be repeated more than one time.

Identified admission requirements are based on the emphasis of standardized exam skills used in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

An admission appeal process exists for students who do not meet the above requirements but have extenuating circumstances. Address written requests for exceptions to the admission requirements policy to the Nursing Admission Committee and mail to Admissions, DWU Campus Box 902.

Associate of Arts in Nursing (Mitchell and Huron)
Admitted nursing students are required to demonstrate specific nurse aide competencies or successfully complete a nurse aide course before entering NUR 101. The opportunity to demonstrate nurse aide competencies or complete a nurse aide course is offered at Dakota Wesleyan University before classes begin in August.

Students must take nursing courses in sequence.

Course Descriptions for AA Nursing (Mitchell and Huron)
100 Medical Terminology 2 hours (Elective) F,S (Internet)
This comprehensive study introduces the definition and use of medical terms common to various health-related disciplines. Basic knowledge of medical language facilitates the overall understanding of scientific principles and the medical language used by all members of the health care team.

101 Nursing Process Related to Basic Needs 6 hours (5, 1) F
This clinical course provides an introduction to the roles of the associate degree nurse and to the major concepts identified in the conceptual framework. Students will study the healthy human, nursing process and communication with an emphasis on caring. The primary focus is on the wellness segment of the health/illness continuum in the adult client. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisite: Nurse Aide Competency.
Prerequisites or corequisites: BIO 211 and CHM 113.

102 Nursing Process Related to Physical Illness I 7 hours (4, 3) S
This clinical course builds on the concepts presented in NUR 101. Major emphasis is on the individual’s deviations from health and use of the nursing process and caring concepts in assisting the patient in adapting to stressors and in regaining homeostasis. Opportunities are available for the student to use the nursing process in caring for selected adult patients with deviations from health. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: BIO 211, CHM 113 and NUR 101.
Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 312.

103 Nursing Process Related to Emotional Illness 3 hours (2.5, .5) SU
This clinical course identifies major stressors that interfere with an individual’s ability to meet basic emotional needs and achieve developmental tasks, resulting in problems and emotional illness. Opportunities are available for the student to use the nursing process and caring concepts when interacting with patients who have emotional problems and behavioral disorders. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: NUR 102 and PSY 131.
Prerequisite or corequisite: NUR 104; NUR 105 if student entered with prior learning.

104 Introduction to Role Development 1 hour SU
The focus of this non-clinical course is to prepare the associate degree graduate for a professional nursing role that is consistent with present and future trends in local and regional health care delivery. Students will focus on their role as member within the discipline of nursing, which expands on the roles of provider of care and manager of care in subsequent courses. Opportunities will be given to the learner to analyze self-behaviors that reflect caring in the nurse.
Prerequisite: NUR 102.
Prerequisite or corequisite: NUR 103; NUR 105 if student entered with prior learning.

105 Introduction to Associate Degree Nursing 1 hour S,SU
This course is required of individuals entering the nursing program at the university with credit for previous learning in nursing. It is designed to acquaint the student with the philosophy, purpose and objectives, conceptual framework and expected competencies of graduates of the associate degree nursing program. Students will consider and compare the four types of programs leading to nursing licensure. The course also introduces the nursing process, care plans, medication cards, departmental policies, nasogastric tubes, intravenous therapy, and ethical and legal considerations. Practice in selected technical skills in the nursing lab is included, as well as a review of basic mathematics as related to medications. An additional fee is required.

200 Nursing Process Related to Physical Illness II 6 hours (4, 2) F
This clinical course builds on the concepts presented in all first-year nursing courses. Major emphasis is on the individual’s deviations from health, use of the nursing process, and caring concepts in assisting the patient with more complex needs in adapting to stressors and regaining or maintaining homeostasis. Opportunities are available for the student to use the nursing process in caring for adult patients with more complex needs, in collaboration with health care members. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: BIO 222, BIO 312, NUR 103 and NUR 104.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 201 and NUR 204.

201 Nursing Process Related to Childbearing Years 3 hours (2.5, .5) F
This course focuses on the study of nursing interventions to assist women during the childbearing years. It is a clinical course that applies the nursing process to family-centered maternal care, newborn care and some gynecologic care in health and illness. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: BIO 222, BIO 312, NUR 103 and NUR 104.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 200 and NUR 204.

202 Nursing Process Related to Childhood 3 hours (2.5, .5) S
This clinical course builds on the concepts presented in all first-year and first-semester second-year nursing courses. Major emphases are on normal children and children with deviations from health. The student uses the nursing process and caring concepts to assist the child and his/her parents meet complex needs as he/she adapts to stressors, maintains or restores health and/or prevents the development of illness. Opportunities are available for the student to use the nursing process in providing holistic care to a child and his/her family, in collaboration with health care members. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: BIO 222, BIO 312, NUR 200, NUR 201 and NUR 204.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 203, NUR 205 and PSY 237.

203 Nursing Process Related to Physical Illness III 6 hours (4, 2) S
This clinical course builds on the concepts presented in all first-year and first-semester second-year nursing courses. Major emphasis is placed on adults with multiple system involvement. Students will use critical thinking to link new concepts to their current knowledge base. Opportunities are available for the student to use the nursing process and caring concepts to provide holistic nursing care. An additional fee is required.
Prerequisites: NUR 200, NUR 201 and NUR 204.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 202 and NUR 205 .

204 Role Development I 1 hour F
The focus of this non-clinical course is to prepare the associate’s degree graduate for a professional nursing role that is consistent with present and future trends in national and local health care delivery. In this course, students will focus on the associate’s degree roles of manager of care and member within the discipline of nursing, which expands on the role of provider of care. Opportunities are available for students to analyze self-behaviors that reflect professional values in the nurse.
Prerequisites: NUR 102, NUR 103 and NUR 104.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 200 and NUR 201.

205 Role Development II 1 hour S
The focus of this non-clinical course is to build on the information and skills developed in NUR 204. Students will continue to prepare for a professional nursing role that requires competencies in patient care management at the entry level.
Prerequisites: NUR 200, NUR 201 and NUR 204.
Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 202 and NUR 203.

250 Practicum in Nursing Process 3 hours SU
This clinical course is planned to assist the nursing students’ move into the role of the associate degree registered nurse with increased ease and assurance. Students will experience a one-to-one relationship with a registered nurse preceptor who serves as a role model and provides immediate feedback to the student. Clinical experience will provide maximum opportunities for synthesizing theory in a clinical setting. An additional fee is required. This course is offered Credit/No Credit only.
Prerequisites: All required nursing and non-nursing courses; all requirements for graduation are to be completed before beginning coursework for NUR 250.

300 Pharmacology 3 hours (Elective) S (Internet)
This asynchronous online pharmacology course focuses on the basic and clinical concepts of pharmacology in nursing practice. Students will examine concepts related to pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions and contraindications, therapeutic indications, and nursing implications.
Prerequisites: BIO 312, CHM 113 and NUR 102.

Associate of Arts in Nursing, AA - LPN-RN, Sioux Falls
DWU offers a one-year LPN-RN curriculum on the campus of Southeast Technical Institute, Sioux Falls. Because this curriculum is designed to build on the firm foundation of nursing skills mastered by the licensed practical nurse (LPN), the goal is to move the student’s knowledge of human health needs and nursing interventions to a deeper level. In addition, within this one academic year, the program content is designed to develop leadership and management of care skills needed by the registered nurse (RN) in the current health care practice setting. Health assessment and data analysis, which result in an individualized care plan for the client, anchors all aspects of the LPN-RN curriculum. Role development taught in both semesters guide the LPN student in the transition from LPN as a member within the discipline of nursing to RN member. Students who are licensed practical nurses must hold and maintain active licensure in South Dakota throughout the course of study. Upon successful completion of the program and upon full payment of all money due to the university, the graduate will receive the Associate of Arts degree and will have satisfied the academic requirements necessary for eligibility to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) for licensure as an RN.

LPN-RN Admission Requirements (Sioux Falls)
Applicants must provide documentation of the following requirements before the Nursing Admission Committee will review an application for admission to the LPN-RN program in Sioux Falls.

• Copy of current licensure as an LPN in South Dakota; one year of work experience as an LPN is recommended before beginning the LPN-RN curriculum
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above in college, university, vocational and technical school coursework. No support course can be repeated more than one time. All nursing and prerequisite courses from other institutions should be transferred and present on the DWU transcript. If this is not possible in the case of a course still in progress, attach a current transcript that documents the courses in progress from that institution.
• One of the following:
• ACT composite score of 18 or greater (for high school graduates 2000-present), or
  • Nursing supervisor/manager letter of reference including, nursing skill and care competencies, working relationships with health care team members, communication skills, professional conduct and appearance, and attendance (for nontraditional applicant with at least one year of work experience as an LPN).
  • An admission appeal process exists for students who do not meet the above requirements but have extenuating circumstances. Address written requests for exceptions to the admission requirements policy to the Nursing Admission Committee and mail to Admissions, DWU Campus Box 902.

LPN-RN Transfer Credits (Sioux Falls)
Licensed practical nurses are admitted to the nursing program with 16 transfer credits for nursing coursework completed in the LPN program. The LPN-RN student is allowed to challenge four non-nursing courses (physiology, microbiology, sociology and general psychology). To graduate with an A.A. in nursing at Dakota Wesleyan University, the LPN-RN nursing student in Sioux Falls is required to successfully complete 25 credits in the nursing curriculum.

Prerequisites
Prerequisite courses are required to be completed or successfully challenged before beginning the one-year nursing curriculum in Sioux Falls. Prerequisite courses include human anatomy, human physiology, physiological chemistry, microbiology, general psychology, developmental psychology, English composition, sociology and speech. Transfer students must provide documentation of earning a minimum grade of C in English composition and C- in other prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university. Science courses must be completed in the past 10 years. No support course can be repeated more than one time.

LPN-RN One-Year Plan of Study (Sioux Falls)
Nursing courses in the LPN-RN curriculum progress from concepts included in the current third and fourth levels of the associate degree nursing program. The third and fourth levels include more complex needs of clients, including specialty populations of obstetric, pediatric and mental health clients and multiple system involvement. Concepts of management of care, prioritization, delegation, and health care delivery trends are also included in third and fourth levels of the nursing program. At the completion of the program, students complete the practicum, a clinical course planned to assist the nursing student to transition into the role of the associate degree nurse with increased ease and assurance.

* Theory hours (1 credit hour = 1 contact hour/week x 15 weeks); Seminar hours (1 credit hour = 2 contact hours/week x 15 weeks); Clinical hours (1 credit hour = 3 contact hours/week x 15 weeks)

Course Descriptions for AA Nursing (LPN-RN, Sioux Falls)
206 RN Role Development and Care Management I 2 hours F
The focus of this non-clinical course is to prepare the associate degree graduate for a career within the discipline of nursing. It will build upon the nursing knowledge base of the LPN with regards to legal responsibilities in the workplace. Students will learn about present and future trends in nursing. In this course, students will focus on the RN roles of provider of care, manager of care and member within the discipline of nursing. Opportunities are available for students to analyze self-behaviors that reflect the values and professional identity of the registered nurse.

207 RN Role Development and Care Management II 2 hours S
This non-clinical course builds upon the information and skill developed in NUR 206. Virtual and actual experiences will be given to the students for the purpose of challenging them to use critical thinking and interpersonal management techniques to solve nursing care problems common in modern health care settings. They will also be challenged to develop in the roles of nursing leader and client advocate.

208 Nursing Care and Management of the Obstetric Client 2 hours (1.5, .25, .25) * F
This clinical course focuses on the study of nursing interventions of the entry-level nurse to assist women during the childbearing years. The course provides theory, seminar and selected clinical experiences to provide the student with learning opportunities to apply theory to the practice of holistic care of the childbearing client and the newborn who are members of a family. An additional fee is required.

209 Nursing Care and Management of the Pediatric Client 2 hours (1.5, .25, .25) * F
This clinical course assists the student to use the nursing process and caring concepts to assist the child and his/her parents to meet complex needs as he/she adapts to various stressors which might include illness or deviations in growth and development. Learning opportunities in theory, seminar, and selected clinical experiences will engage the student in critical thinking, decision-making, and application of the nursing process to the care of pediatric clients. An additional fee is required.

212 Nursing Care and Management of the Medial-Surgical Client I 6 hours (4.5, .5, 1) * F
This clinical course builds upon the knowledge and skills obtained in the LPN program. Emphasis is placed on nursing care and management of the peri-operative client who is challenged by both the surgical experience and underlying medical problems. Students will be given learning opportunities in theory, seminar and selected clinical experiences to assist them in applying nursing care principles required of the RN to manage the complex care of surgical clients. An additional fee is required.

213 Nursing Care and Management of the Mental Health/Illness Client 2 hours (1.5, .25, .25) * S
This clinical course focuses on the nursing process of caring for individuals experiencing mental and emotional problems which result from various causes which may include major life stressors and chemical neurotransmitter substance changes. In theory, seminar and clinical, the student will gain knowledge and experience providing therapeutic nursing interventions to clients to assist them in biopsychosocial adaptation. An additional fee is required.

214 Nursing Care and Management of the Medical-Surgical Client II 6 hours (4.5, .5, 1) * S
This clinical course builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in the LPN program and the preceding nursing courses. Emphasis is placed on nursing care of the medical client experiencing acute and complex health deviations. Students will learn nursing concepts which will enable them to provide holistic care focused on possible expected client outcomes of health promotion, prevention, maintenance and restoration. Learning opportunities will be provided in theory, seminar and selected clinical experiences to enhance their abilities to apply nursing care principles to clients as they adapt to biopsychosocial health changes. An additional fee is required.

250 Practicum in Nursing Process 3 hours TBA
This clinical course is planned to assist the nursing students’ move into the role of the associate degree registered nurse with increased ease and assurance. Students will experience a one-to-one relationship with a registered nurse preceptor who serves as a role model and provides immediate feedback to the student. Clinical experience will provide maximum opportunities for synthesizing theory in a clinical setting. An additional fee is required. This course is offered Credit/No Credit only.

* Theory hours (1 credit hour = 1 contact hour/week x 15 weeks); Seminar hours (1 credit hour = 2 contact hours/week x 15 weeks); Clinical hours (1 credit hour/week x 15 weeks)

Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, BAN – RN-BAN Completion Program
The Dakota Wesleyan University RN to Bachelor of Arts in Nursing (RN-BAN) Completion Program is an upward mobility program designed to provide professional development for already licensed registered nurses who have graduated from an associate degree or diploma nursing program. RN students have the opportunity to complete a liberal arts bachelor’s degree that is built upon the core values of learning, leadership, faith and service.

The RN-BAN Completion Program builds upon previous knowledge and provides the opportunity for students to develop abilities and skills related to the roles of a bachelor’s prepared nurse, including provider of care; manager of care; member of a profession; and leader. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of nursing theory through the application of Roy’s Adaptation Theory.

The nursing component of the RN-BAN Completion Program is offered online, which accommodates the goal-directed adult learner, who often has multiple roles and an inflexible schedule that makes a face-to-face learning environment inconvenient. Students may assess whether an online learning environment accommodates their learning style and personal attributes by reading, “Is Online Learning for You?” on the DWU Nursing Program Web site. Enrollment for each online nursing course is limited to 20 students in order to enhance teacher/student interaction.

The RN-BAN Completion Program includes 20 credits of online nursing courses. Core nursing courses focus on enhancing skills in: leadership and management; decision making and problem solving; nursing research and evidence based practice; health promotion; health assessment; service to community; more in-depth study of pharmacology; and care of families, groups, and communities. Students also complete a nursing course elective. The elective nursing courses focus on integration of faith and health; more in-depth exploration of pathophysiology; and care of the client with chronic illness. RN students will have the opportunity to apply and synthesize nursing content through participation in clinical experiences, which may be completed with clinical preceptors, in their own communities.

Admission into the RN-BAN Completion Program is competitive. Course size for all online nursing courses is limited to 20 students in order to enhance student/teacher interaction. No applicant is barred from the RN-BAN Completion Program because of sex, race, creed, color, marital status or national origin. Individual consideration is given to persons with special circumstances, or those who do not meet the entrance requirements as listed. A Nursing Admission Committee selects applicants deemed to be best qualified to succeed in the RN-BAN Completion Program. Application deadline for the RN-BAN Completion Program is April 1. After the deadline, students will be considered on a space available basis.

RN-BAN Admission Requirements

• Current RN licensure from the state of residence
• Meet all requirements for admission to DWU
• Received an Associate Degree or diploma from an accredited higher education institution
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 for previous college work
• Completion of Application for Admission to DWU, RN-BAN Completion Program

RN-BAN Clinical Requirements
These requirements must be met before students can participate in clinical experiences.

• Professional liability insurance ($1,000,000/$3,000,000)
• Verification of immunizations
• Current CPR certification (adult, child, infant, AED)
• Completion of criminal background check

RN-BAN Transfer Credits
Students are allowed to transfer up to 40 credits of approved nursing coursework from an accredited university or college associate degree nursing program. A grade of “C” or better is required for all nursing courses being considered for transfer credit.

Students may transfer non-nursing coursework from accredited universities and colleges. However, 30 of the last 40 credits must be earned at DWU. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis. A grade of “C-“ or higher must be earned in all non-nursing courses being considered for transfer credit, except for transfer credit for English 111 Expository Writing, which must be a “C” or higher. Science courses must have been completed in the past 10 years. The university may waive this requirement for applicants who have maintained current knowledge by practicing in nursing.

Diploma program nursing and non-nursing coursework will be completed on a course by course evaluation. Criteria that may be used to award appropriate credit are comparison of course competencies or objectives, and appropriate credentials of faculty who taught coursework.

* Students are required to take all core courses and may choose from the nursing course electives listed below to fulfill three credits

Nursing electives are offered on a rotating bais. Student should work with their advisor in integrating the nursing elective into their plan of study

* See DWU Catalog for approved General Education Courses

* See DWU Catalog for approved General Education Courses

Course Descriptions for BA Nursing (RN-BAN Completion Program)
300 Pharmacology 3 hours F, S
This asynchronous online pharmacology course focuses on the basic and clinical concepts of pharmacology in nursing practice. Students will examine concepts related to pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions and contraindications, therapeutic indications, and nursing implications.
Prerequisites: BIO 312, CHM 113 and NUR 102.

301 Introduction to Baccalaureate Nursing 1 hour F
This course provides a comparison of pathways for entry into nursing practice, an introduction to the baccalaureate nurse roles, and an overview of the content themes that are integrated throughout the DWU, RN-BAN completion program. Roy’s Adaptation Theory of Nursing will be analyzed as a framework for nursing practice.

302 Health Assessment and Promotion 3 hours (2,1) F
This course introduces the student to health promotion, teaching/learning, and lifestyle behavior change models that enhance adaptation abilities of individuals, families, populations, and communities. Students have the opportunity to build on foundational assessment skills and to analyze the variance between normal and abnormal health findings.

303 Nursing Research 3 hours F
This course provides an overview of the research process and emphasizes the active participation of the baccalaureate nurse in using the research utilization process as a means of promoting evidence-based practice.

304 Leadership for the Baccalaureate Nurse I 2 hours F
This course explores leadership and management principles which empower others in various health care situations and organizations. Students explore the impact of critical thinking elements on effective decision making in the practice of nursing, and apply critical thinking in leading others through change, financial management and strategic planning.

305 Family, Community Perspective: Coping with Chronic Illness 3 hours Elective
This course focuses on enhancing the adaptive capabilities of families and communities in relation to chronic illness. Traditional as well as complementary therapies are explored.

306 Integration of Faith and Health: Faith Community/Parish Nursing
3 hours F, S
This course focuses on the impact of faith and spirituality on healing and health. Students explore the roles and functions of the faith community nurse/parish nurse.

307Pathophysiology for Nursing 3 hours Nursing Elective
This course explores the person’s physiological adaptive modes and the adaptive responses that occur during illness.

400 Family, Community, and Population 3 hours (1,2) S
This course explores the multiple roles of the community health nurse. Students use the nursing process in enhancing adaptation of families, communities and populations as they implement lifestyle behaviors that protect and promote health and well-being.

401 Leadership for the Baccalaureate Nurse II 3 hours (1:1) S
This course provides a capstone experience for the student, in which such topics as health policy, quality improvement, case management, team building and staff development are explored. The student completes a clinical component in which the roles of the baccalaureate nurse are synthesized.