101
Introductionto Professional Nursing (1 credit)
This course introduces the students to nursing as a profession. It focuses
on the varied roles of the nurse in current society and their origins
in history. Roles and responsibilities of a nursing student at Saint
Mary's College are included.
224
Essentials of Nursing Practice (6 credits)
This
course introduces the student to the concepts of holistic health, person,
communication, professionalism and basic nursing skills. Principles
and skills requisite to the provision of basic nursing care are applied
in both the clinical learning laboratory and in clinical settings. Students
are further introduced to the concepts and skills of health assessment.
The course is designed to assist students to integrate observations,
inferences and relationships when collecting health data. students are
prepared to take complete health histories, perform physical examinations
and record data. The focus is on differentiating normal from abnormal
findings and integrating observations with the provision of nursing
care.
321
Adult Nursing - Acute (5 credits)
This course emphasizes the provision of professional nursing care for
clients with acute medical and surgical conditions. The student uses
the concepts of person, health, nursing, and environment, and builds
upon knowledge gained in the basic sciences and other prerequisite nursing
courses. During the beginning of the semester, nursing medication skills
are taught in mediated learning situations and applied in the clinical
setting. Later, intermediate nursing skills, pharmacotherapeutics, common
disease causation theories, and treatment modalities are taught in lecture
with concurrent clinical practice in a variety of settings. The nursing
process is emphasized and utilized in theory and concurrent practice.
Students actively participate in the development and self-evaluation
of their learning and practice. Prerequisites: NURS
224
323
Perinatal Nursing (5 credits)
The course provides a foundation of nursing knowledge in the care of
women in all phases of the perinatal period. A family-centered approach
is emphasized throughout the course. Initially, the student is introduced
to the nursing care of the low-risk perinatal patient. The course concludes
with a focus on the unique nursing care of high-risk perinatal families.
Human development concepts are a central focus of the course. Embryologic
and neonatal concepts are emphasized in the nursing care of the normal
and high-risk neonate. Current women's health issues are incorporated
in the course. Legal and ethical dimensions specific to the perinatal
family are explored. Relevant research findings are acknowledged as
basic to establishing and advancing the field of perinatal nursing.
The course includes application of specific concepts, principles, and
theories in various perinatal settings. Decision-making skills and independent
functioning are emphasized. Prerequisites:
NURS 204, 303. Pre- or corequisite: NURS 321
326
Child Health Nursing (5 credits)
Child health nursing focuses on assessment and management of well, acutely
and chronically ill, and special needs children and their families.
The effect the child's illness has on the family in hospital or community
settings is emphasized. Principles of growth and development, nutrition,
pharmacology, and ethics are reinforced and expanded. Decision-making
and independent learning are emphasized. Research as it relates to theory
and practice is discussed and applied. Prerequisites: NURS 204, 303.
Pre- or corequisite: NURS 321
330
Adult Nursing - Chronic (5 credits)
This course emphasizes the provision of professional nursing care for
clients with long-term chronic conditions. Focus is on care and treatment
in the acute and rehabilitative phases of a long-term illness. This
course stresses application of scientific principles and decision-making
skills in both in-patient and community
settings. Prerequisite: NURS 321; Corequisite: 323, 326
334
Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
This
course is designed to supplement and reinforce the knowledge of drugs
and their use as taught in other nursing courses. Major drug classifications
(prototype drugs) that are frequently prescribed will be covered.
Pre- or corequisite: NURS 321 or permission of instructor.
407
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (5 credits)
This
theory and clinical course focuses on the care of persons of various
age groups with psychiatric mental health disorders and chemical dependence.
Psychopathology of mental disorders are reviewed. Application of the
nursing process within a multidisciplinary team approach is highlighted.
Emphasis is on the therapeutic use of self with individuals, families,
and groups in an acute psychiatric care setting. Communication skills,
mental health assessment, and various therapeutic interventions are
utilized by students in clinical placements.
Prerequisites: NURS 323, 326, 330.
410
Adult Nursing - Advanced (5 credits)
The
holistic perspective of this course considers pathophysiologic, legal,
ethical, spiritual, and economic aspects when caring for persons with
complex health conditions. Clinical decision-making, critical thinking,
and professional accountability are emphasized as students care for
persons with multi-system, complex health problems in an acute care
environment. Students will gain experience with advanced technology
and multifaceted medical and nursing intervention. The course includes
application of principles in a variety of settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 330.
414
Community Health Nursing (5 credits)
This
course broadens the concepts of community health nursing introduced
across the curriculum and integrates them into a meaningful whole. Emphasis
is placed on increasing the students self-awareness, communicating effectively,
and meeting the community health needs of families and groups. Health
education, health promotion, and illness prevention are stressed as
strategies for meeting the health needs of population aggregates. Analysis
of the health care delivery system includes the impact of political,
legal, social and cultural influences on the health of clients. Public
health nursing issues, such as communicable diseases, environmental
hazards, and occupational exposures are discussed. Prerequisite: NURS
330.
415
Nursing Leadership (5 credits)
This
course examines leadership and management theories with concurrent clinical
experience in the nurse manager role. The clinical component emphasizes
application of theory to practice. Students will work with nurse managers
to develop their own managerial skills. Students will examine current
economic, political, professional and social issues affecting the professional
practice of nursing and the health care arena. It provides an opportunity
to begin the transition process from student to professional practitioner.
Prerequisite: NURS 330.
485
Nursing Research ( 2 credits)
This
course examines essential concepts, principles and techniques utilized
in scientific inquiry. The research process is systematically introduced
with an emphasis on its application to nursing practice. Reading and
critique of current nursing research is a central activity during this
course. Students are assisted in the development of a realistic research
proposal. Prerequisite: Senior major or permission of instructor.
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