Course Catalogs

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2020-2021 Course Catalog
Catalog
2020-2021
Department/Program:

Nursing (Undergraduate)

The Nursing program at Nebraska Wesleyan University offers two paths toward a BSN. 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
655 K St. NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.887.6791
Fax: 202.887.8476

Courses

This course focuses on the systematic approach to word building and term comprehension of medical terms. Includes definitions, spellings, pronunciations and common abbreviations of medical terms.

This course is designed as an introduction to the profession of nursing. Learning activities will include discussion of the history of nursing and relevance to the evolution of nursing as a profession. Professional communication, professional practices, technology, professional nursing concepts, and the nursing process will be explored. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards will be reviewed in depth. Basic nursing skills will be introduced and students will demonstrate competency of basic nursing skills through practice and demonstration. The course is offered during an 8-week period, which includes two hours theory and one hour laboratory.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program.

Evidence based pharmacotherapeutic aspects of nursing care are introduced. Emphasis is on principles of safe administration of medications and common uses for major drug classifications. The relationships among technology, economic, and regulatory forces as well as collaboration with the health care team are discussed. Ethical and cultural considerations are explored across the lifespan.
Course is over 8-week period. 1 hour theory; 1 hour lab.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program or permission from program director.

A continuation of evidence based pharmacotherapeutic aspects of nursing care. Emphasis is on principles of safe administration of medications and common uses for major medication classifications. Ethical and cultural considerations across the life span are considered for each medication classification. Includes content and in-class learning activities with intravenous fluids, blood administration and parental nutrition.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 2100 Pharmacology I, and NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students with grades of "C" or better.

This course is designed for first level students who have completed basic anatomy and physiology courses successfully. It contains the theories and skills necessary to collect a comprehensive health history as a holistic approach. Health History includes the interview with clients, psychosocial assessment, nutritional assessment, and assessment of sleep-wakefulness patterns. This course will introduce the student to assessment techniques such as inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.  Following the completion of this course the student will be able to perform a complete physical assessment starting from general assessment, to “head to toe” assessment.
The course is offered during an 8-week period, which includes two hours theory and 1 hour laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program and completion of NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice with a grade of "C" or better.

In this course, students will gain knowledge related to basic nursing skills to care for patients with stable disease processes in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics and nursing homes. Student will be introduced to delegation and priority setting for the baccalaureate prepared nurse. The learner will incorporate the nursing process and NANDA nursing diagnoses into the clinical setting in working with their assigned clients. Body systems covered include eyes, ears nose and throat; respiratory; cardiovascular; gastrointestinal; integumentary; genitourinary; and perioperative nursing.
The course is offered during an 8-week period, which includes two hours theory and two hours clinical experiences.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing PracticeNURS 2100 Pharmacology I, NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students, and NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students with grades of "C" or better; or permission from the program director.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive

An introduction to basic knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a detailed health assessment of individuals across the age continuum. The biological, sociological, and psychological aspects of human beings are addressed. Emphasis is placed on obtaining a systematic health history and physical exam using the techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Supervised laboratory and clinical allow the student the opportunity to practice the assessment skills introduced in class.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program.

This course focuses on providing patient-centered nursing care to the individual in chronic and acute stages of illness with an emphasis on optimization of health status, personal adaptation, and health care beliefs.  Students will develop clinical reasoning skills through class and clinical experiences. Clinical includes engagement of the individual in acute care settings.  Disorders of the cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, hematologic, oncologic, respiratory, immunologic, musculoskeletal,endocrine, gastric, renal and neurologic systems will be included.  The course is offered during a 16 week period, which includes theory and clinical experiences.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2200 Medical-Surgical I with grades of "C" or better.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive

This course focuses on the provision of nursing care of individuals with acute and chronic mental health disturbances including family dynamics and societal implications. Includes clinical experiences in various behavioral health settings. Two hours theory; one hour clinical.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 2110 Pharmacology II, and NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grades of "C" or better.

This course offers an exploration of selected pathophysiological processes in the human body that occur when a homeostatic imbalance related to internal or external factors across the lifespan is experienced. Internal or external factors may be genetics, culture, lifestyle, environment, and/or psychosocial in nature. The course will explore knowledge of the etiology and clinical manifestations of specific impaired health states. Course participants discover evidence in relation to pathophysiological processes and treatments. This course will introduce health policy in connection to select pathophysiological states for the health care provider and health care consumer. These principles will enable the learner to frame problems through the critical thinking process.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and NURS 1910 Medical Terminology with grades of "C" or better.

This online course provides a brief overview of compassion and associated concepts relevant to the provision of patient care. The course employs reading identified articles, listening to TED Talks, contributing to online discussions through Canvas, conducting and summarizing interviews, and writing a brief reflective paper on compassion. Students will explore concepts related to compassion, emotional intelligence, and nursing practice. Assessments for the course will be graded discussion posts, responses to their peers/colleagues, and their reflections on compassion in their own practice. Both RN-BSN and Traditional BSN students are eligible to take the course. The course is designed to require approximately 90 hours of work/study for successful completion.

This course explores health with an emphasis on global issues. Health will be examined using the influence of social, political, economic, cultural, and geographical factors. Students will examine the basic health needs of all people and compare the availability of and types of services in different parts of the world.
Prerequisite(s): IDS 1010/IDS 1011 Archway Seminar and sophomore standing.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Diversity Instructive: Global
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: UC Reflected Self Thread

This course introduces professional nursing concepts, competencies, and issues in the context of the history of nursing’s scope of practice within the collaborative environment of the U.S. Health Care System.
Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and IDS 1010/IDS 1011 Archway Seminar.

This course introduces the student to nursing theories as the foundation for nursing practice. Coursework includes examination of the theoretical and conceptual basis of nursing to encourage the student to critique, evaluate and utilize appropriate theory within their own practice. The relationship of theory to nursing practice is examined. Historical, legal, cultural, and social factors that influence nursing are discussed. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010/IDS 1011 Archway Seminar, and junior standing.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Writing Instructive

This introduction to the study of ethics uses primary sources for the analysis of present day ethical dilemmas in health care.  The course examines some of the prominent moral principles and systems of the western tradition from Aristotle to the present and how those principles are applied to issues in health care ethics. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and IDS 1010/IDS 1011 Archway Seminar.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Writing Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread

This course provides an introduction to the research process and prepares students to be beginning consumers of nursing research. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating nursing research studies and understanding the process of utilizing research for evidence-based practice. Various types of research and research methods as well as basic statistical methods will be discussed.
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010/IDS 1011 Archway SeminarMATH 1300 Statistics or other approved Statistics course, and junior standing.

This course focuses on the provision of nursing care of the family unit during the ante, intra, and postpartum experience of birth, including high-risk situations. Assessment and nursing care of the newborn is included. Clinical experiences will include the care of obstetric patient and her family in the acute and community settings.  Course is over an 8-week period, and includes two hours theory and one clinical hour.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C" or better.

This course provides an introduction to the research process for the RN-BSN adult student and prepares students to be beginning consumers of nursing research. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating nursing research studies and understanding the process of utilizing research for evidence-based practice. Various types of research and research methods as well as basic statistical methods will be discussed.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010 Archway Seminar or IDS 1011 Archway Seminar, MATH 1300 Statistics or other approved Statistics course, and junior standing.

This course focuses on nursing care of the child from infancy through adolescence including dynamics of the family unit. Content includes care of the well child, the child with special needs, and the child with acute and chronic health care needs. The course emphasizes health promotion and maintenance including age appropriate safety measures for the pediatric patient. Clinical experiences will include the care of the pediatric patient in the acute and community settings. Course is over 8-week period, and includes two hours theory and one clinical hour.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C" or better.

This course discusses both practical and theoretical approaches for working with patients, family, and friends who are diagnosed with a terminal illness, whose life is coming to a natural end point, and whose loved one has encountered a form of unexpected death due to trauma or sudden illness. This course will address the need for health care providers to recognize their own beliefs and biases about the dying process, death, and grief, as well as learning helpful suggestions of how to best meet the needs of those they are working with, caring for, and supporting.

This course introduces the student to the basic principles and responsibilities of the forensic nurse including: history of forensic nursing, nursing as it applies to victims and families experiencing violence and trauma. It will also address those accused/condemned of violent crimes. This course includes injury identification, preservation and collection of medicolegal evidence; maintaining chain of custody, and an understanding of the multidisciplinary team focus.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and junior standing.

This course requires students to develop an in-depth understanding of a current topic/issue in nursing and form recommendations for changes in nursing practice related to this topic/issue. Students will be required to evaluate all facets of the health care topic/issue chosen including but not limited to health care policy, finance, patient preference, and evidence-based practice recommendations.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2330 Health Assessment, NURS 3040 Global Health, NURS 3050 Issues of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, and NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice with grades of "C" or better.

This course is designed to provide nursing students with the skills and knowledge to care competently and safely for critically ill patients as well as provide leadership on basic nursing units. The course focuses on the application of quality nursing care according to priorities. Advanced information about the nursing process of patients in the critical care setting is used as an approach to providing holistic patient care. The course will emphasize nursing leadership concepts and theories used in variety of clinical settings. Prerequisites: NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II and NURS 2110 Pharmacology II.

This course will emphasize the integration and application of theories, principles, and practices of nursing management and leadership into a variety of healthcare settings. The course includes a 45-contact hour practicum. The practicum provides an opportunity for students to evaluate and assimilate management and leadership theories and principles for integration in the practice of professional nursing.
3 hours lecture; 1 hour practicum.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 3050 Issues of Professional Nursing Practice and NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice with grades of "C" or better.

Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: UC Leadership Thread

This speaking-instructive nursing course focuses on the application of community health nursing concepts and exposure to a variety of population aggregates. Emphasis is placed on application of the nursing process and communication with a variety of clients across the lifespan within the community setting. Researching and synthesizing data sources on health needs for a specific population and culminating in a professional poster presentation.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 3050 Issues of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, and PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development, with grades of "C" or better.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread

This course focuses on application of community health nursing concepts with aggregates, families, and populations. Application of the nursing process to clients from a variety of cultural groups and to those with developmental and situational crises is required. The role of the community health nurse in caring for specific aggregates is addressed.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2330 Health AssessmentNURS 3050 Issues of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, NURS 4400 Management and Leadership in Health Care, and PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development or other approved lifespan course, with grades of "C" or better.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread

This course will review all major nursing topics required for licensure examination and entry into the practice of professional nursing. The NCLEX-RN test plan, assessment of knowledge deficits, and development of individual study plans based on results of Kaplan will be utilized. The application of NCLEX principles will be utilized preparing the student for success on NCLEX. Students assess their own strengths and weaknesses of nursing knowledge through diagnostic tools and formulate a plan for areas of needed growth.
Prerequisite(s): All other required nursing courses, with grades of "C" or higher.
Corequisite(s): NURS 4970 Internship.

This is a topical course designed to investigate relevant subject matter not included in any standard courses. The title and the content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

Supervised individual projects in conjunction with departmental research and student interest. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

NURS 4970 Internship (1-8 hours)

This course provides experiences in a clinical setting with a focus of continuity of care involving collaboration with multidisciplinary providers. Clinical includes weekly seminars for synthesis and sharing of experiences. Course is over 8-week period. P/F Only.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all nursing program courses (except NURS-4800 NCLEX Prep course) with grades of "C" or better.