NURSING (NU)

NU 220 Foundations of Professional Nursing (W) 6 cr
Foundational course on nursing concepts and theories related to health promotion and maintenance to facilitate healthy lifestyles and meet basic human needs. Exploration of professional nursing roles and strategies in promoting the health of individuals and families within a variety of acute and community settings. The emphasis is on the use of the nursing process as a systematic approach to health promotion and maintenance. Health Promotion for the Year 2000 and Disease Prevention Objectives are explored. Prerequisites: Completion of Freshman courses and admission to professional component. Corequisite: NU 221 and NU 325.

NU 221 Foundations of Professional Nursing Clinical 5 cr
Application of concepts and theories related to health promotion and maintenance with individuals and families in a variety of settings to facilitate healthy lifestyles and meet basic human needs. Also provides opportunity for the development of clinical competency in the performance of selected nursing skills and procedures. Clinical practice experiences with individuals and families in a variety of acute and community settings will be provided. Prerequisite: Admission to professional component. Corequisites: NU 220 and NU 325.

NU 290 Special Topics 1-6 cr
Study of a significant topic or problem in Nursing and the Health Professions. Course may be repeated for a total of six credits.

NU 304 Research for Health Professions (W) 4 cr
Surveys the research process through computer-assisted instruction. The focus is on the research process, methods for critiquing research, and ethical and legal implications. Emphasis is on the importance of research to nursing practice and the development of critical consumers of nursing research. Requires professional component standing.

NU 305 Ethical Issues in Nursing (W) 3 cr
Introduction to ethical concepts, philosophical systems of thought, and a decision-making model to enhance their ability to make decisions when confronted with ethical dilemmas. The content of the course covers a wide range of topics concerning ethical dilemmas in nursing practice and education. Emphasis is on critical thinking and decision making and the examination of personal values pertaining to ethical issues in nursing. Elective.

NU 308 Perioperative Nursing 4 cr
Introduction to the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the perioperative nursing role of the professional nurse in caring for patients undergoing surgical intervention. Emphasis is on the nursing management required to meet the patient's needs within the operating room environment. Elective. Prerequisite: AHN 231.

NU 310 Transition to Professional Nursing 1-4 cr
Transformative educational experiences for the Registered Nurse student returning to complete studies for a BSN. Focus will be on the integration of prior academic credit and clinical practice with curriculum requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Supportive resources of the University and College of Nursing will be discussed. Prerequisite: Licensure as Registered Nurse (RN).

NU 320 Multicultural Family System 4 cr
Multicultural family systems across the life span. Designed to analyze selected theories focused on the developmental phases and the dynamics of family life. Integrates concepts regarding health related beliefs and practices. Emphasizes care related to the health and mental health of families including barriers to health care, community resources and legislation to support the family. The incident and prevalence of specific health problems and the impact of cultural variables on families is explored. Prerequisites: NU 220 and NU 221.

NU 325 Health Assessment 4 cr
Nursing assessment of the whole person and includes physical, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual assessment of the adult and child. Emphasis on the development of skills in obtaining a health history and performing health assessment across the lifespan. Prerequisites: Completion of Freshman courses and admission to professional component. Corequisites: NU 220 and NU 221.

NU 328 Spiritual Care in Nursing 2 cr
Course content and activities are designed to assist the student to develop an appreciation for the spiritual dimension of nursing care. Major concepts included are identification of personal value system of self and others; the meaning of spiritual nursing care; and use of the nursing process in application of principles of spiritual care in nursing. Elective.

NU 352 History of Nursing 3 cr
Historical development of nursing. Emphasis is on examination of issues and events which have had an impact on nursing throughout its history. Elective.

NU 394 Directed Study 1-6 cr
Individual study in a nursing area chosen in consultation with instructor.

NU 395 Emergency-Room Nursing 4 cr
Additional experience in caring for patients requiring emergency room care. More in-depth content related to establishing emergency care priorities is included. Emphasis is on the role of the professional nurse in providing emergency care. Elective.

NU 400 Child and Adolescent Mental Health 4 cr
Introduction to the normal child and family dynamics as well as to introduce them to specific psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and nursing interventions. Content includes specific psychiatric disorders and interventions within the framework of growth and development and family dynamics. Focus on clinical concerns in caring for this special population as well as health maintenance, illness care, rehabilitation of children, adolescents, and their families experiencing psychiatric-mental health needs. Elective. Prerequisites: Admission to professional component and AHN 230 and AHN 231.

NU 409 Nursing Issues and Leadership 4 cr
Continuation of the socialization process of students as professional nurses. Focuses on professionalism, leadership roles and functions, management strategies, continued professional development, and issues and trends in nursing and health care. Emphasis on the professional nurse as a leader in improving patient care and cost effectiveness of health care. Corequisite: NU 460.

NU 410 Concepts of Professional Nursing (W) 5 cr
A bridge course for the Registered Nurse student. Focus on the philosophy of the College of Nursing and on selected theories and concepts integrated throughout the curriculum. Emphasis is on professional nursing roles and strategies for health promotion and maintenance with individuals, families, and groups. Requires registered nurse licensure.

NU 425 Basic Oncology Nursing and Chemotherapy 4 cr
Administration Introduction to the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for delivery of nursing care to clients at risk for or with a diagnosis of cancer. Nursing and medical research, as well as financial, legal, ethical, and psychosocial aspects are incorporated as they relate to the oncology clients and their families. The clinical portion will provide a mechanism for the student to apply the concepts and principles presented. Course requires special permission. Elective. Prerequisite: AHN 230 and 231; MCN 345 and 346.

NU 426 Neonatal Pediatric ICU Nursing 4 cr
Introduction to neonatal and pediatric intensive care concepts and principles to be implemented in selected clinical units. Elective. Prerequisites: MCN 340, 341, 345, 346, and AHN 330 and 331.

NU 429 Health Information Systems 4 cr
Acquaints the baccalaureate nursing student with computer applications in health care. Topics discussed include history of computerization, library searching techniques, and clinical, administrative, educational, and research applications of computer technology in nursing. Elective. Prerequisite: Completion of two clinical nursing quarters.

NU 430 Nursing Care of the Critically Ill Patient 4 cr
Provides student the opportunity to analyze theories, concepts, research, issues and trends in caring for critically ill patients of all ages. Content includes internal and external environmental factors affecting the care of critically ill patients of all ages. Emphasis on the role of the professional nurse in health promotion and maintenance, illness, care, and rehabilitation of the critically ill. Prerequisites: AHN 330 and AHN 331.

NU 460 Professional Nursing Practicum 8 cr
Culminating clinical practice course to provide students an in-depth learning experience in a selected area of nursing practice. The leadership, management, and caregiver roles of the professional nurse with patients and their families in a selected area of nursing practice is emphasized. Students are assigned to nurse preceptors and with faculty guidance focus on leadership and management, and application of the nursing process theories, concepts, research, issues and trends in caring for patients in a variety of preceptorship placements in acute and community settings. Prerequisites: CMN 420 and CMN 421. Corequisite: NU 409.

NU 490 Special Topics 1-6 cr
Study of a significant topic or problem in nursing and the health professions. This course may be repeated for a total of six credits.

NU 500 Child and Adolescent Mental Health 1-4 cr
Provides students with an introduction to the normal child and family dynamics as well as introduces them to specific psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and nursing interventions. Content includes specific psychiatric disorders and interventions within the framework of growth and development and family dynamics.

NU 501 Social Dynamics of Nursing 2-4 cr
Investigation of the influence of selected ideas, individuals, issues, and events that shape contemporary nursing.

NU 506 Nursing Theory 4 cr
Analyzes the process and approaches used to develop theory in nursing. Criteria for analysis and evaluation of conceptual models and theories are identified. Selected nursing theories and other theories are critiqued with a major emphasis on their implications to nursing.

NU 508 Leadership in Advanced Nursing 4 cr
Evaluation of selected leadership theories, concepts, behaviors, issues and trends in advanced nursing practice. Ethical, legal, political, economic and cultural influences on the health-care system are explored.

NU 512 Research Methods in Nursing 3 cr
Critical evaluation of methods and issues in nursing research including data analysis and interpretation. Students identify researchable problems for descriptive, experimental, or historical nursing research.

NU 513 Research Design 3 cr
Focuses on selecting a design for analysis of research data including quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis. Guides the student in the development of research reports and presentations of findings. Prerequisite: NU 512.

NU 514 Research Project 1-2 cr
Required of non-thesis students. Guided study and participation in a nursing research project. Prerequisite or corequisite: NU 513.

NU 518 Advanced Nursing Assessment 3 cr
Designed to develop the student's knowledge and skills for obtaining and recording a systematic health history and advanced physical examination of individuals and families across the lifespan. Course involves the synthesis of nursing, biologic, psychologic, and sociocultural knowledge and theories as applied to the findings obtained in the comprehensive health assessment. Corequisite: NU 519.

NU 519 Advanced Nursing Assessment Practicum 1 cr
Provides a practicum experience in which the student will have the opportunity to become proficient in obtaining and recording a comprehensive health history and advanced physical assessment of individuals appropriate to their clinical specialty area. Corequisite: NU 518.

NU 520 Concepts and Theories of Mid-Level 4 cr
Nursing Administration Provides the student an opportunity to analyze concepts and theories basic to mid-level nursing administration. Content focuses on leadership, communication, and management strategies. Emphasis is placed on the development of the role of the mid-level administrator and a framework for practice. Prerequisites: NU 506, NU 508.

NU 521 Mid-Level Nursing Administration 4 cr
Provides the student an opportunity to synthesize theories, issues, problems, and responsibilities associated with the mid-level nursing administrative role. Emphasis is on organizational culture of the health care delivery system and the refinement of a framework for exploration of various aspects associated with the delivery of nursing services. Prerequisite: NU 520.

NU 522 Mid-Level Nursing Administration Internship 5 cr
Internship experience in the mid-level nursing administrative role in a selected health care agency. The field experience is designed to afford students the opportunity to integrate administrative theory and practice through participation in selected aspects of the mid-level nursing administrative process. Prerequisites: NU 521, NU 565 and AHN, MCN, and CMN advanced clinical courses.

NU 523 Clinical Nurse Specialization 4 cr
Students develop a framework for specialized clinical practice. Critical decision making during rapid change, policy making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and problem-solving responses to health care dilemmas are emphasized as integral components of CNS roles in education, research, consultation, management, leadership, and clinical practice. Prerequisites: NU 508, NU 518, NU 519. Prerequisites or corequisites: AHN, MCN, or CMN advanced clinical courses.

NU 525 Nurse Educator Role 3 cr
Analysis of concepts and theories basic to the nurse educator role in academia and in practice settings. Emphasis on current issues and trends in nursing education, the role of the nurse educator, and professional, social, political, legal, and ethical issues related to nursing education. Prerequisites: NU 508.

NU 526 Nursing Education Internship 5 cr
Supervised internship in the role of the nurse educator. Prerequisites: NU 525, NU 527, NU 528 and AHN, MCN, or CMN advanced clinical courses.

NU 527 Curriculum and Evaluation in Nursing Education 4 cr
Analysis and synthesis of theories and concepts related to curriculum development and evaluation in nursing. Emphasis is on institutional purposes, goals, nursing curricula, evaluation, and nursing education research. Prerequisites: NU 506.

NU 528 Instructional Design in Nursing Education 4 cr
Analysis and synthesis of theories and concepts related to instructional design in nursing practice and education. Emphasis is on institutional purposes and goals, classroom and clinical instruction, staff development, and nursing education research. Prerequisites: NU 527. Prerequisite or corequisite: AHN, MCN, CMN advanced clinical courses.

NU 529 Nursing Informatics 1-4 cr
Designed to acquaint the graduate nursing student with computer applications in health care. Topics discussed include history, library searching techniques, and clinical, administrative, educational and research applications of campus technology in nursing.

NU 539 Advanced Nursing Informatics 1-4 cr
Focuses on the components of nursing information systems. Topics include analysis of available software for managing personnel, budgets, and data. Basic computer experience required. Prerequisite: permission of Instructor.

NU 545 Physiological Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice 4 cr
Provides advanced knowledge related to physiology and alterations in physiology of persons having acute, chronic, and long-term health care problems. Focuses on theory and research applicable to the cardiovascular, pulmonary, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, immune, neurological, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems including cellular physiology. Provides students with a foundation for building diagnostic reasoning skills related to underlying pathophysiological processes.

NU 550 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 4 cr
Theoretical base for the role of the advanced psychiatric nurse. Application of nursing theories, support theories, and the nursing process with individuals of all ages and their families in various psychiatric settings. Emphasis is on at risk populations for mental illness.

NU 551 Small Group Dynamics 4 cr
Concepts and theories related to small groups. Selected group leadership skills, group dynamics, and integration of group concepts into advanced nursing practice roles.

NU 552 Human Sexuality and Nursing 4 cr
Focus is on the development of a theoretical basis for advanced nursing practice with clients having sexual concerns. Emphasis is on developing self awareness and on strategies for advanced nursing practice.

NU 553 Psychological Impact of Physical Illness 3 cr
Focus is on identification of psychosocial impact on clients experiencing physical illness, particularly clients in secondary-care settings. Emphasis will be placed upon therapeutic nursing interventions designed to meet the holistic needs of client and families.

NU 561 Nursing Administration I 4 cr
Forum for the analysis of selected theories, issues, and trends, and research applicable to the executive-level nurse administrator role. Theoretical foundations related to leadership, communication, management, and administration are evaluated. Emphasis is placed on development of leadership style. Prerequisite: Admission to executive-level nursing administration option. Prerequisite or co-requisite NU 506.

NU 562 Nursing Administration II 4 cr
Designed to provide the student an opportunity to synthesize theories, research, issues, and trends related to the executive-level nurse administrator role. Emphasis is on organizational structure and nursing models in the changing socio-political economic environment, and the development of a framework for practice within the executive nurse administrator role. Prerequisite: NU 561.

NU 564 Nursing Administration Finance I 3 cr
Provides a comprehensive overview of general accounting principles and the basic financial systems utilized in health care management. Course content includes accounting concepts, financial decision making and statement analysis. Focus is on the integration of these concepts and systems in nursing and health care financial management. Prerequisites: admission to the executive-level nursing administrator track, others by permission of instructor.

NU 565 Nursing Administration Finance II 3 cr
Analysis and synthesis of the fiscal process in nursing and health care system. Content includes departmental and institutional planning and budgeting. Emphasis is on operational budgeting and productivity.

NU 566 Nursing Administration Field Study 3 cr
Provides field experience for the exploration of structure and regulation and the analysis of operations within a selected health care setting. Course is participative and observational. Focus is on systems, organizations and communication analysis in a selected health care organization. Prerequisites: NU 506, NU 508, NU 562, NU 565.

NU 567 Nursing Administration Internship 5 cr
Culminating course which provides the students an opportunity to study and practice in the executive-level nursing administrator role. Emphasis is on the application of theory in nursing administration. Prerequisite: all required courses for the administration major except NU 514 or NU 599.

NU 578 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses 3 cr
Clinical pharmacology of commonly encountered drug categories. Pharmacokinetics of drug therapy for commonly occurring pathophysiological processes managed by the nurse practitioner are analyzed in depth. The mechanism of action, pharmacologic response, usual dose, adverse effects, indications, interactions, contraindications, and special routes of administration of drugs throughout the life span and regulations regarding the prescriptive authority of nurse practitioners.

NU 580 Health Care Problems of the Rural South 4 cr
Orientation of health care problems of the rural South. Opportunity to assess, develop, and implement nursing intervention techniques is selected settings.

NU 581 Family Dynamics and Health Care 2-4 cr
Development of a therapeutic framework for advanced nursing practice with families. Theory, research, issues, trends, and health policy related to family dynamics and health care.

NU 582 Consultation in Nursing Practice 1-4 cr
Focuses on the steps of the consulting process in advanced nursing practice with an emphasis on assessment, planning and the communication of findings. Theoretical frameworks and models for consultation are analyzed.

NU 590 Special Topics 1-6 cr
Study of significant topics or problems in nursing and the health professions. Content will vary. May be repeated.

NU 594 Directed Studies 1-8 cr
Directed study under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty.

NU 599 Thesis 1-6 cr

Courses of Instruction

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