Nursing

The course is an introduction to the theoretical concepts and foundational principles of nursing.  The course will present the practice of nursing as defined and described in the program's philosophy statement and key concept definitions. Prerequisite: Direct admit to nursing or admitted as a "pre-nursing" student. 

The course is an introduction to the theoretical concepts and foundational principles of nursing as defined and described in the program's philosophy statement and key concept definitions.  A professional nursing e-portfolio will be introduced that will continue throughout the nursing program and conclude in the senior capstone course NURS 487.  Prerequisite: Direct admit to nursing or admitted as a "pre-nursing" student.

Is designed to systematically teach the knowledge and skills needed to perform a comprehensive health history and physical assessment on the adult client. Content related to the techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation are taught. Utilization of assessment data that includes physiological, psychosocial, developmental and genetic factors, and skills within diverse cultures in multiple health care settings are emphasized. The analysis of assessment data enables students to enhance clinical reasoning, decision making and communication skills. Students have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate assessment skills learned in the laboratory setting. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Introduces theories, principles and concepts relative to basic fundamental nursing practice. Students utilize concepts and content taught in the arts and sciences, including health assessment, to begin developing critical thinking skills and nursing care planning in accordance with the nursing process. Psychomotor and interpersonal communication skills are taught, along with principles of safety and infection control using evidence based practice concepts. Students learn and practice psychomotor skills in the nursing laboratory prior to performance in the clinical agency to which they are assigned. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

The focus of this course emphasizes pharmacodynamics and clinical uses of various classes of drugs in the healthcare setting. Drugs discussed include those used for hypertension, infection, cancer, pain and diseases of the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. This is a theory only course. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Introduces the nursing process of caring for adults and their family with acute and chronic health alterations. The student uses the nursing process to care for the adult medical-surgical patient and their family in a holistic manner using information based on current evidence-based practice.  A combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical teaching strategies are used to introduce nursing concepts and content related to physiological adaptation, psychosocial integrity, pharmacological therapy, cultural competence, ethical practice and leadership. Professional communication using oral, written and information technology is expected. Co-requisite: NURS 230. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

This course provides an introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing philosophy at Muskingum University. Aspects of professional nursing practice will be addressed, including scope of practice, nursing process, cultural awareness, communication applications, writing standards, presentation development, collaboration, and the use of informatics to facilitate proficiency in Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program track.

This course increases knowledge and skills in performing the client health history and physical assessment. Utilization of assessment skills and data collection across the lifespan, within diverse cultures, and in multiple health care settings will be emphasized. The analysis and synthesis of assessment data will enable students to enhance clinical reasoning, decision-making and communication. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program track.

Introduces the basic skills necessary to critique nursing research. Focuses on research methodology, interpreting research articles and evaluating the usefulness of findings for evidence-based nursing practice. This is a theory only course. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Students are expected to apply nursing knowledge and use critical thinking skills based on evidence-based nursing practice to care for adults and their family with acute and chronic health alterations. A combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical teaching strategies are used to continue building from prior program coursework on the concepts and content related to physiological adaptation, psychosocial integrity, pharmacological therapy, culture competence, ethical practice and leadership. Professional communication using oral, written and information technology is expected. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

The purpose of this course is to apply the concepts of mental health to individuals and groups. The concepts to be emphasized include therapeutic communication, caring, cultural competence, evidence-based research practices and leadership/management affecting selected mental health alterations. This course includes theory and clinical practice. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

This course addresses the needs of child-bearing parents, newborns and children as they progress through the stages associated with health promotion, wellness and illness in normal age related changes, pregnancy, child development and rearing from conception through adolescence. The student uses critical thinking skills in the application of the nursing process with parents, families in childbirth, postpartum, and newborns through adolescence. Nursing implications relevant to physiological, developmental and genetic factors that influence the care of parents and children are covered. The nursing lab provides students the opportunity to learn and apply nursing skills relevant to the care of newborns through adolescence and of pregnant women. Clinical practice is provided in maternity and pediatric settings commensurate with the course content. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Provides an overview of major health problems from a global perspective. It identifies health priorities of the 21st Century, discusses how healthcare systems operate in different countries and provides examples of organizations that address global health issues. This is a theory only course. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements and have upper division status in nursing.

Students analyze and apply the concepts of physiological adaptation, psychosocial integrity, pharmacological therapy, cultural competence, ethical practice and leadership in the management of care for adults with complex multi-system health alterations. A combination of classroom laboratory and clinical teaching strategies are used to plan and implement evidence-based nursing care for the complex patient and their family. Professional communication using oral, written and information technology is expected. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Focuses on the concepts of public health, epidemiology and community health nursing with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. An assessment of a rural community is completed. Cultural influences, chronic health problems, communicable diseases, disaster preparedness, health financing and environmental issues are examined in relation to community and family health practices. Health risks of individuals and families in the community are explored in terms of teaching/learning activities, caring ethics, nursing process and research through evidence-based practice. This course includes theory and clinical practice. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

This course examines the history and contemporary status of the American healthcare system as it relates to social, economic, cultural, political, and educational forces affecting nursing and health care. The role of the nurse is explored related to professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities. Nursing theorists are discussed and analyzed in terms of applicability for nursing practice. The student will also prepare for career opportunities and credentialing issues for life-long learning. Prerequisite: Admission to the RN to BSN program track.

This course emphasizes development of leadership skills in nursing practice. Organizational, leadership, management and change theories are examined. Effective group leadership skills to assist in directing and/or providing safe, ethical care for groups of patients will be discussed. A significant component of the course will be the completion of an evidence based clinical project. Theory and clinical course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of NURS 330, 335, 340, 430, and 470.

Development of leadership skills in nursing practice is emphasized. Organizational leadership, management and change theories are examined as they relate to the practice of nursing in dynamic and complex healthcare delivery systems. Ethical, political, legal, and social issues that influence healthcare management are explored. Students are expected to analyze practical leadership and management case scenarios and substantiate their analyses with evidence from the literature. An evidence-based project is completed that includes leadership concepts and theories covered in the course. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

Focuses on the application of nursing content as it relates to preparation for licensure and entry into practice. Opportunities for socialization into the professional nursing role are provided. Students are expected to function with a high degree of independence, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, use effective group/leadership skills and direct and/or provide safe, ethical care for their patients. Students are required to successfully complete a clinical experience, and apply the nursing process to patients in the healthcare setting. At the conclusion of the course students take a comprehensive predictor exam, and submit a nursing program objectives portfolio. Prerequisites: Must meet all nursing progression requirements.

This elective option is reserved for selected topics in Nursing. The course title, description, and syllabus are subject to approval of the instructor and the Chair of the Department. Prerequisite: Upper division status in Nursing or permission of instructor.