NUR - Nursing Course Descriptions
Considers historical, cultural, professional, and futuristic points of view relative to the nursing profession. Course work includes the philosophical, theoretical, and conceptual aspects of nursing; the nursing process; and the role of the professional nurse in responding to health needs. 3 lecture hours per week (45 theory hours)
Prerequisite to all other nursing courses.
This course may not be taken concurrently with other nursing courses.
Explores selected professional issues that affect the ability of a nurse to deliver professional nursing care. The course examines the transition from the role of the registered nurse to that of a Bachelor prepared nurse via strategies for professional, personal, cultural, and spiritual growth and development. Emphasis is on nursing therapeutics, ethics, professionalism, research, critical thinking, and communication as the advanced practice nurse acts as leader and change agent in the process of promoting wellness for individuals and aggregates. (RN to BSN or RN to MSN students only) 45 theory hours
Licensed registered Nurse, permission of instructor.
Presents the process and practice of professional nursing with emphasis on integrating essential knowledge from the physical and behavioral sciences with nursing procedures. Nursing theory and the nursing process provide the background for this rigorous course. 3 lecture hours per week, 45 theory hours, 60 clinical and 30 lab hours per semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
Admission to Nursing Major,
NUR 201, and sciences required in first three semesters.
Taken concurrently with NUR 206.
Details the process and practice of professional nursing. The health assessment component emphasizes the importance of utilizing techniques of inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation as tools to providing holistic client-centered care. The mastery of health assessments provides the professional nurse with the database necessary for deriving nursing diagnoses-that which designates nursing's authentic locus-and to intervene and assist in actual or potential health problems, thereby assisting the client to achieve optimal levels of self-care. This health assessment will be presented by a systematic head-to-toe approach emphasizing integration as a whole. The use of nursing theory and the nursing process will be the conceptual framework for practice. 30 theory hours and 45 lab hours per semester.
Freshman and first-semester sophomore courses required in the Nursing Program or permission of instructor.
Provides assessment, planning, caring for, and evaluation of adults with various acute and chronic health problems. Promoting wellness, health teaching of patients and their families, and studying health outcomes toward the goals of self-care are emphasized. 45 lecture hours, 39 lab hours, 96 clinical hours per semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman and sophomore courses required in the Nursing Program
Studies health assessment, planning intervention, and evaluation of adults with various acute and chronic psychiatric and mental health problems, which occur through the development process. This course includes concepts from interpersonal theory, family theory, collaborative practice, group theory, healing, and the study of health outcomes as a result of nursing intervention. 45 theory hours, 90 clinical hours, 45 lab hours per semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman and sophomore course required in the Nursing Program
Addresses family health care from conception throughout pregnancy to birth and the care of the newborn. Helping families in their educational and developmental experience as they prepare to welcome the new baby is stressed. Women's health care needs throughout the life span are also included. 45 lecture hours, 45 laboratory and 90 clinical hours per semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman and sophomore courses required in the Nursing Program (including Child and Adolescent Psychology of Human Development I)
Studies family concepts and nursing care of infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents with acute and chronic health problems and illnesses that occur as children grow and develop in various cultural and economic environments. 45 lecture hours. 45 lab hours and 90 clinical hours over the term.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman and sophomore courses required in the Nursing Program. Must have successfully completed Child and Adolescent Psychology and Nutrition.
is an elective course that presents topics at a beginning level for those students interested in taking part in foreign and domestic mission work. The course explores issues such as selected communicable and chronic diseases, mission-related pharmacology, cultural competencies, emergency care, disasters, and population, social, and health assessment.
3 general elective credit hours
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
Sophomore, junior, or senior student in any major
Is a work-experience opportunity with the purpose of expanding education by applying accumulated knowledge in nursing. The availability of internships is limited to senior-level students, normally seniors with a 2.5 quality point average. Students are approved individually by the academic department. A contract can be obtained from the Career Services Office in Starvaggi Hall. Internships count as general electives. Internships must be preapproved.
Nursing Senior standing and permission of the department chair
Presents concepts and practices in community health nursing with care of families and groups over the health-illness continuum. This course includes family and community health assessment, health teaching, and collaborative planning with other health professionals on the public health team. 3 lecture hours. 46 laboratory and 89 clinical hours per term.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman, sophomore, and junior-level courses required in the Nursing Program or permission of instructor
Further refines students' knowledge in nursing assessment and intervention in the care of clients with complex and chronic health problems that require collaborative health planning. This course includes care of people with physiological problems and patterns as they influence the general state of a person's health. 45 lecture hours, 41 laboratory and 94 clinical hours per semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
All freshman, sophomore, and junior-level courses required in the Nursing Program
Focuses on the principles of management and leadership within the health care delivery system. The emphasis on this course is to learn how to work with people as individuals and as members of groups, teams, and organizations. Concepts of a collaborative practice in new and emerging nursing roles are explained in theories of change, team-building, continuous quality assurance, and political, legal, and ethical issues in health care. 45 lecture hours, 120 clinical hours and 15 lab hours over the semester.
Notes
Additional clinical fee.
NUR 401,
NUR 402 and all freshman, sophomore, and junior-level courses required in the Nursing Program or permission of the instructor
Introduces the research process as an important factor in improving evidence-based nursing practice, nursing education, nursing theories, and nursing administration. 3 lecture hours per week. 45 theory hours
All freshman, sophomore, and junior-level nursing courses and
NUR 401 or
NUR 402 or permission of the instructor.
Must be taken concurrently with NUR 435.
Entry into the practice of nursing is regulated by the licensing authorities within each of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) member board jurisdictions. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) is used by member board jurisdictions to assist in making licensure decisions. Upon graduation from the Franciscan University Nursing Program students must be successful in this exam to obtain licensure as a professional nurse. The Department of Nursing is committed to the success of the students. This course is intended to increase the student’s capability to be successful on the NCLEX exam.
Completion or current enrollment in all nursing undergraduate courses.
Is a coordinating seminar that critically analyzes nursing research. Concurrent with NUR 404 and its implications for practice. 15 theory hours over the semester.
All freshman, sophomore, and junior-level nursing courses and
NUR 401 or
NUR 402 or permission of the instructor.
Must be taken concurrently with NUR 404.
Is an elective nursing course that reviews the types of drugs most commonly administered by the registered nurse. The classification, action, adverse effects, routes of administration, usual dosages, and compatibility of drugs will be discussed. 2 lecture hours per week. 30 theory hours over the term.
Junior/senior level standing in the Nursing Program. (or with permission of the instructor.)
In this course, various theories applicable for advanced practice nursing, curriculum development, and research are examined. Theories are evaluated for patterns of knowledge, levels of theory development, and utility. Theories are analyzed, taking into account patient needs, values, and interpersonal relationships utilized in advanced practice. This course is recommended early in the program.
This course focuses on theories of health promotion and disease prevention. Biological, behavioral, social, nutritional, environmental, cultural, spiritual, and epidemiological data that reflect the health needs of individuals of all ages, families, and groups are explored. Master-prepared nurses must assume the advocate role for society when identifying health risks and developing holistic multidisciplinary interventions for health promotion. Recommended prior to role practicum in FNP curriculum. Two credits of theory and one credit (45 hours) of clinical.
Notes
Additional course fee.
Master's prepared nurses must assume the advocate role for society when identifying health risks and developing holistic multidisciplinary interventions for health promotion. This course is recommended prior to other clinical experiences in the FNP curriculum (45 hours of clinical practice).
Christian and Catholic moral theology will provide a basis for the examination of autonomy and personal responsibility in various nursing contexts. Analyses of current ethical issues in advanced practice nursing are explored. The impact of Christian values and Church teaching on the professional role of the advanced practice nurse are examined. Three credits of theory.
This course addresses the role of government and public institutions in the health and welfare of people. The influence of cost-driven modes of health care such as managed care and integrated health care systems will be evaluated. Models for financing, budgeting, and strategic planning that reflect current health care organizational trends and the Church's teaching on social action provides a basis for approaching political, organizational, and financial issues in health, nursing, and health education. The advanced practice role in facilitating and influencing political, financial, and organizational policy will be discussed. Funding sources will be examined, including community and population-based systems that serve vulnerable populations. Three credits of theory.
Professional ethics, accountability, and responsibility of advanced practice nurses are the focus of this course. State and federal laws regulating advanced nursing practice, credentialing, and standards of practice in the nurse practitioner role will be carefully reviewed. Two credits of theory.
Through a systems approach, masters prepared nursing student will learn to interpret physiology and related pathology of diseases. Responses to illness and treatment will be assessed across the life span. Current research related to disease in the primary healthcare setting will be the focus. Three credits of theory. Prerequisite for NUR 660.
Notes
Additional course fee.
This course focuses on routine screening, assessment skills, diagnostics, and diagnostic instrumentation used by the master's-prepared nursing student in the primary health care setting. Clinical practice related to individual needs will be independently developed. Two credits of theory and one credit (45 hours) of clinical. Prerequisite for all FNP Specialization Core Courses.
Notes
Additional course fee.
Pharmacological principles, nutritional, and other treatment modalities including responses on the cellular level are presented. In order to plan and provide safe healthcare, pharmacotherapeutics of broad categories of drugs used by advance practice nurses and masters prepared nursing students in primary care, and current trends in nutrition and alternative treatment modalities will be reviewed. Three credits of theory.
Notes
This course must be taken within the 5-year time frame for taking the FNP certification examination.
This course combines methods of quantitative and qualitative research in nursing that support the underpinnings of best outcomes of patient care. An empirical approach and experiential process of acquiring scientific knowledge are explored and will support the trustworthiness of findings. Appropriate analysis, interpretation of findings, the use of additional methods, including the ethical considerations of human subjects, research funding priorities, and concept of evidence-based practice and educational utilization will be emphasized. The use of information technology for advanced practice nursing is stressed.
This course focuses on cultural norms of individuals of varied racial and ethnic backgrounds. Universal aspects of culture addressed in the course include: health care practices, patterns of communication, kinship, education, diet, religion, art, politics, and economics. The advanced practice nurse's under- standing of health problems related to social issues and lifestyle choices is discussed utilizing the Christian/Catholic viewpoint as the framework for teaching. Two credits of theory.
Notes
Students may take either NUR 690 Thesis or NUR 695 Research Option.
This course will focus on the importance of evidence-based care in clinical practice. Students will gain a critical understanding of the increasing role of the nursing profession while developing skills for translating evidence into practice through critical evaluation and synthesizing research towards improving patient care outcomes.
This course focuses on the introduction of advanced practice concepts and knowledge for nurse practitioner students in primary health care management of designated acute, chronic, and complex health problems. Particular emphasis will be on the application of an evidence-based practice approach to providing holistic care to individuals in family practice settings. One credit for theory and one credit (45 hours) of family practice clinical. Prerequisite for NUR 810, NUR 820.
This course allows the family nurse practitioner student to examine common health problems of the childbearing family, of the infant, child, and adolescent population. Emphasis is on health promotion and disease prevention using a developmental approach. Treatment modalities for primary health care needs are the focus. Two credits of theory and two credits (90 hours) of clinical. Prerequisite for NUR 830.
Notes
Additional course fee.
This course allows the family nurse practitioner student to examine common health problems of the childbearing family, and men and women from early adulthood through the geriatric population. Emphasis is on health promotion and disease prevention using a developmental approach. Treatment modalities for primary health care needs are the focus. Two credits of theory and two credits (90 hours) of clinical. Prerequisite for NUR 830.
Notes
Additional course fee.
This course adds to the knowledge gained in Nursing 810 and Nursing 820. A case study approach is used by family nurse practitioner students to refine differential diagnostic skills and clinical protocols for all clients with more complex health problems. One credit of theory and two credits (90 hours) of clinical.
Notes
Additional course fee.
This course adds to the knowledge gained in Nursing 810 and 820. The family nurse practitioner student will continue to refine knowledge gained to apply their knowledge and skills under the preceptorship of experienced nurse practitioners or physicians in primary care settings, with additional opportunities to focus on a specialty role. One credit of theory and three credits (135 hours) of clinical.
Notes
Additional course fee.