Nursing
NUR 105 Medication Dosage Calculation and Preparation 1 SH
This course is designed to prepare students to accurately calculate medication dosages. The priority of safe medication preparation is emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing Major. Co-requisite: NUR 201, NUR 205.
NUR 106 Pre-Nursing Freshman Seminar 1 SH
Through this course, students will gain knowledge of Western Connecticut State University. Students will explore the resources available on campus and discuss the expectations of the nursing major to which they will be applying. Online reflective journaling tasks and discussion forums will be utilized to allow students to analyze their experiences and course goals. Students will be introduced to APA format for writing.
NUR 201 Introduction to Physical Assessment 3.5 SH
Introduces concepts and techniques of physical assessment in the context of the nursing process. Includes assessment of children, adults, and the elderly, and analysis and correlation of findings. Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to develop assessment skills in preparation for clinical courses. (3 hr lecture — 1.5 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major. Co-requisite: BIO 215.
NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing 3.5 SH
Introduction of the nursing profession as a theory-based practice discipline. Foundational concepts and skills used in the care of individuals, families, and communities across the life span are introduced within the context of the metaparadigm of nursing. Beginning nursing skills are developed in college lab. (3 hrs lecture, 1.5 hr college lab). Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major. Co-requisite: BIO 215.
NUR 235 Clinical Nursing Practice I 5 SH
Use of the nursing process in applying foundational concepts and skills in planning and providing nursing care for adult and geriatric clients with chronic illnesses. Human responses to commonly encountered illnesses, including pathophysiological processes and treatment approaches are explored. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of individuals with chronic illness. (3 hrs lecture; 6 hrs clinical). Prerequisite: NUR 201, NUR 205. Co-requisite: NUR 226.
NUR 255 Clinical Nursing Practice II 6 SH
Use clinical judgement and critical thinking to design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions for individuals undergoing medical and/or surgical treatment for commonly occurring illnesses. Clinical experiences both at the clinical site and in the laboratory provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of individuals in medical-surgical settings. (3 hrs lecture, 3 hrs college lab; 6 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: NUR 235; NUR 226. Co-requisite: NUR 361, NUR 227.
NUR 298 Faculty Developed Study 1-6 SH
NUR 299 Student Developed Study 1-6 SH
NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing 4 SH
Mental Health Nursing will apply the nursing process with clients who have major disorders of behavior and function. Psychosocial development and cultural issues of childhood, adolescence and adulthood will be explored. Psychobiological therapies and therapeutic interpersonal interventions will be presented, with consideration of holistic interventions. (3 hrs lecture; 3 hrs clinical lab). Co/Prerequisite: NUR 235.
NUR 301 Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organizations 3 SH
Introduction to the theories of leadership, management, group process, planned change and organizational communication within a complex health care delivery system. The focus is on designing a professional nursing role with the organizational dimensions of health care delivery. Open only to RN-BS students. Prerequisite: Current RN license; Admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 100; a grade of C or better in BIO 105, BIO 106 and BIO 215; completion of a Writing-intensive (WI) course.
NUR 309 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice 3 SH
Exploration of the role of the professional nurse and transition of the RN-BS student to that role. Foundational concepts related to nursing practice are explored within a framework of role development. Prerequisite: Current RN license, Admission to the RN-BS program, BIO 105, 106, 215 and MAT 100.
NUR 311 Physical Assessment Across the Life Span 3 SH
Introduces concepts and techniques of a comprehensive health assessment in the context of the nursing process. The course addresses common health variations across the lifespan. Laboratory experiences provide students with the opportunity to refine their assessment skills. Prerequisite: Current RN license.
NUR 327 Nursing in the Community 5 SH
With community viewed as the client, studying population groups, health prevention, health promotion, and risk reduction strategies are explored with select community health problems across diverse community settings. (3 hrs lecture; 6 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: NUR 255, NUR 227.NUR 300, NUR 361. Co-requisites: NUR 324, NUR 323.
NUR 329 Principles of Community Health Nursing 3 SH
Foundational concepts that address the community as a unit of health care. The course focuses on the care of population groups. Prerequisite: Current RN license; Admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 100; a grade of C or better in BIO 105, BIO 106, and BIO 215.
NUR 330 Nursing in the Community 4 SH
Nursing care population groups within the community is the focus of this course. Health prevention, risk reduction and health promotion strategies are explored with select community health problems across a variety of settings. Open only to RN-BS students (2 hrs lecture; 2 hrs lab). Prerequisite: Current RN license; Admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 100; a grade of C or better in the following: BIO 105, BIO 106, BIO 215, NUR 221, NUR 329 and NUR 336.
NUR 332 Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Nursing Practice 3 SH
An in-depth analysis of common pharmacotherapeutics, related pathophysiology and diagnostics used currently in the nursing care of patients. Open only to RN-BS students. Prerequisite: Current RN license; Admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 100.
NUR 335 Clinical Nursing Practice III 7 SH
Use clinical judgement and critical thinking in the application of concepts and skills to design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions for individuals experiencing complex illnesses. Consider the human response to complex illnesses, design and support innovative approaches to nursing interventions to meet the demands of complex care situations. Clinical experiences both at the clinical site and in the laboratory provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of complex individuals in acute medical-surgical (critical care) settings. (3 hrs lecture; 3 hrs college lab; 9 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: NUR 255, NUR 226, NUR 300 and NUR 361. Pre/Co-requisite: NUR 374.
NUR 336 The Human Health Experience and Nursing Practice 3 SH
Exploration of the human experience from a holistic perspective. Attention is given to cultural, behavioral, cognitive, spiritual, social and developmental factors that contribute to one’s view of health. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic nursing interventions that improve outcomes for patients. Teaching-learning interventions, health counseling and alternative/complementary therapies are selected as examples of holistic nursing approaches. Open only to RN-BS students. Prerequisite: Current RN license, admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 100; a grade of C or better in BIO 105, BIO 106, and BIO 215.
NUR 351 Special Topics Global Nursing 3 SH
Global healthcare focuses on providing nursing student with a unique opportunity to study abroad within a culturally diverse population. Students are introduced to the theoretical foundations of global health including nursing care related to health and illness. As well as relevant research-focused cultural issues, global diversity and healthcare delivery. Students will compare healthcare in the United States to that of another nation. Prerequisite: NUR 255 and NUR 361.
NUR 361 Research Process and Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice 3 SH
This course explores the principles and concepts underlying the research process as it is used in conducting nursing research studies. Students will analyze and critique current nursing research, emphasizing evaluation of research for application in practice. Nursing scholarship informs science, enhances clinical practice, influences policy, and impacts best practices for educating nurses as clinicians, scholars, and leaders. (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Major or Admission to the RN-BS program. MAT 115, MAT 120. Co-requisite: NUR 255.
NUR 374 Leadership and Management in Contemporary Nursing Practice 3 SH
Application of the principles of leadership and management within the context of professional nursing practice. Organization of the healthcare system, payment models, political, ethical, and legal issues as they relate to professional nursing practice will be discussed. Leadership, communication, change theory, quality improvement, and patient safety as they pertain to collaborative nursing practice within teams will be explored. (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: NUR 255, NUR 227, NUR 361. Pre/Co-requisite: NUR 335.
NUR 376 Professional Nursing Role Development 4 SH
Capstone course addressing issues related to professional nursing practice and the health care delivery system. Clinical experiences explore the full role of the professional nurse, including project development under the guidance of a clinical preceptor and faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Current Connecticut RN license; a grade of C or better in the following: NUR 220, 221, 330, 332, 361; Writing-intensive course (WI).
NUR 475 Nursing Practicum 6 SH
Capstone experience in the practice of professional nursing addressing issues related to entry into professional practice and the contextual issues surrounding health care delivery. Critical analysis of contemporary issues impacting the delivery of healthcare and the role of the professional nurse are explored. Clinical experiences allow students to be immersed in the clinical setting to facilitate development of professional identity and socialization as a registered nurse. (3 hrs. class & 3 hrs. clinical). Prerequisite: All required Nursing courses.
The following courses also have been approved and are offered periodically:
NUR/WS 250 Women’s Health Issues
NUR 251 Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness