NURSING

NURS 100 - HOLISTIC HEALTH

This course explores the many facets of holistic health as it pertains to ourselves. Topics to be covered include body and mind connection, stress management, exercise, nutrition, meditation, visualization and global effects on health. Open to all majors.

No prerequisite required.

3 credits (3 hours per week of lecture for 15 weeks)

NURS 101- SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN NURSING

This course will address effective study skills focusing on time management. Other topics include test taking strategies and study habits for nursing students, including the use of library resources and the application of technology. The demonstration of proper use of math concepts as applied to drug calculations specifically use in the health care profession will also be required.

This course is open to students enrolled in nursing.

1 credit hour (2 lecture hours per week for 8 weeks), fall/spring semester

NURS 120 – FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING

This course provides the theoretical foundation for nursing education and practice including the nursing process with emphasis on the assessment phase. Theories of therapeutic communication techniques and basic human needs across the lifespan are correlated to general knowledge of the biologic sciences and humanities. Standards for professional nursing practice are defined. The concept of critical thinking as it applies to health care is introduced. Particular attention is given to the care of geriatric individuals. Students learn nursing procedures and skills in a campus laboratory setting utilizing medical technology to complete accurate nursing assessment.

Pre or Co-Requisite: BIOL 150 (grade of C+ or better), PSYC 101, COMP 101

7 credits (4 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours)

NURS 150 - NURSING CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

This course provides the theoretical foundation for nursing knowledge that supports care of individuals with common health and psychiatric problems across the life span. Students will develop cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills in the campus laboratory setting and implement these skills in acute health care settings. Critical thinking skills which are applied to all phases of the nursing process are developed. Students learn to incorporate the general knowledge of growth and development, cultural and psychosocial needs into the care of individuals. Students utilize professional standards of practice while participating as a member of the health care team by practicing personal professional accountability. Communication skills utilized to effectively report and document nursing care. Technology is utilized to research and access nursing and medical information to deliver health care to individuals and families.

Prerequisites: NURS 120 (with a C+ grade or better), Pre-or Co- Requisites BIOL 151 (grade of C+ or better) and PSYC 241

9 credits (4 lecture hours, 9 clinical hour per week, 1 college laboratory hour for 6 weeks), fall or spring semester

NURS 152 - PHARMACOLOGY I

This first course in the series presents concepts of the study of drugs used for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of disease and symptoms associated with common health alterations. Principles of action, uses, and side effects are discussed to facilitate the student’s learning in the clinical environment. Information is presented by integrating pharmacology into the nursing process. Specific drug information is discussed in relation to assessment, nursing diagnosis, client monitoring, and interventions of safe and effective drug therapy. The concepts presented will focus on the common health problems and psychiatric health problems encountered across the lifespan. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration, including real world dosage calculations across the life span, are emphasized. Some specific topics discussed in this course will include the pharmacological treatment used for psychiatric disorders, cancer, infection, common respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary disturbances, and diabetes.

Pre-requisite- NURS 120 with a C+, Co-requisite- NURS 150

1 credit (1 lecture hour: Online), fall and spring semesters

NURS 160 - ENHANCED CLINICAL I

An elective intensive clinical focused course offered at an affiliated, acute care health facility to increase the clinical confidence level of the beginning second year nursing student by providing continuity of care and expanding on the number and variety of patient care opportunities. Grading is pass/fail.

 Prerequisite: NURS 150 with a C+ or permission of faculty.

2 credits (30 hours/week of clinical laboratory for 2 consecutive weeks).

NURS 200 - CLINICAL SIMULATION

This hybrid clinical simulation course is designed to incorporate the student’s previous knowledge of disease processes, nursing theory and nursing skills for diverse simulated patient care experiences. Emphasis is placed on developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes the student would need to deliver safe, holistic, evidence-based and competent care to the patient. Critical thinking skills are applied to all phases of the nursing process to develop cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills. The student will collect, analyze and interpret patient data in an environment where mistakes can occur without adverse consequences to the patient. At the conclusion of each simulation scenario participants are provided with the opportunity to review their experiences during a debriefing/ self-reflection session to obtain feedback from their peers and faculty.

Prerequisite: NURS 150 with a grade of C+ or better

2 credits

NURS 210 - NURSING CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH COMMON COMPLEX HEALTH PROBLEMS

This course provides the theoretical foundation for nursing knowledge that supports the care of individuals across the life span with common complex health problems and of families in a variety of practice settings including acute care, obstetric and community health agencies. Students apply critical thinking skills to design, implement and evaluate nursing care with a particular focus on patient education to individuals and families. Therapeutic communication skills are enhanced through a variety of interactive learning strategies. Technology is applied to the research process as well as the delivery of care.

Prerequisite: NURS 150 and NURS 152 (with a C+ or better), Pre or Co-Requisites: NUTR 108 and BIOL 285

9 credits (4 lecture hours, 10 clinical laboratory hours per week), fall or spring semester

NURS 212 - PHARMACOLOGY II

This second course in the series presents concepts of the study of drugs used for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of disease and symptoms associated with complex common health alterations. Principles of action, uses, side effects, and client education are discussed to facilitate the student’s learning in the clinical environment. In-formation is presented by integrating pharmacology into the nursing process. Specific drug information is discussed in relation to assessment, nursing diagnosis, client monitoring, and interventions of safe and effective drug therapy. Client education takes on an increased focus to facilitate the student’s ability to convey application of concepts to the public. The concepts presented will focus on the complex common health problems across the lifespan and obstetric care. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration, including real world dosage calculations across the life span, continue to be emphasized. Some specific topics discussed in this course include the pharmacological treatment used for eyes, ears, obesity, electrolyte and acid/base imbalances, various cardiac issues, male and female reproductive disorders, labor, delivery, postpartum, and newborn care.

Pre-requisite NURS 150 and NURS 152 (with a C+ or better), Co-requisite NURS 210

1 credit (1 lecture hour: Online), fall and spring semesters

NURS 220 - ENHANCED CLINICAL II

An elective intensive clinical focused course offered at an affiliated, acute care health facility to increase the clinical competence of the second year nursing student by providing priority based care to a group of patients with complex common health problems. Grading is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: NURS 210 with a C+ or permission of faculty.

NURS 250 - NURSING CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH MULTIPLE COMMON COMPLEX HEALTH PROBLEMS

This course provides the theoretical foundation for nursing knowledge that supports the holistic care of individuals with multiple complex common health problems across the life span. Students are afforded the opportunity to manage the care of groups of individuals with multiple complex needs in the acute care practice setting. Critical thinking skills are applied to the design, implementation and evaluation of holistic care. Students participate in learning experiences that enhance team building and conflict resolution skills. Students participate in activities that support lifelong learning through the development and evaluation of self-learning needs assessment and learning contracts, and peer review. Own transportation required for the last 8 weeks.

Prerequisites: NURS 210 and NURS 212 (with a C+ or better), Pre-or Co- Requisites NURS 251 and NURS 252

8 credits (4 lecture hours, 8 clinical laboratory hours per week, fall or spring semester

NURS 251 - TRANSITION INTO PRACTICE

This course assists the students in role transition from student nurse to graduate nurse by offering learning opportunities through a seminar format on a broad range of topics that support professional nursing practice. Topics include resume writing, interviewing, critical thinking, leadership, management, prioritization, delegation and ethics and self-care.

Co-requisite: NURS 250 & NURS 252

1 credit: Hybrid, spring or and fall semester

NURS 252 - PHARMACOLOGY III

This final course continues to present concepts of the study of drugs used for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of disease and symptoms associated with multiple complex common health alterations. Principles of action, uses, side effects, and client education are discussed to facilitate the student’s learning in the clinical environment. Information is presented by integrating pharmacology into the nursing process. Specific drug information is dis-cussed in relation to assessment, nursing diagnosis, client monitoring, interventions, and client education. Evaluation of medication use and administration is incorporated to expand the knowledge of care of the client. The concepts presented will focus on multiple complex common health problems encountered across the lifespan. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration, including real world dosage calculations across the life span continue to be emphasized. Some specific topics discussed in this course will include the pharmacological treatment used for critical care needs, autoimmune disorders, renal disorders and dialysis, HIV/AIDS, infectious, and degenerative neurological disorders, seizures, headaches, pancreatic and liver disorders, burns, endocrine disorders, respiratory, cardiac and hematological disorders.

Pre-requisite NURS 210 and NURS 212 (with a C+ or better), Co-requisite: NURS 250 & NURS 251

1 credit (1 lecture hour: Online), fall and spring semesters

NURS 305 – NURSING INFORMATICS

The purpose of this course is to enable RN students to access information from a variety of sources to support decision making in practice. Baccalaureate nurses manage data, information, knowledge, and technology to communicate effectively and provide safe and effective patient care. The use and understanding of data sources to manage, produce and disseminate evidence-based nursing knowledge is examines. Ethical issues related to data security, regulatory requirements, confidentiality and clients’ right to privacy will be explored.

3 credits (3 lecture hours), fall semester

NURS 310 – CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This course engages the learner in exploring the progression of the professional nursing role, focusing on teamwork and collaboration, communication, leadership, quality improvement, and safety. These competencies are essential for nursing, providing a solid foundation for a successful career.

Pre/co-requisite: NURS 305

3 credits (3 lecture hours) fall or spring semester

NURS 330 – HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN

This course assists the learner in broadening and refining health assessment and physical assessment skills in both individual and group learning experiences. Students will: differentiate normal and abnormal assessment findings; conduct and document a complete physical examination; use group learning experiences to broaden knowledge of the cultural determinants of health; use therapeutic communication techniques, evidence-based practice, and the principles of patient centered care to complete a culturally sensitive and     developmentally appropriate client history. Documented practice sessions in the campus laboratory are required. This is a hybrid course with 30 campus lab hours.

Pre/co requisite: NURS 305; NURS 310 with a C+ or better

3 credits (2 lecture hours; 1 laboratory hour at 2:1 ratio (30 laboratory hours),) fall semester

NURS 361 – HEALTH PROMOTION ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN

In this course the learner will engage in learning activities with peers, faculty and the broader learning community, to develop new knowledge of the concepts of health literacy, health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan and for all levels of care. Topics include a range of determinates of health including psychosocial, physical, spiritual, cultural, and political factors and use a healthiness model based on human strengths to design and implement patient- centered health promotion and disease prevention interventions. The concepts that guide the teaching and learning process for nursing practice will be explored in depth. Nursing informatics is used throughout the course and to develop population specific profiles and learning tools. Integration of knowledge will be demonstrated through a service learning project. This course is a combination of face to face classroom time and asynchronous online learning.

Pre/Co-requisite: NURS 305, NURS 310 with a C+ or better

3 credits (3 lecture hours) spring semester

NURS 381 – LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

The focus of this course is to provide the learner with foundational concepts, elements, and practices of the con-temporary nursing leader. Current issues in healthcare leadership are studied within a context of the program’s five core concepts. Reflection and critical thinking strategies are used to explore and/or resolve leadership and/or management issues related to patient care and healthcare teamwork. Collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues in healthcare organizations is stressed. The service learning project for this course involves leadership for planned change in your community of choice.

Prerequisite: NURS 305, NURS 310 with a C+ or better

3 credits (3 lecture hours) spring semester

NURS 430 – NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

The focus of this course is to provide the learner with the resources and learning activities to develop the skills needed to identify and critically appraise scientific evidence to evaluate the quality and applicability to clinical practice. The course content includes an overview of research concepts, ethical issues, literature searches and reviews, quantitative and qualitative research methods and designs, data collection, analysis and interpretation techniques. The learner will gain an understanding of the research process and the role of research in evidence-based practice for the use of quality improvement, and practical application.

Prerequisite: all NURS 305 and NURS 310 with a C+ or better

Pre/Co-requisite: BIOL 302; MATH 123 or equivalent

3 credits (3 lecture hours), fall semester

NURS 431– Healthcare Policy, ISSUES AND TRENDS

In this course the learner will explore current issues in healthcare, trends, public and social policies, and politics on the local, national and global level. While investigating the influence of economics, and regulatory bodies on the healthcare system. Individual and group learning will assist the learner to prepare themselves to engage in the economic, political, and policy dimension of healthcare. The student will learn to identify opportunities for political action in the workplace, communities and nursing organizations.

Prerequisite: NURS 305, NURS 310 with a C+ or better

3 credits (3 lecture hours) spring semester

NURS 450 – PUBLIC, COMMUNITY AND FAMILY HEALTH NURSING

This course examines nursing and public health theory to identify factors that promote or act as barriers to health across the lifespan. Nursing’s role in planning, directing and coordinating evidence-based health promotion and illness prevention activities that incorporate safety, epidemiology, cultural competence, quality and cost-effective measures will be explored. Integration of knowledge is demonstrated through service-learning project that will provide opportunities to develop and implement interdisciplinary holistic health promotion strategies with a population-centered focus. This course is offered primarily online with campus sessions at the beginning, middle and end of the semester. 45 hours of clinical experience are required.

Prerequisites: All 300 level nursing courses, with a C+ or better

Pre/Co-requisite: BIOL 302

5 credits (2 public health/community lecture hours; 2 family lecture hours, 1 clinical hour at 3:1 ratio (45 clinical hours), fall semester

NURS 481 – CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING

This is the capstone course for the Morrisville State College BS Nursing Program. The learner will integrate the knowledge of nursing leadership and management, nursing informatics, and evidence-based practice to design and implement a patient-centered care quality improvement project. Professionally, the learner will collaborate and work in teams with peer colleagues, faculty, nurse preceptors, and expert clinicians. For the Capstone Quality Improvement Project a target population and healthcare setting will be selected by the learner with approval from faculty. The seminar portion of this course is online.

Pre/Co-requisite: All previous nursing courses

4 credits (1 lecture hour; 3 clinical hours at a 3:1 ratio (135 hours clinical), spring semester