Professional Nursing Associate's Degree

This course provides an introduction to microbiology that emphasizes effects of microorganisms on human systems. Topics include microbial cell structure, function and metabolism; requirements for and control of growth; genetics, mutations, and biotechnology; a survey of bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, protozoa and helminthes; interactions with and impact of microbes on humans, including mechanisms of pathogenicity.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: GN200
Credits: 5

This is a basic medical vocabulary-building course. An emphasis will be placed on the most common medical terms based on prefixes and suffixes, Latin and Greek origins, and anatomic roots denoting body structures. All body systems will be covered with a focus on word parts, terms built from word parts, abbreviations, and basic disease and surgical terms. Students will be expected to focus on spelling and pronunciation.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: M120
Credits: 4

This course introduces the student to critical thinking as a professional nurse. Students have the opportunity to use critical thinking skills as the foundation to future nursing courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing program

Course ID: NU100
Credits: 2

This course introduces the student to the role of the professional nurse in contemporary healthcare settings. The student is introduced to the nursing process, therapeutic communication and issues affecting professional nurses.

Co-requisite: Critical Thinking in Nursing

Course ID: NU110
Credits: 3

This online course provides an overview of essential concepts and principles of pharmacology as applied in the nursing management of client care, to include an overview of drug classifications, drug actions/interactions, and therapeutic and adverse reactions to medications. Students demonstrate proficiency with the use of problem solving skills and mathematical calculations necessary to perform the nursing role. This course provides the foundation for subsequent coursework.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: NU115
Credits: 4

This course prepares the student to administer medications. The six "rights" of administration, dosage calculation, routes of administration, proper use and storage of medications, patient observation and documentation are included. Clinical skills are practiced in the nursing lab. This course includes the practice and demonstration of medication administration.

Prerequisite: none

Co-requisite: Comprehensive Pharmacology

Course ID: NU115L
Credits: 2

This course utilizes the nursing process to examine areas of medical surgical nursing in adult populations. Students review infections and states of altered immunity, the integumentary, gastrointestinal, and renal bosy systems. Additionally students learn about fluid and electrolyte, acid and base balance.

Prerequisite: LPN licensure; Introduction to Professional Nursing; Comprehensive Pharmacology

Course ID: NU120
Credits: 6

In this laboratory course, students are introduced to concepts and abilities to meet basic human needs while using psychomotor skills. Students incorporate safety, therapeutic communication, and basic assessment skills used by professional nurses.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Professional Nursing

Course ID: NU125
Credits: 5

This course introduces the student to principles of nutrition and the role of nutrients in health and common alterations in health throughout the life cycle. An introduction to clinical nutrition is included to prepare the student to apply these principles to the individual, family, community, and clinical areas.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: NU205
Credits: 4

This course continues the medical-surgical topics previously covered. It is comprised of theory and clinical components. Content covered includes issues in the cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neuro-sensory, and endocrine systems. Additionally students learn about concepts of pain, emergency and perioperative nursing while focusing on the pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures, nursing interventions, and patient teaching while using the nursing process as a framework.

Prerequisites: Adult Medical Nursing I, Clinical Nursing Skills I

Course ID: NU220
Credits: 6

This course is a continuation of Clinical Nursing Skills I and is comprised of theory and laboratory components. Students develop advanced psychomotor skills used by the professional nurse: IV therapy modalities, working with clients with compromised respiratory systems, cardiac monitoring, and complex wound issues.

Prerequisite: LPN licensure; or Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I, Clinical Nursing Skills I

Course ID: NU225
Credits: 3

This course examines concepts of care related to pediatric and maternity populations. It is comprised of theoretical and clinical components. Pediatric content includes growth and development, fundamentals of disease prevention, health maintenance and care during illness. Maternal content includes the profession through prenatal care, delivery and post partum care in health populations. Students utilize critical thinking skills to develop teaching and learning strategies in this population.

Prerequisites: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing II, Clinical Nursing Skills II

Course ID: NU230
Credits: 6

This course covers the principles of mental health nursing noting the application of psychiatric and social issues in a variety of settings. This course has both lecture and clinical content. Content includes therapeutic communication, pathophysiology, pharmacology, current treatments using evidence based practice and the nursing process as the framework.

Prerequisites: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing II, Clinical Nursing Skills II

Course ID: NU240
Credits: 6

This course explores caring for the elderly client in theory and clinical settings. The content builds on previous learning experiences in order to plan and implement care in a comprehensive approach to normal aging. Content addresses physiological, psychological and cognitive functioning, review legal and ethical issues, and examine the normal aging process.

Prerequisite: Mental Health Nursing

Course ID: NU250
Credits: 6

Students critically examine the study of ethics and ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings. Issues reviewed include consents, abuse in vulnerable populations, and patient rights as they apply to the professional nurse.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: NU270
Credits: 2

This capstone course examines the role of the professional nurse in leadership settings. Content includes review of leadership and management issues, responsibilities of team leader and nurse manager, in addition to issues such as managing multiple patients and disaster nursing. This course has both a theory and a clinical component.

Prerequisite: Mental Health Nursing

Co-requisite: Nursing Care of the Elderly

Course ID: NU295
Credits: 4

This course is intended to help students develop their ability to write and express ideas in an organized, unified, coherent manner that reflects an appropriate awareness of purpose and audience. Through writing, reading, and discussion, students will learn to synthesize their thoughts as they communicate more effectively. Course concepts are applied to essays, research projects, and specialized writing. Regular writing and revision will improve students' grammar, punctuation and usage skills.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G124
Credits: 4

The course will introduce students to basic models and theories of the communication process. Students will learn about a variety of elements involved in communication. They will also explore how factors such as race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and gender influence communication. Students will focus on developing an awareness of the effects of various types of communication on themselves and others. They will also develop practical skills for improving their ability to communicate in personal, social and professional contexts. Specific topics will include perception, self-concept, verbal and non-verbal communication, effective listening and communicating in culturally diverse settings.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G141
Credits: 4

This course will develop the student's talents in creative writing. Various forms of writing will be studied, such as short stories, novels, poems, plays and non-fiction. Works by students and others will be critiqued. Students will also develop editorial skills so that each writer may revise and improve his/her work. Students will compose a minimum of 6000 words over the course of the program.

Prerequisites: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G201
Credits: 4

This course provides students with the skills to achieve mastery of algebraic terminology and applications including, but not limited to, real number operations, variables, polynomials, integer exponents, graphs, factoring, quadratic equations, and word problems.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Foundations of Math or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G233
Credits: 4

Students will explore fundamental concepts of human biology. They will examine cell structure and function, body systems, and biochemistry. They will also learn basic concepts of genetics and evolution. Students will explore the relationship of human populations and the ecosystem.

Prerequisites: none

Course ID: G215
Credits: 4

In this course students will begin their study of the structure and function of the human body. They will examine topics including basic chemistry and cell biology, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, and endocrine systems of the body, and will learn medical terminology is emphasized. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and including microscopic observation, experimentation, study of anatomical models, dissection activities, and a study of the structure and function of the human body. A body system approach to learning will include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, and endocrine systems. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and will include microscopic observation, experimentation, dissection activities and study of anatomical models.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Biology (except for students enrolled in the Medical Assisting Program)

Course ID: MA241
Credits: 5

In this course, students will continue their study of human anatomy and physiology begun in Human Anatomy and Physiology I. They will examine the circulatory, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems, as well as fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and nutrition and metabolism. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and including microscopic observation, experimentation, study of anatomical models, and dissection activities.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Course ID: MA242
Credits: 5

This course introduces students to basic sociology terms and concepts. Students will understand how to apply sociological concepts and theories and analyze the structure and relationships of social institutions and the process of social change. Students will explore a variety of topics of sociological interest, including socialization, social inequality, social movements, and the impact of technology and social change on society.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G142
Credits: 4