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Virtual Campus RN to BSN Program Program of Study

Program of Study

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Total Credit Hours for Program = 36 Credit Hours

Course Descriptions:

Intro to Nursing Research - This is an introductory nursing research course in which the student is seen as a consumer of research.  Fundamentals of research methods are studied, and published nursing research findings are reviewed and critiqued for use in practice.  Students will explore the qualities of evidenced- based practice and how informatics facilitates the process of knowledge acquisition.  The role of integrity, accountability, and respect are stressed as key professional values in the pursuit of core knowledge. The opportunity to identify the scientific evidence underlying selected core nursing technologies will be examined, in addition to critiquing nursing research articles.

Health Assessment - Systematic study of data collection and health assessment skills with a focus on subjective and objective techniques, concentrating on normal and abnormal findings and developmental norms and variations across the lifespan. Content includes therapeutic communication, interviewing, subjective, objective assessment techniques, vital sign measurement, pain assessment, and objective assessment of the following areas or systems: integumentary; lymphatic; head and neck; eyes; ear, nose, and throat; pulmonary; cardiovascular; abdominal; genital; musculoskeletal; and neurological.
Pathophysiology - Students will study basic principles of human disease and the mechanisms that govern them, emphasizing nursing applications. Topics address etiology, clinical presentation and appropriate treatment of the disease process.

Trends and Issues in Professional Nursing - An overview of the theories and concepts of holistic professional nursing. The nursing process is discussed as a critical thinking and problem solving tool for identifying client system x stressors and for initiating primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing interventions. Principles of pharmacotherapeutics and current drug regimens/protocols and their relation to pathophysiology are explored.

Concepts of Professional Nursing - The focus of the course is to acclimate the returning RN student to the professional nursing concepts found in holistic nursing as derived from theory or research and include critical thinking and communication. This course provides an emphasis on writing and oral presentation skills. The course also addresses nursing practice competencies, nursing conceptual models, professional accountability, group dynamics and critical thinking.

Nursing Informatics – NUR 433 is designed to introduce the student to the specialty area of informatics. Hardware, software, databases, communications applications, computer developments and associated legal and ethical issues are addressed. Students will learn how the field of informatics is used to manage and communicate data, information and knowledge in nursing clinical practice, administration, education and research. Additionally, they will learn how nurses can assess, develop and use nursing information systems to work more efficiently, allocate resources more effectively, and improve patient care.

Applied Nursing Research – The intent of this course is to expand the knowledge of the research process, as well as, an opportunity to formalize the focus of the Capstone Project.  The Capstone Project is to be completed the last semester RN-BSN program.  The Capstone Project is designed to provide the student an opportunity to give back to the community.  The student must identify a population and site where they perceive a felt need and the need must be something which is deliverable during the Capstone Course. During this research course, the student will identify the area of focus for the Capstone Project, conduct a literature review to validate the need, as well as, explore possible interventions which are evidence-based.  Finally, the student will design a descriptive study in which the problem is stated, the hypotheses are identified, and possible interventions are explored. The selected intervention is identified and accompanied with documented rationale.  The project proposal must include a letter of acceptance from the community agency stating their willingness to allow the stated intervention to occur in their facility. The use of informatics will facilitate the acquisition of core knowledge. Emphasis will be stressed on interpersonal communication, as well as, the professional values of integrity, respect, and accountability.

Community Health Nursing – A theoretical foundation for the implementation of the nursing process in the community setting. The course includes introduction to the concepts of individual, family and community as clients, roles of the community health nurse, concepts of epidemiology with focus on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention measures. An overview of the health care delivery systems at local, state and national levels, reimbursement issues, community assessment and program planning are examined.

Transcultural Nursing and Global Health – This course focuses on strategies for providing culturally competent nursing care to a multi-cultural society within the United States as well as societies of other cultures outside of the United States. Students will explore a variety of cultural beliefs and practices. The history of global health as well as current issues and trends in global health will also be discussed.
Nursing Case Management of Vulnerable Populations – The course is designed to develop skills in managing the care of chronically ill patients in the acute care setting and in the community in order to maintain maximum levels function and the self care ability, to reduce hospitalization, manage symptoms, and increase quality of life for persons at risk. The focus is on nursing case management models, roles and strategies used for managing high risk client populations and for providing comprehensive care coordination, brokerage, monitoring, discharge planning, client/family advocacy, and nursing interventions.

Gerontology – Aging is a normal process, but as the population ages and utilizes the current health care system in record numbers, it is apparent that numbers of gerontologically trained nursing staff are lacking.  The lack of quality educated nurses impacts negatively on the quality of care the older patients receive since nurses play an essential role in the provision of acute and chronic care, including the provision of health education, and the concepts of health promotion.  This course is designed to provide basic information on the care of the aging patient.  Included in class discussion will be the theories of normal aging, including the physiologic and psychosocial changes and the problems that occur in relationship to these changes, as well as the appropriate nursing intervention and the ethical/legal aspects of caring for the geriatric patient.

Leadership and Management in Nursing – Nursing 426, an Upper Division Nursing Course, incorporates the theoretical frameworks that explain organizational theory and structure in relation to the management of patient care within the components of the health care delivery system. The concepts of this leadership and management course are designed to prepare the baccalaureate nursing student to function in a complex health care environment. Nursing 426 will provide an overview of leadership, legal and ethical nursing, care management, the professional’s role in management, health care organizations management, delegation, human resource management, fiscal management, and outcomes management. Additionally the course incorporates the use of outcome measures to promote quality and cost effective health care in various organizations and health care delivery systems. This course will convey the skills necessary for the management of appropriate and effective nursing care.

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