AAS/ADN Nursing

A study of the structure and basic molecular and cellular functions, and basic disease processes of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.

An overview of concepts of microbiology to provide a basic understanding of these concepts. Emphasis is on infections and diseases, relationship between organisms, bacteriology and virology, concepts of immunology, epidemiology, and interpretation of common laboratory tests to form a basis for practical, patient-focused knowledge for application in providing nursing care. Students will demonstrate competence in microbiological lab practices.

Study of the disease processes of the body systems. An overview of genetics and genetic transmission of diseases as well as stress and pain management will be explored. The pathophysiologic changes that occur at the cellular level during disease and the effect of pathophysiologic changes on tissues, organs, and organ systems will be examined.

A study of the structure, functions, and basic disease processes of the nervous, sensory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems. Introduction to nutrition with emphasis on special dietary needs, nutrients, and supplements.

The course introduces beginning level students to acquire knowledge and develop proficiency for accurately computing medication dosages for various methods of administration to patients across the lifespan.u00a0 This course focuses on components of safe medication calculation and administration.u00a0 The emphasis is on accuracy of calculation and the critical thinking involved in client safety.u00a0 An introduction to correctly constructing, spelling, defining and using medical terminology is provided.u00a0 Provides an overview of terms used in the medical setting.u00a0 Clinical application is integrated into the clinical nursing courses.

This course assists with the development of basic nursing skills and introduces the student to identifying the social, cultural, global and ethnic needs of patients and families. This course builds on introductory course information of the practice of nursing and the nursing process. It provides evidence based rationale for safe and effective nursing interventions. Skill attainment is emphasized in the skills laboratory and through clinical experience which focuses on the self-care needs of adults.

The focus of this course is to introduce the concepts of normal growth and development, developmental theories, and strategies for the nurse to consider regarding nursing care of the patient across the lifespan.u00a0 An emphasis on identifying the developmental task in correlation to patient's current situation in the health-illness continuum will be discussed.u00a0 The use of effective coping mechanisms will also be a focus of study.

This course includes an introduction to theory and clinical practice of maternal-child health nursing, maternity-nursing care, and care of the pediatric patient. Evidence-based practices will be applied utilizing selected clinical settings across the health-care continuum.

This theory and practicum course introduces the student to the role of the medical surgical nurse in acute and chronic care settings. Emphasis is on integrating prior knowledge, developing critical thinking, reasoning and nursing judgment in utilization of the nursing process; application of knowledge of pathophysiology, correlating lab values with patient conditions, relating principles of patient education, and demonstrating application of appropriate nursing interventions according to best current evidence. Clinical activities focus on application of these concepts.

Concepts related to the safe administration of pharmaceutical agents, and utilization of the nursing process in pharmacology applications, are examined. Expected actions, appropriate assessments and nursing responses related to contraindications, adverse events and co-morbid conditions are discussed, along with evaluation of pharmacologic effectiveness. Concepts related to patient education regarding pharmaceutical agents are applied.u00a0 Cultural implications and use of complementary and alternative therapies are explored.

This is a theory and practicum course, which builds on the role of the nurse as provider of care and emphasizes the manager of care role for groups of individuals. Clinical activities focus on critical thinking and clinical decision- making skills in the care of geriatric patients and individuals with long-term care, mental health and rehabilitative needs.

This theory and practicum course gives emphasis to increasing critical thinking and clinical decision-making in the care of clients with increasingly complex health/illness needs. Utilizing the nursing process, the student is expected to integrate previous learning to assist the patient and family in achieving optimal functioning in various complex health care situations and settings. Clinical experiences are focused on assisting the student to transition to the role of the graduate nurse.

The focus of this course is in-depth exploration of clinical leadership and management, current nursing trends, legal/ethical issues in nursing practice, promotion and use of best current evidence. The student will gain an enhanced perspective on the role of the registered nurse.

The focus of this course is to transition from student nurse to graduate nurse, including preparation for the NCLEX-RN license examination upon graduation.

Students study the evolution of information and the impact of technology on research, and learn how to access, evaluate, and synthesize acquired research. The research process and papers required, of each student include inquiry into the history of each student's chosen career along with the assignments on how changes in technology have impacted the communication processes in the career field.

This course is focused on communication theories and critical analysis of written and presented speech.u00a0 The primary focus of this course will include composition and rhetorical elements focused on precise language and effective delivery.u00a0 Students will learn how to plan, write, rehearse, and present multimodal speeches to meet audience needs.

Students develop their expository and persuasive writing skills through varied writing experiences. Information literacy skills and research techniques are introduced and reinforced. Students apply their information literacy and writing skills to produce a paper which incorporates research in appropriate APA citation style.

This course builds on the research and writing skills developed in the previous English course. Students make critical decisions about the research necessary to produce diverse writings appropriate in content, format, and documentation. Using their research, students produce documents that will positively affect varied audiences.

This course helps students develop quantitative literacy skills for personal and professional lives. Students will use reasoning and mathematical methods to find solutions to real-world problems. Students will use algebraic, financial, proportional, probabilistic, and statistical methods to draw conclusions and/or make decisions.

Explore and analyze contemporary topics using analytic methods and metacognitive strategies. Emphasis is on the application of these strategies within the dynamic communities of college, career and life. Students complete a career-based ethical controversy research paper.

This course provides students with an introduction to psychology and the science of human behavior. Students are exposed tou00a0concepts, terminology, principles, and theories foundational to the discipline. Featured topics include research methods, consciousness and learning, emotional and motivational theories, psychological disorders and treatment, personality theories, and social psychology as they relate to personal, professional, and academic life.