WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : School of Professional Studies

Nursing

NUR 105 Application of Math prior to Medication Administration 1 SH
This course is designed to expose students to mathematical calculations in the context of medication administration.

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. Competency: First Year Navigation (FY).

NUR 201 Introduction to Physical Assessment 4 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 students with opportunities to develop examination skills in preparation for clinical courses (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major.

NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing 4 SH
Consideration of the nursing profession as a theory-based practice discipline. Introduces foundational concepts and skills used in the care of individuals, families, and communities within the context of the needs-adaptation framework (4 hrs lecture).  Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing major.

NUR 225 Scientific Principles underlying Nursing Practice 3 SH
Introduction to the principles underlying pharmacotherapeutics as well as other diagnostic and patient care modalities. Prerequisite: NUR 201 and NUR 205. Co-requisites: NUR 235 and NUR 230.

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 individuals. Considers human responses to commonly encountered illnesses, including pathophysiological processes and treatment approaches. Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of individuals in structured clinical settings (3 hrs lecture; 3 hrs college lab; 6 hrs clinical). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in NUR 201, NUR 205 and BIO 215.

NUR 255 Clinical Nursing Practice II 6 SH
Use of the nursing process to design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions for individuals undergoing medical and/or surgical treatment for commonly occurring illnesses. Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of individuals, primarily in surgical settings  (3 hrs lecture, 3 hrs college lab; 6 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in NUR 225 and NUR 235; HPX 205.

NUR 298 Faculty Developed Study 1-6 SH

NUR 299 Student Developed Study 1-6 SH

NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing 4 SH
Application of the nursing process with clients who have major disorders of ego development and/or functioning. Psychosocial development issues of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are explored as a baseline. Then behavioral dynamics and the application of therapeutic interpersonal interventions are stressed, using a systems framework (2 hrs lecture; 6 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in NUR 201 and NUR 205.

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. Competency: Intercultural (IC).

NUR 325 Nursing Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family 7 SH
Continual application of the nursing process in planning and providing nursing care for members of childbearing and childrearing families. Considers the needs of both groups during this developmental stage. College and clinical laboratory experiences provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of both groups (4 hrs lecture; 9 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in the following: NUR 255, NUR 300 and NUR 361.

NUR 327 Community Health Nursing 6 SH
A community is viewed as the client. In studying population groups, health prevention, health promotion and risk reduction strategies are explored with select community health problems across a variety of settings (3 hrs lecture; 9 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in NUR 255, NUR 300 and NUR 361.

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. Competency: Information Literacy (IL).

NUR 335 Clinical Nursing Practice III 8 SH
Continual application of the nursing process in applying concepts and skills in planning and providing nursing care for individuals experiencing complex illnesses. Considers human responses to complex illnesses; designs and supports the creation of new approaches to nursing interventions to meet the demands of the care situation. Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to apply theory and develop skills in the care of individuals in traditional institutional and selected community settings (4 hrs lecture; 3 hrs college lab; 9 hrs clinical lab). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in the following: NUR 255, NUR 300 and NUR 361.

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. Competency: Creative Process (CP), Health & Wellness (HW).

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.  Competency: Intercultural (IC).

NUR 361 Research Process in Nursing 2 SH
Exploration of the principles and concepts underlying the research process as it is used in conducting empirical nursing research studies. Analysis and critique of extant nursing research, with an emphasis on evaluation of research for application in practice (2 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: Admission to the RN-BS program; MAT 115 or MAT 120. Competency: Information Literacy (IL).

NUR 374 Leadership and Management in Contemporary Nursing Practice 2 SH
Application of the principles of leadership and management within the context of professional nursing practice. Roles of the professional nurse as assertive leader, manager of resources and patient care, and change agent are explored (2 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in the following: NUR 255, NUR 300 and NUR 361.

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). Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

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.  Clinical experiences allow students to practice the full role of the professional nurse under the guidance of a clinical preceptor and faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Completion of all Nursing courses. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

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