Course Descriptions
N100A Foundations of Nursing: Professional Nursing Communication: 3 units
(2.5 units theory/0.5 units lab/clinical)
Using self-discovery techniques, the student will explore personal beliefs and values creating a foundation upon which the concepts of interpersonal, therapeutic, and professional communication will be examined and applied in class and clinical settings. The role of nursing informatics will be introduced, identifying technologies supporting the safe communication of health information. Navigation of the clinical informational system will be experienced in the clinical setting..
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N100B Foundations of Nursing: Introduction to Professional Nursing: 3 units
(2.5 units theory/0.5 units lab/clinical)
Framed by the historical aspect of nursing and health care, the student is introduced to the foundational concepts of professional nursing practice. The student will explore the following models: Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns, Tanner’s Clinical Judgment, Relationship-Based Care , Evidence-Based Practice, and Nursing Standards for Professional Practice. These concepts are applied in the classroom and clinical settings.
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N100C Foundations of Nursing: Introduction to Nursing Skills and Health Assessment: 7 units
(4.5 units theory/2.5 units lab/clinical)
This course builds upon the concepts introduced in prerequisite courses. The student will demonstrate noticing behaviors throughout the nurse-patient relationship and become skillful in health assessment. Utilizing clinical judgment and reasoning, the student will analyze data and implement professional nursing practice strategies to develop a patient-centered plan of care.
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N100D Foundations of Nursing: Pharmacology: 3 units
(2.5 units theory/0.5 units lab-clinical)
This course provides students with a foundation of basic pharmacologic concepts important to safe medication management. Through the exploration of medication classifications, students identify the implications to nursing practice. Building on the concepts presented in N100A and N100B, students will explore medication management across the lifespan. Utilizing the nursing standards for professional practice, students will demonstrate skillfulness in safe medication management. Clinical laboratory will enable students to apply these essential aspects culminating in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for medication math calculation.
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N200A Nursing in Health Promotion and Maintenance: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/ 3.5 units lab/clinical)
This course engages the student in the study of the patient across the lifespan with attention to coping and stress tolerance, cognition, and protection with a focus on wellness, health promotion, and chronic illness management. Patient and family preferences, cultural and spiritual variations, and their effects on motivation are emphasized. Attributes and roles of the professional nurse are expanded and applied to diverse patient experiences. A perioperative experience is introduced with an emphasis on safety.
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N200B Nursing in Chronic and Acute Illness: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/ 3.5 units lab/ clinical)
This course expands on and incorporates prior knowledge and experience from N200A in care of the patient across the trajectory of chronic conditions into acute illness. Health and illness concepts related to homeostasis and regulation, oxygenation, and hemostasis (perfusion) are studied and applied to care of the patient with a focus on health promotion and management of chronic and acute disease.
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N200C Nursing in Chronic and Acute Illness II: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/3.5 units lab/clinical)
This course continues to expand on and incorporate knowledge and experience from the previous courses including care of the patient across the trajectory of illness. Health and illness concepts related to cellular metabolism, cellular regulation, and mobility are studied and applied to care of the patient with a focus on health promotion and management of acute and chronic disease. Comprehensive care of the patient and family at the end of life and during palliation is examined. Health care concepts related to the business of health care and the nurse’s individual and organizational fiscal responsibilities are applied to practice.
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N200D Nursing in Acute Illness and Complex Health Alterations: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/3.5 units lab/clinical)
Using prior knowledge of concepts of health and illness, this course focuses on the nursing care of patients with acute illness and subsequent complex health alterations. The concepts of gas exchange, perfusion, intracranial regulation, and traumatic injury are applied with an emphasis on prioritization of complex patient and nursing situations. Family dynamics as it relates to acute illness are explored. The role of the professional nurse is further developed with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. Clinical environments will be intense acute care and sub-acute care settings.
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N300A Nursing the Growing Family: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/3.5 units lab/clinical)
Using prior knowledge of concepts of health, illness, and growth and development, this course focuses on the nursing care of the growing family in a variety of health care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the professional nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team to foster health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration across this continuum. Clinical environments will include acute care, outpatient, and community settings.
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N300B Nursing in Acute and Chronic Psychiatric Illness: 7.5 units
(4 units theory/3.5 units lab/clinical)
Using prior knowledge of concepts of health, illness, and communication, this course focuses on the nursing care of adults with acute psychiatric illness and chronic alterations of emotions, cognitive function, and stress and coping tolerance. The concepts of complicated mood, psychosis, and anxiety are developed, and the maladaptive behaviors of addiction and interpersonal violence are explored as they relate to nursing care in the reformed health care settings. Professional nurse role formation considers the legal, ethical, and cultural issues inherent in providing care to patients in the various health care settings. Communication strategies are emphasized as pathways to safe, effective patient care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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N400A Professional Role Formation and Transition: 7 units
(2 units theory/5 units lab/clinical)
This course is designed to facilitate the student’s development and transition into the professional nursing role. Through guided experiences with registered nurse preceptors in the acute care setting, students are expected to integrate previous evidence-based learning. They will gradually increase accountability for the patient-centered care of patients and their families experiencing functional and dysfunctional health patterns. Concepts related to the professional nursing role, patient care management, nursing leadership principles and resource allocation are presented with an emphasis on continuous quality improvement, safety, teamwork and collaboration, and professional communication.
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N400B NCLEX-RN Preparation: 2 units
This course prepares the student to take the NCLEX-RN exam through a variety of individual and group strategies. Students will utilize test taking strategies to respond to high level NCLEX style questions and integrate knowledge from previous courses to meet the requirements of benchmarking for licensure as an entry level nurse.
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Anatomy and Physiology I and II: 4 credits each
Study of the structure and function of human cells, tissue, organs, and systems. Clinical applications of anatomy and physiology will also be considered. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week for two terms.
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General Microbiology: 4 credits
The study of fundamental characteristics of bacteria and related microorganisms, including taxonomy, physiology, and distribution. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory periods weekly.
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Nutrition: 3 credits
An introduction to the science of nutrition. Consideration is given to nutrients, their composition, functions, and sources. Human physiology, including digestion, metabolism, and excretion is covered, along with special nutritional needs throughout the life cycle. Integrated with this basic information are special topics pertaining to diets, organic foods, preservatives, pesticides, world hunger, and other current concerns.
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Introduction to Logic: 3 credits
An introduction to critical thinking, induction, deduction, and contemporary symbolic logic including argument symbolization, proof construction, and truth tables.
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Human Growth & Development: 3 credits
Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development is studied throughout the life span. Major theories of development are discussed. Applications and examples are presented from applied contexts. Special needs of individuals at various stages throughout the life span are addressed.
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Diversity in Health and Illness: 3 credits
This course will examine the impact of culture on health care services and delivery in the United States. The influence of cultural difference on patient/provider interactions will be considered within the cultural competency model. The context of health and illness for groups including African-American, Asian-Americans, and Latin-Americans will be included.
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Repeat Nursing Courses
Repeating a course is defined as full participation in all class and clinical activities as outlined in the class/clinical attendance policies. Course specific evaluate methods (exams, papers, clinical evaluations, nursing care plans, etc.) will be required. A grade and credits are awarded and a transcript will be generated. Payment of full tuition and related fees is required.
A repeat course grade is the prevailing grade for the progression decisions.
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Definition of Failure
A student is considered failed when any one of the following conditions has been met:
- Less than a “C” in an affiliate college course
- Less than a 76 percent in a nursing course
- “Fail” rating in clinical
- WF (Withdraw Failure) grade
- Termination for violation of the “Student Performance and Behavior Expectations Policy”
- Termination for violation of the “Drug and Alcohol Policy"
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