Course Descriptions

Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice
This course introduces the student to professional nursing practice and the role of the nurse as an integral member of the healthcare system. Emphasis is placed on the art and science of nursing including development and refinement of basic nursing skills which provide the foundation for holistic, evidence based practice. Students begin to develop critical thinking skills through development and application of the nursing process, including teaching concepts related to health maintenance and promotion. The historical background and ethical-legal aspects of nursing are introduced. Development of cultural and spiritual sensitivity is facilitated. The clinical experienced is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop basic nursing skills and begin to develop a holistic, caring approach with patients and families in the acute and community care settings.
Theory hours: 120
Clinical hours: 120

Pharmacology
This online course will focus on the principles of nursing management in drug therapy along with the basics of core drug knowledge and patient related variables. There will be an emphasis on assessing and evaluating patient responses that change in accord with health, age, lifestyle, gender and other factors.
Theory Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 0

Nursing Through the Lifespan I: Maternal Child
This course introduces the student to health concepts and disorders related to women in the reproductive years and the care of children from birth through adolescence. The focus is on promotion of wellness and the changing the needs of the childbearing population and children during their developing years. Management of common women’s health problems and Pediatric illnesses of short duration and those requiring chronic life adaptations are discussed. Utilizing a family approach, the student applies the physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual concepts as a basis for holistic care. The clinical practicum is designed to provide students the opportunity to continue to develop critical thinking skills, utilize the nursing process and evidenced based research in providing quality nursing care for the growing family in the acute and community care settings.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical hours: 80
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Through the Lifespan II: Adult Gerontology
This course introduces the student to health changes commonly experienced in the aging population. Students utilize physical assessment and the nursing process as critical thinking, learning tools to identify changes, plan interventions and evaluate care of patients experiencing chronic health alterations. Physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual needs of the aging patient are discussed. Ethical legal aspects related to the aging population are presented. The clinical practicum is designed to provide students the opportunity to continue to develop critical thinking skills, utilize the nursing process and evidence based research in providing quality nursing care for patients and families in extended care facilities, rehabilitation and in the community.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical hours: 80
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Care of the Adult Patient
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the nursing process and critical thinking skills to adult patients experiencing illnesses of short duration and intervention and those disorders requiring life long adjustment and treatment. The physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual components are utilized to assist the patient and family in strengthening coping abilities and instilling faith and hope as they experience acute and chronic health alterations. The clinical practicum is designed to provide the student the opportunity to utilize evidence based nursing care for patients and families in an acute care and community care setting.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical hours: 95
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Care of the Patent with Mental Health Needs
This course focuses on the therapeutic use of self and the nursing process in providing a health healing environment for the patient experiencing mental health problems. Therapeutic communication techniques, developmental theories and varying behavioral patterns are presented and explored. The one to one structured interaction provides the opportunity for the student and the patient to explore the meaning of their illness from a holistic perspective, to cultivate inner strength and develop new coping patterns. The clinical practicum is designed to provide students the opportunity to provide quality; evidence based nursing care to patients and families in both acute and community psychiatric health settings.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical Hours: 100
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Acute Health Needs
This course provides the students the opportunity to apply the nursing process and critical thinking skills to adult patients with medical-surgical health deviations that can potentially lead to a critical state. The principles of advanced cardiac and respiratory monitoring are introduced. The physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual components are utilized to assist the patient and family to cope and make necessary life adjustments. The clinical experience is designed to provide the students the opportunity to utilize evidence based nursing in providing quality nursing care for patients in acute medical-surgical health settings and the community.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical hours: 100
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Critical Health Needs
This course provides the students the opportunity to apply the nursing process and critical thinking to patients with medical-surgical health deviations that are multisystem in nature. The principles of critical care nursing and multisystem organ failure are introduced. The physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual components are utilized to assist the patient and family to strengthen coping and instill faith when faced with critical situations. Ethical and legal decision making related to end-of -life care is explored. The students complete the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider Course as part of the experience. The clinical experience is designed to provide the students the opportunity to utilize evidence based nursing in providing quality nursing care for patients in medical-surgical intensive care units in a level one trauma center.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical hours: 100
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Nursing Care of the Patient with Complex Health Needs
This course provides the students the opportunity to apply the nursing process and critical thinking to patients with to complex health deviations in the obstetrical, pediatric, and psychiatric populations. The principles of community nursing are strengthened and public health nursing is introduced. The care of the patients experiencing obstetrical complications and emergencies, and the pediatric patient with complex and multisystem problems are presented. The student is exposed to multifaceted mental health disorders that occur across the lifespan. The physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual components are utilized to assist the patient and family to strengthen coping mechanisms and make decisions that effect health. The clinical experience is designed to provide the students the opportunity to utilize evidence based nursing in providing quality nursing care for patients, families, and communities across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.
Theory hours: 70
Clinical Hours: 100
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Transition into the Role of the Professional Nurse
This course serves as the basis for the transition from professional student nurse to the role of the professional graduate nurse. The theoretical basis of the course is grounded in nursing management and leadership concepts, resource allocation, and communication skills that enable the graduate to provide safe quality care to multiple patients, families, and the community. Personal and professional development is fostered through scholarly projects and NCLEX preparation. The clinical practicum is a precepted experience.
Theory hours: 50
Clinical hours: 240
Prerequisites: All prior nursing and non-nursing courses

Support Courses

All of the following courses are taught by Carlow University approved faculty. Carlow University credits for these courses are placed on the MHSN transcript.

Natural Sciences

BIO 201 Anatomy and Physiology I
In this course the students examine the anatomy and physiology of the support and control systems of the human body: skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine. The relationship between structure and function and the concept of homeostasis are emphasized. Attention is given to clinical correlation and application of basic anatomical and physiological facts.
Theory hours: 45
Laboratory hours: 30
Credits: 4

BIO 202 Anatomy and Physiology II
In this course the students examine systems concerned with maintenance: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. The relationship between structure and function and the concept of homeostasis are emphasized. Attention is given to clinical correlation and application of basic anatomical and physiological facts.
Theory hours: 45
Laboratory hours: 30
Credits: 4

NU 206 Nutrition
Nutrition, and the nursing role in primary prevention for individuals, families and groups throughout the life cycle is emphasized. Food needs for energy; protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals will be considered in relation to maintaining nutritional status. Nutrition assessment and intervention will be considered, and activities related to the nursing role will be addressed.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

BIO 227 Microbiology
A course designed to provide nursing students with an introduction to the biology of micro-organisms, particularly the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that are agents of human disease. Emphasis is on the biological bases for clinical activities in disinfecting and sanitation, infection control and prevention, and antimicrobial chemotherapies. Host defenses, the immune response, and immunotherapies are examined. Includes practical experience in bacteriological and immunological lab techniques.
Theory hours: 45
Laboratory hours: 30
Credits: 4

Social Sciences

PY 101 Introduction to Psychology
A survey of the general field of psychology including the fundamental areas of learning, sensation perception, cognition, behavior, motivation, personality, adjustment and the biological basis of behavior.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

PY 122 Lifespan Development
An examination of the patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occurs across the human lifespan. Starting with conception, the course explores the biological, psychosocial, and cognitive theories that help us observe and explain human behavior from life’s beginnings through the end of life.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

CC 100 College Writing and Research
This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of college writing and research. The student will write from eight to twelve expository documents (or revisions) using the traditional techniques of effective written communication. Some of the expository documents will involve college-level research. The following expository elements will be stressed: logical thought, careful analysis of ideas, concise expression of thesis, reasoned organization, coherent paragraph development, and the fundamental mechanics of English diction and style. In addition, the following research elements will be stressed: identifying research topics, identifying credible sources, gathering and recording information, integrating research into a cohesive argument, and using correct citation style. The student will be encouraged to use a word processing program to write, edit, and revise her essays as well as the access to the Internet as a source of information. In addition, the student will be introduced to the library and its resources through introductory sessions with the Library staff along with the series of class research tasks where she learns to locate helpful information.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

SO 152 Introduction to Sociology
A general survey of sociological concepts aimed at a basic understanding of modern society and its complexities. Culture, society, and individuals are studied within the framework of social institutions. The emphasis is on the interaction between the individual and society.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

PH 210 Biomedical Ethics
Study of the perplexing ethical problems of life science, biomedical research, and health care policy.
Theory hours: 45
Credits: 3

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