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The nursing curriculum is designed to prepare a graduate capable of practicing professional nursing, at a beginning level, with individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings. The Tanner's clinical judgment model serves as a framework for the development of clinical reasoning skills. A conceptual model is utilized, emphasizing health teaching and health promotion, with QSEN serving as the framework.
As part of the overall curriculum, students are enrolled into six support courses, instructed by our partnering universities. These courses are transferable from accredited institutions if completed within 5 years, final grade C or better, and reviewed for equivalencies.
At UPMC Schools of Nursing, we are dedicated to academic excellence. We incorporate quality and safety for nursing education concepts into theory and clinical instruction to prepare graduate nurses for transition to practice as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
This course introduces the student to the role of the professional nurse. The concepts of communication, clinical decision making, professionalism and patient education are explored. In addition, the holistic aspects of patient care such as culture, spirituality, legal and ethical issues will be discussed. Tanner’s clinical judgment model will provide the framework for the student’s development of clinical judgment and decision making.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisite: None
This course introduces the student to the foundational concepts of nursing practice across the lifespan. Basic care and comfort is explored through the concepts of nutrition, elimination, safety, mobility and sensory perception. Physical assessment is a major component of this course. The promotion of health and wellness is an underlying theme carried throughout the course. The student is introduced to basic foundational skills of nursing practice, including medication administration, through both the clinical and lab settings. Students engage in clinical experiences in inpatient medical-surgical units.
Credits: 9
Pre-requisites: None
This course introduces the student to the physiological concepts of nursing practice across the lifespan. The fundamental aspects of oxygenation, perfusion, acid-based balance, fluid and electrolytes infection, immunity, inflammation, digestion and metabolism are explored. Through the integration of the nursing concepts, along with Tanner’s clinical judgment model, the student begins to respond to identified patient problems in the clinical setting. Students engage in clinical experiences in acute medical-surgical units.
Credits: 10
Pre-requisites: N101; N102; A&P I
This course introduces the student to complex individual and family concepts of nursing practice. The course explores dynamic concepts across the lifespan. Family dynamics, reproduction and growth and development alterations are a major focus of the course. Concepts of mental health nursing are explored as they relate to the individual and the overall impact on the family. Through the integration of nursing concepts, along with Tanner’s clinical judgment model, the student focuses on assisting the individual and family to adjust to health alterations across the lifespan. Students engage in various clinical experiences in the areas of pediatric, obstetric, geriatric and behavioral health.
Credits: 11
Pre-requisites: N101; N102; N201; A&P I; A&P II; Growth and Development
This course introduces the student to advanced concepts of nursing practice. The course builds and expands on the concepts of oxygenation, perfusion, metabolism and infection that were previously introduced in Nursing 211. In addition the advanced concepts of cellular regulation, intracranial regulation and alterations in tissue integrity are explored. Through the integration of nursing concepts, along with Tanner’s clinical judgment model, the student engages in advanced clinical decision making in high acuity environments. Students engage in various clinical experiences that take place in stepdown units, critical care units and emergency departments.
Credits: 7.5
Pre-requisites: N101; N102; N201; N301; A&P I; A&P II; Growth and Development; Microbiology; College Writing
This course serves as the student’s transition into the role of professional nursing practice. Leadership and management concepts are applied with an emphasis on safety and quality nursing care. Clinical is conducted through a preceptor experience where the student is given the opportunity to manage, delegate and prioritize care for multiple patients.
Credits: 5.5
Pre-requisites: N101; N102; N201; N301; N320; A&P I; A&P II; Growth and Development; Microbiology; College Writing
This course provides the students with NCLEX preparation through content reviews and test taking strategies.
Credits: 2
Pre-requisites: N101; N102; N201; N301; N320; A&P I; A&P II; Growth and Development; Microbiology; College Writing
As part of the overall curriculum plan, students take the following support courses. These courses are transferable from an accredited college or university if the course was completed in the past 5 years, the total course credits match exactly, and the students’ final grade was a C or better. Please refer to your individual schools website for detailed course descriptions.
Anatomy & Physiology I – Credits: 4
Anatomy & Physiology II – Credits: 4
Microbiology – Credits: 4
Human Growth and Development – Credits: 3
College Writing – Credits: 3
Biomedical Ethics – Credits: 3
Note: The above reflects the Full-Time Program Option. A Part-time program option is available at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
