Associate of Science in Nursing Courses
NURS 1000: INTRODUCTION TO THE PROFESSION OF NURSING (4 credits)
Composed of lecture, lab and clinical components, NURS 1000 is an introductory course for a program of study leading to an associate degree in nursing. Course content includes an emphasis on the nursing role, legal and ethical aspects of nursing, the nurse-patient relationship, communication and definitions of health. Concepts of complementary therapy are discussed. You are introduced to modeling and role-modeling and other conceptual models that provide a framework for studying and practicing nursing. Problem-solving models that nurses use, such as the nursing process, are also introduced. During the lab component of the course, you will learn content related to universal precautions, hygiene, body mechanics, comfort skills and oral medication administration. Your clinical experience for this introductory course will occur in the long-term care setting where you will have the opportunity to administer oral and topical medications to your patient. Prerequisites: Chemistry, BIOL 2400, 2410, C.N.A. certification, Medical Terminology. Prerequisites with concurrency: FNDN 0600.
NURS 1200: HEALTH AND NURSING ASSESSMENT (4 credits)
NURS 1200, the second sequential course, combines lecture, lab and clinical components to emphasize history taking and holistic health assessment of the patient. With a focus on a systematic approach to the collection of data, you begin to learn to make assessments that provide a basis for nursing interventions and practice. Physical assessment tools are introduced in nursing lectures and practice lab and applied with healthy patients in a variety of clinical settings. Further assessment skills are acquired as you learn the assessment of pain experienced by patients. In addition, you will learn assessments related to sleep, spiritual health, nutritional status and client self-care abilities. Prerequisites: NURS 1000, FNDN 0600.
NURS 2100: VARIATIONS IN HEALTH PART I (4 credits)
Composed of lecture, lab and clinical components, NURS 2100 builds on concepts that you learned in Level I (first semester) nursing courses. You will learn assessment and care of patients of all age groups experiencing variations in health related to mobility, sensory deficits, or chemical dependency as well as patients experiencing surgical procedures. Perspectives of acute, chronic and rehabilitative care and diagnostic testing are considered. You will develop competency in the safe administration of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal medications during this course. Nursing practice lab experiences focus on asepsis, mini-assessment and priority setting. Your clinical experiences are designed to maximize integration of learning and emphasize assessment and delivery of care for the patient in the acute care environment. Prerequisites: NURS 1200, American Heart Association CPR certification (proof of current certification must be presented to the instructor the first week of class).
NURS 2200: VARIATIONS IN HEALTH PART II (4 credits)
This course continues with the assessment and care of patients of all ages experiencing variations in health with an emphasis on the variations related to the transportation of oxygen, the transportation and utilization of nutrients and neurological deficits. Your nursing practice lab experiences include procedures involving tubes, pumps and drainage devices, as well as oxygen and airway equipment. Your clinical experiences will focus on caring for patients with acute healthcare problems and will assist you in integrating theory, lab and clinical content to provide quality patient care. Prerequisites: NURS 2100.
NURS 2440: VARIATIONS IN HEALTH PART III (4 credits)
NURS2440 builds upon your previously completed course work in the nursing program. NURS 2440 is composed of seminar/lab, lecture and clinical components. The focus of this course includes variations in health throughout the lifespan related to endocrine function, renal and cardiac function and fluid and electrolyte management. Your lab experience will focus on developing skills in assessing and managing intravenous access devices and delivery of intravenous medications. In NURS2440, the expectations for your clinical performance are increased as you care for more complex clinical patients. Your clinical care of patients experiencing variations of health is provided in a variety of acute healthcare settings. Prerequisites: NURS 2200, BIOL 2450, current American Heart Association CPR certification.
NURS 2540: VARIATIONS IN HEALTH PART IV (4 credits)
In this course you will build upon your learning gained in the preceding nursing courses. NURS 2540 is composed of seminar/lab, lecture and clinical components and includes variations in health throughout the lifespan related to the production and circulation of blood and cellular proliferation. Your clinical care of patients experiencing variations of health is provided in a variety of acute healthcare settings. Prerequisites: NURS 2440.. Prerequisites with concurrency: CIL 1400 or 1500.
NURS 2600: INTERNSHIP (0 credits)
This elective clinical internship course provides learning opportunities to apply nursing theory to nursing practice. The focus is on gaining depth of understanding of the role of the registered nurse, as well as strengthening nursing skills in the clinical setting. In this course, you are precepted by nurses in the practice setting. You will also work with a St. Catherine University nursing faculty during this experience. Prerequisites: NURS 2200 or NURS 2540, approval by program director.
NURS 2800: TRANSITION TO THE PROFESSIONAL ROLE (4 credits)
Composed of lecture and seminar format, NURS 2800 promotes your transition to a graduate nurse by exploring current issues pertinent to the profession of nursing and trends in today’s healthcare arena. You learn content related to management and leadership issues for the associate degree nurse and care of complex patients (including complex childbearing, family, mental health and medical-surgical patients). You gain experience in application of critical-thinking skills to complex clinical situations. Prerequisites: NURS 2540 or NURS 2550; PSYC 2020, CIL 1400 or CIL 1500, current CPR certification. Prerequisites with concurrency: PHIL 2000. Co-requisites: NURS 2810.
NURS 2810: MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX AND MULTIPLE PATIENTS (4 credits)
A clinical course, NURS 2810 is designed to promote transition to the graduate nurse role. This course offers you the opportunity to provide complex and holistic nursing care to multiple patients across the lifespan in a variety of clinical and community-based settings. Clinical experiences build on concepts and skills you learned in NURS 2800 and previous course work in the nursing curriculum. You apply skills of time management, priority setting, delegation and supervision while caring for multiple and complex patients in a medical-surgical setting. Childbearing and mental health nursing clinical experiences are also included in the course. Prerequisites: NURS 2540 or NURS 2550, PSYC 2020, CIL 1400 or CIL 1500, current American Heart Associate CPR certification. Prerequisites with concurrency: PHIL 2000. Co-requisites: NURS 2800.
