Nursing

The focus of this course is to assist students in developing an understanding of the roles of professional nurse within the current social, economic, psychological, political and philosophical climate. The student identifies the autonomous and collaborative components of nursing practice within the health care delivery system. Concepts which contribute to professional development such as critical thinking, communication, accountability, ethics, and legalities are explored. Students trace the historical evolution of the profession from its early beginnings to current theories of nursing and identify the value of research to the future of nursing and health care. A conceptual framework is utilized. This course counts as a wellness distribution course for general education.  

The focus of this course is on the development of assessment and critical thinking skills needed by the nurse in the data collection and includes communication and interviewing, nursing history, vital signs, interpretation of routine laboratory date, and the physical examination. Opportunities will be provided for skill development in communicating effectively and in a caring manner while collecting and recording subjective and objective data, identifying factors that present health risks or actual overt alteration in functional patterns and health status, developing outcome and interventions related to the helping and teaching domains of practice, and documenting all aspects of the nursing process are covered. A conceptual framework is utilized.

This course focuses on individualized interventions related to the prevention and alleviation of common health problems in the client experiencing alterations in functional health patterns. In simulated and actual clinical settings the student practices in a professional role while utilizing critical thinking skills in an environment that values the concept of caring. The focus on implementation of care reflects cultural, developmental level for adults (older adult/Hartford Geriatric Curriculum), and advocacy needs of the client using the application of Benner's domains of practice. A conceptual framework is utilized.

This interdisciplinary honors course takes as its focus the history and portrayal of nursing and nurses in literature, with a particular emphasis on the nineteenth- and twentieth-centuries. From the religious orders of women who preceded Florence Nightingale in serving the ill and infirm to the empowerment of women in nursing currently, the course explores the field of nursing from its origins to current time. The challenges and opportunities that nursing presented for diverse women will be analyzed by considering the ways in which gender, race, and class shaped and continue to shape their work experiences. Students will analyze the role of nursing in a variety of text selections, including historical literature, biographies and first-person accounts of leaders within the nursing profession, selected essays and fiction, as well as film excerpts. The course emphasizes the important contributions that women have made in the development of the field of nursing, including creating an awareness of the profession through literary production.

The purpose is to identify, clarify, and conceptualize pathological changes in major health problems across the lifespan which provides a theoretical base for the nurse in the Benner's domains of practice. The concept of caring is reflected in the seeking of knowledge regarding pathophysiology and nursing interventions. Using a student centered learning environment, students have an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying pathophysiological and nursing principles. Students integrate theory into the care of the acutely ill client in practice settings. A conceptual framework is utilized. (Theory 50 hrs., Clinical 80 hrs.)

This course is designed to prepare the student in caring for clients requiring complex nursing interventions. The theoretical preparation, including the concept of caring, provides a framework by which analysis of clinical situations promotes understanding of the complex interactive factors affecting the health of the client system. In the clinical laboratory, the student utilizes clinical judgment in the care of the client with complex problems in a variety of settings. Students develop and expand their skills and clinical judgment in selected domains of practice.

This course assists students in examining factors that promote health or act as barriers to health across the life span. Students will explore multidimensional factors including culture, religion, and economics that influence health behaviors. Clinical experiences in a variety of community settings will provide students with knowledge to develop and implement specific health promotion strategies using a dynamic interdisciplinary approach. Application of learning theory will be applied to groups in the community.

This course is designed to refine students' communication skills and therapeutic use of self for application with clients who are experiencing behavioral difficulties in living. Theory and practice in psychiatric-mental health nursing is directed toward the development of skill and comfort in intervening with these clients. Theory consists of content related to emotional/mental disorders with the expectation that the student applies this knowledge in the practicum. The course examines clients across the life span, with emphasis on the adult, and from various socio/cultural backgrounds. Primary focus is on the nurse/client individual relationship. Students collaborate with other health care providers, and accountability and clinical judgment are emphasized.

This course examines the nursing role in the maintenance and restoration of the family during the childbearing and child rearing phases of family development. Students are encouraged to explore interactions which contribute to the family's functioning and interaction with the community. Caring is the overriding construct which directs interventions identified in the domains of helping, teaching-learning, and diagnostic-monitoring of therapeutic regimes.

This course is an overview of nursing role development, professional values and the hallmarks of professional practice environments that are based on nursing knowledge, clinical quality care and evidenced based decision making. Students use critical thinking and theoretical knowledge to further develop cognitive and communication skills in nursing theory, research, leadership, advocacy, and accountability. The ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice and AACN/AONE reports serve as benchmarks for professional practice.

Focus of this course is on the development of assessment and critical thinking skills needed by the nurse in the data collection phase of the nursing process and includes nursing history, vital signs, interpretation of routine laboratory data, and the physical examination. Opportunities will be provided for skill development in communicating effectively and in a caring manner, while collecting subjective and objective data, identifying factors that present health risks or actual overt alteration in functional patterns and health status, developing outcomes and health promotion and risk reduction interventions related to the helping and teaching coaching domains of practice, and documenting all aspects of the nursing process. Offer Fall and Spring, Theory and Lab 52 Hours.

The purpose is to identify, clarify, and conceptualize advanced pathological changes in major health problems across the lifespan which provides a theoretical base for the nurse in the Benner's domains of practice. The concepts of caring is reflected in the seeking of knowledge regarding pathophysiology and nursing interventions. Using a student centered learning environment, students have an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying pathophysiological and nursing principles. Students integrate theory into the care for the acutely ill client in practice settings. Students develop and expand their clinical judgement and skills in selected domains of practice. A conceptual framework is utilized. Offered Fall and Spring (Theory 50 hrs., Clinical 80 hrs.)

The major focus of this course is on the scientific application of drug actions and their effect on an individual's wellness/illness state across the lifespan. This course enhances the students' critical thinking abilities related to pharmacological concepts within a caring framework. Drug classifications are presented, analyzing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, within a framework of an individual's physiological and psychological functioning. Socioeconomic concerns, cultural diversity, age-related changes, legal constraints and ethical issues related to drug therapy are explored. Nursing GPA of 3.000 required to enroll.

This course provides in-depth coverage of health care concepts with nursing applications. This course provides continuing opportunities for development of clinical judgement skills. The course lends itself to a concept-based approach. This course examines the nursing role in the maintenance and restoration of the family during the childbearing, and child rearing phases of family development. Students are encouraged to explore interactions which contribute to the family's functioning and interaction with the community. Caring is the overriding construct which directs interventions identified in the domains of helping, teaching-learning, and diagnostic-monitoring of therapeutic regimes. Offered: Fall and Spring. (Theory 30 hrs., Clinical 80 hrs.)

This course introduces the epidemiological process as a basis for understanding health and nursing in the community. The course emphasizes application of community theory, health promotion, and family theory in an epidemiological framework to health care on an individual, family, population and global level. The course assists students to examine health through community assessment and group teaching processes, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable populations. Offered Spring. (Theory 52 hours, Clinical 80 Hours). Co-requisite NSG 402L.

This course is designed to integrate the professional concepts of nurse, environment, person, and health as they apply to the domains of practice across a variety of health care settings. Students will examine the contributions made by effective leadership/management to the client's experience of the health care system and its complexities. Students will draw upon previous knowledge and nursing experience, integrated with nursing theory and research, to manage the care of clients. Offered Spring semester.

The baccalaureate graduate, as a professional practitioner, assumes responsibility for planning, delegating, supervising, and evaluating nursing care given by other staff in health care agencies. The nature of organizations, the behavior of individuals and groups in the organization, patterns of delivering care in various health care settings, and the evaluations of services are explored. A major focus is developing clinical judgment in the domains of monitoring and ensuring quality of health care practice, and organizational work role competencies.

This theoretical course focuses on clients with a life-threatening condition with multi-system needs who are experiencing rapid physiological changes and their sequelae. Caring within the context of advanced technological settings is emphasized.

The epidemiological prevention process, community theory and family theory provide the basis for nursing care in the community. This course emphasizes application of this knowledge base to improve the health of the community through planning and effective use of the health care resources. Emphasis will be place on achieving positive outcomes of nursing management for individuals, families, and specific population groups through dynamic interdisciplinary practice.

The development of the baccalaureate nurse's commitment to and leadership in the profession of nursing is the emphasis of this course. Emphasis is on professional responsibility for helping to shape the future of health care, for advancing human caring as a public agenda, and for influencing developments within the profession. In seminar discussion, students investigate and analyze the impact of specific professional, ethical, political, social, legal, and economic issues in nursing and health care.

This capstone course is designed to help the student synthesize the concepts of nurse, environment, person, health, and caring as they apply to the domains of nursing practice in various health care settings. Students will examine the client's total experience of the health care system and its complexities to support culturally sensitive care within a diverse environment. Complex dimensions of the domains of practice will be analyzed with implications for the graduate nurse leadership roles. By synthesizing knowledge of nursing theory/research and previous practice, students will make the initial transition to professional practice models.

The epidemiological prevention process, community theory and family theory provide the basis for nursing care in the community. The course emphasizes application of this knowledge base to improve the health of the community. The course emphasizes application of this knowledge base to improve the health of the community through program planning and effective use of the health care resources. Emphasis will be placed on achieving positive outcomes of nursing management for individuals, families, and specific population groups through dynamic interdisciplinary practice. Offered Fall and Spring. (Theory 30 hrs., Clinical 80 hrs.)

A series of evolving topics and concepts in nursing. Current topics will reflect national health trends, relevant practice issues and implications for the nursing profession.

This capstone course is designed to help the student synthesize the concepts of nurse, environment, person, health and caring as they apply to the domains of nursing practice in various health care settings. Students will examine the clients total experience of the health care system and its complexities to support culturally sensitive care within a diverse environment. Complex dimensions of the domains of practice will be analyzed with implications for the graduate leadership roles. By synthesizing knowledge of nursing theory/research, and previous practice, students will make the initial transition to professional practice models. Certification preparation is incorporated in seminars. Offered Fall and Spring (Theory 18 hrs. [6 seminars, 3 hours/seminar], Clinical 240 hrs.)

• See graduate catalog

• See graduate catalog