Department website: http://nursing.hsc.wvu.edu
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Introduction
The mission of the WVU School of Nursing is to lead in improving health in West Virginia and the broader society through excellence in student-centered educational programs, research and scholarship, the compassionate practice of nursing, and service to the public and the profession. This mission is responsive to changing healthcare needs and emerging national and state changes in technology and healthcare delivery and is enhanced by a supportive and open environment. The faculty’s educational effort is directed at providing high quality, student-centered programs of instruction at all levels which prepare superb professional nurses to meet basic healthcare needs; advance practiced nurses to address complex health needs; and enable doctorally-educated nurses to advance nursing knowledge through research, to assist in the formulation of policies to improve health care, and to serve as faculty in higher degree programs. Unique characteristics of the state mandates that the healthcare needs of rural populations and vulnerable groups be a major focus of education, research, and service, including faculty practice.
The School of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and post-graduate certificates of study. The baccalaureate program (BSN) is available for high school graduates who aspire to a career in nursing (basic or traditional BSN program) and to registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who are licensed graduates of associate degree or diploma nursing programs seeking to continue their career development (RN to BSN and LPN to BSN programs). In addition, an ABSN (fast track) program is available for the college graduate seeking a BSN in Morgantown and Bridgeport.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Virginia University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Fees, Expenses, Housing, Transportation, and Immunization
Students enrolling at the Morgantown campus pay fees which are detailed on the Cost and Aid page of the West Virginia University Undergraduate Admissions website. Special fees and deposits are also required. Students enrolling at other sites pay the fees shown in the catalog for that site. Fees are subject to change without notice. Students’ expenses vary according to the course of study and individual needs. Information concerning financial assistance, application forms, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form may be obtained from the Professional - Health Sciences Center page of the Student Financial Services website or by contacting the HSC Financial Aid Office, PO Box 9810, Morgantown, WV 26506-9810; telephone (304) 293-3706 (toll free) or 1-800-344-WVU1.
The University Housing and Residence Life Office, telephone (304) 293-4491, provides information concerning university-owned housing. The Student Life Office in E. Moore Hall, telephone (304) 293-5611, provides information concerning privately owned, off-campus housing.
Students are expected to provide their own transportation, equipment, and instruments for the clinical courses. Some clinical experiences require travel in a multi-county area.
Students entering the traditional BSN or ABSN program on the Morgantown campus are required to participate in the WVU Health Sciences Center Student Computer Program. A laptop computer will be issued to all students entering these programs. Please visit the Undergraduate Programs page of the West Virginia University School of Nursing website for more information.
Proof of specific immunizations is required for all health sciences students. Students in the BSN, ABSN, RN to BSN, LPN to BSN, MSN, DNP, and post graduate certificate nursing programs must undergo a criminal background check prior to clinical courses. Felony convictions, serious misdemeanors, illicit drug use, or positive drug screens may result in admission ineligibility or program dismissal.
Scholarships
The School of Nursing offers several scholarships. These scholarships are administered by the Health Science Center Financial Aid Office and require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form in order to be considered for financial aid. Most School of Nursing scholarships are available only to students already admitted to the School of Nursing and are awarded each April for the following academic year. However, there are a limited number of scholarships for which students may apply before admission. Further information is provided on the Student Resources page of the West Virginia University School of Nursing website.
Additional Information
Visit the West Virginia University School of Nursing website. Call the WVU school of Nursing Office of Student Services at 1-866-WVUNURS or (304) 293-1386. Write to WVU School of Nursing at PO Box 9600, Morgantown, WV 26506-9600
Administration
Dean
- Tara F. Hulsey - PhD (University of South Carolina)
Associate Dean of Curriculum
- Stacy Huber - EdD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Associate Professor
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs
- Brad Phillips - PhD (West Virginia University)
Assistant Professor
Associate Dean for Research
- Ubolrat Piamjariyakul - PhD (University of Kansas)
Professor
Associate Dean of Faculty Practice
- Emily Barnes - DNP (West Virginia University)
Clinical Professor
Associate Dean of Community Engagement
- Angel Smothers - DNP (West Virginia University)
Clinical Associate Professor
Assistant Dean for Student and Alumni Services
- Gregory T. Cave - BA (West Virginia University)
Director and Assistant Dean of Business & Finance
- Karis P. Wolfe - MBA (West Virginia University)
Chair, Department of Adult Health
- Heather Carter-Templeton - PhD (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Family/Community Health
- Billie Vance - PhD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Associate Professor
Chair, Beckley Division
- Hillary Parcel - MSN (Marshalla University)
Clinical Education Associate Professor
Chair, Bridgeport Division
- Veronica Gallo - PhD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Associate Professor
Chair, Charleston Division
- Katherine Atassi - PhD (Medical University of South Carolina)
Clinical Education Assistant Professor
Chair, Keyser Division
- April L. Shapiro - PhD (West Virginia University)
Associate Professor
Director of Evaluation and Accreditation
- Heather Carter-Templeton - PhD (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)
Associate Professor
Director, PhD Program
- Roger Carpenter - PhD (West Virginia University)
Associate Professor
Director, DNP Program and FNP Track Coordinator
- Kendra Baker - DNP (West Virginia University)
Clinical Associate Professor
Director, CRNA Program
- Aaron Ostrowski - PhD (University of Pittsburgh)
Clinical Assistant Professor
Assistant Director, CRNA Program
- Kellon Smith - DNAP (Saint Vincent College)
Clinical Assistant Professor
Director, Undergraduate Programs
- Tina Antill-Keener - PhD (West Virginia University
Assistant Professor
Director of Nursing Simulation
- Andrea Bailey - MSN (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Assistant Professor
Director, Continuing Education
- Rebecca Smeltzer - DNP (Case Western Reserve University)
Teaching Assistant Professor, NEL Track Coordinator
Faculty
Professors
- Jennifer Mallow - PhD (West Virginia University)
- Mary Jane Smith - PhD (University of New York)
Associate Professors
- Susan Newfield - PhD (Texas Tech University)
- Suzy Walter - PhD (West Virginia University
- Kesheng Wang - PhD (Augusta University)
Clinical Assistant Professors
- Amy Ankrom - MSN (University of Pittsburgh)
PMHNP Track Coordinator - Susan McKenrick - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Kayla Watson - DNP (West Virginia University)
PNP Track Coordinator - Stephanie Young - PhD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Associate Professor
- Christy Barnhart - DHSc (California University of Pennsylvania)
- Patricia J. Maramba - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Elizabeth Minchau - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Tonya Thompson - DNP (Waynesburg University)
Clinical Education Assistant Professors
- Kimberly Adams - MSN (Waynesburg University)
- Dana Friend - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Gina Greathouse - MSN (University of North Carolina - Charlotte)
- Amanda Kitzmiller - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Ann Hendrickson - DNP (University of South Alabama)
- Alexis Hicks - EdD (Grand Canyon University)
- Donna Leonard - MSN (Walden University)
- Jessica Matthews - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Danielle McGinnis - MSN (Waynesburg University)
- Amy Miner - MSN (Waynesburg University)
- Marian Reven - PhD (West Virginia University)
- Laura Vollmer - MSN (Chamberlain University)
- Amber Walker Ziese - MSN (Marshall University)
Clinical Education Instructors
- Derrick Conner - MSN (West Virginia University)
- LaMeekiaa Johnson - MSN (Chamberlain University)
- Colleen Kroll - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Kelly Lemon - MSN (Georgetown University)
- Amanda Nicola - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Joanne Rose - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Arden Townsend - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Kendall Tuttle - MSN (Waynesburg University)
Senior Lecturers
- Ashley Barber - PhD (West Virginia University)
- David Keefover - MSN (Liberty University)
Lecturers
- Debbie Bellisario - MSN (University of Phoenix)
- Michael Bellisario - BSN (West Virginia University)
- Megan Boyle - DNP (Robert Morris University)
- Christine Cleaves - DNAP (University of Michigan)
- Mary Craft - MSN (Vanderbilt University)
- Mike Frame - DMPNA (Marshall University)
- Angela Jeffries - DNP (Missouri State University)
- Marian Longstreth - DNP (Waynesburg University)
- Diana McCarty - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Amanda McQuillan - PharmD (The University of Findlay)
- Katrina Pepin - MSN (Waynesburg University)
- Luke Velickoff - BSN (West Virginia University)
Dean Emeritus
- E. Jane Martin - PhD (University of Pittsburgh)
Professor Emeritus
- Laurie Badzek - MSN, JD (University of DePaul)
- Sandra "Sam" Cotton - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Susan Coyle - PhD (West Virginia University)
- June Larrabee - PhD (University of Tennessee)
- Nan Leslie - PhD (University of Pittsburgh)
- Susan H. McCrone - PhD (University of Utah)
- Gaynelle McKinney - MSN, ED (Indiana University)
- Georgia Narsavage - PhD (University of Pennsylvania)
- Alvita Nathaniel - PhD (West Virginia University)
- Barbara Nunley - PhD (University of Kentucky)
- Aletha Rowlands - PhD (University of Virginia)
- Marilyn Smith - PhD (University of Tennessee)
Associate Professor Emeritus
- Peggy Burkhardt - PhD (University of Miami)
Charleston Division - Theresa Cowan - DHEd (A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Professions)
Charleston Division - Pamela Deiriggi - PhD (University of Texas)
- Imogene P. Foster - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Debra Harr - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Nancy A. Koontz - MSN (University of Maryland)
- Barbara Kupchak - PhD (University of Texas)
- Lois O'Kelley - MSN (Wayne State University)
- C. Lynne Ostrow - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Kari Sand-Jecklin - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Elisabeth Shelton - PhD (Widener University)
- Patricia Simoni - EdD (West Virginia University)
Assistant Professor Emeritus
- Ann Cleveland - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Daniel DeFeo - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Suzanne Gross - PhD (University of Texas)
- Dorothy M. Johnson - EdD (West Virginia University)
- Susan Pinto - MSN (West Virginia University)
Beckley Division - Assistant Professor
- Peggy Lambert Fink - PhD (West Virginia University)
Beckley Division - Clinical Education Assistant Professors
- Mindy Harris - MSN (Marshall University)
- Kelly Morton - MSN (Capella University)
Beckley Division - Clinical Education Instructors
- Linda Angus - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Cynthia Clark - MSN (Chamberlain University)
- Kelley Coleman - BSN (West Virginia University)
- Susan Rogers - BSN (Mountain State University)
- Heather Wood - BSN (Liberty University)
Beckley Division - Clinical Education Lecturers
- Tina Bias - MSN (Philadelphia University)
- Debra Crowder - MSN (Philadelphia University)
- Taylor Holland - BSN (West Virginia University)
- Michelle Huerta - BSN (Northern Colorado University)
- Kathy Talley - MA (Marshall University)
Bridgeport Division - Clinical Education Assistant Professor
- Kimberly Derico - MSN (Marshall University)
Bridgeport Division - Clinical Education Instructors
- Linda Griffith - BSN (West Virginia University)
- Tina Lucas - BSN (Alderson Broaddus College)
Charleston Division - Clinical Education Assistant Professor
- Jarena Kelly - DNP (West Virginia University)
Charleston Division - Teaching Associate Professors
- Evelyn Martin - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Teresa Ritchie - DNP (West Virginia University)
- Crystal Sheaves - PhD (West Virginia University)
Director of Clinical Placements - Melanie Whelan - PhD (West Virginia University)
Keyser Division - Clinical Education Assistant Professors
- Heather Dignan - PhD (West Virginia University)
- Matthew Hottle - PhD (West Virginia University)
- Diana Niland - PhD (West Virginia University)
Keyser Division - Clinical Education Instructors
- Krystal Abucevicz-Swick - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Kasey Beckman-Sirk - DNP (Chamberlain College of Nursing)
Keyser Division - Senior Lecturer
- Mary Beth McCloud - PhD (Medical University of South Carolina)
Degree Designation Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates will:
CRITICAL THINKING: Employ scholarly inquiry and evidence-based reasoning and creativity in the process of assessment, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and inference as a basis for professional nursing practice.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS: Ensure quality care by applying theory, evidence-based clinical judgment and decision-making, and patient care technology in the delivery of safe and skilled nursing therapeutics with individuals, families, communities, and populations across the health-illness continuum.
PROFESSIONAL ROLE: Demonstrate knowledge, attitudes, professional values, personal qualities and behaviors consistent with the nursing roles of health care designer and coordinator, organization and system leader, and advocate for consumers and the nursing profession.
CARING: Provide empathetic, culturally sensitive, and compassionate care for individuals, families, communities, and populations that upholds moral, legal, and ethical humanistic principles.
COMMUNICATION: Integrate therapeutic, interpersonal, intraprofessional, interprofessional and informatics communication processes in professional nursing practice.
Academic Standards and Graduation Requirements
Pre-Nursing Progression Policy
Students admitted to the University as "Pre-Nursing" students must maintain good academic standing and a 3.0 GPA beginning with the first semester at WVU. If a student's GPA falls below 3.0, they will be placed on probation for one semester. If the student’s GPA remains below 3.0 for a second semester, the student will be dismissed from "Pre-Nursing".
Student athletes or students involved in University-sponsored organizations who, as a part of their participation may be required to be absent from either classroom or clinical experiences, must provide course coordinators with potential dates of absence during the first week of class. Excessive absences may jeopardize student success in nursing courses.
Note: Keyser Campus (Potomac State) policies for general nursing (Pre-Nursing) are different. Please refer to the Potomac State catalog for details.
Direct Admission Freshman Progression Requirements
Students admitted directly to nursing as freshman must fulfill direct admission academic progression requirements to maintain advanced standing as a direct admission student and enter the sophomore level nursing courses. If students do not meet the requirements in the freshman year, they will be moved to the Pre-Nursing major and will have the opportunity to enter the Pre-Nursing BSN program applicant pool for consideration for program re-entry and progression to the sophomore nursing courses.
Freshman year academic progression standards for direct admit students in the BSN program include:
- Maintaining good academic standing
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a C - or better prior to the end of the summer term of the freshman year
- Maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA or better at the end of the first semester (higher GPAs are recommended in preparation for the rigorous nursing curriculum)
- Achieving or maintaining a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better at the end of the second semester of the freshman year
Traditional BSN Academic Standards & Progression Policies
From entry into sophomore nursing courses to program completion, students must fulfill the following academic requirements to maintain good academic standing.
1. GPA
- Students must maintain an overall college GPA of at least 3.0.
- Students who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 will be placed on academic notice for one semester. Students who do not raise their overall GPA to 3.0, after one semester on academic notice, will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
2. Required course grades
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree must be completed with a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who earn a grade of D or F in more than two NSG courses used to earn the BSN degree will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree in which students earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU must be repeated prior to the student's progression to the next semester in the nursing sequence. Nursing courses must be repeated in the next spring or fall semester that the course is offered. There is an exception to this individual standard regarding nursing electives; students who receive a W in a nursing elective are not required to repeat it.
3. Repeats
- Students who receive a D, F, W or WU in a course used to earn the BSN degree may repeat the course only once and must earn a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who repeat a course used to earn the BSN degree and earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
4. Readmission
- Students who have been dismissed from the BSN program are not eligible for readmission. See Undergraduate Readmission Policy.
Grading Scale
The grading scale for nursing courses using letter/numerical values is: A= 93-100, B = 85-92, C = 77-84, D = 70-76, F = 69 and below.
ABSN and LPN to BSN Academic Standards & Progression Policies
From entry into sophomore nursing courses to program completion, students must fulfill the following academic requirements to maintain good academic standing.
1. GPA
- Students must maintain a program GPA of at least 3.0.
- Students who do not maintain a program GPA of at least 3.0 will be placed on academic notice for one semester. Students who do not raise their program GPA to 3.0, after one semester on academic notice, will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
2. Required course grades
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree must be completed with a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who earn a grade of D or F in more than two NSG courses used to earn the BSN degree will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree in which students earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU must be repeated prior to the student's progression to the next semester in the nursing sequence. Nursing courses must be repeated in the next spring or fall semester that the course is offered. There is an exception to this individual standard regarding nursing electives; students who receive a W in a nursing elective are not required to repeat it.
3. Repeats
- Students who receive a D, F, W or WU in a course used to earn the BSN degree may repeat the course only once and must earn a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who repeat a course used to earn the BSN degree and earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
4. Readmission
- Students who have been dismissed from the ABSN or LPN to BSN programs are not eligible for readmission. See Undergraduate Readmission Policy.
Grading Scale
The grading scale for nursing courses using letter/numerical values is: A= 93-100, B = 85-92, C = 77-84, D = 70-76, F = 69 and below.
RN to BSN Academic Standards & Progression Policies
1. GPA
- Students must maintain a Nursing GPA of at least 2.5.
- Students who do not maintain a Nursing GPA of at least 2.5 will be placed on academic notice for one semester.
- Students who do not raise their Nursing GPA to 2.5, after one semester on academic notice, will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
2. Required course grades
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree must be completed with a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who earn a grade of D or F in more than two NSG courses used to earn the BSN degree will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
3. Repeats
- Students who receive a D, F, W or WU in a course used to earn the BSN degree may repeat the course only once and must earn a minimum grade of C -.
- Students who repeat a course used to earn the BSN degree and earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
4. Readmission
- Students who have been dismissed from the RN to BSN program are not eligible for readmission to the same program. See Undergraduate Readmission Policy.
Grading Scale
The grading scale for nursing courses using letter/numerical values is: A= 93-100, B = 85-92, C = 77-84, D = 70-76, F = 69 and below.
Undergraduate Readmission Policy
Students who have been dismissed from any nursing program (WVU or otherwise) are ineligible for admission to any of the WVU SON undergraduate programs. However, students who have received degrees or additional credentialing following dismissal from a nursing program are eligible for admission to the ABSN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs provided that they meet all other admission requirements and based upon space available.
Students who have withdrawn from the WVU SON may be considered for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in accordance with the following guidelines and criteria, but must follow the standard admission procedures and meet all original admission requirements.
- Students previously enrolled in a WVU nursing program must complete all exit procedures and forms during the semester of withdrawal to be eligible for readmission.
- Readmission to a WVU undergraduate nursing program will be considered one time only.
- Students unable to complete the program within 7 years of the original admission date will be required to restart the program if readmitted.
Readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon space available, applicant qualifications, and academic discretion.
Accreditation
The School of Nursing has specialized accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Virginia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Courses
NSG 001. Nursing Experiential Learning. 50-75 Hours.
Students will not register for this course but it will show on their official transcript. Grade will be listed as CR.
NSG 100. Introduction to Nursing. 2 Hours.
Introduction to the role of the nurse in modern health care: critical thinking, nursing interventions, professionalism, caring and communication in nursing practice with emphasis on safety, quality, health, culture, ethics, leadership, and health policy.
NSG 101. Health Navigation for the Young Adult. 3 Hours.
This course aims to address the existing gap in healthcare that leaves many young adults without adequate knowledge and skills to manage personal health and healthcare system navigation. Students in this course learn how to plan for and manage their own health and wellness, communicate with health care providers, and what to expect from health care encounters during young adulthood.
NSG 191. First-Year Seminar. 1-3 Hours.
Engages students in active learning strategies that enable effective transition to college life at WVU. Students will explore school, college and university programs, policies and services relevant to academic success. Provides active learning activities that enable effective transition to the academic environment. Students examine school, college and university programs, policies and services.
NSG 211. Health Assessment & Communication. 6 Hours.
PR: NSG 100 and PR or CONC: (BIOL 231 or NBAN 207 or PALM 207 or PSIO 241) with a minimum grade of C- in all. Examination of concepts, principles, and models that guide nursing practice related to physical, psychosocial, spiritual, developmental, cultural, intellectual assessment and communication across the lifespan in the classroom, simulation, and various clinical settings (4 hr. Didactic & 2 hr. Clinical).
NSG 212. Foundations of Nursing Practice. 6 Hours.
PR: NSG 211 and PR or CONC: (BIOL 240 or MICB 200) and NSG 250 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Theories, concepts, principles, and processes that lay the foundation for critical thinking, nursing interventions, communication, professional role and caring in the practice of nursing. Application of the nursing process in classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences (4 hr. Didactic & 2 hr. Clinical).
NSG 250. Clinical Nursing Pharmacology. 3 Hours.
PR: NSG 211 and PR or CONC: (MICB 200 or BIOL 240) with a minimum grade of C- in all. Principles of pharmacology emphasizing scholarly inquiry and evidence-based reasoning to insure accurate knowledge of and administration of medications to individuals and families across the lifespan. Pharmacological management is analyzed in conjunction with pathophysiology.
NSG 281. Perspectives on Caring. 3 Hours.
What does it mean to be caring? How is caring lived in the human experience? The premise of this course is that caring is a moral imperative, and essential for becoming a global citizen. From classic and contemporary works, the student will explore this concept over the past, present, and future through interpersonal, theoretical, ethical, and socio-political lenses.
NSG 293. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
NSG 298. Honors. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Students in the Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study or research.
NSG 311. Alterations in Adult Health 1. 6 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 and (MICB 200 or BIOL 240) and PR or CONC: NSG 250 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Pathophysiology and holistic nursing care of adults experiencing acute and chronic problems. Use of the nursing process to plan and provide interventions appropriate to health care needs in the clinical setting (3 hr. Didactic & 3 hr. Clinical).
NSG 312. Alterations in Adult Health 2. 6 Hours.
PR: NSG 250 and NSG 311 with a minimum grade of C- in each. Builds on NSG 311 using critical thinking and nursing process in a team based learning format, paired with clinical application, to explore holistic nursing care of adults with acute and chronic health problems (3 hr. Didactic & 3 hr. Clinical).
NSG 320. Child and Adolescent Health. 4 Hours.
PR: NSG 250 and NSG 311 and PR or CONC: NSG 312 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Didactic and clinical experiences focused on human response to alterations in health, developmental needs, and family-centered care specific to pediatric population with emphasis on the professional nursing role, evidence-based reasoning, therapeutic communications, and caring (2.5 hr. Didactic & 1.5 hr. Clinical).
NSG 330. Alterations in Mental Health. 4 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 and PR or CONC: NSG 250 and NSG 311 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Theory and Practice of professional nursing in response to complex alterations in psychosocial function and their impact on individuals, families, and communities. Classroom and clinical experiences (2.5 hr. Didactic & 1.5 hr. Clinical).
NSG 333. Ethics in Nursing. 3 Hours.
PR or CONC: (ENGL 102 or ENGL 103) with a minimum grade of C-. Ethical issues and decision making in nursing and health care situations across the lifespan. Emphasizes professional writing skills.
NSG 350. Evidence Based Practice and Research. 3 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 and (STAT 201 or STAT 211 or ECON 225) with a minimum grade of C- in each. Theory, concepts, and methods of the research process intended to provide a basic understanding that is necessary for the translation of current evidence into nursing practice.
NSG 360. Ethics and Health Policy. 3 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 and (ENGL 102 or ENGL 103) with a minimum grade of C- in all. Ethical decision-making in health care situations across the lifespan, including palliative and end of life care. Health care policy, legal and regulatory issues are discussed.
NSG 361. Health Assessment. 4 Hours.
PR: RN licensure. Holistic health assessment of individuals and families across the lifespan, including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and developmental assessment.
NSG 362. Clinical Health Promotion. 4 Hours.
PR: RN licensure. Theory and practice of promoting health and wellness for individuals and families across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on integrating knowledge and behaviors that support movement toward optimal health.
NSG 371. Basic Parish Nurse Education. 3 Hours.
Explores the nurse's role in managing care within faith communities. Focus is on dimensions of nurse's role: spiritual caregiver, health promoter, counselor, advocate, educator, care coordinator, resource agent and manager of developing practice.
NSG 372. Safety, Quality, and Information Technology. 2 Hours.
PR: RN Licensure. Examination of healthcare through information management to promote patient safety and quality of care. Emphasis on assessing and improving quality through prevention of adverse and never events.
NSG 373. Leadership in Organizations. 3 Hours.
PR: (ENGL 102 or ENGL 103) with a minimum grade of C-. Leadership and management principles related to professional nursing roles in organizations and systems including system theory, change theory, and inter-professional team building.
NSG 374. School of Nursing Simulation Experience. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 311 with a minimum grade of C- and for nursing students with second semester Junior or Senior status. Simulated patient care experiences in a safe practice environment.
NSG 375. ACLS Elective. 1 Hour.
PR: NSG 312 with a minimum grade of C-. The Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Course is designed for healthcare providers who either direct or participated in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. Through didactic and active participation in simulated cases, students will enhance their skills in the recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes.
NSG 393. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
NSG 400. Spirituality and Health. 3 Hours.
In this course, students will examine the mind/body/spirit connection that occurs in the process of healing and wellness. Theories and practices of relationships between mind/body/spirit will be examined as they impact health/wellness of patients.
NSG 402. Nutrition for Nursing. 2 Hours.
PR: Senior standing in BSN program. Nutrition as a lifestyle factor is often overlooked in healthcare. Dietary intake affects human life and potentially brings on disease or helps to prevent or cure it. It is essential for nurses to understand how food and nutrients fit within lifestyle, culture, and therapeutic plans of care.
NSG 404. Tobacco Treatment. 2 Hours.
PR: Senior standing in BSN program. Tobacco use leads to various health disparities, including cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular issues, and oral problems, and is a leading cause of preventable death around the world. This course provides an overview of content needed for students to learn effective, evidence-based strategies to promote tobacco cessation. The course content also prepares the student for certification as a tobacco treatment specialist.
NSG 409. Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Healthcare. 2 Hours.
The purpose of this course will be to address the learning needs of students related to developing innovative solutions to problems encountered in patient care clinical settings. This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills related to collaborating with engineering and analytics specialists specific to the healthcare environment.
NSG 410. Maternal Infant Nursing & Women's Health Care. 4 Hours.
PR: NSG 312 and NSG 320 and PR or CONC: NSG 411 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Human response to normal and abnormal changes in health status across the female lifespan and adaptations of the childbearing family. Provision of the holistic nursing care to women and childbearing families in the clinical area (2.5 hr. Didactic & 1.5 hr. Clinical).
NSG 411. Nursing in Complex Community Systems. 7 Hours.
PR: NSG 310 and NSG 312 and NSG 320 and NSG 350 with a minimum grade of C- in each. Comprehensive theoretical introduction to community health nursing paired with clinical experience focused on promoting health and preventing disease in multiple populations. Culminates in a capstone project that addresses an identified community health need (3 hr. Didactic & 4 hr. Clinical).
NSG 412. Leadership in Complex Systems. 7 Hours.
PR: Senior status in Nursing and must be taken in the last semester of the program. Development of leadership and management skills necessary for professional nursing practice and interventions supporting multiple patients in acute-care complex systems. Classroom experiences paired with 225 hours of precepted leadership experience (2 hr. Didactic & 5 hr. Clinical).
NSG 433. Seminar 8: Professional Role Synthesis. 3 Hours.
PR: NSG 343. Emphasis is on implementation of the professional nursing role within a changing health care system. Focuses on analysis of societal, institutional and economic factors that affect the delivery of health care.
NSG 435. Cardiology for Nursing. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 312 with a minimum grade of C- and senior standing in BSN Program. Introduction to the interpretation and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
NSG 443. Seminar 6: Professional Role Development. 2 Hours.
Emphasis on professional nursing role in health promotion/ risk reduction in groups/communities of vulnerable populations. Focuses on multidisciplinary team approaches to problem solving in community health.
NSG 455. Interpreting Data for Evidence-Based Nursing Care. 3 Hours.
This asynchronous online course provides RN-BSN students an introduction to the scientific method, analysis techniques, and interpretation of data as it relates to evidence-based nursing care.
NSG 460. Care of the Critically Ill Patient. 4 Hours.
PR: NSG 310 and NSG 312 and NSG 320 and NSG 450 with a minimum grade of C- in each. Focuses on the professional nursing role in supporting individuals and families experiencing complex physiological alterations in health. Paired with clinical experiences supporting individuals and families in critical care settings (3 hr. Didactic & 1 hr. Clinical).
NSG 461. Health Policy for Professional Nursing Practice. 3 Hours.
PR: RN licensure. Fosters an appreciation for how policy drives the organization and financing of health care and shapes professional nursing practice. Issues of access to care, cost effectiveness, and quality of care are discussed and policy implications are considered.
NSG 465. Foundations of Research and Evidence Based Practice. 3 Hours.
PR: (ENGL 102 or ENGL 103) and PR or CONC: (STAT 201 or STAT 211 or ECON 225) with a minimum grade of C- in all. Introduction to the development and application of evidence with an emphasis on the fundamental elements of the research process, appraisal of current evidence, and interpretation of evidence to improve patient outcomes.
NSG 470. Advanced Life-Saving Technologies. 2 Hours.
PR: Senior standing. This course will introduce students to advanced life-saving technologies and roles and responsibilities of intensive care team members.
NSG 471. Community Health Nursing:Theory and Interventions. 5 Hours.
PR: NSG 361 and NSG 362 with a minimum grade of C-, RN licensure, NSG 361 and NSG 362 may be taken concurrently with special approval to pursue the accelerated progression option. Concentrates on health promotion, disease and injury prevention to promote conditions and behaviors that improve the health of individuals, families, aggregates, communities, and populations through identifying determinants of health, available resources, and interventions.
NSG 475. Applied Research and Evidence Based Practice. 5 Hours.
PR: NSG 465 with a minimum grade of C-, RN licensure, and must be taken in the last semester of the program. Advanced study of the evaluation, integration, and dissemination of reliable evidence from multiple sources including scientific evidence and patient/family preferences to inform practice and make clinical judgments to improve patient outcomes. This course is the capstone course for the RN to BSN program.
NSG 477. NCLEX Remediation. 1-2 Hours.
PR: Consent. Course focus is on achievement of professional success by reinforcing/remediating preparation for RN NCLEX exam and enhancing NCLEX testing skills.
NSG 478. The Role of the Nurse in the Patient Experience. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 with a minimum grade of C-. Didactic experience focused on exploring the nurse's role in the patient's and family's healthcare experience.
NSG 479. Care of the Hospitalized Obese Patient. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 312 or Consent. Multifaceted approach to the care of a hospitalized obese patient. The linkage of Obesity to Metabolic Syndrome will be presented so there is clear understanding of pathologic processes. The pathophysiology of each body system will be explored and evidence based practice interventions specific to each condition will be presented.
NSG 480. Core Concepts in Gerontological Nursing. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 211 and NSG 212 with a minimum grade of C- in each and Junior or Senior standing. Examination of patient specific concepts, nursing assessments, interventions, and models of care that guide nursing practice related to holistic care of the older adult.
NSG 481. Cardiac Nursing. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG juniors and seniors. Introduction to the interpretation and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
NSG 482. Palliative Care Nursing. 2 Hours.
Focus is on the care of patients with chronic non-curable conditions across the life span. The course analyzes the definition of palliative care and defines the role of hospice as a part of palliative care. Cultural sensitivity and communication with palliative care patients and their families is emphasized.
NSG 483. Holistic and Integrative Nursing. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 212 with a minimum grade of C-. Theory and principles of holistic nursing and an introduction to alternative/complementary health therapies. Experiential learning and application of content to clinical setting will be explored.
NSG 484. Care of the Diabetic Patient. 2 Hours.
PR: Consent. In-depth analysis of nursing care of the patient with diabetes.
NSG 485. Children With Complex Health Needs. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 320 with a minimum grade of C-. The nursing care of children with complex acute and chronic health problems with a focus on decision-making using a case study problem based learning approach.
NSG 486. NCLEX Review. 1 Hour.
PR: Senior status in Nursing and must be taken in the last semester of the program. Focuses on achievement of professional success by preparing for RN licensure. Preparation for NCLEX will be the focus of this by enhancing NCLEX testing skills.
NSG 487. Movies and Mental Health. 2 Hours.
Representations of pyschopathological states in films within the context of contemporary social issues such as stigma and discrimination. Examination of personal biases towards psychiatric illnesses and how biases interfere with advocacy roles of practicing nurses.
NSG 488. Generics/Genomics in Health. 2 Hours.
Fundamentals of genetics and genomics for clinical practice with analysis of current state of the sciences and research translation. Genetic and genomic concepts within the context of current and future clinical applications, theories and therapeutics.
NSG 489. Reproductive Issues in Women. 2 Hours.
PR: NSG 310 and Nursing major. this course reviews reproductive health issues and prepares students for careers in maternal/child care. Complications, diseases, genetics, and nursing care: pre/intra and postpartum will be addressed.
NSG 493. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
NSG 495. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
NSG 496. Senior Thesis. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent.
NSG 497. Research. 1-6 Hours.
Independent research projects.
NSG 498. Honors. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Students in the Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study or research.