Required Courses
NURS 311 5/UTHSC 3800 (Bacc2) 1 (0-3)
SEMINAR: PRACTICE OF NURSING I
This seminar/course provides the student with the opportunity to apply the nursing process to adults and to integrate concepts from pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, older adult theory, and clinical experiences using discussion, problem-based learning, case studies, and critical-thinking approaches. Students will begin an ongoing case management project.
NURS 3124 (B.S.N.) 1 (1-0)
INTEGRATED LEARNING EXPERIENCE LAB
Preparation of generic nursing students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the provision of basic patient care. Co-Prerequisites: Acceptance to BSN program
NURS 3215/UTHSC 3801W (Bacc2) 2 (1-3)
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This course provides the student with an opportunity to develop basic skills in health assessment and to evaluate a client’s health status from a holistic perspective. Using a multitheoretical online interactive approach, the application of selected principles from the physical and social sciences are incorporated throughout the course.
NURS 3217/UTHSC 3803W (Bacc2) 2 (2-0)
OLDER ADULT
In this course, the student examines theoretical concepts to the holistic nursing care of older adults in health and illness. Focus is on maintaining functional health status and improving quality of life of older adults in diverse settings. Selected issues explore case management; normal; healthy aging; families; health services; economic, political, legal and ethical aspects; health promotion strategies; and selected problems and risks that challenge a diverse aging population.
NURS 3290 (B.S.N.) 2 (2-0)
INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL NURSING
This course introduces students to the essential role and principles for professional nursing practice which includes foundations of nursing practice, professionalism, professional socialization and health promotion in nursing. The development of the professional role is discussed with a focus on integration and collaboration with the interdisciplinary health care team. Admission to the BSN Program
NURS 3314 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 3 (3-0)
PHARMACOLOGY
The focus of this course is the study of basic pharmacology concepts. The course continues to expand the scientific basis of nursing practice by exploring general principles of drug action and examining the major actions /interactions, intended beneficial effects and common side effects of various categories of drugs. Special implications of drug therapy in infants, children, and the elderly are explored, with emphasis on the nurse’s role and client’s responsibility. Prerequisite: Admission to the R.N.-B.S.N. Program.
NURS 3314/UTHSC 3804W (Bacc2) 3 (3-0)
PHARMACOLOGY
The focus of this course is the study of the basic pharmacologic concepts of the major drug groups used in therapy. Special implications of drug therapy in infants, children, and the elderly are explored, with emphasis on the nurse’s role and client’s responsibility.
NURS 3318/UTHSC3802W (Bacc2) 3 (3-3)
ADULT THEORY I
This course introduces major theories and concepts necessary to provide holistic nursing care to adults from diverse cultures with selected physiological disorders. These theories and concepts are introduced using a wellness-illness continuum and serve as a basis for critical thinking and use of the nursing process in the care of adult patients. Concepts such as health, culture, environment, nutrition, and the professional nurse role in direct patient care and in
collaboration with other health care providers are addressed.
NURS 3325/UTHSC 3809W (Bacc2) 3 (3-3)
ADULT THEORY II
This course focuses on young, middle, and older adults experiencing an array of physiological disorders and provides the opportunity for implementation of the nursing process in a variety of health care settings with a focus on secondary and tertiary prevention. Emphasis is on professional health care that reflects comprehensive, humanitarian, altruistic, and interprofessional values. The student will incorporate professional standards as a basis for practice, use critical thinking, set priorities for patient care, make nursing judgments, and apply selected theory and research findings to provide holistic care to adults and their families.
NURS 3340 (B.S.N.) 3 (2-3)
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This course introduces students to the theoretical basis for holistic assessment of clients and their responses to health challenges across the lifespan. Students have the opportunity to develop basic competencies for holistic health assessment of clients along the health continuum and identification of self-care activities that facilitate effective responses to the environment or health care challenges. Student application occurs through participation in classroom activities, practice in a lab setting, and in small group case discussions. Co- or Prerequisite: N3290 and N3124.
NURS 3345/UTHSC 3805 (Bacc2) 3 (3-0)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
This course focuses on major physiologic and pathophysiologic alterations that occur in the human response to illness. A combined body systems and conceptual approach is used, in addition to consideration of internal and external variables, including age, gender, culture, and lifestyle, that affect health, illness, and disease. This course includes integration of physical/biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors that contribute to pathophysiology, as well as human beings’ adaptive abilities and the body’s compensatory mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on the students’ understanding of pathophysiologic concepts essential for therapeutic and holistic nursing interventions in clinical practice.
NURS 3345 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 3 (3-0)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
This course focuses on major physiologic and pathophysiologic alterations that occur in the human response to illness. A combined body systems and conceptual approach is used, in addition to consideration of internal and external variables, including age, gender, culture, and lifestyle, that affect health, illness, and disease. This course includes integration of physical/biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors that contribute to pathophysiology, as well as human beings’ adaptive abilities and the body’s compensatory mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on the students’ understanding of pathophysiologic concepts essential for therapeutic and holistic nursing interventions in clinical practice. Prerequisite: Admission to program, basic computer competency.
NURS 3410 (B.S.N.) 4 (4-0)
THERAPEUTICS OF PATHO AND PHARM IN NURSING
This course presents an overview of major patho-physiologic responses that occur in the human body related to health/illness and pharmacologic treatments used to maintain health or ameliorate disease within the scope of holistic nursing practice. A conceptual approach with an emphasis on disease alterations within body systems will be used to facilitate the student’s understanding and ability to evaluate the interrelationships among pharmacologic actions and physiologic processes. Knowledge: Computer literacy, Internet competency, familiarity with APA, familiarity with group process, oral and written communication skills, critical thinking skills. Successful completion of all prerequisite courses for entry into the UTMB BSN Nursing Program
NURS 3440 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 4 (2-6)
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This course introduces students to the theoretical basis for holistic assessment of clients and their responses to health challenges across the lifespan. Students have the opportunity to develop basic competencies for holistic health assessment of clients along the health continuum and identification of self-care activities that facilitate effective responses to the environment or health care challenges. Student application occurs through participation in designing a patient with a medical diagnosis, online testing, use of online video instruction in the skills of physical exam, and conducting a physical exam with a classmate who is role playing a person with a medical condition. The video or DVD recording is mailed to the assigned faculty member for grading. Co- or Prerequisite: NURS 3508.
NURS 3508 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 5 (5-0)
NURSING: INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL CONCEPTS FOR O.K.’s
This course provides for transition of the Registered Nurse into the baccalaureate nursing program and presents the foundation for professional nursing practice in the contemporary health care environment. The student is given an opportunity to expand his/her knowledge
related to the history and philosophy of holistic nursing practice which includes nursing theories, family theory and assessment, contemporary health care policy, cultural diversity, and the ethical and legal dimensions of professional accountability. The course explores the significance of the concepts of healing, health promotion, and management of human responses to illness. Prerequisite: Admission to the R.N.-B.S.N. Degree Program.
NURS 3511 (B.S.N.) (2.5–7.5)
NURSING: PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF CARE
In this course, students apply holistic nursing care to patients with emotional crisis and/ or mental health problems. Students collaborate with patients, significant others, groups, and other health professionals to promote psychosocial health and prevent disease and disability. Emphasis is on understanding responses to illness and problems and on gaining increased facility in therapeutic communication with individuals and groups. Co- or Prerequisites: N3290, N3410, N3631, N3340, N3124, N3632, and N4330.
NURS 3615/UTHSC 3806 (Bacc2) 6 (0-15)
CLINICAL PRACTICE I
Clinical experience in the basic care of individual adult and older adult patients provides the student opportunities to apply knowledge and skills developed in the first semester as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
NURS 3631 (B.S.N.) 6 (3.0/0.5/2.5)
ADULT NURSING I
This course provides the foundation for all clinical courses by preparing students for professional practice using the nursing process. Students are introduced to the conceptual model of holistic nursing. Students develop basic competencies as providers of holistic nursing care which includes managing human responses to illness and promoting health in context of the client and the client’s environment. Clinical experiences utilize both simulated activities and a variety of health care settings. Knowledge: N3340 Health Assessment and N3124 Integrated Learning Experience Lab. Co -and Prerequisite: N3290 and N3410.
NURS 3632 (B.S.N.) (2/1/3)
ADULT NURSING II
This course presents the theoretical and clinical basis for managing the care of adult clients/families with complex and multiple health care problems. Emphasis is on application of pathophysiologic concepts, assessing and evaluating human responses to illness, and implementation of holistic nursing care. Students provide increasingly complex nursing care for adults. Students collaborate with clients, their families, and other health care professionals to promote well-being and improve quality of life for diverse clients in a variety of health care settings. Pre-Requisites: N3290, 3410, 3631, 3124, 3340. Co-Requisites: N3511 , N4330, N4351.
NURS 4101 (B.S.N.) 1 (1-0)
INTEGRATION OF CORE NURSING CONCEPTS
This course introduces the student to methods of searching and reviewing evidencebased literature. It offers an introduction to the ways in which knowledge related to the art
and science of nursing is discovered and used to inform practice. The literature reviewed in this course will complement the content of concurrent courses. Co- or Prerequisite: Current enrollment in Level 1 courses.
NURS 4101/UTHSC 3817W (Bacc2) 1 (1-0)
INTEGRATION OF NURSING CARE CONCEPTS
This course provides the student with opportunities to synthesize nursing content throughout the B.S.N. program. Credit is awarded upon completion of all course requirements; however, during the course, students are expected to participate in learning activities and progress through increasingly complex learning modules. It is expected that successful completion of this course will prepare the student for the National Council of State Board of Nursing examination (NCLEX).
NURS 4125/UTHSC 3807 (Bacc2) 1 (0-3)
SEMINAR: PRACTICE OF NURSING II
Students build on Semester I to apply the nursing process and concepts from research to adults, children, and families while integrating concepts from adult, reproducing families, children, and adolescent theory. Students learn through clinical experiences which utilize discussion, problem-based learning, case studies, and critical thinking approaches. Students continue an ongoing case management project.
NURS 4135/UTHSC 3812 (Bacc2) 1 (0-3)
SEMINAR: PRACTICE OF NURSING III
In Seminar III students build on Semesters I and II by applying the nursing process to individuals, families, aggregates, populations, and communities. Students learn to integrate concepts from advanced adult, psychiatric nursing, community health, professional role theory courses, and clinical experiences using discussion, problem-based learning, case studies, and critical thinking approaches. Students complete their case management projects in this semester.
NURS 4225/UTHSC 3808W (Bacc2) 2 (2-0)
NURSING RESEARCH
This course focuses on the methods used to acquire and use knowledge in the practice of professional nursing. Emphasis is on research methods and resources for knowledge acquisition. Students are guided to develop critical thinking skills and to pursue creative solutions for clinical nursing problems.
NURS 4235/UTHSC 3813W (Bacc2) 2 (2-3)
ADULT THEORY III
This course presents the theoretical and clinical basis for managing the care of critically ill adult clients/families. Emphasis is on applying concepts of pathophysiology to clinical practice, assessing and evaluating human responses to illness, and implementing nursing care of these clients. Students will provide nursing care for adults who are critically ill. Students will collaborate with clients, their families, and health care providers to return them to a stable health environment, prevent complications, and improve quality of life for hospitalized clients in critical care settings.
NURS 4236/UTHSC 3814W (Bacc2) 2 (2-1)
PSYCHIATRIC AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
In this course, students apply the nursing process to care of patients with emotional crisis and/or mental health problems. Issues of mental health and mental illness throughout the lifespan are examined. Diversity of age, gender, race, culture, developmental level, educational level, and socioeconomic influences are emphasized. Additional emphasis is placed on understanding individualized responses to illness and problems and on gaining increased facility in therapeutic communication with individuals and groups. Students learn to collaborate with patients, significant others, groups, and other health professionals to promote psychosocial health and prevent disease and disability.
NURS 4237/UTHSC 3815W (Bacc2) 2 (2-0)
TRANSITION INTO THE PROFESSIONAL ROLE
This course focuses on the student’s integration into the professional nursing role by exploring selected leadership and management theories and concepts used in health care delivery. Professional nursing issues include scope of practice based on statutory laws and regulations, legal and ethical issues, career development, and workplace issues.
NURS 4290 (B.S.N.) 2 (2-0)
PROFESSIONAL NURSING ROLE TRANSITION TO PRACTICE
The information, concepts and theory in his course will contribute to the students’ knowledge and decision making skills that will impact their ability to provide holistic nursing care. The course will support the student’s transition into the professional nursing role. Selected topics include: scope of practice, leadership and management, manager of care, transition into practice, legal and ethical issues, nurse practice act, health care polity and politics. Co- Prerequisites: Completion all of all nursing courses except for co-requisites: N4333, N4502, N4101, N4591
NURS 4330 (B.S.N.) 3 (3-0)
ESSENTIALS OF NURSING RESEARCH
This course focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills essential to be a consumer, critic, and participant in nursing research. Emphasis is on methods needed to search, critically read, appraise, understand, do advanced searching and participate in the development of research findings in the practice of professional nursing. Students are guided to develop critical thinking skills to pursue creative solutions to clinical nursing problems. Average 3 lecture hours per week. Co Prerequisites: Successful completion of N3661.
NURS 4330 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 3 (3-0)
ESSENTIALS OF NURSING RESEARCH
This course focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills essential to be a consumer, critic, and participant in nursing research. Emphasis is on methods needed to search, critically read, appraise, understand, do advanced searching and participate in the development of research findings in the practice of professional nursing. Students are guided to develop critical thinking skills to pursue creative solutions to clinical nursing problems. Average 3 lecture hours per week. Co Prerequisites: Successful completion of N3661.
NURS 4333 (B.S.N.) 3 (2/1/0)
ADULT NURSING THEORY III
This course presents the theoretical basis for managing the holistic care of adult clients/families in life-threatening situations. Emphasis is on integrating pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial issues, research and evidence-based nursing practice. Students will examine the application of health care technologies to maximize optimal client outcomes. Pre-Requisites: N3632, N3511 , N4330, N4531, N4532, N4351. Co-Requisites: N4502, N4290, N4101, N4591.
NURS 4337/UTHSC 3816W (Bacc2) 3 (3-0)
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE
In this course, students and faculty collaborate with professional and community partners to promote health and prevent disease in a population. The focus is on integration of professional nursing, public health principles and methods, and public health core competencies that can be applied to populations. Students collaborate to assess populations at risk, analyze community problems, and plan interventions.
NURS 4351 (B.S.N.) 3 (3-0)
CASE MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS AND OTHER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
In this course students develop an understanding of the concepts of case management and rehabilitation within the context of care for the older adult and other vulnerable populations. Students explore concepts of discharge planning, functional, psychosocial and health and wellness aspects of chronic illness with a multicultural, ethnically diverse population. Co–Prerequisites: Successful completion of all first semester nursing courses. Corequisites: N3632, N3511 , N4330 or N4531, N4532, N4330
NURS 4402 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 4 (3-3)
PROFESSIONAL NURSING ROLE AND PRECEPTORSHIP
This course focuses on development of the professional nursing role, with special emphasis on the application of nursing theory to the management of nursing care in complex organizations. Utilizing organizational theory as a central construct, students discuss health care delivery concepts including health care delivery systems, economic issues, cultural competence and social issues, and political issues in nursing and health care. Leadership and management in nursing and nursing care delivery models are examined. Legal and ethical issues in nursing and regulatory issues that directly affect the practice of professional nursing are explored. Prerequisites: All other required courses in curriculum.
NURS 4502 (B.S.N.) 5 (2.5–7.5)
NURSING: THE COMMUNITY
In this course, students and faculty collaborate with partners in the community to bring about healing and positive health outcomes through health promotion and prevention of disease. The focus is on application of clinical concepts to aggregates. Emphasis is on assessment of populations at risk and development of health programs. Prerequisites: All Level I courses and N3632, N3511 , N4351, N4330, N4531, N4532, N4333, N4290, N4101, and N4591 OR consent of the course coordinator; basic computer knowledge and Internet competency.
NURS 4502 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 5 (2.5–7.5)
NURSING: THE COMMUNITY
In this course, students and faculty collaborate with partners in the community to bring about healing and positive health outcomes through health promotion and prevention of disease. The focus is on application of clinical concepts to aggregates. Emphasis is on assessment of populations at risk and development of health programs. Prerequisites: NURS 3345, NURS 3314, NURS 3440, and NURS 3508.
NURS 4531(B.S.N.) 5 (2.5-7.5)
NURSING: THE MOTHER AND FAMILY
In this course students apply clinical concepts to the holistic nursing care of childbearing families in health and illness. Students provide increasingly complex nursing care from a multicultural perspective in a variety of settings. Emphasis is placed on the nurse’s collaborative role in promoting wellness of families throughout the childbearing experience. Growth and development principles are incorporated as students collaborate with childbearing families and other health care providers to bring about positive health outcomes through health promotion and prevention of further disease/disability. The student provides maternalchild nursing care which reflects ethical, legal, and political principles. Co- and Prerequisites: N3290, N3410, N3631, N3124, N3340, N4532, and N4330.
NURS 4532 (B.S.N.) 5 (2.5-7.5)
NURSING: THE CHILD AND FAMILY
In this course, the student applies, through direct care, core knowledge and competencies to the nursing care of children and their families in health and illness. Students provide increasingly complex nursing care in a variety of settings. Special emphasis is placed on incorporating growth and developmental principles as students collaborate with children, their families, and other health care providers to bring about positive health outcomes through health promotion and prevention of further disease/disability. Prerequisites: Knowledge of nutrition, knowledge of child growth and development. Co–Prerequisites: N3290, N3410, N3631, N3124, N3340, N4532, and N4330.
NURS 4550 (R.N.-B.S.N.) (Web-based) 5 (3–6)
CASE MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS AND OTHER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
In this course, students provide direct care and coordinate services for selected chronically ill clients based on principles of rehabilitation and case management. Students apply core knowledge and competencies to the nursing care of the elderly and other vulnerable populations experiencing chronic illness as well as interacting with their families. The course is taught using a service learning model of care with the focus on care delivered in the community. Students work with a chronically ill client who is hospitalized or having treatment in an outpatient setting. The students work with agency personnel on complex discharge planning and follow-up with a home visit or visits of the client. Students confer with faculty as well as collaborate with agency staff to meet the client’s specific needs. During home visits, students assess and intervene in functional, psychosocial, and health and wellness aspects of chronic illness with a multicultural, ethnically diverse population. Students confer with faculty regarding the client and needs through asynchronous online communication. Prerequisites: NURS 3345, NURS 3314, NURS 3440, and NURS 3508
NURS 4591 (B.S.N.) 5 (0-5)
PROFESSIONAL ROLE CLINICAL CAPSTONE
This course focuses on the integration of the professional nursing role with emphasis on the application of holistic nursing principles and theory in the care of multiple patients with complex problems. The clinical arena will provide an opportunity for the students to begin transition into practice focusing on principles of leadership and manager of care. The students will have opportunities to demonstrate their role as a member of the profession in nursing organizations and political arenas. Co- Prerequisites: Completion all of all nursing courses except for co-requisites: N4333, N4502, N4101, N4590.
NURS 4625/UTHSC 3810W (Bacc2) 6 (6-0)
MATERNAL AND CHILD NURSING CARE
In this course the student explores core knowledge and competencies to the nursing care of children and their families in health and illness. It includes information from current literature, research, and practice pertinent to growth and development, psychosocial, cultural, and physical needs of children with emphasis focused on health promotion, heath maintenance, and health restoration.
NURS 4825/UTHSC3811 (Bacc2) 8 (0-21)
CLINICAL PRACTICE II
Clinical experience in the care of adult, older adult, pregnant mothers, babies, families, children, and adolescents provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills developed in the first two semesters and collaborate with individuals, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team.
NURS 4935/UTHSC 3818 (Bacc2) 9 (0-21)
CLINCIAL PRACTICE III
Students have the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed in previous courses through clinical experiences in management of multiple cases in advanced care, psychiatric nursing, and the community. Students also have the opportunity to refine and expand their knowledge of leadership and management by applying these principles. Electives
NURS 3360 (Web-based) 3 (3-0).
MEDICAL SPANISH AND HISPANIC CULTURE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
This course focuses on providing students with the knowledge of the basic structures of the Spanish language and the specialized medical vocabulary needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients in a variety of health care situations. Cultural studies emphasize the health beliefs of Spanish-speaking countries close to the United States and Spanish communities within the United States.
NURS 3363 (Web-based) 3 (3–0)
ETHICAL/LEGAL ISSUES FOR NURSING
This non-clinical course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of legal and ethical precepts underlying nursing and health care and to utilize these principles in analyzing problematic clinical situations and planning rationally justifiable approaches. Formal presentations and class discussion focused on case studies will provide students an opportunity to practice articulating their own reasoned points of view as well as actively listening and responding to those of others. The learning experiences of this course will facilitate the development of skills, which students may use in nurse-client interaction, the nursing process, and the refinement of a professional nursing role. Prerequisites: Level I courses or consent of instructor.
NURS 3374 (Web-based) 3 (3-0)
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING INFORMATICS
This course is designed to introduce the student to key elements of Nursing Informatics and technology. Students will use computer skills related to administration of clinical practice information, communication, data access, decision support, and data management. Issues and policies related to ethics and privacy regarding the treatment of patient information (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and the impact of informatics related to data, technology, privacy, security, and systems will be addressed.
NURS 3463 3 (3–0)
STRESS MANAGEMENT
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore the many dimensions of stress. Biological, psychological, sociological, and environmental influences creating stress will be assessed using a variety of evaluation tools. Selected stress-reduction techniques will be introduced. Planning, implementing, and evaluating effectiveness of these strategies will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on prevention of stress-related disorders and promotion of health. The learning experiences of this course will facilitate the development of skills students may use in nurse /client interactions, the nursing process, and the refinement of a professional nursing role. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
NURS 3530 3 (3-0)
INDEPENDENT STUDY
This course provides the student the opportunity to design and execute study in a specific area with the topic and mode of study agreed upon by the student and faculty. Registration may be repeated as new or additional topics are selected. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Class and laboratory hours will be determined according to the topic.
NURS 4360 3 (1.5-1.5)
POPULATION CARE THROUGH SERVICE
This course is designed to introduce the School of Nursing and School of medicine students to the concepts of service based learning within the South Texas area. The course will focus on the concepts of health literacy and health disparity issues of the underserved and vulnerable populations. Students will be a member of an interdisciplinary team in which they will learn to foster partnerships with service agencies to deliver population care. |
