Registered Nursing

The nursing seminar course facilitates student success in the nursing program and the nursing profession by introducing theories and concepts basic to nursing practice.  Students learn about the history of the nursing profession and issues facing nurses in the 21st century. Discussions focus on the different levels of nursing education and the importance developing an attitude of lifelong learning. The course introduces concepts in critical thinking and problem solving, as well as the Quality and Safety in Educating Nurses (QSEN) competencies and conceptual frameworks used to support nursing practice. Students examine the New Hampshire Nurse Practice Acts to discuss scope of practice and appropriate delegation. Legal and ethical issues in nursing practice are discussed using historical and current events. Students access professional nursing research articles and discuss the importance of using evidence to support nursing practice.

This course introduces students to the roles of the registered nurse as a provider of care, manager of care and member of the discipline of nursing. Theoretical concepts of person, health, nursing, and environment are integrated with intellectual, interpersonal, and psychomotor competencies.
Students develop introductory knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the framework of QSEN competencies in order provide safe, effective nursing care to a diverse population of adult and geriatric patients with actual or possible health problems. Students learn the importance of respect for the patient and family as central members of the health care team and develop commitment to advocacy, and provision of safe, high quality, holistic, and evidenced-based practice. Nursing concepts are taught in a variety of learning environments including the classroom, nursing skills/procedure lab, and healthcare facilities. Students learn and practice health assessment, medication administration, and basic nursing skills and procedures.

HOURS: 2 lab, 10 clinical

This course expands on concepts of nursing practice introduced in the fundamentals course to include more complex nursing skills, procedures, and health disorders. Nursing concepts learned in the classroom and nursing skills laboratory are then applied in the simulation lab and clinical practice settings. Students use knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the framework of QSEN competencies to provide and manage patient-centered care using evidence-based practice within nursing process for patients and families with various physical and mental health disorders. Students begin the process of critical thinking by analyzing data and connecting it to healthcare disorders.  Clinical decision making and problem-solving skills are developed in simulation and clinical practice. Mental health concepts are introduced across the lifespan and explored in a variety of teaching environments. Concepts of pharmacology and safe medication administration are expanded to include intravenous medications. 

HOURS: 2 lab, 13 clinical

This transition course expands upon knowledge and skills learned in a practical nursing education program. Emphasis is on differentiating the scope of practice for the associate degree nurse; nursing process related to chronic disease, mental health, medication administration, and associated clinical skills; delegation; treatment plan development; enhancing critical thinking skills; and reviewing legal and ethical issues in nursing practice.

This course expands on concepts of previous nursing courses with the addition of nursing care to the childbearing family, including parents, infants, and children. Lifespan development and health disorders of infant and pediatric populations are introduced, providing insight into nursing in a specialty area. Nursing care of the adult expands to include complex acute health disorders requiring a higher level of critical thinking and nursing skills. The simulation lab and clinical practice provide opportunities to develop these skills which are based on Benner’s model of skill attainment and deliberate practice for skill proficiency. Concepts of health promotion and prevention through patient and family education are a focus when providing holistic, patient-centered, inclusive nursing care. Clinical learning experiences in community health settings as well as acute care facilities provide opportunities to integrate theory with clinical practice as well as introduce students to specialized nursing care.

HOURS: 4 lecture, 2 lab, 13 clinical

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to comprehensively apply and integrate synthesized theoretical and clinical experiences from previous nursing courses. Intellectual competencies are developed in the classroom through case studies and virtual simulation, while interpersonal, and psychomotor competencies are developed through simulation and clinical practice. The role of nurse as a manager of care is a focus of this course with opportunities for delegation, supervision, collaboration, and team communication skills provided in simulation and clinical practice settings. In the acute care setting, students demonstrate time management skills while providing and safe, effective nursing care for multiple patients with complex health problems. Clinical experiences within the community are also a focus in order to introduce students to the depth and breadth of nursing practice. Upon completion, students are able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the QSEN framework in order to safely and effectively care for individuals and their families at an entry-level as a new graduate nurse.

HOURS: 4 lecture, 2 lab, 16 clinical

Transfer in a Microbiology for Healthcare type course in lieu of BIOL205R Microbiology.

Take one 3 or 4-credit math course of your choice.