This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

NURS 2700. Pathophysiology. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: BIOL 2651 and BIOL 2652. A study of cellular concepts, organ systems, and holistic aspects of health and disease. The course relates normal body physiological function to pathological changes that occur as a result of disease, compensatory mechanisms made by the body, and adaptive lifestyles strategies. Integration of developmental and preventive aspects of health across the age continuum is included.

NURS 3020. Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Impact on Communities. 3 Hours.

A study designed for health care and public service professionals to develop an understanding of the implications of biological and chemical terrorism and to identify the potential risks these agents have in communities. Discussion will focus on understanding federal, state, and local resources for planning and management of community exposure. Courses participants will implement a disaster plan during a simulated drill. Open to students of all majors.

NURS 3030. Women's Health and Nutritional Issues. 3 Hours.

Also offered as WGST 3030. An introduction to the holistic health care and nutritional needs of women throughout their lifespan. Health care and nutrition issues are discussed from historical and contemporary perspectives. The course explores self-care practices of culturally diverse women, including health maintenance, illness prevention, and complementary healing.

NURS 3050. Field Study in Transcultural Care. 1-8 Hours.

Focuses on the application of concepts of transcultural nursing in selected culturally diverse settings. Students are encouraged to explore personal cultural orientation and its influence on the delivery of care and services. Selected ethnocultural groups will be studied. Variability will occur in undergraduate and graduate study intensity (concentration and length of study.

NURS 3060. Special Topics in Nursing. 1-5 Hours.

Prerequisite: Permission of faculty. An intensive study of an aspect of nursing care.

NURS 3070. Health Care Issues of Vulnerable Populations in the U.S.. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or 1160 or permission of instructor. Course is open to all majors. An examination of the historical, cultural, social, and political issues that render certain populations in the U.S. vulnerable to ill health. The course utilizes appropriate theories to study these issues, with emphasis on ameliorating the health of vulnerable populations. It will examine issues related to health care access and policies and programs developed to reduce risks of disease and injury. It is also designed to raise awareness of the disparities in health among certain groups, including the poor, ethnic minorities, high risk women and children, the homeless, the uninsured and underinsured, among others.

NURS 3080. Strategies for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. 3 Hours.

Strategies for identification and interpretation of evidence for nursing and healthcare protocols. Variables affecting care of vulnerable and at-risk populations in south Georgia, and participation in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data generated in acute care and community-based healthcare settings will be examined.

NURS 3102. Pharmacology in Nursing Practice. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: Full admission to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Safe dosage calculation and pharmacotherapy, including pharmacological and parenteral agents, actions, therapeutic benefits, side effects, client response, and nursing implications.

NURS 3103. Health Assessment Across the Lifespan. 4 Hours.

Prerequisite: Full admission to the College on Nursing and Health Sciences. Assessment of physical, psychosocial, functional, and environmental status. Focus is on health assessment of individuals across the lifespan. Concepts and techniques of assessment, including therapeutic communication, critical thinking, and interprofessional relationship, are introduced, practiced, and evaluated in the classroom and laboratory experiences.

NURS 3104. RN-BSN Pathophysiology for the Practicing Nurse. 3 Hours.

An overview of pathophysiology of selected conditions of the human organism across the lifespan focusing on the etiology, pathogenesis, physiological changes, and clinical manifestations of common health problems. The influence of genetics, ethnicity, environment, and age will be explored.

NURS 3105. RN-BSN Professional Nursing Development I. 3 Hours.

Prerequisites: Core curriculum and admission to VSU College of Nursing. Foundations of professional nursing development, including history, theory, education, research, and practice. Transformation of self and others begins through reflective practice, therapeutic communication, critical thinking, and professional relationships.

NURS 3106. RN-BSN Health Assessment Across the Lifespan. 4 Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of NURS 3104 and 3105 with a grade of "C" or better. Assessment of physical, psychosocial, functional, and environmental status. Focus is on health assessment of individuals across the lifespan. Concepts emphasize refinement of health history and physical assessment techniques, recognition of normal findings, and differentiation of normal form common abnormal findings.

NURS 3111. Nursing Care I: Health Promotion and Competencies. 8 Hours.

Prerequisite: Full admission status to College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Prerequisites or Corequisites: NURS 3103. Individual health promotion and illness prevention across the lifespan, includes an overview of nursing history, theory, education, research, and practice. Fundamental nursing skills and concepts, including medication administration skills, are introduced, practiced, and evaluated in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting.

NURS 3201. Professional Nursing Development I: Research and Evidence-Based Practice. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Junior I courses. Development of skills in reading, interpreting, and evaluating nursing and health care research to become knowledgeable consumers in evidence-based nursing practice. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodology research designs are studied as they apply to the development, dissemination, and utilization of research studies in the practice of professional nursing.

NURS 3202. Mental Health Nursing Care. 5 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Junior I courses. Evidence-based practice for the psychosocial care of self and other across the lifespan. Students actively engaged in an exploration of behavioral health issues, including ethical, legal, cultural, public policy, and safety issues. Clinical experiences within an interdisciplinary team are used to provide client-centered care.

NURS 3203. Nursing Care II: Acute Health Alterations. 7 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Junior I courses. The application and integration of holistic nursing care of clients with acute, physiologic health alterations. Content builds upon foundational concepts and basic nursing skills to care for adults and families. Clinical experiences within interdisciplinary teams provide the opportunity to assist clients to attain optimal health.

NURS 3210. Mental Health Nursing Care. 5 Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all Junior I semester courses. Evidence-based practice for the psychosocial care of self and others across the lifespan. Students are actively engaged in an exploration of behavioral health issues, including ethical, legal, cultural, public policy, and safety issues. Clinical experiences within an interdisciplinary team area used to provide client-centered care.

NURS 3212. Nursing Care II: Acute Health Alterations. 7 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Junior I courses. The application and integration of holistic nursing care of clients with acute, physiologic health alterations. Content builds upon foundational concepts and basic nursing skills to care for children, adults, and families. Clinical experiences within interdisciplinary teams provide the opportunity to assist clients to attain optimal health.

NURS 3214. Health and Well-Being in Older Adults. 2 Hours.

Prerequisite: All Junior semester I courses or permission of the instructor. Health promotion and aging in older adults. This course integrates developmental aspects and theories of aging to promote well-being.

NURS 3216. RN-BSN Health and Well-Being of Older Adults. 2 Hours.

Prerequisites: NURS 3106 with a grade of "C" or better. Health promotion and aging in older adults. This course integrates developmental aspects and theories of aging to promote well-being.

NURS 3220. Community as Client. 5 Hours.

Prerequisites; NURS 3110, NURS 3130, NURS 3100, NURS 3100K. Co-requisites: NURS 3211 and NURS 3221. Focus is on the community as client. Establishes a foundation of the global organizational structure of community. Emphasizes promotion and maintenance of optimal health throughout the life cycle. Laboratory experiences provide the opportunity to practice health promotion in a variety of settings. Open to non-nursing majors with permission.

NURS 3240. Introduction to Forensic Nursing. 3 Hours.

The application of the principles of forensic science, nursing science, and other knowledge to the nursing care of patients. Public and legal communities are explored.

NURS 3250. Society, Wellness, and Illness. 3 Hours.

Cultural diversity and the relationships among societal practices, ethnicity, religion, wellness, and illness. The course explores the connection between social settings, and health/illness practices, including folk remedies and other traditional health practices.

NURS 3800. Student Success: Problem-Based Learning. 3 Hours.

Specific teaching/learning activities aimed at improving academic performance among at-risk nursing students. Students will engage in problem-based learning in order to strengthen their skills of holistic assessment; expression of caring and empowerment of clients; and critical thinking ability to provide safe, efficient, and compassionate professional nursing care.

NURS 3900. Student Success: Clinical Applications in Problem-based Learning. 3 Hours.

Specific teaching/learning clinical activities aimed at clinical and academic performance among at-risk nursing students. Students will engage in problem-based learning in a clinical environment in order to strengthen their skills of holistic assessment; expression of caring and empowerment of clients; and their ability to provide safe, efficient, and compassionate professional nursing care.

NURS 3990. Palliative and End-of-Life Care. 3 Hours.

Prerequisites: Successfully completion of J1 courses. A study of the palliative care, the dying process, death and grieving across cultures and developmental life stages. The course focuses on end-of-life issues including physical care, cultural and spiritual perspectives, and legal/ethical concerns related to quality of life decisions.

NURS 4010. Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care. 3 Hours.

Introduces aspects of bioethics, organizational, legal and healthcare ethical issues with particular emphasis on aspects of law that serve as regulations and principles to govern ethical business practices in the healthcare industry.

NURS 4060. Advanced Health Assessment. 4 Hours.

Prerequisite: Licensure as a Registered Nurse or permission of faculty. Focuses on advanced comprehensive assessment skills utilized in a variety of clinical settings. Builds on basic and experiential knowledge of health assessment. Emphasis is placed on applying critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in assessing, diagnosing, and monitoring the health status of adult clients and families. Clinical practicum will focus on the application of these advanced assessment skills. Note: This course or demonstrated competency in the content of this course is required for admission to the graduate program.

NURS 4070. Directed Study in Nursing. 1-5 Hours.

Prerequisite: Permission of faculty. Special study in an area of nursing of special interest to the student under the direction of selected faculty.

NURS 4102. Professional Nursing Development II: Research and Evidence-Based Practice. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Junior I courses. Development of skills in reading, interpreting, and evaluating nursing and health care research to become knowledgeable consumers in evidence-based nursing practice. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodology research designs are studied as they apply to the development, dissemination, and utilization of research studies in the practice of professional nursing.

NURS 4104. RN-BSN Nursing Informatics. 3 Hours.

An examination and application of information technology to decision making in client care. The course focuses on concepts of informatics and the use of Health Care Systems.

NURS 4105. RN-BSN Professional Nursing Development II: Research and Evidence Based Practices. 3 Hours.

Prerequisites: NURS 3105 with a grade of "C" or better. Development of skills in reading, interpreting, and evaluating nursing and health care research to become knowledgeable consumers in evidence-based nursing practice. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodology research designs are studied as they apply to the development, dissemination, and utilization of research studies in the practice of professional nursing.

NURS 4113. Nursing Care III: Chronic and Multisystem Health Alterations. 7 Hours.

Prerequisite: All Junior 2 courses. Application and integration of holistic nursing care of clients with chronic and multisystem, physiologic health alterations. Content builds upon concepts and nursing skills acquired in previous courses to care for children, adults, and families. Clinical experiences within interdisciplinary teams provide the opportunity to assist clients to attain optimal health.

NURS 4114. Nursing Care III: Chronic and Multisystem Alterations. 7 Hours.

Prerequisites: NURS 3202 and NURS 3203. The application and integration of holistic nursing care of clients with chronic and multisystem, physiologic health alterations. Content builds upon concepts and nursing skills acquired in previous courses to care for adults and families. Clinical experiences within interdisciplinary teams provide the opportunity to assist clients to attain optimal health.

NURS 4123. Nursing Care of Women, Neonates, and Childbearing Families. 4 Hours.

Prerequisite: NURS 3212. Focus on nursing theories and skills related to culturally competent health promotion and maintenance for women, childbearing families, and neonates. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to perform and evaluate nursing support to women, childbearing families, and neonates.

NURS 4124. Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families. 8 Hours.

Prerequisites: NURS 3202 and NURS 3203. Nursing theories and skills related to culturally competent health promotion and maintenance for women, children, and families. Incorporates concepts of family-centered care, collaboration, patient safety, quality improvement, and informatics, utilizing and evidence-based practice approach. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to perform and evaluate nursing practice for women, children, and families.

NURS 4200. Community Health Nursing Care. 4 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Senior I courses. Focus on community as client. Emphasis is on holistic nursing car to promote and preserve health of culturally diverse families, groups, and populations in the community. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to collaborate with community agencies to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate services.

NURS 4201. Community Health Nursing Care. 4 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Senior I courses. A study emphasizing holistic nursing care to promote and preserve the health of culturally diverse families, groups, and populations in the community. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to collaborate with community agencies to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate services.

NURS 4202. Professional Nursing Development II: Leadership and Management. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Senior I courses. Preparation for the transition from student to professional nurse, focusing on the development of leadership skills and the introduction of management concepts and competencies.

NURS 4203. Professional Nursing Development III: Leadership and Management. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all senior I courses. Preparation for the transition from student to professional nurse, focusing on the development of leadership skills and the introduction of management concepts. Emphasis is on building leadership and management competencies in organizing and coordinating the delivery of nursing care through communication, teamwork, accountability, delegation, problem-solving, client safety and quality management, and evidence-based practice within the context of health care systems and organizations.

NURS 4204. RN-BSN Community Health Nursing Care. 4 Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of NURS 3104, 3105, 3106, 3216, 4104 and 4105 with a grade of "C" or better. A study of holistic nursing care to promote and preserve the health of culturally diverse families, groups, and populations in the community.

NURS 4205. RN-BSN Professional Nursing Development III: Leadership & Management. 3 Hours.

Prerequisites: NURS 3105 and 4105 with a grade of "C" or better. Preparation for the transition from student to professional nurse, focusing on the development of leadership skills and the introduction of management concepts. Emphasis is on building leadership and management competencies in organizing and coordinating the delivery of nursing care through communication, teamwork, accountability, delegation, problem-solving, client safety, and quality management, and evidence-based practice within the context of health care systems and organizations.

NURS 4224. Professional Nursing Practice. 8 Hours.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all Senior I courses. Prerequisites or Corequisites: Senior 2 courses. A comprehensive course combining directed conceptual review, professional nursing practice, and simulation to develop students' abilities to manage care for a group of clients that approximates a beginning professional nurse's workload.

NURS 4225. Professional Nursing Practice. 7 Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all senior semester 1 courses. Co-requisite: Senior 2 courses. Capstone course combining professional nursing practice, seminars, and simulation to develop students' abilities to manage care for a group of clients that approximates a beginning professional nurse's workload.

NURS 4226. RN-BSN Professional Nursing Practice. 5 Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of all other RN-BSN curriculum with a grade of "C" or better. A capstone course combining nursing theory, online discussions, clinical practice, and experiential learning activities. The course emphasizes professional nursing care of individuals, groups, and populations at the point of care.

NURS 4250. Introduction to Nursing Financial Management. 3 Hours.

A broad introduction to nursing financial concepts, issues, tools, and vocabulary. Topics include financial statement analysis, working capital management, budgeting, cost finding, and rate setting. Minimal accounting proficiency is expected.

NURS 4400. Nursing Informatics. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: BVED 2400 or CS 1000. Analyzes concepts related to health care informatics and information technologies in health care. Provides students with opportunities to develop theoretical knowledge and enhance technology skills through laboratory application of didactic content.