Curricular Overview*
The curriculum is designed to reflect the relationship among and between the metaparadigm concepts of nursing, health, person, and environment. The organizing framework, derived from the Philosophy of the College of Nursing, provides the template for the terminal objectives of the curriculum. Each nursing Block produces outcome competencies related to Block and terminal objectives. Where appropriate, threads in each clinical Block consist of pathophysiology, nutrition, pharmacology, legal-ethical, developmental stages, and culture. The curriculum is designed to facilitate students’ professional progression from basic knowledge and skills to advanced critical thinking/clinical reasoning, problem solving, and independent judgment.
Block 1.0 (NURS 300) - Introduction to the Profession
This Block is an introduction to professional nursing from historical, social, legal-ethical, political, economic, theoretical, and cultural perspectives. An overview of the professional roles of the nurse in healthcare environments is introduced. 3 credits (45 contact hours)
Block 2.0 (NURS 301) - Health Assessment
This Block is designed to introduce the student to the basic principles, knowledge, and motor skills required for a comprehensive health assessment of clients within a legal/ethical framework in a laboratory setting. The student will also develop interview and therapeutic communication techniques that may be used in the assessment of clients across the lifespan. 3 credits, laboratory component (90 contact hours)
Block 3.0 (NURS 302) - Fundamentals of Nursing
This Block provides the fundamentals of nursing principles and practice related to basic health needs of individuals. Students will learn the basic principles, skills, and behaviors essential to safe, effective nursing care of the client. 4 credits, with laboratory component (75 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 2.0
Block 3.1 (NURS 302.1) - Fundamentals of Nursing and Basic Skills
Students will apply basic skills and nursing principles in clinical settings. 1.8 credits (72 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 3.0
Block 4.0 (NURS 303) - Nursing Pharmacology
This Block provides students with an analysis of the physiological actions, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, drug interactions and safe administration of selected drugs. Emphasis is placed on the application of the nursing process as the framework for safe administration of drugs. 3 credits (45 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 3.1
Block 5.0 (NURS 304) Adult Health Nursing I
This Block builds on the fundamentals of nursing. Emphasis is placed on care and management of adult clients experiencing alterations in health. 7.5 credits with laboratory component (142 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 4.0
Block 5.1 (NURS 304.1) - Adult Health Nursing I – Clinical
Students will further develop psychomotor skills essential for professional nursing practice. Students will synthesize knowledge using the nursing process to manage care for adult clients. 2.7 credits (108 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 5.0
Block 6.0 (NURS 305) - Nursing Theories, Practice and Issues
This Block focuses on nursing theories and their relevance to professional practice. Students are introduced to practice models in various health care environments. Future and current issues in nursing practice will be explored. 3 credits (45 contact hours)
Block 7.0 (NURS 401) - Nursing Research
This Block introduces the student to fundamental concepts in nursing research and focuses on understanding the purpose of research as a major contributor to nursing science, interpretation of study results, and cultivation of critical thinking through the research critique. Concepts of evidenced-based practice in nursing are emphasized. 3 credits (45 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 6.0
Block 8.0 (NURS 402) - Maternal Newborn Nursing
This Block focuses on the healthcare needs of childbearing women and their families through all stages of the perinatal period and childbirth. Emphasis is placed on the growth and development of the fetus and needs of the mother, the newborn, the family, and support systems. High risk pregnancies, labor complications and the physiologically challenged neonate are also covered. 5 credits with laboratory component (90 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 5.1
Block 8.1 (NURS 402.1) - Maternal Newborn Nursing – Clinical
Clinical experience will focus on physical and psychosocial assessment of mother and child. This will include providing care to uncomplicated pregnancies, healthy newborns, and to women with complicated pregnancies. 2.7 credits (108 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 8.0
Block 9.0 (NURS 403) - Pediatric Nursing
This Block focuses on the healthcare of children from infancy through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on the needs of the child, the family, and their support systems throughout developmental milestones. 5 credits with laboratory component (90 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 5.1
Block 9.1 (NURS 403.1) - Pediatric Nursing – Clinical
Clinical experience will focus on age appropriate care for infants, children, and adolescents in supervised clinical environments. Emphasis is placed on incorporating the family and support systems in meeting the child’s developmental needs. 2.7 credits (108 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 9.0
Block 10 (NURS 306) - Adult Health Nursing II
This Block includes a more in-depth analysis of adult clients experiencing acute, chronic, and critical alterations in health status. 7 credits, with laboratory component (135 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 5.1
Block 10.1 (NURS 306.1) - Adult Health Nursing II – Clinical
Students will build upon previous clinical experiences to manage care of adults experiencing acute or critical alterations in health status. 3.6 credits (144 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 10.0
Block 11.0 (NURS 409) – Community and Mental Health Nursing
This Block focuses on the theories and principles that guide nursing care for clients’ across the lifespan experiencing alterations in mental health while addressing the social determinants of health within the community. Emphasis is on psychopathology and therapeutics, community assessment techniques and community interventions. Various healthcare delivery systems will be explored. 8 credits (120 contact hours)
Block 11.1 (NURS 409.1) – Community and Mental Health Nursing – Clinical
Clinical experience will focus on management of psychiatric clients in supervised clinical environments. In addition, students will serve as case managers for clients and study an in-depth community health issue. 4 credits (160 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 11.0
Block 12.0 (NURS 410) – Care of the Older Adult
This Block focuses on the health care issues and needs of older adults across the health care continuum in various environments. The process of aging is analyzed utilizing various theoretical perspectives that include physical, emotional, and social aging and their impacts on the older adult and their families. The complex interplay of the political, economic, cultural, legal, and ethical factors that influence health care delivery to older adults is examined. 3 credits (45 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 11.1
Block 13.0 (NURS 406) – Leadership
This Block focuses on the theories and principles of nursing leadership and management in healthcare environments. 3 credits (45 contact hours). Prerequisite: All previous Blocks**
**Nevada students must complete all prerequisite courses including the United States and Nevada Constitution requirements, in addition to all previous Blocks.
Block 14.0 (NURS 407) - Senior Practicum
This block focuses on the transition from a student nurse to a professional registered nurse in the coordination and delivery of healthcare. Emphasis is placed upon management and leadership skills. 3.6 credits (144 contact hours) Prerequisite Block 13.0
Block 15.0 (NURS 408) - Senior Seminar
This Block synthesizes the legal-ethical framework governing professional practice, explores issues and trends of professional nursing and prepares the students to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Students must successfully complete the designated Comprehensive Predictor, as the final Block assessment. BSN-3 credits (45 contact hours); ABSN-2 credits (30 contact hours) Prerequisite: All Blocks
*Subject to change
Clinical Requirements
Students enrolled in the College of Nursing are required to participate in clinical rotations as part of the curriculum. Students must meet clinical requirements and show documentation to protect themselves and assigned clients, and adhere to agency policies. Additional requirements may be set forth by clinical sites or agencies.
Failure to provide the
following requirements will result in an inability to attend clinical
rotations. Details on specific clinical requirements and forms will be sent to
students upon matriculation.
Additional questions and information regarding clinical requirements and
rotations can be directed to the Director of Clinical Resources at the applicable campus:
Nevada campus
Ms. Mary Chalfant
(702)
968-1634
email
Utah campus
Mr. Delos Jones
(801) 878-1100
email
Information can also be found in theCollege of Nursing Student Handbook.