2021-2022 Undergraduate General Catalog


NURS - Nursing

NURS 200 Foundations of Nursing Practice I

This is the first course of an eight credit hour sequence in Foundations of Nursing Practice. This course focuses on foundational concepts of professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding nursing as a profession, professional standards of practice, and theoretical foundations for holistic nursing practice. Students are also introduced to the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) core competencies of Patient-centered care, Teamwork and Communication, Evidence-based Practice, Quality Improvement, Safety and Informatics.

Credits

3

NURS 228 Pathophysiology

This course focuses on abnormal physiological processes and diseases affecting humans across the lifespan. Course content builds upon basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry knowledge. Emphasis is placed on connecting risk factors and clinical manifestations of disease to underlying pathophysiologic processes present at the cellular, organ, and body system levels. Diagnostic testing and collaborative interventions for treatment are introduced.

Credits

3

NURS 296 Curricular Practical Training

Students on an F-1 visa are eligible to work off campus to provide additional experience so long as the employment relates directly to the student's major area of study. The practical experience gained outside the traditional classroom supplements the theoretical and/or applied knowledge as a part of the student's coursework. The registration process for this course must be completed every term (including summers), as students must have their work authorization reissued each term to ensure continued enrollment. Jobs must be approved and verified by the International Programs Office before work may begin.

Credits

0

NURS 315 Health Assessment for International Nursing Students

The course focuses on health assessment through the life span.  Content areas include health, functional, and risk assessment to inform health planning for individuals and groups across health care settings.  Developmental and functional assessment will place emphasis on the older adult. Health patterns of individuals and groups are examined in relation to definitions of health, cultural perspectives, and quality of life issues.  Standards of quality and safety relative to health assessment are emphasized. Clinical experiences are scheduled in campus and simulation learning labs to provide for the review and refinement of nursing skills. This course is for international students only.   

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 228

Corequisites

NURS 200; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 324 Health Assessment & Nutrition

This course focuses on the comprehensive assessment of individuals across the life span. Emphasis is placed on completion of a holistic assessment of individuals and interpretation of assessment findings to develop plans of care. Therapeutic communication techniques are introduced. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of the adult and older adult patient.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 228

Corequisites

NURS 200; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 326 Foundations of Nursing Practice II

This is the second of an eight credit hour sequence in Foundations of Nursing Practice. This course focuses on foundational nursing concepts, skills, and techniques for providing holistic care to patients and families with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on application of the nursing process, introductory development of clinical reasoning skills, and communication with members of the interprofessional healthcare team. Basic clinical skills utilizing evidence-based practice and information technology are also learned to encourage the provision of safe, quality, and patient-centered care. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of the adult patient.

Credits

5

Prerequisites

NURS 228

Corequisites

NURS 200; NURS 324; NURS 330

NURS 330 Pharmacology

This course focuses on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug therapy across the lifespan. Course content builds upon pathophysiology knowledge. Emphasis is placed upon drug classification, mechanism of action, indications, therapeutic effects, contraindications and adverse reactions. The nurse’s role in medication administration, assessment of drug effects and patient education are discussed. Attention is given to cultural, legal, ethical, and safety implications.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 228

Corequisites

NURS 200; NURS 324; NURS 326

NURS 340 Adult Health Nursing I

This course is the first semester of an eight credit hour sequence in Adult Health Nursing. This course focuses on the holistic care of the adult with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on applying the nursing process while integrating belief patterns and values to the care of individuals living with acute and chronic disease. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of adults and families.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

NURS 324; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 352 Pediatric Nursing

This course focuses on the holistic care of children and families with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on implementing the nursing process while integrating principles of growth and development, belief patterns, and values of the child and family. Health promotion and disease prevention concepts are also examined. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of children and families.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 324; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 388 Epidemiology for Public Health Practice

This course covers the application of epidemiologic concepts and procedures to the understanding of the occurrence and control of health conditions. Epidemiologic measures and sources of data, as well as understanding of epidemiologic study designs, are applied to current and emerging health problems facing society today.

Credits

2

NURS 395 Internship

This practicum experience for senior level nursing majors may be taken for 1-2 credits (one credit is equal to 40 practicum hours). It provides an opportunity for students to integrate nursing theory and nursing research as well as the principles of nursing practice into an intensive, preceptored experience.

Credits

1- 2

NURS 406 Nursing and Health Care in the United States

This course serves as a vehicle for welcoming and orienting international nursing students to the culture in the Midwestern United States, the Sioux Falls community and the liberal arts community of Augustana University. Emphasis is upon an overview of the scope and standards of nursing practice in the US, comparison and contrast of the US health care system with international models of care delivery, medical terminology, and health, and cultural considerations for the American Indian population. Open to international Nursing students only. Graded: S/U

Credits

2

NURS 410 Maternal Newborn Nursing

This course focuses on the holistic care of childbearing women and families with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on implementing the nursing process while integrating belief patterns and values of women, childbearing women, and families. Health promotion and disease prevention concepts are also examined. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of the childbearing women and families.

Credits

3

NURS 420 Behavioral Health Nursing

This course focuses on the holistic care of individuals and families with behavioral health needs with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on application of the nursing process, utilization of therapeutic communication techniques, and use of recovery models in the care of individuals and families with behavioral health needs. The impact of belief patterns, values, and societal views on behavioral health and treatment are examined. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of individuals and families with behavioral health needs.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

NURS 324; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 430 Community and Population Health Nursing

This course focuses on the holistic care of diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations with varied experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on implementing the nursing process while integrating belief patterns and values to enhance the health of communities and populations. Health promotion, disease, and injury prevention across the lifespan are examined. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

NURS 324; NURS 326; NURS 330; NURS 340

NURS 441 Adult Health Nursing II

This course is the second semester of an eight credit hour sequence in Adult Health Nursing. This course focuses on the holistic care of the adult with varied lived experiences of wellness and illness. Emphasis is placed on applying the nursing process while integrating belief patterns and values to the care of critically ill individuals living with acute and chronic disease in complex nursing care situations. Clinical learning includes skills lab, simulation, seminar, and patient care experiences focused on application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from nursing in the care of adults and families.

Credits

4

NURS 450 Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (W) (SI)

This course focuses on nursing research as it relates to evidence-based practice (EBP). Opportunities are provided for students to gain increased understanding of the research process and EBP in practice. Emphasis is placed on engaging in each phase of the EBP process in a team environment.  Students also develop skills required to communicate professionally in the discipline of nursing. 

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 324; NURS 326; NURS 330

NURS 451 Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice I

This is a 126-hour clinical internship that is the first semester of a six credit hour sequence in Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice. This course prepares students to implement the knowledge and skills needed for a beginning leadership position (team leader and primary nurse), applicable to the holistic care of patients in a health care environment. Emphasis is placed on developing and applying principles of leadership. Students are provided with opportunities to synthesize their nursing knowledge and collaborate with their clinical preceptor in preparation for their transition into the professional nursing role.

Credits

3

NURS 452 Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice II

This is a theory based course that is the second semester of a six credit hour sequence in Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice. This course focuses on integrating concepts of leadership, management, and advocacy, recognizing nursing as a collective profession within the larger health care delivery system. Emphasis is placed on how the nurse impacts the delivery of holistic care at the system level, focusing on cost, quality, safety, and access. Students are provided with opportunities to synthesize their nursing knowledge in preparation for their transition into the professional nursing role.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

NURS 451

NURS 468 NCLEX Review

This course focuses on preparing undergraduate nursing students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Emphasis is placed on demonstrating clinical reasoning within the context of patient-centered care, using test taking skills to reflect current knowledge, and implementing strategies to prevent and reduce test anxiety. Students will develop a personalized plan of study to promote success on the NCLEX exam.

Credits

1

NURS 470 Nursing Care of the Aging Population

This course provides opportunities for nursing students to explore concepts and study selected topics related to the aging population and their health care needs.

Credits

1

Prerequisites

NURS 340, 352, 441

NURS 495 Internship

This practicum experience for senior level nursing majors may be taken or 1-2 credits (one credit is equal to 40 practicum hours). It provides an opportunity for students to integrate nursing theory and nursing research as well as the principles of nursing practice into an intensive, preceptored experience.

Credits

1- 2

Prerequisites

NURS 451