Nursing Courses


NURS100. Intro Nursing and Health Care

This course traces the origins and major milestones in the history of professional nursing and the US health care system. It explores the contributions of major historical figures in nursing and the social context that influenced their work. The course also provides an overview of how health care in the US is organized and financed, and the impact of legislative and regulatory processed on issues of affordability, equity and access to health care. Prerequisite: Admission into the Longwood University BSN program or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

NURS105. Medical Terminology for Health

This course is designed for the student interested in a healthcare field. This course aims to introduce the student to the terms used in healthcare settings. Students will learn a systematic approach for correctly identifying, pronouncing, and using terms in an appropriate manner and setting. A focus will be placed on root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Pre-requisite(s): None 1 credit

NURS1XX. Nursing Elective

Nursing Elective

NURS210. Health Assessment Across Lifes

This course introduces the student to the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health assessment on children, adults and the elderly. The nursing process is introduced as a tool to guide data collection through a comprehensive culturally sensitive history, physical examination, and documentation of findings. Prerequisites: BIOL 206, BIOL 207, and NURS 100. Two lecture and one two hour lab period. 3 credits. Fee required.

NURS220. Clinical Skills Nursing Practi

This course focuses on the acquisition of foundational clinical and communication skills needed to provide safe quality patient care. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical underpinnings of individual skills and the clinical reasoning necessary to properly select and use psychomotor skills and patient care technology. Principles of effective communication with patients of varying ages and cultures are also introduced. Students are encouraged to explore the research evidence available to support the use of various skills in patient care. Prerequisite: BIOL 206, BIOL 207, and NURS 100. One lecture and four laboratory hours. 3 credits. Fee required.

NURS230. Foundations Nursing Practice

This course examines selected nursing principles, concepts and skills that are central to patient care delivery. The nursing process is used as a framework for exploring the role of the professional nurse in patient care management. The emphasis is on the nurse's role as direct and indirect provider of safe patient centered care that incorporates health promotion, clinical prevention, and basic illness care with adult and elderly patients. Clinical and simulation experiences provide students with opportunities to apply theory, communication strategies, assessment and psychomotor skills in the care of patients in various settings. Prerequisites: NURS 105, NURS 210, NURS 220. 4 credits.

NURS240. Principles of Pathophysiology

This course examines the pathophysiologic factors that contribute to common disease processes affecting individuals across the lifespan. The influences of environment, genetics, and lifestyle choices that lead to increased disease susceptibility, morbidity and mortality are discussed along with the cultural differences that influence an individual's understanding of disease and response to it. Pre-requisites: NURS 210 and NURS 220. Pre-requisite/Co-requisites: NURS 230 and BIO 304. 4 credits.

NURS280. Citizen Leadership in Nursing

The purpose of this elective is to provide student nurses opportunities to apply citizen leadership in selected structured and unstructured settings. Students will integrate knowledge of political and economic resources affecting health care through service learning processes. The course will facilitate leadership roles, and optimize the student's exposure to nursing leaders. The activities will enhance critical thinking, communication and citizen leadership skills. This course prepares students to assume leadership roles in the local, state and national levels of the National Student Nurses Association. Students will develop individual learning contracts based on their specific roles in the organization. This course will provide students an opportunity to earn academic credit for active involvement in the local, state and/or national levels of Student Nurses Associations and other organizations. Prerequisite: NURS 100. This is a 2 credit course.

NURS290. Learning Strtgy & Core Clnc Sk

This course is for nursing students who are returning to the program following a delay in progression to re-certify nursing clinical skills. Required clinical skill competencies are determined and individualized by student level. An emphasis of the course is on application of nursing concepts and encourages development of learning strategies and self-improvement techniques to foster success in the undergraduate nursing program. Pre-requisite: Recommendation of Department Chair. 1 credit.

NURS2XX. Nursing Elective

Nursing elective

NURS312. Stdy Abrd:Global Health & Well

Students will examine the relationship between geography, economics, political institutions, participation in global trade and the health and wellness of the population. Students will strengthen their ability to understand, compare, and interpret historical, socio-cultural, ecological, and biological factors that affect human health and wellness using an international perspective. This course will provide the student with a broad introduction to international programs, social systems and policies affecting global health as they explore the multiple facets of global health and wellness of individuals and populations. Prerequisites: Completion of FHBS pillar. 3 credits.

NURS315. Nutrition: Health and Disease

This course provides nursing students with a firm foundation in the science of nutrition and emphasizes the interrelationships among nutrition, food and the environment as they impact health and well-being. Principles of normal nutrition at all stages of the life cycle including social, religious, and cultural factors are explored. Students will discuss the role of nursing professionals in developing a nutritional plan of care to meet the needs of healthy individuals and those with various disease processes using evidence-based practice/research. Prerequistes: NURS 230 and NURS 310 3 credits.

NURS320. Principles of Pharmacology

The course establishes a foundation about pharmacology and the use of drugs to manage common diseases and conditions. It focuses on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of common drugs and how they are used to modify body systems. Lifespan variations are discussed as well as the implications for patient teaching and monitoring. Economic, political and ethical issues related to drug development and marketing are explored. Prerequisites: NURS 230 and NURS 240. Prerequisite/corequisite: NURS 341. 3 credits.

NURS325. Nrsg Care of Womn, Chldrn, Fam

This course focuses on the nursing care and concepts related to women’s health, pregnancy, and care of the infant and families through adolescence. Nursing management of normal and high risk pregnancies from the period of preconception through infancy will be explored. Emphasis is placed on the use of the nursing process to assess childbearing women and their families and select appropriate interventions to meet their physical and emotional needs; assess physical and developmental needs; promote health and prevent illness and injury; and assist patients and families to adapt to acute and chronic illness challenges. Particular attention is given to identifying evidence based interventions and ethical considerations to support quality patient centered care. The actual and simulated clinical experiences take place in various settings to assist students to develop increasing skill in providing safe, high quality, compassionate care to patients from a wide range of cultures and traditions and support the continued development of cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skills necessary. Prerequisites: NURS 315, NURS 320, NURS 341. Five lecture and one clinical. 6 credits.

NURS341. Nursing Care Adults & Families

This course focuses on the knowledge base necessary to provide safe, high-quality care to adults experiencing common acute and chronic health problems. The course blends knowledge from pathophysiology, pharmacology and disease management into a comprehensive plan for culturally sensitive care that integrates current evidence for best practices management. The impact of major diseases on patients and families is explored with an emphasis on the nurse's role in health promotion, symptom management and beginning interprofessional collaboration for effective care management. Simulated and actual clinical experiences take place in a variety of settings. Prerequisites: NURS 230 and NURS 240. Prerequisite/Corequisite: NURS 320. 4 credit hours lecture and 1 credit clinical. 5 credits.

NURS360. Intro Research Evidenced Based

This course provides an overview of nursing and health care related research and evidence based practice. It introduces the basic skills and knowledge necessary to critically read research studies and conduct systematic literature reviews using established data bases. Basic principles of study design are presented and ethical issues in the conduct of research with patients and families are emphasized. The challenges of translating research evidence into practice are explored. Prerequisites: Third year status in the nursing program or Permission of instructor, MATH 155 or MATH 171, and NURS 230. Three lecture periods. 3 credits. WR.

NURS366. Determinants of Global Health

This course examines how socio-economic status, gender, political stability and geography contribute to the burden of disease around the world. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration to gain insight on how global health systems are sustained, financed, and regulated. Prerequisite(s): Completion of FGLO. 3 credits

NURS372. Social Concepts & Nursing Care

This course combines nursing concepts with the issues of social gerontology. The course entails assessments and interventions for older adults experiencing normal aging or common aging related problems. This includes the role of the nurse in health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management for this population. Furthermore, the course will explore how social, cultural, economic and political forces shape the experiences of aging adults. Pre-requisites: NURS 230, NURS 310, and PSYC 230. 3 credits.

NURS380. Cultural Exper in Ecuador

Cultural Experience in Ecuador is a course that will provide students with a culturally rich experience by traveling to various communities. The influence of political, socioeconomic, cultural and environmental issues on the health of populations will be examined. This course will allow students to experience the history, culture, and customs of each community. It will provide opportunities to apply transcultural knowledge while engaging in cultural, educational, health, and community service projects. Prerequisite: NURS 340 or permission of the instructor. 3 elective credit hours.

NURS393. Nsg Care Pat w/Cmplx Hlth Prbl

This course focuses on the care of patients who are experiencing complex health problems. The course integrates knowledge from pathophysiology, pharmacology and disease management into a comprehensive plan for culturally sensitive care that incorporates current evidence based practice. The course emphasizes the role of direct and indirect care provider and expands the student's focus to include issues related to coordination of care, interprofessional collaboration, quality and safety. The student will apply the nursing process to provide safe, high quality patient care to adults in simulated and various acute care clinical settings. Three (3) lecture; one lab (1); and one (1) clinical. Prerequisites: NURS 315, 320, 341. 5 credits.

NURS3XX. Experiential Learning

NURS410. Nrsng Care Psyc/Mntl Hlth Prob

This course focuses on the nursing care of persons with acute and chronic mental health and psychiatric disorders. The nursing process is used as a tool for assessing, planning, and implementing care and evaluating outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the biopsychosocial origins of mental illness, the available research evidence to support current practice, and the importance of an effective interprofessional team. Clinical experiences take place in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: NURS 392. 4 credits.

NURS420. Community Health Nursing

This course focuses on the application of epidemiologic and public health principles to work with individuals, families, groups and other aggregates in a community setting. The nursing process is used as a framework for assessing community needs and providing interventions and services targeted at disease prevention, health promotion and protection. The influence of political, socioeconomic, cultural and environmental issues on the health of populations is examined. Prerequisite: NURS 393. 4 credits.

NURS430. Health Care Policy &Regulation

This course presents the broad context of health policy and law and the way policy is formulated. It emphasizes the social, ethical and political issues that affect the delivery of health services, particularly the impact of policy decisions on professional nursing practice. It also provides an overview of the maze of regulatory agencies that influence and control practice, particularly as they relate to issues of quality and safety. Prerequisites: NURS 393. Three lecture periods. 3 credits.

NURS440. Managing Sfty Quality Outcomes

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills needed by the entry level nurse for the safe and effective management of patient care. The course considers nursing practice from the staff nurse and middle management perspective with an emphasis on creating a culture of quality, safety and ongoing improvement. Theories of change, complexity, organizational design, horizontal leadership, coalition building and conflict management are introduced. The use and analysis of outcome data as evidence for practice change is stressed. Simulated scenarios are used to apply course content. Prerequisites: NURS 393. 3 credits.

NURS460. Health Assessment

This RN to BSN course is designed to review and enhance knowledge and skills necessary to gather, organize, and communicate relevant health data regardless of practice setting. Comprehensive and problem-focused health assessment is emphasized for individuals in the context of their family and community. Assignments are theory based and skill focused. Online course. 3 credits.

NURS461. Contemporary Issues in Nursing

This RN to BSN course examines issues and trends of professional nursing practice today. Historical, political, societal and theoretical influences and future trends in nursing will be explored. Legal, ethical and cultural dimensions of nursing will be discussed in the context of an ever changing, highly complex healthcare system. Online. 3 credits.

NURS462. Concepts in Aging & Longevity

This RN to BSN course provides a perspective on the issues of aging in society and culture. The course content will focus on assessment and intervention with older adults experiencing normal aging changes and common aging related health problems. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the nurse in health promotion, risk reduction and disease management of this population. Online course. 3 credits.

NURS463. Illness & Disease Management

This RN to BSN course will utilize a systems approach in understanding and applying knowledge of normal physiology, pathophysiology and the application of concepts to specific disorders. Relevant diagnostics and pharmacological management modalities will be explored in the context of a rapidly expanding health care system. Online. 4 credits.

NURS464. Population Focused Commun Hlth

The RN to BSN course provides a perspective of professional nursing in public and community health settings. The nursing process is utilized to assess community needs and to provide appropriate interventions specifically for disease prevention and health promotion for individuals, families, communities and populations. The student will have opportunities to apply course content to community settings. Online.4 credits.

NURS467. Intro to Evidence Guided Pract

This RN to BSN course provides an overview of health care related research and evidence-based practice. Critical appraisal of research studies is introduced including statistics. Systematic literature reviews are conducted using established databases. Basic principles of study design, methods and research ethics are explored. Online. Prerequisite: MATH 171. 3 credits.

NURS468. Information Sys & Quality Mngm

This RN to BSN course explores various applications of informatics as well as current trends for health care delivery. Students will analyze and evaluate information systems and patient care technology, as well as the impact on the delivery of care in all practice settings. Students will examine issues related to the protection of privacy, confidentiality, and security of health information. Online. 3 credits.

NURS469. Transformational Leadership

This RN to BSN course focuses on the role of the professional nurse as a leader and a manager in the delivery of health care for patients. Traditional management theories and practices are built upon, including the organization, planning staffing, directing and controlling of various resources in diverse health care systems. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of transformational leadership. The student will explore the impact leaders and managers have on the health care delivery system and quality of care. Online. 3 credits.

NURS480. NCLEX Success

The NCLEX-success course will prepare the student with an understanding of test-taking skills through appropriate application of knowledge in content areas such as pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and foundations of nursing practice. The course will be designed to meet the individualized cohorts learning needs based on HESI specialty exam reports and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing testing blue-print. Prerequisite: NURS 392. 2 credits.

NURS491. Sr Sem: Transition to Nursing

This capstone senior seminar course provides an integrative experience applying all dimensions of the professional nurse in the care of the diverse patient populations across a variety of healthcare settings. Major concepts of the nursing program are addressed and reviewed in preparation for licensure and the role of the professional nurse. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: NURS 410 and NURS 420. Co-requisite with NURS 492. One (1) credit lecture.

NURS492. Internship in Nursing

This capstone clinical internship course provides an integrative experience applying all dimensions of the professional nurse in the care of diverse patient populations across a variety of healthcare settings. The clinical internship hours with an experienced clinical preceptor facilitate the transition from the student role to the role of the professional nurse. Critical thinking, clinical judgment skills, and the leadership and the management of multiple patients is emphasized. Students are challenged to function collaboratively as an active participant on the interprofessional/interdisciplinary care team. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: NURS 410 and NURS 420. Co-requisite: NURS 491. 4 credit hour/clinical

NURS495. Special topics in Nursing

Selected topics in nursing which will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits.