School of Nursing

Evaluates the relationship between gender and health outcomes both in the United States as well as globally. Students will become aware of how gender as a social construct influences the health and wellbeing of women. Biological and social processes related to women's health and disease will be explored. Issues such as violence against women, female genital mutilation, infanticide, lack of access to health care and education, health literacy, LGBT and sexual subjugation will be discussed using a women’s health lens. Fullfils general education requirement for gender studies. [3 credits]

Focuses on the basic principles of nutrition that will support nursing praxis and their application during the human life span in health and disease. Learners are offered the opportunity to explore the assumptions underlying nutrition for individuals of varying cultural backgrounds, stages of development, and across the wellness-illness continuum. The 14-week course will be offered in seven online modules. [3 credits theory (1:1)]

Introduces the student to knowledge and skills essential for holistic health assessment. The psychological, physical, environmental, social, spiritual and genetic components of a health assessment will be applied. The student will practice assessment and interviewing skills in a skills laboratory. The student will analyze both subjective and objective data and document findings in the appropriate format. This course has 2 components: theory (3 credits) and practice (1 credit). Prerequisite: Transition to Professional Practice [4 credits], 8 weeks.

Students are introduced to online computer applications used in nursing and health care. Students acquire technical skills needed for the application of patient care technologies and competency in information literacy, information management, and information management systems for the purpose of safe, competent and quality patient care. Prerequisite for CAUS students: Facility in Windows operating system and competency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Internet Explorer; Introduction to Microcomputer Applications or waiver. Prerequisites for Women’s College students: Acceptance to nursing major. For CAUS students, the course is offered during the Winterim semester. For Women’s College students, full Fall and Spring semesters. [2 credits theory 1:1]

Explores the multiple dimensions of aging in America and in global societies. The course focuses on the foundations of healthy, successful aging based on national indicators, as well as the personal definitions and meanings of the older adult. Students will learn to support optimal promotion of health and wellness while exploring the care of who might also be experiencing illness, recovery or the end-of-life. The complex relationships among person-health-nursing-environment will be examined in depth. Prerequisite: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice. [3 credits theory 1:1], 6 weeks

Builds upon previous classes in social and physical sciences, humanities, as well as lived experiences that students bring to the discipline of nursing. In this course, students are introduced to the caring profession of nursing through exploration of philosophical underpinnings, contributions from nurse theorists, and concepts of health and healing. Students develop ways of thinking and knowing, ways of being in relationships with self and others, and appreciation of providing technological care, compassion, and comfort to persons, families and communities. Through thoughtful integration of theory and reflective lived practice, students deepen understanding of the meaning of caring necessary for compassionate presence and technological skill in the art and science of professional nursing. Students are invited to a call to care and to a life-long commitment to nursing scholarship. This course has two components: theory (3 credits) and practice (2 credits). Prerequisite: Acceptance into the nursing major. [5 credits]

Combines pathophysiology, the study of altered health status, with pharmacology, the study of medications prescribed to prevent, cure or treat pathophysiological conditions. Major health problems will be highlighted with an emphasis on caring for persons across the lifespan and their individual needs. A systems approach will be used to address specific medications, classifications, side effects and interactions with other therapies. Prerequisite: Acceptnce to nursing major. Co-requisites: Foundations of a Caring Profession, Holistic Health Assessment, Nursing Informatics. [4 credits theory (1:1)]

Focuses on the integration of caring for adults experiencing commonly occurring health concerns using competencies that are directed toward health promotion, disease prevention and maintenance/restoration of health. Applying specialized knowledge, communication skills and therapeutic interventions, nursing students will develop relationships with patients/families which will foster partnerships directed toward holistic care. Beginning relationships with the intra/interdisciplinary team will be developed. This course has 2 components: theory (2 credits) and practice (2 credits). Prerequisites: Foundations of a Caring Profession, Holistic Health Assessment, Pathopharmacology. [4 credits: theory (2 credits; 1:1) and practice (2 credits; 1:3)]

Focuses on caring with children and adolescents, and their families, who are experiencing physiological and psychosocial alterations in health as well as promoting health and wellness. Students engage in theory based, evidence based reflective nursing practice with children and adolescents in a variety of places to include inpatient pediatric units, outpatient clinics and home. The course builds upon courses in social and physical sciences, human growth and development, humanities, and professional nursing care and offers opportunities to reflect on ethical issues concerning children and adolescents. This course has two components: theory (2 credits) and practice (2 credits). Prerequisites: Holistic Health Assessment, Foundations of a Caring Profession, Human Growth and Development, Professional Nursing Care of the Adult I, Pathopharmacology. [4 credits: theory (2 credits; 1:1) and practice (2 credits; 3:1)]

Introduces students to skills that are essential for the successful transition to professional nursing practice and baccalaureate education. Includes an overview of the Notre Dame Nursing Program and an examination of: Transition Theory, the reciprocal relationship of theory and research and critical events in nursing history. Students will explore the most recent advances in information retrieval, the essential components of professional writing and presentations, and skills that will enhance critical thinking. Prerequisites: College Writing; Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology; Human Growth and Development; Introduction to Psychology; Introduction to Sociology; 8 credits of electives. [3 credits theory 1:1], 6 weeks

The course focuses on the use of nursing theory in nursing practice, and on the contemporary challenges of providing and ensuring quality nursing care within the healthcare context. Students explore issues and trends in nursing and healthcare today, including current professional, legal, and ethical standards. Prerequisites: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Medical Ethics. [3 credits theory 1:1], 6 weeks

Introduces students to knowledge and skills that are essential for a consumer of nursing research. Examines use of the research process as a method to enhance scientific inquiry and to develop a knowledge base for nursing practice. Critical appraisal of both qualitative and quantitative methods in published nursing research is emphasized. Includes interpretation of basic descriptive and inferential statistics in published studies and evaluation of studies for nursing practice. Prerequisites: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Basic Statistics. [3 credits theory 1:1], 7 weeks

Focuses on holistic caring of childbearing families during pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum as well as care of the newborn. Students learn and apply evidence-based nursing theoretical concepts in the nursing care of women, newborns and families in a variety of environments. The course builds upon courses in social and physical sciences, humanities and professional nursing care and provides opportunities for clinical ethical reflection. This course has two components: theory (2 credits) and practice (2 credits). Prerequisites: Holistic Health Assessment, Foundations of a Caring Profession, Pathopharmacology, Professional Nursing Care of the Adult I, Human Growth and Development. [4 credits : theory (2 credits; 1:1) and practice (2 credits; 3:1)]

NUR-410 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing provides opportunities for students to increase understanding and demonstrate appropriate professional nursing care for persons who are experiencing struggles in human living and major psychiatric/mental health problems. Through directed readings, reflective writing, patient teaching, classroom conversations and engagement with patients in clinical settings, students focus on coming to understand what it is like to live through selected mental health states such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychoactive substance use disorders and more. Emphasis on the lived experiences of persons with psychiatric illness and a focus on reflection allows students to enrich ways of 'being-with' patients by integrating knowledge of psychobiology, pharmacology, and thoughtful, competent, caring and ethical psychiatric/mental health nursing practice. This course has two components: theory (2 credits) and practice (2 credits). Prerequisites (Fall 2015): All 300-level nursing courses, NUR-407 Nursing Research. [4 credits]; Prerequisites (Spring 2016): NUR-301, NUR-305, NUR-310, NUR-311; Corequisites (Spring 2016): NUR-304, NUR-311, NUR-407.

Allows students to substitute an international/study abroad opportunity for one of the required nursing courses. May be taken in place of Healthy Aging, Contemporary Nursing Trends and Theory, Family Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Nursing Leadership. [3-5 credits]

This course provides opportunities to deepen understanding of the phenomenon of family in multiple contexts—autobiographical inquiry, reflection on lived family experience, directed readings, examination of select theoretical and philosophical foundations, current global sociopolitical setting, and insights from nursing and human science research. Family nursing as relational caring inquiry and practice is emphasized. Family nursing interventions are collaborative and draw on strength and resilience of the family for the promotion of health and/or to diminish or soften emotional, physical, or spiritual suffering of illness.­ Students enact interview skills and ways of being with families through interactive family nursing activities in the Center for Caring with Technology. Prerequisite: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice. [3 credits theory 1:1]; 6 weeks

Analyzes selected public health and nursing models for community health nursing practice in culturally diverse environments. Students explore specific issues and societal concerns that affect global and public health, including health care needs of vulnerable communities and populations at risk. Students are guided to develop intercultural competence through a series of activities and projects throughout the course. Students assess community health needs and implement strategies, as appropriate, to support health system integrity. A reflection on nursing care of communities as social justice is explored. Community health nurses' contributions to the health of populations and their role in governmental-legislative activities are examined. Prerequisites: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Nursing Research. [5 credits] This course has 2 components: theory (3 credits= 24 hours) and practice (2 credits = 32 hours); 8 weeks

Integrates previously learned nursing knowledge and skills with contemporary leadership and management theories, enabling students to more clearly define their roles as baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Students analyze the transition process to professional nursing practice opportunities for continued professional development, and leadership/management challenges created by increasingly complex health care environments. Prerequisite: Transition to Professional Nursing practice, Nursing Research; ideally, Nursing Leadership is the last course. [3 credits theory 1:1]; 6 weeks

Engages students in comprehensive clinical practice with patients in a variety of practice settings. Opportunities are provided for students to assume responsibility, in the context of theory-based, evidence-based reflective practice, for the holistic care of assigned patients in a select health care setting. With the guidance of a preceptor who is on staff in the facility, the student collaborates with all members of the health care team in the planning and care of her patients and transitions from nursing student to entry-level professional nurse. Practice settings include, but are not limited to, care of persons in emergency departments, medical-surgical units, homeless shelters, outpatient clinics, critical care units, and labor and delivery units. The focus of the practicum is on intentionally bringing together knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology, social justice, ways of being in relationship with self and others, and excellence in technological caring—toward compassionate, transformative care with persons, families and communities. 225 hours of clinical practice.

Seminar sessions will provide opportunities for students to bring forward experiences from their senior clinical practica for critical inquiry—leading toward problem-solving and holistic, creative compassionate approaches to caring with patients. With a focus on scholarly and clinical excellence, students are guided to deepen understanding of persons, families and groups entrusted to their care. During this seminar, students engage in deepening understanding of their patients and clinical work through the lens of nursing theory, research, ethics and critical exploration of the lived experiences of their patients. Seminar topics include contemporary clinical practice concerns in a context of theory-based, reflective, evidence-based practice. Additionally, the course offers opportunities for students to reflect on self and engage in meaning-making during this time of transition from nursing student to professional nurse. Prerequisites: Maternal and Infant Nursing, Professional Nursing Care of the Adult II, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Nursing Care of Children and Families, Nursing Research, Contemporary Trends and Theory and all 300-level courses. Must be taken concurrently with Caring Nursing Leadership. [6 credits: clinical credits; 1:3, 225 hours]