Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN-to-RN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN-to-BSN

Lisa Walsh, Ph.D., RN Chair of the RN-BSN Program, Assistant Professor of Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is designed for current registered nurses (RNs).

The nursing education program provides professional education in the art and science of nursing that synthesizes the Catholic intellectual tradition and a broad liberal arts and sciences base into the practice of nursing. An Emmanuel education prepares a professional who thinks critically, communicates effectively and appreciates diverse human experience. This nursing professional uses personal and professional standards and values to serve others in a responsible, ethical practice.

The following beliefs frame the educational experiences offered to registered nurses: • The professional nurse is committed to the promotion of health and wellness for all persons • The recipients of health care are unique and have distinct emotional, physical, spiritual and social needs to which the professional nurse must respond • The nurse as caregiver uses knowledge and caring activities to effect positive outcomes for care recipients within the context of their environment • Assuming a leadership role in health care, the nurse advocates for access to health care for all members of society, particularly vulnerable populations through interprofessional collaboration

The graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Emmanuel College is a caring, concerned professional who understands systems of care and the health care needs of individuals and society. He or she holds a strong commitment to the profession of nursing. As a caregiver, the professional nurse assumes accountability to individuals and society. The professional nurse is responsible for rendering ethical professional nursing practice with a focus on continual quality improvement. She or he acknowledges the importance of scholarly nursing practice achieved through lifelong learning as a foundation for selfactualization of personal and professional goals. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K St. NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001. Their website, www. aacn.nche.edu, is a resource for information about nursing.

Calendar time for program completion is based upon student choice of a full-time or part-time program of study and transfer credit evaluation.

LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES

At the completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, the student will: 1. Expand a personal philosophy of nursing through reflection on the Catholic intellectual tradition to effect positive outcomes for care-recipients within the context of their environments. 2. Assume accountability for evidence and knowledge-based nursing practice and responsibility for involvement as a citizen knowledgeable in interprofessional health care systems.

3. Practice as a professional nurse whose care-giving activities reflect the analysis of theoretical knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, nursing and evidencebased practice. 4. Integrate into the culture of nursing the concepts of caring that foster a relationship between caregiver and carerecipient which results in the achievement of mutually agreed upon outcomes on the health/illness continuum.

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

NURS4170 Health Promotion Capstone Practicum The purpose of this project is to evaluate the ability of nursing students to exchange perceptions, ideas, and knowledge through a variety of teaching learning strategies.

NURSING LICENSURE INFORMATION

Proof of RN Licensure is required for admission to the BSN program.

INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING: SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL

Eligible students may apply for membership to Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, during enrollment in senior coursework.

REQUIREMENTS

Nursing Major Courses

NURS3101 Concepts of Professional Practice

NURS3103 Health Assessment

NURS3105 Research in Nursing Practice

NURS3108 Nursing Infomatics and Computer Applications

NURS3112 Leadership and Professional Issues in Nursing

NURS3114 Diversity in Health Care and Contemporary Healing Interventions NURS4118 Community Health and Health Promotion in Nursing Practice

NURS4170 Health Promotion Capstone Practicum Emmanuel College Prerequisite Courses

Scientific Inquiry:

BIOL2135 Anatomy and Physiology I

BIOL2137 Anatomy and Physiology II

BIOL3127 Microbiology Social Analysis:

SOC1101 Introduction to Sociology: Analysis of Society in Global Perspective (SA)

PSYCH1501 General Psychology (SA)

PSYCH2303 Child Psychology (SA)

General Studies

• Moral Reasoning; Aesthetic, Literary, or Visual and Creative Inquiry; Historical Inquiry or

Historical Consciousness (two courses) • Theology & Religious Thought/Inquiry (one course) • Statistics (one course) • English composition course (one course) • Free Elective (three courses) Total Requirements for Degree: 128 credits

RN-BSN students may transfer up to 96 credits, including up to 40 credits, awarded for an associate degree in nursing or from an approved nursing diploma program when provided with grades and credits or contact hours for nursing courses within the diploma program detailed on the transcript.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

NURS3101 Concepts of Professional Practice This course introduces the student to the conceptual roots of the theoretical bases of nursing practice. The focus of the course is expansion of the student’s knowledge of critical-thinking and decision-making processes that translate the conceptual roots of nursing into caregiving practices. The evaluation of nursing theories is examined. The nurse’s professional role will be explored to assist the student in role transition. This course is the designated writing-intensive course in the curriculum. 4 credits

NURS3103 Health Assessment This course introduces knowledge and skills needed for comprehensive assessment of the client through selected experiences committed to the promotion of health and wellness. These skills include history taking and physical assessment using inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation techniques, and documentation of findings. Students use critical thinking and decision making to integrate the resulting data in developing a client-focused plan of care. 4 credits NURS3105 Research in Nursing Practice This course is an introduction to the process of scientific inquiry and its application to nursing practice. The focus is on the identification of researchable questions derived from nursing practice, the critical examination of relevant research in the literature, and the application of evidencebased practice to improve quality of care. 4 credits

NURS3108 Nursing Informatics and Computer Applications This course focuses on foundational knowledge of nursing and health care informatics, and gaining an understanding of the theories and social and economic forces influencing the development and application of information and health care technologies. Students begin to use these technologies in the delivery of nursing care. Emphasis is placed on the legal and ethical ramifications of using information and technologies to improve patient safety and the quality of health care, and to protect patient privacy. Students will learn contemporary computing and how to integrate software functions such as word processing and presentation abilities required to communicate within healthcare information systems.

4 credits

NURS3112 Leadership and Professional Issues in Nursing This course examines theories, concepts and components of nursing leadership and professional issues. Students synthesize beliefs, knowing, caring and professional role with the elements of leadership and systems of health care. Attention is given to the complexities of professional nursing practice as influenced by health care policy. Students will analyze the professional nursing role within the context of current legal, political and organizational systems. 4 credits.

NURS3114 Diversity in Health Care and Contemporary Healing Interventions This course focuses on understanding diversity in nursing and health care. Theoretical bases in transcultural nursing, spirituality, and lifestyles are discussed and their impact on the provision of health care services are analyzed. The genetic origins of man as it relates to the commonality of all races are explored. The use of music, art, literature, and healing/touch modalities that enhance care giving and healing response of individuals will be studied. Contemporary interventions addressing complementary therapies and cultural practices including: Reiki, acupressure, Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, homeopathy, herbal medicine, food supplements, and aromatherapy will be reviewed as it related to the care of the mind, body, and patient health outcomes. 4 credits.

NURS4118 Community Health and Health Promotion in Nursing This course introduces the basic concepts and theories of community health and health promotion as relational influences on the overall health of a community. Socioeconomic, environmental, political, cultural and historical indicators of the health of a community are addressed. This course explores belief systems that impact health promotion and the planning of community resources. Collaborative models of caregiving for individuals, families, and aggregates (groups) in diverse community settings are examined. The critical role of the family in the development of health beliefs and health behaviors will also be explored. Offered every fall, expected fall 2019. 4 credits. Prerequisites: NURS 3101, NURS 3103, NURS

3105, NURS 3108, NURS3112, NURS3114

NURS4170 Health Promotion Capstone Practicum Students use conceptual frameworks and theories of health promotion to design and implement contemporary nursing interventions for health promotion among vulnerable individuals and families within communities. Strategies developed for health education will integrate theory, research, and practice. Practica foci are centered on health promotion/disease prevention for vulnerable populations. 4 credits Prerequisites: NURS3101, NURS3103, NURS3105, NURS3108, NURS3112, NURS3114, NURS4118