Nursing (NUR)
NUR 326 Nursing Introduction to Evidence Based Practice 3 credits
This course provides tools for understanding how evidence-based practice in nursing using research techniques and strategies improves client outcomes and the health of populations. Topics include research design and methodologies, ethical guidelines, how to translate research into practice, and beginning research writing and the role of the nurse as a collaborator in research and evidence-based practice. The student acquires the skills needed to use databases to search for and identify scientific resources, and to synthesize data to determine best practice in the care of clients. 3 credits theory (135 contact hours)
NUR 376 Applied Pathophysiology 3 credits
This course addresses the pathophysiology of health, illness, and disease in the adult lifespan. Using active learning strategies, students will identify health risk factors, clinical manifestations, and explore symptom assessment. (Pre-requisites: Admission to the Nursing Program). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours)
NUR 378 Pharmacology in Nursing 4 credits
This course examines the role of the nurse in comprehensive care of patients that require pharmacological therapy, including the awareness of integrative therapies. Medication administration content focuses on patient rights, safety, and methods of medication administration across the lifespan. Information technology including the electronic health record are utilized to support safe medication administration. (Pre-requisites: Admission to the Nursing Program). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours)
NUR 380 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing 6 credits
This course introduces the student to the role of the professional nurse in the context of its historical foundations, professional ethics, and the Christian value of social justice. The nursing process is introduced, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions for patients experiencing alterations in integral components of client care. In the lab, students will learn basic foundational skills. (Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours), 2 credits clinical (90 contact hours).
NUR 382 Health Promotion and Assessment 3 credits
This course introduces the student to the role of the professional nurse with a focus on health assessment and health promotion in adult and geriatric clients. Interviewing, history-taking, physical assessment, and documentation techniques are developed. The evaluation of assessment findings is explored and methods for communicating findings is demonstrated. Using a multitude of activities, students explore how to promote optimal patient health and maximize quality of life through health promotion coaching strategies and education. The skills lab enables the student to integrate and apply the knowledge of assessment and health promotion to the care of clients. (Pre-requisites: Admission to Nursing Program). 2 credits theory (90 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours)
NUR 384 Behavioral Health Nursing 4 credits
Students investigate implications and impact of clients living with an altered pattern of behavior, thought, or mood. The professional values of the nurse are explored through study of ethical issues and the therapeutic use of self in establishing nurse-client relationships. Students apply evidence-based practice in the care and management of clients experiencing alterations in mental health and identify the nurse?s role in interprofessional collaboration. (Prerequisites: NUR 376, NUR 378, NUR 380, NUR 382). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 1 credit clinical (45 contact hours).
NUR 388 Population Health 5 credits
This course prepares nursing students to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate ethical, evidence-based population health interventions with an emphasis on health outcomes, health equity, and culturally responsive care. Students explore the role of the nurse in population-centered care through the application of the nursing process to community assessment, clinical prevention, case management, epidemiology, health promotion, and emergency preparedness. Key concepts include social determinants of health, environmental influences, health disparities, and the intersection of public and private sector systems. Students also examine the nurse?s role as a change agent in shaping public health policy and leading interdisciplinary efforts to improve community well-being. Prerequisites: NUR 376, NUR 378, NUR 380, NUR 382). ** The course includes a clinical experience designed to meet the requirements for the Minnesota Board of Nursing Public Health Nursing Registration, which involves completion of a community health assessment. 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 2 credits clinical (90 contact hours). ** The course includes a clinical experience designed to meet the requirements for the Minnesota Board of Nursing Public Health Nursing Registration, which involves completion of a community health assessment. 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 2 credits clinical (90 contact hours).
NUR 390 Nursing Care of the Adult I 6 credits
This course introduces students to medical-surgical nursing and focuses on promoting and providing safe, holistic, client-focused care to adults experiencing acute and chronic alterations in health. Utilizing evidence-based practice, students apply theoretical knowledge, scientific principles, and nursing skills while exploring communication and collaboration with interprofessional teams to promote optimal health outcomes. (Prerequisites: NUR376, NUR 378, NUR 380, NUR 382). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours), 2 credits clinical (90 contact hours).
NUR 415 Nursing Care of the Childbearing & Childrearing Family 6 credits
In this course, the student studies both client and family-centered care of childbearing families, mothers, and newborns (obstetrical nursing) as well as client and family-centered care of children (pediatric nursing). Evidence-based practice in maternity, newborn, and pediatric care is examined in the didactic, lab, and clinical setting.. (135 contact hours theory, 45 contact hours lab, 90 contact hours clinics.
NUR 417 Nursing Care of the Adult II 6 credits
This course expands upon Nursing Care of the Adult I with a focus on promoting and providing safe, holistic care to adults experiencing acute, chronic, and complex alterations in health incorporating the nursing process. Students expand their role as effective communicators and collaborators in interprofessional healthcare teams. This course includes didactic, lab, clinical experiences and simulation. (Prerequisites: NUR 384, NUR 388, NUR 390).3 credits theory (135 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours), 2 credits clinical (90 contact hours).
NUR 418 Nursing Care of Childbearing and Childrearing Family 6 credits
In this course, the student studies both client and family-centered care of childbearing families, mothers, and newborns (obstetrical nursing) as well as client and family-centered care of children (pediatric nursing). Evidence-based practice in maternity, newborn and pediatric care is examined in the didactic, lab, and clinical setting. (Prerequisites: NUR 384, NUR 388, NUR 390). 4 credits theory (180 contact hours), 1 credit lab (45 contact hours), 1 credit clinical (45 contact hours).
NUR 419 Aging, Chronicity and Palliative Care 3 credits
Students synthesize knowledge and apply evidence-based practice in the care and management of patients with multiple complex health conditions. As accountable decision makers, students correlate patient assessment with pathophysiology and evaluate responses to interventions for patients requiring intensive nursing and medical care for the aging and chronically ill patient. Students further develop the roles of educator, collaborator, leader, and advocate to care for patients and families across the continuum of care. Students will apply concepts of spiritual and cultural influences on palliative and end of life care delivery. (Prerequisites: NUR 384, NUR 388, NUR 390). 2 credits theory (90 contact hours), 1 credit clinical (45 contact hours).
NUR 420 Nursing Informatics 2 credits
This course provides nursing students with introductory knowledge and skills to use information management and patient care technologies to deliver safe and effective care. The course assists nursing students to recognize when there is a need for information, and to identify, locate, evaluate, and apply that information. The course provides information about library science and how information literacy is used to locate appropriate resources for education of clients and the community about health and disease. (Prerequisites: NUR 417, NUR 418, NUR 419). 2 credits theory (90 contact hours)
NUR 424 Transition into Professional Nursing 7 credits
This capstone course prepares students for entry into professional nursing practice as a lifelong learner and leader. Students complete an internship experience focused on transition to practice to include exploration of the role of nurse as leader and manager in the context of contemporary issues within health care. The student will utilize knowledge, skill, and creativity to promote and manage safe, holistic care for diverse clients within complex and multifunctional health care delivery systems. (Prerequisites: NUR 417, NUR 418, NUR 419). 2 credits theory (90 contact hours), 5 credits clinical (225 contact hours).
NUR 426 Nursing Introduction to Evidence Based Practice 3 credits
This course utilizes an evidence-based practice model to identify a practice question, evaluate the evidence, and translate to practice with the goal of improving nursing practice and healthcare outcomes. Basic concepts of nursing research including research design and methodologies, ethical guidelines, and scholarly writing will also be explored. (Prerequisites: NUR 417, NUR 418, and NUR 419). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours)
NUR 428 Leadership in Nursing 3 credits
This course aims to cultivate professional maturity and foster a capacity for nursing leadership. Students will examine the responsibility of the individual nurse, nurse leader, and organization to sustain a just culture reflecting civility and respect. The application of leadership skills and concepts to identify the need for and to promote change will be emphasized. The value of emotional intelligence in promoting a collaborative and respectful environment in healthcare is explored. (Prerequisites: NUR 417, NUR 418, NUR 419). 3 credits theory (135 contact hours)
NUR 431 Nursing Introduction to Evidence Based Practice 3 credits
This course provides tools for understanding how evidence-based practice in nursing using research techniques and strategies improves patient outcomes and the health of populations. Topics include research design and methodologies, ethical guidelines, how to translate research into practice, and beginning research writing and the role of the nurse as a collaborator in research and evidence-based practice. The student acquires the skills needed to use databases to search for and identify scientific resources, and to synthesize data to determine best practice in the care of individuals, families, and populations. (Prerequisites: NUR344, NUR346, and NUR353; Co-requisites NUR453, NUR464, and NUR465).
NUR 436 Evidence-Based Practice and Quality and Safety 4 credits
This course integrates nursing science, research, and quality improvement principles to support safe, high-quality patient care. Students move beyond basic comprehension to develop an understanding of research principles, levels of evidence, and ethical scholarship. Emphasis is placed on locating and evaluating scholarly sources, synthesizing evidence, and communicating findings to support evidence-based practice and quality improvement in healthcare. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398)
NUR 453 Nursing Care of the Childrearing Family 4 credits
Utilizing the nursing process, this course prepares the student to meet the developmental, biological, and psychosocial health and illness needs of the childrearing family within the context of family-centered care. Students analyze theories, concepts, research, issues and trends as well as genetic and environmental factors that affect the health of the childrearing family. This course includes classroom instruction, clinical experiences, and simulation. (Prerequisites: PSY230, NUR344, NUR346, and NUR353; Co-requisites: NUR431, NUR464, and NUR465).
NUR 461 Leadership and Management in Nursing 5 credits
This synthesis course focuses on nursing leadership and professional role development. Students consider principles of management, leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, and group process skills as they evaluate the role of the nurse as a designer, manager, and coordinator of interprofessional care. The course addresses methods to evaluate and improve the quality of nursing care and analyze cost-effective healthcare delivery systems. Students are required to complete and present a quality improvement project as part of their clinical experience. This course includes classroom instruction, clinical experiences, and simulation. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in NUR 350, NUR 351, NUR 352)
NUR 463 Care of the Complex Patient 3 credits
Students synthesize knowledge and apply evidence-based practice in the care and management of patients with multiple complex health conditions. As accountable decision makers, students correlate patient assessment with pathophysiology and evaluate responses to interventions for patients requiring intensive nursing and medical care. Students further develop the roles of educator, collaborator, leader, and advocate to care for patients and families across the continuum of care. This course includes classroom instruction and simulation. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in NUR 350, NUR 351, NUR 352)
NUR 482 Clinical Reasoning: Assessment, Health Promotion, and Care Coordination 4 credits
This course strengthens clinical reasoning through advanced health assessment and interpretation of holistic patient data. Building on prior nursing experience, students analyze simulated clinical scenarios to interpret comprehensive health assessment findings. Emphasis is placed on health promotion through individualized education strategies and counseling techniques, including motivational interviewing, to support wellness and self-management. Students also examine care coordination strategies and interprofessional collaboration that support continuity of care across healthcare settings. (Prerequisite: Acceptance to the RN to BSN program)
NUR 488 Foundations of Population Health: 3 credits
This course introduces the foundations of population health nursing through the study of population practice, health equity, and the factors that influence health across communities. Through practice experiences, students examine how health is defined and measured at the population level and how disparities emerge among vulnerable populations. Emphasis is placed on sociopolitical, environmental, and structural drivers of health, cultural agility and inclusive care, population health frameworks, and the nurse?s role in disaster response and community resilience. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398)
NUR 490 Applied Population Health 2 credits
This course builds on foundational population health concepts by applying the nursing process to population-level assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Using the Population Health Roadmap, students analyze epidemiologic indicators, identify community assets and barriers, and develop evidence-based strategies that promote health and prevent disease. Emphasis is placed on the role of policy, advocacy and program design advancing health equity at the population level. Through asynchronous and simulation-based activities, students engage in community assessment and population health decision-making to support improved health outcomes. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398, NUR 436, NUR 482, and NUR 488)
NUR 496 Professional Nursing Evolution: Transition to Baccalaureate Practice- Seminar 4 credits
This seminar serves as the summative experience for the RN?BSN curriculum. Students synthesize knowledge gained throughout the program and demonstrate attainment of baccalaureate-level competencies while highlighting the foundational master?s-level competencies developed through advanced coursework. Through portfolio development and a scholarly poster presentation, students integrate concepts from evidence-based practice, population health, leadership, informatics, and systems improvement to showcase readiness for professional advancement and graduate education. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398, NUR 436, NUR 482, NUR 488, NUR 490, NUR 540; Corequisite: NUR 580)
NUR 498 Nursing Practicum 1-12 credits
The goal of the Nursing Practicum is to advance student nursing skills and knowledge. This practicum places students in a setting where the student learns to apply entry-level and more advanced competencies, focusing on enhanced preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam.
NUR 540 Advanced Informatics and Digital Innovation for Practice Excellence 4 credits
This course examines the role of informatics and digital innovation in advancing nursing practice and improving healthcare outcomes. Students progress from foundational use of healthcare technologies to analyzing how digital systems influence clinical decision-making, workflow efficiency, and patient outcomes. Emphasis is placed on evaluating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, telehealth, and remote monitoring, while considering the ethical, organizational, and equity implications of integrating technology into healthcare systems. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398, NUR 436, NUR 482, NUR 488, NUR 490)
NUR 580 Leadership and Advocacy for System Transformation 4 credits
This course prepares nurses to lead and transform complex healthcare systems through strategic influence and advocacy. Students progress from foundational leadership concepts to analyzing and influencing healthcare systems, policy, and organizational change. Emphasis is placed on systems thinking, structural advocacy, and interprofessional leadership to address barriers to health equity. Students develop policy proposals, examine financial and reimbursement models, and build the capacity to lead teams and advocate for system-level improvements that enhance the value, quality, and sustainability of healthcare. (Prerequisites: Minimum grade of a C in NUR 396, NUR 398, NUR 436, NUR 482, NUR 488, NUR 490, NUR 530; co-requisite: NUR 496)
NUR 600 Foundations: The Art, Science, and Ethics of Graduate Nursing Practice 3 credits
This course will focus on the art and science of nursing for graduate nursing practice in formal and informal leadership roles. Students will reflect on their professional calling and affirm their moral compass including examining potential vulnerabilities that may challenge one?s integrity. Students will explore ethical theories and principles from a nursing leader perspective, analyze contextual factors contributing to ethical dilemmas in the healthcare environment, synthesize, and apply course concepts through the application of ethical decision-making models within the Christian context.
NUR 610 Integration of Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention to Improve Health with Practicum Application 3 credits
This course focuses on basic principles of epidemiology, which includes the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations. Using concepts from biostatistics, students will analyze population data to inform and design population health interventions that advocate for social justice and health equity. The course includes a 35-hour practicum, which focuses on the application of epidemiologic concepts and biostatistical principles. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 600)
NUR 620 Translating Evidence into Practice 4 credits
This course focuses on the evidence base for practice decisions and will prepare students to evaluate the strength of the evidence from a statistical and a clinical significance perspective. Students will perform a literature review and a critical appraisal of evidence which will entail a critique of the study framework, research methods, data collection process, and the method of analysis. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 610)
NUR 630 Organizational and Systems Leadership with Practicum Application 4 credits
This course will develop an understanding of the organization of healthcare delivery systems along with the impact of factors that influence healthcare. Students will explore systems theory, change theory, and complexity science in healthcare. Students will examine how leaders develop themselves and others to create an alignment that engages change in addressing the future needs of healthcare. This course includes a 35-hour practicum designed to facilitate the application of course content and will serve as the foundation for the final Capstone experience. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 620)
NUR 640 Leading Healthcare Systems and Quality Improvement with Practicum Application 4 credits
This course will examine current principles and practices for healthcare quality including quality improvement methodologies and evaluation of success based on structural, process and outcomes measures. Students will examine how leaders strategically create and influence organizational outcomes with a focus on a culture of safety thru a balanced lens of cost, quality and experience. This course includes a 35-hour practicum designed to facilitate the application of course content and will serve as the foundation for the final Capstone experience. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 630)
NUR 650 Information Systems and Technologies to Improve Health Outcomes with Practicum Application 4 credits
Students will investigate the integration of evidence-based practice with organizational science and informatics while examining the role of the nurse leader to inform health information systems and technology to improve health outcomes. Students will also gain essential knowledge of informatics content to be prepared to address stakeholders and to advocate for effective and efficient health information systems and technology that supports improved health outcomes. Students will explore topics such as healthcare technologies such as telehealth and apps that promote wellness. The course includes a 35-hour practicum, which focuses on the application of use of information systems in healthcare.(Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 640)
NUR 660 Leading Care Coordination and Promoting Collaboration to Improve Health Outcomes 3 credits
Students will explore interprofessional considerations and communication strategies that facilitate care coordination across the healthcare continuum with a focus on care transitions. Students will propose ideas for a model of care design and explore outcome measures around quality, cost, and experience for identified individuals and populations. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 650)
NUR 670 Finance, Economics and Resource Management in Healthcare 3 credits
Students will investigate the role of human resource management from an operation manager?s perspective. Students will examine labor issues in nursing including recruitment, retention, and employee satisfaction. The course emphasizes business and economic principles and practices, including budgeting, cost/benefit analysis, and marketing. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 660)
NUR 680 Nurse as a Leader: Advocacy and Policy with Practicum Application 4 credits
This course explores the impact of policy on health care delivery from an institutional, local, state and federal level. Students learn about the policy making process and apply their learning by analyzing, implementing, and evaluating policy using multiple measures (i.e., ethics, economic, social justice). This course includes a 35-hour practicum designed to facilitate the application of course content and will serve as the foundation for the final Capstone experience.(Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 670)
NUR 690 Capstone Synthesis Practicum 4 credits
This capstone course includes a culmination deliverable that demonstrates the synthesis of program content, validates the student preparedness for a nurse leader role, and acts as a summative evaluation of the end of program student learning outcomes. This course includes a 140-hour practicum. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B in NUR 680)