Associate of Science in Nursing - Iowa and Nebraska Only

CM 107: COLLEGE COMPOSITION I (5 Credits)

Students will learn how to communicate effectively in their professional field using various writing styles. Students will also identify and further develop their own writing process. Grammar and mechanics will be reviewed, helping students focus on the areas that will improve their writing.

CM 220: COLLEGE COMPOSITION II (5 Credits)

This course helps students apply research and critical thinking skills to develop effective arguments. Students will create professional writings, incorporating post-draft revision strategies, working constructively with colleagues.

IT 133: SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS (5 Credits)

This course teaches students to use application software. Topics include an introduction to the Windows operating system and to Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students also learn how to apply soft ware applications within a profession.

MM 212: COLLEGE ALGEBRA (5 Credits)

This course covers topics of algebra, including linear functions, equations, and inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, rational and radical equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic functions, ratios, proportions, variation, and graphing.

PS 124: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (5 Credits)

This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.

SC 246: FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY (5 Credits)

Fundamentals of Microbiology will review basic microbial cell structure, function, and genetics. The role of microorganisms and their affect on humans and the environment will also be explained. Aspects of medical and public health will be emphasized, as will bacterial and viral diseases, parasites, immunology, and epidemiology. Course material and labs are directly relevant to studies in health sciences, biological sciences, nursing, and genetics.

SS 144: SOCIOLOGY (5 Credits)

An understanding of the dynamics of human societies and group behavior is useful for any work environment or professional career. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of the discipline of sociology. Students will explore society and social life through the study of language, culture, race and ethnicity, gender, inequality, education, deviance, and sociological theory and methods. Students are also encouraged, through course assignments and discussions, to examine the influences of society on their personal lives.

NU 102: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS (7 Credits)

NU 104 : PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSING (5 Credits)

This course focuses on concepts of pathophysiology essential to understanding alterations in body systems and developing professional nursing clinical decision-making skills for health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management across the life span. The course provides a comprehensive nursing approach to common alterations in body systems and addresses etiology, clinical presentation, and appropriate treatment of the disease process.

NU 107: PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING (6 Credits)

In this course, students are taught principles of pharmacology including its relationship to the health of individuals and families. Course topics include drug actions, drug interactions, therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs, food-drug interactions, drug classifications, and basic pharmacology of commonly-used medications. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibilities and client education.

NU 111: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I (7 Credits)

This course will prepare students to use the nursing process to care for adult medical and surgical clients. The course will focus on developing basic critical thinking, health promotion, communication, and assessment skills. Care planning, nursing interventions, patient education, and health care technologies will also be addressed. Course specific content will include nursing care related to health care alterations in the following body systems: respiratory, cardiac, renal, endocrine, and peripheral vascular. Students will participate in clinical education activities in a medical surgical acute or chronic care setting.

NU 122: MATERNAL INFANT NURSING (6 Credits)

 This course will prepare students to care for women and infants during the prenatal, labor, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal periods. Topics will include issues affecting childbearing families including fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and common problems in infancy. The course will also address common mental health issues affecting families during the transition to parenthood. Through clinical and/or laboratory simulation experiences, students will address the health needs of women and infants before, during, and after pregnancy as well as throughout infancy.

NU 132: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II (6 Credits)

 This course will prepare students to implement the nursing process in the care of adult medical and surgical clients. The course will focus on application of critical thinking, risk reduction, communication, and assessment skills developed in Medical Surgical Nursing I. Care planning, nursing interventions, patient education, and health care technologies will be addressed. Course-specific content will include nursing care related to health care alterations in the following body systems: gastrointestinal, neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary, sensory, and reproductive. Students will participate in clinical education activities in a medical surgical acute or chronic care setting.

NU 222: PEDIATRIC NURSING (6 Credits)

In this course, students will learn about normal growth and development of children, health care needs of children and families, health promotion, risk reduction, and childhood health problems of acute and long-term nature, as well as the influence of illness on the family. Through structured, sequential, competency based clinical assignments and/or simulation experiences, students will address the health and nursing needs of children and beginning/developing families.

NU 242: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (5 Credits)

In this course, students are taught the major theoretical concepts in mental health related to the assessment of needs and the planning of care for persons with mental health problems. Emphasis is placed on examination of mental health disorders and the various roles and functions of the mental health nurse. Through structured, sequential, competency-based clinical and/or lab assignments, the student will care for persons with mental health conditions requiring professional treatment.

NU 262: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING III (5 Credits)

This course will prepare students to care for adult clients experiencing complex multisystem medical-surgical, rehabilitative, or restorative conditions. The course will focus on application of management, leadership, critical thinking, risk reduction, communication, and assessment skills. In addition to the refinement of clinical skills and knowledge gained in Medical Surgical Nursing I and II, students will gain experience in practice management, leadership roles, and the use of health care technologies within their clinical practice. Clinical placements will take place across a variety of settings.

NU 280: LEADERSHIP AND TRENDS IN NURSING (5 Credits)

This course is designed to explore the role of the nurse as a leader in the profession and in health care delivery. Through this course, the student will gain a better understanding of leadership styles and techniques and will enhance their individual leadership skills in maintaining standards of care. The course also emphasizes the professional role of the nurse in assisting individuals in the community in locating and utilizing appropriate community resources. Principles and theories of leadership will be integrated and related to the role of the professional nurse in the delivery of care to individuals, groups, and communities.

SC 121: HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (5 Credits)

In this course, students are taught the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the various body systems, structures, cells, and tissues and the principles of homeostasis. Students are introduced to the organization and structure of the human body. This course includes a lab component.

SC 131: HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (5 Credits)

In this course, which is a continuation of SC 121: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, students are taught the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the various body systems, structures, cells, and tissues and the principles of homeostasis. Students focus on the organization and structure of the human body. Th is course includes a lab component.

NU 297: CAPSTONE (7 Credits)

The capstone is designed to build on the concepts covered in nursing courses students have taken as a part of their program. This course assists the student in the integration of the competencies essential for the practice of professional nursing. The student will progress to more independent functioning in clinical experiences. The clinical site will be dependent upon the student’s needs and based upon the joint analysis of the student and faculty prior to the placement. Throughout the term, students will focus on preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination.