COLLEGE OF NURSING

Janet M. Brown, Ph.D., Dean

Professor Brown; Associate Professors Easton, T. Kessler, Pepa; Assistant Professors Hershberger, Schmidt, Young; Adjunct Assistant Professors Koch, Strahm, Zentz; Lecturer Alverson.

    The College offers a four year curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

    The College also admits transfer students and registered nurses who want to earn a baccalaureate degree. Registered nurses, accelerated, and transfer students may complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in less than four years. Acceptable transfer credit hours from another college or university and credit by examination may be applied toward required and elective credit hours. Transitional courses, NUR 260-261, are required for registered nurses. The BSN, accelerated BSN and RN-BSN plans of study are in Valparaiso University's Academic Guide.

    Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of the College of Nursing is to prepare beginning and advanced professionals of nursing and to provide an educational base for graduate study based on professional standards. The BSN graduate will:

1. Provide comprehensive health care based on nursing theories and research findings in the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention in the health care system.

2. Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the sciences and humanities with nursing theory and practice.

3. Assume the professional role as a teacher, manager, caregiver, researcher and lifelong learner.

4. Value each person as a holistic being who perpetually interacts with and is influenced by the internal and external environment.

5. Apply an understanding of the social, cultural, economic, ethical, legal, and political influences on the health care system to nursing practice.

    Graduation Requirements. In order to realize its objectives, the College holds the students to the following requirements:

A. Nursing. A minimum of 57 credit hours in nursing. Courses in which the student is required to earn a grade of C (2.0) or better are:

NUR 205 Professional Role in Nursing 3 Cr.
NUR 206 Health Assessment 2 Cr.
NUR 215 Clinical Application of the Professional Role 4 Cr.
NUR 216 Primary Prevention for Individual, Family and Community Health 3 Cr.
NUR 310 U.S. Health Care System (Social Analysis and U.S. Cultural Diversity) 3 Cr.
NUR 320 Secondary Prevention for the Parent, Child and Adolescent 5 Cr.
NUR 330 Secondary Prevention for Adult Health I 5 Cr.
NUR 340 Secondary Prevention in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing 4 Cr.
NUR 410 Tertiary Prevention in the Community 5 Cr.
NUR 415 Introduction to Nursing Research 3 Cr.
NUR 420 Tertiary Prevention for the Parent, Child and Adolescent 3 Cr.
NUR 430 Secondary Prevention for Adult Health II 4 Cr.
NUR 435 Tertiary Prevention for the Adult/Long Lived Adult 4 Cr.
NUR 440 Tertiary Prevention in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 2 Cr.
NUR 450 Nursing Management in a Health Care System 3 Cr.
NUR 480 Professional Role Practicum 4 Cr.
Total 57 Cr.

B. Arts and Sciences. A minimum of 54 credit hours from the College of Arts and Sciences is required. Courses in which the student is required to earn a grade of C (2.0) or better are marked with an asterisk*. The specific requirements are:

CORE 110 The Human Experience I 5 Cr.
CORE 115 The Human Experience II 5 Cr.
ENGL 200 Literary Studies 3 Cr.
THEO Foundational Level Course 3 Cr.
THEO Upper Level Course 3 Cr.
Academic Area Studies Option 3 Cr.
PE 101-105 1 Cr.
Global Cultures and Perspectives 3 Cr.
CHEM 111, 121, or 131 General
Chemistry* 4 Cr.
BIO 151 and 152 Human Biology* 8 Cr.
BIO 210 Microbiology* 4 Cr.
BIO 260 Human Nutrition* 3 Cr.
PSY 110 General Psychology* 3 Cr.
PSY 201 Statistical Methods* 3 Cr.
PSY 330 Child and Adolescent Development* 3 Cr.
Total 54 Cr.

    The Academic Area Studies requirement must be met through one of the areas listed below (see pages 42-43):

    Fine Arts or Fine Arts-Literature
    Foreign Language 102 or 103
    Global Cultures and Perspectives
    Philosophical and Historical Studies
    Social Analysis

C. Electives. In addition to meeting the requirements in Nursing and Arts and Sciences listed previously, the student must present for graduation a sufficient number of electives to bring the total number of credit hours to 126. No more than 6 credits may be baccalaureate nursing credits.

    Note: No more than four credit hours in applied music, including ensemble, and no more than four credit hours of PE 101-149 may be applied toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

D. Requirements for Admission to the College of Nursing. Freshman students who have declared nursing as a major will be designated as 'pre-nursing' students in the College of Arts and Sciences. These students will have College of Nursing faculty as advisers who will continue to be their advisers after admission into the nursing program.

    All pre-nursing students who have sophomore standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than C (2.0) in the courses designated in section B (*) of graduation requirements will be admitted into the College of Nursing.

E. Progression. Students are required to present annually, beginning in NUR 205, evidence of a recent (within the year) physical examination, current immunization (rubeola and HBV included), current communicable disease screening (rubella titer, Mantoux test) and current CPR certification or recertification. The College of Nursing does not make arrangements for meeting these requirements.

    Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 in all course work and 2.50 in the required nursing courses in the nursing major to remain in the College of Nursing. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in courses designated in sections A and B (*) of Graduation Requirements.

    Dismissal from the College of Nursing occurs when a student earns a grade of less than 2.0 in any two of the following courses: required courses with a nursing number, BIO 151, BIO 152, BIO 210, and CHEM 111.

    Students may enroll in no more than two clinical courses during each semester, or one clinical course per each seven week rotation.

    Exception: In the planned third semester of the accelerated program, students will enroll in NUR 320, NUR 430, and NUR 435 and traditional seniors will take NUR 410, NUR 430, and NUR 435 in the fall semester of their senior year.

    Senior students are required to take the Kaplan Diagnostic Test, the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test for Baccalaureate Nursing Students and the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test at the College of Nursing before graduation. Fee: $100.00. NCLEX review course is required if the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test has to be repeated. Approximate cost: $300-400.

    A minimum score of 136 must be achieved on the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test as a requirement for satisfactory completion of NUR 480. Students earning less than the minimum acceptable score may repeat the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test once as arranged by the College of Nursing. Graduation date will be altered. Students that are unable to earn the minimum score of 136 after two attempts will receive an unsatisfactory grade in NUR 480 and will follow the College progression policies.

    Minor. A nursing student may declare a minor in another college provided that no more than six credit hours of courses required for the nursing major are used in fulfilling requirements of the minor. The minor is noted on the student's academic record.

    Student Nurses Association. All student nurses are invited to join the Student Nurses Association.

    Sigma Theta Tau International. Students who have completed at least one-half of the required nursing courses and who have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement and evidence of professional leadership potential may be elected to membership in this international honor society of nursing. The Zeta Epsilon Chapter was installed at Valparaiso University in 1982.

    Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036-1120; phone 202.887.6791; www.aacn.nche.edu.

    Note: Students are responsible for transportation to and from all clinical agencies and for transportation associated with home visits. The College of Nursing uses a variety of accredited health facilities to provide broad clinical experience for students; consequently, access to a car is necessary in most clinical courses.

Note: Prerequisites for the following courses are those listed under Requirements for Admission to Nursing Courses and at least sophomore standing, which includes completion of BIO 151, BIO 152, and CHEM 111.

NUR 205. Professional Role in Nursing.
Cr. 3. Introduction of person, health, nursing and environment and their interrelationship as the basis for nursing practice. Examines the expanding role of the nurse including caregiver, teacher, researcher, manager, and lifelong learner. Explores the interpersonal skills used in the provision of health care.

NUR 206. Health Assessment.
1+3, Cr. 2. Clinical practice in assessment skills of interview, inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation of the healthy adult. Emphasis is placed on utilizing techniques that assist in an organized and comprehensive health assessment and relating it to the nursing process.

NUR 215. Clinical Application of the Professional Role.
2+6, Cr. 4. Clinical application of concepts relevant to professional nursing. Focus is on the use of the nursing process and its framework for assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating clinical phenomena and the nurses' role as caregiver, manager, teacher, researcher, and lifelong learner. Prerequisite: NUR 205, NUR 206, MATH 110 or placement higher than MATH 110.

NUR 216. Primary Prevention for Individual, Family, and Community Health.
2.5+1.5, Cr. 3. Concepts of health promotion and illness prevention are emphasized as they relate to individuals, families, and communities. Prerequisite: NUR 205, NUR 206, MATH 110 or placement higher than MATH 110.

NUR 260. Transition to Professional Nursing I.
Cr. 4. Concepts relevant to professional nursing are discussed. Nursing process, interpersonal communication skills, research process, teaching-learning theory, and leadership theories are included. Prerequisite: Registered Nurse Status.

NUR 261. Transition to Professional Nursing II.
0+9, Cr. 3. Clinical application of concepts relevant to professional nursing. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in NUR 260.

    Note: Prerequisites for the following courses are NUR 205, 206, 215, 216 (or 260 and 261), and BIO 210, unless otherwise noted and a cumulative and nursing grade point average of 2.5 or above.

NUR 310. U.S. Health Care Systems.
Cr. 3. Presents an overview of the health care delivery system in the United States and the professional role within that system. The impact of social and political events on the health care system is examined including health policy, personnel, financing, federal and state legislation, the political process, and racial and cultural diversity. No prerequisites. Open to all students with at least sophomore standing. Fulfills social analysis and U.S. Cultural Diversity requirement.

NUR 318. Global Health Issues.
Cr. 3. Provides the student with an opportunity to explore health issues in a global perspective. Health issues that may be discussed are basic needs for health, nutrition, preventing diseases, health care delivery, and preparation of health care workers. No prerequisites. Open to all students. Fulfills the Global Cultures and Perspectives requirement.

NUR 320. Secondary Prevention for the Parent, Child, and Adolescent.
3+6, Cr. 5. Study and practice of the nursing care of families in a secondary care setting. Emphasis is placed on responses to childbirth, pediatric illness, and treatment.

NUR 322. Women and Their Health.
Cr. 3. A study of women's health with a scope beyond childbearing and childrearing that promotes a comprehensive view of the health care needs of women. Health concerns of women are examined both within the medical model and a self-help framework. Emphasis is placed on the promotion and support of women's involvement in decision making and responsibilities for their health. No prerequisites. Open to all students. May be used for the Gender Studies Minor.

NUR 330. Secondary Prevention for Adult Health I.
3+6, Cr. 5. Study and practice of the nursing care of young, middle and long-lived adults. The course examines the responses of adults of all ages and their families to health problems and treatment.

NUR 340. Secondary Prevention in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
3+3, Cr. 4. Study and practice in the nursing care of clients experiencing psychiatric disturbance with an emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment.

NUR 351/551. The Aging Process.
Cr. 3. An introduction to dimensions of aging with special emphasis on biologic aging and the developmental, functional, and environmental factors that influence adaptability to age-related changes. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Open to all students.

NUR 381. Cooperative Education in Nursing.
Cr. 1-3. Application of the concepts of professional nursing in a health care setting. Requires satisfactory work performance for a preselected employer and submission of a final project. Prerequisite: NUR 215. May be taken on S/U basis.

NUR 390/490. Topics in Nursing and Health Care.
Cr. 1-3. An open topic course which may cover specialized areas of nursing, current concepts, nursing concerns of delivery of health services. The course may be taken more than once for a maximum of six credit hours provided there is not duplication of topics. Prerequisites: determined by the instructor. Selected topics offered to non-nursing majors.

NUR 395/495. Independent Study in Nursing.
Cr. 1-6. Independent study of a selected topic. Prerequisite: determined by the instructor. May be taken on S/U basis.

    Note: Prerequisites for the following courses are NUR 310, 320, 330, 340 and senior standing unless otherwise noted and a cumulative and nursing grade point average of 2.5 or above. Students enrolled in the accelerated program may take NUR 320 concurrently with NUR 415, 420, 430, 435, 440.

NUR 410. Tertiary Prevention in the Community.
3.5+4.5, Cr. 5. Current issues and trends in home care, public health, school health, and occupational health are examined as they relate to community health nursing. Community assessment and epidemiological concepts provide the basis for identifying populations at risk. Comprehensive health care is provided to clients/families/groups in a variety of community settings with an emphasis on tertiary prevention.

NUR 415. Introduction to Nursing Research.
Cr. 3. A study of scientific research as applied to nursing. An overview of the scientific method, the purpose of research, research problems, and approaches to solving research problems are examined.

NUR 418/518. Integrative Medicine: A Global Perspective.
Cr. 3. Students explore approaches to healing and health used by various world cultures and considered alternative to traditional Western medicine. Emphasis is placed on the philosophical, theological, and cultural foundations of these healing strategies. Research and health policy issues associated with these approaches are also discussed. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Open to all students. Fulfills Global Cultures and Perspectives requirement.

NUR 420. Tertiary Prevention for the Parent, Child, and Adolescent.
Cr. 3. Study of the family at risk. The course focuses on the care of children with long term health problems, special needs, or life-threatening illness, legal and ethical issues of reproductive health care, and psychosocial problems of women and families.

NUR 430. Secondary Prevention for Adult Health II.
3+3, Cr. 4. A continuation of the study and practice of nursing care for young, middle, and long-lived adults and their families experiencing complex health problems.

NUR 435. Tertiary Prevention for the Adult/Long Lived Adult.
3+3, Cr. 4. Study and practice of rehabilitation and gerontological nursing. Emphasis is on tertiary prevention for adults who have long-term health alterations. Field Trip.

NUR 440. Tertiary Prevention in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing.
Cr. 2. Study of the nursing care of clients experiencing severe and persistent psychiatric disturbances. Emphasis is placed on promoting the optimal level of function. May be taken concurrently with NUR 340 with Dean's approval.

NUR 450. Nursing Management in a Health Care System.
Cr. 3. An overview of management theories and roles as applied by a nurse manager in a health care setting. Issues relevant to socialization of the student into the professional role of the nurse are discussed.

NUR 452/552. Introduction to Case Management.
Cr. 3. An introduction to case management in health care. Content includes the role of the case manager, models of case management, the case management process, standards of practice, and outcome management. A field experience with a case manager in an acute care setting is required (8 hours). Prerequisite: senior standing.

NUR 454/554. Integrating Case Management into Practice.
Cr. 3. A study of the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the case manager role along the continuum of care. Community resources, the assessment of client support systems, reimbursement systems, cost analysis, networking knowledge, legislative and policy issues, and certification requirements are addressed. A field experience with a case manager in a non-acute care setting is required (8 hours). Prerequisite: NUR 452.

NUR 465/565. Organizational Analysis for Health Care Delivery.
Cr. 3. Explores theories, metaphors, and structures which can be used to analyze and understand health care organizations. The potential influence of various environments on health care organizations is addressed. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Open to all students.

NUR 470/570. Finance and Marketing for Health Care Delivery.
Cr. 3. An analysis of financial and marketing concepts as they relate to issues of health care delivery. Application of these concepts to real-world situations is emphasized. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Open to all students.

NUR 475/575. Human Resource Management for Health Care Delivery.
Cr. 3. An analysis of the ethical, legal, and professional issues involved in managing licensed and unlicensed health care personnel. Issues of motivation, conflict resolution, performance appraisal, and collective bargaining are analyzed. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Open to all students.

NUR 480. Professional Role Practicum.
0+12, Cr. 4. Focuses on role transition from student to professional nurse facilitating synthesis of knowledge and experience in a clinical setting. Students are required to take the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test (minimum satisfactory score is 136) and the NLN Comprehensive Nursing Achievement Test for Baccalaureate Nursing Students at the College of Nursing before graduation. Fee $100.00 (includes Kaplan Diagnostic Test). An NCLEX Review course is required if a score of 136 is not achieved on the NLNCAT on the first attempt. Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of all required nursing courses. Corequisite NUR 420 or 450. Only offered on S/U basis.