B.S. in nursing student learning outcomes

Completing your B.S. in nursing at 博彩网站 prepares you for the next step of your career. The curriculum helps you build your skills as a competent nurse and learn to: 

• Base personal and professional actions on a set of shared core nursing values 
• Use reflection, self-analysis and self-care to develop insight 
• Engage in intentional learning 
• Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care 
• Collaborate as part of a health care team 
• Practice within, utilize and contribute to all health care systems 
• Practice relationship-centered care 
• Communicate effectively 
• Make sound clinical judgments 
• Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence 

Anatomy and physiology

You need 12 quarter credits of human anatomy and physiology with lab. This must cover all body systems. You should:   

• Complete the full sequence  
• Finish at least one course by the end of fall term the year before you start 
• Complete all courses before starting the pathway
• Take each course no more than twice in the last seven years  

If you've taken a course more than twice in seven years, we'll use your grade from your second attempt. 

Microbiology with lab

You need 4 quarter credits of basic microbiology with lab.

Nutrition

You need 3 quarter credits in nutrition. The course should cover:   

• Biological functions  
• Dietary sources of essential nutrients  
• How diet affects health 

Human development

You need 3 quarter credits in a human development course that covers social and psychological development across the entire lifespan, from birth to death. Courses that only cover part of the lifespan won’t count.

Written English/English Composition (WR 121 and 122 or equivalent)

You need 8 quarter credits in English composition. Courses should:   

• Develop and support ideas in written English  
• Prepare you for scientific or technical writing  

Note:   

• Remedial English courses don't count.  
• Writing-intensive college courses can meet this requirement (e.g., WR 121, 122 or 123).  
• A non-nursing bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country satisfies this, but you may need extra elective credits to graduate. 

Introduction to genetics

You need 3-4 quarter credits in a human biology course that includes a human genetics component. The course catalog must specifically mention human genetics. Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology courses won’t count.

If you plan on pursuing the full-time track, we recommend completing Statistics before applying.

NRS 410: Population-Based Care

9 credits. This course is intended to prepare nurses in the practice of community and population health. Students are given an opportunity to apply population health principles to address health disparities. Community and population health are examined as a synthesis of knowledge from nursing, public health, the social sciences and epidemiology. Students analyze prevalent population health issues, explore population interventions and participate with the community to promote quality, culturally proficient and preventive health care. Frameworks of community and public health are examined, and community assessments are conducted using a systems approach that promotes health literacy and embraces cultural diversity. 

NRS 411: Epidemiology

3 credits. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of death, disease and disability in human populations. In this course, students will learn the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation; examine studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of health determinants; understand etiologic factors, modes of transmission and pathogenesis; and explore concepts in social epidemiology. Applying epidemiologic case studies, students will engage systems and complex thinking to evaluate programs and policies in population health and nursing. 

NRS 412: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Delivery Systems

10 credits. This course requires the learner to consider his or her role as a leader in nursing and in health care. Focus is on the knowledge and skills required to improve health care delivery and client outcomes from a systems perspective. Historical, legal, ethical, regulatory, socio-cultural, economic and political factors influencing the health care system and professional nursing practice provide context to the learning. Students will understand how nursing leadership influences client care and practice within the broader health care delivery system. This course includes classroom and clinical learning experiences. 

NRS 413: Introduction to Research for Nurses

2 credits. This course builds on foundational learning activities in evidence-based practice and research. In the course students will deepen their understanding of evidence-based practice, the research process and the nursing contribution as they learn to refine research questions and access, critique and translate evidence into practice. 

NRS 425: Integrative Practicum II

9 credits. A continuation of NRS 224 or 424, this course provides the student with the opportunity for developing deeper understanding of and competence in the nursing care of the selected population. Faculty/Clinical Teaching Associate/Student Triad Model provides a context that allows the student to experience the nursing role in a selected setting, balancing demands of professional nursing and lifelong learner, supporting the transition to the nursing role in the delivery of health care. Emphasis is on the health care needs of the selected population, and the associated systems and policy issues. Includes seminar, self-directed study and clinical learning experiences. 

NRS 440: Ambulatory Care Nursing Practice

5 credits. Offered summer and winter. Today’s nurse practices within the dynamic evolution of the traditional health care landscape. Health care is shifting away from episodic, downstream, hospital-based acute care into care provided within diverse ambulatory care settings, using a health prevention and promotion primary care model focused on population health, quality of care and value of services. This course intends to introduce students to nursing practice within this evolving and dynamic ambulatory care environment. First evaluated and defined is the impact of high functioning ambulatory care on health care cost, outcomes and experience. Next, focus is given to the value of the nursing professional role within the ambulatory care delivery model, as well as within collaborative partnerships. Students examine ambulatory models of care and initiatives through which nurses lead the coordination and management of complex and at-risk populations, those with chronic diseases and those transitioning between health care settings. Next students examine the role technology and informatics have on the ability of the ambulatory nurse to deliver and increase access to health care. Finally, barriers and opportunities to fully optimize the ambulatory nursing role are evaluated. 

NRS 441: Value-Informed Nursing Practice

5 credits. Offered summer and spring. This course intends to prepare nurses to advocate for and lead value-informed nursing practice. Students examine core principles of value within health care systems including why payment models are transitioning from fee for service to value based. The concept of “Value Informed Nursing Practice” is examined through historical, economic, financial, environmental, scope of practice and ethical foundations. Also analyzed are the historical, current and future algorithms and methods used to determine and measure the value and impact of the nursing role itself. Students have the opportunity to research, create, propose and advocate for an innovative, nurse-driven patient or community facing intervention aimed at reducing waste and improving the value of care. 

NRS 442: Advanced Topics in Palliative & End of Life

5 Credits. Offered summer and fall. This course equips students with the information and skills needed to provide high-quality palliative and end of life care across diverse practice settings, addressing the assessment and management of contemporary challenges in palliative care. The course delves deeply into the impact of chronic and end-stage disease processes on individuals across various developmental stages and prepares students to assess and address the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and families, navigate complex ethical and legal issues and collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams.

NRS 443: Promoting Healthy Aging in the Older Adult

3 credits. Offered summer and fall. This elective course offers nursing students advanced concepts and an evidence-based understanding of caring for older adults, emphasizing best practices, advocacy and effective transitions of care. It explores the multifaceted role of nurses in delivering holistic, person-centered care to enhance healthy aging, preserve dignity and optimize physical, cognitive, psychosocial and functional well-being. A comprehensive examination of aging-related physiological changes, psychosocial dynamics, cognitive health, environmental influences and the complexity of care transitions allows students to develop critical competencies in assessing, planning and implementing interventions to support aging populations across diverse health care settings, communities and societal frameworks. Integrating contemporary research, policy considerations and interdisciplinary collaboration while fostering advocacy skills to empower older adults, address age-related disparities and navigate transitions of care to ensure continuity, safety and quality in geriatric health care.

NRS 444: Nursing on the Frontlines: Nursing Readiness for Disaster Response

3 credits. Offered winter. This course is designed for students who seek to deepen their knowledge and skills in public health emergencies and disaster management. It provides an understanding of the impact of various disasters on individuals, communities, the healthcare system, and public health and the role of nurses in disaster management and response. The course focuses on the role of nurses in various disaster situations, developing critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary for effective disaster nursing. Students will learn to apply disaster principles, perform advanced assessments, manage trauma care, and coordinate effectively within incident management systems, gaining practical skills for real-world events.

 NRS 445: Motivational Interviewing in Nursing

2 credits. Offered spring. This nursing elective course provides an in-depth exploration of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a patient-centered communication technique aimed at enhancing patient engagement and behavior change. Students will review the MI core principles and focus on strengthening their ability to engage patients in health/behavior-related conversations. The course also addresses the importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations in MI. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to apply MI in their nursing practice to effectively motivate and support patients toward improved health outcomes. This course is ideal for nursing students preparing for roles in clinical settings where patient engagement and behavior change are critical to improving health outcomes. 

Recommended prerequisites: Completion of previous introduction to motivational interviewing content or workshop.