Associate Degree in Nursing

Course Descriptions

A grade of “C” must be maintained in all required courses to continue in the ADN program.

NUR 100     Medication Administration     1-0-1
Safe, effective nursing care requires basic knowledge of mathematics, as well as the ability to utilize numbers and measuring systems. Students will learn basic principles and methods for medication administration. This course reviews basic math operations before introducing more specific concepts. Topics covered are as follows:  drug measures, medication labels, syringe utilization, insulin administration, medication administration systems, other dosage calculations, and documentation of medication administration. Corequisite: NUR 101. (FA)

NUR 101       Fundamentals of Nursing Practice      4-8-6
The objective of this course is to help the student to develop a firm foundation for basic nursing practice through demonstration, direction, mentoring, and support. In this first course, the student learns to use the nursing process and draws on basic scientific principles, to organize, prioritize, and provide safe care. Additional focus is placed on interpersonal communication, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate use of health care terminology. The student is also introduced to ethical and legal concepts, and is encouraged to begin to develop self-assessment and professional accountability. Prerequisite: Current BLS certification for the professional, admission to the associate degree in nursing program. Corequisites: NUR 100, BIO 205. (FA)

NUR 111     Mental Health Nursing      3-4-4
This second semester course addresses the physiological and psychosocial integrity of the client with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspects.  Self-assessment and self-awareness are encouraged to enhance self-development and foster therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on multi-cultural diversity.  Consideration is given to clients past and present patterns of behavior as they impact on alterations of mental well being.  Communication skills are further developed using theories of interpersonal relationships as a foundation.  Student communication evolves from basic to therapeutic.  With assistance a student learns to provide a milieu that is both safe and therapeutic.  Students use the nursing process as a tool for critical thinking in organizing, prioritizing, and managing individual plans of care.  Students are assisted to address ethical and legal dilemmas in their roles as client advocates. Prerequisites: PSY 101. Prerequisites or corequisites: NUR 100, NUR 101, and BIO 205. (FA, SP, SU)

NUR 112      Adult Health Nursing I      4-8-6
The objective of this second semester course is to assist the student to integrate prior knowledge and utilize more advanced scientific principles. Students will apply these principles to provide more complex care to adults in selected settings. The student will be assisted to utilize interpersonal communication skills and integrate cultural awareness into client care. Additional focus is placed on organizing and prioritizing care. Students are assisted to further develop self-assessment skills and professional accountability, and to address ethical and legal dilemmas in their roles as client advocates. Prerequisites: Current BLS certification, NUR 101, and BIO 205. Corequisites: BIO 209 and NUR 111. (SP)

NUR 202     Maternal-Child Studies      3-4-4
This course is designed to provide a basic review of acquired knowledge from practical nursing education with emphasis on high-risk maternal-child nursing. The nursing process is incorporated into the child-bearing and child-rearing cycle of development. Physical growth and child nursing care has as its primary purpose maximizing the level of wellness of families in the child-bearing/child-rearing cycle of development. Prerequisites: NLN Challenge Examination, PSY 205, and BIO 206. (SU)

NUR 204        Managing Intravenous Therapies     .5-1-1
The ability to perform intravenous therapy related skills, manage client issues related to intravenous therapy, and incorporate the values of safe, ethical practice is absolutely critical for the practicing registered nurse. In this course, associate degree nursing students will begin to acquire intravenous therapy skills in the lab and classroom. Topics include:  ethical–legal issues associated with intravenous therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, intravenous solutions and equipment, central venous access devices and care, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), blood products and administration, principles of infection control/asepsis, potential complications of intravenous therapy and prevention, and intravenous medication administration. This course is not intended as an IV therapy certification course but as a component of the associate degree in nursing program. This course does not meet requirements for the Missouri State Board of Nursing IV therapy certification. Prerequisites: Current BLS certification, NUR 111, NUR 112, and BIO 209. (SU)

NUR 206       Nursing Issues         2.5-2-3
This third semester course further develops the concepts of the associate degree professional nursing roles as a manager of care and a member within the discipline of nursing. Communication skills in the use of technology, providing supervision, advocacy, and in collaboration will be expanded. Organizing, setting priorities, and delegating while considering ethical/legal, financial, and cultural issues will be discussed. Social and political influences on nursing practice and health care delivery will be explored. Prerequisites: Current BLS certification, NUR 111, NUR 112, and BIO 209. (FA, SP)

NUR 210     Nursing of Women and Newborns     3-4-4
This course is designed to provide a basis for beginning-level competence in maternal-newborn nursing. The primary emphasis of the course is the nursing process in the child-bearing cycle of development. Prerequisites: NUR 111 and NUR 112. Corequisites: NUR 212, PSY 205, and BIO 206. (FA, SP)

NUR 212       Child Health Nursing     3-4-4
This course is designed to provide a basis for beginning-level competence in nursing of children. The primary emphasis of the course is the nursing process in the child-rearing cycle of development. Prerequisites: NUR 111 and NUR 112. Corequisites: NUR 210, PSY 205, and BIO 206. (FA, SP)

NUR 220      Adult Health Nursing II         7-12-10
This fourth semester course considers the more complex and challenging dimensions of safe, effective, multicultural adult health care.  The objective of this course is to move the student to an entry level of independent practice. Critical thinking and clinical judgment are refined to provide therapeutic interventions to groups of clients in a variety of settings. The breadth and depth of therapeutic communication is further expanded. Organizing, prioritizing, and collaborating skills increase while the student learns to delegate. Upon conclusion of this course the student will independently demonstrate a level of accountability and integrity within an ethical legal framework that is in keeping with an entry level of practice. Students will independently practice self-assessment and commit to ongoing professional development. Prerequisites: NUR 111, NUR 112, NUR 204, BIO 205, and BIO 209. Corequisites: BIO 206, PSY 205, and SOC 101. (FA, SP)