Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN): Curriculum

Learn about the structure and function of the human body. Explore how the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems work; and understand the roles of cells, tissues, and skin. May not be taken by biology majors except by special permission.

A continuation of BIO 101. Examine the structure and function of the human body including the endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems.

Prerequisite: BIO 101.

During this introduction to microbiology, you’ll learn about pathogenic micro-organisms and their role in disease, inhibition, and destruction. You’ll also explore bacteriology principles and techniques.

This course is not open to biology majors.

Prerequisites: BIO 101 and 102

Explore the various fields of psychology including human development, learning and memory, and sensation and perception. You’ll also examine psychopathology and psychotherapy, physiology and behavior, social psychology, psychological testing, motivation, and emotion.

Examine the effects of culture when it comes to health and beliefs. You’ll also explore practices related to illness and healing.

Prerequisites: ANT 101 or SOC 151 or permission of instructor.

Learn the fundamental principles of human genetics and look at the social, medical, as well as moral issues raised by current research in areas like race, behavior, and genetic engineering.

Lecture only.

This course is open to all majors, but may not count as a major elective for biology majors.

Explore sociological concepts in United States society to gain an understanding of topics including social class, race, ethnicity, sex, age, family, education, and religion. You’ll also examine sub-cultures, polity, economy, deviance, urban life, collective behavior, population, bureaucracy, social groups, and social change.

Examine the ethical dilemmas professionals encounter at work. Take a close look at the issues present in industries like journalism, health care, law, education, computer science, information technology, and public relations.

Gain an understanding of the scientific method and a foundation for evidence-based practice in nursing. Using published research studies, you’ll examine, discuss, and apply critical elements of the research process with an emphasis on scientific integrity and maintaining ethical standards. You’ll develop the skills needed to become a critical consumer of research literature and a participant in the research process.

Prerequisites: MAT 112 or PSY/SOC 211 or ECN 241.

Explore statistical competencies as a non-mathematics major. You’ll explore probability theory topics, binomial distribution, normal distribution, descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, measures of central tendency, and hypothesis testing. Additionally, you’ll learn about confidence intervals, correlation, and prediction.

Prerequisites: MAT 100, or satisfactory performance in Mathematics Placement Test administered by the mathematics department, or permission of instructor. Students may not also take PSY 211, ECN 241, or SOC 211 for credit toward Core Goal 4: Quantitative Reasoning

Gain an introduction to all aspects of the nursing profession, including an overview of nursing roles, theory, and professional practice. This course sets the foundation for professional practice that is built upon throughout the RN to BSN curriculum.

Prerequisites: PHI 107 or PHI 108 and SOC 151, except for RN to BSN program

Broaden skillsets in assessing healthy individuals with references to illness through the assessment of physical, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental aspects of clients across their lifespan. Focus is on well individuals with reference to illness for comparison.

Discover the differences between nursing leadership and nursing management as you explore the impact of informatics and technology on nursing, patient care, and health care delivery.

Prerequisite: NUR 311, except for RN to BSN program.

You’ll examine the basic principles and processes of pathophysiology, including cellular communication, genetics, forms of cellular injury, fluid and electrolytes, acid-base balance, immunity, stress, coping, illness, and tumor biology.

Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 203, and CHE 211, except for RN to BS program

Review information for safe, effective nursing care related to pharmacology.. You’ll examine actions, uses, administration alerts, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, contraindications, interactions with other drugs, herbs, food, and treatment of overdose and antidotes.

Prerequisite: NUR 332, except for RN to BSN program.

Focus on the health of populations and communities through the study of epidemiology, health promotion, and disease prevention across the lifespan. You’ll analyze factors including environment, genetics, culture, economics, and access to care, in addition to completing a community practice experience.

Students cannot also take NUR 346 for credit.

Explore the role of the nursing manager in practice, political, and community settings. You’ll also analyze different management techniques and routine tasks such as budgeting, planning, supervision, and delegation.

Prerequisite: NUR 312, except for RN to BSN program.

Gain insight into the key factors shaping nursing today and what may influence the field in the future, with an emphasis on the role of the bachelor-prepared nurse. You’ll participate in a practice experience where you’ll apply your leadership abilities in a practice setting.

Examine end of life issues, palliative care, and complementary therapies and explore physical, psychological, social, and spiritual concerns of patients and families as they relate to pain and comfort care, and end-of-life decisions.

Prerequisites: PHI 107 or PHI 108, except for RN to BSN program.