Nursing (NURS)

Classes

NURS 100: Certified Nurse Aide

Subject
Credits 3 Class Hours3 lecture
Description

This course prepares students toward entry-level nurse aide competencies with the ability to provide care to the elderly, ill, and disabled. Topics include personal care, infection control, communication, resident rights, emotional support and care of special populations. After successful completion of NURS 100 and NURS 100L, students are eligible to take the State of Hawai‘i Nurse Aide certification exam.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Fall, Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Describe therapeutic communication skills with clients, families, and other members of the health care team.
  2. Identify health care infection control and safety procedures.
  3. Discuss ethical, legal principles and professional conduct in health care settings.
  4. Describe effective nurse aide care to support and maintain patient function and health.
  5. Describe the roles and responsibilities of the nurse aide as a member of the health care team.
  6. Describe the nurse aide interventions to meet the emotional and physical requirements of special populations.

NURS 100L: Certified Nurse Aide Clinical Lab

Subject
Credits 2 Class Hours6 lab
Description

This course prepares entry level nurse aides to provide care to the elderly, ill, and disabled. Course activities will take place in the clinical lab and in off-site clinical environments. Topics include personal care, infection control, communication, resident rights, emotional support and care of special populations. After successful completion of NURS 100 and NURS 100L, students are eligible to take the State of Hawaii Nurse Aide certification exam.

Prerequisites

Basic life support CPR, malpractice insurance, health clearances, and criminal background check.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Fall, Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Apply ethical and legal principles into nurse aide care.
  2. Demonstrate nurse aide interventions to meet the emotional and physical requirements of special populations.
  3. Demonstrate professional conduct in the health care setting.
  4. Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills with clients, families, and other members of the health care team.
  5. Apply health care infection control and safety procedures into nurse aide care.
  6. Demonstrate effective nurse aide care to support and maintain patient function and health.

NURS 203: General Pharmacology

Subject
Credits 3 Class Hours3 lecture
Description

This course discusses drugs with an emphasis on sites and mechanisms of action, toxicity, fate, and uses of major therapeutic agents.

Prerequisites

"C" or higher in NURS 210 and NURS 211.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Identify clinically significant drug interactions.
  2. Describe how differences between individuals govern their responses to drugs.
  3. List dosage forms of commonly used medications and how to use the forms effectively.
  4. Describe the basic mechanisms of drug action from ingestion to metabolism and elimination.
  5. Identify the major categories and classes of drugs and their therapeutic uses.
  6. Identify frequent side effects and complications associated with major categories of drugs.
  7. Describe the ethical and legal responsibility in the administration of drugs, including accuracy in drug calculations.
  8. Describe major current developments in drug therapy including guidelines for disease state management.

NURS 210: Health Promotion Across the Lifespan

Subject
Credits 9 Class Hours3 lecture and 18 lab
Description

This course focuses on identifying needs of the total person across the lifespan in a wellness/health promotion model of care. It introduces the roles of the nurse, nursing code of ethics, and the nursing process with emphasis on learning self-health and client health practices. To support self-health and client health practices, students learn to access research evidence about healthy lifestyle patterns and risk factors for disease/illness, apply growth and development theory, interview clients in a culturally sensitive manner, and work as members of a multidisciplinary team utilizing reflective thinking and self-analysis.

Prerequisites

Admission into the Career Ladder Nursing Program.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Fall
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Demonstrate independent self-reflective practice in a performance-based curriculum.
  2. Seek and evaluate information to gain nursing knowledge and skills needed to promote health across the lifespan.
  3. Describe the components of the health care delivery system in the U.S.
  4. Discuss nursing care situations that require delegation and leadership decisions.
  5. Identify the National League for Nursing (NLN) legal/professional standards and ethical concepts while delivering basic nursing care across the lifespan.
  6. Discuss the elements of client-centered care in promoting health across the lifespan.
  7. Utilize a systematic process to develop and deliver a plan of care.
  8. Identify roles and functions of each member of the health care team.
  9. Practice effective oral and written communication with clients, peers, and faculty.

NURS 211: Professionalism in Nursing I

Subject
Credits 1 Class Hours1 lecture
Description

This first level course focuses on the history of nursing practice and education. Ethical and legal aspects as well as professional responsibilities in the practice of nursing are emphasized. In addition, an introduction to the professional standards of nursing are presented.

Prerequisites

Admission into the Career Ladder Nursing Program.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Fall
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Distinguish the legitimate sources of evidence for professional decision-making.
  2. Demonstrate the professional behaviors reflected in the ANA Code of Ethics and state standards of practice.
  3. Discuss the legal and ethical responsibility for delivering client-centered care in promoting health care across the lifespan.
  4. Describe options for individuals in accessing either allopathic or integrative health care in the U.S. health care delivery system.
  5. Identify historical events as well as nursing and national issues that contribute to the development of standards of practice for the nurse.
  6. Discuss the leadership responsibility of the nurse in the political process as it impacts health care and health care planning.

NURS 212: Pathophysiology

Subject
Credits 3 Class Hours3 lecture
Description

This course will introduce students to pathophysiologic concepts which serve as a foundation to understanding the basis of illness and injury and their corresponding spectrum of human response. These concepts will serve as a foundation for the formulation of clinical decisions and care planning.

Prerequisites

"C" or higher or concurrent enrollment in PHYL 142 and PHYL 142L. Approval of instructor. 

Semester Offered Fall, Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Utilize multiple, current, reliable information sources to support an understanding of selected pathophysiologic processes.
  2. Recognize ethical and legal concerns associated with clients experiencing selected disease states.
  3. Effectively select focused assessments, interpret the findings, and identify additional assessments for potential complications of selected pathophysiologic processes.
  4. Identify risk factors and clinical manifestations of selected pathophysiologic processes.
  5. Communicate pertinent patient information regarding selected pathophysiologic processes with other health professionals.

NURS 220: Health and Illness I

Subject
Credits 10 Class Hours4 lecture and 18 lab
Description

This course provides an opportunity for students to develop their assessment skills and utilize common nursing interventions for clients with illnesses common across the lifespan in communities in Hawai‘i. The client and family's understanding and acceptance of their illness coupled with clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based research are used to guide clinical judgment in nursing care. Roles of the interdisciplinary team and legal aspects of delegation are explored in the context of nursing care. The cultural, ethical health policy, and healthcare delivery system are explored.

Prerequisites

"C" or higher in NURS 210 and NURS 211. Approval of instructor.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Utilize reliable sources of information to support nursing care decisions to individuals.
  2. Use a structured plan to reflect on personal nursing practices.
  3. Utilize ANA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to identify potential legal and ethical issues in the delivery of nursing care.
  4. Deliver client-centered care.
  5. Use therapeutic communication skills in the development of relationships with clients and families.
  6. Identify factors that influence access and continuity of health care.
  7. Develop a plan of care for clients that incorporate evidence-based strategies, clinical judgments based on assessment data, and an understanding of the client's perspective and illness experience.
  8. Identify nursing care situations requiring the need for delegation and leadership.
  9. Practice in the role of professional nurse as part of the health care team.

NURS 230: Clinical Immersion I

Subject
Credits 4 Class Hours1 lecture and 9 lab
Description

This course focuses on monitoring a variety of subjective and objective data, identifying obvious patterns and deviations, and developing a prioritized intervention plan for specific populations. In this course, students will implement new nursing skills with supervision, develop their own beginning leadership abilities, and acknowledge delegation as a needed modality to improve client care.

Prerequisites

“C” or higher in both NURS 203 and NURS 220. Approval of instructor.

Semester Offered Summer
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Collaborate as a member of the multidisciplinary health care team.
  2. Use therapeutic communication skills in the development of relationships with clients and families in specific populations.
  3. Practice effective oral and written communication with clients, peers, and faculty.
  4. Develop a plan of care for clients using clinical judgments based on assessment data, and an understanding of clients' perspective and illness experience in specific settings.
  5. Discuss one's personal nursing practice within the legal and ethical framework of nursing.
  6. Identify the need for initiation of referrals and explore community resources.
  7. Identify potential legal and ethical issues in delivery of health care.
  8. Demonstrates leadership abilities and acknowledges delegation as a needed modality to improve client care.
  9. Utilize reliable sources of information to support nursing care decisions and accept responsibility for maintaining current evidence-based practice, ongoing professional growth, and lifelong learning.

NURS 259: Basic ECG Interpretation for Health Care Providers

Subject
Credits 2 Class Hours2 lecture
Description

This course develops nursing theory related to the accurate interpretation of cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias on the 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The focus is on the cardiac conduction system, electrophysiology, and a systematic approach to the interpretation and treatment of cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias.

Prerequisites

Concurrent enrollment in the Nursing program, licensed Registered Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, or approval of instructor.

Semester Offered Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Identify pacemaker function on ECG rhythm strips.
  2. Differentiate the origin, characteristics, and the treatments of rhythms and arrhythmias by correct interpretation of ECG rhythm strips.
  3. Describe the cardiac conduction system, its inherent characteristics, normal sequence of activation in the heart, and its relation to pump action.
  4. Describe the ECG monitor and the components of the normal PQRST complex.
  5. Identify the effects of electrolyte abnormalities and select medications on ECG rhythm strips.
  6. Demonstrate a systematic approach to accurate interpretation of ECG rhythm strips.
  7. Differentiate ECG changes that occur with cardiac ischemic events.

NURS 320: Health and Illness II

Subject
Credits 10 Class Hours4 lecture and 18 lab
Description

This course focuses on the nursing care and health promotion for maternal-newborn and pediatric clients and families in the acute care and community settings. Students will learn to utilize family theories and assessment tools when providing culturally sensitive, client-centered care.

Prerequisites

“C” or higher in NURS 230.

Semester Offered Fall
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Seek information to develop plans of nursing care that are family-centered, as well as age- and culturally-appropriate using evidence-based clinical guidelines.
  2. Practice as a member of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
  3. Reflect on nursing practice in managing care for groups of patients.
  4. Recognize the benefits and limitations of community and governmental support for family units and individual members with illness.
  5. Demonstrate therapeutic communications skills in interactions and relationships with families, individuals, and other members of the health care team with attention to the identification and correction of non-therapeutic communication techniques.
  6. Deliver family-centered care.
  7. Work with the client to implement plans of care that are based on culturally- and age-appropriate assessments and evidence-based practice.
  8. Apply basic leadership skills in the care of families.
  9. Apply the ANA Code of Ethics to care of families including client rights, dilemmas between individual rights and the common good, and identification of choices and possible consequences.

NURS 360: Health and Illness III

Subject
Credits 9 Class Hours3 lecture and 18 lab
Description

This course builds on Health and Illness I and II, focusing on more complex and/or unstable patient care situations some of which require strong recognition skills and rapid decision-making. The evidence base supporting appropriate focused assessment and effective, efficient nursing intervention are explored. Lifespan and developmental factors, cultural variables, and legal aspects of care frame the ethical decision-making employed in patient choices for treatment or palliative care within the acute care, psychiatric, and home health settings. Case scenarios incorporate prioritizing care needs, delegation and supervision, family and patient teaching for discharge planning, home health care, and/or end of life care.

Prerequisites

“C” or higher in NURS 320.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Use management principles, strategies, and tools in caring for a group of patients in clinical settings.
  2. Propose adjustments to plan of care after reflecting on client's level of comfort and ability to manage symptoms and symptom of distress.
  3. Collaborate with members of the health care team to plan individualized plans of care to meet the needs of groups of clients.
  4. Advocate for the delivery of client - centered care.
  5. Assist clients to obtain available health resources within the community to expand treatment options.
  6. Analyze ethical and legal concerns that are experienced by clients, families, and nurses associated with acute and chronic client care including the dying process.
  7. Demonstrate clinical judgment in the delivery of safe care to clients across a wide range of settings.
  8. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness in interactions with clients.
  9. Incorporate evidence-based interventions in providing care to groups of clients.

NURS 362: Professionalism in Nursing II

Subject
Credits 1 Class Hours1 lecture
Description

The focus will be on nursing responsibility with regard to current issues in nursing and health care. Included will be the nurse's role as a contributing member of the profession and the community. The theoretical basis for designing and implementing systems of nursing at the beginning level of patient management in an institutional setting will be examined. Principles of organizational structure, leadership, decision-making, priority setting, and change will be discussed.

Prerequisites

“C” or higher in NURS 320.

Corequisite Courses
Semester Offered Spring
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
  1. Identify the legal and ethical responsibilities of the Registered/Professional Nurse.
  2. Discuss your reflection on the concept of self as a professional in relation to entry into the practice of nursing.
  3. Utilize research as the legitimate source of evidence for professional decision-making.
  4. Discuss the leadership responsibility of the nurse in the political process as it impacts on health policy and health care planning.
  5. Differentiate between the concepts of leadership and management.
  6. Analyze the impact of trends in contemporary health care which influence quality and means of delivering nursing care.
  7. Apply the problem-solving process in resolution of conflicts and stressors encountered in transition to the role of Registered/Professional Nurse.
  8. Discuss the structure and interrelationships of the social organizations through which nursing is provided.
  9. Discuss concepts of decision-making and priority setting in providing safe nursing care.