Prerequisite: RN License. Co-requisite: ENGL 308. Admission to the BSN-NURS Program. Pre-or- This course provides the Registered Nurse with a foundation for understanding the expanded role of the professional baccalaureate nurse in the current health care delivery system. Concepts related to professionalism and the fundamental professional values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice will be explored. Transformation of the individual and of the profession will be examined. Communication behavior to improve intra- and inter-professional collaboration will be analyzed.

This course is designed to enhance the registered nurse's previous knowledge and experience in completing a comprehensive health assessment. An emphasis will be on the advanced skills and techniques of a physical assessment, as well as on identifying lifestyle choices, health alterations and pertinent patient education activities.

Prerequisite: STAT 180 and NURS 310. This course introduces the Registered Nurse to the research process and methods for critiquing research literature. The development of theoretical frameworks for research studies, quantitative and qualitative methodologies to accomplish goals, and the dissemination of research findings will be examined. The use of research in the delivery of evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes will be explored. The Registered Nurse will further explore a previously identified health care issue and engage in a systematic, formal process to identify scientific relationships which can lead to finding solutions to the identified issue or discover new nursing knowledge. Safeguarding patient rights will be explored.

Pre-or co-requisite: NURS 310. This course examines the current issues and trends in nursing and its effect on delivering quality and safe patient care. The Registered Nurse will consider current political, economic and social issues and discuss their impact on health care. The Registered Nurse will examine an issue related to quality, safety, access, equity, affordability or social justice in healthcare delivery and explore political activism aimed at eliminating health disparities for a vulnerable population. The identified issue will be further explored in NURS 410 Evidenced-Based Nursing Research and NURS 490 BSN Practicum.

Prerequisites: STAT 180 and NURS 310. This course examines population-focused nursing. Improving population health through health promotion, disease and injury prevention across the lifespan for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations will be explored. Fundamentals of epidemiology and biostatistics will be introduced. Primary, secondary and tertiary care will be differentiated. The national health initiative Healthy People 2020 will be utilized. The registered nurse develops a preventive program for an assigned community. This course includes 16 hours of field work experience in the assigned community.

Prerequisites: NURS 310, 320, 410, 430. Prerequisite or co-requisite: NURS 440. This is a capstone course in which the Registered Nurse will enhance his/her knowledge and skills in leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety. The health care issue identified in NURS 310, further developed in NURS 410, will be proposed to the practice setting. The Registered Nurse will develop individualized leadership objectives and present an evidence-based practice change to improve quality and/ or patient safety. The course includes a seminar component and a minimum of 45 hours of field work experience with a nurse leader.