Nursing

This introductory course is designed to allow the student to explore various roles in the nursing profession. Also included in this course are nursing history and theory, effective communication, and the need for a collaborative approach in the healthcare setting.

This course focuses on application of evidence based interventions and technologies to provide basic care in selected nursing situations. Students also learn to use the nursing process as a part of their critical thinking skill to plan care for the adult patient. The skills lab component allows students to practice basic nursing skills in a safe environment under the supervision of nursing faculty. Students that have completed a LPN program can receive credit for this course by successfully completing an in-house exam.

Designed to be taken concurrently with NURS 230, this skills lab component allows students to practice integral nursing skills in a safe environment under the supervision of nursing faculty.

Designed to be taken concurrently with NURS 230, this clinical component allows students to practice basic nursing skills in a clinical setting under the supervision of nursing faculty.

This course provides the health care student with the opportunity to gain knowledge and the skills to perform a complete head to toe assessment. Must be able to use the critical thinking process to establish normal from abnormal findings.

This course focuses on the effects of chemicals used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Included in this course is incorporation of patient teaching about pharmacological agents. A special emphasis is placed on specific considerations for drug administration and the pathophysiological responses to drug therapy for a diverse population across the lifespan.

This course introduces theory and teaches clinical skills necessary to provide safe delivery of medication to patients in the healthcare setting. It also includes routes of administering medications such as; injections, IV administration of fluid and blood, dosage calculation, as well as oral and enteral administration.

A course focused on promotion, maintenance, and restoration of the mental health of individuals and families. Emphasis is placed on communication, therapeutic nursing, intervention, and other variables affecting mental health and psychopathology.

A clinical learning experience with an emphasis on the area of mental health providing the student with the opportunity to apply theory to clinical practice. This course must be taken in conjunction with NURS 310.

This course provides evidence based concepts impacting nursing care of diverse adult populations with an emphasis on chronic medical disorders in healthcare settings. Also included are interventions necessary to promote health, wellness and prevention of diseases. This course must be taken in conjunction with NURS 322.

A clinical learning experience with an emphasis in the area of adult health providing the student with the opportunity to apply theory to clinical practice. This course must be taken in conjunction with NURS 320.

A clinical learning experience with an emphasis on the pediatric population allowing the student the opportunity to apply theory to clinical practice. This course must be taken in conjunction with NURS 340.

Uses evidence based practices to implement plans of care for the family. This includes women's reproductive health, newborns and pediatrics. Focus is on nursing interventions that promote, maintain, and restore the health of both well and high-risk maternal/newborn and pediatric clients.

A clinical learning experience with an emphasis on women's health. This provides the opportunity to implement evidence based intervention in caring for the obstetric patient before and during the antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartum phases of childbirth.

This course explores the role of the professional nurse within the context of the community. The promotion and restoration of health, prevention of disease, and the provision of nursing care to individuals and families are emphasized.

A clinical learning experience with an emphasis on the areas of community and public health. This course must be taken in conjunction with NURS 350.

Designed to assist with the transition from the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role to the baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse (RN) within the interdisciplinary health care team, including returning to the academic setting, and discussions centered on strategies of successful role acquisition.

The course introduces the student to evidence-based practice and how to critically appraise research studies. Included is how to formulate clinical questions using best evidence and evaluate the worthiness of the evidence for translation to clinical/ethical practice to achieve optimal health outcomes.

This course provides an overview of nursing practice and leadership within a health care system. There is an emphasis on using the concepts and theories of organizational leadership, the change process, decision making, and professional collaboration. Includes pertinent aspects of economic, regulatory, and legal aspects of providing care in health care systems.

This course is designed for emphasis on normal aging processes, health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic health problems in the older adult.

The class includes a review of material covered in Adult Health Nursing I with an emphasis on transitioning from the care of the patient with chronic versus patients with acute/complex medical disorders. The student uses critical thinking and clinical reasoning to develop evidence-based plans of care for the patient with acute medical conditions.

Designed to offer nursing students the opportunity to care for patients with acute/complex medical disorders.

This course is designed to help students successfully pass the NCLEX exam on the first attempt. The student completes hundreds of NCLEX style questions with a special emphasis placed on remediation of identified weak areas. Students complete a predictor exam to assess readiness for the NCLEX exam.

This course includes a capstone evidence based project designed to implement change in nursing practice. The project is shared with other healthcare providers. Also includes, designing a professional resume to prepare students to enter the workforce. Students are exposed to topics such as political advocacy, role development, and the need for lifelong learning.

This clinical experience is designed to prepare the student for their first area of employment and the skills required to care for multiple clients within a real-world setting.  The student is assigned to an approved Registered Nurse preceptor to complete 200 hours of clinical experience in a healthcare setting.  

Provides information to assist the MSN student to be successful in an online graduate program. Provided are the mandatory completion of selected tutorials, review of academic policies, pre-practicum experiences, HIPAA, and OSHA Standard requirements. Also included are data/information pertaining to college resources/services to aid the student in successful progression and completion in the chosen program of study. Successful completion of the Orientation Program is required to graduate from the MSN. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis).

Emphasis the principles of physiology and pathophysiology impacting disease states and health outcomes across the lifespan. Knowledge gained from this course will help students interpret normal from abnormal changes that occur with altered health states. Provides the student with advanced knowledge using physiological principles for clinical assessment/diagnosis, decision making, and identifying ways to help with disease prevention.

Provides nurses in primary care with the foundation of basic knowledge and application of pharmacotherapeutics to meet the health care needs of clients, from children to adults across the lifespan. Students analyze legal and professional responsibilities associated with pharmacotherapy for health promotion and maintenance, pathological symptoms, and clinical disorders. Students evaluate concepts of drug therapy including complementary/alternative treatments, their mechanisms of action, drug to drug interactions, and adverse actions. Selection of appropriate drug agents are discussed in regard to prescribing therapy for medical disorders/treatment plans and monitoring of treatment plans within a variety of clinical settings. An emphasis on inter-professional approach to practice is supported to improve patient and systems outcomes.

Builds on assessment skills developed during the professional nurse’s basic educational program. Addresses health assessment of individuals across the lifespan using physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and physical assessment data. Students explore history taking, complete a comprehensive physical assessment, and use this data to develop and/or evaluate evidence-based treatment plans for diverse patients with common acute and chronic health disorders. Emphasis is placed on the process of clinical/diagnostic reasoning to enable the student to analyze clinical problems, make accurate diagnoses, and to provide safe and competent care. The use of technology and electronic medical records are important components of this course.

Provides preliminary knowledge/skills regarding the multidimensional role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the primary care setting; addressing selected advanced practice procedures/skills, diagnostic work-up/ test interpretation, differential diagnoses, and understanding of how the APN fits into health care and provides health care using a multidisciplinary approach.

Focuses on assessment of selected advanced practice skills during a required onsite Clinical Competency Session on the Missouri Valley College Campus.

Students come to campus for 2 days and are required to perform a head to toe assessment using a systems approach. They will also assess heart and lung sounds in the simulation lab and perform procedures such as pelvic/vaginal, prostate, breast, rectal, and hernia exams. Students will also be required to do a well-baby/child exam.

Explores the role of the advanced practice nurse through standards of practice, ethics in nursing, and role socialization to help the RN successfully transition to the advanced practice nurse role. Students will be introduced to health care delivery systems, health care finance, and health care policy that can impede access to healthcare, cost of healthcare, and quality of care to diverse populations. Students will learn the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to remove barriers to promote health outcomes to local, state, national, and global communities. Promotion of scientific inquiry, evidence-based practice, working with policy makers and joining professional organizations will be discussed in relation to formation of policies that can enhance the practice of advanced practice nurses.

Focuses on theory-guided, evidence-based approaches to health care promotion, disease prevention, and common acute and chronic disorders across the lifespan including infants and adults within primary care. Uses a body systems approach, and incorporates the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, intellectual and cultural aspects of the individual and family when planning patient centered care. Students use advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment skills to make differential diagnoses based on accurate patient history, physical examination and diagnostic work-up in order to create evidence-based treatment plans that are safe and cost effective. 

Focuses on a holistic approach to health care in diverse patient populations from infancy through adolescence. Incorporates and promotes the principles of wellness checks, immunizations, health promotion, and disease prevention including the concepts of growth and development milestones. Uses pathophysiology knowledge, assessment skills, and diagnostic strategies/intervention specific to acute and chronic problems in children to implement safe and evidence-based care. Management of diverse patients using culturally sensitive approaches is done in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams while allowing the family and patient to be part of the decision-making process. This course increases the students’ knowledge on organizational structure and internal and external resources to help prepare students in assuming advanced leadership roles within healthcare systems. Practice management skills, time management skills, community resources, economics, reimbursement for services, policy development, and systems management will be emphasized to gain/promote patient access to quality and affordable health care necessary to improve health/population outcomes around the world.  100 practicum hours.

Focuses on theory-guided, evidence-based approaches to health care promotion, disease prevention, and common acute and chronic disorders across the lifespan including infants and adults within primary care. Uses a body systems approach, and incorporates the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, intellectual and cultural aspects of the individual and family when planning patient centered care. Students use advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment skills to make differential diagnoses based on accurate patient history, physical examination and diagnostic work-up in order to create evidence-based treatment plans that are safe and cost effective. 

Emphasizes the holistic approach to health care for diverse adult populations in a variety of primary care clinical environments. Introduces students to a systematic approach to the delivery of primary care. Focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and primary care concepts. Management of diverse patients using culturally sensitive approaches is done in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams while allowing the family and patient to be part of the decision-making process. Patient education and evidence-based treatment plans will incorporate health promotion and disease prevention. Students use knowledge from previous core courses as they integrate research/theory into improving the advanced practice nurses’ role in providing safe health care. This course increases the students’ knowledge on organizational structure and internal and external resources to help prepare students in assuming advanced leadership roles within healthcare systems. Practice management skills pertaining to economics, time management skills, reimbursement for services, policy development, interdisciplinary teamwork, community resources, working with policy makers, and systems management will be emphasized to gain/promote patient access to quality and affordable health care to improve health/population outcomes across the globe.  250 practicum hours.

Completes the capstone course portion of the program of study. Promotes the independent clinical management of acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Management of diverse patients is done in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams while allowing the family and patient to be part of the decision-making process. Patient education and evidence-based treatment plans will promote wellness and disease prevention. Students use knowledge from previous core courses as they integrate research/theory into improving the role of the advanced practice nurse. This course increases the students’ knowledge on organizational structure and internal and external resources to help prepare nurse practitioners in assuming advanced leadership roles within healthcare systems. Students learn practice management skills, cost control measures, time management skills, reimbursement for services, policy development, working with other health care leaders and policy makers, community resources, and management of systems to gain/promote patient access to quality and affordable health care to help improve health/population outcomes. 200 practicum hours.

Focuses on methods in generating and evaluating research for nursing practice. Students examine nursing research related to clinical nursing problems by analyzing important parts, processes and principles of quality investigations. Quantitative and qualitative research designs will also be explored. Ethical and legal issues in conducting research will be examined. Students will explore and assess needs for practice change, critically appraise existing literature/evidence, while developing a plan for implementation and evaluation of the intervention(s) using evidence-based practice to improve health outcomes.

Promotes the use of systematic selection, analysis, synthesis and application of best practices to enhance and advance nursing practice and improve patient health outcomes across diverse populations and in a variety of clinical settings. Identifying and connecting clinical practice issues, the use of evidence-based practice (EBP), collaboration, peer-review, and dissemination of information are discussed.