Nursing (RN to BSN)

The course explores the complex and challenging process of communication from a global perspective. Conceptualizations of self-concept, perception, verbal, and nonverbal communication are presented in terms of integration into emotions, self-disclosure, relationship development and conflict management. Through participation in class activities and assignments students are encouraged to develop cultural competency skills appropriate for effective intercultural communication and the management of communication problems experienced between diverse individuals and groups.

The ability to think critically is an essential foundation for problem solving. This course is designed to examine and enhance the student’s critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Concepts related to analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, reasoning, and problem solving will be used to explore the decision-making process. Emphasis will be placed upon the ability to think critically and creatively, reason soundly, and collaborate effectively.

This course focuses on the systematic study of writing effective prose and argumentation, stressing development and support of a clear thesis. Students will learn to formulate ideas, appraise text and online resources, and synthesize research findings. The student will become familiar with various writing and communication formats and develop techniques for following APA form and style and avoiding plagiarism.

This course examines aging as a social phenomenon and focuses on the social impact of a growing elderly population. Individual aging processes, emerging social patterns among the elderly, and the social significance of aging are also explored.

This course focuses on statistical models and mathematical processes essential for healthcare professionals to understand and apply research studies. Fundamental statistical concepts are applied to sample data to make inferences for populations. Includes measures of central tendency and dispersion, finite probability, probability distributions, statistical inferences, linear regression, and correlation.

This course examines legal and ethical issues in complex healthcare settings. Legal and regulatory requirements, practice standards, and ethical principles as important components of healthcare practice and management systems will be emphasized. Contemporary case studies will allow students to apply concepts of healthcare law and ethics.

This course examines healthcare systems and politics within the United States with a focus on contemporary issues related to health and social policy. An introduction to healthcare regulations, policies, and practices within government organizations, local communities, professional associations, special interest groups, and healthcare organizations is provided. The course also explores the impact of culture, economics, technology and social justice on healthcare systems and policy.

This course provides the student with an expanded understanding of nursing through the WVJC nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, and interpreter and provider of learning. Embracing lifelong learning and nursing roles as leaders and professional team members are emphasized. Historical and contemporary perspectives are presented and used to develop competencies necessary to the practice of professional nursing in complex healthcare organizations. Students will use self-reflection to assess personal strengths as problem solvers, change agents, critical thinkers, and leaders.

This course builds on previously learned concepts and techniques of physical examination and health assessment, and facilitates enhanced confidence and competence in interviewing for data collection and health histories, prioritizing assessments, establishing databases, analyzing clinical findings, and performing physical, psychological, and cultural assessments. Clinical judgment, clinical decision making, and contributing to client care as a full partner in the interdisciplinary healthcare team are emphasized. Laboratory experiencing engage students in virtually simulated scenarios requiring the application of health assessment skills for diverse clients across the life span.

This course builds on previously learned concepts and strengthens the student’s ability to make appropriate clinical decisions related to pathophysiologic causes and pharmacologic treatments of common, selected disease processes. Focused on fundamental principles of pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, the course emphasizes the role and responsibility of the professional nurse in the safe administration and management of medications for the achievement of optimum and safe health outcomes. Best practices for high-risk and vulnerable populations as well as a comprehensive approach to the clinical application of drug therapy are explored.

This course focuses on concepts and processes of nursing research and evidence-based practice to develop students as critical consumers and evaluators of research findings. Theories and terminology relevant to the context of original research, including research design, methodology, data collection, data analysis, appropriate statistical tests of analysis, and dissemination of results are presented. Students will critically read and evaluate research articles from various sources to determine relevance, validity, and usefulness in the support of informed clinical decisions. Ethical considerations in research involving human participants will also be explored.

This course focuses on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to enable you to expand and understand a systematic review of patient safety and quality improvements in the delivery of healthcare, within the community and globally as a member of a collaborative interprofessional team. Content will address the history of the quality improvement process in healthcare, quality databases and improvement process tools and programs. Through the use of case studies, discussions, and exercises students will be become more familiar with the use of several quality improvement programs and tools. For example, the Plan-Do-Study- Act (PDSA) cycle, Six Sigma and the Toyota Production System known as Lean Production processes will be addressed. Students can use this course to identify the tools and design the methods that they plan to employ in a quality improvement or patient safety project in the work environment as they interact with patients and colleagues.

This course examines contemporary nursing roles and healthcare practices in the management of population and public health. Student will explore determinants of health, epigenetics affects, environmental influences, and the impact of policy on the health of vulnerable and culturally diverse populations in a global society. Best practices focused on the prevention and management of health conditions for individuals and populations across the lifespan are emphasized. Practicum experiences are designed for student to apply course concepts in the provision of health promotion and disease prevention interventions for local populations.

This course explores health information and informatics concepts encountered in healthcare settings. Students will trace the history of health data management and the role of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and other clinical informatics applications in healthcare organizations. Attention is focused on the role of the nurse in interfacing with these systems to improve healthcare quality and client outcomes through the integration of evidence-based practice and informatics. Attention is given to the evaluation of health information systems and their role in client safety, safe medication administration, maintaining client privacy, data security, and efficacy of healthcare processes. Students are encouraged to explore how computers and software are used at healthcare and develop and demonstrate generalist nursing practices needed to manage health information and client care technologies in their work environment and to share their findings with class participants.

This course examines health and healthcare challenges from the perspective of vulnerable and at-risk populations. Students will explore context-relevant health promotion; analyze issues of social justice in health care; develop heightened awareness and understanding of health issues for underserved populations; and identify interventions that prompt equitable, quality health for all. Health disparities in the United States and patterns of disparity that impact health care access, quality of care, and health outcomes are emphasized.

This course focuses on basic concepts related to business, finance, and economics in various health care settings. The course serves as a framework for evidence-based business decision-making in a complex health care environment. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills necessary for analysis of key business, financial, and economic factors affecting productivity, cost containment, regulation, and managed care and reimbursement. Students will develop an understanding of health care reimbursement to providers and the professional nursing role within the competitive health care marketplace.

This course is designed to help students gain a basic understanding of the structure, function, and culture of healthcare delivery organizations and explore and focus on the components of nursing leadership situations within the health care delivery system. To better understand and prepare for the changing role of the professional nurse in complex and diverse health care settings, emphasis is placed on developing skills in critical thinking, decision-making, team building, communication, priority setting, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advocacy. Students will use nursing leadership and management theory as well as the basic and applied sciences and humanities from previous courses and will be encouraged to examine health care organizational cultures though the lens of “caring” and responsible leadership that is aimed at promoting client safety and quality improvement processes to achieve desired client, systems, and population outcomes.

This capstone course is the culmination of the BSN degree program and provides learners with the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they mastered. Students will review key elements of management and leadership theory and will examine strategies and processes that address content such as professionalism; morale and governance; improvement of care delivery; facilitation of change; quality and safety; principles of client-centered care; evidence-based practice; decision making and problem solving. The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of the program outcomes and to synthesize previous learning in the nursing major to address professional roles and competencies required of baccalaureate nurse generalists while working in partnership with individuals, families, communities, and other health care professionals. The focus is on skills used by the nurse to excel as a clinician, professional leader, communicator and as a citizen. In addition, the student demonstrates competence in a practicum experience and comprehension of nursing concepts through case study activities.