Nursing

The Howard University Division of Nursing, while cognizant of the nature of society and the health care delivery system, develops students at the bachelor's and master's level who can effectively and efficiently address the diverse and complex health care needs of society. The Division of Nursing was established in 1969 with a program of studies leading to the bachelor's degree in nursing. The Division of Nursing also offers the Master of Science Degree in Nursing and a Post-Master's Certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner.

The Bachelor of Science program offers a balanced curriculum including courses in the liberal arts, the sciences, the humanities, and nursing. The majority of the nursing courses are concentrated in the junior and senior years and involve classroom and clinical learning experiences in hospitals, long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, patients' homes and other community-based settings. Students in the Bachelor's Degree program develop competencies in the care of adults, children, child-bearing families and the elderly. A theoretical base for nursing practice is laid early in the program and students grow in their ability to apply theory in developing systems of care for patients. Course work and practical application in management/leadership and research enhance the student's ability to think creatively, critically and to solve problems.

An R.N. track within the bachelor's degree program was initiated during the 1988-89 academic year. This track allows the R.N. with an associate degree or diploma to receive credit for prior nursing and science courses through a variety of validation procedures. Registered nurses from local associate degree nursing programs within the past five years may receive a minimum of 60 transfer credits towards the Bachelor of Science Degree. No validation testing is required for articulated students.

A 22-month Advanced Placement Program is also a part of undergraduate level studies for students with previously earned degrees in areas other than nursing and/or a significant number of credits in specific course areas. This program expedites students’ progression in nursing. The undergraduate curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving, health promotion and prevention, community-based interventions, and the general climate of the evolving health care delivery system.

The diversity of the Washington, D.C. community provides students with a variety of learning opportunities and challenges. The Division of Nursing has adopted the issues of homelessness and care of the elderly as emphases within both the undergraduate and graduate curricula as well as rallying points for community service by faculty, students and staff. The Division of Nursing has also expanded in the realm of international nursing. There has been significant involvement in consultation, instruction and curriculum development in some of the developing African countries.

Accreditation

The Division of Nursing is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202.887.6791, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.

 

 

 

Classes

NURS 304 : Pathophysiology

Examines the pathophysiological basis for the clinical manifestation of disease processes. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of disease and alterations of structure and function that result in signs and symptoms of disease in individuals across the lifespan. Students understand foundational knowledge for future nursing courses.

Credits

3

NURS 306 : Introduction to Pharmacology

This course focuses on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of some identified drugs that affect persons across the life span. Areas of emphasis will include, the nursing process, nursing implications of the selected and related drugs, the role of a nurse in legal and research aspects of drug administration and medication calculations for oral and parenteral drugs.

Credits

3

NURS 307 : Health Assessment/Lifespan

Examines the skills of history taking, physical assessment, and documentation needed to conduct a comprehensive health assessment including the physical, psychosocial, and environmental aspects of health. Emphasis is placed on health assessment as a systemic and organized examination that will provide accurate data on which to form valid nursing diagnoses and plan of care. Effective communication, assessment, and documentation will be practiced in the laboratory setting. The learner will demonstrate the techniques of physical assessment consisting of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

Credits

3

NURS 315 : Concepts of Health & Illness

Examines nursing concepts needed to provide care to diverse populations across the lifespan. Learners will explore various nursing theories, health promotion and their use with the nursing process. Explores the theoretical basis for assessing and managing basic human needs across the lifespan. Learners develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills required to promote health and manage illness.

Credits

3

NURS 320 : Fundamentals of Nursing

Explores nursing skills needed to provide safe, effective care to individuals experiencing health alterations across the lifespan utilizing the nursing process. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, therapeutic communication, and interventions that promote optimal patient outcomes. Ethical, legal, and professional standards are explored within the context of nursing practice. The nursing process will be used as a framework for problem solving, decision making, and organizing care of individuals. Guided lab and clinical experiences will provide students opportunities to acquire and practice appropriately leveled nursing skills.

Credits

5

NURS 321 : Intro to Profess Nursing Prac

Explores the history of nursing and issues and trends of modern nursing. Emphasis is placed on the legal, ethical, and professional standards of nursing practice. Explores the roles of the professional nurse as designer, coordinator, and provider of care.

Credits

2

NURS 323 : Nursing Research - Online

Examines the research process in the nursing discipline. Emphasis is placed on the contribution of research to the solution of problems in nursing. The learner will be able to define a clinical research problem through examination and critique of studies from nursing research and related disciplines. The use of evidence-based research in nursing is introduced.

Credits

3

NURS 325 : Adult Health

Prepares students to provide safe, holistic care for adult individuals with acute and chronic illnesses while applying concepts and principles from liberal arts, sciences, humanities, and the nursing discipline. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and health education. Clinical experiences provide an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in the performance of competencies that promote optimal patient outcomes.

Credits

7

NURS 326 : Nurs of the Childbearing Fam

Prepares students to provide care utilizing the nursing process for families during the childbearing phase of the life cycle which includes preconception, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and neonatal periods. Examines physiological, psychological, socio-cultural and developmental aspects of nursing care for the client. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and health education. Clinical experiences provide students the opportunity to develop skills in caring for individuals and families that promote optimal patient outcomes.

Credits

5

NURS 327 : Interdis Health Care Ethics

Examines ethical principles as they apply to issues in the healthcare environment. Emphasis is placed on contemporary topics such as ethical issues in research and the electronic health record as well as historical ethical issues such as confidentiality and dying.  The impact of healthcare policy and multicultural, socio-economic, political, legal, and regulatory factors on healthcare systems is explored. Students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to identify and analyze ethical dilemmas and to construct well-reasoned responses to such dilemmas.

Credits

2

NURS 329 : Nursing Issues

Examines contemporary issues and trends within the nursing discipline. Learners utilize critical thinking in the analysis and presentation of issues affecting nursing and health care in a global society. Legal, ethical, political, economic, and social issues are explored in a historical context to provide the student with perspective on the role of professional nursing in contemporary society. Online course.

Credits

3

NURS 400 : Elective Clinical Nursing

The Clinical Nursing Elective course is a structured educational summer program designed to provide nursing students with an opportunity to improve their nursing skills in the clinical setting, while providing them with summer employment. Weekly educational sessions are designed specifically for the nurse externs. Nurse externs work within an agency to gain experience providing nursing care and services to patients. Nurse externs will work the assigned schedule as stipulated by the agency. The duties and responsibilities of the student nurse fall under the scope of practice for unlicensed health care providers within the agency providing the externship.

Credits

3

NURS 403 : Nursing Research

Examines the research process in the nursing discipline. Emphasis is placed on the contribution of research to the solution of problems in nursing. The learner will be able to define a clinical research problem through examination and critique of studies from nursing research and related disciplines. The use of evidence-based research in nursing is introduced.

Credits

2

NURS 406 : Senior Practicum

Clinical experience which includes theory and practice opportunities, prepares students for transition to work within selected area of focus.

Credits

4

NURS 412 : Nursing Infants and Children

Prepares students to provide safe, holistic care for infants, children, and families. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical judgment, decision-making, and health education. Clinical experiences provide an opportunity to apply nursing theory and concepts when implementing interventions to achieve optimal health for infants, children, and families.

Credits

5

NURS 413 : Cult Cong Care-Clin Hlth Prof

Explores the influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors on health care. Emphasis is placed on the Culturally Competent Model of Care in the delivery of care to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Cultural concepts, theories and models, cultural assessment, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice appropriate for developing knowledge are examined. Learners analyze cultural factors that facilitate/hinder communication.

Credits

3

NURS 419 : Death, Grief & Bereavement

Examines the multifaceted nature of dying, grief and the grieving process. Emphasis is placed on assisting the individual and family in coping during death, dying and grieving across the lifespan. Included is a discussion of strategies for self-care during dying and grief interventions. Online course.

Credits

3

NURS 421 : Psychiatric Mental Health Nurs

Implements the nursing process with individuals, families, and groups in the mental health setting. Clinical experiences provide the opportunity to apply theory and develop skills in the management of individuals, families, and groups to promote mental health. Emphasis is placed on achieving optimum mental health outcomes through collaboration with other health and social disciplines, community groups, and consumers.

Credits

5

NURS 431 : Health Policy & Econ

Develop an understanding and appreciation of the policy-making process and its impact on nursing practice, health care delivery and health care finance. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of major economic, historical, social, legal, political and ethical influences on policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Focus will be on critical analysis of and participating in health policy and politics that drive the health care delivery system of the United States.

Credits

2

NURS 435 : Critical Care Elective

Explores complex health care issues among critically ill medical-surgical patients. Emphasis is on assessment, management, and evaluation of outcomes of complex pathophysiologic concepts. Learners will utilize Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies in their clinical decision-making. Clinical experiences will promote optimal client outcomes highlighting critical care knowledge.

Credits

3

NURS 436 : Community Health Nursing

Prepares students to integrate the nursing process in care of individuals, families, groups, aggregates and populations in various community settings. Emphasis is on promoting optimal health outcomes through collaboration with inter-professional teams and community groups.

Credits

3

NURS 437 : Comm/Mental Hlth Nurs

Explores concepts of community and mental health nursing. Will provide theory and clinical opportunities to integrate the nursing process in developing population-specific care in community and mental health settings. Emphasis is on promoting optimal health outcome through partnerships with inter-professional teams and community groups. Online course.

Credits

5

NURS 438 : Nursing Leadership

Explores role development as a designer, coordinator, and manager in the health care delivery systems. Concepts and theories of leadership management, organization change, decision making, finance, politics, and human resource management are examined. Leadership and management roles and strategies are analyzed in relation to a changing health care system. Emphasis is placed on the application of concepts and theories in a variety of settings. Online course.

Credits

3

NURS 440 : Nursing Synthesis

Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam post-graduation. Include a comprehensive review of the nursing curriculum. Provides customized test preparation plan based on their prior assessment performance. On-line computerized resources, coaches, and mentors are provided to assist with development and completion of a customized preparation plan.

Credits

3