Department of Nursing

Undergraduate Curricula

The faculty in Nursing believes that its overall contribution to the university's commitment to students and to society is through preparing its graduates for a career in professional nursing. 

Departmental Programs

Course Offerings

          NURSING

091       BRIDGE I        (3)

Prerequisite:  Consent of the department.

            Corequisite:     CSU 090

This course is designed to improve the success of students entering the professional nursing sequence.  An adult learning model will be used with a focus on the development of critical thinking skills that are necessary in making critical judgments and in problem solving.

092       BRIDGE II       (3)

            Prerequisite:  Completion of all sophomore level courses.

This course must be taken by any student who earns a grade of D or F in a nursing course or who fails an end-of-course and/or end-of-level examination at the sophomore level.  Will provide opportunities to re-visit course content on an individualized basis in order to promote critical thinking and application to simulated nurse-patient situations.

093       BRIDGE III      (3)

            Prerequisite:  Completion of all junior level courses.

This course must be taken by any student who earns a grade of D or F in a nursing course or who fails an end-of-course and/or end-of-level examination at the junior or senior level. Will provide opportunities to re-visit course content on an individualized basis in order to promote critical thinking and application to simulated nurse-patient situations.

095       ENRICHMENT            (1)

            Prerequisite:    Admission into the nursing program.

The focus of this course is to enhance student learning throughout the nursing program to meet level competencies.  Course is taken for five semesters beginning spring semester sophomore level.

203       INTRODUCTION TO NURSING (3)

            Prerequisite:    Admission to the nursing program.

            Corequisite:     NURS 095, 274, 295.

This course provides the foundation necessary for the professional practice of nursing with an emphasis on the nursing process and critical thinking.  The following concepts will be considered:  client advocacy, documentation, ethics, health care systems, history, legal implications, nursing theories, and professional nursing roles. 

206            NURSING PROCESS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF

PHARMACOLOGIC AGENTS (3)

            Prerequisite: Mathematics requirement and consent of the department.

This course is an introduction to basic pharmacology.  Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills in the administration of pharmacologic agents.

240       PSYCHOSOCIAL CONCEPTS (2)

            Prerequisite:    NURS 203, 206, 274, 295.

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 290, 301; PSYC 357.

This course introduces students to the interactive nature of the nurse-client relationship with a major emphasis on the development of therapeutic communication skills, therapeutic use of self, and identification of coping/defense mechanisms.  Students begin to develop skills in conducting a culturally sensitive mental health assessment and applying theory based therapeutic nursing interventions to commonly seen client care situations related to anger/hostility, anxiety, depression, and alterations in self concept.  The impact of the family, group, and community on clients across the life cycle is also explored.  A primary focus is on primary and secondary prevention.

250       HEALTH CARE ETHICS (3)

            Prerequisite:  Consent of the health sciences program coordinator/department of nursing.

Health ethics is designed to facilitate exploration of ethical theory as a framework for professional judgment and decision making.  Ethical theory will be applied in examination of ethical dilemmas frequently encountered in the health professions.  Credit not given for both NURS 250 and H SC 250.

274       NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (4)

Prerequisite: Admission into the nursing program/consent of the department.

Corequisite: NURS 095, 203, 295. (No corequisite for RN students.)

This course focuses on the altered physiological and pathologic aspect of human disease across the life span, stimulating critical thinking in the process of integrating elements of pathophysiology and nursing in the management of illness and health promotion.

275       INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL NURSING FOR LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES (LPNs) (3)

            Prerequisites:  Admission into the nursing program.

            This course is designed to introduce the learner to the philosophy and conceptual framework of the professional nursing program at Chicago State University.  Concepts germane to current health care trends will be explored as they relate to the role of the professional nurse.  Broad concepts such as health promotion, communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, critical thinking, and teaching-learning will be examined.  A variety of teaching-learning strategies will be utilized.

280       SPIRITUAL CARE (3)

Prerequisite:  NURS 203, 240, 274, 290, 295, 301; or consent of the department. 

This course will focus on the dimensions of spiritual nursing care to persons throughout the life span along the health illness continuum. 

290       FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (7) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /12/

Prerequisite:    NURS 203, 206, 274, 295.

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 240, 301; PSYC 357.

This course provides students with the opportunity to practice nursing skills, integrate health assessment techniques, and use critical thinking in the laboratory and selected community settings.  Students will be introduced to the process of decision-making as it relates to application of the nursing process.       

295       HEALTH PROMOTION (3)

            Prerequisite:    Admission into the nursing program.

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 203, 274.

This course will provide an overview of health promotion and illness prevention across the life span.  The role of the professional nurse as it relates to the nursing process for health promotion of individuals, families, and communities will be emphasized.  The following concepts will be explored in relation to various age groups and populations:  alternative health strategies, environment, health, exercise, nutrition counseling, screening, and wellness.

301       HEALTH ASSESSMENT (3) LECTURE AND LABORATORY /5/

            Prerequisite:  NURS 203, 206, 274, 295. (RN student: NURS 274.)

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 240, 290. (RN student: NURS 343, 344.)

The nursing process and the role of the professional nurse are examined through the life cycle in relation to health assessment.  The focus is placed on selected methods of inquiry and investigation in gathering necessary physiological, psychological, cultural, and spiritual data.  Students are required to perform a complete health assessment.

310       HIV IN PEOPLE OF COLOR (3)

            Prerequisite: Consent of health sciences program coordinator/department of nursing.

This is a survey course looking at the impact of HIV on minority populations. This course will examine psychosocial issues, access to treatment, demographics and economic issues. Special populations such as teenagers, elders and pregnant women will also be examined. Credit not given for both H SC 310 and NURS 310.

340       ADULT HEALTH NURSING I (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 240, 290, 301.

            Corequisites:     NURS 095, 368, 376.

This course will provide students opportunities to apply medical/surgical nursing concepts and skills to young trough middle-aged adult clients using the nursing process and critical thinking skills.  Emphasis will be placed on the promotion and maintenance of physiological and psychosocial integrity and prevention of illness in a variety of community-based health care settings.

342       MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 349, 365, 367.

            Corequisites:     NURS 095, 377, 382, 383.

This course is designed to assist students with providing secondary and tertiary care to individuals and groups of clients with mental disorders in acute and community health care settings.  The course also covers critical thinking, the nursing process, communication, group theory, culture, and takes a life span approach.  Current research and public policy issues are also considered.

343       PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE RN STUDENT(3)

            Prerequisites:  For RN students only. NURS 274, 301 and consent of the

department.

This course requires the RN student to develop a portfolio and build on skills necessary to be successful in a baccalaureate degree program.  This course fosters professional socialization by exploring professional goals.

344            HEALTH PROMOTION FOR REGISTERED NURSES (3)

Prerequisites:  For RN students only. NURS 274, 301, 343 and consent of the department.

This course will focus on individuals, families, and community wellness.  It will also focus on identifying and implementing nursing strategies for health promotion.

349       NURSING LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT THEORY (2)

            Prerequisite:    NURS 368, 340, 376 or equivalent. (RN studenst: NURS 344.)

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 365, 367 or equivalent. (RN students: NURS 361, 382.)

Utilization of the nursing process, principles of management, leadership, organizational structure, and change in mobilizing resources to accomplish optimum health care delivery to clients (individuals, families, groups, communities) at any point along the health-illness continuum throughout the life cycle.

361            TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL NURSING (4)

Prerequisite: For RN students only. NURS 274, 301, 343, 344.

Corequisites: NURS 349 and 382.

This course introduces the RN student to professional nursing, the philosophy, and conceptual framework of Chicago State University.  Concepts, theories, and issues in professional education and practice are examined, building on previous knowledge from the humanities, sciences, and nursing.  Nursing theory and concepts including the nursing process, teaching-learning, managed care, alternative health modalities, disease prevention, health promotion, research, ethics, and personal values are examined in relation to the current health care environment.

365       ADULT HEALTH NURSING II (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite     NURS 340, 368, 376

Corequisites:   NURS 095, 349, 367.

This course will provide students opportunities to learn and apply complex medical/surgical nursing concepts and skills to middle-aged through older adults.  The students will use the nursing process and critical thinking in the maintenance and restoration of physiological integrity of middle-aged through older clients.  Emphasis will be placed on the care of clients with acute, chronic, and rehabilitative health care needs in a variety of community-based health care settings.

367            NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 340, 368, 376

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 349, 365.

This course will focus on using the nursing process in the care of well, acutely ill, and chronically ill infants, children, and adolescents.  Clinical experiences in clinics, emergency rooms, in-patient units, and other community-based facilities will be designed to promote and maintain wellness in pediatric clients.

368       CLINICAL INQUIRY (3)

            Prerequisite:    NURS 203, 206, 240, 274, 290, 295, 301; PSYC 357.

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 340, 376.

This course provides the student with the skills and knowledge that will promote the development of a nursing research consumer.  The student is given the opportunity to become familiar with various methods of scientific inquiry such as steps of the research process, methods of critiquing research, and ways of critically evaluating research findings and applying the results to nursing practice in a variety of settings.

369       SPECIAL TOPICS IN NURSING        (1-3)

            Prerequisite: Senior standing in the department.

            Selected topics of current interest in the field of nursing.

370       HOLISTIC NURSING II          (8) /16/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 360, 368

            Corequsites:    NURS 095, 349 and 375

This course emphasizes the pathophysiological process of clients along the life cycle with complex health needs.  The nursing management of these clients across the life cycle is emphasized with a focus on using the nursing process, caring and a holistic approach to health maintenance and health restoration needs of clients in a variety of settings.  Emphasis will be on the varying social, cultural, ethical, psychological, and spiritual crises which influence coping.  (Last semester offered Fall 2002.)

371            CLINICAL NURSING I (5) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /9/

Prerequisite: For RN students only. NURS 274, 301, 343, 344, 349, 361, and 382.

Corequisite: NURS 368 and 373.

This course focuses on the care of clients along the life cycle experiencing chronic and complex health problems in a variety of settings.

373            COMMUNITY SERVICE DEVELOPMENT (4)

Prerequisites:  For RN students only.

Corequisite: NURS 368 and 371.

Students will develop and implement a community-based health project.  Students will identify a population with a specific health need and implement and evaluate health promotion strategies to improve health related outcomes.

375       HEALTH POLICY      (3)

            Prerequisite:    Consent of the health sciences program coordinator/department of nursing.

Designed to introduce the student to the components and function of health care systems.  Emphasis on the U.S. health care system, but approaches to health care in other countries is discussed.  Critical examination of health care systems.  Attention given to the roles of health care professionals as they interact with health care systems.  Credit not given for both NURS 375 and H SC 375.

376            NURSING CARE OF THE DEVELOPING FAMILY (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 240, 290, 30.1

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 340, 368.

This course will provide the opportunity for holistic integration of major concepts and theories used in the care of developing/expanding families from diverse cultures.  It focuses on the application of the nursing process, critical thinking, and problem solving for families during childbirth through health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration.

377          COMMUNITY BASED CARE OF FAMILIES, GROUPS, AND POPULATIONS (6) LECTURE AND CLINICAL /11/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 349, 365, 36.7

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 342, 382, 383.

This course is designed to engage students in applying concepts from nursing and public health in the area of populations and communities.  Students will use core public health functions in developing collaborative partnerships with health care professionals, institutions, local governments, and community organizations.  Students are expected to apply the nursing process using leadership, scientific methods, critical thinking, and public health concepts in the care of populations and communities.

379            NCLEX PREPARATION (1) LECTURE AND LABORATORY /3/

Prerequisite: NURS 370.

Corequisite: NURS 095, 369, 383.

 Preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse.  Includes content review, test-taking strategies, and personal preparation. (Last semester offered Spring 2003.)

380       HOLISTIC NURSING III         (8) LECTURE AND LABORATORY /16/       

            Prerequisite: NURS 349, 370.

            Corequisite: NURS 095, 369, 379, 383.

This course consists of a community health nursing experience where the concept of holistic care and caring is applied to the community as client.  Students are introduced to the application of the nursing process together with public/community health concepts, scientific methods, and critical thinking to the care of the community as client.  The independent study part of the course allows the student to choose and implement a professional nursing role (advocate, educator, care provider, leader, researcher).  This role may be implemented in a variety of settings as determined by the student in consultation with the instructor.  (Last semester offered Spring 2003.)

381            CLINICAL NURSING II (5)

Prerequisites: For RN students only. NURS 371.

Corequisite: NURS 369 and 383.

The concept of holistic care and caring is applied to the community as client.  Students are introduced to the application of the nursing process together with public/community health concepts, scientific methods, and critical thinking to the care of the community as client.

382       NURSING LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT CLINICAL (2) /FIELD 16 HOURS PER WEEK FOR SIX WEEKS/

            Prerequisite:    NURS 349, 365, 367. (RN students: NURS 344.)

            Corequisites:   NURS 095, 342, 377, 383. (RN students: NURS 349 and 361.)

This course will provide students with opportunities to practice basic leadership and management principles.  Students will learn to apply skills that support basic concepts and theories needed for effective management of client care.  Students will develop beginning skills in providing care for a group of clients, managing the health care environment, managing resources for care, and supervising other care-givers while operating effectively within a changing political health care organizations.

383            NURSING SEMINAR (1)

Prerequisite: Senior standing in the department.

Corerequisite: NURS 095, 342, 382. (RN students: 369, 381.)

This course allows students the opportunity to explore issues and trends in nursing research, education, and practice in a rapidly changing health care system and society.

399       INDEPENDENT STUDY AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS          (1-3)

            Prerequisite:    Senior standing and consent of the department.

Designed for independent research and study of special nursing/health problems.  (May be repeated for maximum of six credit hours under different topics.)