Nursing (BS)

Summary

The Nursing BS is designed to prepare students to sit for licensure by examination as registered nurses (RNs). The degree offers a family-focused curriculum with diverse clinical sites and simulation experiences, preparing students for evidence-based nursing practice with a strong clinical and theoretical background. We focus on students becoming respected and valued members of the healthcare team working with diverse patient populations.

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

79

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Accreditation

CCNE

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

* Required General Education may differ according to the assigned catalog year. For accurate advising, students should work with the School of Nursing Advising Team and refer to the degree audit.

An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201

Goal Areas: GE-03

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 106 or high school chemistry

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Cultural aspects of interactions between people and their environment focusing on spatial patterns of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, industrialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on the processes that create the cultural landscape and on management of land and natural resources.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Designed for non-teacher education students, this is a general education course considering human development from a life span perspective.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Focuses on core concepts of the nursing profession. Students will learn about caring, role of courage in nursing, cooperation and collaboration in groups and caring for self and others in the larger community. APA style in formal writing is required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Provides an introduction to the profession of nursing and explores relationship-based care in healthcare. Provides an overview of concepts related to establishing caring and healing environments, developing therapeutic and professional relationships, and the inter-relationship of care for self, team, and patient.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Prerequisites to the Major

* Prerequisites to the Major may differ according to the assigned catalog year. For accurate advising, students should work with the School of Nursing Advising Team and refer to the degree audit.

Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: none

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

The science of six nutrient classes, including digestion through metabolism and excretion, sources, functions, deficiencies and excess symptoms. The course covers the foundational knowledge and application of nutrition knowledge to clinical care, including weight control and common chronic conditions requiring nutrition therapy.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

A holistic perspective of pathophysiologic processes and their impact on body systems and overall human functioning. Focuses on the risk factors, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of physiologic disease processes in humans. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 282.

Prerequisites: Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.

Focuses on the basic drug classification, concepts and principles of pharmacology with application of drug therapy. Implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy are examined. Dosage calculations are evaluated for competency. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 284.

Prerequisites: Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.

Major Common Core

Introduces concepts fundamental to professional nursing: roles of professional nurse and interprofessional team members, regulatory guidelines, standards of practice, therapeutic communication, and cultural sensitivity. Theoretical perspectives on professional nursing and the concepts of persons, health and environment are introduced.

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on health promotion and prevention and early detection of alterations in physiological integrity. Leading US and global health issues are discussed, along with clinical implications of those prevalent diseases.

Prerequisites: none

Critical inquiry into the nursing care of family and society in the context of diverse cultures. Explores concepts related to family and society as clients, the family and societal health experience, and nursing strategies to foster family and societal care.

Prerequisites: none

A focus on assessment of the healthy family and the relationship of health assessment to prevention and early detection of disease, incorporating the processes of interviewing, history-taking, and physical assessment. A laboratory component integrating nursing skills and procedures is included.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to fundamental theories and frameworks pertaining to scientific inquiry, development of nursing knowledge, evidence-based and informed practice, and research utilization in nursing practice.

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on nursing management of acute alterations in physiological integrity and meeting needs of patients with commonly occurring acute health disorders. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of clients with acute needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 284, NURS 330, NURS 333, NURS 334, NURS 336

Focuses on the critical inquiry of the physiological and psychosocial changes occurring with families during the childbearing/childrearing transition period. Includes didactic and experiential learning designed to promote family centered nursing care and improved family health outcomes.

Prerequisites: NURS 333, NURS 334, NURS 335, NURS 336

Focus on identification, implementation, and evaluation of patient/family quality and safety measures. Includes quality movement history and evolution, current quality of care issues, research and innovations, intervention strategies, and instruments; with an analysis of health care quality management system models.

Prerequisites: none

Think critically about the roles and responsibilities of the community oriented nurse in the context of disease prevention, health promotion, protection, maintenance, restoration, and surveillance of diverse populations. Examine foundational pillars of assurance, assessment and policy development to support population focused nursing care across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on nursing management of chronic alterations in physiological integrity and meeting needs of patients with commonly occurring chronic health disorders. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of patients with chronic and rehabilitation needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on the critical inquiry of families' health and illness experiences. Includes didactic and experiential learning designed to promote family centered nursing care during transitions within child, teenage, adult and older adult family transitions.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on mental health and psychosocial concepts and the responsibility of nursing in promoting and maintaining psychosocial integrity of individuals. Application of therapeutic communication and caring relationships through evidenced based nursing actions and treatment of common clinical conditions.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366, PSYC 101

Focuses on nursing leadership and management skills, organizational structure, care processes; health policy and regulatory processes, quality improvement; and patient/family and consumer advocacy.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

Focuses on nursing management of complex, multi-system alterations in physiologic integrity. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of patients with complex, multi-system disorder needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

An examination of family dynamics and the nursing role focused on advanced family therapeutic communication, facilitation or family care meetings to make informed health care decisions. Examines system issues concerning health care delivery to decision maker within healthcare organizations.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

Focuses on experiential learning that integrates nursing science in preparing graduates for baccalaureate-generalist nursing practice. Family nursing science is evident in the coordination and provision of care.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436, NURS 463, NURS 464, NURS 465

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Cultural aspects of interactions between people and their environment focusing on spatial patterns of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, industrialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on the processes that create the cultural landscape and on management of land and natural resources.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: none

Required General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Focuses on core concepts of the nursing profession. Students will learn about caring, role of courage in nursing, cooperation and collaboration in groups and caring for self and others in the larger community. APA style in formal writing is required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 106 or high school chemistry

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Required General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 17 Credits

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Designed for non-teacher education students, this is a general education course considering human development from a life span perspective.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

The science of six nutrient classes, including digestion through metabolism and excretion, sources, functions, deficiencies and excess symptoms. The course covers the foundational knowledge and application of nutrition knowledge to clinical care, including weight control and common chronic conditions requiring nutrition therapy.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

Required General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201

Goal Areas: GE-03

A holistic perspective of pathophysiologic processes and their impact on body systems and overall human functioning. Focuses on the risk factors, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of physiologic disease processes in humans. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 282.

Prerequisites: Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.

Focuses on the basic drug classification, concepts and principles of pharmacology with application of drug therapy. Implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy are examined. Dosage calculations are evaluated for competency. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 284.

Prerequisites: Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.

Provides an introduction to the profession of nursing and explores relationship-based care in healthcare. Provides an overview of concepts related to establishing caring and healing environments, developing therapeutic and professional relationships, and the inter-relationship of care for self, team, and patient.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Required General Education Course * 3 credits

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Introduces concepts fundamental to professional nursing: roles of professional nurse and interprofessional team members, regulatory guidelines, standards of practice, therapeutic communication, and cultural sensitivity. Theoretical perspectives on professional nursing and the concepts of persons, health and environment are introduced.

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on health promotion and prevention and early detection of alterations in physiological integrity. Leading US and global health issues are discussed, along with clinical implications of those prevalent diseases.

Prerequisites: none

Critical inquiry into the nursing care of family and society in the context of diverse cultures. Explores concepts related to family and society as clients, the family and societal health experience, and nursing strategies to foster family and societal care.

Prerequisites: none

A focus on assessment of the healthy family and the relationship of health assessment to prevention and early detection of disease, incorporating the processes of interviewing, history-taking, and physical assessment. A laboratory component integrating nursing skills and procedures is included.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 16 Credits

Introduction to fundamental theories and frameworks pertaining to scientific inquiry, development of nursing knowledge, evidence-based and informed practice, and research utilization in nursing practice.

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on nursing management of acute alterations in physiological integrity and meeting needs of patients with commonly occurring acute health disorders. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of clients with acute needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 284, NURS 330, NURS 333, NURS 334, NURS 336

Focuses on the critical inquiry of the physiological and psychosocial changes occurring with families during the childbearing/childrearing transition period. Includes didactic and experiential learning designed to promote family centered nursing care and improved family health outcomes.

Prerequisites: NURS 333, NURS 334, NURS 335, NURS 336

Focus on identification, implementation, and evaluation of patient/family quality and safety measures. Includes quality movement history and evolution, current quality of care issues, research and innovations, intervention strategies, and instruments; with an analysis of health care quality management system models.

Prerequisites: none

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Think critically about the roles and responsibilities of the community oriented nurse in the context of disease prevention, health promotion, protection, maintenance, restoration, and surveillance of diverse populations. Examine foundational pillars of assurance, assessment and policy development to support population focused nursing care across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on nursing management of chronic alterations in physiological integrity and meeting needs of patients with commonly occurring chronic health disorders. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of patients with chronic and rehabilitation needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on the critical inquiry of families' health and illness experiences. Includes didactic and experiential learning designed to promote family centered nursing care during transitions within child, teenage, adult and older adult family transitions.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366

Focuses on mental health and psychosocial concepts and the responsibility of nursing in promoting and maintaining psychosocial integrity of individuals. Application of therapeutic communication and caring relationships through evidenced based nursing actions and treatment of common clinical conditions.

Prerequisites: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 365, NURS 366, PSYC 101

Spring - 13 Credits

Focuses on nursing leadership and management skills, organizational structure, care processes; health policy and regulatory processes, quality improvement; and patient/family and consumer advocacy.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

Focuses on nursing management of complex, multi-system alterations in physiologic integrity. This course is designed to assist students in the theoretical and practical application of the nursing process to meet the healthcare needs of patients with complex, multi-system disorder needs.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

An examination of family dynamics and the nursing role focused on advanced family therapeutic communication, facilitation or family care meetings to make informed health care decisions. Examines system issues concerning health care delivery to decision maker within healthcare organizations.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436

Focuses on experiential learning that integrates nursing science in preparing graduates for baccalaureate-generalist nursing practice. Family nursing science is evident in the coordination and provision of care.

Prerequisites: NURS 433, NURS 434, NURS 435, NURS 436, NURS 463, NURS 464, NURS 465