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Nursing

Davina J. Gosnell (2006), Professor of Nursing and Nursing Program Director

Diploma in Nursing - Massillon City Hospital School of Nursing

B.S.N., University of Pittsburgh

M.S., Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Academic Interest: Health Policy, International Nursing, Pressure Ulcer Assessment & Prevention, Program Evaluation 

BSN Program

The nursing curriculum includes both a major in nursing and a minor in biomedical humanities which results in a distinct, academically rigorous program of study, with the goal of educating a new generation of professional nurses whose education is embedded in both the liberal arts and the discipline of nursing. Such an educational foundation prepares one to become a clinically competent, ethically grounded, socially and culturally responsible professional nurse who is prepared to think critically and participate as a leader in the delivery of health and nursing care.   In addition to didactic instruction in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and nursing, the program of study includes laboratory experiences, service learning and study abroad opportunities, as well as clinical practicum and role development experiences in a variety of health care settings including tertiary medical centers, community and specialty hospitals, long term care facilities, and ambulatory and community health agencies throughout Northeast Ohio.  Upon completion of the nursing curriculum, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and will be qualified to sit for the licensure examination (N-CLEX) to become a registered nurse.  

Hiram College has received approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing  and Ohio Board of Regents for the new nursing program with the first class admitted for Fall Semester, 2007.  

For further information about the BSN nursing program, including admission and progression policies, please refer to the nursing department website. 

Department web address:

http://home.hiram.edu/nursing/htm.  

BSN Curriculum Plan 

FIRST YEAR 

SECOND YEAR 

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

 *Courses for the Biomedical Humanities Minor (20 credits)

Total Program Credits: 131-132

Departmental Offerings 

101 Introduction to Professional Nursing I                                         1 hour 

The course focuses on nursing as a discipline and a profession.  An overview of the history and development of professional nursing is presented.  An introduction to the health care delivery system and the role of the nurse is provided. Issues, trends, and influences are examined. 

201 Professional Nursing II                                                               2 hours 

The focus of this course is on components essential in the process of practicing professional nursing including critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills, communication with particular emphasis on writing skills and scholarly methods of knowledge dissemination. Theoretical models of nursing will be examined. Prerequisite: NSG 101 

203 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice                                            3 hours 

This course is designed to provide the student with basic principles and concepts of pharmacology including pharmacotherapy, pharmacogenetics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the human body.  Content will be presented according to the major drug classifications and their impact. Drug actions and reactions, recommended dosages, and the basic principles of medication administration and related nursing care are addressed. Prerequisite: Must be admitted to the nursing sequence to enroll in this course.  

205 Nursing Informatics                                                                     2 hours 

This web-based course will introduce the student to practical computer application in nursing and health care.  A basic overview of information systems and the use by nurses of the technology and informatics in clinical, educational, and research situations is presented. 

210 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice                            3 hours 

This course introduces the student to fundamental knowledge and skills required to provide professional nursing care. The components of nursing practice are a major focus of the course as well as therapeutic communication and interpersonal relationship skills.  Basic tenets of patient care and comfort will be addressed and simulated-laboratory experience is an important component of the course. Prerequisite: Must be admitted to the nursing sequence to enroll in this course. 

220 Professional Clinical Nursing Practice                                        5 hours 

This course will introduce a student to the clinical practice of nursing in a patient care setting.  Application of the nursing process is a major focus of the course as well as the use of therapeutic communication and interpersonal relationship skills and the administration of mediations.Prerequisite: NSG 210; Math 110 

281 Independent Study in Nursing                                                1 – 4 hours

Idependently supervised investigation of relevant topics in nursing and health care.

301 Professional Nursing III                                                               2 hours

This course will deal with critical concepts and issues impacting nursing and health care delivery with particular focus on the role of the professional nurse as change agent.  Writing skills and scholarly methods of knowledge dissemination will be emphasized. Prerequisite: NSG 201 

302 Introduction to Nursing Research                                                2 hours

This introductory research course provides the basis for understanding the development and application of research in nursing.  The steps involved in planning and conducting nursing research will be presented as well as techniques for the critique of nursing research studies.  Influencing factors in the process and progress of nursing research will be discussed.  The evidence-based practice model will be used as the framework for relating clinical practice and research. Perquisite: Math 108 & Junior level standing  

303 Applied Nursing Research                                                            3 hours

In this second of two introductory research courses, the focus is on application of nursing research in the clinical setting.  Experience in critiquing various nursing research articles including systematic review of various levels of qualitative and quantitative studies will be provided. Research principles will be applied in an evidence-based nursing research project that includes identification and formulation of a nursing problem, completing systematic evidence review, analyzing the review, and making recommendations.  Students will identify and select nursing research articles which represent systematic reviews including both quantitative and qualitative studies. Prerequisite: NSG 302 

310 Adult Nursing                                                                                5 hours

This clinical course provides a student with the basic knowledge and skills required for the provision of nursing care and comfort for acute and chronically ill adults. The pathophysiology and resulting medical and surgical needs and care of the patient and their family are examined. Prerequisite: NSG 220 

320 Gerontological Nursing                                                                 4 hours

This clinical course will introduce the student to the foundations of gerontological nursing care.  Developmental aspects of aging, physiological and psycho-social issues, health promotion, health restoration, quality of life and end of life issues are addressed, as well as the complexity of conditions and care of the gerontological patient. Prerequisite: Junior level in the nursing sequence 

330 Pediatric Nursing                                                                          4 hours

This clinical course focuses on the health care of children with emphasis of family- centered health promotion, preventative, and restorative care from newborn through adolescence. Prerequisite: Junior level in the nursing sequence 

340 Obstetrical & Reproductive Nursing                                            4 hours 

This clinical course is designed to provide the student with knowledge and skills required for nursing care of the childbearing family and reproductive health with emphasis on health promotion. Prerequisite: Junior level in the nursing sequence 

381 Independent Study in Nursing                                               1 – 4 hours 

Independently supervised investigation of relevant topics in nursing and health care. 

401 Professional Nursing IV                                                                2 hours

This course focuses on role transition and preparation for the initial professional employment position as a registered nurse. The course includes analysis of the professional environment including influencing factors on the individual nurse and on nursing as a profession. Ethical, cultural, economic, legal, political, and global issues as they influence transition and role development are examined. Prerequisite: NSG 301 

410 Community Health Nursing                                                           4 hours

The focus of this clinical course is on the basic principles and practices of community health nursing with particular emphasis on promotion of health, prevention of illness, and empowerment of individuals, families, and communities to promote care of self and others. Prerequisite: Senior level in the nursing sequence 

420 Mental Health Nursing                                                                  4 hours

This clinical course will introduce the student to the theories and pathology of psychiatric illness, concepts of mental health, and therapeutic interventions.  Principles of prevention and therapeutic strategies for treatment and care are examined. Prerequisite: Senior level in the nursing sequence.  

430 Critical Care Nursing                                                                     4 hours

This clinical course is designed to introduce the student to nursing care of the high-acuity patient.  Course content will focus of physiological complexities, technological interventions, applications of the nursing process and the role of the nurse in the critical care setting. Prerequisite: Senior level in the nursing sequence. 

440 Principles of Leadership and Management in Nursing                 4 hours

The course is designed to introduce the student to the basic knowledge and skills required for effective leadership and management in clinical nursing practice. Prerequisite: Senior level in the nursing sequence. 

441 Role Transition in Nursing                                                            4 hours

This practicum course is designed to help the student synthesize the didactic and clinical knowledge, skills and behaviors of professional nursing practice. An applied clinical experience with an RN mentor in a selected area of nursing will provide the setting for this capstone experience in role development. Prerequisite: Senior level in the nursing sequence 

450 Global Nursing and Health Issues: Study Abroad                        4 hours

This course is designed to expose the student to a global perspective of health and nursing issues with opportunity for a health-related study abroad experience.  A domestically located experience with a global focus may be substituted for the study abroad only with permission of the instructor.   

481 Independent Research in Nursing                                            1-4 hours

Independently supervised inquiry of relevant topics in nursing and health care.

Additional Information