Framingham State College 2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog: Nursing


Chair: Susan L. Conrad Professor: Susan L. Conrad Associate Professors: Sandra I. Austin, Stephen M. Bolio The program, accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, offers a bachelor of science with a major in Nursing for registered nurses who already have an associate degree or a diploma in Nursing. Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. The curriculum provides a broad educational base in the humanities and in the natural and social sciences. The program encourages self-directed learning, critical thinking, independent action and professional awareness. The goal is preparation of nurses who are able to function as generalists in a variety of health-care settings. Each course has a practice learning experience that is on campus or in nearby community settings. The course of study provides a base for graduate work in education, research, clinical specialization or administration. The curriculum is organized around the concept of prevention as a means of attaining wellness. The goal of prevention: 1. Primary prevention - to prevent the initiation of illness through the reduction of risk factors and the promotion of wellness. 2. Secondary prevention - to arrest the development of illness through early detection of illness and the promotion of wellness. 3. Tertiary prevention - to minimize the consequences of illness and disability through the promotion of wellness. Program Objectives: 1. Utilize nursing theory and research in making decisions on nursing practice in relation to the three levels of preventive health nursing care. 2. Utilize nursing process as a means of decision- making for refining and extending practice. 3. Synthesize the theoretical and empirical knowledge from the natural and behavioral sciences and the humanities with nursing theory in preventive health care. 4. Provide nursing activities of education, motivation, advocacy, and assistance to the person in relation to health. 5. Demonstrate accountability for decision-making related to professional nursing. 6. Evaluate research for applicability of its findings to nursing theory and practice. 7. Demonstrate leadership skills through interaction with others as a professional nurse. 8. Collaborate with colleagues and others on the inter- disciplinary health team. 9. Participate in resolving community and societal health needs through nursing activities. 10. Utilize current electronic technology/computer to enhance nursing practice. Applicants must meet the following requirements for admissions: 1. Application to the College. 2. Official transcripts from basic nursing programs and all colleges and/or universities attended. 3. Evidence of current Registered Nurse licensure in Massachusetts. (May apply during basic nursing program, but must be licensed prior to taking nurs- ing courses.) 4. Evidence of current professional liability insurance prior to taking nursing courses. Transfer credit evaluations are made by the Registrar's Office. Registered Nurses can receive credit for non-nursing college courses successfully completed at other institutions of higher learning. Students may also receive credit through the challenge examination process [National League for Nursing and College Level Examination Program (NLN and CLEP)]. The policies for acceptable challenge exams and scores are determined by the department offering the courses. The acceptable NLN challenge exams are: anatomy and physiology, and microbiology. The General Education Requirement All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of eleven (11) courses outside of the major department (see page 34). The General Education Goal 7 (Life Science) and laboratory requirements are satisfied through the completion of the Nursing major. Course Prerequisites Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements. NURSING MAJOR Prerequisites to the Upper Division Nursing Major To meet the requirements of the Nursing Program, the College will accept in transfer the following courses (subject to College transfer policy): Two college-level laboratory courses in anatomy and physiology Chemistry (laboratory course) Microbiology (laboratory course) Introduction to Statistics General Psychology Sociology Human Development Lower Division Nursing Knowledge A. Seven (7) course credits earned by graduating from a program accredited by the NLN Accrediting Commission. Specific articulation agreements exist with the following Massachusetts programs: Becker College Berkshire Community College Bristol Community College Bunker Hill Community College Cape Cod Community College Greenfield Community College Holyoke Community College Laboure College Mass Bay Community College Massasoit Community College Mt. Wachusett Community College Middlesex Community College North Shore Community College Quincy College Quinsigamond Community College Roxbury Community College Springfield Tech. Community College or B. For graduates of non-NLN accredited programs: Five (5) course credits earned by passing the National League for Nursing Accelerated Challenge Examination II (ACE II) with a decision score of 90. Two (2) course credits earned by passing the Clinical Competency Exam at 70%. The National League for Nursing Accelerated Challenge Examination II (ACE II) and the Clinical Competency Exam can be repeated no more than twice. UPPER DIVISION NURSING MAJOR (NUR) The upper division Nursing major may be completed in as few as three semesters: 54.310 Professional Nursing Perspectives 54.325 Nursing Informatics 54.330 Primary Prevention in the Community 54.340 Nursing Care of the Family 54.420 Nursing Theory 54.430 Secondary Prevention 54.440 Introduction to Nursing Research 54.460 Nursing Leadership 54.470 Tertiary Prevention As mandated by the Massachusetts General Laws 444 of the Acts of 1996, a criminal offender record information (CORI) check will be performed on students who will have clinical experience in community and home settings. Performance Standards 1. A quality point average (QPA) of 2.0 in nursing courses is required for continuance in the program. 2. A grade of at least C- is required in nursing courses. 3. When a grade of D or of E is received in a nursing course the course may be repeated only once. 4. Failure to meet these standards will result in dismissal from the program. 5. Any student on academic probation cannot be admitted to 54.440 Introduction to Nursing Research; 54.460 Nursing Leadership; 54.470 Tertiary Prevention. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 54.310 Professional Nursing Perspectives An overview of the Nursing Department's philosophy, conceptual framework, and objectives. Philosophical, historical, ethical, economic, and legal aspects of nursing practice are examined. Contemporary and future goals of the nursing profession in relation to education, practice and research, as well as the health care delivery system are investigated. In the practice learning environment component students explore professional nursing activities and the course concepts. Prerequisite: Must be an R.N. 54.325 Nursing Informatics A Web-enhanced course that introduces the student to the role of nursing informatics in identifying, collecting, processing, and managing information that uniquely impacts nursing practice. The practice learning environment component emphasizes the development of proficiency in the use of the computer as a critical thinking and decision-making tool. Prerequisite: Nursing majors only. 54.330 Primary Prevention in the Community An exploration of community values, beliefs, standards, and practices as they relate to health. The concept of primary prevention is applied through the nursing activities of education, motivation, advocacy, and assistance. A community-based practice learning environment component with a focus on prevention is included. Prerequisite: Completion of the prerequisites to the upper division except for Introduction to Statistics. 54.340 Nursing Care of the Family An evaluation of the family in relation to General Systems Theory and an exploration of the influence of stress and self-actualization on the family's development and health. The practice learning environment component consists of nursing activities which enable the family to progress towards wellness. Prerequisites: 54.310 Professional Nursing Perspectives, 54.325 Nursing Informatics, and 54.330 Primary Prevention in the Community. 54.420 Nursing Theory A description of the scientific process of theory development. Current nursing theories, including those of Neuman, Orem, Rogers, Roy, and Watson, are analyzed and applied in the practice learning environment component of the course. Prerequisites: 54.310 Professional Nursing Perspectives, 54.325 Nursing Informatics, and 54.330 Primary Prevention in the Community. 54.430 Secondary Prevention An overview of the utilization of functional health pattern nursing assessment to identify health at the secondary level of prevention in order to arrest the development of illness and promote wellness. The practice learning environment component enables the student to deliver nursing care through the use of the nursing process. Prerequisites: 54.310 Professional Nursing Perspectives, 54.325 Nursing Informatics, and 54.330 Primary Prevention in the Community. 54.440 Introduction to Nursing Research An introduction to the research process and the evaluation of nursing research. The practice learning environment activities are organized around the identification and exploration of specific nursing problems. Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics, 54.340 Nursing Care of the Family, 54.420 Nursing Theory, and 54.430 Secondary Prevention. 54.460 Nursing Leadership A presentation of theories of leadership and management and their applications to nursing. Central concepts included are: communication theory, teaching-learning theory, the nurse's role in delegation of responsibility, evaluation of nursing care, and effecting change. The practice learning environment component enables the student to apply the principles of nursing practice. Prerequisites: 54.340 Nursing Care of the Family, 54.420 Nursing Theory, and 54.430 Secondary Prevention. 54.470 Tertiary Prevention An examination of the role of health-related behaviors in chronic illness or disability. Aspects of habilitation and rehabilitation are explored throughout the person's life. The practice learning environment component enables the student to apply nursing theory to the care of individuals and families in order to minimize the negative consequences of illness or disability. Prerequisites: 54.340 Nursing Care of the Family, 54.420 Nursing Theory, and 54.430 Secondary Prevention.
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