Nursing (B.S.N.)

Major and Degree Offered

• Nursing (B.S.N.)

Special Study Opportunities

The nursing profession endeavors to assist the individual person, family, group, and the community to attain the best health status possible in a complex, changing world. Toward this goal the profession is committed to continually refine and expand the science of nursing and the skills of its practitioners. The bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) program is designed for the registered nurse who wishes to advance his or her knowledge in nursing, the sciences, and the liberal arts. The program helps the registered nurse develop analytic and communication skills for professional excellence.

The B.S.N. curriculum focuses on holistic health promotion for the individual student, the profession, the individual client, the family, groups, and the community. There is a strong emphasis on the nurse's personal development, the needs and future of the profession, and the broad, accountable nursing role that is needed and expected by today's health care consumer. The program prepares the registered nurse for generalist nursing practice. The faculty strives to create a dynamic, interactive learning environment. A variety of faculty members, student experiences, and learning environments is used to meet program and individual student goals. The B.S.N. program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555.

Full-time and part-time evening study is available. B.S.N. courses are offered in Kansas City and St. Louis throughout the calendar year in eight-week sessions. A student can complete the program requirements in two and one-half years on a part-time basis.

B.S.N. Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should:

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills by integrating knowledge from a broad base of disciplines.
• Be able to apply theory and research based knowledge in professional nursing practice.
• Be able to utilize assessment frameworks and the nursing process in health promotion and health education for individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• Be able to apply ethical principles that reflect professional nursing values in the provision of holistic care.
• Be able to apply knowledge of the effects of cultural, societal, and environmental factors on health.
• Demonstrate effective communication.
• Be able to evaluate research findings for professional practice.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and service to the nursing profession.

Special Requirements

Prior to application to the program, all R.N. applicants must have a preplanning academic advising interview with B.S.N. program personnel. Students are expected to have demonstrated a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 on prior college coursework for admission to the B.S.N. program. The student must also hold current licensure as a registered nurse in Missouri or, for new graduates, a scheduled NCLEX exam within three months of beginning the program. Nursing courses (NURS) completed with a grade lower than C- do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Nursing (B.S.N)

Degree Requirements

• 91 required credit hours
• 12 general education credit hours
• 25 elective credit hours

The 91 required credit hours consist of 33 credit hours in upper division nursing coursework, 9 credit hours in required support courses, 17 credit hours in designated prerequisite courses, and 32 credit hours of lower-division nursing coursework.

Students seeking the B.S.N. degree are required to meet four of the nine general educational goals of Webster University. B.S.N. students are required to take at least 30 credit hours at Webster University.

Required Courses

• NURS 3010 Concepts of Professional Nursing                       3 hours
• NURS 3020 Holistic Health Assessment                                  4 hours
• NURS 3400 Health Education in Nursing Practice                  4 hours
• NURS 3410 Family Health Promotion                                      4 hours
• NURS 3420 Group Process in Nursing Practice                       4 hours
• NURS 4230 Introduction to Nursing Research                        3 hours
• NURS 4240 Nursing Leadership and Management                 4 hours
• NURS 4250 Community Health Nursing                                   5 hours
• NURS elective                                                                               2-3 hours
• BIOL 4210 or 4220 Advanced Physiology I or II                   3 hours
• ANSO 2750/PSYC 2750 Introduction to
  Measurement and Statistics                                                      3 hours
• COAP 3030 Computer Applications in Nursing                     3 hours

Prerequisite Courses

All registered nurse (R.N.) applicants must successfully establish college credit hours in the following prerequisite courses:

• English                                                                                               3 hours
• General Psychology                                                                        3 hours
• General Sociology                                                                           3 hours
• Microbiology                                                                                   3 hours
• Anatomy and Physiology                                                              5 hours

Nursing Course Listings

NURS 3010 Concepts of Professional Nursing (3)

Integrates the student into Webster University and baccalaureate education. Aspects of professional practice provide the framework for this course.   Critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills are strengthened.

NURS 3020 Holistic Health Assessment (4)

Focuses on the holistic approach to health assessment, combining data from a health history based on functional health patterns, subjective findings from the review of systems, and objective findings from physical examination. Prerequisite: NURS 3010.

NURS 3400 Health Education in Nursing Practice (4)

Focuses on theories and strategies relevant to health education throughout the lifespan. Emphasis is on the role of the nurse in the health teaching process. Students develop, implement, and evaluate a teaching plan for an individual based on assessment of their education needs. Prerequisites: NURS 3010 and NURS 3020.

NURS 3410 Family Health Promotion (4)

Focuses on characteristics of families. Family theories are explored.Students   examine variables that influence the health of families. Students conduct a family assessment, identify strengths and health concerns, and develop a plan for family health promotion activities. Prerequisites: NURS 3010 and NURS 3020.

NURS 3420 Group Process in Nursing Practice (4)

Focuses on examining characteristics and principles of small group communication. The systems approach to looking at groups as interactive bodies is discussed. Emphasis is on the nurse's development of skills for effective functioning in and with groups. Students participate in a group health promotion project. Prerequisites: NURS 3010 and NURS 3020.

NURS 3500 Issues in Women's Health (3)

Presents an overview of society's impact on women's health with discussion of how the women's health movement has introduced alternatives to medical control.

NURS 3600 Topics in Nursing (1-3)

Elective course focusing on a specific area or issue in nursing. May be repeated if content differs.

NURS 4230 Introduction to Nursing Research (3)

Examines elements of the research process and the application of research to clinical practice. Current research studies are analyzed, critiqued, and evaluated for application to the clinical area. Students identify and discuss researchable nursing questions and review nursing research literature on a selected topic. Prerequisites: NURS 3400, NURS 3410, NURS 3420, and PSYC 2750.

NURS 4240 Nursing Leadership and Management (4)

Explores the theoretical basis of effective nursing management and leadership. Effective skills of nurse leaders/managers in practice settings are discussed and analyzed. Selected current issues and trends in management/leadership and nursing   are integrated into the course content. Participation in a leadership/management situation with a nurse mentor provides the opportunity for   students to analyze the application of leadership principles.   Prerequisites: NURS 3400, NURS 3410, and NURS 3420.

NURS 4250 Community Health Nursing (5)

Focuses on care of community as client. Emphasizes the role of the nurse in addressing the preventive health needs of populations at risk.nd Current public healht problems, epidemiology, trends In health care delivery, and community resources are examined. Students analyze the sociocultural, political, economic, ethical, and environmental factors that Influence community and global health.Prerequisites: NURS 3400, NURS 3410, and NURS 3420.

NURS 4340 Influencing Health Policy: Implications for Nursing Practice (2-3)

Examines the relationship of health policy and nursing practice. The legislative process at both the state and national levels is explored.

NURS 4350 Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice (2-3)

Examines ethical dilemmas encountered in nursing and explores the processes of ethical decision making and their application in clinical practice.

NURS 4370 Cultural Care Nursing (2-3)

Examines dimensions involved in care for people from diverse cultural backgrounds along with the traditional health beliefs and practices of selected populations.

NURS 4400 Case Studies in Nursing (2-3)

Presents students with the opportunity to explore cases in depth in selected areas of nursing practice. Engages students in gathering health and physical assessment data along with family and psychosocial information in preparation for case analysis. Prerequisites: NURS 3010 and NURS 3020.

NURS 4500 Nursing Case Management (2-3)

Explores the evolving role of case management in nursing practice today.

NURS 4600 Advanced Seminar in Nursing (2-3)

Elective course designed for in-depth study of a specific area or issue in nursing. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

NURS 4610 Advanced Readings in Nursing (1-3)

Individual student exploration of a specific area of interest in nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 3010, permission of the department chair, and filing of official form. May be repeated for credit if content differs.