Nursing Course Descriptions
Nursing courses
Scroll down to read descriptions of the nursing courses offered at Carthage, or click on these links for additional resources:
Pathophysiologic Concepts for Nursing Practice
NSG 2010 / 4 credits: Didactic
This course will present the students with the necessary background needed to understand mechanisms of disease processes, their risks and common complications, resulting signs and symptoms, and their implications for nursing practice. A conceptual approach will be used to present commonly occurring diseases/disease processes across the lifespan. Genetic and genomic implications are integrated. Principles of microbiology are integrated within the course to provide students with a basis for modes of infection, infectious processes, and infection control. Emphasis is placed on correlating disease processes with signs and symptoms, as well as with diagnostic data, and how this information is applied in the delivery of nursing care.
Prerequisites: BIO 1110, CHM 1010, CHM 1020, BIO 2010, and BIO 2020
Fundamental Core Concepts for Nursing Practice
NSG 2015 / 3 credits Didactic, 1 credit Clinical/Lab
Didactic This course introduces students to the process of conceptual thinking in nursing. Professional and disciplinary concepts are presented upon which students will build a knowledge base for practice. Emphasis will be placed on understanding nursing as a profession and a scientific discipline. Fundamental abilities in communication and providing basic nursing care are presented. This course includes a clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: Admission to the nursing program and BIO 2020
Advanced Core Concepts for Nursing Practice
NSG 2016 / 3 credits Didactic, 1 credit Clinical/Lab
Didactic This course builds on the content of Fundamental Core Concepts by expanding upon and integrating advanced nursing concepts into the planning and provision of patient care. Clinical reasoning and health assessment are emphasized as students build and utilize a conceptual framework from which to practice. Dosage calculation and medication administration are introduced.
Prerequisites: NSG 2010 and NSG 2015
Applied Statistics for Health and Human Services (MTH)
EXSS 2330 / 4 credits
This course presents a practical approach to utilizing statistics in situations encountered in the Health and Human Services professions. Fundamental statistical theories and concepts are presented to help students understand the rationale and purpose of using statistical computations. Basic parametric statistical analyses, as well as the mathematical logic behind these calculations, will be presented. Students will learn how to perform hypothesis testing with normal distributions and also learn to interpret and critically evaluate research outcomes. This knowledge will allow students to be evidence-based practitioners and critical consumers of peer-reviewed research.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and accepted Nursing majors or declared Exercise and Sport Science or Allied Health majors.
Principles of Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing Practice
NSG 3010 / 4 credits
This course presents fundamental concepts of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. The course focuses on the basic drug classifications and concepts and principles of pharmacology with special consideration for the nursing role in developing a comprehensive approach to the clinical application of drug therapy through the use of the nursing process. Nursing implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy are examined. Dosage calculation competency is evaluated.
Prerequisites: NSG 2010 and NSG 2015
Nursing Practice I: Improving Adult Health Outcomes
NSG 3012 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses to enable the learner to develop strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care in adults with common health care patterns. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge to improve adult health outcomes. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of sophomore-level nursing courses
Nursing Practice II: Improving Children’s Health Outcomes
NSG 3014 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses to enable the learner to develop strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care in children with common healthcare needs. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge to improve children’s health outcomes. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of sophomore-level nursing courses
Assuring Quality and Safety in Health Care Settings
NSG 3015 / 4 credits
This course uses the Quality and Safety Education Network for Nurses (QSEN) as a framework for exploring quality and safety issues in health care. The nurse’s role in assessing and improving quality at the point of care is emphasized. Models of quality improvement are introduced, and strategies for applying these models to improve health care outcomes is explored.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: SWK 2330 or EXSS 2330
Nursing Practice III: Improving Mental Health Outcomes
NSG 3020 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses to enable the learner to develop strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care for individuals with common mental health needs. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge to improve health outcomes in mental health. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of sophomore-level nursing courses
Nursing Practice IV: Improving Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes
NSG 3022 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses to enable the learner to develop strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care for mothers, newborns, and families with common maternal-child health needs. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge to improve maternal-child health outcomes. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of sophomore-level nursing courses
Clinical Scholarship: Applying Evidence to Improve Health Outcomes
NSG 3024 / 4 credits
This course introduces the learner to the methods for developing and applying nursing knowledge through the research process and data synthesis. Evaluating the relevance of research and the process of applying evidence in practice are emphasized.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: SWK 2330 or EXSS 2330
Nursing Practice V: Improving Health Outcomes of Populations
NSG 4020 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses, and presents strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care in groups, aggregates, communities, and populations. Health promotion and disease prevention are emphasized. The ecological model is used as the organizing framework for this course. The nurse’s role in promoting healthy communities and improving population health outcomes is explored. Diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge of human health patterns. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of junior-level nursing courses
Nursing Practice VI: Improving Health Outcomes in Complex Situations
NSG 4022 / 4 credits: 3 Didactic, 1 Clinical
This course builds upon and deepens conceptual knowledge learned in previous courses, and presents strategies for planning and evaluating nursing care in complex health care situations across the lifespan and the continuum of care. The nurse’s role in the coordination of care is emphasized. Diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment are emphasized to assist the learner in integrating and applying knowledge, and improving health outcomes in individuals with complex nursing and health care needs. Application of the concepts learned in the course occurs within the context of the clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of junior-level nursing courses
Leading Systems of Care to Improve Health Outcomes
NSG 4024 / 4 credits
Conceptual foundations of leadership theory are presented. The nurse’s role as leader and collaborator of health care teams is emphasized. The processes of change, delegation, supervision, and system improvement are explored as fundamental characteristics of nursing leadership.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of junior-level nursing courses
Advanced Clinical Synthesis and Capstone
NSG 4026 / 4 credits
Equates to 105 clinical hours. This course provides the learner with an opportunity to synthesize conceptual knowledge gained in the program and begin the transition from student to professional nurse. Students will have the opportunity to explore an area of practice that suits their professional goals. The course culminates in the development and presentation of a capstone project (i.e., research or quality improvement project) that aligns with the student’s area of clinical interest.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of junior-level nursing courses