Nursing Degrees Online

The first year at Luther provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. All nursing majors are assigned a faculty adviser to help each student decide whether to pursue a nursing curriculum plan. All students interested in nursing are invited to participate in the nursing student club (PRN).

Clinical nursing courses begin in the fall of the sophomore year. Nursing courses at this level emphasize health assessment and fundamental skills throughout the life span in a variety of settings. These learning experiences develop new communication and interpersonal skills.

Third-year students experience a concentrated study of nursing concepts by caring for children and adults with physical and emotional problems. The sites for this clinical experience are Rochester Methodist Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, affiliates of the Mayo Clinic; the Federal Medical Center; and a variety of community-based health-care agencies in Rochester, Minn.

The senior year provides final preparation for entry into the practice of professional nursing. Courses focus on promoting health and preventing illness in childbearing families and in community groups. Students further develop leadership management and research skills through selected areas of nursing.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Hours for the Degree: 124
Minor: No
Combined-Degree Program: No
Website: www.nursing.ufl.edu

The junior/senior-level program is five semesters long and provides learning experiences in a variety of clinical settings, including community health agencies, clinics, hospitals and homes. Nursing courses include classroom and laboratory activities correlated with supervised clinical experiences. Students may be required to travel outside of Gainesville for selected clinical experiences.

Courses in the first two semesters focus on various states of wellness and illness, including experiences with adult clients in hospital and community settings. Courses in nursing care management, health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics and pathophysiology provide theoretical content for the application of the nursing process. Students have the opportunity to analyze a variety of issues in professional nursing practice and health care. Students are also introduced to the research process in nursing.

The senior-year courses focus on nursing in the areas of women’s health and childbearing, child health, mental health and family/community health. The conceptual courses for each area are accompanied by laboratory courses in a variety of clinical settings.

The final semester focuses on the nursing care management of complex health problems with clients across the life span. The practicum is the culminating laboratory experience in the program and provides opportunity for integration and synthesis of professional role behaviors. A course in the structure and finances of health care delivery systems supports the practicum.

In addition to the core nursing courses, four nurse practitioner specific courses focus on medical sciences, and one course focuses on the ethics and regulations governing nurse practitioner practice. Also required are two clinical practicum courses, and one internship course. On-site clinical laboratory instruction is required prior to the two practicum placements and the internship. Placements for all clinical experiences will be in northern communities. A final paper completes the degree.

Program Description
Degree Awarded: DNP Advanced Nursing Practice (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program may be completed for certification to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Graduate courses in application of theory to advanced practice, application of evidence to advanced practice, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment, advanced practice nursing role provide a foundation for this specialty. Nursing of children theory and clinical courses focus on the development of a framework for family centered, culturally appropriate, advanced nursing practice with children and families. Individual courses focus on well child maintenance as well as diagnosis, clinical decision making, and intervention strategies for children with common health problems.
Degree Requirements

The Association of Nursing for Critical Care (ANCC) has recommended a minimum of 1000 postbaccalaureate hours for all students completing a DNP. The College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation’s program allows post-baccalaureate entry students to complete 630 hours of supervised clinical in their chosen specialty before receiving their Master of Science degree. This will allow students to then meet the requirements for certification and licensure in their specialty. The additional 450 hours are completed after certification and licensure while practicing as an advance practice nurse and completing the final DNP courses. The culminating document needed for completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice is an evidence-based mentoring applied project. Each student will have a primary mentor and at least one committee member working with them on the project. Clinical practice residency hours will be used to carry out the project in a practice setting (work settings may be included, but speci
Admission Requirements

“Admission to graduate status in the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation is based upon meeting the following requirements:
1. an undergraduate junior or senior GPA equal to 3.00, or a cumulative GPA equal to 3.00 (4.00=A) or higher for any baccalaureate or graduate degree attained;
2. a baccalaureate degree in nursing (or another field) accredited by a nationally recognized and regionally accredited agency;
3. a current unencumbered license in the state where clinical practice will be concluded and/or an unencumbered Arizona license to practice as a registered nurse to enroll in nursing practicum courses;
4. satisfactory completion of only the analytical writing section of the Graduate Record Examination;
5. three professional recommendations from individuals knowledgeable about the applicant¿s academic and nursing leadership potential and one self-evaluation;
6. an interview with a representative of the specialty area;
7. eligibility for admission to the Graduate College;
8. completion of the TOEFL with a score of 550 or higher and of all requirements for the Commission on Foreign Graduate Nursing Schools (CFGNS) if considered an international student; and
9. completion of a baccalaureate-level health assessment course within the preceding three years (as may be required for some nurse practitioner concentrations).

This 15-credit certificate program is designed to equip baccalaureate prepared nurses for teaching positions in educational and service settings. The certificate provides nurses with essential knowledge and skills in teaching, program development, evaluation, clinical instruction and other aspects of the educational process in nursing. Courses focus on concepts of learning; teaching methods and concepts of teaching in nursing; multimedia, computer-assisted instruction and distance education; development of educational programs in nursing; evaluation; testing; and clinical teaching from a theoretical and research perspective.

Required Courses and Credits

Course Title
Credit Hours
NUR 6206 Technology for Nurse Educators
2
NUR 6220 Education Theories
2
NUR 6344 Practicum in Nursing Education
4
NUR 6401 Curriculum and Instruction
3
NUR 6445 Education Residency
4

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty prepares graduates for expanded roles in the provision of primary care to children and adolescents. The first-year experience includes theory and clinical practice in primary health care. Courses focus on health and developmental assessment, child development, interviewing, parent counseling, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of common child and adolescent problems. There is an emphasis, as well, on the development of requisite research skills fundamental to advanced practice. Each student, throughout the two years, provides primary health care for children in several clinical settings, including school-based health centers. In addition, students elect either a concentration in chronic illness care or a one-semester pediatric specialty rotation. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track curriculum is intended to prepare students to apply for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification through the Pediatric Nursing certification Board and the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.

Nursing

The goal of Luther’s nursing faculty is to prepare nurses to function autonomously and interdependently with individuals, families, groups, and communities to promote, maintain, and restore optimal health in a variety of health-care settings. The nursing major, therefore, offers an integrated program of liberal arts and 14 professional nursing courses. The program gives students a broad approach to nursing, providing a base for graduate study or immediate entry into the nursing profession.

Following graduation, Luther nursing students may take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

Luther College also offers a baccalaureate completion program for registered nurses. More information is available upon request.
Preparing for the Nursing Profession

The first year at Luther provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. All nursing majors are assigned a faculty adviser to help each student decide whether to pursue a nursing curriculum plan. All students interested in nursing are invited to participate in the nursing student club (PRN).

Clinical nursing courses begin in the fall of the sophomore year. Nursing courses at this level emphasize health assessment and fundamental skills throughout the life span in a variety of settings. These learning experiences develop new communication and interpersonal skills.

Third-year students experience a concentrated study of nursing concepts by caring for children and adults with physical and emotional problems. The sites for this clinical experience are Rochester Methodist Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, affiliates of the Mayo Clinic; the Federal Medical Center; and a variety of community-based health-care agencies in Rochester, Minn.

The senior year provides final preparation for entry into the practice of professional nursing. Courses focus on promoting health and preventing illness in childbearing families and in community groups. Students further develop leadership management and research skills through selected areas of nursing.
Guidelines for Progression in the Nursing Major
Satisfactory completion of an annual health examination.
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Luther College of 2.5.
No courses required for the major (nursing courses and correlative courses) have been repeated more than one time.
No more than two courses required for the major (nursing courses or correlative courses) have been repeated.
Satisfactory performance in all clinical experiences.
A grade of C is the minimum in any course required for the nursing major.

Minimum requirements must be met to be considered for enrollment in nursing courses. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee placement in the courses. Decisions affecting progression in the major will be made at the end of each semester

The Nursing Administration role prepares the graduate for leadership positions in a variety of health care areas, such as clinical leadership, educational leadership, nursing/health care administration, organizational development, public health care, military health care, and public policy. The curriculum uses diverse leadership and organizational theories as a foundation, and is designed to provide the participant with advanced problem-solving skills and application of theory to address today’s “real world” healthcare issues.

Specialty courses in the fall term focus on theories and assessment tools related to leadership, organizations, public policy, administration, and change technologies. The spring term courses focus on strategic planning, program development and financial management. The summer course sequence addresses program evaluation project management and strategies for implementing change. New models of leadership, management, and the role of the advanced practice nurse in assuring effective organizations are analyzed throughout the curriculum.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is awarded to students who successfully complete the management track in the College of Nursing. Dual degrees are offered for those nurses who desire to integrate knowledge and skills from nursing with business (MSN/MBA) or the public sector and public policy (MSN/MPA).

The Master of Science in Nursing/ Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Administration dual degree coursework is integrated and concurrent. The MSN/MBA is a minimum of 64 credits long, and the MSN/MPA is 60 credits hours: each can be completed full time in 6 semesters (3 full time years), or if part time, within 4 years.

In the MSN-MBA program the typical total credit hours needed to graduate are 64. Because of the possibility of varying combinations of student courses, the MSN could contribute 15-35 credit hours and the MBA contributes 39-45 credits toward final graduation. In the MSN-MPA program, the MSN contributes 21-30 credits, while the MPA contributes 36-39 credits. Elective choice is available in either of the dual degree programs.

In both dual degree programs, nursing courses focus on nursing research and theory, ethics, policy, organizational analysis, and health management practica. The management courses focus on the management of human and material resources, finances and accounting, statistics, program evaluation, strategic planning and operations, economics and marketing, as well as leadership theory and behavior, law, and the social impacts of management. Capstone courses aid the student in integration of the theory and practical application from coursework.

Faculty in the program bring perspectives grounded in clinical and management experience, informing their teaching and research in lively and interesting ways. Student advisors are drawn from faculty in nursing, business, and public administration. Because of careful positioning of courses, particularly in the dual degrees, students are encouraged to plan a course of study that meets individual career goals and schedules. Depending on nursing work experience, graduates are eligible for middle and upper-level management positions in health care organizations. Interested applicants may contact the College of Nursing for program plans, including part-time program plans.

The value and quality of Kent’s administrative programs in nursing are competitive with similar program in the country. The Kent State College of Nursing programs, combine academic quality with reasonable educational costs and a very accessible location. Kent’s graduates have taken leadership positions in top medical centers, hospitals, private and public agencies, and corporations.

The excellent reputation of the graduate nursing and management programs at Kent State University has served students well, allowing them to maximize their clinical competencies while gaining the competitive edge needed to become leaders in health care.

Bouvé’s nursing program provides the knowledge, skills, and professional values you will need for successful practice, and helps you understand the complexities of health and illness across the life span. Clinicals will help you hone your skills in this profession, as well.

Nursing students’ courses in basic sciences such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and nutrition explain how the body functions and the effects of health and disease. Behavioral sciences courses, including psychology, and sociology, extends the understanding of behavior. Arts and humanities courses show different perspectives and how to communicate effectively. Finally, the study of mathematics, statistics, and computers help students quantify and manage information.

Students are introduced to their first clinical experience as sophomores. As a middlers, students help restore health to children and adults who have been hospitalized with serious illnesses, who have had surgery, or who require high-tech medical interventions. Junior-level courses focus on the mental and public health needs of the community. At the senior level, students learn the skills of management and leadership, so that in their final nursing course, they can work one-on-one with an experienced nurse in the clinical setting of their choice.

By the time their senior year is completed, Bouvé nursing students will be ready to face the challenges and experience the satisfaction of an exciting career in professional nursing