Prospective Students
Scroll down to see the different courses the KU School of Nursing offers in its bachelor's program or if you know the course you are interested in, click the appropriate course number:
Level I: 301, 310, 321, 340, 341, 350
Level II: 302, 322, 325, 360, 361, 365, 366, 375, 376
Level III: 420, 421, 430, 431, 440, 450, 455, 460, 490
Electives
NURS 301 Techniques for Therapeutic Interventions I (1)
Skills necessary to perform fundamental techniques relating to therapeutic interventions are discussed and demonstrated. The emphasis is on drug calculation and psychomotor skills. Concepts of time management, prioritization of nursing care, team building, cost effectiveness and resource utilization are introduced through scenarios and demonstrations in a laboratory setting.
NURS 310 Information Technology for Health Professionals (1)
Beginning theory and practical applications of various uses and
results of computer technologies are explored in order to provide the basic skills and current infrastructure for information management in healthcare delivery. These concepts and skills are essential for curriculum related activities, as well as for providing therapeutic nursing interventions and communications with faculty, client systems, and other healthcare participants. Learners are encouraged to be cognizant of emerging legal and ethical issues related to electronic communications. Knowledge and skills presented in this course will be developed and expanded in future nursing courses.
NURS 321 Alterations in Physiological Functioning I (3)
Basic mechanisms underlying illness and disease are stressed as
a basis for the understanding of health promotion and disease prevention in this first of two sequential courses. Pathophysiological changes that occur within the internal environment of individuals in the presence of dysfunction or disease of selected systems are presented as a rationale for nursing diagnoses and therapeutic interventions. System variations across the life span are addressed.
NURS 340 Foundations of Nursing and Health Promotion(5)
Four concepts basic to the art and science of nursing (client systems, environment, health, and nursing) are introduced as a foundation for professional practice. The influence of nursing values and standards (ANA), client characteristics, and the evolving healthcare system on nursing practice are explored. Principles of nursing are integrated with concepts of health promotion to prepare the student to meet the fundamental health-related needs of individual and family client systems across the lifespan.
NURS 341 Foundations of Nursing and Health Promotion:
Clinical Laboratory (3)
The Four concepts basic to the art and science of nursing (client systems, environment, health and nursing) in providing care to healthy clients across the life span are demonstrated in a clinical laboratory setting. Care of families during the normal childbearing experience is an integral part of this course. Students develop beginning skill in applying the nursing process and planning care for healthy individuals and families.
NURS 350 Client Assessment (3)
Opportunities are provided in a laboratory setting to demonstrate cognitive and psychomotor competencies related to assessment of the individual client system across the life span. The emphasis is on physical examination and historical data collection. Developmental factors and environmental stressors that influence health status are explored. The four basic methods of physical examination (inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation) are presented.
NURS 302 Techniques for Therapeutic Interventions II (1)
Therapeutic interventions pertaining to care of the client experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health deficiencies are discussed and demonstrated. Case scenarios and demonstrations are used to apply the concepts of time management, prioritization of nursing care, delegation, team building, cost effectiveness and, resource utilization in a laboratory setting.
NURS 322 Alterations in Physiological Functioning II (2)
In this second sequential course, an understanding of pathophysiological changes that occur within the internal environment of the individual in the presence of dysfunction or disease of selected systems are provided as a rationale for nursing diagnoses and therapeutic interventions. The most common alterations in selected body systems are presented, with relevant risk factors and epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and clinical manifestations. System variations across the life span are discussed.
NURS 325 Pharmacology (3)
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug therapy are discussed in order to provide a basic understanding of the client's reaction to a drug both therapeutically and adversely, and to predict potential drug interactions. Internal and external environmental factors affecting drug therapy are assessed in order to provide a comprehensive data base for therapeutic nursing interventions. Specific prototypes of selected drug classifications provide the framework for understanding the action, use, side effects, and nursing implications of drugs. The nurse's role in drug administration, assessment of drug effects, and client system education are emphasized. Legal and ethical responsibilities for administering drugs are considered.
NURS 360 Mental Health Nursing (3)
Principles of communication as an intervention in developing therapeutic relationships with clients from varying age groups in psychiatric settings are discussed. Mental health concepts and selected theoretical frameworks are used to understand adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviors in response to alterations in psychological functioning. These theoretical frameworks, as well as designated diagnostic classification systems, are discussed in relation to the implementation of the nursing process. Students engage in critical thinking to examine the role of the nurse in psychiatric mental health nursing, exploring it in relation to health promotion, disease prevention, community resources, historical perspectives, and economic, legal and ethical issues.
NURS 361 Mental Health Nursing: Clinical Laboratory (2)
Theoretical concepts from NURS 360 and nursing therapeutics are applied in the care of clients who have alterations in psychological functioning. Acute care and community-based clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to participate in interdisciplinary team planning, interventions, and therapeutic group meetings.
NURS 365 Nursing of Adults (3)
Use of the nursing process in the care of adult clients in a variety of settings with acute and chronic illness is discussed. The role of the nurse in the use of clinical pathways to guide the interdisciplinary care of the client in the evolving healthcare environment is explored. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic nursing interventions that will successfully manipulate environmental factors to promote, maintain, and restore system balance and to prevent further system imbalance. Legal, ethical, economic and cultural considerations associated with the management of adults with acute and chronic illness are investigated.
NURS 366 Nursing of Adults: Clinical Laboratory (2)
Theoretical concepts from NURS 365 and the nursing process are applied in the care of adult clients with acute and chronic illness in a variety of acute care and community settings. The student demonstrates the role of the nurse in interdisciplinary care including clinical pathways. Selected cultural, legal, ethical, and economic principles pertinent to the clinical practicum are applied.
NURS 375 Nursing of Children (3)
Acute and chronic alterations in physiological and psychological functioning of the child and family are introduced. Emphasis is placed on changes within the internal and external environments which relate to the child's acute and chronic illness experience. Therapeutic nursing interventions are explored in the context of research findings, holistic perspectives and outcome measures as related to the dynamics of system balance, growth and development, health promotion, and client system values. The role of the nurse in an evolving healthcare system of managed care is examined. Holistic and caring approaches to human functioning are explored. Legal, ethical, cultural, economic, and social principles which affect decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration and outcomes of care are identified.
NURS 376 Nursing of Children: Clinical Laboratory (2)
Theoretical concepts from NURS 375 are applied in the care of children with acute and chronic health problems and their families. Researched-based nursing therapeutics, managed care, interdisciplinary collaboration and outcome measures
are emphasized in the care of children with acute and chronic health problems. Hospital, clinic, community and home based settings provide opportunities for holistic and caring approaches to children and families from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds.
NURS 420 Nursing of the Client with Complex Acute Needs (3)
The nursing process in the care of clients with complex acute alterations in physiological and psychological functioning is emphasized. Advanced theoretical concepts are applied in the selection of therapeutic nursing interventions that successfully manipulate complex environmental factors to restore system balance and prevent further system imbalance. Collaborative relationships essential to providing holistic quality care for client systems with complex acute needs are discussed. Differences in the use of advanced technological support across the lifespan are presented. Legal, ethical, cultural, and economic considerations associated with complex acute health problems are addressed.
NURS 421 Nursing of the Client with Complex Acute
Needs: Clinical Laboratory (1.5)
Theoretical concepts from NURS 420 are applied in a clinical laboratory setting. Critical thinking and the nursing process are used to provide therapeutic nursing interventions with client systems experiencing complex acute alterations in physiological and psychological functioning. Emphasis is on mastery of advanced assessment techniques and interdisciplinary communication. Opportunities are provided for application of the concepts for using technically advanced therapeutics which support physiological functioning and maintain hemodynamic stability.
NURS 430 Population Based Healthcare (2)
Concepts and theories related to providing healthcare to
complex systems and aggregates in the community, state, nation, and world are explored. Emphasis is placed on the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and wellness and the prevention of disease. Internal and external environmental components which include historical, political, social, cultural, and economic factors are presented. The role of the healthcare provider in identifying, prioritizing, and meeting the health needs of aggregates is discussed.
NURS 431 Population Based Healthcare: Clinical Laboratory (1.5)
Concepts and theories from NURS 430 are applied to the healthcare of aggregates in the community. Students are given opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the provision of healthcare for culturally diverse populations.
NURS 440 Leadership and Management in Nursing (3)
Nursing practice in an evolving healthcare system is addressed as well as the implications of a managed care environment on healthcare delivery. The role of the nurse as leader and manager of a healthcare team is examined using concepts and theories of organization, management, leadership, change, decision making, and group process. Findings of current research related to nursing management and leadership are discussed. Historical, political, economic, social, and cultural factors that affect healthcare delivery within an organization are considered.
NURS 450 Healthcare Issues and Professional Nursing Practice (2)
Selected theories, nursing history, and current issues and trends that influence professional nursing are critically explored. A professional practice model is used as a framework for analyses and integration of economic, political, social, and cultural issues as they relate to interdisciplinary healthcare.
NURS 455 Legal/Ethical Foundation for Professional Nursing Practice (3)
Legal and ethical issues related to nursing practice are discussed. Laws and ethical principles that guide professional nursing practice in the current healthcare delivery system are emphasized. Information on the law, legal system, malpractice, negligence, and standards of care is provided. Distinctions between legal and ethical bases for nursing actions are identified in order to provide guidance in the decision making process. Critical thinking is used to analyze the impact of personal, professional, societal, and client system values on ethical decision making.
NURS 460 Nursing Research (2)
The history of nursing research, terminology, and steps in the research process are explored. Research as a basis for evaluation of outcomes of health promotion and healthcare interventions including therapeutic nursing interventions is emphasized. Research questions relevant to clinical practice are identified. Interpretation of research for use in nursing practice is emphasized. The role of theory and ethical issues involved in the conduct of research is addressed.
NURS 490 Professional Practicum (5)
A preceptor model of learning professional nursing practice provides opportunities to synthesize and integrate previous learning experiences. Concepts of leadership and management, change, and therapeutic nursing interventions are integrated into practice. The focus is on individualized transition to the professional nursing role as an employee, recognizing the organizational, social, political, economic, ethical, and legal context in which interdisciplinary healthcare is delivered in a selected clinical setting.
Nursing Electives
There are numerous nursing electives. Please see the current University of Kansas Undergraduate Catalog for a complete listing with course descriptions.
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