Courses in Nursing will not be available after spring semester 2003.

Students wishing to major in nursing will be admitted to the College under the usual admission procedures. Freshmen are required to satisfactorily complete ENGL 106 or 107, BIO 110-111 and PSY 110. In addition, to be considered for continuation in nursing, a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required at completion of the freshman year, and any student who did not successfully complete high school chemistry must satisfactorily complete one semester of college chemistry. A declaration of major form should be submitted to the Department of Nursing by April 30 of the Freshman year.

The major in nursing consists of: NURS 120, 121, 200, 221, 324, 330, 331, 332, 333, 337, 338, 339, 340, 424; 432 and 433, or 435; 438, 439, 440, 441, and 442. Statistics also is required. Courses are ordered and must be taken in sequence. In addition, the following are prerequisites for specific nursing courses: BIO 110, 111, 323, 328; PSY 110. NURS 339 and 340 are taken the May Term between the junior and senior years.

The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the writing intensive requirement: NURS 121, 432 together with 433, and 435.

The Department of Nursing offers a unique opportunity for individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree in another discipline to complete the requirements for a B.S.N. in 18 months. Students interested in pursuing this FasTrack program must complete the liberal arts and general science requirements prior to beginning this 18 month clinical track.

Applications are accepted throughout the academic year with clinical nursing courses beginning in Summer Session I. Individualized advisement is available on an ongoing basis through the Department of Nursing.

The Department of Nursing, in collaboration with the Department of Education, offers an additional curriculum for the Registered Nurse with a B.S.N. (or a Lycoming College nursing student) who wishes to be certified as a school nurse. The goal of this program is to provide the RN with a B.S.N. an opportunity for career mobility. Courses required for completion of the certification program consist of EDUC 200, an approved education-related elective, PSY 138, and NURS 422, 423, 424, 430, and 431. In addition, the following are prerequisites for specific courses: PSY 110 and 117.

Additional information for registered nurses seeking School Nurse Certification is available from the Department of Nursing. Individualized advising is offered to all prospective School Nurse Candidates.

In addition to the College’s modern, well-equipped Nursing Skills Lab complete with Critical Care Unit and interactive video technology, opportunity for self-learning is provided in the adjacent Learning Center which is equipped with electronic study carrels and audio-visual materials.

A wide variety of health-care agencies in the surrounding area is utilized for clinical experiences. Cooperating hospitals and agencies include: Susquehanna Health Services, Evangelical Hospital, Geisinger Medical Center, Leader Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Danville State Hospital, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Regional Home Health Services, Rose View Manor, and The Williamsport Home.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to assigned clinical areas. The student of nursing assumes all financial obligations listed in the section on fees in this bulletin including a $50 lab fee for each of the clinical nursing courses (NURS 200, 221, 330, 331, 332, 333, 340, 438, 439, 440, and 441). Additional expenses include uniforms, name pin, watch with second hand, bandage scissors, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, annual health examinations, and standardized achievement tests.

Students must also maintain annual Health Provider CPR certification as offered by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

In addition to the Lycoming College continuance policies, the following policies are specific to all declared majors in the Department of Nursing:

1. A grade of C- or better is required in all clinical nursing courses to continue in the nursing program. These courses are NURS 200, 221, 330, 331, 332, 333, 340, 438, 439, 440, and 441. Students who earn a grade of less than 70 percent or 1.67 in either the theoretical or clinical component of a nursing course will be required to repeat both components of the course before being permitted to continue in the nursing sequence. Students who do not satisfy this requirement in the second attempt will be dismissed from the nursing program.

2. Policies regarding absence from classes or from the clinical portion of nursing courses are determined by the instructor(s) responsible for the course. No absence from the clinical portion of the course will be excused other than for illness or family emergency. In individual cases, students may make arrangements with instructors to be excused for extracurricular activities.

Excessive absence for any reason will necessitate repeating the entire course.

The Nursing Scholars Program is a departmental honors program designed to recognize and support continued development of the academically talented student. Students who are invited to membership in this program participate in special nursing seminars, have internships and/or independent study experiences and give formal presentations during the senior year.

a. Declared a major in nursing.

b. Participated in three activities sponsored by the Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE).

c. Demonstrated academic excellence with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher.

d. Demonstrated those qualities most conducive to a positive and contributing member of the nursing profession including professional commitment and community service.

a. Complete an approved internship, practicum and/or independent study or honors project;

b. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 and a nursing GPA of 3.25.

c. Continue to participate in CNE sponsored activities.

d. Continue to develop those attributes necessary for professional success, including a commitment to the profession and community service.

Students with a major in nursing and who are currently Lycoming College Scholars may become Nursing Scholars and participate in both programs.

TOPICS IN HEALTH

NURSING SEMINAR I

Designed for the pre-nursing student. Focus is on career opportunities available to nurses, roles and responsibilities of nurses, educational requirements, and history of nursing. Emphasis is also placed on survival skills for college and for the nursing major. The grade will be P/F. Non-credit course. One hour per week. This course is required of all pre-nursing students.

NURSING SEMINAR II

Continuation of Nursing Seminar I. Focus is on the development of professional writing skills pertinent to nursing, professional behaviors, and portfolio development. The grade will be P/F. Non-credit course. One hour per week. This course is required of all pre-nursing students.

HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Primary focus on wellness which includes normal growth and development, health promotion and essentials of normal nutrition. Introductory therapeutic communication and teaching/learning skills are explored. Application of theory to individuals, families and communities occurs during clinical experiences in the community setting. One hour of lecture and 3 1/2 hours of clinical lab. 1/2 unit of credit. Prerequitisites: BIO 110, 111 and GPA of 2.50 or higher at the completion of the Freshman year. Corequisite: BIO 323 or 338.

Introduction of major theoretical elements underlying professional practice. Focus on common health problems and basic rehabilitation principles while recognizing the multi-directional influence of the individual, family and environment. The student will utilize the nursing process in assisting clients to attain a maximum level of functioning. Two hours of lecture and seven hours of clinical laboratory. 1 unit of credit. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111; Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 323 or 338. Open to nursing majors only.

PERSPECTIVES ON PROFESSIONAL NURSING

This course introduces the student to the historical and political development of the profession of nursing. The foundations of professional nursing practice are discussed with a critical view on nursing theory, professionalism in nursing, and career development. Meets 2 hours weekly for 1/2 unit of credit. Open to RNs only.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT

NURSING CARE OF THE ADULT

Identification of adult health care needs and implementation of nursing activities based on an understanding of growth and development, pathophysiology, communication skills, inter-personal dynamics, and psychosocial interventions. Three hours of lecture, 7 hours clinical laboratory. 1 1/4 units each. Prerequisite for NURS 332: NURS 221, Corequisites: NURS 324, 330, and 337. Prerequisites for NURS 333: NURS 330, 332, and 337. Corequisites: NURS 331, 338, and 424.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS I and II

Fundamentals of pharmacology and therapeutics are presented for the various classes of drugs. Relationships of pharmacological mechanisms to the affected biochemical and physiological processes. Interactions and toxicological aspects of drug therapy are reviewed. Two hours of lecture for 1/2 unit of credit each. Corequisites for NURS 337: NURS 324, 330, and 332, or consent of instructor. Corequisites for NURS 338: NURS 331, 333, and 424, or consent of instructor. Open to non- nursing majors with appropriate science back-ground, corequisites waived for non-majors.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

The study of physiologic mechanisms altered by illness, injury or disease processes in humans. Fundamental disease processes, specific illnesses, and their effects on human homeostasis will be discussed. The links between pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions will be emphasized. One-half unit of credit. Prerequisites: NURS 331, 333, 338, or consent of instructor. Open to non-majors by consent of instructor.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM

HEALTH EDUCATION

Examination of learning theories appropriate to all age groups. Discussion of the concepts and techniques necessary for assessment, plan-ning, implementation, and evaluation of the teaching/learning process. Emphasis will be placed on self care. Two hour lecture for 1/2 unit of credit. Required for school nurse candidates. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

HEALTH EDUCATION CLINICAL

Clinical practice includes teaching experience in the public school system. This practice results in a culmination of the theoretical con-tent contained in NURS 422. Five hour clinical laboratory for 1/2 unit of cedit. Required for School Nurse Candidates. Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Identification and demonstration of advanced assessment techniques with an emphasis on abnormal findings. Learning experiences are provided to develop a systematic approach to physical assessment.  Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the correlation of assessment findings and major health deviations. Meets two hours weekly for 1/2 unit of credit. Corequisites: NURS 331 and 333, or consent of instructor.

A clinical laboratory that allows additional practice for the student enrolled in NURS 424. Five hours clinical laboratory for 1/2 unit of credit. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

SCHOOL NURSE PRACTICUM

Essentials of school health, school nursing, and health promotion. These concepts serve as a basis for the development of an understanding of the role of the school with the opportunity to function in the role of the school nurse. It is a course built on the culmination of know- ledge obtained in previous nursing courses and nursing experiences. 210 hours clinical and seminar. Prerequisite: OPEN TO SCHOOL NURSE CANDIDATES who have met all other requirements for certification and have obtained departmental approval. Must have a valid Pennsylvania RN license.

NURSING RESEARCH I

NURSING RESEARCH II

Implementation of the research process. Proposals submitted in NURS 432 will provide the basis for data collection, analysis and reporting of research findings. Continued development of critical analysis skills. Two hours of lecture for 1/2 unit of credit. Prerequisite: NURS 432 or consent of instructor. Not open to students who have completed NURS 435. Open to non-nursing majors with consent of instructor.

RESEARCH IN NURSING

Expansion of theoretical basis of research methodology with emphasis on analyzing, criticizing, and interpreting nursing research. Development and implementation of a research proposal focusing on a nursing problem. Four hours of lecture. 1 unit. Prerequisites: statistics, NURS 331 and 333, or consent of instructor. Open to non-nursing majors.

HIGH ACUITY NURSING

NURSING CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Overview of the role of the community health nurse in a variety of community and mental health venues. Discussion of the history and future of community health nursing including attributes of practice. Health and wellness promotion; health teaching; economic political, legal and ethical influences; environmental issues; epidemiology; communicable disease and vulnerable populations (including the psychiatric or mental health client) will be addressed. Focus is on the application and integration of health and wellness concepts. Three hours lecture and 7 hours clinical laboratory. 1 1/4 units. Prerequisites: NURS 440, 438, or consent of instructor.

NURSING CARE OF THE EMOTIONALLY TROUBLED INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY

Examination of disturbed human relationships with focus on intrapsychic, interpersonal, and physiologic etiology. Emphasis on advanced therapeutic nurse-patient relationships within the context of family, community, and health care systems. Three hours of lecture and 7 hours clinical laboratory. 1 unit. Prerequisites: NURS 331, 333, 339, and 340.

COMPREHENSIVE NURSING CARE

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

An analysis of nursing issues in the context of the historical background of the profession, the social forces which influence nursing, and nursing’s impact upon society. Two-hour seminar. 1/2 unit of credit. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

TOPICS IN NURSING

Selected topic courses in nursing designed to permit students to pursue subjects which, because of their specialized nature, may not be offered on a regular basis. 1/2 unit of credit. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

INTERNSHIP (See index)

INDEPENDENT STUDY IN NURSING

An opportunity to develop and implement an individual plan of study under faculty guidance.

INDEPENDENT STUDIES FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)