Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Nursing
Purpose
The Nursing Department at Meredith College is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of compassionate, competent, and socially responsible nurses. The purpose of the Nursing Department is to oc. Graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse and be prepared to practice across a variety of settings and organizations.
Philosophy
At Meredith College, the Nursing Department is guided by a philosophy rooted in excellence, compassion, and innovation. Our philosophy reflects our commitment to preparing nursing professionals who are not only highly skilled clinicians but also ethical leaders, advocates for health equity, and lifelong learners dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and improving patient outcomes.
Commitment to Excellence:
We believe in upholding the highest standards of excellence in nursing education, practice, and scholarship. Our faculty are dedicated to providing a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that integrates evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, and skills to prepare students for the dynamic and complex healthcare environment.
Nursing, Patient, Environment, and Health:
Our philosophy acknowledges the interconnectedness of nursing, the patient, the environment, and health. We understand that nursing care is not limited to the individual patient but extends to the broader context in which health is situated. Nurses play a vital role in promoting health and well-being by considering the physical, social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. By recognizing the dynamic interplay between the patient, their environment, and their health status, we prepare our students to provide holistic, evidence-based care that addresses the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Culture of Compassion:
Central to our philosophy is the belief that nursing is inherently a compassionate, caring, and humanistic profession. We emphasize the importance of empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity in our interactions with patients, families, and communities. Through clinical experiences and community-engaged learning, we cultivate a deep understanding of the holistic needs of individuals and a commitment to providing care that respects the dignity and autonomy of every individual, family, and community.
Promoting Health Equity:
We recognize the vital impact of social determinants on health and the existing disparities in health outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations. As advocates for health equity, we empower students to address systemic barriers to health and promote social justice. Through education, research, and community engagement, we aim to reduce health inequities and improve access to quality healthcare for all individuals, regardless of identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, rurality or other factors.
Embracing Technology and Innovation:
In an evolving healthcare landscape, we embrace innovation and technological advancements that enhance patient care and nursing practice. We encourage our students to be adaptable and open-minded, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to leverage emerging technologies, evidence-based interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize health outcomes and improve healthcare delivery.
Nurturing of Leadership and Scholarship:
We are committed to nurturing the development of nurse leaders who will shape the future of healthcare. Through mentorship, professional development, and engagement in scholarly inquiry, we empower our students to become advocates for change, innovators in practice, and leaders in their communities. We instill in them a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of excellence in nursing.
Program Outcomes
- Integrate evidence-based knowledge from nursing, theories, and concepts from liberal education, including the humanities and behavioral, mathematical, natural, and physical sciences into the practice of professional nursing.
- Incorporate critical thinking skills in autonomous decision-making and effective therapeutic communication in the application of the nursing process with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Practice professional nursing competently in the roles of advocate, clinician, coordinator/collaborator, educator, leader, and consumer of research in a variety of healthcare settings to promote quality improvement and patient safety.
- Facilitate therapeutic, caring, and interprofessional collaborative relationships with clients and members of interdisciplinary health teams through effective interpersonal, oral, written, and emerging technology and communication strategies.
- Integrate knowledge of leadership/management/administrative and information technology skills and health care policies in providing direct and indirect care to clients.
- Provide comprehensive, culturally competent client-centered care to promote, restore, and maintain the maximum health potential of individuals, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan while promoting health care literacy.
- Assume accountability and responsibility for personal and professional growth through commitment to participation in servant leader activities, continuous self-evaluation, and lifelong learning.
- Incorporate professional values, professional standards, and ethical, moral, and legal aspects of health care into nursing practice to promote advocacy, collaboration, and social justice.
- Incorporate knowledge and transformational leadership skills related to system management into personal responsiveness to the healthcare needs of the region, the state, the nation, and the global society.
Degrees and Certificates
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Nursing,
Courses
NUR-200: Professional Nursing: Past, Present, Future
(Gen Ed: HIS) Students will examine foundations and contemporary issues of professional nursing practice through review of the scientific literature of nursing and will explore critical abilities and roles for the baccalaureate nurse in the management of quality, patient care. This course introduces students to the rich heritage of nursing and issues currently facing the nursing profession. Students will be challenged to envision how nurses can shape the future of the discipline and the future of health care. The multiple roles assumed by nurses are explored, and students begin establishing their professional identities as caregivers, scholars and leaders.
Required Corequisites
Students applying for BSN program in the same semester.
NUR-210: Foundations for Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan
Foundations for Nursing Practice introduces students to the fundamental
principles, values, and skills that serve as the cornerstone of nursing care. This
course provides an essential foundation for students embarking on their nursing
journey, equipping them with the knowledge and competencies needed to excel in
the dynamic healthcare landscape. Through a blend of theoretical instruction,
skills labs, and supervised clinical experiences, students will develop a
comprehensive understanding of nursing roles, ethical standards, communication
techniques, and foundational clinical skills.
Required Prerequisites
Must be admitted to BSN program
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-220: Health Assessment for the Nursing Professional
This course addresses concepts and methods of comprehensive health assessment for evaluation of clients’ health status from a holistic perspective. Emphasis on analyzing nursing assessment findings, physical examination techniques, setting priorities, and developing a plan of care that promotes or restores health. Student application occurs through participating in on-campus intensive activities including practice in simulations, online modules, and small group case discussions to produce a clear plan of patient care.
Required Prerequisites
Open only to BSN students.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-300: Nursing Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I
This theory course builds on basic knowledge of pathophysiology to enhance
nursing management of health, wellness, and disease. Analysis of current
pharmacological based research will provide the foundation for evidence based
nursing practice. Physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological
concepts that explain the rationale behind treatment decisions are examined and
equip nursing students with a deep understanding of the principles, mechanisms,
and safe administration of medications. This course emphasizes evidence-based
practice, medication safety, and the integration of pharmacological concepts into
nursing care.
Required Prerequisites
CHE-111/141, BIO-339/349 and BIO-214/244
NUR-310: Nursing Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II
This course builds on Principles of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I through
a combination of theoretical instruction, practical application, and case-based
learning, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make
informed decisions regarding medication therapy.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-320: Nursing Management of Adults I
Nursing Management of Adults I is a dynamic course that focuses on developing
the knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning necessary to provide comprehensive
nursing care to adult patients with diverse medical and surgical conditions.
Through a combination of theoretical instruction, clinical experiences, and case-
based learning, students will gain a deep understanding of pathophysiology,
pharmacology, and evidence-based nursing interventions. Emphasizing a holistic
approach, this course prepares students to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate
patient-centered care for adult populations.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-330: Nursing Management of Adults II: Complex Health Conditions
Building upon the foundation of Nursing Management of Adults I, this advanced course delves deeper into the care of adults with complex and multi-system health conditions. Nursing Management of Adults II equips students with the advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, and clinical expertise required to address intricate health challenges. Through an integrated approach of theoretical content, clinical immersion, and case-based analysis, students will develop the proficiency to manage complex patient scenarios, adapt interventions, and collaborate effectively within inter-professional teams.
NUR-340: Family-Centered Nursing Care
Family-Centered Nursing Care is a specialized course designed to equip nursing
students with the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity required to provide holistic and family-centered care to pediatric populations. Through a blend of theoretical instruction, clinical experiences, and case-based learning, students will develop expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care that promotes the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents while considering the unique needs and dynamics of their families.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-350: Health and Aging: Gerontological Nursing
This course introduces students to the functional, physiological, cognitive, psychosocial, and socioeconomic needs of older adults. Students will synthesize science, knowledge and assessment to facilitate safe, quality management of care for older adult populations. Content includes primary, secondary and tertiary care and prevention, family roles, legal, ethical issues, and resource allocation.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-360: Reproductive Health
Required Prerequisites
Reproductive Health Nursing is a specialized course that explores the comprehensive care of individuals across the reproductive lifespan. Through a combination of theoretical instruction, clinical experiences, and critical discussions, students will develop a deep understanding of reproductive health, family planning, and sexual wellness. This course empowers nursing students to provide evidence-based care, education, and support to individuals and families as they navigate the various stages of reproductive health.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-380: Multiple Perspectives in Mental Health
Multiple Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing is an interdisciplinary course that delves into the multifaceted nature of mental health care. This course offers nursing students an in-depth exploration of mental health from various perspectives, including psychological, sociocultural, biological, and ethical dimensions. Through a blend of theoretical content, experiential learning, and critical discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of mental health disorders, assessment, interventions, and the collaborative role of nurses within mental health care systems.
Required Prerequisite Courses
Required Corequisite Courses
NUR-400: Health Promotion, Disease Prevention
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, strategies, and skills required to promote health and prevent disease across diverse populations. This course equips aspiring nurses with the knowledge and tools necessary to communicate with and empower individuals, families, and communities to make informed decisions and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Required Prerequisite Courses
Required Corequisite Courses
NUR-410: Population and Community Health Nursing
This course addresses the community nursing process and its relationship with
client-centered care, clinical reasoning, and integrity of practice applicable to health prevention, promotion, and risk reduction in diverse settings. Content addresses social and ecological determinants of health through health education, epidemiology, case management, partnerships, and technology examining outcomes for an evidence-based, culturally sensitive practice.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-420: Research in Nursing and Evidence Based Practice
Introduces research design and analysis necessary to examine, apply, and utilize
nursing science. Course content includes an overview of current issues in knowledge development in nursing including the process of research utilization and evidence based practice. The student will conduct analytic critiques of the research literature for scientific merit, synthesize these critiques for application to practice, and develop strategies for providing leadership to make evidence based practice a reality in current and future work settings.
Required Prerequisite Courses
Required Corequisite Courses
NUR-430: Crucial Conversations in Healthcare: Systems, Policies, Ethics
A seminar course focusing on social, psychological, cultural, economic, political, legal, and ethical environments which shape healthcare delivery systems. This course examines inter-professional relationships, leadership in health policy, and delves into the complex interplay between healthcare, social justice, and patient care. This course empowers nursing students to critically examine disparities, cultural diversity, equity, and inclusivity in healthcare settings. Through immersive learning experiences, open discussions, and self-reflection, students will develop the skills and awareness needed to work in a complex healthcare system, provide patient-centered care, advocate for social change, and foster inclusive healthcare environments.
Required Prerequisite Courses
Required Corequisite Courses
NUR-450: Pathways to Practice: Leadership and Management in Nursing
Introduces the core concepts of leadership and management for the professional nurse. Course content includes discussion of theories of management and leadership; health systems organizations; change, power, authority; role development; models of nursing care delivery; legal ramifications of delegation; models of quality management; nursing and the political process.
Required Prerequisite Courses
NUR-470: Senior Seminar: Self-care and Burnout
Senior Seminar: Self-Care and Burnout is a transformative course designed to prepare senior nursing students for the demands and challenges of professional nursing practice. This course explores the critical importance of self-care, stress management, and preventing burnout in the nursing profession. Through a blend of reflective activities, discussions, and practical strategies, students will develop the self-awareness, resilience, and coping skills necessary to maintain their own well-being and provide high-quality patient care.
Required Corequisite Courses
NUR-495: Professional Nursing Capstone
This is a capstone course for registered nurses. Students will synthesize knowledge derived from nursing theory and practice experiences to provide a record of their professional development and transition to the role of the baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse.
Required Prerequisite Courses
Required Corequisite Courses