Academic Programs

Learning Online - Flexible Schedules

Many flexibly scheduled courses are offered by the College of Nursing in cooperation with the University's Center for Credit Programs. An online registration form and additional information regarding other distance education offerings, registration deadlines, billing, etc is available at http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/de/de.htm. The direct link for online registration is at http://continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/de/regform.htm. Students may also register by phoning 1-800-272-6430.

Admitted students have priority in registering. However, in some courses, space is available for non-degree students or students not yet admitted to a degree program. Students, especially graduate students who DO plan to enter a program, should talk with an advisor if questions regarding how a course will fit the plan of study. To talk with a program advisor, contact the following offices:

BSN or MSN-CNL: 319 335-7015 or email nursing-bsnstudentserv@uiowa.edu
RN-BSN Program: 319 335-7020 or email nursing-rn-bsn@uiowa.edu
Graduate Programs: 319 384-4667 or email nursing-graduateprogram@uiowa.edu

96:137 Nursing Care of the Patient in Pain, 3 sh (WWW)
Advanced content in the area of pain management useful to experienced practitioners and students preparing for the field. Content focuses on assessment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological nursing intervention, and evaluation of acute, chronic benign, and chronic malignant pain.

96:147 End of Life Care for Adults, Older Adults, and Their Families, 2, 3, 4 sh (WWW)
Course content includes epidemiology of dying, settings and systems of care; communicating with patients at the end-of-life and their families; pain and symptom management, well-being, and quality of life for dying patients; legal, ethical, and spiritual issues; and issues related to loss, grief and bereavement.

96:187 Legal Issues for Healthcare, Counseling, and Social Service Providers, 3 sh (WWW)
This course is an introduction to legal issues faced by healthcare providers, counselors, and social service providers. The course will look at administrative and regulatory requirements, civil lawsuits, and selected cutting edge issues that impact the student in the roles of provider/advocate and as an individual.

96:175 Issues in International Nursing & Health Care, 3 sh
Introduction to the broader perspective of nursing and health care issues needed to effect changes at the national and international level of policy and decision making to meet the challenges of the Declaration of Alma Ata. Nursing in international context is the focus, but interdisciplinary students interested in international health issues are encouraged to enroll.

96:108 Basic Aspects of Aging, 3 sh (GIS)
Introduces the general field of gerontology, the special focus of social gerontology, and the historical, demographic, and cultural factors that inform this relatively new field of study.

96:112 Human Sexuality, 3 sh (GIS)
Overview of human sexuality in modern American society, focusing on the relationship between gender and sexuality, the ways in which society, including popular culture, constructs meaning for sexual acts and identities, and the interrelationship of sex and power. This course is also frequently offered in the UI's on-campus evening schedule.

96:118 Pathophysiology, 3 sh (GIS)
Examines the abnormal health transitions that may be experienced over the life span, which have a well-documented research base, focusing on disorders in cells, organs, and systems that are involved in the vegetative functioning and in the biological defense of the human organism.

96:119 Neurological and Behavioral Pathology, 1 or 2 sh (GIS)
Examines the abnormal physiological and psychological health transitions that may be experienced by individuals over the life span and that have a well-documented physiological and/or behavioral base. Focuses on neurobiological and behavioral disorders.

96:162 Nursing in a Faith Community: Introduction to the Role and Practice, 3 or 4 sh (GIS)
Introduction to the roles and functions of parish nurse practice, such as spiritual caregiver, health promoter, educator, counselor, advocate, community resource person, and care coordinator. Provides the foundation to develop a program of holistic health care in community-based settings of diverse religions and cultures. Enrollment in the 4 sh section includes development of an individual project.

96:179 Selected Topics in Nursing, 1 or 2 sh (WWW plus class meeting)
Topics related to specific patient populations, research relating to nursing care models. Examples of recent topics: Aging in the Media, Family Involvement in Care, Geriatric Urology. Course delivery may vary depending on topic.

REQUIRED COURSES IN THE RN-BSN NURSING MAJOR

96:190 Dimensions of Professional Nursing, 3 sh (WWW)
This course focuses on the multiple dimensions of the nursing discipline and the identification, exploration, and analysis of selected contemporary issues and trends in nursing. The course serves as a mechanism for the critical analysis of previous educational experiences, integration of those experiences into present learning goals, and promotes resocialization into professional nursing roles. The content emphasizes 1) professional roles and responsibilities, 2) the health care environment including historical, legal, ethical, political, and economic aspects, and 3) the importance of nursing science, theory, and research to nursing practice. See http://www.nursing.uiowa.edu/academprog/rn-bsn/major.htm

96:191 Health Assessment, 4 sh (WWW plus lab meetings some Wednesdays)
The first clinical nursing course focuses on health assessment of the adult. Students demonstrate selected assessment skills, compile a health history, conduct a physical exam, and develop nursing diagnoses for selected clients.

96:192 Community Health Nursing, 3 sh (WWW)
This course focuses on nursing's role in the relationship between community conditions and the health of the public. Registered nurse students are assisted in learning to apply the principles of public health and their nursing knowledge and nursing skills to address the primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention needs of individuals, families, and aggregates in society.

96:193 Community Health Nursing Practicum, 3 sh (WWW plus limited class meetings some Wednesdays)
The individually arranged practicum will enable Registered Nurse students to apply the principles of public health along with their nursing skills and knowledge to address the primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention problems of individuals, families, and aggregates in society.

96:194 Leadership & Care Management for Professional Nursing Practice, 3 sh (WWW plus limited class meetings some Wednesdays)
This course explores concepts related to nursing leadership and management in a dynamic practice environment. Focus will be placed on the context in which nurses practice and on leadership and management principles necessary to function effectively in a changing health care system. Strategies for managing the quality and cost of health care, as well as research utilization, are emphasized to promote effective practice.

96:195 Leadership & Care Management Practicum, 3 sh (WWW plus limited class meetings some Wednesdays)
This practicum provides an opportunity for students to apply the concepts of leadership, management, and evidence based practice in a variety of settings. Students will develop an individualized plan of study for this experience.

96:196 Special Studies in Nursing, 3 sh (WWW plus limited class meetings some Wednesdays)
This course focuses on the identification, exploration, and analyses of selected contemporary issues confronting the professional nurse, the practice of nursing, the regulation of health care systems and available resources. Emphasis will be on the use of critical thinking in the analyses of fundamental problems and issues involved in the professional development in nursing. The interface among course content, individual experience and goals for professional practice will be achieved through selected study and application opportunities.

96:197 Research for Practicing Nurses, 3 sh (WWW)
This course which focuses on the research process and its application to nursing practice is directed at the RN student. An exploration of the research process includes: conceptual basis, methodology, data collection, data analysis, and the presentation and utilization of research. The goal is for the student to become a critical consumer of research in order to promote evidence based practice.

REQUIRED COURSES IN THE GRADUATE PROGRAM: MSN CORE

For detailed program and admission information, see the MSN Program under Academic Programs at www.nursing.uiowa.edu/academic_programs/graduate/msn/index.htm

To register for these courses, go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/de/regform.htm

96:206 Nursing Science and Inquiry, 3 sh (WWW)

96:208 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice (WWW)

96:209 Health Systems, Policy, and Economics, 3 sh (WWW)

96:263 Informatics in Nursing & Health Care, 3 sh (WWW)

ADDITIONAL COURSES OF GENERAL INTEREST TO GRADUATE STUDENTS:

To register for these courses, go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/de/regform.htm

96:222 Health Promotion and Intervention for Primary Care, 3 sh (WWW)
This course addresses theories of health promotion in primary care; levels of prevention, and epidemiological principles and methods. Specific interventions designed to maintain, promote and optimize health across the lifespan will be presented.

96:224 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Clinical Practice, 4 sh (WWW)
Pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic principles essential for advanced clinical practice; classes of drugs frequently used in management of common clinical conditions; legal considerations in prescriptive authority.

The following courses will be of interest to graduate students pursuing work in genetics in nursing.

96:116 Introduction to Human Genetics, 3 sh (WWW)
Organization of the human genome and basic principles of inheritance; overview of
cells and development; structure and function of chromosomes and genes; genes in
pedigrees and populations; implications of genetic variation on health.

96:228 Advanced Practice Genetic Nursing I, 3 sh (WWW)
This course focuses on advanced practice genetic nursing for individuals, families, and populations who are at risk for genetic conditions or who have a condition with a genetic component. Theories and principles of nursing, counseling, and human genetics are emphasized. The focus is on nursing assessment, interventions, and outcomes for individuals, families, and populations at risk for genetic conditions which present in the prenatal or pediatric populations. The role of the nurse in genetic and screening programs used with pregnant women, newborn infants, and members of at-risk populations will be examined

96:230 Advanced Practice Genetic Nursing II, 3 sh (WWW)
This course focuses on advanced genetics nursing assessment and interventions. It focuses on individuals, families and populations with, or at-risk for conditions with complex genetic and environmental components. Conditions which present in the adult years will be emphasized. Technical aspects of risk assessment and gene detection, ethical and social aspects of genetic health care delivery, interdisciplinary genetic health care, and professional issues in the delivery of genetic services will be addressed.

The following courses meet requirements for the MSN in Occupational Health. For additional information about this program, go to http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/heartland/OHN_program.htm

96:258 Occupational Health Nursing II, 3 sh (WWW)
Provides a framework for implementing and evaluating a risk reduction program in the workplace. Emphasis is on compliance with regulatory entities in occupational health, quality assurance, surveillance, and injury prevention in a variety of settings.

96:259 Occupational Health Practicum II, 3 sh (WWW)
Transition from student role to clinical specialist role in occupational health nursing; in-depth experience in student's interest area.

The following courses will be of interest to graduate students pursuing work in gerontological nursing:

To register for this course, go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/de/regform.htm

96:225 Biopsychosocial Dimensions of Health Aging, 3 sh (WWW)
Comprehensive exploration of healthy aging. Students examine theories and methods relating to the scientific study of aging. Addresses behavioral comcomitants of normal age-related physiological change and psychosocial implications of aging. Applications to nursing practice in facilitating successful aging will be emphasized.

96:241 Care of the Frail Elderly, 3 sh (WWW)
This course focuses on the care of the oldest old individual. The major foci of the course are: principles of various sites of gerontological care, common syndromes and disorders of the oldest old; economics and regulatory considerations; and ethical issues. The clinical application experience will be conducted within the framework of long term care of the most vulnerable aged with the student's career goal directing an appropriate advance practice preceptor (90 clinical hours required). For the nurse practitioner student, the preceptor will be a NP whose practice principally focuses on the primary care of the institutionalized elderly.

The following courses will be of interest to graduate students pursuing a nursing education emphasis.

96:246 Nursing Education: Process Roles and Strategies, 3 sh (WWW plus class meetings)
Analysis of the role of the nurse educator is facilitated through the study of teaching/learning theories with application of relevant concepts and strategies in teaching nursing. A seminar focusing an process, roles, and strategies for the educator and learning tasks of students in various types of current nursing education programs will be supplemented by student/faculty negotiated teaching experiences.

96:247 Curriculum Development in Nursing Education, 3 sh (WWW plus class meetings)
Analysis of the curriculum development process and major societal, educational and professional forces affecting undergraduate curriculum development in nursing. Emphasis is on the design and evaluation of curriculum components in various types of basic nursing education programs.