RN-BSN

Major Requirements

The following courses must be satisfactorily completed and a minimum of 30 sh earned toward the major. A minimum grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required in each course for successful completion. Students earning a grade lower than C may repeat a course once. A student may repeat only one clinical nursing course.

Sample Progression Plan for Registered Nurses

The nursing major is organized to be completed over a calendar year, beginning in June for a summer session, and continuing through the fall and spring semesters. Faculty make use of a variety of educational technologies, primarily on-line learning and activities and web-based conferencing . Any face-to-face class meetings will occur on Wednesdays. Face-to-face events are typically limited to health assessment practice labs each summer (3-4 Wednesday mornings) and practicum group meetings at the beginning and end of the fall/spring semesters.  Most students complete the major (30 sh) in one year. However students who need a part-time plan of study will be accommodated.

The Iowa Articulation Plan for Nursing Education: RN to Baccalaureate

The College of Nursing participates as a receiving institution in the Iowa Statewide Articulation Plan for Nursing Education: RN to Baccalaureate.

Faculty recognize the significance of work and family obligations for RN-BSN students and have developed a curriculum that allows for considerable flexibility. However, preparation for classroom and small group activities and the scheduling of individually arranged practicum experiences are the responsibility of the student. The flexibility of that scheduling will be determined by each individual's choice of practicum setting and population and access to library and computer resources. While faculty and staff advisors are eager to assist students in academic planning, it is each student's responsibility to establish realistic academic loads, taking into consideration work and personal obligations.

Participation in the nursing major practicum courses requires validation of the following Health Screening Requirements, including:

Completed Medical History form, including validated immunization record, and signed Consent Form

Health Evaluation (physical examination ) performed within 6 months of beginning the program, ideally the summer before community health practicum. The physical examination and immunizations must be current within one year throughout the clinical major.

Urinalysis

Proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella for males and females

Tetanus/Diphtheria immunization within last 10 years

Tuberculin skin test screening annually and chest X-ray if previously positive tuberculin test or a new reactor

Verification of having received Hepatitis B vaccine series, antibody titre, and booster if needed

The Student Health Service, 4189 Westlawn, has responsibility for monitoring the above requirements for all health science students at The University of Iowa. Questions regarding required documentation for the above requirements should be directed to the Student Health Service (phone 1-800-553-4692, ext 8370 or 319/335-8370). It is essential that the Student Health Service office has the required verifications well before students' participation in practicum experiences. Failure to provide current verification will result in cancellation or blocks on registration.

CPR Certification

All students in the College of Nursing are required to be certified in CPR prior to participation in the nursing major courses. Students may use either American Red Cross or American Heart Association classes to fulfill the CPR requirement. CPR for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) or Module C or equivalent modules equaling one person and two person CPR for adult and child/infant (American Heart Association) will meet the requirement. CPR certification requires annual renewal.

Nursing Major Course Descriptions

96:190 Dimensions of Professional Nursing, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered summer sessions. This course can be taken prior to admission to the College of Nursing .

96:191 Health Assessment, 4 s.h.

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.

Offered summer sessions. Theory component is on-line. Lab experience includes peer assessment practice.

Prerequisites : Admission to the College of Nursing and CPR Certification.

96:192 Community Health Nursing, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered fall semesters.

Prerequisites : 96:190, 96:191, and R.N. Licensure in Iowa .

To be taken prior to or with 96:193 Community Health Nursing Practicum

96:193 Community Health Nursing Practicum, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered fall semesters.

Prerequisites: 96:190, 96:191, and R.N. Licensure in Iowa

Prerequisite or Corequisite: 96:192

96:197 Research for Practicing Nurses, 3 s.h .

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.

Offered fall semesters. This course may be taken prior to admission to the College of Nursing , assuming prerequisites have been met.

Prerequisites: approved statistics course and 96:190 or consent of instructor

96:194 Leadership & Care Management in Professional Nursing Practice, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered spring semesters.

Prerequisites : 96:192 and 96:193, 96:197

To be taken prior to or with 96:195

96:195 Practicum for Leadership & Care Management, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered spring semesters.

Prerequisites: 96:192 and 96:193, 96:197, and current CPR Certification

Prerequisite or Corequisite: 96:194

96:196 Special Studies in Nursing, 3 s.h.

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.

Offered spring semesters.

Prerequisites: 96:192

Nursing Electives, 5 s.h.

In addition to the required major courses listed above, RN-BSN students select a minimum of 5 sh of nursing elective credit, offered in a variety of flexible formats.

Guided Independent Study:

96:118 Pathophysiology, 96:119 Neurological & Behavioral Pathology, 96:108 Basic Aspects of Aging, 96:112 Human Sexuality, 96:150 Independent Study, 96:162 Nursing in a Faith Community

Semester-Based Web Courses

96:116 Human Genetics, 96:137 Care of the Patient in Pain, 96:147 End of Life Care for Adults, Older Adults & Families, 96:187 Legal Issues for Health Care.

Weekend or 8-week Web Courses:

96:179 Selected Topics in Nursing (recent topics include Aging & the Media, Geriatric Oncology, International Nursing)

Go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/ for Saturday & Evening, ICN, World Wide Web, and Guided Independent Study schedules for current offerings