Nursing

Department of Nursing

Professor: 

  • Karen Anderson, Ph.D., RN, CNE 

Associate Professors: 

  • Dwight Huslin, M.S.N, RN  
  • Dorothy Forde, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNS (Chair)
  • Karen Lynch-Frater, Ph.D., M.A.Ed., RN
  • Veronica Leftridge, D.N.P., M.S.N, RN 

Assistant Professors: 

  • Mattie Sherard, DNP, RN
  • Frederick Richardson, M.S.N., RN
  • Davonia Taylor, DNP, RN 

Purpose 

It is the purpose of the Department of Nursing to provide Christ-centered education for nursing students that promotes excellence in character, achievement of professional goals, leadership and service to a multicultural community and prepares nurses to care for the biopsychosocial and spiritual needs of clients across the life cycle in a variety of health-care settings.

Approval 

The program in nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing with a follow-up report due March 2022. 

ABN 
RSA Plaza, Ste. 250 
770 Washington Ave. 
Montgomery, AL 36104 
www.abn.alabama.gov

Accreditation 

The program in nursing has been deemed eligible to pursue the candidacy process on October 24, 2022 by the Accreditation Committee for Education in Nursing (ACEN). A follow-up site visit is scheduled for October 2023 after the submission of the candidacy report. From the department of Nursing.  

Accreditation Committee for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
3390 Peachtree NE, Suite 1400 
Atlanta, GA 30326 
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

Career Opportunities 

The Department of Nursing offers two baccalaureate degree options: a generic (four-year BS) option that prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN); and a two-year BS completion program for RNs that provides registered nurses prepared at the associate degree or diploma level an opportunity to obtain a bachelors degree in nursing. Both programs prepare students for graduate study in nursing and to practice at the professional level in a variety of health care settings, including the community, industry, government, hospitals, and clinics.

Degrees

Courses

NU 106: Non-Drug Therapeutics

Credits 3
This elective course is intended to teach persons simple remedies and treatments that can be used in the home. What constitutes simple remedies and treatments from the perspective of Ellen White and perspectives from health professionals with congruent views on these complementary health approaches are explored. The principles underlying the effects of the treatment methods are examined, and common symptoms and illnesses that respond to these treatments are covered. It is not expected that the information given in this course will take the place of the services of physicians or other health-care professionals.

NU 107: Introduction to Professional Nursing

Credits 2

This course introduces Biblical and Seventh-day Adventist principles of health and to the philosophy and conceptual framework of the Oakwood University Department of Nursing. Taught from a critical thinking perspective, this writing intensive course will also include nursing history and trends, medical terminology, and an introduction to legal and ethical issues in health care and selected test-taking strategies; Needed for admission to the nursing program.

NU 111: Health Promotion and Environmental Health

Credits 3

This course focuses on theories, concepts, and the appropriate technology related to health and health promotion, with emphasis on biblical and Seventh-day Adventist principles. It concentrates on factors that influence health and strategies that enhance the care of individuals and communities through the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and a healthy environment. Basic knowledge related to environmental health will be incorporated (e.g., assessment and referral, advocacy, environmental justice, risk communication, legislation, and regulation).

NU 206: Test taking Skills in Nursing

Credits 1

This elective course is designed specifically to address students’ remediation needs. Critical thinking and test taking skills are emphasized. This course provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to test taking at a beginning level. A review of content from previous and current courses based on individual student needs will be incorporated. The course is designed to facilitate the student’s academic achievements. The student will be expected to practice and complete a variety of question types common to testing in the nursing discipline.

NU 210: Fundamentals and Skills

Credits 4

This course introduces the student to professional nursing skills used in basic health assessment and patient care procedures performed in a variety of health care settings across the life span. Patient-related developmental, psychosocial, and environmental factors that individualize nursing care will be addressed. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 211: Assessment and Skills

Credits 4

This course further develops professional nursing assessment and performance skills introduced in NU 210 Fundamentals and Skills, with an emphasis on appropriate technology for health promotion, protection, and restoration across the life span. Interpersonal and communication skills are emphasized. This course has 2 hours of lecture and 8 hours of lab. This course contains clinicals with didactics.  

NU 212: Pharmacology for Nursing

Credits 2

A study of the principles of pharmacology and the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in drug administration will be emphasized in this course. A survey of the major drug categories will provide a foundation for the specific pharmacological applications in each clinical course. 

NU 214: Nursing Performance I

Credits 1
This clinical course provides opportunities for the development of professional nursing skills with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, health restoration, and beginning health assessment and nursing procedures in a variety of health care settings.

NU 312: Pharmacology for Nursing

Credits 2

This course extends the core pharmacological principles presented in NU212 Pharmacology I. This course is a thorough study of selected drug categories that will support development of competency when managing common and complex drugs administered through more sophisticated routes. Students will focus on interpreting effective communication in reports of drug action, rationale for use, common and/or life-threatening side effects, nursing implications, and client teaching issues for each major classification of drugs.

NU 319: Nursing Ethics

Credits 2

This course is designed to cover an introduction to ethical principles and ethical decision- making in clinical nursing practice. The course is organized in three parts: theories and concepts, nursing ethics across the lifespan, and special ethical issues. Emphasis is placed on values clarification, professional ethical responsibilities, and ethical humanistic nursing care. This study of nursing ethics provides the student with a foundational knowledge about bioethics, ethics, and ethical reasoning to prepare them for analyzing ethical issues in the workplace. Opportunities are provided for students to explore, examine, and reflect on professional nursing practice and its relationship to ethical healthcare delivery from a Christian perspective using critical thinking skills.

NU 330: Pathophysiology

Credits 3
This course is the study of the physiologic changes that occur as a result of disease processes and functions of the body. Alterations, the mechanisms involved, and their manifestations as signs, symptoms, and physical and laboratory findings are examined in order to provide the common bond linking microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and biochemistry to clinical practice. Non-nursing majors by permission of instructor.

NU 331: Adult Nursing I

Credits 3

The course focuses on professional nursing principles for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health for young, middle, and older adults. Contemporary health issues and concerns of these age groups will be studied with emphasis on developmental stages, health promotion practices, impact of illness, spiritual dimensions, and cultural diversity. Selected geriatric syndromes encountered across care settings will also be addressed. A multi-sectoral approach will be used to study socioeconomics and the ethical and legal issues that affect these adults. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 332: Mental Health Nursing

Credits 4

This course addresses clinical reasoning and clinical judgement the nurse practices when promoting, maintaining, and restoring optimum functioning of clients with neuropsychiatric disorders. It builds on concepts of the nursing process behavior change, relationship development, therapeutic communication skills learned in prior nursing courses. Emphasis is placed upon concepts including but not limited to emotions, stress, coping, addiction, violence, suicide, and safety. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 333: Nursing Performance II

Credits 2
This clinical course provides opportunities for the implementation of professional nursing care to facilitate health promotion, maintenance, and restoration for adult clients in a variety of settings, including mental health experiences.

NU 336: Research in Nursing

Credits 3
Code
W

This course is designed to introduce the student to principles and methods of research to be utilized in developing a nursing research project. The research process is introduced where basic skills for critiquing research literature are practiced. Utilizing research findings to incorporate them into practice are explored. Emphasis is placed on the ethical/legal principles of scientific research.

NU 339: Adult Nursing II

Credits 5

This course addresses advanced clinical reasoning and clinical judgment the nurse uses when promoting, maintaining and restoring health in young, middle, and older adults. Contemporary health issues and concerns of these age groups will be studied with emphasis on selected concepts including but not limited to Circulation, Homeostasis, Movement, Perfusion, Protection, and Respiration. The impact of health promotion practices, developmental stages, illness, cultural diversity and spirituality on patients/clients will be addressed. Selected geriatric syndromes encountered across care settings will be examined. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 340: Transition to Professional Nursing

Credits 4
The associate degree and diploma nurse are oriented to the roles of the baccalaureate nurse through the exploration of professional issues. Students are introduced to the philosophy and conceptual framework of the bachelor of science program at Oakwood University. Theoretical models are examined. This course provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to health assessment and decision making. Campus laboratory experiences are required.

NU 350: International Nursing

Credits 3 Max Credits 6
Code
W
This elective course provides the student an opportunity to gain theoretical and practical knowledge of issues in international nursing practice. The student may elect to participate in the didactic portion of the course only, or may engage in an overseas experience during the summer.

NU 409: Nursing with Infants and Children

Credits 4

This course addresses clinical judgment and clinical reasoning the nurse uses when promoting, maintaining and restoring optimum functioning of infants, children, adolescents and their families. It builds on concepts of physiological adaptation, health promotion, and interpersonal communication skills learned in prior nursing courses. Health issues and nursing concerns of these age groups will be studied with emphasis on developmental stages, family processes, health promotion practices and social, cultural, and spiritual influences. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 411: Community Health Nursing

Credits 4

This course analyzes the multifaceted role of the community health nurse in managing population health. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment are practiced within community settings to advance the wellness potential of families, groups, and communities. Basic principles of the epidemiological process related to health promotion, i.e. primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention are emphasized. A key focus is on involvement of the professional nurse in ethical issues, and health policy formulation with emphasis on vulnerable populations. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 412: Nursing With Women During Childbearing Years

Credits 4

This course addresses clinical judgement and clinical reasoning the nurse uses when promoting, maintaining, and restoring optimum functioning of women during childbearing years, childbirth, and their newborns. It builds on concepts learned in prior nursing courses. It emphasizes physiological, environmental, cultural, behavioral, and spiritual factors and issues that influence the reproductive woman and childbearing. Issues and trends in women’s health are addressed as well as professional nursing interventions. This course contains clinicals with didactics.

NU 414: Nursing Performance RN I

Credits 2
This clinical course provides opportunities for the implementation of professional nursing care to facilitate health promotion, maintenance, restoration and leadership for older adults and their families in hospital and community-based settings.

NU 415: Gerontological Nursing

Credits 3
This course focuses on professional nursing principles for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health for older adults. Contemporary health issues and concerns of this age group will be studied with emphasis on developmental changes, health promotion practices, impact of illness, spiritual dimensions, and cultural diversity. A multi-sectoral approach will be used to study socioeconomics and the ethical and legal issues that affect adult health.

NU 416: Management and Leadership in Nursing

Credits 2
This course addresses leadership as an essential aspect of the role of the professional registered nurse. Reflection on important concepts for the nurse manager will be the focus. Concepts included, but not limited to are self-care, emotional intelligence, leadership, vision, delegation, safety and legal variables, innovation, quality improvement, emergency preparedness, and case management.

NU 418: Nursing Performance RN II

Credits 4
This clinical course provides opportunities to manage health care of individuals, families, groups, and communities requiring health promotion, maintenance, and restoration. The student will practice leadership skills in a variety of settings. The student will be expected to integrate knowledge from previous and current courses in the management of complex, leadership, and community nursing throughout the life span in leadership, community nursing and the management of complex nursing situations.

NU 419: Complex Medical Surgical Nursing

Credits 3

This course builds on the medical surgical nursing concepts in prior nursing courses with emphasis on managing patients/clients with critical illness involving but not limited to perfusion, clotting, acid-base, fluid and electrolytes and oxygenation/gas exchange. Clinical reasoning and clinical judgement will be demonstrated in the care and management of these patients including management of geriatric syndromes.

NU 421: Nursing Seminar

Credits 2
This course is designed to prepare the students for the departmental exit examination and the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). It reviews concepts learned throughout the nursing program and evaluates comprehensive learning using computerized standardized tests and an E-Portfolio.

NU 450: Nursing Elective

Credits 2 Max Credits 3
This senior course allows the student an opportunity to select a preferred area of nursing practice for focused theoretical learning and clinical experience. The student, in consultation with the course advisor, plans the course activities. This course is a requirement in the RN completion option and may be taken as an elective in the generic option.

NU 490: Research and Independent Study (elective)

Credits 3
This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to be actively engaged in faculty research projects. The focus of the projects will center on Health Promotion and disease prevention. Priority will be given to research protocols aiming to reduce disparities in underserved populations. As the unique mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church includes promoting health of individuals, families groups and communities, one or more of the Biblical principles of health will be integrated into the research project. Permission of Instructor

NU 495: Nursing Capstone Course

Credits 3

This capstone course provides opportunities for practicing clinical reasoning and clinical judgement with appropriate autonomy when managing the health care of individuals with complex/criticalcare needs across the lifespan. It builds on knowledge gained from previous nursing courses allowing for the application of theories and concepts associated with nursing leadership, nursing research and management of care. This course contains clinicals with didactics.