An Iowa College in the Liberal Arts Tradition
Nursing
Angela Kueny and LaDonna McGohan (department heads)
Admission to the nursing major:
Luther's nursing program, with its longstanding connection to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, has a very strong reputation. Clinical resources both in the Rochester and Decorah areas limit the number of students who can be enrolled in the program, and so the number of qualified program applicants may exceed the number who can be admitted. Students must understand that admission to Luther does not itself mean admission to nursing. Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements indicated below; however, obtaining or exceeding minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Decisions affecting admission to the major will be made at the end of the fall semester. Luther also offers a direct entry program into the nursing major for high school seniors.
Minimum criteria for admission to the nursing major include:
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for college courses taken at Luther College of 2.75.
- A minimum grade of C in all courses required for the nursing major.
- Repetition of any single course required for the major no more than once.
- Repetition of a total of no more than two courses required for the major.
Continued progression in the nursing major:
Decisions affecting continued progression in the major after admission to it are made at the end of each semester. Students must continue to meet all admissions requirements. Additionally, a minimum grade of C is required for all nursing courses as well as satisfactory completion of the clinical components. No courses required for the major can be repeated more than once.
All other policies regarding grading, withdrawal, and graduation are in accordance with general college policy and can be found elsewhere in the college catalog.
Clinical participation is not allowed by persons who have been denied licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing or whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any country or U.S. jurisdiction due to disciplinary action.
Students must be able to provide their own transportation to clinical facilities. They must also pay for their own uniforms and stethoscopes, as well as costs for CPR certification and state background checks (required by clinical agencies). Nursing courses in the junior year are taken off campus in Rochester, MN.
Required for a major: NURS 234, 235, 236, 237, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 420, 421, 425, 480, 490. Students completing more than one major may elect to complete the senior project in a major other than nursing. Writing requirement completed with NURS 384 and 390.
Correlative requirements: BIO 115, 116, 190; HP 125; SCI 240, 250; PSYC 130, 240. A course in statistics is recommended for nursing majors who intend to pursue graduate studies.
View program learning goals for an explanation of learning outcomes in Nursing.
Nursing Courses
NURS 138 Human Sexuality
- 4 hours
- Fulfills: Human Behavior
A study of the field of human sexuality. The origins of sex roles, myths, stereotypes, and realities of this important aspect of life will be presented. The complexity of the sociological, psychological, biological, and legal components of the sexual being will also be included. The class is open to all students on campus. (Same as IDS 138)
NURS 234 Pathways to Practice I
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: Admission to nursing major, BIO 115, 116 and HP 125
First of two courses focusing on assessment, health promotion and communication skills; development and application of cognitive and psychomotor skills to perform systematic, holistic, and culturally sensitive assessments with an emphasis on the application of clinical reasoning. This course facilitates the acquistion of knowledge for the liberal arts, sciences and nursing as the foundation of professional nursing practice.
NURS 235 Pathways to Practice I Lab
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: BIO 115, 116 and HP 125
A course focusing on the development of physical assessments, communication skills, and the application of cognitive and psychomotor skills for the safe care of patients in various healthcare settings.
NURS 236 Pathways to Practice II
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234 and 235
Second course in a series focusing on further development of assessment, health promotion and communication skills and the application of cognitive and psychomotor skills to patients experiencing common abnormalities with an emphasis on the application of clinical reasoning.
NURS 237 Pathways to Practice II Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234 and 235
Second clinical course in a series focusing on the application of cognitive and psychomotor skills on the care of adult patients with common abnormalities in a rural acute care and long term care settings. Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to perform appropriate nursing interventions safely and effectively under direct clinical supervision.
NURS 370 Health and Healing I
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240 and SCI 240 and 250
In this course students will develop the knowledge and skills to support adult patients experiencing alterations in health while examining values, meanings, and experience. Focus will be on how nurses intervene in a complex care environment, with an emphasis on integrating patient education and health promotion strategies to promote healing and achieve optimal health. Concepts will relate to acute care needs with beginning discussion related to complex chronic health care needs.
NURS 371 Health and Healing I Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This clinical course is meant to apply the knowledge and skills learned previously, with emphasis on developing clinical decision making abilities. Students will practice in an adult, acute-care setting and with regular opportunity to relfect on values and experiences in order to make meaning of health and healing.
NURS 372 Health and Healing II
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
Continuation of NURS 370, with added complexity reflected in a focus on chronic disease management in the setting of acute alterations to health. Students will continue to build on concepts of health promotion and patient education to address discharge needs, especially as related to acute-on-chronic healthcare needs.
NURS 373 Health and Healing II Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This clinical course is meant to apply the knowledge and skills learned in NURS 370 with continued emphasis on developing clinical decision making abilities. Students will explore the continuum of care in both inpatient and outpatient settings with a special focus on engaging in patient education and health promotion strategies in discharge planning.
NURS 374 Behaviorial Health Care
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
Basic theories and concepts related to psychiatric-mental health care of children, adolescents, adults and older adults are examined. Emphasis is placed on the biopsychosocial/physiologic basis for mental health care and provides knowledge necessary for a beginning practitioner. Primary emphasis is given to mental health promotion and to the treatment of commonly occurring mental health concerns and illnesses.
NURS 376 Behavioral Health Care Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116, and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
Application of theories and concepts related to the care of psychiatric clients. Emphasis on knowledge of nursing and pharmacological management as well as advanced communication skills provide the basis of the clinical experiences in psychiatric nursing necessary for preparation as a beginning practitioner.
NURS 377 Family/Child Nursing
- 4 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This course focuses on childbearing and childrearing families, with emphasis on culturally competent and developmentally appropriate nursing care to promote healthy infant/adolescent and family function. Concepts of family theory, family-centered care, family culture and health promotion are emphasized.
NURS 378 Family/Child Nursing Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This clinical course is meant to apply knowledge and skills learned in NURS 377 with childbearing and childrearing families. Students will utilize clinical decision making skills, assessment and therapeutic communication.
NURS 382 Gerontological Nursing
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This course is designed to build upon learning in previous nursing courses with an emphasis on the aging phase of the life process. The focus of the course is on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to understand and care for the growing geriatric population. Students will acquire understanding of the uniqueness of the health related needs of the aging population and learn to recognize the physiological, cognitive, psychological, social changes, and atypical presentations of disease associated with aging.
NURS 384 Evidence Based Practice
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This course emphasizes the use of research as a key component in clinical decision making for nursing practice. Theoretical and practical components of research perspectives and the research process are discussed. The course incorporates ethical aspects of the research process and research history. Integration of multiple sources of evidence to guide nursing practice is analyzed.
NURS 386 Professional Nursing Practice: A Conceptual Immersion Experience
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This clinical course immerses students in a concept-based, systems-level analysis of the continuum of care. This immersion allows students to work closely and collaborate with other healthcare providers to develop a conceptual understanding of how the patient experiences and the nurse contributes to the continuum of care. Emphasis is on analysis of concepts and theories while also reflecting on leadership skills that promote quality care within a complex health care system.
NURS 388 Health Informatics
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This course includes the study of health informatics and information technology from consumer, clinical, and public health perspectives. Students will analyze the use of information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support clinical decision-making.
NURS 390 Nursing Leadership in Health Care
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 234, 235, 236 and 237, BIO 115, 116 and 190, HP 125, PSYC 130 and 240, SCI 240 and 250
This course will view integrated concepts of leadership and management and advocacy, recognizing nursing as a collective profession within the larger health care delivery system. This course will emphasize nurses' roles in promoting social justice in health care, in the context of economic, social, political, and ethical influence. Students will understand how the health care system impacts the delivery of care, in health care organizations and direct patient care, focusing on cost, quality, safety, and access. Historical perspectives of health care will be used to contextualize trends in nursing leadership and their role in the delivery of care.
NURS 420 Population-Based Care
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390
This course focuses on health promotion with disease and injury prevention in population groups. Social justice principles are woven throughout course content to emphasize collective action toward improving national and international health. With an introduction to the science of epidemiology, students will analyze health patterns of populations in connection with contextual contributing factors, such as lifestyle, social, economic, cultural, and historical perspectives. Public health interventions are explored at individual, aggregate, and population levels. Key focus areas of public health will be addressed including but not limited to environmental health, disaster and emergency preparedness, and political involvement.
NURS 421 Population-Based Care Clinical
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390
This clinical nursing course allows nursing students to practice public health nursing, incorporating theoretical and analytic components from NURS 420. Determinants of health are examined as students practice in collaboration with agencies and organizations, preparing students to specialize in rural public health priorities and interventions. Emphasis is placed on the principles of public health combined with the nursing process to focus on health promotion, life-style factors, and disease prevention that facilitate the development of healthy populations, communities, families, and individuals.
NURS 425 Synthesis of Clinical Practice Across The Lifespan
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390
This course emphasizes clinical and critical reasoning skills synthesized from knowledge obtained in prior nursing courses to address fundamental to complex situations across the lifespan. Students will engage in critical inquiry in both the classroom and simulation lab settings that is evidence based and that applies and integrates concepts associated with safe, high quality, professional nursing practice.
NURS 480 Leadership Capstone
- 4 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390
This capstone course will include experiences similar to those students are likely to confront as newly employed baccalaureate prepared registered nurses. Students will work in 1:1 experiences with baccalaureate nurse preceptors in selected clinical settings. An emphasis is placed on the development of personal and professional strategies needed to make the transition from student to graduate nurse by highlighting role development skills of bedside nurse leaders.
NURS 490 Senior Project
- 1, 2, or 4 hours
- Prerequisites: NURS 384
A student completing a senior project in another major is not required to complete a senior project in nursing.