B.S. in Nursing
Program Overview |
Admission Requirements |
Application Process
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program is designed for registered nurses looking to advance their professional role in today’s diverse health care field. This program expands the student’s current knowledge and experience with a strong emphasis on the science of nursing. Courses are designed to develop critical thinking, evidence-based nursing practices, and integrative scientific thought combined with an ethical patient-centered approach to nursing in diverse communities. This degree provides a strong science base necessary for enhancing clinical practice and pursuing advanced nursing practice degrees, and includes management courses designed to prepare students for nursing leadership roles.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 122 credits is required for graduation with a bachelor or science degree from Saint Mary’s University. All students must meet the 10 general education competencies. A minimum of 51 credits is required to complete the B.S. in Nursing. Degree completion time depends on the number of courses transferred in to SMU and the number of courses taken at one time.
Required Nursing Courses: 33 cr.
NUR300
NUR310
NUR320
NUR330
NUR340
NUR350
NUR360
NUR400
NUR410
NUR420
NUR430
Integrated Science
Pharmacology
Nursing Ethics
Healthcare Delivery Systems
Nursing Research
Evidence-Based Nursing
Comprehensive Assessment
Focused Integrated Nursing: Prenatal/Maternal-Birth
Focused Integrated Nursing: Pediatric
Focused Integrated Nursing: Adult
Focused Integrated Nursing: Geriatric
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
Required Management Courses: 9 cr.
HS325
MG335
MG401
Multicultural Issues in Human Services
Critical Thinking for Managers
Priniciples of Management
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
Required Communication Courses: 6 cr.
CM309
CM310
Professional Writing
Oral Communication
Required Capstone Course: 3 cr.
NUR490
Bachelor of Science Capstone
Total:
Click on the courses below to expand their descriptions.
CM309 Professional Writing (3)This course provides strategies for developing a clear, concise professional writing style. A variety of writing formats, including business letters and memos, formal research proposals, and reports are addressed. Voice, style, audience, purpose and the writing process, including strategies for editing and revision, are examined in the context of interpersonal and ethical dimensions.
CM310 Oral Communications (3)Communication skills pertinent to organizational settings form the foundation of this course. Effective methods for design and delivery of oral communication are examined. Other topics include communication styles, interpersonal communication skills, dynamics of small group communication and persuasive speaking.
HS325 Multicultural Issues in Human Services (3)This course examines the impact of cultural diversity on the helping relationship, encourages the acknowledgement of biases and beliefs about diversity and provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate an appreciation of the contributions of diverse populations. Special attention is given to diverse populations in the human service system, including the poor, the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, the elderly, and persons with HIV/AIDS.
MG335 Critical Thinking for Managers (3)The course examines the practical and dynamic relevance of critical thinking for managers, emphasizing the decisional aspects of management. Topics focus on eliciting new managerial insights, improving managerial problem solving and decision-making skills, and on strengthening the student’s ability to articulate reasoned solutions to managerial problems and opportunities.
MG401 Principles of Management (3)This course explores the concepts and theories of management and their application in today's managerial environment. It examines the essential functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. MG307 may be taken instead of this course.
MG307 may be taken instead of this course.
NUR300 Integrated Science for Nursing (3)This course provides an advanced interdisciplinary study of applied mathematics, chemistry, biological sciences, and physics related to modern nursing practice. Concepts related to human health in various stages of the human life cycle are explored and integrated into the nursing knowledge base.
NUR310 Clinical Pharmacology (3)This course focuses on general concepts in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to the major drug classifications used to treat leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Topics such as drug actions and interactions, metabolism and distribution, adverse effects, precautions, and contraindications are discussed.
NUR320 Nursing Ethics (3)This course addresses ethical reasoning and ethical frameworks applied to the nursing scope of practice. An awareness of personal/professional values and behaviors, and policy and law related to nursing practice and the professional Code of Ethics for Nursing are explored.
NUR330 Health Care Delivery Systems (3)This course provides an overview of health care delivery systems and their interaction and influence on health care practices. An examination of health reimbursement systems, external regulatory bodies, and public policy are explored.
NUR340 Nursing Research (3)This course focuses on fundamental research skills needed to inform and guide quality nursing practices. Emphasis is on locating, critiquing, and interpreting research studies and reports to address a clinical practice problem.
NUR350 Evidence-based Nursing Practice (3)This course focuses on the integration of quality evidence from research, clinical expertise, and patient values to make informed decisions regarding quality nursing practices. Identifying areas of evidence-based practice, gathering and evaluating valid evidence, implementing the findings, and assessing the outcomes are discussed.
NUR360 Comprehensive Assessment (3)This course provides methods to gather and interpret assessment data from a variety of sources impacting patient health and care. Assessment of health factors such as community, family, culture, lifestyle, and environment are addressed as well as health education and community service needs.
NUR400 Focused Integrated Nursing- Prenatal/Maternal-Birth (3)This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem-based learning is used to address the leading causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and issues related to reproductive genetics. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.
NUR410 Focused Integrated Nursing - Pediatric (3)This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing children and teens. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.
NUR420 Focused Integrated Nursing - Adult (3)This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing adults. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.
NUR430 Focused Integrated Nursing - Geriatric (3)This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing older adults.. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.
NUR490 Capstone (3)This summative course integrates knowledge and skills developed in previous courses and provides an opportunity to apply them to a selected topic in a specialized area of interest. Each student selects a topic currently confronting the field of study or profession, clearly defines the topic using appropriate references and resources, and writes and presents their comprehensive project. The presentation must be provided in a professional manner suitable for a professional health care audience.
Prerequisites:
- All other requirements of the program