BSN Course Descriptions

This course list differs from that provided in the Undergraduate Catalog. This list includes only those courses being offered currently; the list found in the Catalog includes all approved courses.

Carolina Core (New) Curriculum

NURS 301 Foundations of Relationship-Centered Care and Diversity and Inclusion: Carolina Core I (3 Credits)This course provides socialization into relationship-centered nursing practice. All Carolina Core tenets are introduced; however, diversity and inclusion, relationship-centered care, and scholarly communication are a central emphasis. Students will obtain a beginning ability to act as a therapeutic agent. Majors Only.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 302 Research, Ethics and Innovation: Carolina Core II (3 Credits)This course focuses on research, ethics, and health innovations as a basis for scientific inquiry to address problems that require solutions. All Carolina Core tenets are examined; however, nursing inquiry, evidence-based nursing practice, and ethical conduct in research are central foci. Majors Only.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 310 Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment I: On Campus Clinical I (2 Credits)The first in a series of four on campus clinical courses, this course introduces foundational clinical nursing skills and integrates knowledge and skills of comprehensive health assessment for the adult and older adult. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills. Majors Only.
Requisites: Corequisites, NURS 330 and 351.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 311 Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment II: On Campus Clinical II (2 Credits)
This is the second in a series of four on-campus clinical courses with application of advanced clinical nursing skills and comprehensive health assessment to specialized populations. This course emphasizes application of mental health and reproductive health concepts. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills. Majors only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310 and 330; corequisite, NURS 352.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 320 Culture and Nursing Care (3 Credits) (Elective option)
Relationship of culture to health and health care practices. Role of culture in structure and delivery of health care in selected countries, and with selected indigenous and minority populations. Admission to NURS major or permission of instructor
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 321 Nursing Global Clinical Practicum (1 Credit)(elective option pending approval by University)
Practicum addressing needs of individuals, families or communities in a global or “local as global” setting. This is a faculty-led clinical practicum in a selected global setting or a “local as global” setting such as a Native American reservation or center serving an immigrant population.
Grading status: Pass/fail

NURS 330 Nursing Care of Adults I (4 Credits)
This course considers how nursing influences the health and healing capacities of adults. Students will attain the knowledge necessary to complete a comprehensive assessment of the older adult’s physical, functional, psychosocial, and cognitive capacities. Clinical experiences in post-acute care settings provide opportunities for clinical reasoning, clinical care, and knowledge integration. Majors only.
Requisites: Corequisites, NURS 310 and 351.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 351 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology Across the Lifespan I (3 Credits)Part one of a two-part course series focusing on the physiologic changes that occur as a result of select disease processes. Additionally, the clinical manifestations of altered health and related pharmacotherapy are addressed. Majors only.
Requisites: Corequisite, NURS 330.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 352 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology Across the Lifespan II (3 Credits)
Part two of a two-part course series focusing on the physiologic changes, the clinical manifestations of altered health, and the pharmacotherapy used to treat complex disease processes. Safe and effective medication administration by the Registered Nurse will be explored. Majors only.
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 351.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 365. Evidence-based Care of Older Adults (3 Credits)(elective option, pending approval)
This course emphasizes evidence-based care of the older adult across the care continuum and examines resources available for caregivers of this population.
Prerequisites: NURS 310, NURS 330
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 384 Family Focused Genomic Health Care (1 Credit)
This course focuses on the essential competencies in genetics and genomics for all registered nurses. A family perspective is used to help students relate advances in genomics to nursing care. Majors Only.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 401 Integrating Principles of Leadership, Quality and Safety, and Informatics into Nursing Practice (3 Credits)
This course focuses on systems thinking and complexity, development of leadership roles and skills, and interprofessional communication and teamwork. All Carolina Core tenets are examined; however, leadership, quality and safety, and informatics are central foci. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 301.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 402 Foundations of Population Health and Global Health: Carolina Core IV (2 Credits)In this course, all Carolina Core tenets are explored; however, there is a focus on population health and global health as essential components of nursing. Students will examine global health challenges as well as policy strategies of promoting health for all. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 301, 302, and 401.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 410 Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment III: On Campus Clinical III (2 Credits)The third in a series of four on campus clinical courses with application of advanced clinical nursing skills and comprehensive health assessment to specialized populations. This course emphasizes application of leadership, pediatric and community health concepts. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310, 311, and 352; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 430.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 411 Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment III: On Campus Clinical III (2 Credits)The third in a series of four on campus clinical courses with application of advanced clinical nursing skills and comprehensive health assessment to specialized populations. This course emphasizes application of leadership, pediatric and community health concepts. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310, 311, and 352; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 430.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 430 Nursing Care of Adults II (5 Credits)Centers on management of adults experiencing complex health problems and focuses on application of evidence based practice and skill acquisition needed to care for acutely ill patients through transitions in an illness experience. Clinical experience in acute care settings provide application for clinical reasoning, clinical care, and knowledge integration. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311, 330, and 352.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 461 Exploring Social Determinants of Health Across Populations (3 Credits)
This integrative seminar allows students to explore how social determinants of health affect the health of populations.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 481 Mental Health Promotion and Psychiatric Care Across Populations and Settings (4 Credits)Using selected theories of human psychosocial development, psychopathology, and psychotherapy, this course requires students to advance their use of therapeutic communication skills, examine the range and complexities of human emotional suffering, and apply methods of effective intervention. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 330 and 351; Pre- or corequisites, NURS 311 and 352.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 482 Reproductive Health and Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (4 Credits)The course emphasizes development of caring and critical thinking skills in providing evidence-based nursing care focused on reproductive health and care of childbearing families. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 301 and 330; Pre- or corequisites, NURS 302, 311, and 352.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 483 Family-Centered Nursing Care from Birth through Adolescence (4 Credits)This course emphasizes development of caring and critical thinking skills in providing evidence-based, family centered, culturally responsive nursing care to infants, children, and adolescents throughout the care continuum. Majors Only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311, 330, and 352; Corequisite, NURS 410.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 484 Public Health Nursing in Community Settings (4 Credits)Students apply evidence-based public health concepts to community practice to improve health and reduce disparities across the life span, emphasizing interventions using partnership strategies at individual, family, organizational, and policy levels. Majors only.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311, 330, and 352; corequisite, NURS 410.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 496 Advanced Practicum in Nursing (1-3 Credits)(elective option)
Majors only. The focus of this course is the development of knowledge and experience related to research or service learning and its application to the practice of nursing and health care.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 510 Management of the Critically Ill (3 Credits)(elective option)
This hybrid course, offered in collaboration with UNC Hospitals, focuses on collaborative management of critically ill adult patients. Students will gain advanced skills and demonstrate critical thinking to apply evidence based practice to care for critically ill patients across the continuum of care.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311 and 352; pre- or corequisite, NURS 430.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 512 Care of Individuals with Cancer and their Families (3 Credits)(elective option)
This course focuses on the cancer experience of individuals and families across the lifespan (pediatric to older adults). The cancer control continuum framework will guide content focused discussions on prevention and risk reduction, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 301 and 330; pre- or corequisite, NURS 352.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 514 Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Fundamentals (3 Credits)

This course, offered in collaboration with UNC Hospitals, focuses on the collaborative care of pediatric patients in the emergency department and in critical care units (NICU, PICU). Students will be introduced to advanced assessments and interventions utilized in these environments. Students will also discuss interdisciplinary challenges specific to pediatric emergency and critical care and investigate evidence-based solutions to some of these challenges. Majors only.
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 483.
Grading Status: Letter grade.

NURS 600 SHAC: Student Health Action Coalition (0 Credits)(elective option)
This course provides service-learning opportunities to apply nursing practice within the context of interprofessional care for vulnerable populations by participating with Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) activities.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 0 total credits. 8 total completions.
Grading status: Pass/Fail.

NURS 601 Experiential Learning in Nursing (0 Credits)(elective option)
This course provides experiential educational opportunities to apply nursing practice through volunteer participation in select communities. Majors only.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 0 total credits. 8 total completions.
Grading status: Pass/Fail.

NURS 607I Interprofessional Team Work and Communication – Key to Patient Safety (3 Credits)(elective option)
Majors only. This interprofessional course focuses on understanding roles, teamwork, and communication to improve patient safety within the health care environment. National standards and initiatives will be the foundation of the course. Pass/Fail only.
Grading status: Pass/Fail.

NURS 609 Health Care in the Global Context (1 Credit)(elective option)
Majors only or permission of the instructor. A faculty-led experiential learning opportunity focusing on development and knowledge related to research, health care systems, or service learning and its application to nursing and health care.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 8 total credits. 8 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 611 Supporting the Childbearing Family (3 Credits)(elective option)
Application required. An interprofessional, service-learning approach to studying maternity care. Students will receive professional doula training and volunteer as birth doulas within the Volunteer Doula Service Program at North Carolina Women’s Hospital.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 613I Intermediate Spanish for Health Care I (3 Credits)
(elective option)
This intermediate course is the equivalent of the third semester of college Spanish. Students will hone their listening and speaking skills in class primarily through role-playing activities and class discussion. Activities center on an original film set in a health clinic in rural North Carolina.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: PUBH 613, AHSC 613I, SOWO 613I.

NURS 614I Intermediate Spanish for Health Care II (3 Credits)(elective option)
Permission of the instructor. This primarily e-learning course provides public health students with the opportunity to improve their oral communication skills in Spanish at the intermediate level via DVD, Web, and workbook. Instructor-led. Online course.
Requisites: Prerequisite, PUBH 613I.
Grading status: Pass/Fail
Same as: PUBH 614I, AHSC 614I, SOWO 614I.

NURS 615I Advanced Spanish for Health Care I (3 Credits) (elective option)
Required preparation, third semester Spanish or equivalent. This advanced course reviews the grammar of the third and fourth semester of college Spanish. Students hone their listening and speaking skills through role-playing activities and class discussion. Activities center on an original film set in a Latino-run health clinic.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: PUBH 615, AHSC 615I, SOWO 615I.

NURS 620 Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Training for Caring Professions (3 Credits)
(elective option)
Join us for an experiential and evidence-based course to learn and practice mindfulness and compassion skills, based on the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction curriculum as well as other mindfulness-based practices (e.g. loving kindness).  Learn about how mindfulness and compassion practices are being adapted and incorporated into clinical and community settings for various patient populations and illness conditions.  Learn about the evidence for efficacy and effectiveness, and mechanisms of action, of these skills.  Enjoy a retreat environment with fellow clinicians, and practice self-care skills.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 671 Nursing Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Scholarship (3 Credits) (for Hillman Scholars)
Students anticipating graduate study are introduced to scientific inquiry and principles of evidence-based practice, including theoretical perspectives related to inquiry; ethics; identification of research problems, development of research questions, and appropriate design; data interpretation with emphasis on statistical analysis; and rigorous appraisal of research reports.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 675 Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation: Integrative Seminar (1 Credit) (for Hillman Scholars)
Admission to the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation is required. This seminar will cultivate personal and professional skills essential for students’ development and socialization as nurse innovators, leaders, researchers, and scholars. Content is iterative and progressive in depth and scope.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 680 Experimental Courses (1-3 Credits)(elective option)
Pilot test for new courses in the nursing program.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 12 total credits. 4 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 685I Care of the Dying and Bereaved throughout the Life Span (3 Credits)(elective option)
Students from a variety of health sciences-related disciplines gain an understanding of issues in working with dying and bereaved individuals of all ages and their families.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 6 total credits. 2 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 687 Ethical Issues in Nursing (2 Credits)(elective option)
Examination and discussion of major ethical issues arising in the professional practice of nursing in the context of systematic consideration of the nature of ethical choice.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 691H Honors in Nursing, Part I (3 Credits)(elective option)
Permission of the program director. Majors only. Preparation of a two-semester honors project under the direction of department advisors.
Gen Ed: EE- Mentored Research.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 692H Honors in Nursing, Part II (3 Credits)(elective option)
Permission of the program director. Majors only. Preparation of a two-semester honors project under the direction of department advisors.
Gen Ed: EE- Mentored Research.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 697 Capstone – Transitions in Care & Practice (6 Credits)
Students will incorporate previously learned leadership concepts, clinical skills, therapeutic communication, and critical thinking to deliver quality nursing care, using evidence based practice, in varied settings with faculty and RN guidance. Preparing for the NCLEX-RN examination and strategies for successful transition from student nurse to registered nurse will be explored.
Prerequisites: N430, N481, N484, N482, N483
Corequisites: N402, N411
Gen Ed: EE- Field Work.
Grading status: Letter grade.

RN to MSN Curriculum

NURS 491 Improving Nursing Practice: Application of Concepts, Theories, and Research (3 Credits)Majors only. This course emphasizes analysis of clinical problems that affect the nursing care of selected populations. Students also apply the nursing process, therapeutic communication skills, and teaching-learning principles in clinical situations.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 492 Conceptual Bases of Professional Nursing Practice (3 Credits)Majors only. Selected concepts, theories, and models are synthesized, appraised, and applied as a basis for making judgments and decisions in nursing practice.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 494 Community Health Nursing for the Public’s Health (3-6 Credits)Majors only. Prepares R.N. students for population-focused practice in community health nursing. Analyses and applications of selected theories; health promotion/protection and disease prevention strategies are emphasized.
Grading status: Letter grade.

Legacy Curriculum

NURS 371 Nursing Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice (3 Credits)Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. Students are introduced to key concepts of evidence-based nursing practice, including the research process, protection of human subjects, and retrieval and appraisal of evidence to maintain a scientifically sound practice.
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 364;
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 456 Discipline of Nursing II (2 Credits)Majors only. This course emphasizes professional development through exploration of a variety of roles and practice environments. Students analyze personal and professional goals and values to develop a framework for nursing practice.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 254 and at least one of the following: NURS 470, 472, 477, or 479.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 2 total credits. 1 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 470 Public Health Nursing (5 Credits)Majors only. Students apply public health concepts to community practice to improve health and reduce disparities across the lifespan, emphasizing interventions using partnership strategies at individual/family, organizational, and policy levels.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 364 and 371. Co-requisites, NURS 472, 477, or 479.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 472 Nursing Care of Infants, Children, and Their Families (5 Credits)Majors only. Nursing care of infants, children, and their families is explored. Knowledge from a variety of disciplines is applied through the nursing process to the direct care of infants and children.
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 364.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 479 Maternal/Newborn Nursing (5 Credits)Majors only. The course focuses on application of caring and critical thinking skills in providing evidence-based nursing care to childbearing families.
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 364.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 487 Practicum in Nursing: Work-Study Experience (3 Credits)Certification as Nurse Aide I and II also required as pre- or corequisite. Majors only. This course provides the student an opportunity to participate in a work-study experience in participating health care agencies. Students participate in a reflective experience that integrates classroom and experiential learning.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 254 and 364.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 488 Practicum in Nursing: Health Services Improvement Work Experience (3 Credits)Majors only. Certification as a Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II are recommended. Practice in health care settings is the course focus. Students participate in a reflective experience that provides the context to integrate classroom and experiential learning into an evolving professional identity.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 254 and 364.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 489 Practicum in Nursing: Global Health Experience (3 Credits)Majors only. Certifications as a Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II are recommended. Practice in global health care settings is the course focus. Students participate in a reflective experience that provides the context to integrate classroom and experiential learning into an evolving professional identity.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 254, 364, and two of the following: NURS 470, 472, 477, 479, 591.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 497 Preparation for Professional Practice (1 Credit)Seniors only or permission of the instructor. This course will assist students in preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination through a strategic and systematic individualized plan of study that utilizes the ATI program and other relevant resources. Limited enrollment.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 3 total credits. 3 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 588 Leadership in Health Care Organizations (4 Credits)Majors only. This course explores organizational leadership and management practices and theories. Current social, economic, legal, ethical, and policy issues affecting practice, education, and the profession of nursing are examined.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 364, 371, and 487 or 489, and 472 or 477 or 479. Corequisite, NURS 488.
Grading status: Letter grade.

NURS 591 Nursing Care of Adults with Major Health Problems, II (8 Credits)Majors only. This senior-level course focuses on applying critical thinking, clinical decision making, and evidence-based nursing practice to complex health problems of adults. Unique health needs of older adults are addressed.
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 364 and 371; co-requisite, NURS 456.
Gen Ed: EE- Field Work.
Grading status: Letter grade.