Nursing – R.N. to B.S.N.

• Faculty
• Description
• Major Requirements
• Program Policies
• Course Descriptions

Faculty

Nancie Bruce, Nursing Program Director
Danielle Artis, Assistant Professor
Karen Bartice, Assistant Professor
Jennifer Dahlman, Assistant Professor
Stephanie Denison, Clinical Coordinator
Janet Flynn, Assistant Professor
LaVerne Green, Assistant Professor
Denise Jarboe, Assistant Professor
Kathryn Mancusi, Assistant Professor
Denise McKain, Assistant Professor
Daphne Waite, Assistant Professor

Description

The Trinity Nursing Program offers advanced placement for Registered Nurses holding an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing. This program is designed for the adult learner. RNs admitted into the program may receive credit for general education and nursing courses. In order to receive a degree from Trinity, the transcript must reflect 128 credits, with 32 of those taken in residence at the University. Students may transfer up to 32 credits in nursing. Upon admission, students may complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the B.S. in Nursing, students must successfully complete required coursework in the following areas:

Nursing Requirements (32 credits):

• NURS 310 Advanced Health Assessment NURS 310 Advanced Health Assessment

  In this theory course students acquire knowledge of advanced physical assessment in order to provide safe, competent, and humanistic nursing care to clients across the lifespan. Students will identify common pathological health deviations, at-risk behaviors, and altered physical findings. Instruction in health history taking, physical examination skills, health promotion techniques, and clinical assessment tools are included in course content. Students will use information technology systems to research evidence-based practice. They will use case studies to apply critical thinking, as they examine socio-cultural diversity and caring practices in health assessment. Formerly NURS 310 Comprehensive Health Assessment.
  2 credits
  Prerequisites: For RN-BSN Students Only
  Co-requisite: NURS 310L

• NURS 310L Advanced Health Assessment Lab NURS 310L Advanced Health Assessment Lab

  This laboratory course is designed to assist students to further refine their advanced health assessment skills of clients across the lifespan. Students will practice he alth history taking methods, physical examination skills, health teaching, and methods of recording history and physical assessment findings. This course will focus on health assessment as it relates to socio-cultural diversity among clients and the delivery of caring, humanistic nursing care. Formerly NURS 310L Comprehensive Health Assessment Lab
  1 credit
  Prerequisites: For RN-BSN Students Only
  Co-requisites: NURS 310

• NURS 320 Policy and Politics in Nursing NURS 320 Policy and Politics in Nursing

  Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care engages the student in understanding how health care policy shapes health care systems and helps to determine accessibility, accountability, and affordability. Students will evaluate how health care delivery systems are organized and financed and the effect this has on patient care; based on the student's findings, they will identify political factors that they may influence in a proactive response to quality patient outcomes.
  3 credits
  General Education Requirements: Applications

• NURS 325 Contemporary Issues In Nursing and Health Care NURS 325 Contemporary Issues In Nursing and Health Care

  This course will examine the role of the nurse in collaboration with other health professionals and the public in the promotion of community, national, and international efforts to meet society's health needs and shape social policy. The focus will be on issues such as palliative and end-of-life care, long-term care, genetics, forensics and corrections nursing, violence in the workplace, nursing informatics, aging and vulnerable populations, workforce issues, legal aspects of nursing, patient safety, cultural diversity, professional development, and the future of the profession. Formerly NURS 300 - RN Tran - ACT (Achieving Career Trans).
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None

• NURS 330 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice NURS 330 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

  Research and Evidence-Based Practice focuses on relevant scientific and phenomenological information to assist the student to understanding the role of theory and research in nursing practice and health care. The course will provide an overview and analysis of theoretical approaches and research methodologies. Students will learn how to critically review and utilize research supporting common aspects of nursing practice. Formerly NURS 330 - Nursing Theory & Research
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 110
  Note: Students in the RN to BSN program must also have completed NURS 300 and MATH 110

• NURS 415 Pharmacology and Complementary/Alternative Therapies NURS 415 Pharmacology and Complementary/Alternative Therapies

  This course presents an update of pharmacologic therapies with a focus on drug therapies used in the community and home health setting. Learners are also introduced to various modalities of alternative, complementary, and integrative medicine for application in their practices and personal lives. Healing and health practices of persons from diverse ethnic and socio-cultural groups will be examined. Students will have the opportunity to participate in experiential exercises and techniques related to healing touch, caring, herbal therapies, guided imagery, biofeedback, hypnosis, group therapy, music and pet therapy, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy. Formerly NURS 400 Experiential Learning Portfolio.
  3 Credits

• NURS 410 Leadership and Management of Health Care NURS 410 Leadership and Management of Health Care

  This course is designed to assist the student to synthesize the intersection of nursing care with leading people and managing organizations and systems. The course incorporates the application of management principles and leadership, change, and administration theories in nursing practice and health care delivery. Content discussions include delegation, working with large groups, communication and collaboration, cultural diversity, legal and ethical dilemmas, budget management, staff development, resource management, quality improvement and risk management, evidence based practice, and the healthcare consumer.
  3 credits
  Prerequisite(s): All 300-level NURS courses
  Corequisite(s): N/A
  General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)

• NURS 420 Community and Public Health Nursing NURS 420 Community and Public Health Nursing

  This theory course is designed to prepare students for community/public health practice in a changing health care system. Concepts of primary health ca re to the assessment, planning, and delivery of care to diverse families will be emphasized. Factors influencing the primary health care of communities and the impact of globalization, politics, socioeconomics, and environmental factors on the health vulnerability and resiliency of communities are examined.
  3 credits
  Pre-requisites: NURS 350; NURS 350C

• NURS 420C Community and Public Health Clinical NURS 420C Community and Public Health Clinical

  This clinical course provides opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge, concepts and care to diverse clients and families in a variety of community s ettings. An emphasis will be placed on the health promotion and restoration of clients while considering ethical issues and spiritual needs. Formerly NURS 420L - Community and Public Health Clinical.
  2 credits
  Pre-requisites: NURS 350; NURS 350C

• NURS 430 Emergency Nursing and Illness Prevention NURS 430 Emergency Nursing and Illness Prevention

  This course will examine the nurse's role in prevention and intervention in community emergency nursing situationsand environmental disasters. The learner will apply knowledge of health promotion, risk reduction, illness and injury prevention, and disease management throughout the lifespan from the individual through the population levels. The focus of this course will be on preparing the learner to function in an independent nursing role and respond to emergency situations that may occur in the community setting. The delivery of safe, competent, humanistic care that respects a client's socio-cultural, spiritual, gender, and thnic diversity will be discussed. Formerly NURS 430 - Emergency Preparation and Disaster Management.
  3 credits
  Pre-requisites: RNs Only

• NURS 450 RN Clinical Practicum NURS 450 RN Clinical Practicum

  This clinical course provides opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge, concepts and care to diverse clients and families in a variety of community settings . An emphasis will be placed on the health promotion and restoration of clients while consideri ng ethical issues and spiritual needs. Formerly NURS 401 - Clinical Preceptorship.
  3 credits
  Pre-requisites: NURS 310; NURS 420; NURS 420C

• NURS 490 RN Capstone NURS 490 RN Capstone

  Culminating learning experience demonstrating the curriculum model within the professional practice of nursing. Assists students to critique and utilize research and analyze a clinical nursing problem that illus trates a sophisticated level of knowledge of best practices and of gathering and applying evidenc e. Each student will make a major presentation that is open to the educational and professional company. Formerly NURS 490 Capstone: Synthesis (KSVME) of Professional and Health Care Issues.
  3 credits
  Pre-requisites: RNs Only

 Associated Major Requirements: (34 credits): (May meet the General Education requirements)

• Anatomy & Physiology (lab) (8 credits)
• Microbiology (lab) (4 credits)
• Chemistry (lab) (4 credits)
• Math (3 credits)
• Psychology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Ethics (3 credits)
• Public Speaking (3 credits)
• Sociology (3 credits)

Nursing Transfer (32 credits) from an approved, appropriately accredited school of nursing

General Education Requirements (34 credits):

• Skills for Life and Work – 18 credits
  • Writing (6)
  • Speaking (6)
  • Numeracy (3)
  • Information and Computer Literacy (3)
• Understanding the Self and Society – 18 credits
  • Appreciation of Arts and Humanities (6),
  • Personal, Civic and Global Awareness (6)
  • Understanding the Scientific Method (4)
• Ethics and Moral Reasoning – 3 credits
  • Ethics (3)

Program Policies

Required Documentation: Prior to enrolling in any course, students are required to present documentation of the following:

• Current Registered Nurse Licensure for the District of Columbia
• Professional Liability Insurance in the amount of $1 million/$ 3 million
• BLS/CPR Certification

Required Documentation:  Prior to enrolling in any clinical course, students are required to present documentation of the following:

• Current immunization or titers for: DPT; MMR; Hepatitis B (3 doses); Tetanus; Influenza (annual); TB (annual).
• National criminal background check
• Including all alias and nationwide sexual offenders index with a set of fingerprints
• Current major medical health insurance

RN Achievement Tests: Students who have worked at least one year as a clinical nurse may be eligible to test out of NURS 310 Advanced Health Assessment NURS 310 Advanced Health Assessment

In this theory course students acquire knowledge of advanced physical assessment in order to provide safe, competent, and humanistic nursing care to clients across the lifespan. Students will identify common pathological health deviations, at-risk behaviors, and altered physical findings. Instruction in health history taking, physical examination skills, health promotion techniques, and clinical assessment tools are included in course content. Students will use information technology systems to research evidence-based practice. They will use case studies to apply critical thinking, as they examine socio-cultural diversity and caring practices in health assessment. Formerly NURS 310 Comprehensive Health Assessment.
2 credits
Prerequisites: For RN-BSN Students Only
Co-requisite: NURS 310L

and NURS 310L Advanced Health Assessment Lab NURS 310L Advanced Health Assessment Lab

This laboratory course is designed to assist students to further refine their advanced health assessment skills of clients across the lifespan. Students will practice he alth history taking methods, physical examination skills, health teaching, and methods of recording history and physical assessment findings. This course will focus on health assessment as it relates to socio-cultural diversity among clients and the delivery of caring, humanistic nursing care. Formerly NURS 310L Comprehensive Health Assessment Lab
1 credit
Prerequisites: For RN-BSN Students Only
Co-requisites: NURS 310

through the successful completion of the NLN RN Achievement Test in Physical Assessment and the demonstration of an adult physical examination, evaluated by faculty. Students must meet the scheduled dates and times and pay the required fee prior to the beginning of the semester.   Additionally, RN to BSN students who have not taken collegiate level Anatomy and Physiology may challenge eight credits through the successful completion of the NLN RN Achievement Test in Anatomy and Physiology.  There is a fee, payable to Trinity Washington University, associated with taking the NLN RN Achievement Test.  This fee must be paid to the Business Office prior to scheduling the test.  The fee can be paid via check, cash, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover.  This fee is non-refundable.  Students should obtain receipts from the Business Office, which will serve proof of payment and as authorization to order and schedule the assessment test.

Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major: for a list of these courses, please consult the Director of the Nursing Program.

Pass/No Pass: The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major.

Transfer Policy: Students may transfer up to 96 credits to fulfill the degree requirement of 128 credits.