Nursing
The Department of Nursing has an undergraduate program leading to a baccalaureate degree, and a graduate program leading to a master’s degree, post-master’s credential, or Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree. The department provides opportunities for students to practice in a variety of hospitals, clinics, and community agencies in both rural and urban settings. Classes are sufficiently small to allow an individualized and personal relationship between the student and the instructor. Selected courses are offered via distance learning technologies.
The Master of Science in Nursing and Post-master’s options are available for preparation as a Nurse Administrator (NA), and Nurse Educator (NE). Core courses for the MSN and the NA and NE courses are all available on-line using various learning technologies. BSN-DNP graduates are eligible for certification as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. BSN-DNP are prepared to be eligible to sit for national certification exams as well pending the completion of other criteria. Contact the FHSU Nursing Department at 785-628-4255 for further information.
For those students interested in working with and relating to the older population, options available include a gerontology minor and a graduate level area of concentration. (See Academic Programs of Study for detailed information on the BGS and MLS degrees.)
Department of Nursing Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Nursing - BSN Nursing Graduate Non-DegreeCourses
The course is designed for all students interested in learning about the discipline of nursing. The scientific basis for nursing practice is explored. Course content includes the roles and functions of nurses in various setting, types of educational programs available, basic nursing organizations, guidelines for nursing practice, and selected concepts such as touch, life continuum, caring, empathy, intimacy, and wholeness.
This course introduces the student to fundamental skills for nursing care of individuals throughout the lifespan. Content focus includes but is not limited to proper communication techniques, basic documentation skills, basic terminology and legal/ ethical responsibilities.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
This course introduces the student to major concepts and commonly used terminology related to pathology in each organ system.
History, philosophy and theories of nursing are discussed in terms of their significance to the practice of professional nursing. History and philosophy are discussed as a basis for understanding the overview of current theories of nursing. The course is designed to provide a professional basis for nursing practice.
This course discusses common health problems, safety, and decision making based on the nursing process for the care of the adult client. This This course also explores medications, medication classification, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics based on pathophysiology concepts.
This practicum is designed to provide the student with beginning opportunities to observe and provide nursing care for adult clients experiencing complications of health and illness in various settings.
This course will assist the student to attain a level of proficiency in calculating medication dosages.
This course is designed for reqistered nurses and licensed practical nurses who wish to complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The course introduces the organizing framework of the FHSU nursing curriculum and provides strategies for analyzing the student's process through role development and transition.
Provides theory of the nurse's role in performing health assessments including interviewing, the health history and physical examination techniques for clients of various ages.
Designed to assist the student in developing beginning skills in health assessment of clients of various ages.
This course presents a foundation to the pathophysiology of the human body within diverse populations in the continuum of wellness, acute, and chronic illness.
This course applies information from basic science courses, Health Assessment, and Pathophysiology I to achieve understanding of selected common health impairments.
This laboratory course will introduce the student to essential nursing skills. The student will perform hands-on nursing skills and apply clinical reasoning in the skills laboratory setting.
This course introduces nursing care of diverse patient populations experiencing acute illness. The focus is on risk factors, signs and symptoms, nursing assessments and interventions for selected acute conditions.
This practicum will introduce students to clinical settings where they will perform essential nursing skills focused on clients with acute illnesses.
This course introduces students to nursing concepts critical to the nursing profession.
The course will explore the history of nursing and provide an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a professional registered nurse.
This course explores the content and practice of ethical decision making in health care.
This course introduces the students to regulations and/or laws as they apply to nursing or other health care professions.
The purpose of this course is to investigate the processes required to interpret, evaluate, and integrate information into nursing practice for problem solving. This course includes the basic concepts of evidenced-based research for nursing practice, and an analysis of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
This practicum is designed to provide the student with opportunities to care for clients experiencing a psychiatric and/or mental health illness. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the professional nurse in various mental health settings as well as current treatment modalities.
This course examines professional nursing therapeutics focused on mental health and the care of persons with mental illnesses. It discusses the care of persons of various age groups with psychiatric mental health illness. Psychopathology of mental health illness are reviewed. Application of the nursing process within a multidisciplinary team approach is emphasized.
This course introduces nursing care of diverse patient populations experiencing chronic illness. Focus is on risk factors, signs and symptoms, nursing assesments and interventions for selected chronic conditions.
In this practicum, students will provide nursing care to clients with chronic illnesses in diverse clinical settings.
This course explores medications, medication classifications, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics based on pathophysiology concepts with an overall goal of developing safe medication administration practice. This course also explores the legal/ethical and professional parameters of medication therapy.
This sequential course explores medications, medication classifications, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics based on pathophysiology concepts with an overall goal of developing safe medication administration practice. This course also explores the legal/ethical and professional parameters of medication therapy.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
This course will allow students to review essential professional nursing content and practice test taking strategies to prepare the student for the NCLEX-RN examination.
This practicum course affords the student the opportunity to manage and plan the care of mothers, infants, children, adolescents, and families from conception through childhood in diverse clinical settings utilizing the nursing care process. Attention given to the diverse needs of women, infants, children, adolescents and families with respect to differences in age, culture, and psychosocial attributes.
This course will assist the student to explore the knowledge, development, and management of the multidisciplinary care of the childbearing family, infants, & pediatrics. Through the integration of evidenced based research in relation to health promotion, and disease prevention, the students will explore the common concerns of childhood and the childbearing family.
This practicum will assist the student to manage care for the child, adolescent, parenting family, support systems and aggregates in diverse clinical settings.
This course will assist the student to explore the knowledge and management of care for the child, adolescent, parenting family, support systems and aggregates.
This course will focus on concepts related to specific health care needs of the growing older adult population. Essential geriatric competencies will be incorporated to promote comprehension of the aging process and the role of the nurse in promoting interdisciplinary evidence-based health care.
A preceptor-directed clinical practicum internship that offers the student an opportunity to explore the content and practice of nursing in an area of interest to the student. One credit hour equals 60 clock hours of experience.
A guided advanced clinical practicum internship that offers the student an opportunity to explore the content and practice of nursing in an area of interest to the student.
This course will assist the student to explore the knowledge and management of populations with an emphasis on community and mental health concepts, issues, roles, policies, and trends. Students will understand their own and others’ cultures and possess skills necessary to engage constructively with all kinds of people.
This practicum course will assist the student to manage the care process for populations with emphasis on integrating mental and community health concepts.
This sequential course examines the complex nursing care of diverse patient populations. Focus is on risk factors, signs and symptoms, nursing assessments and interventions for selected conditions.
This practicum is designed to provide the student with opportunities for complex nursing care for clients experiencing varying complications.
This Capstone internship practicum will provide the student with an in-depth precepted experience in focused areas of professional nursing practice. Students will provide and coordinate patient care in acute care and rural settings.
This course will assist the student to synthesize key professional nursing concepts related to nursing leadership, clinical safety, change, policy, and personnel management in health care organizations.
This course will instruct students on basic informatics concepts, computer applications, information competency and literacy, basic statistical concepts of research,and legal and ethical standards in the healthcare setting. Students will evaluate the applicability of informatics in the healthcare setting.
This course will explore the professional roles of the Baccalaureate prepared nurse in healthcare.
This course will explore ethical decision making and legal regulations as they apply to nursing practice.
This course will assist the registered nurse to assess the global needs of communities. Students will explore public health concepts, issues, roles, policies, interventions and trends.
This practicum is designed to provide the student with opportunities to care for adult clients experiencing complications of health and illness.
A study or project that offers the student an opportunity to explore areas of nursing in more depth. (See class schedule for specific titles.)
This course will provide a theoretical base of the nurse's role in health promotion, expanding on current knowledge of basic health assessment skills to interpret and integrate needs for health promotion in varied health care settings and the community.
This course engages students in the research process as they explore and analyze nursing evidence to improve patient outcomes.
This course will provide information to prepare the student to think critically about trends in nursing and confidently face the future challenges of the nursing profession.
This course will provide students with a basis for understanding health care policy. Students will examine the impact of health care costs, quality and access related to patient outcomes.
This course will assist the student to synthesize nursing knowledge related to the nursing curriculum strands.
This course, with practicum, will assist the student to synthesize nursing knowledge related to leadership and management in healthcare. Course emphasis includes professional development and evidence- based applications for healthcare settings. Students are expected to complete 32 hours with a Registered Nurse preceptor participating in nursing leadership and management activities with direct care patient experiences. Preceptor must be a BSN prepared nurse. Student clinical clearance is required. Site contract may be required. Contact <a href="mailto:nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu" target="_blank">nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu</a> for more information.
This practicum will provide the student with an in-depth concentrated experience in focused areas of professional nursing practice.
This course will provide the student with an opportunity to perform a needs assessment within a a healthcare community setting. Students will develop an evidence-based strategy for systems change.
Reading directed to meet the needs of the individual student. Includes oral and written discussion.
This course introduces the student to globally diverse nursing care while affording the opportunity to understand and practice cultural humility. The student will have the opportunity to experience on-site exploration of global nursing.
This practicum course provides the student the opportunity to plan and manage globally diverse nursing care while affording the opportunity to understand and practice cultural humility. The student will have the opportunity to experience on-site exploration of global nursing.
This course consists of three one-hour courses; a. Assessment of the school-age child; B. Growth and development of the family and school-age child c. Common problems and health promotion of the school-age child. Content includes assessment skills; physiological, psychological, and sociological elements that affect developmental norms; common health proglems; and health promotion and maintenance strategies.
Provides theory related to the nurse's role in performing health assessments across the lifespan.
Provides theory related to the nurse's role in performing health assessments across the lifespan.
Designed to assist the student to become adept in assessing the health status for individuals across the life-span.
Designed to assist the student to become adept in assessing the health status for individuals across the life-span.
This course introduces students to nursing concepts critical to the nursing profession.
This course introduces students to nursing concepts critical to the nursing profession.
This course will assist the nurse educator and nurse administrator to attain competency in the health assessment of patients.
This course will assist the nurse educator and nurse administrator attain a level of proficiency in understanding the pathophysiology, assessment data, and prescribing practices used in the primary care setting.
This course addresses collecting, classifying, analyzing, utilizing and making inferences about statistical data applications regarding healthcare phenomenon.
This course will foster the application of advanced nursing leadership, evaluation of health promotion and maintenance activities for safe and quality patient care, and the assessment of epidemiological factors that influence health for individuals, families, and populations.
The theory-research-practice relationship is examined as key to professional advanced nursing. Theory development in nursing is explored using selected criteria. Process and practice of nursing theory evaluation is considered.
This course presents the foundational information for advanced nursing.
This course will foster the development of advanced nursing capabilities to analyze health policy, finances, politics, and delivery systems to design strategies enhancing health outcomes for diverse populations.
The broad perspective of human health potential is the framework for study. There is a focus on culturally competent care, social issues, mindbody-spirit connectivity, and other patterns of motivation and behavior related to health potential. Evidence-based strategies form the basis for advanced nursing design and appraisal.
A practicum designed to assess, analyze and manage nursing care needs of human aggregates.
The course provides a foundation for the graduate student choosing nursing administration as an advanced practice role by introducing organizational and leadership theories and nurse leadership development in health care settings.
The course provides professional nurse leaders basic health care finance information to lead change and influence outcomes in health care organizations. Quality improvement, value-based purchasing, and financial strategies regarding nursing in health care will be explored.
This course will serve as an intensive inquiry into a particular area or problem in nursing or health care. Problem inquiry, literature review, research, analysis and dissemination will be completed regarding the student's phenomenon of concern.
This course is designed to present theories and strategies of learning and teaching. Appropriate materials and methods for effective education in the classroom and the clinical setting are also explored.
This apprenticeship course is designed to provide nurse educator role experiences. This practicum requires 90 clock hours (48 clock hours in direct patient care PLUS 42 clock hours in indirect role learning experiences). Clinical site and preceptor approvals required. Preceptors (2) must be MSN prepared RNs working in direct care and nursing education settings. Student clinical clearance is required. Contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu for more information.
Curriculum theory and principles of nursing curriculum development are analyzed and synthesized to correspond with diverse educational programs.
This apprenticeship course is designed to provide nursing curriculum development experiences. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 45 clock hours of practicum with an approved preceptor at an approved site. Preceptor must be a MSN-prepared nurse working in a nursing education role. Student clinical clearance is required. Contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu for more information.
This course is designed to prepare Nurse Educators to evaluate nursing curriculum and/or programs.
The focus of this course is to use technological methods to improve patient care. Students will explore data mining, patient safety, privacy, and security. Point of care applications will be examined in an effort to improve quality care. Applications to improve student learning and implementation of evidence based practice will be explored.
An intensive inquiry into a particular area or problem in nursing. (See class schedule for specific titles.)
The apprenticeship is designed to give the graduate student practical experience in nursing administration including organizational, personnel and budget management. The student will explore the role and responsibilities of a Nurse Administrator in a health care facility. Ninety clock hours are required with a MSN-prepared RN working as a nursing administrator in an approved health care facility. Site contracts are required. Student clinical clearance is required. Contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu for more information.
This course introduces the student to graduate research and examines methods of nursing research.
Designed to give the student experience in the primary healthcare of women in both gynecological and obstetrical settings to apply and develop clinical assessment skills and interpretation.
Designed to give the student practical experience in primary health care of infants and children.
This course will serve as the first credit hour of a three credit hour evidence based practice project. In this course each student will complete the foundation of an intensive inquiry into a particular area or problem in nursing or health care. Students must have a facilitator in a healthcare setting that is able to guide the student with the project. The project requires data collection and analysis. FHSU IRB approval is required. Healthcare site IRB approval and contract may be required. Contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu for more information.
This two credit hour course completes the total three credit hour evidenced based practice project for graduate students. This course continues the intensive inquiry into a particular area or problem in nursing or health care established in NURS 890. The evidence based practice project will be finalized in this course, included planned project implementation, data gathering with evaluation, and project dissemination. Continued access to the healthcare site and facilitator is required.
Implementation and dissemination of clinicalbased research evidence designed to promote quality patient care in advanced nursing practice.
Individual study of a selected problem relating to nursing practice or nursing education.
Theory component of advanced comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and developmental assessment across the lifespan.
Lab and clinical application of advanced health assessment skills. Analysis and synthesis of data to develop critical thinking skills and diagnostic reasoning.
General principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics are discussed . The principles for understanding drug selection, use and monitoring are examined. The course is designed to provide an overview of drug action in the treatment of patients. Emphasis is placed upon the application of basic pharmacology and pharmacokinetics principles to patient care. Students will be asked to apply basic pharmacology and pharmacokinetics principles to problems commonly encountered in various clinical settings.
The clinical application of specific drugs, commonly encountered in primary care settings is discussed. The use of protocols, prescription writing, and the ethical/legal, and economic issues surrounding the advanced nurses' role in prescribing and monitoring pharmacologic therapies in the ambulatory setting are explained. Factors such as age appropriate content related to pharmacokinetics, dosages, expected outcomes, and side effects of the drugs are discussed. First line versus second line drugs, alternate drugs, drug interactions, adjusting drug dosages, patient education, and compliance issues related to drug therapy are addressed. The nurse's role and responsibility related to data collection, problem identification, and consultation with the physician is explored. Application is made through age appropriate studies.
Provides students with an in-depth scientific knowledge base relevant to selected pathophysiological states confronted in primary care. This provides a basis for the formulation of clinical decisions related to diagnostic tests and the initiation of therapeutic regimens. Agespecific and developmental alterations are correlated with clinical diagnosis and management. Application is made through age appropriate examples.
Primary health promotion and wellness of individuals and families throughout the lifespan are examined within a community context.
This course will analyze strategies in health policy, finances, politics and delivery systems utilized by advanced practice registered nurses in order to improve population health.
The course is designed to explore various advanced practice nursing roles. The advanced practice role is analyzed from a historical perspective and includes theoretical, research, ethical, legal, political and economic issues of the nurse practitioner. Current trends and future directions of the nurse practitioner are examined within the context of a diverse, global healthcare environment.
This course presents knowledge necessary for the practice of primary health care of the well adult and geriatric populations. Course content includes the principles of health promotion, disease prevention and assessment, and management of common primary health care problems in diverse populations. Emphasis is placed on gender and age specific needs in addition to pathophysiologic processes underlying certain conditions. The impact of the family on the health of the adult and geriatric patient is explored.
Preceptoriship in primary health care of the adult and geriatric patient. This course is a clinical practicum focusing on adult and geriatric health care with an emphais on health promotion, management of commom health problems, and client education. A developmental approach across the lifespan is used in assessing the client and family in formulating the treatment plan. Students participate in a clinical rotation in an adult health care setting which provides the opportunity for health assessment of the adult and geriatric patient and formulation of a comprehensive plan of care. The role of the nurse practitioner as a primary health care provider in a variety of adult and geriatric settings is examined. Relevant resources and research related to the adult and geriatric patient are explored with the application of findings to the care of clients.
The first of two core speciality courses using a systems approach that emphasizes a multi dimensional and inter-professional approach to assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment formulation from the primary care needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. Common health conditions are explored in relation to health promotion, health maintenance, assessment, diagnosis, and management of common episodic, chronic, and complex conditions affecting health. Students will develop skills in critical thinking and the use of evidence-based practice guidelines in developing the rationale for diagnosing and managing primary care needs. In addition to cultural and spiritual diversity, students learn patient preferences in health care decision making with a focus on person centered care.
Develops competency in implementing the nurse practitioner's role in health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment.
This course will assist the advanced practice nurse attain a level of proficiency in ordering, understanding and interpreting commonly used diagnostic studies and procedures specific to age, gender, and condition. Emphasis will be placed on performance of Primary care procedures in laboratory and clinical settings.
This clinical course will assist the advanced practice nurse attain a level of proficiency in ordering, understanding and interpreting commonly used diagnostic studies and procedures specific to age, gender, and condition. Emphasis will be placed on performance of Primary care procedures in laboratory and clinical settings.
The second of two core speciality courses using a systems approach that emphasizes a multidimensional and inter-professional approach to assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment formulation for the primary care needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. Common health conditions are explored in relation to health promotion, health maintenance, assessment, diagnosis, and management of common episodic, chronic, and complex conditions affecting health. Students will develop skills in critical thinking and the use of evidence-based practice guidelines in developing the rationale for diagnosing and managing primary care needs. In addition to cultural and spiritual diversity, students learn patient preferences in health care decision making with a focus on person centered care.
Develops competency in implementing the nurse practitioner's role in Health Promotion, Health Protection, Disease Prevention, and treatment, particularly chronic illness.
This course presents knowledge necessary for the practice of primary health care of children. Course content includes the principles of health promotion, disease prevention and assessment, and management of commom primary health care problems in diverse pediatric populations. Emphasis is placed on developmental needs and the pathophysiologic processes underlying certain conditions. The impact of the family on the health of the child is explored.
Preceptorship in primary health care of the child and adolescent. This course is a clinical practicum focusing on child and adolescent health care with an emphasis on health promotion, management of commom health problems, and client education. A developmental approach across the lifespan is used in assessing the client and family in formulating the treatment plan. Students participate in a clinical rotation in a pediatric health care setting which provides the opportunity for health assessment of the child and adolescent and formulation of a comprehensive plan of care. The role of the nurse practitioner as a primary health care provider in a variety of pediatric settings is examined. Relevant resources and research related to the child and adolescent are explored with the application of findings to the care of clients.
This course is designed to examine health promotion and disease prevention interventions. This course will prepare leaders to integrate evidence-based approaches that impact the health of populations, building upon skills and knowledge developed throughout the DNP program.
This course is an introductory course to the DNP program. Students will review the various roles of the DNP. They will examine the DNP essentials and understand options related to the DNP capstone.
Students will appraise evidenced based practice and evaluate it's application in practice settings. The course will build on master's level research methodology as students investigate research problems and explore appropriate research designs to solving clinical questions.
This course will incorporate leadership theories and communication techniques necessary to be an effective leader in a health care setting. Students will evaluate professional ethics in advanced nursing leadership roles and understand skills necessary for organization systems leadership.
This course will incorporate evaluation methods in healthcare systems with financial management skills necessary for the nursing leader. Students will evaluate organizational structures and the impact that both finances and structure play on quality patient care. They will further examine the role of quality improvement and accreditation in primary care.
This course will investigate quality improvement (QI) processes in healthcare.
This course is the first of three clinical project courses that prepares advanced practice nurses for a clinical doctorate. Students in this course will identify a clinical problem and synthesize journal articles from a literature review. They will analyze ethical dilemmas related to their identified problem and explore options for data collection and analysis.
This course if two of three scholarly project courses that prepares advanced practice nurses for a clinical doctorate. During this course students will finalize the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process and implement their DNP project.
This course is the third course in a three part series of DNP project courses. In this course students will finalize their DNP project. Students will collect and analyze clinical data. They will cumulate their doctoral education through a completed DNP project that utilizes theory, research and practice. It will be disseminated into scholarly manuscript.
This course is an advanced residency course aimed at increasing student knowledge and skills in a speciality area. Students will implement advanced practice skills in health assessment, health promotion, pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment in a specialty setting. The clinical setting of choice is determined by the interests of the student. Clinical experience may be performed in acute care, a specialty clinic, family practice, community setting, long-term care or a hospital setting. Students will devise course goals with their instructor.
This course is a rural residency course. Students will implement advanced practice skills in health assessment, health promotion, pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment in a rural setting. For the purpose of this course, a rural setting is defined as a rural community less than 5,000 people. The clinical setting of choice is determined by the interests of the student. Clinical experiences may be performed in acute care, family practice an area of specialty, community setting, long-term care or a hospital setting. Students will devise course goals with their instructor.
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601-4099
785-628-FHSU (3478)