Nursing

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/nursing/

Chair, 2000-01: Rita S. Glazebrook, maternity nursing, leadership

Faculty, 2000-01: Mary Beth Kuehn, public health nursing, leadership, and nutrition; Mary B. Johnson, adult medical-surgical nursing; Judith A. Sateren, psychiatric nursing; Diana O. Neal, pediatric and adult medical-surgical nursing Other MINC Faculty, 2000-01: Judith Gardner, maternity nursing, leadership; Paula Swiggum, pediatric and adult medical-surgical nursing; Jane Walgenbach, public health and psychiatric nursing; Barbara Zost, adult medical-surgical nursing

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium (MINC), the nursing program at St. Olaf working in cooperation with that of Gustavus Adolphus College, offers students the opportunity to enjoy a St. Olaf education, earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in Nursing, enroll in nursing courses with students from another college, enjoy courses taught by professors from two colleges, and have clinical learning experiences in a wide variety of local and Twin Cities medical and health care centers, long-term care facilities, community agencies, home health, and other facilities. By combining the values of the individual and a liberal arts background with the acquisition of professional knowledge and nursing skills, the program integrates development of the whole person, a commitment to lifelong learning, and service to others with a holistic approach to the practice of professional nursing.

The program, which is accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing education and has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, spans four academic years.

Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for initial licensure by examination for registered nurses offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and, upon licensure, can apply for certification as a public health nurse in Minnesota.

OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR

The program prepares graduates to provide and coordinate nursing care for individuals, families, and communities within standards of professional practice utilizing the Neuman Systems Model. Students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and implement therapeutic nursing interventions within the sociocultural, spiritual, and developmental context of client situations.

Graduates are qualified to work in hospitals, public health agencies, and clinics, to give high quality nursing care to patients and families, and to direct the nursing care given by others. They have the background for graduate study in nursing programs which can prepare them for advanced nursing practice, teaching, administration, and research.

ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL

Information regarding the national accreditation status of the program can be obtained from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway - 33rd floor, New York, NY 10006, (212) 363-5555, and from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, (202) 887-6791. Information regarding state approval of the program is available from the Minnesota Board of Nursing, 2829 University Ave., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55414, (612) 617-2270.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

Admission and Progression

Men and women who meet the college admission requirements are admitted directly into the nursing major. Enrollment in the major is limited; therefore, early consultation with the department chair is recommended. Students are assigned nursing faculty advisers. Recognizing the cooperative relationship that exists between Gustavus Adolphus College and St. Olaf College as participants in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium (MINC), neither college will accept transfer students who have taken the pre-nursing or nursing curriculum from the other institution in the consortium for one year.

In order to begin nursing courses, students must meet the following criteria: Successful completion of prerequisite courses. Prerequisites must be taken for a letter grade. Only one prerequisite course may be below C- and this course (or an alternate course approved by the Nursing Department chair) may be repeated once. A minimum grade of C must be achieved in the repeated or substituted course. If two or more prerequisites are below C- the student may not continue in the nursing major.

In addition, an overall G.P.A. of 2.70 must be achieved in order to begin nursing courses in the junior year. A cumulative grade point average of 2.3 must be achieved in the nursing courses in order to graduate. In addition to the college health requirements, nursing students must also provide documentation of the following: immunization to Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, varicella, and Rubella, negative Mantoux or Tine (TB) test or negative chest x-ray after June 1 of both the junior and senior year in the major.

Continuous certification in CPR (Basic Life Support for health providers) must be maintained throughout the major according to American Heart Association guidelines. A CPR course to meet this requirement will be offered in Nursing 320 for an additional fee.

In order to be qualified to provide direct patient services, students must undergo an annual criminal background study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must meet all college requirements for graduation, as well as complete eight prerequisite courses, one supporting course, and 10 upper division nursing courses.

Prerequisite Courses

Eight courses to be completed before beginning upper division nursing courses are: Biology 125, 231, 243; one of Chemistry 111, 121, or 125; Nursing 110; Psychology 121 and 241; one of Sociology 121, 128, 244 or 260. A course in ethics must be completed before graduation. Students should consult with their adviser to determine what courses meet this requirement for nursing from GE: EIN courses

DISTINCTION

The faculty of the Department of Nursing seek to recognize senior students who distinguish themselves through an independent project which goes beyond the requirements of the major. Candidates are evaluated for the extent to which: knowledge from the basic sciences and the liberal arts is synthesized and integrated in nursing care; cognitive, interpersonal and psychomotor skills are applied to the nursing care of clients through the nursing process; accountability for the quality of one's own nursing interventions and independence in decision making is demonstrated; leadership skills in relation with clients, peers, nursing and other health team members, and in functions relating to professional nursing are demonstrated; participation in extra-curricular activities is demonstrated; and the ability to develop a creative project with relevance to nursing is demonstrated.

Students with a grade point average of 3.0 or above in the nursing courses completed at the point of application and with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above are eligible to be candidates for departmental distinction. Guidelines for distinction are available from the nursing office.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Study Abroad

Nursing students at St. Olaf can participate in the Study/Service or Semester Abroad programs listed in the International Studies section of the catalog. However, participants in programs abroad most likely will need additional time to complete all requirements for the nursing major. The nursing adviser or the department chair will assist in planning for these experiences.

Second Majors

Undergraduates may choose to earn a double major at St. Olaf, in nursing and another discipline. Additional time may be necessary for this choice, as well as advising by faculty representing both disciplines. Students who have already earned a St. Olaf degree are eligible to earn a second major in nursing. Students should consult with the department chair to determine prerequisite courses needed prior to beginning the nursing courses. Special tuition charges are possible.

COURSES

Nursing courses which count toward the major are upper division (junior and senior years). Courses progress from non-acute to acute nursing, from simple to complex situations and include the individual, the family, and the community as clients. Each nursing course which counts toward the major provides the student with 56 class periods, or the equivalent, of instruction. One class period equals 55 minutes at St. Olaf. Two hours classroom laboratory or three hours clinical laboratory is the equivalent of one class period. Clinical experiences are provided in each semester of the Nursing major in a variety of rural and metropolitan settings. Transporation is provided by the college for all clinical experiences except home health care and public health nursing.

110 Nutrition and Wellness

This course explores the sources, chemical composition and metabolic behavior of nutrients. Nutritional requirements for a balanced diet are examined as well as the consequences of excesses and deficiencies. Students use nutrition tools and guidelines to make sound food choices, learn how to read food labels, and consider factors affecting food consumption. Class activities increase students' awareness of a healthy diet, help students evaluate nutrition behaviors, and facilitate a nutritionally sound lifestyle. Prerequisite: High school biology and chemistry strongly recommended. GE: NST. Does not count toward the major. Offered during Interim annually.

294 Internship

Does not count toward the major.

298 Independent Study

Does not count toward the major.

310 Health Assessment and Nursing Concepts (2.0)

This course focuses on concepts and skills essential to professional nursing practice. Topics include the Neuman Systems Model, the nursing process, holism, and wellness. Students will develop the ability to assess the individual's state of health from a holistic perspective by collecting and analyzing physiologic, psychologic, developmental, sociocultural, and spiritual information. Through discussion, case studies, and written assignments, the promotion of wellness is examined, and health problems commonly experienced by adults and the elderly are explored. Prerequisite: All courses prerequisite to the Nursing major. Taken concurrently with Nursing 320. GE: ORC. Offered Fall Semester annually.

320 Application of Nursing Concepts

An introduction to the professional practice of nursing. Students will have opportunities to apply knowledge from the liberal arts and nursing theory to patient care situations. Classroom and laboratory experiences in nursing and health assessment skills develop the student's ability to provide nursing care. Individual practice sessions in the nursing laboratory are expected. Performance testing determines readiness for clinical experiences with elderly residents in a nursing home and adult patients in a community hospital. Students will develop therapeutic communication skills through role plays, patient interviews, and conducting a health history. Prerequisite: All courses prerequisite to the Nursing major. Taken concurrently with Nursing 310. Offered Fall Semester annually.

330 Alterations in Health: Adult and Child (2.0)

An exploration of health problems in adults and children requiring medical or surgical care. Emphasis is on the role of caregiver as the student develops a plan of care and implements nursing actions. Classes integrate pathophysiology and pharmacology with nursing care. Discussions and case studies facilitate decision making skills and development of nursing judgment. Laboratory experiences focus on complex nursing skills. Individual practice sessions are expected and performance testing is used to determine mastery of nursing skills. Experiences with adults and children are provided in metropolitan health care facilities. Prerequisite: Nursing 310 and 320. GE: WRI. Offered Spring Semester annually.

350 Family Health (2.0)

This course emphasizes the health of families and communities. The student acquires skills in family assessment, explores the child-bearing process, and considers the impact of issues such as family violence. Students will study the health of communities through topics of epidemiology, communicable disease, impact of the environment, and the influence of culture on health practices, and work in groups to assess a community and develop a plan to meet an identified health need. Clinical experiences are provided in maternity care, home care, and public health nursing agencies. Students provide their own transportation for home care and public health experiences. The educator role of the professional nurse is emphasized. Prerequisite: Nursing 330. Offered Fall Semester annually.

360 Alterations in Mental Health

Students have the opportunity in this course to explore issues related to the care of individuals suffering from chronic and acute psychiatric disorders. Topics include a wide range of mental health problems such as major mental illness, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders. Students develop the roles of counselor and collaborator by working with an interdisciplinary team in providing care to patients in psychiatric settings. Clinical experiences emphasize the use of therapeutic communication, psychiatric assessment, and interpersonal relationship skills. Prerequisite: Nursing 350. Taken concurrently with Nursing 384. Offered Spring Semester annually.

371 Health Care in Norway (abroad)

This course explores health and nursing in Norway. Students learn about culture, compare nursing and health care in Norway and the U.S., examine the influence of government and economics, explore settings where health care is provided, analyze the effectiveness of the social welfare system in meeting health needs, and identify factors affecting health care in the future. Activities include lectures by Norwegian health professionals, seminars with St. Olaf faculty, readings, journals, short papers, visits to health agencies and cultural field trips. Counts as an elective course in the major. Open to non-majors on a space-available basis. Offered during Interim in alternate years.

384 Nursing in Complex Systems (2.0)

This writing-intensive course explores the profession of nursing in relation to the health care system and legal, political, and economic forces in society. Professional issues such as scope of practice, credentialing, nursing organizations, the image of nursing, research-based practice, educational preparation, and lifelong learning are examined. Discussions, case studies, and oral presentations help the student develop ethical decision making and critical thinking skills. Clinical experiences focus on providing nursing care to groups of adults with complex health problems in metropolitan health facilities. Prerequisite: Nursing 350. Taken concurrently with Nursing 360. Offered Spring Semester annually.

394 Internship

Does not count toward the major.

398 Independent Research

Does not count toward the major.