Nursing

Overview

The curriculum builds on the liberal arts background of the students and the values of a holistic approach to the practice of professional nursing. Clinical experiences are provided in major medical and health care centers, long-term care facilities, community agencies, home health, and other facilities.

Students are awarded a bachelor of arts degree with a major in nursing by St. Olaf College upon successful completion of all requirements of the program. Students are eligible to complete the licensure examination for registered nurses offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and, upon successful completion, can apply for certification as a public health nurse in Minnesota.

General Education Credit

Placement

Admission and Progression

In order to begin nursing courses, students must meet the following criteria: Successful completion of prerequisite courses (C- or above).

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.

An overall G.P.A. of 2.70 must be achieved in order to begin nursing courses in the junior year.

A cumulative GPA of 2.3 must be achieved in the nursing courses in order to graduate.

Registered Nurses

Requirements for Graduation

Prerequisite Courses

Biology

• 125 Cellular Biology and Genetics
• 231 Microbiology
• 243 Anatomy and Physiology

Chemistry (choose one)

• 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry
• 121 General Chemistry
• 125 Structural Chemistry and Equilibrium

Family Resources

• 255 Topics in Food and Nutrition

Psychology 121 Principles of Psychology

241 Developmental Psychology

Sociology (choose one)

• 121 Introduction to Sociology
• 260 Marriage and the Family

Supporting Course

Study Abroad

The nursing adviser or the department chair will assist in planning for these experiences.

Second Majors

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

310 Health Assessment and Nursing Concepts (2 course value)

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. Offered Fall Semester.

320 Application of Nursing Concepts (1 course value)

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.

330 Alterations in Health: Adult and Child (2 course value)

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. Offered Spring Semester.

350 Family Health (2 course value)

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.

360 Alterations in Mental Health (1 course value)

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.

384 Nursing in Complex Systems (2 course value)

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. Emphasis is placed on the role of the nurse as leader-manager. 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.

Faculty