Department of Nursing

The Department of Nursing offers two undergraduate programs of study leading to the associate degree and the baccalaureate degree. Upon completion of the first two years, the student is awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing degree (A.S.N.). After completing two additional years of upper division studies the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (B.S.N.). The department also offers a master's degree program (Family Nurse Practitioner). For information on the Master's Degree Program contact the Office of Graduate Studies & External Programs or review the Graduate Bulletin on the NGCSU website.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE (A.S.N.)

The purpose of the NGCSU Associate of Science in Nursing degree program is to prepare the graduate to function in the five interrelated roles as developed by the Council of Associate Degree programs of the National League for Nursing. In each of these roles, the graduates base their practice on the problem solving process in rural/urban settings, focusing on clients from culturally diverse settings.

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN Examination for licensure as registered nurses and to accept beginning staff positions in hospitals, long-term health agencies, and community-based facilities.

The program, which is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission- 61 Broadway St., New York, NY 10006 - 212-989-9393 x 153), coordinates general academic and nursing courses. A total of 70 semester hours of college credit over a 4-semester period are required. Students are admitted to Nursing 1100 each fall semester. Students may begin the general educational core courses required in the program during any semester. Application deadline for the ASN program is February 1.

The A.S.N. program is designed for educational mobility. In recognition of the differences in current knowledge and experience, a career mobility LPN-RN curriculum offers LPNs the opportunity for advanced placement. Students may validate the first two semesters of nursing through the LPN-ADN Articulation Model approved by the University System of Georgia and enrollment in a summer bridge course before placement in sophomore nursing courses.

A variety of clinical agencies are chosen by the nursing faculty at hospitals, nursing homes, and some selected community health agencies to provide students with opportunities for diverse and significant learning opportunities. Nursing students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from campus and the clinical agencies.

Those associate degree nursing students wishing to pursue an Army commission must meet the requirements of the military science courses of the Senior Division Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program established by the Department of the Army. Completion of ROTC basic course, advanced course, and advanced camp, is required. Opportunities for four year military scholarships leading to a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army exist on this campus. Students should refer to the Department of Military Science section for courses and requirements.

Admission Requirements - A.S.N. Program

1. All applicants seeking admission to the Associate of Science in nursing degree program are required to be accepted as regularly admitted students to North Georgia College & State University by January 1 of the year in which they wish to enroll in the ASN program. Additional requirements are: (a) a composite Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 800 or higher with a minimum of 400 in verbal and math areas and (b) a predicted freshman grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
2. Transfer students entering the nursing program for the first time must meet all admission requirements pertinent to their applications and the "Transfer Policy" of the Department of Nursing.
3. All applicants seeking admission to the LPN/RN Career Mobility program must meet the following additional requirements:
   a. be a graduate of a practical nursing program;
   b. be licensed as an LPN in the state of Georgia;
   c. complete a minimum of 24 hours of general education courses, including Anatomy & Physiology (8 hours), English Composition, Mathematical Modeling, and electives from Areas B & E;
   d. follow the LPN-ADN Articulation Model approved by the University System of Georgia to validate Nursing 1100 and 1110;
   e. successfully pass critical clinical nursing skills required in the first year nursing courses which are validated in Nursing 1090; and
   f. successfully complete NURS 1020 (Nutrition) and NURS 2070 (Human Growth & Development) or the PSYC 2103 (Human Growth & Development).
4. The North Georgia College & State University ASN Program has adopted the LPN-ADN articulation model approved by the University System of Georgia. Validation testing will be required for all licensed practical nurses who graduated 2-5 years prior to applying to the NGCSU ASN program with no clinical practice hours, and those who graduated more than 5 years prior to applying, even with 1000 hours of clinical practice in the past two years.
5. Students who withdraw from the nursing program for any reason must apply for readmission. The grade point average must be at least 2.0.
6. Nursing licensure in Georgia is regulated by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Students may be admitted to the nursing program by the university and the nursing department, but the approval to admit an applicant to the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) or to grant a license rests with the state board. An applicant who has been indicted or convicted of an offense other than a minor traffic violation, who is under investigation for possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act, or who has been issued a license which has been encumbered (denied, revoked, suspended, surrendered, restricted or placed on probation) by any state board may be permitted to take the licensing examination at the discretion of the Georgia Board of Nursing. The license may not be issued until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the board. If charges are substantiated, the license may be denied or sanctioned despite the applicant’s meeting all other criteria for licensure.

Information Concerning Application for Admission

Applicants who have never been enrolled at North Georgia College & State University are to apply directly to the Office of Admissions for admission to the university. Applicants must also contact the Department of Nursing to initiate the admission process for nursing classes.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in North Georgia College & State University are to apply directly to the Department of Nursing for admission.

Applicants are advised to be prepared with a minimum of two units of science and one unit of mathematics at the high school level.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early fall semester both to the university and to the Department of Nursing to assure placement in the summer LPN/RN Career Mobility Program or subsequent fall nursing courses, assuming admission requirements are met. The application deadline is Feb. 1 of each year. All application information must be completed prior to February 1 for consideration for summer or fall admission. North Georgia College & State University acceptance must be current for the year in which the student plans to enroll in nursing.

The Department of Nursing’s admissions committee will review the academic records of those applicants prior to the fall for which admission is requested. The admissions committee will select those applicants who demonstrate a reasonable probability of successful completion of the academic program. Factors which indicate the probability of success include: (a) grade point average, (b) SAT scores (for recent high school graduates) and (c) previous coursework completed.

In all cases, a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale and successful completion of any developmental studies courses are required for admission to the nursing program. If the fall class is not filled from the applications on hand on Feb. 1 of that year, applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the class is filled. The number of students accepted each year is based on the projected availability of faculty and clinical space for that year.

When the applicant is accepted, information is included regarding uniforms, professional liability insurance, National Student Nurses' Association, and clinical requirements. A letter of intent to enroll is required from the student within a requested time frame.

Students must submit a health examination form, showing evidence of good health and signed by a health care provider. Additional health requirements must be met prior to clinical experiences: negative tuberculin test or chest x-ray, MMR immunization if born since 1957, proof of rubella immunity if born before 1957, and Hepatitis B immunization and titer, a snapshot, a Tetanus immunization within the past 10 years, and proof of health insurance. Students with a positive ppd (tuberculin test) will be required to show evidence of a negative chest x-ray within the past 12 months.

Completion of current Basic Life Support course for health care providers is required of all nursing students.

Students from other R.N. programs may transfer to the Department of Nursing after meeting the requirements for regularly admitted students to the university and the department and the Department of Nursing "Transfer Policy." Placement in the nursing curriculum will be determined by the head of the Department of Nursing.

Academic Standards For Progression

A student must meet the following requirements in order to progress in the nursing program:

1. achieve a grade of 2.0 (C) or higher in each required nursing course and Anatomy/Physiology and Microbiology before proceeding to the next nursing course;
2. repeat a non-clinical nursing course before graduation if a grade less than a (C) is earned;
3. repeat at most one clinical nursing course while progressing through the nursing program;
4. maintain satisfactory performance in the clinical area. An unsatisfactory evaluation in the nursing clinical laboratory means an automatic grade of 0.0 (F) in the course;
5. receive a 75 average or above on unit and final examinations/tests in order to pass each nursing course;
6. maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher for all courses required in the curriculum of the Associate of Science in nursing degree program;
7. complete prior to the beginning of the second year English Composition I, Math Modeling, electives from Areas B & E, and anatomy/physiology I and II;
8. pass all components of the Regents’ Test before enrollment in the last clinical nursing course (see page 77);*
9. complete 30 hours at NGCSU to be eligible for graduation;
10. adhere to all policies at NGCSU, the Department of Nursing and clinical agencies;
11. achieve a grade of 90 on a drug calculation competency exam given during NURS 1110 and NURS 1090 in order to progress to 2nd-year nursing courses (The test may be repeated one time);
12. the student will begin a program of testing each term as part of the course requirements and must be successful in the exit exam at the end of the final term of study.

*Must be completed before enrolling in the last clinical nursing course.

North Georgia College and State University School of Nursing ASN Program
ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC) Guidelines

1. Students are required to pay all fees associated with the ATI process at the start of each semester. Fees cover secured test(s), study guides and access to unsecured tests for remediation.
2. Incoming and graduating students are required to take the Critical Thinking ATI exam.
3. Graduating students are required to take an RN Comprehensive ATI exam.
4. Graduating students are required to take a Leadership ATI exam.
5. ATI access codes and questions are not to be shared with other students. Sharing of codes and questions is considered an Honor Code Violation.

Guidelines for ATI Content Mastery Exams

1. ATI Content Mastery exams will count 10% of a students total grade in the course.
2. Students must achieve > 75% average on the unit tests and the final exam for the ATI exam to be calculated into the course grade.
3. The secured version of the content exam will be given in a proctored setting and the student must turn in a report of their exam results to the proctor prior to leaving the exam. The grade that will be recorded for the 10% of the course grade, will be the percentage or percentile obtained- whichever is highest.
4. Students scoring less than 75th percentile overall of the 50th percentile in any sub content area will be encouraged to take the unsecured version of the exam until satisfactory scores are achieved. Remediation will be the responsibility of the student.

ATI RN Comprehensive Content Guidelines

1. The comprehensive ATI secured exam is given in the semester that the student completes the ASN program.
2. Students are required to complete the unsecured comprehensive and receive a score of > 90% prior to taking the secured Comprehensive ATI exam.
3. The secured version of the RN Comprehensive exam will be given in a proctored setting, towards the end of the semester and the student must turn in a report of their exam results to the proctor prior to leaving the exam. Students must score > 75 percentile on the comprehensive ATI secured exam.
4. Students that do not achieve a score of > 75 percentile must retake the comprehensive ATI secured exam.
5. Should a student not achieve > 75 percentile on the second attempt that student must meet with the Nursing Department Head prior to receiving approval to graduate.

ATI Leadership Content Guidelines

1. The Leadership content exam is designed to assist students in developing leadership skill and knowledge that is integrated throughout the entire ASN program.
2. Students are expected to score > 75th percentile on the leadership content exam.
3. Students scoring less than 75th percentile overall or the 50th percentile in any sub content area will be encouraged to take the unsecured version of the exam until satisfactory scores are achieved. Remediation will be the responsibility of the student.

Note: Students who withdraw from the nursing program for any reason must reapply to the Department of Nursing before being evaluated for readmission to the nursing program. Readmission is based on availability and discretion of the department head.

A.S.N. Degree Requirements

This program is designed to satisfy the present educational requirements to enable graduates to take the licensure examination in nursing. However, the licensing board may change these requirements prior to the completion of the course of study. While reasonable efforts will be made to enable graduates to satisfy additional requirements, no assurances can be made that the university will be able to offer these additional courses or, if taken, that such courses will entitle the graduate to take the licensure examination.

Core Curriculum Requirements - 37 hours

Area A Essential Skills - 6 hours
ENGL 1101 - 3 hours
MATH 1101 - 3 hours

Area B no exceptions - 4 hours
Area E no exceptions - 12 hours
Area C and Area D (not required for the Associate Degreee)

Area F Nursing Major - 15 hours
BIOL 2250 & BIOL 2251 - 8 hours
BIOL 2280 - 4 hours
*Guided Electives

3 hours from one of the following:
SOCI 1101 - 3 hours
PSYC 1101 - 3 hours

*if taken in another area, hours should be taken in an additional guided elective not previously taken.

Courses In Nursing Science**
First year : NURS 1100, 1110, 1020, and 2070
Second year: NURS 2110, 2130, 2140, and 2160 (33 hours)

Other Requirements
Regents’ Test or exemption (see page 77)
U.S. and Georgia Constitution & History Requirement

NURS 2100 (Independent study course in pharmacology). It is required that students demonstrate proficiency in pharmacology. Proficiency may be demonstrated by taking NURS 2100 or by passing an exam with a minimum grade of "C." Recommendation by the Nursing faculty is for students to take this course during their second year of the ASN program.

Nursing Electives:
NURS 1001
NURS 1200
NURS 1205
NURS 1210
NURS 1220

**The LPN/RN Career Mobility Program includes NURS 1090, NURS 1020, and NURS 2070, or the equivalent PSYC course.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (B.S.N.)

The purpose of NGCSU’s baccalaureate nursing program is to prepare the RN to practice as a professional nurse in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings caring for individuals of various ages, families, and communities as clients, with an emphasis on the rural community. The BSN program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing.

The B.S.N. program is designed to coordinate upper-division general academic and nursing courses. A total of 57 hours of college credit beyond the associate degree is required. Academic and nursing courses are offered on the NGCSU campus. Three to four semesters are required to complete the baccalaureate nursing program, depending on previous course credits, student preference and availability of faculty. All graduates of the major must pass the clinical component of Nursing 3510, 4410, and 4600 as well as NURS 3330 performance exam. An accelerated nursing program featuring classes one day per week is available on the NGCSU campus. Some classes are offered on-line. Students are required to have basic computer skills before enrolling for these courses.

Clinical experiences are selected by the baccalaureate nursing faculty in primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings. Baccalaureate nursing students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from campus and the clinical setting.

Those baccalaureate nursing students seeking an Army commission must meet the requirements of the military science courses of the Senior Division Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program established by the Department of the Army. Completion of ROTC basic course, advanced course and advanced camp is required. Students should refer to the Department of Military Science section for courses and requirements.

Admission Requirements - B.S.N. program

1. All applicants seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program must be accepted to North Georgia College & State University prior to acceptance into the nursing program. Applications may be obtained from the NGCSU website or the Admissions Office.
2. Successful completion of an Associate of Science in Nursing degree or a diploma in nursing is required.
3. Following acceptance to NGCSU applicants must contact the Department of Nursing to initiate the admission process for nursing classes.
4. Applicants must have a 2.5 institutional grade point average on all courses accepted at NGCSU for transfer.
5. Applicants must have a grade of C or above in each course in Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Microbiology, either taken at NGCSU or accepted for transfer.
6. The North Georgia College & State University BSN program has adopted the RN-BSN articulation model approved by the University System of Georgia. Validation testing will be required of all associate degree or diploma graduates who graduated from non-NLN accredited schools outside the state of Georgia, who graduated more than four years ago, and have less than 1,000 clinical practice hours. Contact the Department of Nursing for additional information.
7. Students are held accountable for mastery of all psychomotor skills representative of technical education. The Department of Nursing will provide students with a list of selected skills and evaluation criteria.
8. References should be listed on the application to the nursing program (one reference from an employer and one from a former professor are preferred).
9. Applicants must appear for an interview if requested. Faculty have the prerogative to request a student interview.
10. Students who meet all admission requirements other than passing NCLEX scores will be admitted to the program and allowed to enroll in the following non-clinical nursing courses, 3000, 3110, 3150, 3330, and/or 3410.
11. Students seeking readmission to the BSN program must request readmission in writing at least one semester in advance of enrollment and must have a 2.5 institutional grade point average in order to be eligible for readmission. Readmission is based on availability and discretion of faculty.

Information Concerning Application For Admission

Applicants who have never been enrolled at North Georgia College & State University are to apply directly to the Office of Admissions for admission to NGCSU. North Georgia College & State University graduates must seek readmission to the university. Following acceptance to NGCSU, applicants must contact the Department of Nursing to initiate the admission process for baccalaureate nursing classes.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in North Georgia College & State University are to apply directly to the Department of Nursing for admission.

The application deadline is February 1 of each year. NGCSU acceptance must be current for the year in which the student plans to enroll in nursing.

Those students needing to complete the four subtests of the National League for Nursing Profile II should write for application from the Office of Testing, North Georgia College & State University.

After the applicant is accepted and has indicated by letter of intent to enroll, additional information will be sent to the applicant concerning uniforms, professional health and liability insurance, National Student Nurses’ Association and health requirements.

Students must submit a current health examination form showing evidence of good health signed by a health care provider. Additional health requirements must be met prior to clinical experiences in selected agencies (negative tuberculin test or chest x-ray, MMR immunization if born since 1957, proof of rubella immunity if born before 1957 and hepatitis B immunization). Students with a positive PPD (tuberculin) will be required to show evidence of a negative chest x-ray within the past 12 months.

Completion of current Basic Life Support course for health care providers is required, as well as proof of health insurance and professional liability insurance.

Enrollment in the baccalaureate nursing class is limited. Enrollment is determined by the availability of nursing faculty, laboratory space and clinical facilities.

Students from other Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs may transfer to NGCSU’s Department of Nursing after meeting the requirements for regularly admitted students to the university and the Department of Nursing. Applicants need a copy of all nursing course materials and a letter from the director explaining their status upon withdrawal from the nursing program. Placement in the nursing curriculum will be determined by the Head of the Department of Nursing.

Academic Standards for Progression

A student must meet the following requirements in order to progress in the nursing program:
1. maintain an institutional grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher;

2. achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in each nursing course before proceeding to the next nursing course;

3. achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in the chemistry, physics, or biology sequence (Area D) science courses as required for graduation;

4. pass all summative laboratory/clinical components of each nursing course. An F (fail) evaluation on nursing laboratory/clinical course components means an automatic grade of 0.0 (F) in the course;

5. repeat only one nursing course while progressing through the nursing program (Students who fail to make a C or better on two tries in a nursing course will be required to withdraw from the program);

6. earn satisfactory grades in elective courses so that these courses will not interfere with progress in the curriculum (e.g., the institutional GPA falls below 2.0 or the student does not have enough hours to graduate);

7. complete 30 hours at NGCSU to be eligible for graduation; and

8. adhere to all policies of NGCSU, Department of Nursing and clinical agencies.

B.S.N. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 84. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.

A student is required to complete the BSN degree within six years of admission to the nursing course sequence or NURS 3110.

Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D Nursing majors must complete CHEM 1151, 1151L & 1152, 1152L , BIOL 1107, 1107L and 1108, 1108L or PHYS 1111, 1111L & 1112, 1112L; and Math 2400 or CSCI 1100, 1150 in Area D.
Area E no exceptions

Area F. Nursing Major - 18 hours
BIOL 2250 & BIOL 2251 - 8 hours
BIOL 2280 - 4 hours
MATH 2400 (if taken in area D, take CSCI 1100 and 1150) - 3 hours
*Guided Electives
3 hours from one of the following:
SOCI 1101 - 3 hours
PSYC 1101 - 3 hours

*if taken in another area, hours should be taken in an additional guided elective not previously taken.

Other Requirements:
Regents' Test or exemption (see page 77)
U.S. and Georgia Constitution & History Requirement

Courses in Nursing Science
NURS 1100, 1110, 1020, 2070, 2110, 2130, 2140, 2160 - 33 hours

NURS 3110, 3330, 3410, 3510, 4410, 4520, 4600 - 32 hours

Other Requirement-Electives
NURS 3000, 3150, 3580, 4010 (Choose 1) - 2 hours
or one course from the Gerontology Certificate courses or NURS 5500
NURS 3081, 3181, 3381, 3481
* Students enrolling in on-line courses are required to have basic computer skills.

ASN Course Descriptions

NURS 1001 Pre-Nursing Strategies - 2 hours
Prerequisite: Pre-Nursing major or permission of instructor. This Course is designed for pre-nursing students who have an interest in exploring and preparing for a course of study in the profession of nursing. The course will focus on academic preparation for nursing curriculum, explorating of the history of nursing, and current job trends in the field of nursing. Emphasis will also be placed on the transition to becoming a member of the profession. (Elective)

NURS 1100 Basic Concepts Essential to Nursing Practice - 5 hours (2 hours class, 9 hours lab/week)
Prerequisites: Admission to Nursing Program; Pre or Corequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I. This course provides an introduction to the roles of the associate degree nurse and entry into the health care system. The student is introduced to basic concepts essential to the practice of nursing. These concepts include: wellness/illness, communication and telecommunication, theories of human behavior and selected nursing theories, critical thinking and problem solving, human adaptations and responses to stress/anxiety, the loss/grief process, and values and ethics within the community of health care.

NURS 1110 Fundamental Concepts/Integrated Nursing Skills - 5 hours (2 hours class, 9 clinical hours/week)
Prerequisites: Nursing 1100, Anatomy & Physiology I; Pre or Corequisite: Anatomy & Physiology II. Nursing 1110 is designed to assist students to learn selected skills used in nursing practice based on scientific principles. Students will have the opportunity to practice these skills in rural/urban settings with multicultural clients across the lifespan.

NURS 1020 Principles of Nutrition and Nutrition Therapy - 1 hour
Prerequisites: None. This course introduces the student to basic principles of nutrition and the use of diet therapy in health promotion and prevention.

NURS 1090 Transitional Concepts - 5 hours ( - 3 hours class, 6 hours clinical per week)
Prerequisites: Admission to Nursing Program, Completion of specified Core Courses, LPN license. Pre/corequisites: NURS 1020, NURS 2070.
This course is designed to assist the Licensed Practical Nurse to matriculate into the second year of the ASN program. Content is designed to foster role transition and adaptation, values clarification, therapeutic communication, critical thinking skills, nursing theory, stress/adaptation, loss and grief. Clinical nursing skills are validated as the student is introduced to roles of the AD nurse in a complex multicultural community.

NURS 1200 Professionalism in Nursing - 1 hour
Corequisite: Enrollment in ASN program. This course will provide ASN students with an introduction to concepts of nursing leadership as viewed by the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) and the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). Students will have the opportunity to participate/practice in group work, leadership roles, self-governance, advocacy for the rights of patients, the legislative process, and other activities that broaden their vision of the nursing profession. (Elective)

NURS 1205 Professionalism in Nursing II - 1 hour
Corequisite: Enrollment in ASN program. This course will provide ASN students with an opportunity to utilize concepts of nursing leadership as viewed by the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) and the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). Students will have the opportunity to participate /practice in group work, leadership roles, self-governance, advocacy for the rights of patients, the legislative process, and other activities that broaden their vision of the nursing practice. (Elective)

NURS 1210 Professionalism in Nursing III - 1 hour
Corequisite: Enrollment in ASN program, 2nd Year. This course will provide 2nd year ASN students with further exploration of concepts of nursing leadership as viewed by the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) and the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). Students will have the opportunity to participate/practice in group work, leadership roles, self-governance, advocacy for the rights of patients, the legislative process and other activities that broaden their vision of the nursing profession.

NURS 1220 Professionalism in Nursing IV - 1 hour
Corequisite: Enrollment in ASN program, 2nd year. This course will provide 2nd year ASN students with further exploration of concepts of nursing leadership as viewed by the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) and the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA). Students will have the opportunity to participate/practice in group work, leadership roles, self-governance, advocacy for the rights of patients, the legislative process and other activities that broaden their vision of the nursing profession as they relate to preparation for graduation and future employment as an RN. (Elective)

NURS 2070 Growth and Development Across The Life Span - 2 hours
(2 class hours/week, 0 lab/clinical)
Prerequisite: None. This course is designed to provide experiences that foster critical thinking, accountability and a commitment to the value of caring in our complex, multicultural society. The focus is on clients in all stages across the lifespan and located in structured rural/urban settings. Concepts to be studied are specific to growth and development.

NURS 2100 Nursing Pharmacology - 2 hours
Prerequisites: Completion of NURS 1110. An independent study course using computer assisted instruction designed to help students identify commonly used medications in diverse clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on the nurse’s role in medication administration. (Elective)

NURS 2110 Care of the Psychiatric / Mental Health Client - 5 hours
(2 hours class, 9 hours clinical per week)
Prerequisites: Completion of First-Year Nursing Curriculum. Pre/corequisites: Medical Microbiology in Fall Semester of 2nd year. This course focuses on the role of the Associate degree nurse in providing care for the adult, gerontologic, and pediatric, client encountered in psychiatric settings. Principles of psychosocial health, and alterations in the mental health status of these clients will be addressed in both community-based and acute inpatient settings. Students will be required to provide nursing care for this client population applying the principles of holism, caring, ethical nursing practice, and cultural competence. Student clinical performance will be evaluated relative to their level in the program of study*.

NURS 2130 Care of the Maternal / Child Client - 5 hours
(2 hours class, 9 hours clinical/week)
Prerequisites: Completion of First-Year Nursing Curriculum. Pre/Co-requisite: Medical Microbiology in Fall Semester of 2nd year. This course focuses on the role of the Associate degree nurse in providing care for the family during the childbearing stage and for the newborn client. Health promotion needs, and alterations in health, of the childbearing family will be addressed in both community-based and acute inpatient settings. Students will be required to provide nursing care for this client population applying the principles of holism, caring, ethical nursing practice, and cultural competence. Student clinical performance will be evaluated relative to their level in the program of study*.

NURS 2140 Care of the Pediatric Client - 5 hours
(2 hours class, 9 hours clinical per week)
Prerequisites: Completion of First-Year Nursing Curriculum and Medical Microbiology in Fall Semester of 2nd year. This course focuses on the role of the Associate degree nurse in providing care for pediatric clients from one month through adolescence. Health promotion needs, and alterations in health, of the pediatric client will be addressed in both community-based and acute inpatient settings. Students will be required to provide nursing care for this client population applying the principles of holism, caring, ethical nursing practice, and cultural competence. Student clinical performance will be evaluated relative to their level in the program of study*.

NURS 2160 Care of the Adult / Gerontologic Client - 5 hours
(2 hours class, 9 hours clinical per week)
Prerequisites: Completion of First-Year Nursing Curriculum & Medical Microbiology in Fall Semester of 2nd year. This course focuses on the role of the Associate degree nurse in providing care for the adult/gerontologic client population. Health promotion needs, and alterations in health, of this client population will be addressed in both community-based and acute inpatient settings. Students will be required to provide nursing care for this client population applying the principles of holism, caring, ethical nursing practice, and cultural competence. Student clinical performance will be evaluated relative to their level in the program of study*.

*Differentiation between levels within the program of study will be developed and clearly stated in the course syllabi.

BSN Course Descriptions

NURS 3000 Critical Care Nursing - 2 hours (elective)
Prerequisite: Associate Degree or Diploma in nursing. This is a didactic course which prepares the undergraduate nursing student to begin practicing in the critical care environment. This course blends theoretical concepts with pathophysiology, internal and external environmental interactions within the framework of the nursing process. The content includes the major organ systems including the nervous, endocrine, renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, and hematologic systems.

NURS 3110 The Transformation to Professional Nursing (W) (O) - 3 hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the BSN Program. A course designed to increase the RN student’s awareness of issues and concepts that influence professional practice and the delivery of nursing care. The philosophy and conceptual framework of nursing at North Georgia College & State University are emphasized. Course content focuses on professional socialization, health care delivery systems, critical thinking and ethical decision-making. Nursing theories and research are introduced along with supporting theories.

NURS 3150 Teaching Adults in Nursing Practice - 2 hours (elective)
Prerequisite: NURS 1100. A course designed to examine several theories of adult learning and recommended methods of facilitating adult learning. Theorists include: Brookfield, Cross, Friere, Knowles, and Mezirow. Application of a theory of adult learning in a patient education and/or staff development setting will be explored. (Elective)

NURS 3330 Cultural & Health Assessment - 6 hours
(4 hours of class, 4 hours of lab per week)
Prerequisite: NURS 1110 or RN Licensure. The course prepares the A.S.N./B.S.N. student to conduct culturally sensitive comprehensive health assessments of diverse populations. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data collected from clients of diverse ages and cultures. Diagnostic reasoning skills are developed with consideration of client's cultural/ethnic background. The impact of health beliefs, values, heredity, and environmental factors on the acceptability of health care practices is analyzed. Laboratory experiences will focus on the physical examination of selected clients.

NURS 3410 Analysis & Reasoning in Nursing (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisites: NURS 3110, NURS 3330; Math 2400 is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite. This course is designed to provide a foundation for the significance of analysis and reasoning in nursing, and their applicability to nursing practice and health care delivery. Students will be prepared to become knowledgeable nursing research consumers and to understand, evaluate, and apply the research process.

NURS 3510 Healthy Aging (W) (O) - 6 hours
(4 hours class; 6 hours service learning clinical)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS 3110 & 3330; RN licensure. This course is designed to introduce the student to the factors that will influence the healthy aging process. The holistic approach to health care will guide the classroom content and the service learning clinical experience. The novice or more advanced nurse will address caring as it applies to elderly individuals, families, and communities. Students will experience the integration of varied strategies, understand prevention as intervention, and provide health promotion and prevention strategies for the elderly client. Ethical issues that are pertinent to the elderly client/family will be emphasized.

NURS 3580 Transcultural Communication in Nursing - 2 hours (elective)
Prerequisite: None. A course designed to help the student acquire the communication skills necessary to provide quality care in today's multicultural health care system as well as communicate in our multicultural society as a whole. Classroom activities will focus on improving the student's ability to recognize and overcome cultural biases, learning about different styles of communication, and developing transcultural communication skills.

NURS 4000 Independent Study of Nursing - 1- 3 hours (elective)
Prerequisite: RN Licensure / Approval of Department Head. A course designed to enable nurses to pursue more detailed study of the content of another course or to analyze a topic not currently covered in the nursing curriculum. The focus of the independent study must be approved by the supervising faculty member.

NURS 4010 Nursing Research Practicum - 2 hours (elective)
Prerequisite: NURS 3410. This course offers the student an opportunity for active participation in a nursing research project with the approval of the supervising faculty member(s). This course allows students to apply their beginning research skills to selected areas of focus.

NURS 4410 Nursing in the Community (W) - 6 hours
(4 hours class; 6 hours service learning clinical per week)
Prerequisites: NURS 3310, 3330, & 3510; RN licensure. Corequisite or Prerequisite: NURS 3410. This course is designed to assist the novice, as well as the more advanced community health nurse, meet the challenges of nursing in the community. Students will experience the integration of the multidisciplinary approach to caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities. Emphasis in the classroom, and in the service learning clinical experiences, is on a wholistic approach to health care, health promotion, and prevention strategies, and family and community assessment techniques. The ethics of community health care and contemporary community health issues will also be examined.

NURS 4520 Professional Nursing Leadership (O) - 5 hours
(4 hours class, 2 seminar hours per week)
Prerequisites: NURS 3330, 3410, 3510, 4410, RN Licensure. This course introduces the student to concepts related to leading and managing in a complex, rapidly changing health care environment. It emphasizes the practical application of nursing management and leadership concepts and skills in relation to contemporary nursing issues. Use of research findings and application of theoretical formulations to solve real world problems are an integral part of the course.

NURS 4600 Synthesis in Professional Practice - 3 hours
(9 hours clinical per week)
Prerequisite: NURS 4410; Co-requisite: NURS 4520; RN licensure. This course focuses on the clinical application of the principles of professional nursing practice. Students will enact the five roles of the professional nurse with emphasis on the incorporation of caring behaviors and ethical decision-making. The purpose of the course is to assist students to identify their current level of nursing skill acquisition and facilitate their development of expertise while providing culturally competent care to individuals, families, and communities.

NURS 5500 A cultural Experience in the Art of Healing - 3 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of the first-year ASN program. A course designed to provide nursing students with an opportunity to experience health care delivery within the Navajo culture. Students will spend two weekd on a Navajo reservation in Arizona participating in health care delivery as appropriate to their level of study. Observational and practice opportunities will be offered in an acute care hospital setting, an outpatient setting, public health nursing, and clinical settings. Students will experience the delivery of health care in a system where Western medicine is integrated with traditional healing practices of the Navajo Indian and cultural-based medicine. (Elective)

Gerontology Certificate Program

The Gerontology Certificate Program at North Georgia College & State University is designed to enable students at the undergraduate and graduate level, non-degree students, and residents of the community to obtain a certificate in 2-3 semesters of course work. Students will complete a total of eighteen (18) semester hours of graduate level, or upper level undergraduate, courses to meet the requirements of the certificate program. Twelve (12) of the hours must arise from the four certificate courses associated with the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS) and the Gerontology Distance Learning Partnership grant from the University of Georgia (UGA). These four courses are the: Survey of Aging; Biology of Aging; Sociology of Aging; Psychology of Aging. Any of these courses may be used to satisfy the elective requirement in the BSN program.

GERO 3081 Survey of Aging - 3 hours
The Seminar in Aging is designed as the first in a series of four gerontology courses collaboratively taught over the GSAMS distance learning network. This course is appropriate for both graduate students and upper level undergraduate students. Its primary purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging. In addition, contemporary topics related to older individuals and aging are introduced. Participation by students and discussion among collaborating faculty will highlight the complexities of the aging process from diverse perspectives. The views, expertise, and experiences of such a diverse collection of faculty and students will provide an introduction to the field of gerontology not typically found at a single university.

GERO 3381 Biology of Aging - 3 hours
The Human Physical Aging and Biology of Aging course is designed as one of a
series of four (4) gerontology courses collaboratively taught over the GSAMS distance learning network. This course is appropriate for both graduate students and upper level undergraduate students in health related fields and those interested in the physiological changes that occur with aging. Its primary purpose is to provide the basics of the biology of aging with a system-by-system description of aging phenomena in the body. Participation by students and discussion among collaborating faculty will highlight the complexities of the aging process from diverse perspectives. The views, expertise, and experiences, of such a diverse collection of faculty and students will provide exposure to aspects of human physical aging not typically found at a single university.

GERO 3481 Sociology of Aging - 3 hours
The Sociology of Aging is a distance learning course taught collaboratively via the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS). The course is designed for upper level graduate and undergraduate students. Its central focus will be the examination of age as a social construct and aging as a social process. We will explore the effects of societal norms and social institutions on the aging experiences of individuals as well as the effects of qualities of generations and the age structure of a population on a society and its institutions. Students will become familiar with major sociological theories of aging. We will study the demographics of age by looking at the changing age structure of the United States and reviewing social indicators to document the composition and comparative status of the current older population. We will discuss issues of age-related inequality and its confluence with social class, race, and gender inequalities. We will investigate major contemporary issues in aging, using research literature to not only inform, but to enable us to analyze these issues and possible public policy responses to them. A number of faculty members of participating institutions will lecture and facilitate discussions in their areas of expertise in aging.

GERO 3181 Psychology of Aging - 3 hours
Psychology of Aging is a distance learning course taught collaboratively via the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS). This course is designed as part of a distance learning curriculum and its purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of research findings in the psychology of aging. At NGCSU this is an introductory level graduate course and an upper level undergraduate course. Lectures are designed to provide a general overview of the domain of psychology and aging with an emphasis on critical evaluation of research. Accordingly we will examine aging research and practice to obtain a general picture of the far-ranging contributions of both academic and applied psychology to later life and show how psychological research translates into practice. We will study academic research and look at some illustrations of clinical applications of research findings in order to demonstrate how the abstract content of the psychology of aging can come alive in a concrete way. Central goals of the course are to learn about procedures, biases, and limitations of major studies, evaluate the accuracy of theories, and explore actual research evidence supporting those theories. Through this snapshot of what we know, students should gain the tools and critical framework to question and evaluate future theory, research, and practice, in the psychology of aging. We will focus on abstract theoretical questions and study topics with immediate, pressing applications to daily life. Among the topics that will be considered are the challenges of disability and health care, family relationships, personality consistency (or change), the ways people cope with stress, the course of retirement and widowhood, marital happiness, how families cope with caregiving, and the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease

Three (3) additional hours must be fulfilled to meet a research/practicum experience requirement. These hours may involve a service learning practicum which is relevant to the study of gerontology, and which is also community-based. As an alternative, a student may present a thesis which fulfills their degree program requirements AND which is relevant to the study of the older population, or may complete a research project relevant to the study of gerontology.

GERO 3581 Practicum Experience - 3 hours
Students whose discipline has a practitioner's emphasis may complete an
approved practicum in a community-based gerontological setting for not less than three (3) semester hours. The practicum must be approved by the Gerontology faculty advisor. The student should outline the proposed practicum experience in a letter to the Gerontology faculty advisor.
Example of practicum experience: Service learning with the elderly. This course is a supervised field experience designed to assist in reinforcing knowledge, theories, and principles, gained through courses related to Gerontology.

GERO 3681 Research Experience - 3 hours
Students whose discipline is focused on research may submit a thesis which they have completed to fulfill Master's requirements within their academic department, or they may complete an individual research project for not less than three (3) semester hours. The thesis or project must focus on some aspect of aging, and the project must be approved by the Gerontology faculty advisor prior to the development of the project in order to qualify for the certificate. The student should outline the proposed project in a letter to the Gerontology faculty advisor.

As stated above, students should describe the proposed research project or practicum in a letter to the Gerontology faculty advisor or complete the form developed for this purpose. The student will receive written response from the Gerontology faculty advisor regarding the suitability of the proposed plan for the Gerontology Certificate. In addition, the student and his or her advisor must submit written documentation to the Gerontology faculty advisor that the project has been approved through the student's specialty department if the course is being taken in lieu of a requirement in that program of study, and also when that project has been completed as proposed. When the project has been completed, the completion form must be submitted to the Gerontology faculty advisor. As stated previously, theses and disciplinary practicum completed in departments may fulfill these requirements as long as it is determined that the subject matter is suitable for the certificate before the project begins. When the academic credit for the thesis or practicum is awarded by any academic unit other than the Gerontology Program, the responsibility for evaluating the quality of the work resides solely in the department.

The remaining three (3) hours may be chosen from a list of elective courses which are offered on the North Georgia College & State University campus and are as follows:

SOCI 3230 Social Change - 3 hours
This course examines the theories, directions, mechanisms, patterns, spheres, and impact, of change at various levels of social organization in society.

SOCI 3250 Introduction to Gerontology - 3 hours
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the process of aging.

SOCI 3530 Death, Society, and the Human Experience - 3 hours
Current sociological perspectives on death, and the experience of dying are explored, with special attention to the psycho-social needs of the terminally ill and their families.

SOCI 4100 Sociology Theory - 3 hours
A survey of the major theoretical concepts of major writers in sociology from Comte to the present.

SOSC 4350 Family Violence - 3 hours
An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas of family violence: spousal abuse; child abuse; sibling violence; etc. Research in the field will be reviewed for factors related to causation and prevention.

PSYC 3200 Advanced Developmental Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 & PSYC 2103. An in-depth study of the physical, social, behavioral, self-concept, language, cultural, and cognitive aspects of human development across the life span. Research methodology, and applications will be emphasized.

PSYC 3310 Learning and Cognition - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. Empirical, theoretical, and applied topics in classical, operant, and observational learning are presented in conjunction with current cognitive research including perception, attention, memory, thinking, and language development.

PSYC 3530 Abnormal Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey and evaluation of the major theories of personality development and related research and applications. An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas of family violence: spousal abuse; child abuse; sibling violence; etc. Research in the field will be reviewed for factors related to causation and prevention.

PSYC 3200 Advanced Developmental Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 & PSYC 2103. An in-depth study of the physical, social, behavioral, self-concept, language, cultural, and cognitive aspects of human development across the life span. Research methodology, and applications will be emphasized.

PSYC 3310 Learning and Cognition - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. Empirical, theoretical, and applied topics in classical, operant, and observational learning are presented in conjunction with current cognitive research including perception, attention, memory, thinking, and language development.

PSYC 3530 Abnormal Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey and evaluation of the major theories of personality development and related research and applications.