Online RN-BSN

Controversies and knowledge development in pathophysiology and pharmacology are investigated, and their impact on nursing care through the lifespan is examined. Factors influencing health and illness, such as genetics, ethnicity and environment, are discussed in relation to disease occurrence and treatment. Relationships among disease states and varying approaches to drug therapies are examined using evidence-based approaches. Technology at point-of-care nursing practice is used, including personal digital assistants (PDAs) and clinical data repositories (CDRs), to develop competencies responding to just-in-time critical values and knowledge for patient-centered care.

This course expands the theoretical and experiential base gained in prior nursing and non-nursing courses by introducing students to population-based nursing with a special focus on global and international health issues. Emphasis is placed on identifying trends in the health and health care of populations as well as exploring strategies to address health promotion, primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention, and protection goals for particular at-risk and high-risk population groups throughout the world. The course orients the student to health care needs and interests of families, aggregates, communities and nations as a whole, rather than solely focusing on needs and interests of individual clients. Health care strategies, population-level interventions, community resources, and opportunities for interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration are identified. Relevant political, economic, social and ethical implications of particular health care strategies are examined. Specific countries and public health issues will be selected to compare and contrast with the U.S. health care delivery system. Students reflect upon contemporary literature related to national and international public health issues.

This course explores medication and other health care errors that threaten patient safety. The impact of health care errors is examined from the perspectives of consumers, health care providers, professional organizations, legislators, hospitals and health care delivery agencies. Systems improvement initiatives are investigated with the goal of preventing health care errors. Interdisciplinary and collaborative roles of consumers, legal counsel, and health care providers, including nurses, pharmacists and physicians, are emphasized.