Duquesne University (School of Nursing)

Duquesne University, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a private coeducational Catholic University that enrolls over 10,000 students in ten schools of study, offering baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates.

The School of Nursing, founded in 1937, offered the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Pennsylvania. Today, the School offers a traditional BSN as well as innovative online program degrees such as the RN-BSN/MSN, MSN and PhD.

Duquesne’s nursing faculty are qualified, established, and innovative leaders in their fields. The faculty of the School of Nursing conducts all professional nursing courses and also directs the practicum (clinical) learning experiences. All nursing students are assigned faculty mentors for career and professional development.

BASIC BSN PROGRAM

The School of Nursing undergraduate program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This program is available to qualified high school graduates, registered nurses (diploma and associate degree), non-nursing baccalaureate graduates, and qualified transfer students. The basic program includes four years of study and is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice as professional nurse generalists upon graduation. The general and professional education acquired in this program provides a basis for the graduate to progress to positions of increasing responsibility and to undertake graduate study.

The BSN curriculum gives students a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. Courses in the natural, biological and behavioral sciences, as well as the University core courses, support the philosophy that provides the basis for the organizing framework of the professional nursing program. Professional nursing courses, which constitute the major, include theory and practice in the nursing care of individuals, families and aggregates.

While completing their BSN, students have an opportunity to pursue a minor in areas such as Spanish, Business, Psychology, Sociology, and Communications. A focus area in Music Therapy and a Business certificate are also available. Prior to graduation, students are required to successfully complete requirements designed to prepare them for taking the NCLEX-RN exam. Upon the successful completion of the program of studies, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure as an RN.

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School of Nursing Courses

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
This course explores the models of health and wellness in both individual and community contexts. Students apply major health and wellness concepts to themselves and others. Students are introduced to health care systems from the consumer perspective.

NUTRITION FOR WELLNESS
This course explores nutrition and the nursing role in primary prevention for individuals and communities throughout the lifespan. Food needs for energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals are considered in relation to the maintenance of wellness. Nutrition assessments and interventions will be considered, and activities related to the nursing role will be addressed.

ESSENTIALS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING
This course introduces the historical evolution of nursing as a profession. The frame of reference for the analysis develops from the characteristics of a profession. Included is an orientation to the legal and ethical basis of nursing practice in its present and emerging roles. Major elements of the nursing workforce and its challenges are examined.

WAYS OF KNOWING IN NURSING
This course introduces the ways in which nurses engage in critical thinking, promote the science of nursing, and emphasize the importance of caring. Inclusion of various ideas on how one comes to know helps students to gain insight into their learning and prepares them to teach others. The art and science of nursing is presented through the Synergy Model which conceptualizes how nurse characteristics interact with patient needs. In this writing intensive course, emphasis is placed on evaluation of written and electronic resources.

TRANSCULTURAL RESPONSES IN HEALTH CARE
This course introduces models of transcultural health care. Issues related to the health care professional’s role in the delivery of culturally congruent health care are explored. Emphasis is placed on the assessment and analysis of cultural diversity as related to clinical practice. Interplay between models of transcultural care and other models of clinical practice are examined.

SERVICE LEARNING STRATEGIES
This course prepares students for active and responsible community participation. Students are introduced to the skills, knowledge and competencies necessary for service learning. Reflection upon these learning experiences links service to professional development and the total curriculum.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTH
The student explores human development from conception through death. Emphasis is placed on an individual’s psychological, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual development within the context of the family, community, and culture. Health promotion and illness prevention practices are discussed relative to each age group throughout the lifespan.

PROFESSIONAL NURSING COMMUNICATION
Examination of communication as a complex dynamic foundation of all interaction with special attention to the nurse-patient relationship. Students explore major communication theories and principles of therapeutic communication as used throughout the life cycle. Principles of group dynamics, concepts of collaboration, and conflict resolution are included.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE: HEALTHY PEOPLE I
This initial clinical course uses the Synergy Model to identify the characteristics of individuals in a variety of community settings. These clinical learning experiences provide the opportunity to apply concepts of communication, cultural diversity, growth and development, and nutrition. Teaching of health promotion and wellness strategies are included.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITY
This course uses the Synergy Model to assess the characteristics of individuals across the lifespan. It provides the foundation for health assessment critical to nursing practice. A systems approach is utilized to teach students to perform a physical assessment of the adult, child, pregnant woman, and older adult. Students learn to critically evaluate assessment findings and differentiate between normal and alterations indicative of actual or potential health problems. Community characteristics will be explored.

HEALTH PROMOTION
This course introduces concepts specific to the promotion of health and prevention of illness. Within the context of the Synergy Model threats to health of individuals and groups within the community will be analyzed. Common developmental deviations from health will be used as a framework.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE: HEALTHY PEOPLE II
This clinical course uses the Synergy Model to identify the characteristics of individuals in a variety of community settings. These clinical learning experiences provide a context for the exploration of threats to the health of the individual and the community. Appropriate nursing interventions are implemented to promote health and prevent disease. Community characteristics are assessed.

APPLIED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
This course explores the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of various body systems throughout the lifespan. Mechanisms associated with pathogenesis are contrasted with the similar mechanisms that support normal health. The relationship between pathogenesis and patient characteristics is explored. The underlying molecular, cellular, and histological deviations from homeostasis and the mechanisms that disrupt this optimal state will also be examined. Pathological conditions that have a higher incidence in specific developmental stages are the context.

NURSING CARE OF THE PATIENT EXPERIENCING ILLNESS I
This course extends the use of the Synergy Model to patients who are ill. Offered in conjunction with pathophysiology, this course emphasizes nursing interventions to promote safe passage in the health care system. Nursing knowledge of complex concepts relevant to the integrity of individuals confronting physical illness throughout the lifespan is integrated. Pathological conditions that have a higher incidence in specific developmental stages are the context.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE: ILLNESS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I
This clinical course focuses on the provision of care for patients experiencing illness. Attention is focused on the nursing characteristics inherent in the Synergy Model. Clinical settings will be selected across a broad spectrum of sites emphasizing in-patient environments. Students implement nursing interventions based on plans that reflect clinical judgment, caring practices, and a research base.

TECHNOLOGIES IN NURSING
This course uses the Synergy Model as the basis for the development of nurse competencies in specific patient care procedures. Emerging technology for use in patient care is included.

PHARMACOLOGY
This course will cover the basic principles of pharmacology and drug therapy necessary for general nursing practice. Concepts of drug effectiveness, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and drug interaction will be examined. In most cases, the emphasis will be on the pharmacological action of drugs on specific organ systems. Periodically, drugs will be discussed in relation to their clinical use in the treatment of specific disease conditions.

APPLIED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
This course completes the exploration of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of various body systems as well as psychopathology throughout the lifespan. The relationship between psychopathology and patient characteristics is explored. Psychopathological conditions that have a higher incidence in specific developmental stages provide the context.

NURSING CARE OF THE PATIENT EXPERIENCING ILLNESS II
This course extends the concepts from Nursing Care of the Patient Experiencing Illness I to the management of nursing care issues with patients experiencing multiple systems failure in critical clinical situations. Nursing knowledge is explored to foster safe passage for these critically ill patients to recovery or to a comforting closure. Severe psychopathological clinical situations are also examined. The developmental approach is continued.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE: ILLNESS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN II
This clinical course focuses on the provision of care for patients experiencing critical illness with multiple complications or systems failure. Attention is focused on the nursing characteristics inherent in the Synergy Model as these relate to highly complex situations. Experiences are also provided in clinical situations where patients are experiencing profound psychopathology which call for nursing interventions. Clinical settings will reflect the critical care emphasis. Students implement nursing interventions based on plans that reflect clinical judgment, caring practices, and a research base.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCEPTS
This course extends the Synergy Model to view the community as the recipient of care, the patient. Building upon previous community-based experiences, the emphasis progresses to viewing the characteristics of the community. Strategies are developed to promote the health of the community.

CASE MANAGEMENT
Students explore models of case management within the context of population-based health care. The collaborative role of the case manager is examined within the framework of health care delivery systems, quality, cost/finances, legal and ethical issues.

NURSING RESEARCH
This course emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research to support clinical nursing practice. The steps of the research process are explored as they are applied to clinical practice. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies are included.

PROFESSIONAL CONCEPTS AND ISSUES
Students synthesize previous learning and develop knowledge and skills relevant to leadership, management, and the professional role of the nurse. Concepts of power, change, decision-making, and delegation form the foundation for exploring leadership styles and functions. Current issues in nursing and health care, including political, legal and ethical accountability are analyzed. Trends and issues and their interrelationship are explored in order to assist the student to assume professional responsibility and involvement in issues affecting nursing and the delivery of health care.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE: MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ILLNESS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
This clinical course focuses on the provision of care for patients experiencing critical illness with multiple complications or systems failure. Attention is focused on the nursing characteristics inherent in the Synergy Model as these relate to highly complex situations. Experiences are also provided in clinical situations where patients are experiencing profound psychopathology which call for nursing interventions. Clinical settings will reflect the critical care emphasis. Students implement nursing interventions based on plans that reflect clinical judgment, caring practices, and a research base.

COLLABORATIVE NURSING CARE AND SYSTEMS THINKING IN CHRONICITY
This course incorporates multiple aspects of the Synergy Model as the nursing competencies are more aligned with patient characteristics. The multidimensional problems associated with chronic conditions provide a context for the development of collaboration and systems thinking. Principles of rehabilitation and demands for long term care are explored.

SYNERGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
This course provides a capstone clinical learning opportunity designed with attention to individual student learning needs and interests. Experiences are provided across a broad spectrum of clinical arenas to assure the acquisition of knowledge essential for entry to professional nursing practice. The Synergy Model is used to highlight the various dimensions of nurse characteristics in interaction with an array of patient characteristics.

ROLE PREPARATION/NCLEX
This course serves as an NCLEX-RN/CAT examination preparation course. Students work individually as well as in cooperative learning groups. Content focuses on test-taking strategies, self-talk, cognitive restructuring, and test anxiety as it relates to NCLEX-RN preparation. During the course students will take a comprehensive NCLEX readiness examination. Based on results of the comprehensive assessment, faculty and students will develop an individualized prescriptive study plan for NCLEX.

EMERGENCY NURSING ROLE PRACTICUM
This clinical course provides a preceptored experience in emergency nursing practice, exploring the role of the RN in the emergency department (ED) setting, and providing person-centered holistic care to individuals across the life span. Opportunities in flight nursing may be available to interested students.

EMERGENCY NURSING RESEARCH AND ROLE PRACTICUM
This combination theory/clinical course provides a preceptored experience in emergency nursing practice, exploring the role of the RN in the emergency department (ED) setting, and providing person-centered holistic care across the life span. Opportunities in flight nursing may be available to interested students. The student will investigate an area of emergency nursing practice of particular interest and conduct an aspect of research with faculty guidance.

DIRECTED STUDY IN NURSING
This elective course in either a clinical or non-clinical area, is designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to pursue an area of interest in nursing, or to achieve particular objectives that require individualized consideration. Students, in consultation with faculty, have the opportunity to generate objectives and behavioral outcomes, and to formulate and implement a plan of study to achieve these objectives. Prerequisites vary based on content area involved.

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