Lewis University (College of Nursing and Health Professions)

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of the College of Nursing & Health Professions is congruent with the mission of Lewis University in the belief that each person is unique and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As a total being, the individual is different from and more than the sum of the parts. The person is an open being, free to choose in interaction with the environment. Persons are unique in that they are capable of feeling, valuing, and reflecting in order to find meaning in situations and to make decisions. Everyone has needs which range from survival to development of individual potential.

Persons are encompassed by families and communities and seek to define their uniqueness through their interactions with these systems. Respect for the diversity of individuals is fostered through understanding of this larger context. The environment is the largest open system and consists of, but is not limited to, political, economic, sociocultural, and ecological subsystems. Each societal subgroup has a structure through which it transmits cultural and spiritual values and mores, provides psychosocial support systems, and influences health related behaviors. Thus, the appropriate arena for nursing action extends beyond the individual and includes promotion of social action related to health issues and concerns.

Health is a multidimensional sense of harmony and well being and can only be described by the individual as experienced. A person's health is influenced by interactions with the health care system and exercise of the right to self determination. The promotion of health for all members of society requires the active identification of vulnerable populations and management of the elements of the environment which impact these populations.

Nursing is an autonomous profession with its own domain different from other health care professions with which it functions in a collaborative mode. Nursing builds upon knowledge from the humanities and the natural and human sciences as well as the unique nursing knowledge base derived from theory, research, and practice. The synthesis of the interrelated concepts from these fields of study provides a theoretical and scientific basis for professional nursing. The central phenomenon of concern in nursing is the total human being in interaction with the environment.

The goal of professional nursing is to maximize health and quality of life from the person's perspective. It utilizes a systematic and caring approach and involves the client in mutual goal setting and evaluation. The professional nurse considers physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of the client and their relationship to health. Professional nursing can take place in any setting. It includes both independent and collaborative functioning within the interdisciplinary health care team. The professional nurse practices in an active leadership role within the context of responsible moral and ethical dimensions. Professional Nursing acknowledges the moral imperative to assume social responsibility for effecting change intended to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Nursing education is an ongoing process which involves the educator and the learner in pursuing and sharing knowledge. Students are viewed as adult learners. In this context, learners engage in the educational process in a spirit of self-directedness by assuming responsibility for learning. The learner enters the educational process with a unique personal and cultural history which serves as a rich resource for learning and contributes to self identity. This background energizes formal learning settings and provides the impetus for continued personal and professional growth.

The educator has a moral responsibility to assist individual learners to work toward development of their full potential. The educator enters the learning environment as a resource person, facilitator, and co-learner. The educator respects and values the experiences and knowledge of the adult students and shares his or her own evolving base of competency. A climate of mutual inquiry, support, and interdependence contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience among learners.

The educational process focuses on critical inquiry which enables the learner to recognize meaningful phenomena, to take appropriate actions in a variety of situations, and to interactively evaluate the outcomes of actions. The reflective process emphasizes creative insight, valuation, and self realization.

Teaching and learning are essential continuing components of professional responsibility in nursing. Learning is a lifelong process which requires a commitment to personal and professional growth and continued development of individual knowledge and abilities. This pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is the responsibility of both faculty and students.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

College of Nursing and Health Professions offers a baccalaureate program fully accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education, for both traditional (prelicensure) and Registered Nurse (degree completion) students. Upon successful completion of the nursing curriculum, the graduate is awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and is eligible to apply to write the national examination for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse. The College also offers a Bachelor's to BSN for adults who already hold a Bachelor's degree and wish to enter the field of nursing.

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College of Nursing and Health Professions Nursing School Location

College of Nursing and Health Professions Courses

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
The basic principles of human anatomy and physiology are covered in lecture and lab. Emphasis is placed on the normal, non-diseased state of the human body as a basis for advanced courses. This course is designed for nursing majors.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I LAB
Students complete laboratory exercises dealing with the basic functions of the human body.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I.

MICROBIOLOGY
Students explore the morphology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and control of bacteria, viruses, fungi and related microbes. Emphasis is on pathogenicity of selected microbes, antimicrobial factors, immune systems, and the ecology of microbes. This course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement.

MICROBIOLOGY LAB
Students perform laboratory investigations into the structure, culture, nutrition, distribution, and ecology of selected microbes.

INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC AND BIOCHEMISTRY
This course is a survey of principles of organic and biochemistry, particularly as they relate to the health sciences. Areas studied include aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and enzymes. The courses is required of Nursing majors.

COLLEGE WRITING I
The focus of this course is on the writing of papers based on single sources, with special attention to summary, analysis, evaluation and personal reflection. The development of a personal and credible voice is one of the main goals of the course. Documentation conventions, as well as search strategies, both print and electronic, are also addressed. The course uses both word processing and networked software to generate and evaluate writing.

COLLEGE WRITING II
Students get instruction and practice in the writing of papers based on multiple sources, with special attention to synthesis, analysis and argument. Search strategies, both print and electronic, as well as the evaluation and assessment of outside sources are also addressed. The course will use both word processing and networked software to generate and evaluate student writing.

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Students are introduced to the study of human behavior and mental processes, with emphasis on the biopsycho social determinants of behavior. Topics include psychobiology, learning, memory, motivation, development, personality, psychopathology and social behavior.

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY AND DEVELOPMENT
This survey of the major models of personality and cognitive development includes psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic, cognitive and physiological theories. Emphasis is on the interaction of genetic patterns and experiences, the emergence of individual differences and age-related changes in the normal human personality.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
This course provides an introduction to the physiological basis of human diseases with special emphasis on the role of normal feedback servomechanisms in maintaining health. Physiological disequilibrium of the major organ systems is discussed in terms of such concepts as cellular disruptions, inflammation, obstruction, and overload.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
Students examine information on U.S. racial, ethnic and religious groups, including analysis of class, age and gender inequality. Topics include the history and minority experience of U.S. groups, current status and contributions of these groups, and strategies for reducing intolerance and improving intergroup relationships.

ETHICS (ACTION AND VALUES)
The nature of virtue and the good life is studied in conjunction with such issues as ethical absolutism versus ethical relativism, the relation between morality and legality and the relation between ethics and religion. This course fulfills the General Education Action and Values requirement.

STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
This course covers the fundamental skills necessary for a complete understanding of statistics as a tool of science. Topics covered include data collection and organization, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, probability, correlation, hypothesis testing, t-tests, analysis of variance, chi-square and nonparametric tests.

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY AND DEVELOPMENT
This survey of the major models of personality and cognitive development includes psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic, cognitive and physiological theories. Emphasis is on the interaction of genetic patterns and experiences, the emergence of individual differences and age-related changes in the normal human personality.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
This course provides an introduction to the physiological basis of human diseases with special emphasis on the role of normal feedback servomechanisms in maintaining health. Physiological disequilibrium of the major organ systems is discussed in terms of such concepts as cellular disruptions, inflammation, obstruction, and overload.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
Students examine information on U.S. racial, ethnic and religious groups, including analysis of class, age and gender inequality. Topics include the history and minority experience of U.S. groups, current status and contributions of these groups, and strategies for reducing intolerance and improving intergroup relationships.

ETHICS (ACTION AND VALUES)
The nature of virtue and the good life is studied in conjunction with such issues as ethical absolutism versus ethical relativism, the relation between morality and legality and the relation between ethics and religion. This course fulfills the General Education Action and Values requirement.

STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
This course covers the fundamental skills necessary for a complete understanding of statistics as a tool of science. Topics covered include data collection and organization, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, probability, correlation, hypothesis testing, t-tests, analysis of variance, chi-square and nonparametric tests.


FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING
This course relates theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and the physical and behavioral sciences to the practice of nursing. The course reviews the historical origins of nursing and emphasizes concepts that relate to the theoretical foundations of nursing, professionalism, communication and healthcare delivery.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I: NURSE-CLIENT INTERACTIONS
This course introduces concepts essential to the development of the professional nurse. The focus includes exploration of personal and professional identity for application during nurse-client interactions.

FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL NURSING
This course provides an introduction to nursing care skills. It utilizes the nursing process as a framework for the provision of nursing care and provides a theoretical basis underlying nursing care approaches to meet basic human needs in health and illness. Basic clinical skills are acquired in a laboratory setting with the application of selected skills in a clinical setting.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This course takes a holistic approach to health and physical assessment by nurses. Critical thinking is introduced to organize information and identify needs of the individual across the life span. Basic health assessment skills are acquired in a laboratory setting with application in a clinical setting.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT II: HEALTHCARE TRENDS
This course explores healthcare trends and issues and examines healthcare delivery systems. The focus is on the impact of these trends and issues on healthcare delivery systems and the various roles of the professional nurse.

HEALTH PROMOTION ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN I
This course focuses on concepts of health promotion, communication and therapeutic relationship in the provision of holistic nursing care throughout the life span. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of settings.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION: ADULTHOOD I
This course provides a foundation of nursing concepts and theories as applied to the client throughout the stages of adulthood. Critical inquiry and clinical decision making are introduced. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of settings.

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS
The focus of this course is the presentation of basic principles of pharmacology and pharma-cotherapeutics. Phamacologic information is presented using a physiologic and systems approach with emphasis on the role of the nurse in the management of drug therapy with clients. Selected drug categories are discussed using the nursing process as a framework for the clinical application of drug therapy.

NURSING RESEARCH
This course is an introduction to the nurse’s role in the research process, with a focus on the critical review and application of research findings to nursing practice, identification of ethics related to research and the collection and recording of data. This course fulfills the University advanced writing requirement.

HEALTH PROMOTION ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN II
This course focuses on theories of development in relationship to health promotion with individuals, families and communities. The emphasis is on identification and implementation of nursing strategies for health promotion across the life span. Clinical experiences are provided in concurrent clinical courses in a variety of settings.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION: CHILDREN
This course focuses on the application of professional nursing concepts related to children and their families within their communities. Physiological, pathophysiological, psychosocial and psychopathological theoretical content specific to children from infancy through adolescence is presented. Clinical experiences incorporating health promotion concepts are provided in a variety of settings.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION: CHILDBEARING FAMILIES
This course focuses on the application of nursing concepts related to childbearing women and their families within their communities. Physiological, pathophysiological and psychosocial theoretical content specific to childbearing women, newborns and their families is presented. Clinical experiences incorporating health promotion concepts are provided in a variety of settings.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT III: PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND LEADERSHIP
This course emphasizes professional identity. Leadership and management principles required of the professional nurse are explored. The focus is on the synthesis of knowledge and skills required to participate in beginning leadership roles.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION: ADULTHOOD II
Building upon concepts and theories of client care previously introduced, this course addresses psychopathology related to clients. Critical inquiry and clinical decision-making are applied in theory and practice. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of settings.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION ADULTHOOD III
Building on concepts and theories of client care previously introduced, this course addresses pathophysiology related to increasingly complex clients with medical conditions and health conditions requiring surgical intervention. Critical inquiry and clinical decision-making are applied in theory and practice. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of settings.

PROMOTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
This course focuses on nursing care of aggregates and populations, with an emphasis on health promotion. The principles and theories that underlie the practice of community health nursing are explored, with clinical experiences provided in a variety of community settings.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION: CRISIS
This course provides the opportunity to integrate perceptual awareness, previous knowledge and clinical experience with current theory and nursing skills in the care of critically ill patients with multi-system alterations. Emphasis is on provision of holistic nursing care for both the individual and the family in crisis. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of acute care settings.

ROLE TRANSITION PRACTICUM
This practicum provides the opportunity to utilize leadership and critical thinking skills in the management of the delivery of patient care services. Students collaborate with a preceptor and a faculty member as they achieve general course requirements and individualized learning goals.

Other nursing schools in Illinois

Rockford College Considering a career in nursing? The Department of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Our BSN program offers two trac... Address: 5050 E. State Street, Blanche Walker Burpee Center

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Blessing-Rieman College (College of Nursing) Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing (B-RCN) offers a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through two joint programs with our partners, C... Address: P.O. Box 7005 11th & Oak

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