Radford University (Waldron College of Health & Human Services)

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

We appreciate your interest in Radford University’s School of Nursing in Waldron College of Health and Human Services. The School of Nursing has a strong history of excellence in nursing education, with over 2000 graduates practicing throughout the world. The School offers fully accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing and dietetics, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the American Dietetic Association, respectively. The graduate nursing program offers specialty programs for students to focus as family nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.

The Radford University School of Nursing’s motto is Blending Knowledge with Caring. Expert educators with advanced degrees and clinical certifications provide current, clinical expertise in a caring and exciting environment. Students are actively engaged in the learning process as they work with clients across the lifespan and in multiple community agencies. The School has partnerships with major health care systems across the region, collaborating with outstanding mentors, preceptors and role models.

The School is designated as a Partner in Nursing Education (PNE) for the Army ROTC program, serving as a nursing education site for future military nurses who will serve our country. In addition, the School has developed a regional Clinical Simulation Center, providing nursing and dietetic students state-of-the art simulation learning through technology.

Radford University is located in the beautiful New River Valley 50 miles west of Roanoke, between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains in Southwest Virginia. It is a beautiful semi-rural area with the New River (the world’s second oldest river) flowing through the valley. Recreation, cultural, and educational activities surround this incredible area. We welcome you to come join us in nursing or dietetic education, a journey filled with wonderful opportunities.

HISTORY

In 1966 the nursing program was granted approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Board of Nursing to develop a nursing program. The first students were admitted to the undergraduate program in 1969. Eleven members of the charter class graduated in 1973, and the program was granted initial accreditation by the National League for Nursing in 1976.

Following a rapid growth period, the nursing program gained school status in 1982 and College status in 1984. In 1988, the graduate program in nursing started with a concentration in home health nursing, followed by an advanced adult concentration in 1991, and in 1995 a family nurse practitioner concentration and a certificate program for both post baccalaureate and post master's students in gerontological nursing. As a result of institutional reorganization in 1997, the School of Nursing (SON) became part of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services. In Fall 2003, the Foods & Nutrition Program became part of the SON.

Based on a needs assessment conducted by the Western Region Consortium for Continuing Higher Education, a track for registered nurse students was initiated in the Fall of 1986. Sites over the years have included Abingdon, Virginia (75 miles south of Radford); Wytheville (28 miles south); Martinsville (97 miles east); Low Moor (107 miles northwest); Tazewell (100 miles west); and Roanoke, 50 miles northeast of Radford. Off-site classes have been continued in selected areas using a variety of distance education technology (audio teleconferencing and video/computers). The Roanoke site was established in 1988 with an agreement between Radford University (RU) and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH). CRMH closed its diploma school and has worked closely with RU to have on-site basic baccalaureate instruction located in the Roanoke area.

The nursing education curriculum has continued to change in response to the health care needs and delivery mechanisms in the region, Commonwealth, nation, and world. The current average enrollment is 400, with approximately 160 in the upper division, 280 in the lower division and 40 in the Master's program. The School of Nursing offers BSN and RN-BSN undergraduate programs. At the graduate level, MSN and RN-BSN-MSN graduate programs are offered with concentrations in Gerontology or Adult Clinical Nurse Specialists, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, as well as, post baccalaureate certificate in Gerontology and post graduate certificates in Family Nurse Practitioner or Gerontology. Since its inception the Radford University School of Nursing has graduated over 1700 students. The Foods and Nutrition curriculum offers a choice of Dietetics or Food Service Management as undergraduate concentrations and a post baccalaureate dietetics internship. Current enrollment includes 65 undergraduate majors and 5 dietetic interns. Although these graduates practice in a wide variety of locations, approximately 60% are practicing in southwest Virginia and other rural areas of the state.

VISION

Radford University School of Nursing embraces its tradition of innovative education, practice and scholarship to prepare excellent professional nurses who, by blending knowledge with caring, meet the changing health care needs of the region and beyond.

MISSION & PHILOSOPHY

The mission of the Radford University School of Nursing is to educate professional nurses to meet the changing health care needs of the region, state, nation, and world. Educational experiences are designed to prepare students to provide culturally sensitive nursing care to clients' diversity. Students are responsible and accountable for professional nursing practice in keeping with the American Nurses' Association Standards of Nursing Practice.

The teaching and learning process involves a mutual partnership between students and faculty to develop a knowledge base in the liberal arts, sciences, and the discipline of nursing. This partnership exists to promote critical thinking, ethical decision making and lifelong learning. Theory and skills learned in the classroom setting are applied through a variety of learning experiences. Faculty models the professional nursing role through teaching, scholarship, community service, and practice. Students are expected to develop a professional identity and professional values.

The curriculum is based on the faculty's beliefs regarding nursing's four metaparadigm concepts (client, environment, health, and nursing). The client is viewed as a holistic entity: a dynamic, interacting, irreducible whole. Clients can be individuals across the lifespan, families, aggregates, communities and populations. Clients are diverse in such variables as age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, values, and functional ability. There is constant interaction between the client and environment. Environment refers to all internal and external conditions, circumstances, and influences--including professional nursing--that interact and affect the client's holistic health. As part of the client's environment, the professional nurse assists with the client's safety and holistic health. Holistic health, a state of wholeness and a process of becoming increasingly integrated, is associated with evolving awareness of self and enhanced quality of life. The nurse and client form a partnership, and both are informed and flexible in negotiations to promote the client's holistic health.

Nursing is both an art and a science. Caring is the essence of professional nursing. The nursing process is utilized to provide evidence based nursing care across the lifespan. Professional nursing involves interdisciplinary collaboration and forming partnerships with clients to facilitate growth and life processes through effective communication and therapeutic nursing interventions. Community based nursing practice provides for continuity of care and focuses on delivering the levels of care needed by the client. To reach their goal, professional nurses assume multiple roles, including clinician, educator, collaborator, advocate, information manager, consumer of research, manager, and leader. Professional nurses must possess the necessary knowledge and skills in health care and information technologies to carry out these roles. Professional nurses influence legislation and policy to advance health care and nursing on a regional, state, national, and global level.

BSN PROGRAM

The undergraduate program in nursing leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The major builds upon a broad general education foundation in liberal arts, basic and applied sciences, and behavioral and social sciences. The program prepares professional nurses who can function in a variety of settings. The program has been approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and has full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination in the state of their choice after graduation.

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Waldron College of Health & Human Services Nursing School Location

Waldron College of Health & Human Services Courses

PERSONAL HEALTH
Emphasizes current health issues most applicable to college-age population. Students exposed to information and strategies used to deal effectively with life adjustment problems and to promote healthful living habits. Open to all students.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Major pathophysiologic concepts are explored. Theories relating etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations are used to study common disease processes. Concepts from anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for exploring human dysfunction. Concepts learned in this course are basic to the health professions.

FOUNDATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL
The objectives and content of this course are derived from the School of Nursing’s philosophy and conceptual framework and facilitate achievement of the Schools program objectives. Additionally, the major topics and skills covered in this course are common to most foundational and professional issues texts. Current research and advancement in nursing theory and clinical practice determine course content.

RN TRANSITION I
Integrates pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment for the experienced registered nurse as follows: (1) focuses on pathophysiology throughout the lifespan providing the student with a scientific knowledge base applicable to clinical practice, (2) emphasizes the relationship of drugs and their effects on humans, and (3) focuses on the use of health assessment skills with clients throughout the lifespan providing the student with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to perform a systematic health assessment.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN
Focuses on the use of health assessment skills required to perform a systematic health assessment.

FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY BASED NURSING
Focuses on the foundational skills necessary for successful community based nursing practice.

NURSING THERAPEUTICS
Provides theoretical basis for and clinical experience in applying nursing practice techniques designed to promote balance in the clients interaction with the environment.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Development of nursing knowledge and skill for mental health promotion, protection, and restoration.

PHARMACOLOGY
Emphasis on relationship of drugs and their effects on humans.

NURSING RESEARCH
Provides a comprehensive overview of the research process including problem statements, review of literature, methodology, design, sampling, data collection, and interpretation of findings. The course emphasizes knowledge and skills that are essential for critical evaluation of data-based publications and presentations.

NURSING OF THE ADULT I
Develops the student’s theoretical knowledge of holistic nursing care of the adult. Practicum provides opportunity to promote, protect, and restore health of acutely and chronically ill adults through application of theoretical knowledge in a variety of settings.

NURSING OF CHILDBEARING FAMILY
In-depth consideration of the childbearing phase of the lifecycle with application of theory through nursing care of clients and their families related to childbearing in a variety of health care venues or in the community.

EPIDEMIOLOGY
Provides students an opportunity to examine the field of epidemiology and the applications of this content to their professional disciplines.

RN TRANSITION COURSE II
Focuses on application of the nursing process to provide in-depth nursing care for clients and their families. This course promotes the development of the student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge to promote, protect, and restore health across the lifespan.

NURSING OF CHILDREN
Focuses on normal growth and development, health promotion, protection and restoration, and the application of the nursing process with simple to complex health concerns with application of the theory in a variety of clinical settings, such as home, schools, day care, community clinics and hospitals.

GERONTOLOGIC NURSING
Focuses on the aging process to include biological, sociological, psychological and spiritual components with clinical applications in the provision of care to older adult clients in a variety of settings, such as the community, assisted living facilities, acute care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.

NURSING OF THE ADULT II
Focuses on nursing care for adult clients with complex health problems incorporating clinical experiences in a variety of community settings. Previously gained knowledge as well as new knowledge is emphasized to promote the acutely ill client’s holistic health. Theoretical knowledge and clinical application facilitate transition from student to professional nurse.

LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Focuses on leadership style, management and leadership theories, change, quality management, fiscal and economic issues, personnel management, legal and ethical issues, health care organizations and policy, professionalism, political action, and career development.

CURRENT PROBLEMS IN NURSING
Explores current problems in nursing, health care and health care delivery.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
Focuses on client/environment interactions incorporating clinical experiences with diverse populations in a variety of community settings and with individuals, families, aggregates, and communities.

LEADERSHIP IN NURSING
Focuses on the major leadership and professional development skills necessary for professional practice, including leadership style, management and leadership theories, change, quality management, fiscal and economic issues, personnel management, legal and ethical issues, healthcare organizations and policy, professionalism, personal nursing philosophy, political action, career development, and historical influences on nursing today.

CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICUM
Provides students with the opportunity to synthesize theoretical concepts, current research, and nursing practice skills in a selected clinical setting. Professional roles are applied through structured clinical learning experiences and learning is facilitated through a selected clinical role model serving as preceptor to the student.

INTRODUCTION TO FLIGHT NURSING
Focuses on the theoretical knowledge of nursing care of adults and children with complex illnesses involved in air transport including immediate stabilization and transport of the emergent patient utilizing a team approach.

EMERGING THERAPIES FOR HEALTH
Examines therapies becoming accepted by Americans as complements or alternatives to traditional Western medical practices. Focuses on non-toxic and non-invasive approaches to achieving and maintaining wellness and healing for the body, mind and spirit.

FINAL HONORS PROJECT
Project and the topic to be explored will be determined by the student and the faculty member with whom the student works. (Honors project may be a written or a written and performance based project.) In order to receive honors credit, a student must earn a grade of “A” or “B” for the final project. Course may not be repeated.

INDEPENDENT STUDY
Provides opportunity to pursue an in-depth topic relevant to nursing.

Other nursing schools in Virginia

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