Saint Xavier University (School of Nursing)

Founded in 1935, the Saint Xavier University School of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate nursing program to receive accreditation in the State of Illinois. As one of the first baccalaureate nursing programs in the State of Illinois, over 3,500 students have graduated during the past 70 years. Many School of Nursing graduates hold key positions, both nationally and internationally, in nursing practice, education, administration, and research. Both baccalaureate and master's degree programs at Saint Xavier University are currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The School of Nursing has had continuous accreditation of its programs.

The goals of the program are to:
1. Develop the liberally educated professional nurse, who is prepared to practice in a variety of settings,
2. provide a foundation for personal and professional development, and
3. provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

The School of Nursing offers a baccalaureate degree in nursing to pre-licensure, licensed practical nurse and registered nurse students. The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to practice as a generalist, independently or collaboratively with other health professionals in the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health. Through study and clinical practice, students expand nursing skills and knowledge, enabling them to provide quality health care and to qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The curriculum is subject to change to meet standards congruent with the Illinois Nursing Act and its Rules for Administration. The program is open to both freshman and transfer students who meet University admission requirements.

---

School of Nursing Location

School of Nursing Courses

INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGICAL CONCEPTS RELATED TO NURSING
Presents drug classifications, actions and routes of administration. Explores drug standards, legislation and control. Introduces variables influencing drug actions using selected prototypes in each of the drug classifications. Examines nursing responsibilities related to drug therapy.

CONCEPTS IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND LEADERSHIP
Examines the concepts associated with the philosophy of professional nursing and investigates the major issues and trends related to professional nursing practice, education and scholarly inquiry. Skills in critical thinking and self-reflection are enhanced by selected field-based experiences. The exploration of professional goals, commitment to learning and development of leadership qualities are emphasized.

HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Uses concepts from nursing, science and the liberal arts to focus on the holistic assessment of well individuals across the life cycle. Includes nursing practice in the laboratory and community setting and focuses on critical thinking and communication skills. Emphasis is placed on the development of diagnostic reasoning skills to prioritize and plan nursing care. Prepares the registered nursing student for subsequent learning to holistically assess and promote the health of communities, especially those at risk.

CONCEPTS IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING
Introduces the essential concepts associated with the philosophy of professional nursing and the nursing process within a general context of systems theory. It explores the development of the profession of nursing, its theories, and its evolving roles. Beginning concepts of health promotion, continuity of care and use of community resources are discussed. The concept of client, viewed in the context of family and culture, is introduced.

CONCEPTS IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING FOR LPN's
Admission to upper-division nursing. Introduces essential concepts and theories associated with the philosophy of professional nursing within the context of systems theory and enhances the previous nursing knowledge related to utilization of the nursing process. It explores the development of the profession of nursing, its theories and the socialization process from licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree. Beginning concepts of health promotion, continuity of care and use of community resources are discussed. The concept of client, viewed in the context of family and culture, is introduced.

PLUS SEMINAR
Increases students' understanding of concepts and skills studied in N336, 337. Assists students to apply PLUS strategies that are scientifically derived principles (i.e., test-reading strategies applied to course textbook including nursing/medical terminology, note-taking strategies applied to lecture notes, decision-making strategies in nursing practice, confidence-building strategies applied to self as responsible learner, and socialization strategies into professional nursing). Emphasizes collaboration between faculty and students.

PLUS SEMINAR
Facilitates students' understanding of concepts and skills studied in N344 and 345. Assists students to continue to apply PLUS strategies similar to those in other PLUS seminars to increase learning effectiveness of nursing theory. Emphasizes collaborative learning and partnerships between faculty and students.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Mental Health Nursing provides the opportunity to reflect on the continuum of mental health and mental illness, the profound impact of stigma, myths, biases, and the dynamic influences of the political, social, economic, climate and the ever-evolving health care system on the lives of client, significant persons in the lives of our clients and the community. Mental health nursing uses theories from a variety of disciplines — psychology, biology, neurology, sociology, cultural anthropology and nursing theory —- to understand the life stories of our clients. The essence of mental health nursing is the construction and maintenance of the therapeutic relationship in which the nurse, as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, supports the client in the journey toward health and full participation in a meaningful life.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PRACTICUM
Through the effective use of self in the therapeutic relationship, students apply theoretical understandings from a variety of disciplines to provide mental health nursing care. Evidence-based interventions are directed toward supporting clients, significant others and communities to promote mental health and prevent mental illness and disability. There is a significant emphasis on active participation in an interdisciplinary setting, on building partnerships with clients and their support systems, and the development of collaborative relationships with the community mental health professionals, advocacy and self-help groups. Nursing care is characterized by respect for difference, caring and compassion, a consistent integration of legal, ethical and professional standards and the practice of justice in direct care and community advocacy.

NURSING CARE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY
This course applies theories from nursing, the sciences and the humanities in caring for the pregnant woman and her family. The focus is placed on holistic family-orientated care with pregnancy, childbirth and developmental changes in a woman's reproductive life considered as natural process. This course includes providing the woman with the necessary knowledge to be proactive in maintaining health throughout her lifespan in the current health care system. An additional focus includes discussion of the role of the nurse as caregiver, teacher, advocate and colleague.

NURSING CARE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY PRACTICUM
This course provides students with opportunities to use essential concepts discussed in Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family to deliver holistic care to childbearing women and their families. Evidence-based practice and a problem-solving approach form the basis for the provision of care in a variety of health care agencies. Professional development is fostered through reflective practice and evaluation.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT IN NURSING PRACTICE
Uses concepts and theories from nursing, science and the liberal arts to focus on the holistic assessment of well individuals across the life cycle. It includes nursing practice in the laboratory and the community setting and focuses on communication, interviewing and health assessment skills. Emphasis is placed on the assessment and analysis phases of the nursing process in health promotion and risk reduction.

MENTORING IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING I
Taken concurrently with the Junior I nursing courses. This small group experience is designed to be an ongoing seminar through-out the program of studies in nursing. Discussion, exploration and synthesis of nursing issues, practices and concepts, especially concepts of spirituality, ethics and culture, will be a major focus of this seminar. Peer exchange as well as professional role modeling and contact with practitioners from a variety of areas will assist students to assimilate nursing values as they progress toward entering their profession.

MENTORING IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING II
This small group experience is designed to be an ongoing seminar throughout the program of studies in nursing. Discussion, exploration and synthesis of nursing issues, practices and especially concepts of spirituality, ethics and culture will be a major focus of this seminar. Peer exchange as well as professional role modeling and contact with practitioners from a variety of areas will assist students to assimilate nursing values as they progress toward entering their profession.

INTRODUCTION TO NURSING THERAPEUTICS AND ILLNESS MANAGEMENT
Presents a conceptual basis for providing nursing care. Functional health patterns are used as an organizing framework to explore essential knowledge and skills needed to assess and manage physical and psychological symptoms related to common illnesses and treatment. It focuses on the fundamental competencies essential for community-based nursing practice. Basic concepts of nutrition, pharmacology and complementary therapies are introduced. Emphasis is placed on the development of communication, management, teaching-learning, and critical thinking skills. Research, technology and trends in the health care system are also highlighted.

INTRODUCTION TO NURSING THERAPEUTICS AND ILLNESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM
Introduces the student to clinical nursing practice. Concepts essential to the provision of nursing care and application of nursing skills are explored and applied to clients in diverse community-based and acute-care settings.

MENTORING IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING III
This small group experience is designed to be an ongoing seminar throughout the program of studies in nursing. Discussion, exploration and synthesis of nursing issues, practices and concepts, especially concepts of spirituality, ethics and culture, will be a major focus of this seminar. Peer exchange as well as professional role modeling and contact with practitioners from a variety of areas will assist students to assimilate nursing values as they progress toward entering their profession.

MENTORING IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING IV
This small group experience is designed to be an ongoing seminar throughout the program of studies in nursing. Discussion, exploration and synthesis of nursing issues, practices and concepts, especially concepts of spirituality, ethics and culture, will be the major focus of this seminar. Peer exchange as well as professional role modeling and contact with practitioners from a variety of areas will assist students to assimilate nursing values as they progress toward entering their profession.

NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN
Applies nursing theory, family theory, research and critical thinking skills to caring for child rearing families. Emphasizes developmental aspects of the dimensions of holistic health, with a focus on health promotion and health maintenance. Includes nursing practice in various health care settings in the community that focus on the role of the nurse as caregiver, teacher, advocate and colleague.

NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN PRACTICUM
Provides students with opportunities to deliver holistic care to families utilizing the problem-solving approach. Essential concepts discussed in Nursing Care of Children are used in the care of the family as client within a variety of community-based settings. Professional development is fostered through reflective practice and evaluation.

NURSING CARE OF ADULTS
Uses nursing theory, research and critical thinking skills in the provision of holistic care to adults experiencing acute or chronic illness. A focus is placed on assessment, communication and patient teaching skills, and therapeutic nursing interventions, including nutrition, pharmacology and complementary therapies. An emphasis is placed on risk reduction and illness management in adults. In addition, clients are assisted to reach optimal levels of functioning.

NURSING CARE OF ADULTS PRACTICUM
Provides students with opportunities to deliver holistic care to adults. Essential concepts discussed in Nursing Care of Adults are used as students plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for adult clients in a variety of community-based settings. Additionally, students gain experience in collaborating with other health care professionals and in negotiating care within managed care systems. The student's professional development will be fostered through reflective practice and self-evaluation.

ETHICAL, LEGAL AND SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
Examines the ethical, spiritual and legal challenges presented in our contemporary world to the humanistic practice of professional nursing. Emphasizes a collegial model of interdisciplinary ethical dialogue, a mutual respect and valuing of health professionals and the persons and families they encounter. The spiritual search for meaning in the human experiences of illness, suffering, living and dying and decision making will be a central focus.

NURSING CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
Utilizes nursing theory, family theory, research and critical thinking skills in the provision of holistic care to older adults and their families experiencing acute or chronic illness. Issues of health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention and end of life issues, as they impact on older adults and their families are explored.

NURSING RESEARCH: CONNECTING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Discusses the need for nursing research in the development of a knowledge base for clinical practice. Additionally, the elements of the research process and the ethical dimensions of a research study are considered. It promotes an appreciation of the role of the nurse researcher in the development and testing of clinical questions and examining ethical aspects of studies. Students are encouraged to integrate relevant research findings with their clinical nursing practice.

COMMUNITY AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
This course is based on the underlying premise that the core of nursing's work lies in promoting the health of people and their communities. The role of the community health nurse is an expansive one, including that of an advocate, educator and activist, especially with regard to issues of social justice that impact the health of communities. Community-focused nursing care addresses population-based nursing interaction with communities, special populations and groups at risk. Contemporary health issues, ethics and evidence-based decision making are discussed and analyzed.

COMMUNITY AND POPULATION FOCUSED NURSING CARE PRACTICUM
Provides the student with opportunities to use essential concepts discussed in Community and Population Focused Nursing Care to deliver holistic care to individuals, communities, special populations and groups at risk within a variety of community settings. Professional development will be fostered through reflective practice and evaluation.

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
Applies nursing theory, nursing process and concepts from public health sciences to caring for families, groups and, particularly, communities as clients. Incorporates the use of community assessment techniques to examine populations at risk, factors that affect risk, health promotion and disease prevention and vulnerable populations. Various community and public health care settings provide the opportunity to focus and reflect on the practice of the nurse in the roles of caregiver, teacher, advocate, colleague and scholar among diverse populations.

POWER & INFLUENCE IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS
Synthesizes nursing, leadership, management and organizational theories as foundation for the management of care in diverse health care organizations. Provides the opportunity for students to discuss, examine and analyze a variety of management skills necessary for fiscal and clinical excellence in today's health care arena. Analyzes legal, ethical, economic and political aspects of health care organizations. Emphasis is on communication, collaboration skills, power and influence, and scholarly inquiry as they apply to the role of nurse as manager in health care delivery systems. Evaluates the role of leader and advocate for culturally diverse nursing care.

INDEPENDENT STUDY
Involves individualized study of an area of personal interest in nursing. In consultation with faculty, the student develops learning objectives, plans strategies and activities, implements the plan, and evaluates the outcomes.

ADVANCED NURSING THERAPEUTICS
Must be taken second semester senior year.This course synthesizes concepts, issues and theories of nutrition, pharmacology and complementary therapeutics in greater depth. Students are encouraged to examine nutrition, pharmacology and alternative therapeutics as tools necessary to the role of the nurse in health promotion, disease prevention and illness management with individuals and families experiencing complex health care issues. A holistic approach is utilized in examining these modalities as they are applied to a variety of case studies. The pathophysiological, developmental and ethical issues will also be reflected in the development of plans of care for individuals and their families.

SYNTHESIS PROJECT PROPOSAL SEMINAR
Provides the opportunity for students to review and synthesize the assessment and planning they have done in previous courses to develop a written plan for the synthesis project, approved by student, faculty and agency.

SYNTHESIS: LEADERSHIP FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
Organized around the theme "Think Globally; Act Locally," provides the student with the opportunity to synthesize concepts from previous nursing courses into an integrated whole. Students examine and analyze aspects of systems thinking, leadership, community activism, and futurism as they implement and evaluate the synthesis project that was developed in Synthesis Project Proposal Seminar.

FAMILIES IN CRISIS: COPING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS AND DEATH
This course focuses on the health promotion, illness prevention and mental health care of families in crisis who are coping with chronic illness, loss and death. A family systems approach with health care and social science theories is used to explore family dynamics, and crisis intervention theories are applied to case studies involving chronic illness, loss and death.

SPECIAL TOPICS IN NURSING
Presents varying subject matter related to current trends and issues in professional nursing, dependent upon student interest and faculty resources.

CULTURE, HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Provides a framework to develop an awareness and appreciation for the effects of culture upon the dimensions of holistic health and professional nursing practice. Explores personal attitudes and beliefs about health, culture and ethnicity as they impact on personal and professional relationships and communication patterns.

HEALTH POLICY AND POLITICS
Examines and addresses issues in health policy and health care systems from a global and integrative perspective. Fosters an understanding of United States health care policy as it affects economic, political, legal and ethical aspects of the health care delivery system and professional nursing practice. Contemporary health issues, ethics and decision making and their impact on clients are further discussed and analyzed.

NURSING MANAGEMENT IN COMMUNITY BASED NURSING PRACTICE
This course examines and analyzes the nurse manager role in a variety of health care settings within the framework of leadership and management theories. Emphasis is on managing resources (information systems, quality assurance and budgetary allocations), people, personal resources and managing client care in health care delivery systems.

MANAGEMENT IN COMMUNITY BASED NURSING PRACTICUM
Designed to assist the student to make the transition from student to beginning practitioner role in the health care system. Concepts from management as well as nursing therapeutics will be applied in the clinical setting of the student's choice. Clinical decision making, communication and integration of nursing concepts will be highlighted. Reflective practice and evaluation will be emphasized as a means of continued professional career development, as well as personal growth and lifelong learning.

ISSUES IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Explores the holistic development of women and current issues impacting women's health. Focus is placed on the complex inter-relationship between women's health and their social, political, cultural and economic situation. The student will investigate methods to empower women to take a more active role in their health care and explore strategies for health care advocacy.

RENAISSANCE OF THE HEALING ARTS
Addresses the myths, the magic and the mystery of healing methods considered alternative to modern medical practice. The history and role of women healers and the current renaissance of the healing arts are explored. Emphasis is placed on the self as healed and healer. Students will be introduced to healing arts skills such as meditation, therapeutic touch, creative visualization, and color theory, music therapy, herbs, humor and aroma therapy.

Other nursing schools in Chicago

Rush University (College of Nursing) The heritage of the College of Nursing dates back to 1885, when the College's first antecedent, St. Luke's Hospital Training School of Nursing... Address: 600 South Paulina St. Suite 440

University of Illinois Global Campus (Nursing Programs) Now you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) primarily online through the College of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicag... Address: 728 West Roosevelt Road, 205 Roosevelt Road Building, MC-015

Chicago State University (Department of Nursing) On behalf of the faculty, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our webpage. Thank you for considering Chicago State University, Department of Nurs... Address: 9501 South King Drive, Business and Health Sciences (BHS) Building, Room 200A

Back to: » Nursing schools in Illinois » Nursing schools in Chicago

More information: » Marinas » Boats for sale