University of Kansas (School of Nursing)

HISTORY AND FACTS

For a century, the University of Kansas School of Nursing has been dedicated to preparing students for the challenges that await them upon graduation. The first class to complete their nursing education at KU was comprised of just four young women. Today, the School has a diverse student body of more than 500 men and women.

Founded as the Department of Nursing in 1906, the KU School of Nursing has exemplified its responsiveness to health care needs through its innovative education, nationally recognized research initiatives and professional activities. Located on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas, the KU School of Nursing offers baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees as well as statewide continuing education programs.

The baccalaureate program, established in 1929, enrolls approximately 300 students. Registered nurses can complete a bachelor of science degree or enroll in an accelerated program leading to a master's degree.

The School offers graduate programs leading to a Master's of Science Degree in nursing in several clinical specialty areas, adult/gerontological nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, organizational leadership, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, healthcare informatics, public health nursing and family nurse practitioner.

The doctoral program was established in 1983 to meet the demand for nursing researchers to study relevant clinical problems. It encourages leadership and prepares nurse scientists for university faculty positions, work in research and leadership roles in clinical settings, professional organizations and government agencies.

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School of Nursing Location

School of Nursing Courses

LEVEL I

TECHNIQUES FOR THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS I
Skills necessary to perform fundamental techniques relating to therapeutic interventions are discussed and demonstrated. The emphasis is on drug calculation and psychomotor skills. Concepts of time management, prioritization of nursing care, team building, cost effectiveness and resource utilization are introduced through scenarios and demonstrations in a laboratory setting.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Beginning theory and practical applications of various uses and results of computer technologies are explored in order to provide the basic skills and current infrastructure for information management in healthcare delivery. These concepts and skills are essential for curriculum related activities, as well as for providing therapeutic nursing interventions and communications with faculty, client systems, and other healthcare participants. Learners are encouraged to be cognizant of emerging legal and ethical issues related to electronic communications. Knowledge and skills presented in this course will be developed and expanded in future nursing courses.

ALTERATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING I
Basic mechanisms underlying illness and disease are stressed as a basis for the understanding of health promotion and disease prevention in this first of two sequential courses. Pathophysiological changes that occur within the internal environment of individuals in the presence of dysfunction or disease of selected systems are presented as a rationale for nursing diagnoses and therapeutic interventions. System variations across the life span are addressed.

FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROMOTION
Four concepts basic to the art and science of nursing (client systems, environment, health, and nursing) are introduced as a foundation for professional practice. The influence of nursing values and standards (ANA), client characteristics, and the evolving healthcare system on nursing practice are explored. Principles of nursing are integrated with concepts of health promotion to prepare the student to meet the fundamental health-related needs of individual and family client systems across the lifespan.

FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROMOTION: CLINICAL LABORATORY
The Four concepts basic to the art and science of nursing (client systems, environment, health and nursing) in providing care to healthy clients across the life span are demonstrated in a clinical laboratory setting. Care of families during the normal childbearing experience is an integral part of this course. Students develop beginning skill in applying the nursing process and planning care for healthy individuals and families.

CLIENT ASSESSMENT
Opportunities are provided in a laboratory setting to demonstrate cognitive and psychomotor competencies related to assessment of the individual client system across the life span. The emphasis is on physical examination and historical data collection. Developmental factors and environmental stressors that influence health status are explored. The four basic methods of physical examination (inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation) are presented.

LEVEL II

TECHNIQUES FOR THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS II
Therapeutic interventions pertaining to care of the client experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health deficiencies are discussed and demonstrated. Case scenarios and demonstrations are used to apply the concepts of time management, prioritization of nursing care, delegation, team building, cost effectiveness and, resource utilization in a laboratory setting.

ALTERATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING II
In this second sequential course, an understanding of pathophysiological changes that occur within the internal environment of the individual in the presence of dysfunction or disease of selected systems are provided as a rationale for nursing diagnoses and therapeutic interventions. The most common alterations in selected body systems are presented, with relevant risk factors and epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and clinical manifestations. System variations across the life span are discussed.

PHARMACOLOGY
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug therapy are discussed in order to provide a basic understanding of the client's reaction to a drug both therapeutically and adversely, and to predict potential drug interactions. Internal and external environmental factors affecting drug therapy are assessed in order to provide a comprehensive data base for therapeutic nursing interventions. Specific prototypes of selected drug classifications provide the framework for understanding the action, use, side effects, and nursing implications of drugs. The nurse's role in drug administration, assessment of drug effects, and client system education are emphasized. Legal and ethical responsibilities for administering drugs are considered.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Principles of communication as an intervention in developing therapeutic relationships with clients from varying age groups in psychiatric settings are discussed. Mental health concepts and selected theoretical frameworks are used to understand adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviors in response to alterations in psychological functioning. These theoretical frameworks, as well as designated diagnostic classification systems, are discussed in relation to the implementation of the nursing process. Students engage in critical thinking to examine the role of the nurse in psychiatric mental health nursing, exploring it in relation to health promotion, disease prevention, community resources, historical perspectives, and economic, legal and ethical issues.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING: CLINICAL LABORATORY
Theoretical concepts from Mental Health Nursing and nursing therapeutics are applied in the care of clients who have alterations in psychological functioning. Acute care and community-based clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to participate in interdisciplinary team planning, interventions, and therapeutic group meetings.

NURSING OF ADULTS
Use of the nursing process in the care of adult clients in a variety of settings with acute and chronic illness is discussed. The role of the nurse in the use of clinical pathways to guide the interdisciplinary care of the client in the evolving healthcare environment is explored. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic nursing interventions that will successfully manipulate environmental factors to promote, maintain, and restore system balance and to prevent further system imbalance. Legal, ethical, economic and cultural considerations associated with the management of adults with acute and chronic illness are investigated.

NURSING OF ADULTS: CLINICAL LABORATORY
Theoretical concepts from Nursing of Adults and the nursing process are applied in the care of adult clients with acute and chronic illness in a variety of acute care and community settings. The student demonstrates the role of the nurse in interdisciplinary care including clinical pathways. Selected cultural, legal, ethical, and economic principles pertinent to the clinical practicum are applied.

NURSING OF CHILDREN
Acute and chronic alterations in physiological and psychological functioning of the child and family are introduced. Emphasis is placed on changes within the internal and external environments which relate to the child's acute and chronic illness experience. Therapeutic nursing interventions are explored in the context of research findings, holistic perspectives and outcome measures as related to the dynamics of system balance, growth and development, health promotion, and client system values. The role of the nurse in an evolving healthcare system of managed care is examined. Holistic and caring approaches to human functioning are explored. Legal, ethical, cultural, economic, and social principles which affect decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration and outcomes of care are identified.

NURSING OF CHILDREN: CLINICAL LABORATORY
Theoretical concepts from Nursing of Children are applied in the care of children with acute and chronic health problems and their families. Researched-based nursing therapeutics, managed care, interdisciplinary collaboration and outcome measures are emphasized in the care of children with acute and chronic health problems. Hospital, clinic, community and home based settings provide opportunities for holistic and caring approaches to children and families from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds.

LEVEL III

NURSING OF THE CLIENT WITH COMPLEX ACUTE NEEDS
The nursing process in the care of clients with complex acute alterations in physiological and psychological functioning is emphasized. Advanced theoretical concepts are applied in the selection of therapeutic nursing interventions that successfully manipulate complex environmental factors to restore system balance and prevent further system imbalance. Collaborative relationships essential to providing holistic quality care for client systems with complex acute needs are discussed. Differences in the use of advanced technological support across the lifespan are presented. Legal, ethical, cultural, and economic considerations associated with complex acute health problems are addressed.

NURSING OF THE CLIENT WITH COMPLEX ACUTE NEEDS: CLINICAL LABORATORY
Theoretical concepts from Nursing of the Client with Complex Acute Needs are applied in a clinical laboratory setting. Critical thinking and the nursing process are used to provide therapeutic nursing interventions with client systems experiencing complex acute alterations in physiological and psychological functioning. Emphasis is on mastery of advanced assessment techniques and interdisciplinary communication. Opportunities are provided for application of the concepts for using technically advanced therapeutics which support physiological functioning and maintain hemodynamic stability.

POPULATION BASED HEALTHCARE
Concepts and theories related to providing healthcare to complex systems and aggregates in the community, state, nation, and world are explored. Emphasis is placed on the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and wellness and the prevention of disease. Internal and external environmental components which include historical, political, social, cultural, and economic factors are presented. The role of the healthcare provider in identifying, prioritizing, and meeting the health needs of aggregates is discussed.

POPULATION BASED HEALTHCARE: CLINICAL LABORATORY
Concepts and theories from Population Based Healthcare are applied to the healthcare of aggregates in the community. Students are given opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the provision of healthcare for culturally diverse populations.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN NURSING
Nursing practice in an evolving healthcare system is addressed as well as the implications of a managed care environment on healthcare delivery. The role of the nurse as leader and manager of a healthcare team is examined using concepts and theories of organization, management, leadership, change, decision making, and group process. Findings of current research related to nursing management and leadership are discussed. Historical, political, economic, social, and cultural factors that affect healthcare delivery within an organization are considered.

HEALTHCARE ISSUES AND PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
Selected theories, nursing history, and current issues and trends that influence professional nursing are critically explored. A professional practice model is used as a framework for analyses and integration of economic, political, social, and cultural issues as they relate to interdisciplinary healthcare.

LEGAL/ETHICAL FOUNDATION FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
Legal and ethical issues related to nursing practice are discussed. Laws and ethical principles that guide professional nursing practice in the current healthcare delivery system are emphasized. Information on the law, legal system, malpractice, negligence, and standards of care is provided. Distinctions between legal and ethical bases for nursing actions are identified in order to provide guidance in the decision making process. Critical thinking is used to analyze the impact of personal, professional, societal, and client system values on ethical decision making.

NURSING RESEARCH
The history of nursing research, terminology, and steps in the research process are explored. Research as a basis for evaluation of outcomes of health promotion and healthcare interventions including therapeutic nursing interventions is emphasized. Research questions relevant to clinical practice are identified. Interpretation of research for use in nursing practice is emphasized. The role of theory and ethical issues involved in the conduct of research is addressed.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM
A preceptor model of learning professional nursing practice provides opportunities to synthesize and integrate previous learning experiences. Concepts of leadership and management, change, and therapeutic nursing interventions are integrated into practice. The focus is on individualized transition to the professional nursing role as an employee, recognizing the organizational, social, political, economic, ethical, and legal context in which interdisciplinary healthcare is delivered in a selected clinical setting.

Other nursing schools in Kansas

Wichita State University (School of Nursing) The WSU School of Nursing is located in the largest urban area in the state of Kansas and consequently the health care community is the largest and mo... Address: 1845 Fairmount St., 5th floor of Ahlberg Hall.

Newman University (Department of Nursing) There’s no better time than the present to consider a career in nursing. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, by the year 202... Address: 3100 McCormick Ave.

University of Saint Mary (Nursing Program) In today's jam-packed world of medicine and technology, nursing is not just an interesting and exciting career. According to the Department of Lab... Address: 4100 South 4th Street

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