2011 - 2012 Student Calendar - Helena College of Technology

Course DescriptionsNRSM280 Water Rights and Water PolicyCredits: 3Prerequisites: noneThis course is designed to examine the laws and policiesgoverning water resources along with the historical, social,environmental, and economic forces that shape them. Theevolution of water laws and policy up to and through thetransformative 1970s to the present will be explored by anexamination of water resources and their allocation in severalMontana watersheds and California’s Mono Basin. Theadministration of water rights and water quality laws by stateand federal agencies in Montana and the West will be studiedutilizing recent legal and policy debates and decisions.NRSG100 Introduction to NursingCredits: 1; 1 lecturePrerequisites: noneThe intent of this course is to socialize the participant to theroles/functions/expectations of the nurse. This course providesan introduction to nursing history and current views of nursingas a discipline (including various types of nursing occupationsand educational requirements). Scholastic expectations requiredto complete a program of study in nursing are introducedas well as professional expectations of the practicing nurse.The following core concepts related to nursing practice arepresented: the caring nature of the nursing profession; theimportance of critical thinking/clinical judgment; legal/ethical/cultural issues in nursing; the need to understand humanmotivation and behavior; and use of the nursing process.Communication in various forms is emphasized.NRSG130 Fundamentals of NursingCredits: 4; 4 lecturePrerequisites: noneThis course introduces learners to the clinical skills essentialfor the nursing role. It also includes complex concepts andbehaviors of nursing roles within the context of the nursingprocess, holistic care, and health care. The course emphasizesthe theoretical and practical concepts of nursing skills requiredto meet the needs of clients in a variety of settings.NRSG131 Fundamentals of Nursing LabCredits: 3; 3 (90 hrs.) labPrerequisites: noneThis course introduces learners to the clinical skills essentialfor the nursing role. It also includes complex concepts andbehaviors of nursing roles within the context of the nursingprocess, holistic care, and health care. Emphasis will be on thetheoretical and practical concepts of nursing skills required tomeet the needs of clients in a variety of settings.NRSG135 Nursing PharmacologyCredits: 3; 3 lecturePrerequisites: noneThrough caring, communication, professionalism, criticalthinking, and critical judgment, students learn a structuredsystematic approach to the study of drug therapy. Medicationsare studied according to drug classes and therapeutic families.Students will learn to apply the nursing process to drug therapywith an emphasis on accessing relevant information to ensureclient safety.NRSG138 Gerontology for NursingCredits: 2; 1 lecture, 1 (45 hrs.) clinicalPrerequisites: noneThis course introduces the student to the skills and knowledgeneeded to provide nursing care to aging clients. Topics exploredinclude current trends (including legal and ethical issues)in gerontological nursing, developing stages and transitionsassociated with aging, expected aging related physiologicalchanges and assessment findings, recognition and managementof acute and chronic illnesses that commonly occur in the olderadult population, promotion of health for the older adult client,end-of-life issues and care.NRSG140 Core Concepts of Adult NursingCredits: 7; 4 lecture, 3 (135 hrs.) clinicalPrerequisites: noneThis course prepares the student to care for clients experiencingcommon, well- defined health alterations in settings where stableclients are anticipated. Students are introduced to standardizednursing procedures and customary nursing and collaborativetherapeutic modalities. The following body systems will beaddressed: neurological, cardiac, respiratory, renal/urological,gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive,integumentary, sensory, and hematological. The topics of preoperativecare, pain, infection/immunity, and cancer will beaddressed. Additionally, recognition and emergent treatmentof rapidly changing conditions will be introduced.NRSG142 Core Concepts of Maternal/Child NursingCredits: 3; 2 lecture, 1 (45 hrs.) clinicalPrerequisites: noneEmphasizing caring, communication, professionalism, andcritical thinking, the course provides information about fetaldevelopment and prenatal and postnatal care of the motherand newborn. Role of the nurse in meeting the needs of thefamily is emphasized. Clinical application of care for the motherand newborn will allow the student to demonstrate acquiredknowledge. The course also includes growth and developmentpatterns as well as care of the well and sick child.NRSG144 Core Concepts of Mental Health NursingCredits: 2; 2 lecturePrerequisites: noneThis course will explore physiological, psychological,sociocultural, spiritual, and environmental factors associatedwith Mental Health/Illness affecting individuals and families.Focus will be placed on basic concepts of psychiatric nursing,therapeutic modalities, as well as psychiatric disordersincluding psychopharmacological management.114 2011 - 2012 Academic Catalog UM-Helena College of Technology