Nursing (Undergraduate)

The Nursing curriculum is carefully designed to integrate professional education with liberal arts and sciences. The program accommodates students beginning their education in nursing as well as students eligible for advanced placement. Graduates are prepared to provide nursing care in hospital and community health settings where beginning professional competence is expected.

The Nursing Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education (CCNE) and are fully approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

In accordance with Missouri requirements (4 CSR 200-4.020,C) completion of the Graceland BSN degree does not guarantee eligibility to write the licensure examination since all applicants must be approved by the Board and have completed at least the high school course of study, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the State Board of Education, as well as the basic professional curriculum at Graceland (4 CSR 200-4.020,B). A complete copy of the State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act 335.066 can be obtained from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. A resource for information regarding tuition, fees, and length of program is: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, (202)887-6791.

The Undergraduate Curriculum

Successful achievement in the humanities is basic to understanding the whole person and his/her response in health and illness. The well-prepared high school student usually spends four academic years completing the requirements for the Nursing major. The freshman and sophomore years are spent on the Lamoni campus, where the student enrolls in supporting science and humanities courses.* The nursing courses are taught on the Independence Campus in Independence, Missouri. The first two nursing courses are taught the summer before the junior year. Students will go to a variety of health care agencies for hands-on clinical experience while simultaneously completing the general education and Nursing major requirements.

*Transfer students may take these courses at other colleges.

Undergraduate Admission

Application for admission into the nursing program is evaluated on the basis of academic scholarship, writing ability, potential for success, references and professionalism.

Admission to the major is competitive and is based on overall ranking. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Admission to Graceland University.
Indication of potential for academic success.
1. Minimum of 2.75 cumulative or pre-requisite grade point average (GPA).
2. Minimum grade of "C" in each course required for the major. Pass/fail options are not permitted in the required courses for the nursing major.
3. Prior to enrollment in the spring semester of the sophomore year, the applicant must have completed the following courses with a minimum number of hours listed and a minimum grade of "C" in each course:
  1. Introduction to Chemistry with evidence of inorganic, organic and biochemistry components. (3 s.h.)
    *Waive for students who earn a minimum score of 4 in Advanced Placement or IB high school course exams.
  2. Anatomy and Physiology with lab for all transfer students (6 s.h.)
    * BIOL3420 Human Anatomy and BIOL3440 Human Physiology will be required for all current Graceland students (8 s.h.)
  3. Microbiology with lab (4 s.h.)
  4. College level mathematics course from the following: MATH1280 College Algebra or MATH1330 Elementary Functions or MATH1350 Discrete Mathematics or MATH1510 Calculus I (3 s.h.)
4. Successful completion (with a minimum number of hours listed and a minimum grade of C in each course) by the end of the spring semester the sophomore year:
  1. Introduction to Psychology (3 s.h.)
  2. Developmental Psychology (3 s.h.)
  3. Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 s.h.)
  4. Nutrition (3 s.h.)
  5. Introduction to Statistics (3 s.h.)
  6. *BIOL3420 Human Anatomy and BIOL3440 Human Physiology (8 s.h.) will be required for all current Graceland students.
  7. Introduction to Philosophy or other acceptable philosophy course.
    1. Acceptable GU courses include: PHIL2300 Basic Issues in Philosophy and PHIL3100 World Philosophies and Religions.
    2. Acceptable MCC courses include: PHIL100 Introduction to Philosophy and PHIL102 World Philosophy.
    3. Courses not listed above will be accepted on a case-by-case matter.
  8. Medical Terminology (2 s.h.)
5. Prior to beginning the first nursing classes at Graceland, students applying to the traditional track must present a minimum of 66 s.h., and students applying to the accelerated track 69 s.h. of acceptable college work from an accredited college, including the courses listed previously in this section.
6. Minimum of 75% on all required admission examinations (HESI Admission Assessment exam).
Nursing essay including personal statement of goals.
Two reference letters from an academic and occupational source (two academic references may be used if applicant has never held a job).
Personal interview.
Any R.N.-B.S.N. student whose GPA falls in the range of 2.0 to 2.494 will be conditionally accepted to the major and allowed to take 12 s.h. of nursing courses. Students can continue in the program if they achieve a GPA of 2.50 (2.495) or better on those courses.
2.5(5) from the Iowa Administrative Code, chapter 2, nursing educational programs: Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person:
1. who has been denied licensure by the board,
2. whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction,
3. whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

Accelerated Option Program of Study

Students can apply for the Accelerated Option and graduate in January rather than May of their senior year. Students will take an additional course the spring of their junior year and approximately eight semester hours in the summer between the junior and senior years. They will complete their last course at the end of January in their senior year.

The admission requirements are the same as the traditional program except that students must have:

cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
completed 69 hours of acceptable college work from an accredited university and;
completed all but six of their general education requirements upon initial enrollment.

Early Decision Option Program of Study

Students can apply for the Early Decision Option Program of Study following their junior year of high school. Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and want to pursue a professional career in nursing may apply for early acceptance into the nursing program. Admission into this program is competitive.

The requirements for application include:

ACT of 24 or better (or SAT combined score of 1650)
Completion of college bound high school graduation requirements with a B or greater.
Requirements include:
1. 4 units of English/language arts
2. 3 units of math
3. 3 units of science
4. 3 units of social studies
Maintain a 3.0 GPA on current coursework in high school
Submit two reference letters from an academic and employment source (two academic references may be used).
Submit an essay describing why you want to enter the profession of nursing and why you should be chosen for this program

Once accepted into the program, the progression requirements include:

Maintain a 3.0 on all college coursework (must obtain a C grade or better in all courses)
Follow suggested program of study
Send updated transcript following the end of each semester (unless attending GU)
Earn 76% or better on the HESI A2 Entrance Exam the semester before beginning the nursing program

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, each degree candidate must have:

Completed sufficient credit to total 124 semester hours.
Successfully completed all upper division (junior and senior level) semester hours.
Completed the University's general education requirements.
Earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all work and at least a 2.0 GPA in major.
Achieved a satisfactory score on the standardized comprehensive exam (BSN-RN only).
Fulfilled all financial obligations to Graceland University.
Filed an application for graduation with the Office of the Registrar at least six months prior to anticipated graduation date.

School of Nursing requests that the audit be completed spring of the junior year to ensure all requirements except for nursing have been met prior to the start of the senior year.

Academic Policies for the Nursing Major

Student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation and be subject to review by the Undergraduate Student Affairs Committee.
A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in all nursing courses and in all supporting required courses. Students may be allowed to repeat or withdraw from a course one time. Students will be dismissed after failing the same nursing course two times. A student who earns a “D” or “F” in a second nursing course will be dismissed from the program.
Students may not move to another clinical nursing level until the current one is satisfactorily completed.
Non-academic dismissal:
1. The Undergraduate Student Affairs Committee on behalf of the nursing faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student from the program whose health, professional conduct, theoretical, and/or clinical performance or conduct demonstrates an inability to continue preparation for a career in nursing. This may include violation of the academic integrity policy or breech of confidentiality.

Added Requirements

Nursing education maintains a close relationship with nursing practice. Students will be expected to meet additional requirements and expenses related to health examinations and immunizations, uniforms, transportation to clinical agencies, and liability insurance while enrolled in the junior and senior clinical nursing courses. Each student in the third and fourth year of the Nursing major needs to have their own reliable transportation. Specific information about these matters can be obtained from the School of Nursing.

B.S.N. Degree — Nursing Major (Beginning Professional Students)

In addition to the general education requirements, beginning professional students majoring in Nursing must complete a concentration of 59.5 semester hours of professional Nursing courses and 38 semester hours of supporting course work. The minimum total of semester hours required for graduation in Nursing is 124.

Required Nursing Courses:

NURS2420 Professional Nursing 2 s.h.
NURS2460 Health Assessment 4 s.h.
NURS2470 Informatics for Health Care 2 s.h.
NURS3120 Fundamentals of Health Care 5 s.h.
NURS3160 Evidence Based Practice 2 s.h.
NURS3250 Adult Health Care I 4 s.h.
NURS3260 Adult Health Care II 4 s.h.
NURS3270 Psychosocial Aspects of Client Care 4 s.h.
NURS3290 Gerontology 2.5 s.h.
NURS3440 Pathophysiology 3 s.h.
NURS3451 Pharmacology I 2 s.h.
NURS3452 Pharmacology II 2 s.h.
NURS4170 Manager of Patient Care 3.5 s.h.
NURS4220 Maternal and Newborn Care 4 s.h.
NURS4240 Pediatric Nursing 4 s.h.
NURS4260 Advanced Health Care 4 s.h.
NURS4340 Community Health Care 2.5 s.h.
NURS4390 Role Transition Practicum 3 s.h.
NURS4480 Trends and Issues 2 s.h.

During the last semester of the senior year, students will be required to achieve a satisfactory score on a designated standardized comprehensive examination to sit for the licensure exam.

Required Supporting Courses:

ATHT2500 Medical Terminology 2 s.h.
BIOL3420 Human Anatomy 4 s.h.
BIOL3440 Human Physiology 4 s.h.
BIOL2360 Microbiology 4 s.h.
BIOL2560 Nutrition 3 s.h.
CHEM1330 Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry 3 s.h.
MATH1280 College Algebra (preferred) or: MATH1310 Mathematical Concepts I 3 s.h.
MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics 3 s.h.
PHIL2300 Basic Issues in Philosophy or: PHIL3100 World Philosophies and Religions 3 s.h.
SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology (preferred) or: SOCI1350 Cultural Anthropology 3 s.h.
PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology 3 s.h.
PSYC2250 Developmental Psychology 3 s.h.

B.S.N. Degree — Nursing Major (RN-BSN Students)

Registered Nurses looking for online B.S.N. programs have several advanced placement options. Recent graduates of Iowa schools approved to participate in the Iowa Articulation Program may receive 64 s.h. of credit upon admission to Graceland. Students may also receive 64 s.h. of credit after successfully completing three Iowa Articulation courses that are offered at various community colleges in the state. Students from out of state may receive 28 s.h. of upper division escrow credit upon successful completion of NURS3460 Professional Seminar I and payment of recording fees for upper division courses. For complete information see School of Nursing brochure “articulation options”.

The following required nursing courses will be met by the Iowa Articulation Program or escrow credit:

NURS2420 Professional Nursing 2 s.h.
NURS3120 Fundamentals of Health Care 5 s.h.
NURS3250 Adult Health Care I 4 s.h.
NURS3260 Adult Health Care II 4 s.h.
NURS3270 Psychosocial Aspects of Client Care 4 s.h.
NURS4220 Maternal and Newborn Care 4 s.h.
NURS4240 Pediatric Nursing 4 s.h.
NURS4910 Leadership Roles in Nursing 1 s.h.

Nursing courses required to be taken at Graceland:

NURS2460 Health Assessment 3 s.h.
NURS3160 Evidence Based Practice 3 s.h.
NURS3440 Pathophysiology 3 s.h.
NURS3450 Pharmacology 3 s.h.
NURS3460 Professional Seminar I 3 s.h.
NURS4160 Leadership Roles in Nursing 3 s.h.
NURS4280 Global Health and Policy Issues 3 s.h.
NURS4340 Community Health Care 3 s.h.
NURS4380 Senior Clinical Practicum 2 s.h.
NURS4420 Professional Seminar II 2 s.h.

Required Supporting Courses:

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy 4 s.h.
BIOL3440 Human Physiology 4 s.h.
BIOL2360 Microbiology 4 s.h.
BIOL2560 Nutrition 3 s.h.
CHEM1330 Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry 3 s.h.
MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics 3 s.h.
SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology (preferred) or: SOCI1350 Cultural Anthropology 3 s.h.
PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology 3 s.h.
PSYC2250 Developmental Psychology 3 s.h.

Courses in Nursing (Undergraduate)

Non-Clinical Course Offerings

NURS2000 Individual Study 1-3 s.h.

NURS2010 RN-BSN Orientation Focus Session 0 s.h.
Focuses on preparing the RN-BSN student to be successful in an online undergraduate program of study. Includes attendance and participation in a 2 day on-campus session during the first semester of coursework.

NURS2420 Professional Nursing 2 s.h.
Introduces the roles and responsibilities of professional nursing. Introduces students to the historical, economic, political and legal/ethical trends in nursing. Introduces concepts necessary for scholarly writing using APA formatting.

NURS2460 Health Assessment 3-4 s.h.
Systematic holistic nursing process approach to health history and physical examination for the purpose of differentiating normal from abnormal states of health and critical assessment of client needs. Application of concepts are facilitated in laboratory experience. Prerequisite: NURS2010 (for online RN-BSN students only.)

NURS2470 Informatics for Health Care 2 s.h.
An introduction to the basic concepts and skills associated with the use of technology as it relates to nursing and electronic healthcare systems. The content will provide a conceptual foundation and hands-on exposure to the use of information management in nursing which is necessary in providing quality patient care.

NURS3000 Individual Study 1-3 s.h.

NURS3120 Fundamentals of Health Care 5 s.h.
Introduction to basic concepts and psychomotor skills necessary to provide therapeutic interventions for individual clients. Laboratory and clinical experience provided. Prerequisites: NURS2420, 2460, 2470.

NURS3160 Evidence Based Practice 2-3 s.h.
Study of the evidence-based practice research process to develop informed consumers of nursing research. Exploration of the application of the research evidence to the health care environment. Prerequisites: NURS3120, 3270, 3440, 3451.

NURS3290 Gerontology 2.5 s.h.
An examination of the basic conceptual and theoretical perspectives of gerontology. Topics discussed relate to adjustments to physiological and psychosocial changes and the aging process. Examination of special concerns of the older adult, specifically age-related health problems, sexuality, religion, finances, caregiver role, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, depression, and loss of spouse/peers. Prerequisites: NURS3120, 3270, 3440, 3451.

NURS3440 Pathophysiology 3 s.h.
Study of the concepts and altered processes of organs, cells, and biochemical functions of the systems related to homeostasis, neural control and integration. Prerequisites: NURS2420, 2460, 2470.

NURS3450 Pharmacology 3 s.h.
Study of principles of pharmacology and their application to nursing. Emphasis on major categories of pharmacological agents, their actions, side effects, uses and nursing responsibilities regarding administration and calculations of medications. Prerequisite: NURS2420, 2460 (BSN-RN students only).

NURS3451 Pharmacology I 2 s.h.
Introduces students to the principles of pharmacology and their application to nursing. Emphasizes drug classifications of pharmacological agents, their actions, side effects, uses and nursing responsibilities regarding administration and basic calculations of medication administration for all routes of administration. Prerequisites: NURS2420, 2460, 2470.

NURS3452 Pharmacology II 2 s.h.
Continues investigation of pharmacology with specific medications that are seen in the clinical setting from the various drug classifications and medications used in advanced adult health settings. Drug calculations include those for the critical care setting and those using the intravenous route.

NURS3460 Professional Seminar I 3 s.h.
A transitional course to prepare the RN student for entry into baccalaureate nursing and continuing socialization into the profession. Exploration of major curricular and historical concepts. Prerequisite: Nursing major with junior standing.

NURS3900 Topics in Nursing 1-3 s.h.
An in-depth study of a specific, timely topic in nursing. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

NURS4000 Individual Study 1-3 s.h.

NURS4280 Global Health and Policy Issues 3 s.h.
The course focuses on an analysis of the forces shaping our community and global health patterns. Drawing on multidisciplinary sources, this course explores the impact of these global processes as they manifest in the health of our own and other societies. Emphasis is placed on analysis of the broad cultural, environmental, social-economic, and political systems that contribute to health status and outcomes, health policies, and health care delivery around the world.

NURS4420 Professional Seminar II 2 s.h.
Continuing exploration of current health care issues facing the nursing profession using a critical thinking process designed to move the RN student into the professional baccalaureate role for practice in the 21st century. Prerequisites: Nursing major with senior standing and NURS3460.

NURS4480 Trends and Issues 2 s.h.
Examines the social, cultural, political, legal, economic, and ethical issues that surround the practice of professional nursing. Explores the concepts that prepare the graduate for entry into the professional role. Prerequisites: NURS3160, 3250, 3260, 3290, 4340.

Clinical Course Offerings

Each of the following clinical course offerings provides students practical opportunity to utilize components of the nursing process in a caring, professional way; to promote positive adaptation of families and individuals with specific health needs; and to function as a member of a health care team that utilizes research findings and scientific rationale in planning and implementing nursing action.

NURS3250 Adult Health Care I 4 s.h.
Focus on the development of abilities to manage the care of adults, at various life stages, in a variety of health care settings. Emphasis on person-centered communication and application of cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills in providing basic nursing care to clients and their families. Prerequisites: NURS3120, 3270, 3440, 3451.

NURS3260 Adult Health Care II 4 s.h.
Focus on the development of abilities to manage the care of adults, at various life stages, in a variety of health care settings. Emphasis on person-centered communication and application of cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills in providing family centered nursing care to individuals and groups of clients. Prerequisites: NURS3120, 3270, 3440, 3451.

NURS3270 Psychosocial Aspects of Client Care 4 s.h.
Emphasis on promotion of healthy individual and family system responses to psychosocial stressors (violence, poverty, substance abuse). Psychopathology will be explored with opportunities to practice primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing interventions in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: NURS2420, 2460, 2470.

NURS4160 Leadership Roles in Nursing 3 s.h.
Examination of leadership, management, role, and change theories. Emphasis on acquiring the knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources required to lead an interdisciplinary team to achieve excellence and high quality outcomes. Prerequisites: Junior level nursing courses.

NURS4170 Manager of Patient Care 3.5 s.h.
Discusses management of patient care in a clinical setting in the capacity of unit manager, charge nurse and patient care coordinator. Focuses on knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources required to lead an interdisciplinary team to achieve excellence and high quality outcomes. Prerequisites: NURS3160, 3250, 3260, 3290, 4340.

NURS4220 Maternal and Newborn Care 4 s.h.
Study of women's health across the lifespan with an emphasis on maternity/newborn care. Employs holistic approach to health promotion and intervention. Prerequisites: Junior level nursing courses. Prerequisites: NURS3160, 3250, 3260, 3290, 4340.

NURS4240 Pediatric Nursing 4 s.h.
Investigates a holistic, family focus on acute illness and health promotion for pediatric patients from birth through adolescence. An emphasis on developmental stages of childhood and nursing interventions within the home and acute care settings and the impact of societal and family decisions on childhood growth and development. Prerequisites: NURS4170, 4220, 4480.

NURS4260 Advanced Health Care 4 s.h.
Emphasis on the key concepts required to deliver care to clients and their families during severe physiological stress. Importance placed on critical thinking to analyze the relationship between multidimensional stressors in the midst of critical illness. Prerequisites: NURS4170, 4220, 4480.

NURS4340 Community Health Care 2.5-3 s.h.
Focuses on community/public health issues with the family and community as clients, including community assessment and the examination of a variety of core concepts in the practice of community/public health nursing. Topics include epidemiology, community focused health promotion, and prevention within a sociopolitical environment. Prerequisites: NURS3120, 3270, 3440, 3451.

NURS4380 Senior Clinical Practicum 2 s.h.
Emphasis on advanced cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills and therapeutic communication in the care of clients and families in specialized settings. Prerequisites: Junior level nursing courses.

NURS4390 Role Transition Practicum 3 s.h.
Emphasis on advanced cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills and therapeutic communication in the care of clients and families in acute-care settings. Prerequisites: NURS4170, 4220, 4480.