Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Courses

The first of a two-semester sequence especially designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields as well as any student desiring an in-depth undergraduate transfer course. The course focuses on the interdependent relationships between the structure and functions of body systems and the ways these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure the survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include levels of organization, the chemistry of life, support/movement, integration/control, and coordination. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

The second of a two-semester sequence designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields or wishing an in-depth undergraduate transfer course in the biological sciences. The course focuses on interdependent relationships between the structures and functions of body systems and the way these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include systems associated with circulation, maintenance, elimination and continuity. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-168.

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score or equivalent.

Nurse Aide is the 75-hour certified nurse aide (CNA) course. It allows students to meet the State of Iowa training requirements for nurse aides working in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Emphasis in the course is on achieving a basic level of knowledge and demonstrating skills to provide safe and effective resident care.

Lecture Hours: 30 Lab Hours: 16 Clinic Hours: 30

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of D- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.

This course will prepare the student for College Algebra and Trigonometry or other equivalent course work. Topics include properties of real numbers, linear and quadratic equations, graphs of polynomial functions, systems of equations, polynomial and rational expressions, inequalities, integral and rational exponents, radicals, and complex numbers.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.

This course provides an intensified study of algebraic techniques and prepares students for future study in mathematics. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-102. Or equivalent placement score.

This one-semester pre-calculus course is intended for the student with a solid algebra background who intends to take calculus. It is also beneficial (but not required) for the student to have a background in trigonometry. The course will emphasize functions using an analytical, numerical, and graphical approach. The student will study linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions along with their applications.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Scores: ACT Math Score of 25 OR Compass Score of 51-100 in the College Algebra Domain or 31-50 in the Trigonometry Domain.

The second course of a two-semester pre-calculus sequence. Topics include trigonometry and applications, vectors, analytic geometry, and polar and parametric equations.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-121. Or equivalent placement score.

This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.

The first in a calculus sequence, this course covers topics including functions and their graphs, limits, derivatives, applications of the derivative, and integrals.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-128 or MAT-134. Or appropriate placement scores: ACT 27; COMPASS TRIGONOMETRY 51-100.

This course provides students the opportunity to demonstrate the practical application of basic nursing skills. There is emphasis on the critical elements of nursing procedures and the scientific rationale for performing the procedures correctly.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-168 and BIO-173 and ENG-105

This course provides students with an introduction to clinical nursing. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the nursing process as a basis for clinical decision-making. Nursing professionalism and basic nursing skills are introduced.

Clinic Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-168 and BIO-173 and ENG-105.

Introduction to Nursing is the initial course for the student entering the profession of nursing and begins with an introduction to the history of nursing and nursing as a profession. Components of the nursing process are described and utilized with implementation of nursing informatics. The student will learn aspects of infection control, hygiene, safety, body alterations, therapeutic communication, cultural competence, and healthcare prevention.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in ENG-105 and BIO-173 and BIO-168

This course builds on concepts learned in previous coursework from bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, and nursing as well as from current evidence-based literature. Emphasis is placed on applying the nursing process to clients and families across the life span in a variety of settings. The content is organized according to body systems, focusing on nursing implications for clients with predictable health problems as well as related health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Systems included in this course are cardiovascular, hematology/oncology, fluids/ electrolytes, integumentary, gastrointestinal, and urinary/male reproductive.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in ENG-105 and BIO-168 and BIO-173

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-151. Grade of P in PNN-218.

This course includes health teaching related to the study of family-centered nursing care in obstetrics and pediatrics. The obstetrical portion includes the study of preconception; pregnancy and major complications; the birth process; postpartum nursing care; and newborn care. The pediatric portion includes the application of principles of human growth and development in the provision of nursing care to families with infants, children, or adolescents. The study of nursing care for the prevention and treatment of common pediatric disorders is highlighted. The clinical component for obstetrics and pediatrics will include the incorporation of lab simulation.

Lecture Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in ENG-105 and BIO-173 and BIO-168

Principles of Nutrition will introduce students to the science of nutrition. The course will examine individual nutrients; their structure and function in the human body; nutrient composition of food; and selection of food to meet nutrient needs, maintain health and satisfaction. Students will understand and apply present day knowledge of nutrition to dietary patterns and needs of selected individuals and groups. The course is an advanced beginning course in human nutrition designed for students with a science background.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides students with a continuation of clinical nursing. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the nursing process as a basis for clinical decision making and development of critical thinking. Nursing professionalism standards are reinforced and basic essential nursing skills such as SBAR hand off report, data analysis and trends are introduced.

Clinic Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-151

This course introduces students to the basic principles of pharmacology and medication administration. The course will focus on the safe use, pharmacological principles, indications, and nursing implications related to drug therapy when caring for individuals and families across the life span. General characteristics of selected medications including pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, side effects, adverse effects, contraindications, administration, and client education will be discussed.

Lecture Hours: 32

This course introduces practical nursing students to the foundational principles of public health and mental health nursing. Students will explore the role of the practical nurse in promoting health, preventing disease, and providing care within diverse community settings. The course emphasizes the assessment and care of individuals and families across the lifespan, focusing on vulnerable populations, determinants of health, and the use of community resources to support wellness. Students will examine common mental health conditions, therapeutic communication strategies, and interventions to support clients experiencing mental health challenges. Cultural sensitivity, safety, ethical practice, and the integration of health promotion and disease prevention strategies will be highlighted to prepare students for practical nursing care in public health and mental health settings.

Lecture Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-151

This course builds on concepts learned in previous coursework from bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, and nursing as well as from current evidence-based literature. Emphasis is placed on applying the nursing process to clients and families across the life span in a variety of settings. The content is organized according to body systems, focusing on nursing implications for clients with predictable health problems as well as related health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Systems included in this course are respiratory, endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, sensory, pain, and immune disorders.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in PNN-115, PNN-116, and PNN-122. Minimum grade of P in PNN-117 and PNN-118.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in PNN-319. Minimum grade of P in PNN-221.

This course is designed to thoroughly prepare the student for the practical nursing licensure exam. It covers essential nursing content from all core clinical areas, nursing process/clinical judgment model and client need categories. Students will have the opportunity to develop and improve their test-taking skills through computer simulations and practice tests. Extensive student performance evaluation is provided throughout the course to aid in identifying and strengthening necessary content areas.

Lecture Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-151

This course provides supervised practice in a variety of advanced nursing skills in both a lab and clinical setting. Competence in selected nursing skills will be demonstrated in the provision of safe nursing care.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in ADN-121 and ADN-231.

This clinical course provides opportunities for students to incorporate concepts from course work in bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, nursing and current evidence-based literature to provide safe, competent care of adult clients experiencing common complex alterations in body systems. The course utilizes the nursing process in order to achieve best practice outcomes in a medical/surgical setting. Particular emphasis is placed on concepts of holistic care, client education, and critical thinking for clients with respiratory (acid base), endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, sensory, pain, and immunity disorders complex health alterations.

Clinic Hours: 96

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in ADN-124 and ADN-128.

This course provides registered nurses with essential knowledge and skills in three critical areas of professional practice: delegation, dosage calculation, and clinical decision-making. Learners will explore the RN scope of practice, apply evidence-based critical thinking models, and integrate safe medication and delegation strategies into individualized patient care plans. Designed to enhance confidence and competence, this course supports safe, effective nursing care across diverse healthcare settings.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course builds on the concepts of previous nursing courses with an emphasis on the care of high risk maternal and pediatric clients. The focus will be on health promotion, ethical/legal considerations, family-centered care and common alterations seen in high risk maternal and pediatric clients.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides the student with advanced assessment knowledge and techniques essential for the management of nursing care for patients with complex medical-surgical conditions. Consideration is given to the assessment of special populations. In-depth pathophysiology of body system disorders is discussed. The concepts of fluid and electrolyte and acid-base balance are addressed. This course provides the foundation for nursing care management of complex patients.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course studies the fundamentals of public speaking, emphasizing the process of speech preparation and delivery in various contexts.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course focuses on the study and application of modern concepts of community and advanced psychiatric nursing. The nursing process will be used to therapeutically plan client cares, applying the principles of community nursing, mental health, and psychiatric nursing.

Lecture Hours: 32

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-186 and PSY-111

This clinical course provides opportunities for students to incorporate concepts from course work in bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, nursing and current evidence-based literature to provide safe, competent care of maternal, pediatric, mental health and community clients experiencing complex alterations in body systems. The course utilizes the nursing process in order to achieve best practice outcomes in a medical/surgical setting. Particular emphasis is placed on concepts of holistic care, client education and critical thinking.

Clinic Hours: 96

Prerequisite(s): Pass grade in ADN-125

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in PSY-111 and BIO-186

Complex medical-surgical conditions of the respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological, musculoskeletal, renal, reproductive, biliary/gastrointestinal, endocrine, integumentary, and neurological systems are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the nursing management of patients with complex medical-surgical conditions which require prioritization of nursing diagnoses and interventions. The importance of collaboration and patient education is addressed.

Lecture Hours: 48

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in PSY-111 and BIO-186

This course, the Professional Nursing Preceptorship, will assist the student in progressing into the entry level role of a registered nurse. The student will work with a preceptor to plan, implement, and evaluate care to assigned clients in a patient care setting utilizing critical thinking skills and demonstrating positive communication. The student will be selected for this course based on academic and clinical performance.

Co-op Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in ADN-122. Pass grade in ADN-125.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in PSY-111 and BIO-186

This course, Professional Nursing Clinical will assist the student in progressing into the entry level role of a registered nurse. The student will plan, implement, and evaluate care to assigned clients in an acute care setting under the supervision of a clinical instructor utilizing critical thinking skills and demonstrating positive communication. This clinical course provides opportunities for students to incorporate concepts from course work in bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, nursing and current evidence-based literature to provide safe, competent care of adult clients experiencing common complex alterations in body systems. The course utilizes the nursing process in order to achieve best practice outcomes in a medical/surgical setting. Particular emphasis is placed on concepts of holistic care, client education, and critical thinking for clients with respiratory (acid base), endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, sensory, pain, and immunity disorders complex health alterations.

Lecture Hours: Clinic Hours: 48

This course is designed to integrate and review nursing care for clients within the scope of the registered nurse and incorporate interactive strategies needed in taking the NCLEX examination.

Lecture Hours: 32

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grad of C- in PSY-111 and BIO-186

Morphology, physiology, taxonomy, and relationship of microorganisms to disease. In-depth laboratory study and suitable lecture material with applications to agriculture, industry, and medicine.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48