This course, for RN to BSN option students, builds upon students’ existing knowledge of nursing assessment. Students explore current and innovative techniques for assessing an individual’s physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual needs. The use of assessment findings for clinical decision making and the creation of individualized patient teaching plans is discussed throughout the course.

This course introduces the RN student to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, theory and roles of the professional nurse in the context of contemporary
and future professional nursing practice. This course provides the student with opportunities to demonstrate skills for success as an online RN to BSN student.

The focus of this course is the understanding of health information systems to ethically manage data, information, knowledge and technology to communicate effectively; provide safe and effective patient care; and utilize appropriate databases to search for evidence-based on research to enhance the quality of patient care and inform practice decisions. Development of competencies in using patient care technologies and information management systems is emphasized.

The research process and its contributions to the professional nursing practice are explored. The skills related to asking research questions and searching for best evidence are reviewed. The skills related to reading published research findings with understanding and using best evidence as the basis for professional nursing practice are developed.