School of Nursing

Department Head: Dr. Elizabeth Gulledge, Chief Nursing Administrator

JSU South Complex

Accredited by: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW Suite 750
Washington, DC, 20001
(202) 887-6791

The Jacksonville State University School of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing, which entitles its graduates to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). 

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Jacksonville State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Students begin the nursing program by taking core requirement courses. A separate application is filed to request assessment into the clinical portion (upper division) of nursing. The school assesses students for eligibility for the upper division nursing program in the spring and fall of each year. The deadline for submission of applications for assessment to the upper division program of nursing is June 1st for fall and October 1st for spring. Late applications are not accepted. Only students who have been admitted to Jacksonville State University and who meet eligibility requirements may apply for assessment into the upper division nursing program. Those planning to apply for assessment into the upper division nursing program should contact the Senior Lead Advisor/Director of Academic Services in the College of Health Professions and Wellness well in advance of the application deadline in order to confirm eligibility.

Entry into the upper division of nursing requires completion of all core requirement courses with a core requirement grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above and a minimum grade of “C” in each core requirement course. Once a passing grade of “C” or above has been earned in a course, that course cannot be repeated for a higher grade. Students who do not meet the above standards are not eligible to apply for assessment into upper division. Each student’s record will be assessed for completion of core requirements and as a basis for approval to enter the upper division. The review process may include a personal interview with the candidate, a background check, contact with personal references, and, if the student has been enrolled in other nursing programs, contact with previous nursing faculty. The assessment process may also include evaluation of essential academic skills and critical thinking. Students must have a current ACT score of 20 (within five years). Students who have English as a second language must present a minimum score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam taken within four years. To be eligible for assessment into upper division, minimum scores are: 560 for TOEFL Written (paper based), 220 for TOEFL CBT (computer based), or 83 for iBT (internet based). Students native to countries where English is a commonly used language and/or those who have been living in a country for many years where English is a primary spoken language may request a waiver of this requirement. A student who has been enrolled in any upper division nursing program (RN or LPN) and was unsuccessful in progressing satisfactorily in that program is not eligible to apply. The School of Nursing reserves the right to limit the number of students enrolled in nursing courses in order to make the most effective use of the educational resources available. Because of limited resources, eligibility for the program is competitive; all students who qualify may not be selected. Students must comply with all School of Nursing policies for entrance into and continuation in the nursing program, which include, but are not limited to, a clear criminal background check and drug screen.

The student is advised to review qualifications for licensure as well as grounds for denial of licensure before beginning the nursing major. Qualifications for RN licensure by examination in Alabama include:

  • high school graduation or the equivalent, as determined by the Board
  • good moral character
  • successful completion of requirements for graduation from a Board-approved registered nurse program.

While an applicant may meet the above qualifications, final approval to take the licensure examination and become licensed in Alabama is subject to action by the Board of Nursing.

Nursing

NU 121  Ethics in Nursing (WI)  (3)  
Examines ethical reasoning and decision-making in relation to moral, legal, and professional standards. Specific issues confronting the health care delivery system will be analyzed. (Writing Intensive Course)
NU 130  Medical Terminology  (3)  
This course introduces the elements of medical terminology and provides students with a basic understanding of the language used by healthcare professionals. Knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, word roots is emphasized. Singular and plural forms of medical terms are identified, along with emphasis on word analysis, word building and pronunciation. These guidelines are applied to diverse body systems. Each body system is briefly reviewed and common diagnostic, laboratory, and surgical procedures are introduced.
NU 300  RISE to Success: Professional Communication and Accountability  (0)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to upper division.

This course is designed to provide a network of communication and support for at-risk students after completion of the initial RISE course. Students engage in open, ongoing communication with course faculty related to their outcomes in nursing coursework. The primary focus is incorporating effective communication techniques and collaboration to develop personal knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to deliver safe and effective patient care. Grade: Pass/Fail.
NU 301  RISE to Success: Leadership in Critical Thinking and Clinical Prevention  (1)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to upper division.

This course is designed to broaden student understanding of key nursing concepts. Through a variety of learning strategies students will develop decision-making skills applicable to the clinical setting. Grade: Pass/Fail.
NU 302  Preparation for NCLEX Success  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Assessment into upper division.

This course required during the fifth semester of the nursing curriculum is designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Individual plans for success are established based on areas of deficiency. Through standardized testing and self-analysis, students identify areas needing improvement and work to improve knowledge. Lab required.
NU 303  RISE to Success: Integration of Knowledge and Skills into Practice  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to upper division.

This course is designed as the initial course to assist students who are identified as at-risk and admitted to the RISE program. Students are introduced to effective strategies to promote learning and are individually guided by the instructor. Diverse strategies are utilized to increase perceived self-confidence and knowledge to facilitate success in nursing school. Assigned activities will include a variety of learning experiences, i.e., online, classroom, clinical laboratory simulation. Grade: Pass/Fail.
NU 304  RISE to Success: Scholarship of Nursing Practice  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to upper division.

This is a clinical course designed to facilitate essential skills for safe, effective nursing practice. Evidence-based research, clinical judgment, and interprofessional perspectives are incorporated into making decisions related to all steps of the nursing process. This course is designed to facilitate competency in clinical skills. Lab required. Grade: Pass/Fail.
NU 305  A Bridge to Success  (0)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to upper division nursing.

This course is a 1 day workshop offered just prior to the first semester nursing course, designed to enhance skills needed for success in the baccalaureate nursing program. Emphasis will be on the acquirement, development, and utilization of proper study, time management, stress management, and learning style strategies to enhance success and thus improve retention.
NU 306  Pharmacology  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to upper division.

Designed to introduce the nursing student to the basic principles of drug therapy, drug calculations, and drug classifications. Lab required.
NU 309  Health Assessment  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to upper division.

Focuses upon patient assessment and nursing diagnosis, utilizing the approaches of history-taking and physical examination. Lab required.
NU 311  Foundations of Nursing Practice  (6)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to upper division.

This clinical nursing course provides the first contact with individuals/families as clients/patients, and emphasizes the development of skills in problem-solving, nursing process, communication, and therapeutic nursing interventions. Lab and clinical required.
NU 313  Online Orientation to the STEP Program  (0)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the STEP Program.

Online orientation to the STEP Program. Required course for all new admissions to the STEP Program and provides each student with valuable information about blackboard, distance learning, GEM (Gamecock Electronic Mail), book list, and policies within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Grades: PASS/FAIL
NU 322  Health Deviations and Clinical Interventions  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first semester upper division courses.

An in-depth study of disease processes across the life span. Health promotion and disease prevention will be integrated by emphasizing risk factors and relevant therapeutic approaches to reduce the incidence of acute and chronic health problems.
NU 325  Adult Health in Secondary and Community Settings  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first semester upper division courses. Lab and clinical required.

Course through which students learn the responsibilities of professional nursing in providing nursing care to the adult patient with various medical-surgical problems. Lab and clinical required.
NU 326  Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Assessment into upper division.

This course is designed to enable students to understand the dynamics of psychiatric nursing and mental health, with an emphasis on the holistic therapeutic care of psychiatric patients/families as well as the therapeutic use of self. The concentration of the course will be focused on the attainment of knowledge regarding psychiatric diagnoses, utilization of the nursing process in providing therapeutic nursing care, understanding appropriate treatment modalities and the establishment of the nurse-patient relationship as it deals with the psychopathological behavior found in the psychiatric patient. Clinically, the student will be utilizing and employing the theoretical aspects in nursing assessment and patient care, one-to-one interactions, group situations, healthcare team discussions, as well as supervision sessions. Lab and clinical required.
NU 339  Understanding Health Policy  (2)  
This course focuses on the history of health care and how insurance, government funded care, and national health insurance was created. It explores the outcomes of wellness and illness with each type of health policy. A look into several nations with government health care helps the student think about our current health system with a global mindset.
NU 343  Concepts of Emergency/Disaster Nursing  (3)  
Course designed to assist students in utilizing knowledge from the biophysical and psychosocial sciences to implement care for patients in the pre-hospital emergency setting.
NU 344  Perspective in Women's Health  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Upper Division Nursing Students Only.

Elective in nursing. Provides an overview of current women's health issues across the lifespan. Course focuses on the social, political, economic, and cultural influences on women's health.
NU 345  Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing (WI)  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to STEP Program.

This course is a unique course that focuses on legal and ethical issues in nursing with the utilization of scholarly composition. All assignments are tailored around the exploration and application of ethical theories and principles as well as legal aspects experienced in nursing practice. A variety of assignments were developed to foster collegial communication, encourage self-reflection, and further develop writing skills. Scholarly writing is a critical skill in the development of the nursing professional; therefore, all assignments will be graded with emphasis on the use of APA format and scholarly writing. (Writing Intensive Course)
NU 350  Professional Roles  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to STEP Program.

For RN students only. Course designed to assist the Registered Nurse in making the transition to the professional role (BSN).
NU 352  Health Assessment Across the Lifespan  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to STEP Program.

For RN students only. Provides a foundation for developing a holistic approach as it applies to the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental health status of individuals. Designed to assist the Registered Nurse with improving communication skills, interview techniques, history-taking, and physical examination techniques in patient/client evaluations.
NU 365  Pharmacology for the Practicing Nurse  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to STEP Program.

For RN students only. This course focuses on current pharmacological concepts for practicing nurses. Emphasis is on current drug classifications, commonly used drugs, assessing client responses to drug therapy, client teaching and nursing interventions related to drug therapy.
NU 390  Informatics in Nursing  (3)  
This course introduces nursing informatics as an integration of nursing, computer, and information sciences for the support of nursing practice. It will acquaint practicing nurses with the effective utilization of technology and its applications throughout all aspects of health delivery.
NU 400  Research and Outcomes Management (WI)  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first semester courses.

Designed to assist students to develop knowledge and skills in the research process, to become consumers of research, and to conceptualize the significance of research as the foundation of evidence-based nursing practice. (Writing Intensive Course)
NU 401  Research and Outcomes Management for the Practicing Nurse  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Admission to STEP Program.

(3) Designed to assist students who are practicing nurses to develop knowledge and skills in the research process, to become consumers of research, and to conceptualize the significance of research as the foundation of evidence-based nursing.
NU 403  Nursing Care of Children and Families  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first and second semester upper division courses.

This course presents nursing care of children and families from well-child care through acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of settings from schools, hospitals to specialty area that focus on early intervention and special needs. The nursing care of children and families centers on understanding growth and development, health promotion, and interventions to maximize optimal health. Lab and clinical required.
NU 404  Childbearing Families  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of semesters 1 and 2 level nursing courses.

Clinical course designed to enable the student to practice the various roles assumed by professional nurses in the provision of family centered maternal-infant care. Lab clinical required.
NU 422  Foundations of Nursing Leadership  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first semester courses.

Introduction to concepts of professional leadership and management and their use in the practice setting with a concentration on professionalism. Emphasis is placed on leadership theories, leadership and management styles, time and stress management, burnout, types of communication, conflict strategies and conflict resolution, planned change, decision making, delegation and scope of practice, prioritization, legalities, advocacy and the significance of diversity and inclusion.
NU 423  Nursing Management and Leadership  (3)  
Provides an overview of concepts of professional leadership and management and their use in the practice setting for the practicing nurse. Emphasizes organizational structure, management, professional, and leadership issues.
NU 424  Adult Health in Secondary, Tertiary, and Community Settings  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of semesters 1, 2, and 3 level nursing courses.

Enhances and further develops the student's ability and knowledge to care for adults with complex health problems together with their need for sophisticated nursing interventions. Lab and clinical required.
NU 426  Community Health Across the Lifespan  (5)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of semesters 1, 2, and 3 level nursing courses.

Enables the student to use an epidemiological approach in coping with health and illness problems of families, aggregates of populations, and communities. Lab and clinical required.
NU 428  Practicum  (6)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first, second, third, and fourth semesters upper division courses.

Corequisite(s): Lab required.

The course focuses on the synthesis and application of previous and concurrent learning in the clinical setting under supervision of course faculty and a clinical preceptor. Additionally, the course is designed to enhance student success on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
NU 433  Advanced Health Deviations and Clinical Interventions  (3)  
Completion of first and second semester of upper division courses. Enables students to integrate concepts in pathophysiology, health deviations, nursing interventions, laboratory tests, and pharmacology as these topics relate to populations at risk.
NU 439  Issues and Trends in Nursing  (3)  
This course provides an overview of current issues and trends in the profession of nursing. The course is designed to provide students with an in depth look at issues and trends which impact the nursing profession and nursing practice and possible approaches in dealing with them. Overall objectives of this course address nursing practices that are influenced by the impact of economic, demographic, and social changes.
NU 442  Transcultural Nursing and Healthcare  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Upper Division Nursing Students, STEP Students, and MSN Students Only.

Elective in nursing. An exploration of theoretical foundations for cultural diversity in health and illness, with emphasis in assessment and analysis of selected cultures as related to nursing and health care practices.
NU 444  Implementation of Professional Nurse Role  (3)  
Permission of Instructor Required. Experience an in-depth analysis of professional nurse role in selected clinical settings. Credit for ROTC Advanced Camp may be given with approval.
NU 446  Independent Study  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Approval of Advisor.

Special project in nursing studies. Pass/Fail.
NU 447  Independent Study  (1)  

Prerequisite(s): Approval of Advisor.

Special project in nursing studies. Pass/Fail.
NU 448  Directed Study  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Upper Division Nursing Students and STEP Students Only.

Elective in nursing. Offers the student the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest in nursing in either the theoretical and/or clinical arenas. Requires completion of coursework to support the areas of interest.
NU 455  Transition to Professional Nursing  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): Completion of semesters 1, 2, 3, and 4 level courses.

Designed to be a capstone course in the baccalaureate nursing program. Professional nursing competencies such as patient safety, patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, health informatics, evidence based practice and quality improvement are key components of the course. Validation of nursing knowledge related to clinical reasoning, clinical decision making, prioritization, delegation, problem solving, leadership/management is highlighted. The concept of lifelong learning is encouraged and learning experiences foster the acquisition of competencies vital to successful transition to the healthcare organization. Lab required.
NU 456  Population-Based Health Care  (6)  

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to STEP Program.

For RN students only. Course designed for the Registered Nurse to apply theoretical concepts related to primary, secondary, and tertiary care of families, aggregates, and populations. Emphasis is on the application of the nursing process and education for at-risk aggregates. Clinical experiences will be designed to meet the individual learning needs of the Registered Nurse student.