NURS 335
RN Transition Course I
1. Catalog Entry
NURS 335. RN Transition Course I
Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory (3).
Prerequisites: Upper Division Standing; Registered Nurse Students.
Semester offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Integrates pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment for the experienced registered
nurse as follows: (1) focuses on pathophysiology throughout the lifespan providing the student
with a scientific knowledge base applicable to clinical practice (2) emphasizes the relationship of
drugs and their effects on humans, and (3) focuses on the use of health assessment skills with
clients throughout the lifespan providing the student with the opportunity to gain the knowledge
and skills required to perform a systematic health assessment.
2. Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Focuses on the knowledge and skills of systemic history taking and health assessment across the
lifespan; pathophysiology and the nursing implications; and the effects of selected drugs and the
nursing implications. Provides the theory and skills necessary for the RN to apply the nursing
process.
1. Health Assessment
a. Organizing and recording information
b. Health history
c. Developmental assessment
d. Examination techniques and equipment
e. Physical assessment of body systems
f. Complete assessment
2. Concepts of Pathophysiology
a. Pathology caused by cellular dynamics
b. Pathology caused by lack of body defenses and barriers
c. Pathology caused by physical and chemical disequilibrium
d. Pathology caused by disequilibrium in selected systems
e. Interactional responses of body systems when illness occurs
3. Pharmacology
a. General principles of drug action
b. The nursing process
c. Biopsychosociological aspects
d. Clinical aspects of pharmacology in selected systems
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies will be employed but not limited to :

Lecture, discussion, multimedia, demonstration, lab practice, case studies, self-paced
learning units, written health histories and physical examination, written examination,
and case studies.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. Demonstrate skill in interviewing and communication techniques used in obtaining a health
history.
2. Demonstrate skill in performing a safe and accurate physical assessment.
3. Demonstrate the ability to integrate the complete history and physical assessment and record
in a concise, accurate, and logical sequence.
4. Describe pertinent findings in select body systems occurring across the lifespan.
5. Demonstrate an adequate knowledge base in pathophysiology for professional nursing
practice.
6. Integrate knowledge of pathophysiology into the nursing process to promote, protect, and
restore the client's holistic health.
7. Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to select appropriate therapeutic nursing interventions.
8. Demonstrate critical thinking in the application of pathophysiological principles.
9. Define selected terms used in pharmacology.
10. Discuss principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
11. Discuss the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse reactions of
selected drugs.
12. Discuss the legal responsibilities of the nurse in relation to pharmacology.
13. Discuss the nursing implications of selected drugs across the lifespan.
14. Discuss the influence of health beliefs, cultural background, and psychologic aspects of drug
therapy.
5. Assessment Measures
May include:

Exams; Quizzes





Paper
Project, Individual or Group
Care Plan
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
6. Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, a student makes a commitment to
understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception.
Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict
observation of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans
With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DR0).
The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall, telephone 540-831-6350. To receive academic
accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me no later
than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For attendance and other course-related requirements, see School of Nursing
Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
7. Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Director
NURS 335
RN Transition Course I
Catalog Entry
NURS 335. RN Transition Course I
Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory (3)
Prerequisites: Upper Division Standing; Registered Nurse Students.
Semester offered: Fall
The objectives and content of this course are derived from the AACN Essentials of
Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and the School of Nursing’s
philosophy and conceptual framework to facilitate the achievement of the program
objectives. The course integrates pathophysiology, pharmacology and health
assessment for the experienced Registered Nurse as follows: (1) focuses on
pathophysiology throughout the lifespan providing the student with a scientific
knowledge base applicable to clinical practice (2) emphasizes the relationship of drugs
and their effects on humans, and (3) focuses on the use of health assessment skills with
clients throughout the lifespan providing the student with the opportunity to gain the
knowledge and skills required to perform a systematic health assessment.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Focuses on the knowledge and skills of systemic history taking and health assessment
across the lifespan; pathophysiology and the nursing implications; and the effects of
selected drugs and the nursing implications. Provides the theory and skills necessary
for the RN to apply the nursing process.
1. Health Assessment
a. Organizing and recording information
b. Health history
c. Developmental assessment
d. Examination techniques and equipment
e. Physical assessment of body systems
f. Complete assessment
2. Concepts of Pathophysiology
a. Pathology caused by cellular dynamics
b. Pathology caused by lack of body defenses and barriers
c. Pathology caused by physical and chemical disequilibrium
d. Pathology caused by disequilibrium in selected systems
e. Interactional responses of body systems when illness occurs
3. Pharmacology
a. General principles of drug action
b. The nursing process
c. Biopsychosociological aspects
d. Clinical aspects of pharmacology in selected systems
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies will be employed:
Lecture, discussion, multimedia, demonstration, lab practice, case studies, self-paced
learning units, written health histories and physical examination, written examination,
and case studies.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1.
Demonstrate skill in interviewing and communication techniques used in
obtaining a health history.
2.
Demonstrate skill in performing a safe and accurate physical assessment.
3.
Demonstrate the ability to integrate the complete history and physical
assessment and record in a concise, accurate, and logical sequence.
4.
Describe pertinent findings in select body systems occurring across the lifespan.
5.
Demonstrate an adequate knowledge base in pathophysiology for professional
nursing practice.
6.
Integrate knowledge of pathophysiology into the nursing process to promote,
protect, and restore the client's holistic health.
7.
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to select appropriate therapeutic nursing
interventions.
8.
Demonstrate critical thinking in the application of pathophysiological principles.
9.
Define selected terms used in pharmacology.
10.
Discuss principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
11.
Discuss the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse
reactions of selected drugs.
12.
Discuss the legal responsibilities of the nurse in relation to pharmacology.
13.
Discuss the nursing implications of selected drugs across the lifespan.
14.
Discuss the influence of health beliefs, cultural background, and psychological
aspects of drug therapy.
Assessment Measures
May include:
Exams; Quizzes
Paper
Project, Individual or Group
Care Plan
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, a student makes a
commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without
compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This
class will be conducted in strict observation of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student
Handbook for details. ( http://www.radford.edu/dos-web/honorcode.html)
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the
Americans With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource
Office (DR0). The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall, telephone 540-831-6350. To
receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms
and meet with me no later than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For attendance and other course-related requirements, see School of
Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Director
February, 2011, Kim Carter, Director