Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing

Curriculum

First Year - Alvernia University - 15-week semesters

Second Year - LVHN-JFMSON - 12-week trimesters

*Alvernia Class | Total Nursing Credits = 25 / Total Credits = 31 | Nursing 1 Credit = 15 hours / Nursing Clinical Credit: 1 credit = 45 hours / Theory 3 Credits = 42 hours

Third Year - LVHN-JFMSON - 12-week trimesters*Alvernia Class | Total Nursing Credits = 25 / Total Credits = 31

*Alvernia Class | Total Nursing Credits = 25 / Total Credits = 31

Course descriptions

BIO 107 | Anatomy and Physiology I (3.0 credits) Homeostatic mechanisms of the human body with emphasis on structure and function are studied. Gross and microscopic structures are correlated with the function of cells, tissues, organs and systems of the body. Major topics include skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Three hours of lecture per week.

Corequisite: BIO 117L

BIO 108 | Anatomy and Physiology II (3.0 credits) Emphasis is on structure and function of endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Gross and microscopic structures are correlated with functions of cells, tissues, organs and systems of the body. Three hours of lecture per week. Corequisite: BIO 118L

BIO 117L | Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I (1.0 credit) Experimental approach to the study of human anatomy and physiology is used to reinforce lecture concepts. The exercises present the core elements of the subject matter in a hands-on manner. The labs are presented at the same time the material is being discussed in lecture. One two-hour lab per week. Corequisite: BIO 107

BIO 118L | Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab II (1.0 credit) Experimental approach to the study of human anatomy and physiology is used to reinforce lecture concepts. The exercises present the core elements of the subject matter in a hands-on manner. Labs are presented at the same time as the material is being discussed in lecture. One two-hour lab per week. Corequisite: BIO 108

BIO 216 | Nutrition (3.0 credits) Overview of nutritional requirements of individuals in a healthy state as well as modification of those requirements during illness. Three hours of lecture per semester week. Does not fulfill the lab science core requirement.

BIO 220 | Clinical Microbiology (4.0 credits) Study of the morphological and physiological nature of microorganisms and their relationship to humans in both the normal and diseased states. Emphasis on bacteriological techniques such as cultivation, staining, identification and other techniques important in a clinical setting. Integrates laboratory and classroom work. Corequisite: BIO 220L

BIO 410 | Pathophysiology (3.0 credits) Effects of internal and external stressors on body functions are examined. Normal human physiological principles and homeostatic mechanisms are reviewed. Genetic and nutritional aspects are integrated into the discussion of disease. Three hours of lecture per semester week. Prerequisites: BIO 107/117L, 108/118L or permission of instructor.

COM 101 | Composition and Research (3.0 credits) This course is an introduction to the critical thinking, reading, researching and writing skills that a student will encounter in an academic setting. Students will learn to develop their own ideas and respond to the ideas of others. Students will write essays in various academic modes: exposition, analysis, argumentation and research. Students will learn both APA and MLA citation styles. The course is available only after placement by departmental faculty. Students must achieve “C” or better to fulfill core requirements. Offered fall and spring.

COM 103 | Principles of Public Speaking (3.0 credits) Basic course in the development of communication attitudes and skills with a view to enabling the student to feel comfortable and competent in public speaking ventures. Includes exercises in the oral interpretation of literature, the organization, delivery and evaluation of various types of speeches, and participation in panels or symposiums. Offered fall and spring.

ELEC | Creative Expressions Elective (3.0 credits) An elective in art, music, or theater, or an equivalent creative expressions course as deemed by Alvernia University.

PHI 105 | Introduction to Philosophy (3.0 credits) Historical introduction to fundamental problems and methods of philosophy based on readings in ancient, medieval and modern literature.

PSY 101 | Introductory Psychology (3.0 credits) Introduction to major concepts and findings in psychology with emphasis on basic processes underlying human behavior.

PSY 208 | Human Development Across the Life Span (3.0 credits) Focuses on physical, cognitive, social, personality and moral development through life span from conception to death. Cross-cultural, gender and minority issues are integrated when appropriate. Prerequisite: PSY 101

THE 210 | Medical Moral Theology (3.0 credits) Investigation of moral problems that can arise in bioethics. Introductory survey of the basic Christian principles of morality is followed by treatment of various medical moral situations. A natural law methodology is applied throughout the course.

Classes: 12 weeks

NURS 100: Principles of Nursing: (9 Nursing Credits: Theory = 6 (90 hours) Clinical = 3 (135 hours) A fundamental nursing course that introduces the student to the profession of nursing. Basic nursing concepts are presented with emphasis on the Nursing Process. Essential nursing and communication skills are developed to meet patient needs in a medical-surgical setting. Opportunities for implementation of these skills are provided in concurrent simulation and clinical experiences. The course incorporates American Nurses Association (ANA) scope and standards of practice, Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN) competencies, and The Joint Commission (TJC) national patient safety goals.

NURS 101: Medical-Surgical/Psychosocial Nursing I: (8 Nursing Credits: Theory = 5 (75 hours) Clinical = 3 (135 hours)  Built on the knowledge and basic nursing skills taught during the previous term. This course provides the student with various learning experiences in utilizing the nursing process to provide safe, evidenced-based nursing care and to meet the needs of the patients, family and community. The topics taught in this course are respiratory, cardiovascular, hematologic, endocrine, psychosocial and gastrointestinal disorders. The Joint Commission national patient safety goals, the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing competencies, and the American Nurses Association scope and standards of practice are integrated throughout the course. Students receive concurrent simulation and clinical experiences. Observational experiences are provided in the hospital and in community settings.

NURS 102: Medical-Surgical/Psychosocial Nursing II: (8 Nursing Credits: Theory = 5 (75 hours) Clinical = 3 (135 hours) A continuation of Medical Surgical I taught during the previous term. This course provides the student with various learning experiences in utilizing the nursing process to provide safe, evidenced-based nursing care and to meet the needs of the patients, family and the community. The topics taught in this course are oncology, sensorimotor, renal and urinary, and male and female reproductive disorders. The Joint Commission national patient safety goals, the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing competencies, and the American Nurses Association scope and standards of practice are integrated throughout the course. Students receive concurrent simulation and clinical experiences. Observational experiences are provided in the hospital and in community settings.

NURS 200: Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing: (8 Nursing Credits: Theory = 5 (75 hours) Clinical = 3 (135 hours) Introduces the student to advanced medical-surgical and community health nursing concepts. This occurs through interactions with individual patients and groups of patients in critical care, emergency/trauma, perioperative and community settings. The course incorporates American Nurses Association scope and standards of practice, Quality and Safety Education for Nursing competencies, and the Joint Commission National patient safety goals.

NURS 201: Maternal/Child Health Nursing: (8 Nursing Credits: Theory = 5 (75 hours) Clinical = 3 (135 hours) Introduces the student to the normal and abnormal adaptations of individuals, families and groups to stressors. This occurs through interaction with the individual and groups of patients in acute maternal and child health settings. The course also focuses on the role of the nurse in helping individuals, families and groups in various settings to adapt to biopsychosocial changes. Opportunities for implementation of these skills are provided in concurrent clinical experiences. The course objectives and outline are based on the Joint Commission national patient safety goals, the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing competencies and the American Nurses Association scope and standards of practice.

NURS 300: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice: (9 Nursing Credits: Theory = 4 (60 hours) Clinical = 5 (225 hours) Provides the student with learning experiences that simulate the future role of the entry-level professional nurse. The course addresses modalities of nursing care, concepts of leadership and management, nursing theories, research and legal/ethical aspects of care. Synthesis of previous and concurrent learning occurs as students perform as entry-level professional nurses in complex nursing situations. Goals include development of independence in nursing practice, skill and accountability in clinical decision-making and application of nursing leadership and management theory and skills. The course incorporates American Nurses Association scope and standards of practice, Quality and Safety Education for nursing competencies, and the Joint Commission National patient safety goals. The course includes class hours for comprehensive standardized testing.

Locations

Our two locations are Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at LVHN in Pottsville and LVHN Center for Healthcare Education in Center Valley, near Allentown.

How to apply

Applications for the Fall 2024 semester should be submitted by July 1.

Apply now

Prerequisites

Schedule

The evening and weekend program will be offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings for classroom instruction and every other weekend for clinical rotation.

Learn More

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Advanced placement for currently licensed and practicing LPNs can be requested for advanced placement into the RN program.

LPNs who have met all of the requirements of the first-year students: BIO 107, BIO 117, BIO 108, BIO 118, BIO 220, COM 101, COM 103, MAT 109, MUS 220, PHI 105, PSY 101 (or equivalent as deemed by Alvernia University), will be offered the opportunity to take the ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) Fundamentals Mastery Assessment. A score of a level 2 or higher is required to receive advanced placement for NURS 100.

Applicants who meet or exceed the level 2 status will be granted advanced placement and begin the Nursing Program Program (NURS 101) in November, the start of the winter term. Those who receive less than or equal to a level 1 will begin their enrollment in NURS 100 and proceed through the program as established.

Testing fees may apply.