Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Population Care (Face-to-Face)

NURS 4350-01

Course: NURS 4350-01
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: NURS
CRN: 32872

Course Description

This course focuses on the theory, concepts, and practices of population-focused nursing. Emphasis is placed on culturally sensitive care for individuals, families, and groups in a variety of community settings. Topics include health promotion, disease prevention, health teaching, disaster health, and identification of community resources for implementing change to promote population health. Must be completed with a grade of ā€œCā€ (2.0) or better. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

  • The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston
  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). The Essentials: core competencies for professional nursing education. Washington DC: AACN available through https://www.aacnnursing.org/AACN-Essentials

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome Alignment: A list of learning outcomes for this course is found below. You will demonstrate your understanding of the outcomes under the assessment criteria.

NURS 4350 Course OutcomesTeaching Method/ Assessment CriteriaPre-Licensure Student Learning OutcomesSUU Essential Learning OutcomesAACN Essentials
Describe the impact of lifestyle and environment on community and population health outcomes.Class discussions, assignments1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 143.1a-i, 3.2a-c, 3.3a-b, 3.4a-e
Describe the principles and practices of community and population- based health nursing; discuss evidence- based community and population health nursing care from ecological framework.Class discussions, assignments1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 143.1a-i, 3.2a-c, 3.3a-b, 3.4a-e
Discuss community resources and how availability of community resources impact community and population health outcomes.Class discussions, assignments1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 143.1a-i, 3.2a-c, 3.3a-b, 3.4a-e
Describe nursing's role in health promotion and disease prevention; use of epidemiology and health data to promote community and population health outcomes.Class discussions, assignments1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 143.1a-i, 3.2a-c, 3.3a-b, 3.4a-e
Discuss the stages, the disaster cycle, and nurse's roles and responsibilities in disasters.Class discussions, assignments1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 143.1a-i, 3.2a-c, 3.3a-b, 3.4a-e

Course Requirements

Grade Scheme

Grades will be determined in the undergraduate programs using the following grading scale. To progress in the undergraduate program, students must pass each course with a C (74%) minimum.

A100 % to 94.0%
A-< 93.0 % to 90.0%
B+< 89.0 % to 87.0%
B< 86.0 % to 84.0%
B-< 83.0 % to 80.0%
C+< 79.0 % to 77.0%
C< 76.0 % to 74.0%
F< 74.0 %
Assignment Outline
  • ATI Exams - 20%
    The midterm and final Population Care ATI exams
  • Book Assignments - 20%
    The Demon in the Freezer 8 book quizzes and a research article
  • Assignments - 20%
    The patient teaching assignments, worksheets, papers, and other miscellaneous assignments
  • Personal Health Promotion Journal Entries - 15%
    The 11 journal entries for the personal health promotion goal throughout the semester
  • Midterm & Final - 10%
    The midterm paper and class final reflection
  • Participation - 10%
    Attendance in class, participation in discussions, and the syllabus quiz
  • ATI Practice Exams - 5%
    ATI Tickets In for the midterm and final exam
Current ATI Proficiency levels for the RN Community Health 2019 exam are:
  • Level 3: 84% - 100%
  • Level 2: 74% - 82%
  • Level 1: 58% - 72%
  • Below Level 1: 0.0% - 57.0%

Course Outline

DateDiscussion TopicsAssignments
Week 1 8/27, 8/28
  • Orientation to class/clinical
  • Clinical information
  • Syllabus Review
  • AARP Walk Audit
  • Well Elder
  • Personal Health Promotion Project
  • Research Symposium
  • Peer Mentor for L1 student (L3)
  • PP/Peds Vulnerable Population (L3)
  • Time out intro/sign up
  • Demon in the Freezer intro
  • Intro to Health Promotion/Community Health Nursing
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 1
  • Quiz: DITF 1
  • Journal entry: PHP 1
  • Syllabus Quiz
Week 2 9/3, 9/4
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal Topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 1 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Patient Teaching Intro
  • Escape Fire movie
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 2
  • Quiz: DITF 2
  • Journal entry: PHP 2
  • Assignment: Community Health Nursing
  • Assignment: Patient Teaching 1&2 (Due at the end of the semester)
Week 3 9/10, 9/11
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 2 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Health Literacy & Communication
  • Barriers to Change
  • Write abstract
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 3
  • Quiz: DITF 3
  • Journal entry: PHP 3
Week 4 9/17, 9/18
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 3 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Social Determinants
  • Activity & Nutrition
  • Photo Scavenger Hunt
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 4
  • Quiz: DITF 4
  • Journal entry: PHP 4
  • Assignment: Social Determinants Paper
Week 5 9/24, 9/25
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 4 Discussion
  • Vulnerable population: Poverty & Homelessness & Immigrants
  • Journal entry: PHP 5
  • Assignment: Approval for Research Symposium Abstract
Week 6 10/1, 10/2
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 5 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Midterm
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 6
  • Quiz: DITF 6
  • Journal entry: PHP 6
  • Assignment: Submit abstract for research symposium
  • Midterm
Week 7 10/8, 10/9
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 6 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Vulnerable Population: Substance Abuse
  • Study for ATI Midterm
  • Assignment: ATI ticket in
ATI Midterm (HP) 10/8 8:30am
  • 90% ticket in to test is required
Week 8 10/15, 10/16
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Ethics powerpoint intro
  • Study for ATI Midterm
  • Assignment: Submit LGBTQ+ panel question
  • Assignment: Ethics powerpoint
ATI Midterm (L3) 10/17 12:00pm
  • 90% ticket in to test is required
Week 9 10/22, 10/23
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Research Symposium prep
  • Ethics powerpoint presentations
  • Vulnerable population: LGBTQ+
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 7
  • Quiz: DITF 7
  • Journal entry: PHP 7
Week 10 10/29, 10/30
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 7 Discussion
  • Research Symposium prep
  • US Healthcare payers & systems
  • Disasters
  • Read: Demon in the Freezer Chapter 8
  • Quiz: DITF 8
  • Journal entry: PHP 8
Week 11 11/5, 11/6
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Demon in the Freezer Ch 8 Discussion & Final Thoughts
  • Assignment: Demon in the Freezer Research Article
  • Journal entry: PHP 9
Week 12 11/12, 11/13
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Privilege Activity
  • Suicide QPR Training
  • Journal entry: PHP 10
  • Assignment: Teen Suicide
Week 13 11/19, 11/20
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal topic
  • Time out
  • Vulnerable population: Human Abuse
  • Journal entry: PHP Final Reflection
  • Patient Teaching 1&2 due the last week of class
Week 14 12/3, 12/4
  • Clinical Discussion
  • PHP Goal Discussion
  • Time out
  • ATI Review
  • Study for ATI Final
  • Assignment: ATI ticket in
  • Assignment: Class Final Reflection
Finals Week 12/8 9:00am (HP), 10:00am (L3)
  • 90% ticket in to test is required

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Assignments

Papers/assignments are due at the time designated by faculty. Late work will not be accepted. All late work will earn a grade of 0%.

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

From the DON Faculty Handbook:
Semester long course guidelines: Emails from students in semester-long classes must be responded to within three business days (Definition of business day: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and does not include holidays). All assignments must be graded within seven calendar days of due date for semester-long courses. If faculty need an extension to grade assignments because of assignment length, holiday, or other circumstances, faculty will notify students in advance. Assignments need to be graded in sufficient time to allow students to improve and build upon their learning for subsequent assignments.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes. If students are sick or scheduled for an approved clinical during class time, they will be expected to notify the professor as soon as possible. Students should come to class having read the assigned chapter of the book and ready for discussions.

Additional Course Information and Policies

Enrollment Information

Co-requisite(s): NURS 4355

Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Level Two courses

Registration Restriction(s): Nursing majors only

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.