Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Professional Transition and Inquiry in Nursing (Face-to-Face)

NURS 3152-01

Course: NURS 3152-01
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 20722

Course Description

This course is designed to assist students in transitioning to becoming a registered nurse by introducing and developing knowledge and skills that enable students to apply the core values of nursing. Students will explore integrative concepts in nursing, examine collaboration among healthcare team members, endorse safety and continuous quality improvement in healthcare, and evaluate evidence-based practice. Students will discover the importance of life-long learning in the nursing profession. (Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]
Co-requisite(s): NURS 3112 and NURS 3172 and NURS 3182 and NURS 3187
Registration Restriction(s): Admittance into the HP to BSN Nursing program

Required Texts

American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

ISBN-13: 978-1433832161

ISBN-10: 143383216X

Learning Outcomes

A listing of learning outcomes for this course appears below. You will demonstrate your competence on various assignments (listed under Assessment Criteria in this table). Use the feedback from these experiences to improve your understanding of the topics covered in this course.

  • Collaborate and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals, clients, and families to formulate, prioritize, and implement an integrative, patient-centered, plan of care utilizing the nursing process.
  • Consistently apply the core values of the discipline of nursing and the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
  • Examine the essential components of, and implement techniques to form, effective nursing and inter-professional teams.
  • Explore the scope of practice for registered nurses according to the Nurse Practice Act. Compare and contrast the differences in scope from previous licenses & certifications. Explain the role of the RN in various selected healthcare settings.
  • Evaluate appropriate delegation of tasks to other healthcare professionals in the clinical setting.
  • Assess safety in healthcare and evaluate the roles of informatics and continuous quality improvement (CQI) in expanding safety.
  • Dissect, investigate, and Implement the basic elements of the research process.
  • Examine evidence-based practice (EBP) within the context of nursing practice and explore the local and global resources available to find peer reviewed research that supports evidence-based practice.
  • Evaluate the credibility of sources of information, including but not limited to databases and internet resources.
  • Apply the process of retrieval, appraisal, and synthesis of evidence to improve nursing practice and health care outcomes.
  • Create scholarly work that integrates professional Communication skills in writing for the nursing profession through correct use of APA standards including concise organization, grammar, references, citations and overall formatting.

Course Requirements

Grading Weight

AssignmentsPercent
Course Engagement10%
Assignments15%
Presentations15%
Journals15%
Mid-Term Exam15%
SBARR Assignment15%
Evidence-Based Patient Education Assignments15%
Total100%

Passing Grade

A cumulative score of 74% or higher is needed to successfully complete nursing courses with a passing grade. For policies regarding incomplete or withdrawal, please refer to the current nursing handbook.

Grading Scale

94-100% = A 90-93% = A- 87-89% = B+ 84 -86% = B 80-83% = B- 77-79% = C+ 74 -76% = C 73% and below = Failing

The final course grade will be rounded to the nearest whole number. Starting at 74.5% and above, 0.5 and greater numbers will be rounded up (e.g., 76.5 = C+ and 76.4 = C).

Grade Disputes

If a student has a grade to dispute, the student must notify faculty within one week after the grade is posted. Disputes made at the end of the course in effort to elevate a grade will not be considered for discussion.

Description of Assignments

  • 1. Course Engagement – Grade Weight 10%
    Each of you bring an important and unique perspective to this course. Therefore, lack of engagement affects not only your learning but that of your peers. You will be awarded points for each week that you are present and engaged in this course. Points will be deducted for lack of participation or uncommunicated absences.
  • 2. Assignments – Grade Weight 15%
    You will have several opportunities to participate in graded activities and assignments. Please see Canvas for details.
  • 3. Presentations – Grade Weight 15%
    Each student will have an opportunity to give three scheduled presentations in this course. The Day in the life of… Presentation and Specialty Certification Presentation are graded via rubric. The introduction presentation is graded as complete/incomplete. Please see Canvas for details.
  • 4. Journals– Grade Weight 15%
    Each student will maintain both a Self-Care Journal and a Take Away Journal during the trimester. These journals are designed as reflective opportunities to help the student apply concepts to their life and nursing practice that were learned throughout this course. Please see Canvas for details.
  • 5. Mid-Term Exam – Grade Weight 15%
    A timed Mid-Term Quiz will be administered approximately half way through the trimester to test the student’s retention and application of knowledge on information presented up to that point in the course.
  • 6. SBARR Assignment – Grade Weight 15%
    This assignment serves as the culmination of what you have learned throughout the previous modules and forms foundational skills of applying evidence to practice. As consumers of research, nurses must have a basic understanding of the literature available and critical appraisal skills for evaluating resources to apply them in practice. Critical to this process is not only the ability to analyze and assess the information but understanding how to apply it to clinical practice. You will have an opportunity to practice and deepen your skills in applying information through this SBARR assignments. This assignment utilizes the common SBAR format/process used in nursing to formulate a clinical question, find relevant information and develop evidence-based conclusions to be applied in nursing practice. Further details on these assignments and the associated grading rubric for this assignment can be found in Canvas.
  • 7. Evidence-Based Patient Education Assignments – Grade Weight 15%
    As a nurse, you provide a great deal of education to patients and their caregiver(s) throughout the healthcare continuum. These assignments are an opportunity to create evidence-based patient education and demonstrate the ability to convey pertinent information, both verbally and in writing, to a patient and/or their caregiver(s).

Course Outline

Week | Module(s) | Activities & Assignments
1 | Professional Transition: The Transition ProcessInquiry: Introduction to the Health Sciences Librarian, SUU Library Resources, Evidence-Based Practice, and the Research Process | Professional Transition:Syllabus quiz .Inquiry:No submissions are due today.
2 | Professional Transition: Practicing in Today’s Healthcare EnvironmentInquiry: Understanding the Literature | Professional Transition:Come prepared for topic sign-ups in class on Strengths assessment assignment due  by 13:00.Inquiry:Knowledge check quiz - understanding the literature due  by 23:59.Analyzing the available literature assignment  by 23:59.
3 | Professional Transition: Exploring the Scope of Practice of the RNInquiry: Knowing what to search | Professional Transition:No submissions are due today.Inquiry:PICO assignment due  by 23:59.Knowledge check quiz - knowing what to search 
4 | Professional Transition: Integrative Nursing, Patient-Centered Care, & The Nursing ProcessInquiry: How to search | Professional Transition:No submissions are due today.Inquiry:Library assignment .
5 | Professional Transition: Nursing and Interprofessional TeamsInquiry: Plagiarism & Citing Sources | Professional Transition:Introduction to Integrative Nursing Certificate .Culturally Competent Nursing Care: A Cornerstone of Caring Certificate 
.Inquiry:Knowledge Check Quiz - APA Formatting Paraphrasing in APA format assignment.Creating in-text citations in APA format assignment .Creating references in APA format assignment 
6 | No Class Today | No Class Today
7 | Care of Adults | Care of Adults
8 | Professional Transition: Nursing and Interprofessional TeamsInquiry: Work Day | Professional Transition:Assessing your competence as a team member assignment due 7/1 by 13:00.An exercise in gratitude assignment.A Day in the Life Of…Presentations 7/1 in class.Inquiry:Work day in class 7/1
8 | Professional Transition: Nursing and Interprofessional TeamsInquiry: Work Day | Professional Transition:A Day in the Life Of…Presentations 7/2 in class (continued).Inquiry:Work day in class 7/2.
9 | Professional Transition: Communication and CollaborationInquiry: Evaluating Information | Professional Transition:No submissions are due today.Inquiry:Website evaluation assignment due 7/13 by 23:59.Article evaluation assignment due 7/13 by 23:59.
10 | Professional Transition: Mid-TermInquiry: Synthesizing Information | Professional Transition:Mid-Term Exam 7/16 in class.Inquiry:Synthesizing information assignment due 7/20/25 by 23:59.
11 | Professional Transition: Safety, Informatics, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)Inquiry: SBARR Draft Peer Feedback | Professional Transition:My AIDET assignment due 7/23 by 13:00.Formulate an ISBARR assignment due 7/23 by 13:00.Inquiry:SBARR draft peer feedback in class today.Have a draft of your SBARR assignment ready for peer review by 7/23 at 13:00.Revised SBARR due 7/27 by 23:59.
12 | Professional Transition: Moral, Legal, and Ethical Considerations in NursingInquiry: Translating Evidence into Practice- Patient Education, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and UpToDate® | Professional Transition:Sentinel event alert review assignment due 7/30 by 13:00.Designing, implementing, and evaluating a quality improvement project due 7/30 by 13:00.Week 11 reflection assignment due 7/30/25 by 13:00.Inquiry:No submissions are due today.
13 | Professional Transition: The Role of the RN in Various Healthcare SettingsInquiry: Work Day | Professional Transition:Speciality Certification Presentations 8/6 in class.Inquiry:Work day in class 8/6.
14 | Professional Transition: Finals WeekInquiry: Finals Week | All introduction presentations presented by 15:50.Self-Care journal due Take away journal  by 23:59.Inquiry:Peer& self grading of evidence-based patient education assignments (written patient education and patient education video assignments) in class  ***Have the evidence-based patient education assignments (written patient education and patient education video assignments) c***Patient education reflection assignment due 

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

Assignments are due at the time designated by faculty. Due dates/times are posted in the syllabus/course calendar. If you know you will miss a class in advance of the due date/time submit materials early IF the assignment permits. Coursework that is turned in late will be graded to the same standard as coursework that was turned in on-time. However, 10% off the maximum attainable score will be deduced for each day that the coursework is late. No late coursework will be accepted six days for more after the deadline. No coursework will be accepted after 23:59 on the last scheduled day of the semester.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance of all classes is strongly suggested. See above late policy in regard to missing coursework. This professor does not entertain reasons for missing class or course work. Everyone’s reason is valid to them, so faculty will not discern.

  • Please contact me for a link to attend class virtually via Zoom if needed***

Instructor’s Response Time & Feedback

Mental Health Resources

If you find yourself struggling with mental health please visit https://www.suu.edu/mentalhealth for resources.

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.