NURS 445 is Liberty's RN to BSN seminar on contemporary issues: genetics and genomics, geriatrics, end-of-life care and cultural sensitivity. Its written work is a family pedigree project, an 11-page senior mentor project, an end-of-life reflective paper, an end-of-life group cultural presentation and six discussion forums.
Liberty's catalog lists the course as NURS 445 Contemporary Issues in Nursing and Healthcare, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as NURS445.
What NURS 445 covers
The catalog description: This seminar course provides an overview of genetics, genomics, geriatrics, end-of-life care, and cultural sensitivity from a Christian worldview. Through the use of evidence-based practice guidelines, the student will utilize knowledge and skills attained throughout his or her nursing education and apply it to a variety of educational activities.
The seminar covers genetics, genomics, geriatrics, end-of-life care and cultural sensitivity from a Christian worldview, using evidence-based guidelines and the knowledge built through the nursing program. The texts are the Genetics Home Reference Handbook (read in Weeks 1 and 2) and Mauk, Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care.
The course runs in three blocks: genetics first (pedigree project and a genetics test), then aging (forums and the senior mentor interview paper), then end of life (reflective paper and the group cultural presentation). Three self-check surveys carry no points.
Textbook named in the published guide: Genetics Home Reference Handbook (Current). Mauk, Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care (2018). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
NURS 445 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedigree Project Part 1 | 50 | A three-generation pedigree with a key |
| 2 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 2 | Pedigree Project Parts 2 and 3 | 100 | A 3-page analysis and a 2-page discussion |
| 3 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 4 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 5 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 5 | Senior Mentor Project | 175 | 11 pages (title page, reference page and forms not counted) |
| 6 | Discussion Board Forum 5 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 7 | Discussion Board Forum 6 | 50 | Thread at least 400 words |
| 7 | End-of-Life Reflective Paper | 50 | 2 to 3 pages |
| 8 | End-of-Life Group Cultural Presentation | 175 | A complete group presentation (no slide count set in the guide) |
Week 1: Pedigree Project Part 1
A three-generation family pedigree with relationships, gender, age, disease processes and a key. How to write NURS 445 Week 1 Pedigree Project Part 1.
Week 2: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 400-word thread with a scholarly source and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 2 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 2: Pedigree Project Parts 2 and 3
A 3-page analysis of your pedigree and 2 pages on your strengths and growth in genetics and genomics knowledge. How to write NURS 445 Week 2 Pedigree Project Parts 2 and 3.
Week 3: Discussion Board Forum 2
The second forum, starting the aging block: a 400-word thread with a scholarly source and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 3 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 4: Discussion Board Forum 3
The third forum: a 400-word thread with a scholarly source and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 4 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 5: Discussion Board Forum 4
The fourth forum, in the week of the senior mentor project: a 400-word thread and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 5 Discussion Board Forum 4.
Week 5: Senior Mentor Project
An 11-page APA paper on the productivity and lifestyle of senior adults, based on an interview with a senior adult, with 5 sources. How to write NURS 445 Week 5 Senior Mentor Project.
Week 6: Discussion Board Forum 5
The fifth forum: a 400-word thread with a scholarly source and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 6 Discussion Board Forum 5.
Week 7: Discussion Board Forum 6
The last forum, in the end-of-life block: a 400-word thread and two 200-word replies. How to write NURS 445 Week 7 Discussion Board Forum 6.
Week 7: End-of-Life Reflective Paper
A 2 to 3-page APA paper on your beliefs about death and how they will affect patient care. How to write NURS 445 Week 7 End-of-Life Reflective Paper.
Week 8: End-of-Life Group Cultural Presentation
A group PowerPoint on how a culture other than Christian culture views death and dying, with at least 5 references. How to write NURS 445 Week 8 End-of-Life Group Cultural Presentation.
How NURS 445 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The senior mentor project and the end-of-life group cultural presentation are 175 each; the pedigree project 150 (Part 1 50, Parts 2 and 3 100); the six forums 50 each (300); the genetics test 125; the end-of-life reflective paper 50; the culture submission 25; the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Senior Mentor Project | 175 |
| End-of-Life Group Cultural Presentation | 175 |
| Pedigree Project (all parts) | 150 |
| Discussion Board Forums (6) | 300 |
| Genetics/Genomics Test | 125 |
| End-of-Life Reflective Paper | 50 |
| Culture Submission | 25 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 900 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach NURS 445
Gather family health information in Week 1 for the pedigree: three generations, with ages and health conditions. If your own family history is not available, the guide lets you compile another person's pedigree.
Arrange the senior adult interview early; the 11-page paper is due in Week 5. The end-of-life group must also choose its culture by Week 3, a short submission worth 25 points.
Questions students ask
What is the NURS 445 pedigree project?
A three-generation pedigree (family tree) with relationships, gender, age, a key and disease processes, followed by a 3-page analysis and 2 pages on your strengths and growth in genetics and genomics knowledge.
How long is the NURS 445 senior mentor project?
11 pages in current APA (not counting the title page, reference page and forms), based on an interview with a senior adult, with at least five sources.
Working through NURS 445 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.