Each student also writes individual practicum objectives, tailored to meet the students unique objectives and needs. Students are exposed to faculty with diverse areas of expertise who are active leaders in nursing practice, research and professional organizations. The College of Nursing offers a curriculum for RNs returning to school which builds on prior education and experience. Focusing on professional development, health assessment, community health, research, leadership and management, and current issues and trends in nursing, the curriculum aims to expand the skills and abilities of the nurse. Emphasis on critical thinking and broadening communication skills, including use of technology, is key to accessing knowledge and resources to enhance practice.
Rhetoric includes two composition courses and one speech course.
Students with significant experience in writing or speaking, e.g., patient teaching, may petition to be exempted from all or a portion of the requirement. A student who has earned 6 sh of credit in English composition may complete the speech component after admission to the College of Nursing. The RN-BSN Program Office provides detailed information about comparable transfer courses, as well as an array of extension offerings through the University of Iowa's Division of Continuing Education, to assist students in selecting courses to meet prerequisite and supporting course requirements. Students graduating from high school prior to 1991 are exempted from the foreign language requirement. The College of Nursing participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan as a receiving institution.