Nursing

This course provides the basis for clinical decision-making processes and diagnostic reasoning/differential diagnosis in advanced practice nursing, focusing on pathophysiological processes in major organ systems in individuals across the lifespan. By applying advanced knowledge of the complex physiological functions and pathophysiological processes related to the care of individuals with health care problems, the student can differentiate between normal and abnormal underlying mechanisms of changes in physiology by comparing and contrasting differential diagnosis within physiological systems of cellular and sub-cellular origin, biochemical, and anatomical changes across the life span. Students are expected to gain knowledge needed to assess and synthesize findings related to acute and chronic health problems, to recommend clinical and pharmacological interventions, and to support decisions for restoring, maintaining, and promoting health.

This course is designed to prepare the graduate Advanced Practice nursing student to expand upon the principles and techniques of advanced physical assessment utilizing diagnostic tools such as the stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, tuning fork, etc., and provides a foundation for the student to evaluate the health of individuals and families across the lifespan. Theory and evidence-based methodologies and skills will be incorporated to support the student in acquiring high levels of competence in the comprehensive assessment of individuals to include advanced communication skills such as clinical interviewing and focused history taking, review of systems processes, psychosocial and physical assessment activities, critical diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision making, and appropriate documentation of findings.

This course focuses on a conceptual foundation for understanding nursing informatics. It includes analysis of various applications of information systems within the context of the healthcare system. This course introduces theoretical models of nursing informatics, healthcare computing, and systems design and analysis. Additional topics include nursing vocabularies, nursing knowledge generation ethical and social issues in healthcare informatics, and the impact of consumer health informatics.

This course introduces the student to advanced principles and processes of evidence-based practice (EBP) for analyzing research and other forms of evidence. Evidence-based nursing models are reviewed and students are equipped to ask and develop practice-related questions. Computerized literature searches form the basis for finding, critically appraising, selecting, and synthesizing the best available evidence for implementation, evaluation, and translation into advanced practice nursing and nursing education. This foundational course provides students with skills necessary to propose an EBP implementation project with a plan for evaluating project outcomes.

This course provides the basic principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics for broad categories of drugs. Purpose of action, common interactions and contraindications of major drug categories are highlighted. Case studies are integrated to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of pharmacological theory for advanced nursing practice. The student will gain in-depth knowledge of ethical practices, drug policy on the local, state, and federal levels, as well as regulation for prescribing drugs by the Board of Nursing. 

This course examines policy issues of the healthcare system and how health plans, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and consumer groups can work together to find innovative solutions for the benefit of society. It explores the role of health politics in the workplace, organization, government, and community with emphasis on involvement and advocacy. Additionally, an overview of the financial concepts related to health policy and decision-making necessary to function as an advanced practice nurse is studied. Topics such as financial management, budgeting, cost benefit analysis, planning and control, resource management, and the utilization of management information systems are addressed. 

The course provides a foundation for the transition to the role of the advanced practice registered nurse. Content includes roles within advanced practice to include the nurse practitioner, the clinical nurse specialist, the certified registered nurse anesthetist, and the certified nurse midwife. Theories of change, concepts of negotiation, collaboration, interdependence, advocacy, autonomy, titling, certification and licensure issues are discussed.

This practicum course is designed to refine advanced physical assessment skills, to operationalize accurate history and physical techniques, and to develop a framework for the process of developing differential diagnosis. This is a preceptored course consisting of 60 clinical hours. 

This course addresses population health with an emphasis on rural populations, especially social determinants of health and how these may apply also to other populations. Principles and methods of epidemiology will be introduced. The emphasis of this course aims to bridge the health care needs of rural populations in community settings. The course addresses the study of determinants and health outcomes in rural as well as other populations of interest. Global health issues as they influence population health will be explored.

This course is taken concurrently with NURS 602 This course emphasizes the patient/client domain of advanced nursing practice with adult-gerontology populations and synthesizes methods of population assessment and planning to construct population-appropriate interventions for health care delivery systems.  The focus is on safe, quality, and culturally-appropriate advanced nursing practices to meet emerging global needs.

The practicum is taken concurrently with NURS 601, the didactic component. This course consists of supervised practicum experience focusing on advanced nursing practice with individuals in the selected population (adult-gerontology). The application of health maintenance, health promotion, illness prevention and developmental transitions will be incorporated. Application of evidence-based techniques, tools, and methods for promoting care of the selected population will be emphasized. This course is offered as P/NC (Pass/No Credit). Both the practicum and didactic course must be passed to receive credit for the courses. 120 clinical hours.

This course explores the professional practice domain of the CNS role. Content is organized according to competencies related to identifying, defining, and collaborating on problems and opportunities in nursing practice. The CNS sub-roles of expert practitioner, educator, researcher, change agent, mentor, and consultant are examined.

This course is the practicum course with clinical experience which accompanies NURS XXX and explores the professional practice domain of the CNS role. Content is organized according to competencies related to identifying, defining, and collaborating on problems and opportunities in nursing practice. The CNS sub-roles of expert practitioner, educator, researcher, change agent, mentor, and consultant are examined.120 clinical hours.

This course explores the systems/organizations domain of CNS practice. Content is organized according to competencies related to identifying and defining problems and opportunities in nursing practice, identifying and articulating resource management needs and factors contributing to outcomes, developing innovative solutions, and evaluating the effect of solution strategies.

This practicum is taken concurrently with NURS 605. It emphasizes the systems/organizations domain of CNS practice integrating CNS Spheres of Influence. The particular emphasis is placed on identification and definition of problems and opportunities, resource management needs and trends, desired outcomes, and development of innovative evidence-based solutions to meet organizational goals and priorities. This course is only offered as Pass (P) or No Credit (NC). Both the practicum and the didactic course must be passed to receive credit for both courses. 120 clinical hours. 

This course is taken concurrently with NURS 608, the accompanying practicum. This course emphasizes the diagnosis and management of the common acute and chronic disruptions of health experienced by adult and geriatric patients across the lifespan. Students will assimilate knowledge from advanced assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacotherapeutics to develop diagnoses and treatment plans within their scope of practice to include development of prescribing skills.

This course is taken concurrently with NURS 607. This preceptored practicum allows students to gain skill in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals in their selected population (adult-gerontology). Students will work closely with a preceptor to gain knowledge and skill in clinical diagnosis and prescription of drugs and other therapies. Development of diagnostic reasoning and management skills will be emphasized. 120 clinical hours.

This course examines the educator role in relation to curriculum and program development. Students will explore legal, professional, societal, and ethical dimensions influencing education at various levels. The role of the educator in various contexts and settings will be discussed. Applicable teaching strategies will be analyzed. Concepts of classroom management, teaching styles, assessment, exam composition, and syllabus creation are introduced. 

This course introduces the student to principles of inter-professional education to foster safety and quality in team-based care and collaborative practice.

This course provides the student with the basic principles of healthcare simulation to enhance clinical judgment related to patient safety and delivery of quality care.

This course examines principles of evaluation applicable in education. Analysis of methods for assessing individual, course, and program outcomes will occur.

The teaching practicum experience enables students to operationalize knowledge and skills of educational strategies/interventions in varied settings. Students will incorporate multiple strategies for assessment, teaching, exam construction and test item analysis, and syllabus creation under the supervision of the professor of record and oversight by a preceptor in the learning environment. 120 clinical hours. 

This course provides didactic content to prepare the student Family Nurse Practitioner to provide primary care to adults (18 years and older), including older persons, experiencing health problems in one or more body systems. Nurse practitioner students focus on health care for all populations, with particular emphasis on those in rural/underserved areas and those from diverse cultures. Students emphasize health promotion and disease prevention, evidence-based screening of adult populations, and providing culturally competent care. The course focuses on comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems, including appropriate diagnostic procedures, forming differential diagnoses, laboratory tests, and follow-up care for patients. Professional, ethical, and legal issues are also addressed. 

This practicum course involves direct patient care clinical experience in a variety of primary care settings working collaboratively with other health professionals to provide care for adult patients. The course emphasizes the integration of theory, development, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of minor acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished under the direction and in collaboration with clinical preceptors. 180 clinical hours.

This course expands on knowledge obtained in Primary Care of the Adult I and continues to provide a foundation for the student to think critically about symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the adult lifespan. The course emphasizes evidence-based practice, health promotion and disease prevention as well as illness care that is based on age, gender, culture, ethnicity, and psycho-social issues. The unique perspective the nurse practitioner brings to the patient encounter, as well as interprofessional collaboration with colleagues, and knowledge of specialty referrals, are important elements of the course.

This direct patient care practicum experience expands on knowledge and skills acquired in the Primary Care Adult I didactic and practicum courses in a variety of primary care settings working collaboratively with other health professionals to provide care for adult patients. The course emphasizes the integration of theory, development, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of minor acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished under the direction and in collaboration with clinical preceptors. 180 clinical hours.

This didactic course provides content related to care of women in ambulatory, obstetric, and gynecologic health care settings. It emphasizes the integration and application of theory, health promotion, disease prevention, the diagnostic process, and clinical decision making to women's health issues. Management of routine prenatal, postnatal, and gynecologic care and health problems will be discussed. This course focuses on diverse populations, including an emphasis on women from underserved/rural populations.

This direct care clinical practicum involves experiences managing adult and expectant women in a variety of primary care settings. It emphasizes the integration of theory, development, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of minor acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished under the supervision of and in collaboration with clinical preceptors. 180 clinical hours.

This course provides didactic information to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner student to provide primary care for the pediatric population, from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on integration of nursing process and theory with the incorporation of techniques and critical thinking skills for the clinical health assessment and management of infants, children, and adolescents. The course focuses on the comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems including appropriate diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, follow-up care, and referral/collaboration with specialty professionals for patients with both acute and chronic conditions including a strong focus on health promotion, appropriate screening, developmental assessment, and disease prevention. The care of rural/underserved populations and culturally competent care are given emphasis.

This direct patient care practicum experience expands on knowledge and skills acquired in the Primary Care of Children and Adolescents didactic course in a variety of primary care settings working collaboratively with other health professionals to provide care for children and adolescent patients. The course emphasizes the integration of theory, development, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of minor acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished under the direction and in collaboration with clinical preceptors. 180 clinical hours.

This direct care practicum course integrates theory and research in clinical application of the care of individuals and families by Family Nurse Practitioners. Students will provide care to adults and/or children within their family context in one clinical setting under the guidance of a clinical preceptor. 60 clinical hours.