NURS 501 TRENDS, ROLES AND ISSUES IN NURSING 3 hours
This course focuses on analysis of the effects of economic, political, legal, professional, ethical, and other forces on the delivery of nursing services. Conceptual and methodological approaches in the study of health care phenomena from the perspective of nursing will be explored with particular emphasis on nursing roles.
NURS 502 RESEARCH DESIGN IN NURSING 4 hours
This course focuses on the development of skills needed to analyze, critique, and conduct nursing research utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The student is prepared not only to utilize nursing research in practice but also to participate in the conduct of research. Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics and research.
NURS 508 NURSING STATISTICS 3 hours
This course is designed to provide a knowledge base of statistics appropriate for a healthcare professional. Topics include parametric and non-parametric test, reliability, the use of SPSS and a broad array of statistic procedures.
NURS 510 NURSING THEORY 3 hours
This course presents the basis for understanding theory development in professional nursing.
Theory construction and its relationship to nursing practice is explored in order to enable the student to conceptualize a relevant model of nursing that can be applied to advanced nursing practice.
NURS 511 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3 hours
This course enables the student to develop an analytical approach to identifying clinical problems, reviewing and appraising clinical research literature related to the situation, in order to develop a rationale and plan for implementing best evidence practices. Topics include development of a Problem Intervention Comparison Outcomes (PICO) question, grading the strength of the evidence as well as the strength of the recommendation, implementing changes and evaluating those changes. Application of analytic methods for appraising and reviewing clinical practice are emphasized in this course.
NURS 533 INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESSES IN NURSING EDUCATION 3 hours
This course examines the selection, application and evaluation of instructional strategies in nursing education and staff development. Testing and measurement of outcomes are included.
Emphasis is given to both classroom and distance instructional methods.
NURS 535 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 3 hours
This course examines ethical theory and its application to professionals in the workplace. Specific topics include: codes of ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, paternalistic deception, informed consent, privacy, whistle-blowing, and social justice. The course will emphasize professions in health care, business and education.
NURS 536 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING 3 hours
This course focuses on diverse pedagogical approaches to nursing education. Emphasis is given to curriculum planning, design and implementation and evaluation in associate and baccalaureate degree programs in nursing.
NURS 542 NURSING SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION 3 hours
The nurse administrator is expected to develop, maintain and supervise nursing systems in health care delivery/monitoring institutions. This course focuses on the theoretical basis for these managerial skills and on strategies for the development of leadership skills. The impact on the system of regulation from the external environment and from conflicting internal demands is emphasized.
NURS 544 INFORMATICS ISSUES IN NURSING SYSTEMS 3 hours
While not an expert in the area, the effective nurse administrator must possess a basic understanding of informatics as used by health care organizations. In this course research, ethical, socioeconomic, and legal issues pertinent to information technology are discussed and the integration of the sciences of nursing, computer and information are explored.
NURS 545 CLINICAL APPLICATIONS 3 hours
This course is designed to supplement and complement previous experience and learning to meet career goals with regard to professional issues and legal considerations. The student chooses a clinical setting and in collaboration with the instructor identifies learning objectives. Objectives may be geared toward: a) a particular aspect of practice, i.e., entrepreneurial endeavor, b) clinical entity, age group or health alteration category, or c) research interest. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515.
NURS 550 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF CHILDREN 4 hours
This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision making in assessment and provision of primary health care nursing for children and families. Topics include health promotion/maintenance, growth and development, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in children. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503 and HLTH 515. Prerequisite or co-requisite: HLTH 505.
NURS 551 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF WOMEN 4 hours
This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision making in the assessment and provision of primary health care for women and families. Topics include health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in women. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515.
NURS 552 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF ADULTS 6 hours
This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision-making in the assessment and provision of primary health care for adults and families. Topics include health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in adults. Clinical hours (150) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515.
NURS 553 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF FAMILIES 6 hours
This course enables the FNP student to develop a practice base for clinical decision making in the assessment and management of the health care of families. This course includes identification of health needs, nursing interventions for the prevention of illness, health promotion, and therapeutic interventions for selected clinical problems. Clinical hours (150) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515.
NURS 560 BIOETHICS 3 hours
Health care professionals and those they serve are confronted with increasing choices regarding the biological aspects of human life. This course focuses on ethical principles, theories of ethics, and dialogical skills that promote effective decision making in private and public spheres regarding such issues as reproductive technologies, end-of life choices and allocation of scarce resources.
NURS 569 TEACHING IN THE COMMUNITY 3 hours
Increasingly, health care is delivered in community settings, and nurses employed outside schools of nursing and acute-care organizations are expected to provide health-related education to individuals, families, groups, and communities. This course focuses on new pedagogies and teaching methodologies required to teach in such diverse settings and to diverse audiences. Emphasis is given to non-student populations.
NURS 580 SPECIAL TOPICS CV
Particular current topics related to nursing are studied. Topics will vary based on the needs of students and interests of the faculty.
NURS 587 THESIS 3 hours
Research skills are essential for the advanced nurse practitioner. The thesis elective offers an option for acquiring increased depth in research activity.
NURS 590 INDEPENDENT STUDY /READINGS IN NURSING 3 hours
Some students may benefit from expanded study in a particular area of interest not included in structured graduate course offerings. Independent study/reading provides the opportunity for in depth study in an area mutually selected by the student and supervising faculty.
NURS 630 ADVANCED PRACTICE SEMINAR I 4 hours
This course will focus on a combination of scholarship and advanced clinical practice. Topics include collaboration of inter-professional teams; advocacy; ethics; health care access, quality, and productivity; and culturally sensitive care. Initial work on a scholarly project will demonstrate a synthesis of skills learned and expertise in clinical practice. 150 clinical hours required.
NURS 640 ADVANCED PRACTICE SEMINAR II 4 hours
This course will focus on a combination of scholarship and advanced clinical practice. It will build upon knowledge and skills acquired in Seminar I. Topics include collaboration of inter-professional teams; advocacy; health care access, quality, and productivity; ethics and culturally sensitive care. Continued work on a scholarly project will demonstrate a synthesis of skills learned and expertise in clinical practice. 150 clinical hours required. Prerequisites: NURS 630.
NURS 650 ADVANCED PRACTICE SEMINAR III 4 hours
This course will focus on a combination of seminar and advanced clinical practice. It will build upon knowledge and skills acquired in Seminar I and II. Completion of a scholarly project will demonstrate a synthesis of skills learned and expertise in clinical practice. Oral presentation of research is required at the end of course. 100 clinical hours required. Prerequisites: NURS 630, 640.
HLTH 503 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT 3 hours
Assessing the health/illness status of clients as nurse practitioners requires synthesis and integration of knowledge from the natural and behavioral sciences, the humanities and nursing. This course focuses on comprehensive history taking and physical examination of the client, including developmental, psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and physical assessment.
Laboratory experiences will focus on advanced diagnostic testing procedures and collection of history and physical data as well as the application of critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in clinical decision making reflecting accurate differential diagnoses. Prerequisite: Admission to the nursing graduate program.
HLTH 503L ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT LAB 0 hour
Advanced health assessment, critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making are the foundation of nurse practitioner practice. This course provides the novice nurse practitioner student the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in HLTH 503 in a clinical practicum setting under the supervision of an expert preceptor. Clinical laboratory hours are required.
HLTH 505 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY 3 hours
Comprehensive management and evaluation of the health/illness status of the client by nurse practitioners requires application of pharmacological interventions in clinical decision making.
This course focuses on pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, and selected pharmacological interventions as applied to the management of client illnesses with attention to safety, cost, simplicity, efficacy, and acceptability. Prerequisite: HLTH 515.
HLTH 515 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3 hours
Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases through the synthesis of knowledge from natural, behavioral, medical, and nursing sciences is central to nurse practitioner practice.
This course focuses on understanding each human biological system at a cellular level and subsequent identification of pathological mechanisms that manifest themselves as acute and chronic diseases.
HLTH 605 Epidemiology 3 hours
This course covers epidemiology, modeling, and public health surveillance across a spectrum of infectious disease. It also provides an introduction into investigation of outbreaks. The course will enable the advanced practice nurse to develop a knowledge base to address issues of health and illness of a population.
HLTH 610 HEALTH CARE ECONOMICS 3 hours
This course will examine healthcare economics and the impact of social justice and social welfare on health care environments and businesses. The relationship of economic issues, health finance and reimbursement, cost benefit analysis and health care entrepreneurism will be explored. Relevant concepts and analyses of financial practice within the context of health care organizations will be explored.
HLTH 615 HEALTH CARE POLICY 3 hours
This course will examine health policy and leadership and will provide the opportunity to perform a policy analysis on a current issue in health care. Topic covered will include current issues in health policy, policy analysis, strategic planning and leadership.