Nursing (NURS)

NURS 5100. Theory for Graduate Nursing Pr (3) 

This course prepares nurses to transition into new roles and advanced nursing practice by exploring a wide range of theories from nursing and other sciences. Students will understand the role of knowledge development in advancing a discipline. Students will critique, analyze, and evaluate selected theories and incorporate these theories into their advanced nursing practice roles...

NURS 5501. Theory for Graduate Nursing Pr (3) 

This course prepares nurses to transition into new roles and advanced nursing practice by exploring a wide range of theories from nursing and other sciences. Students will understand the role of knowledge development in advancing a discipline. Students will critique, analyze, and evaluate selected theories and incorporate these theories into their advanced nursing practice roles.

NURS 5502. Research-Evidence-Based Nurs. (3) 

This course builds upon undergraduate statistics and research courses and will focus on the relationship between nursing theory, research, and practice for evidence-based practice. This course will focus on issues such as the identification of practice and system problems, evaluation of research studies and systematic reviews, development and implementation of evidence- based practice guidelines, use of evidence-based practice to improve outcomes for individuals and groups of patients as well as health care systems, and differentiation of evidence-based and value-based approaches to practice. Students are expected to integrate an evidence-based approach into their practice.

Prerequisites: (NURS 5501 and NURS 6611)

NURS 5503. Adv Patho Across the Lifespan (3) 

This course focuses on developing an advanced knowledge base of human physiology and pathophysiology providing a background for professional practice and the translation and integration of evidence to provide quality and safe care of patient and community populations. It will prepare advanced nurses to understand the mechanisms underlying disease processes, clinical manifestations, and rational therapies. Appropriate screening and diagnostic testing methods will also be included. Emphasis will be placed on important pathophysiological concepts needed to support the goals of Healthy People 2030 to improve clients’ quality of life and reduce health disparities.

Restrictions: Family Nurse Practioner

NURS 5504. Health Care Policy (3) 

The political process related to health care policy and nurses role in affecting policy decisions will be a major focus of this course. Access, cost and quality of health care will be examined along with major issues related to concepts of health policy, nursing advocacy and the policy process. Legislative and regulatory issues, health care financing, managed care and coverage of the uninsured will be emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge of these topics to in-depth analysis of an issue related to their practice specialty.

Restrictions: Family Nurse Practioner

NURS 5505. Theory& Research for Grad Nurs (4) 

This course builds upon undergraduate foundations in research and theory to focus on the interrelationships between nursing theory, research and advanced nursing practice. Graduate nursing students will explore knowledge development through theory and research and the application of that knowledge through evidence-based nursing practice.

NURS 5600. Health Care Policy (3) 

The political process related to health care policy and nurses role in affecting policy decisions will be a major focus of this course. Access, cost and quality of health care will be examined along with major issues related to concepts of health policy, nursing advocacy and the policy process. Legislative and regulatory issues, health care financing, managed care and coverage of the uninsured will be emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge of these topics to in-depth analysis of an issue related to their practice specialty.

NURS 5999. Studies in Nursing-Directed (1-6) 

A graduate seminar exploring selected leadership or education topics in Nursing chosen by individual faculty members. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

NURS 6000. Trans-Hlth Prom. & Illness Pre (2) 

This course presents an array of clinical interventions that influence the goal of achieving health at the primary, secondary, or tertiary levels of health care. Key concepts include healthy lifestyles, self-care, holisms, nursing therapeutics, caring, critical thinking, and risk reduction.

Prerequisites: NURS 5100 and NURS 5200

NURS 6110. Prin. of Education in Nursing (2-3) 

This course focuses on the theoretical foundations of teaching, learning innovations, and the multifaceted role of a nurse educator in multiple settings. The course will provide a background for nurse educators to promote safe and effective learner outcomes based on evidence-based practice and ethical guidelines. Expectations of a leader in nursing education are explored.

Restrictions: Nursing - Graduate, RN-MSN

NURS 6140. Trans. to Nurse Educator Role (3) 

This clinically based course provides the opportunity for students to operationalize the theoretical principles and concepts studied in previous courses. Students will have the opportunity to assume the role of educator within a selected specialty area.

Prerequisites: NURS 6110 and NURS 6120 and NURS 6130

NURS 6611. Diagnostic & Clinical Reasonin (2) 

This course focuses on diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize knowledge for comprehensive assessment of primary care patients throughout the life span. Advanced health assessment techniques are emphasized and refined. Diverse types of approaches are used in expanding proficiency in conducting histories and physical examinations in laboratory and clinical settings including communication techniques unique to the specialty population. Systematic and organized health assessments that are sensitive to cultural and developmental needs are explored.

NURS 6612. Diagnostic & Clinical Reasonin (3) 

This course focuses on diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize knowledge for comprehensive assessment of primary care patients throughout the life span. Advanced health assessment techniques are emphasized and refined. Diverse types of approaches are used in expanding proficiency in conducting histories and physical examinations in laboratory and clinical settings including communication techniques unique to the specialty population. Systematic and organized health assessments that are sensitive to cultural and developmental needs are explored.

NURS 6620. Adv Health Assessment for FNPs (3) 

This course in health assessment expands the nurse's knowledge of cognitive processes and psychomotor skills needed for comprehensive assessment of clients across the lifespan. Students are expected to perform a physical, mental, developmental, and nutritional assessment, obtaining a health history, perform selected diagnostic procedures, and record findings. Interviewing skills that enable the nurse to relate to various clients across the life span will be refined. Use of diagnostic and motivational interviewing skills with individuals from diverse cultures will be emphasized. This course consists of didactic and clinical lab experiences. Students will obtain a comprehensive physical and mental health/substance use history and will perform a physical and mental status examination on an adult and pediatric client. Students will have documentation assignments on systems covered in lecture. All students will perform physical and mental health assessments in laboratory and clinical settings.

NURS 6630. Hlth Prom of Adults and Fami (6) 

This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioners to assume responsibility for health promotion, health maintenance, disease prevention, and the management of common acute and chronic health problems of adults in primary health care settings. Emphasis is on the family as the basic unit of nursing care. Discussion will include non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management of common health problems. Criteria for consultation and indications for referral along with exploration of available community resources will also be considered.

Prerequisites: NURS 5410 and NURS 6611 and NURS 6620 and NURS 6640

NURS 6640. Adv Pharmacology for FNPs (3) 

Course focuses on examination of the major categories of pharmacological agents and application of pharmacological concepts in the clinical practice setting. Emphasis is placed on understanding the physiological action of the drugs, expected patient responses and major effects. This course is prerequisite for clinical courses that integrate the knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics into effective nursing practice.

NURS 6650. Hlth Prom of Children and Fami (6) 

This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioners to assume responsibility for health promotion, maintenance, and management of common acute and chronic health problems of infants, children, and adolescents in primary health care settings. Emphasis is on the description of the condition or disease, etiology and incidence, clinical findings, differential diagnosis, management, complications and preventive and patient education measures. Consideration is given to cultural and ethical issues that affect health care delivery and client adherence to the management plan. Established protocols for practice are used to indicate the need for consultation, referral, and community resources.

Prerequisites: NURS 5410 and NURS 6611 and NURS 6620 and NURS 6630 and NURS 6640

NURS 6660. Pop Hlth and Emerging DIsease (2) 

This course strengthens students’ capacity to integrate and apply public health concepts and epidemiologic methods to improve population health. The theory and scope of public health practice are analyzed in the context of the complex interplay between science, law, policy, and ethics. Students synthesize and apply public health concepts (e.g., population perspective, health promotion and prevention, determinants of health) and methods (e.g., policy /advocacy /epidemiology /quality improvement/program planning).

NURS 6670. Adv Practice Nurs Roles in Soc (3) 

Students explore components and variations of the advanced practice role and how social policy and health care delivery influence and are influenced by the role. Legal definitions and professional interpretations of advanced practice nursing are examined in relation to health care outcomes, resource allocation and cost effectiveness.

NURS 6671. Adv Practice Nurs Roles in Soc (2) 

Students explore components and variations of the advanced practice role and how social policy and health care delivery influence and are influenced by the role. Legal definitions and professional interpretations of advanced practice nursing are examined in relation to health care outcomes, resource allocation and cost effectiveness.

NURS 6680. Hlth Prom of Elderly and Famil (5) 

This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioners to assume responsibility for health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and management of common acute and chronic health problems of the elderly client and his family. The nurse practitioner's role in promoting successful aging, maintaining function and promoting self care, through the use of the community, personal and family resources is stressed. Common geriatric syndromes and problems including chronic illnesses and their management are emphasized. Ethical dilemmas that impact the health care of the older adult are integrated throughout the course.

NURS 6681. Hlth Prom of Elderly and Famil (6) 

This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioners to assume responsibility for health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and management of common acute and chronic health problems of the elderly client and his family. The nurse practitioner's role in promoting successful aging, maintaining function and promoting self care, through the use of the community, personal and family resources is stressed. Common geriatric syndromes and problems including chronic illnesses and their management are emphasized. Ethical dilemmas that impact the health care of the older adult are integrated throughout the course.

NURS 6690. Nurse Practitioner Practicum (6) 

This experience gives the student responsibility for the primary health care services of individuals and families supervised by a nurse practitioner and/or physician preceptor. Students are expected to practice as a nurse practitioner, assuming increasing responsibility for planning and implementing therapeutic processes and for documenting and evaluating outcomes of care. Students will apply theories by investigation and management of health problems in primary health care settings.

Prerequisites: NURS 5410 and NURS 6611 and NURS 6620 and NURS 6630 and NURS 6640 and NURS 6650 and NURS 6660 and NURS 6670 and NURS 6680

NURS 6691. Nurse Practitioner Practicum (5) 

This experience gives the student responsibility for the primary health care services of individuals and families supervised by a nurse practitioner and/or physician preceptor. Students are expected to practice as a nurse practitioner, assuming increasing responsibility for planning and implementing therapeutic processes and for documenting and evaluating outcomes of care. Students will apply theories by investigation and management of health problems in primary health care settings.

Prerequisites: NURS 5410 and NURS 6611 and NURS 6620 and NURS 6630 and NURS 6640 and NURS 6650 and NURS 6660 and NURS 6670 and NURS 6680

NURS 6999. Focused Project-Master'sThesis (1-5) 

The main focus of this course will be a faculty guided project or thesis that addresses a significant problem or issue within the nursing profession. Students will choose a problem that is of concern to nurse educators or to nurse leaders, as appropriate for the declared track in the master’s program. The project is an evidence-based synthesis of knowledge and information from previous courses to develop, implement and evaluate a plan related to teaching and delivery of content to learners. The thesis uses the research process to analyze primary or secondary data and supports the synthesis of knowledge and information from previous courses. Students will be expected to provide an oral defense of the project/thesis. Students choosing to complete course requirements through a paper presentation will be expected to also complete a comprehensive exam.

Prerequisites: NURS 6400 (may be taken concurrently) or NURS 6140 (may be taken concurrently)