Graduate Course Descriptions
504 Curriculum Design (3 credits)
An examination of the foundations, models and procedures of curriculum design in nursing. Curriculum theories and practice are explored.
505 Teaching-Learning Strategies (3 credits)
This course places emphasis on teaching and learning theories. Students are exposed to a variety of modalities utilized in teaching both theory and clinical courses. Test construction and clinical evaluation methods are included.
512 Concepts and Theories in Nursing (3 credits)
This course utilizes the critical reasoning process to examine the elements of nursing knowledge. Emphasis is placed on concept analysis and the evaluation of nursing and shared theories, including family theory. Identification of the links between theory and empirical indicators is examined. The clinical relevance of mid-range and family theory is explored.
514 Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
Emphasis is placed on the foundations of advanced nursing practice. Course content focuses on the analysis of the health status of individuals, families, and communities. Students learn to develop a comprehensive database, including skills in health history and physical examination. Family and community assessment techniques are examined. Conceptualizations, role development, and competencies of advanced practice are also explored. Laboratory practice hours are required for this course.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate Health Assessment course
517 Research Analysis and Utilization (3 credits)
This course examines the principles and processes of research. Characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research methods are explored. Emphasis placed on data analysis, critique, and utilization of research findings in practice.
Prerequisites: MTH 115 and undergraduate research course or permission of instructor
535 Nursing Education Practicum (3 credits)
This course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills of classroom and clinical teaching and evaluation using various modalities. Students will explore the need to interface with faculty from nursing and other departments of the institution, administration, support service personnel, and clinical site agency personnel. The logistics of student placement, contractual agreements, state approval, and accreditation are additional areas which are explored. Weekly seminars provide opportunities for exchange of ideas, clarification of concerns, and analysis of educational development and evaluative strategies.
Prerequisites: NSG 504, 505, and at least one clinical course
551 Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
Principles of pharmacology are applied to the advanced practice therapeutic management of the client across the life span. Emphasis is placed on mechanisms of drug action, prescription writing, monitoring drug regimens, identifying adverse reactions/toxicity and anticipating changes inherent in self medication. Potential consequences of multiple drug interactions are considered. The cost effectiveness of medication choices is also discussed.
Prerequisite: or Corequisite: NSG 552
552 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
The physiological principles and pathogenesis of common conditions affecting children and adults are presented. The application of concepts from anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and epidemiology as a basis for advanced nursing practice is emphasized. Physical findings and diagnostic studies appropriate for common health problems occurring across the life span are addressed.
554 Diagnostic Reasoning and Therapeutic Interventions for Primary Care (3 credits)
This is a aboratory/clinical course designed to assist students to use clinical decision-making theory as the foundation for performing clinical interventions. Data collection and hypothesis formulation is emphasized. Students practice psychomotor and psychosocial therapeutic interventions in a variety of clinical settings. A beginning understanding of the role of the family nurse practitioner is stressed. (A minimum of 135 hours of combined laboratory and clinical practice are required for this course.)
Corequisite for FNP students only: NSG 514
555 Legal, Ethical, and Public Policy Issues in Health Care (3 credits)
This course is designed to analyze the impact of legal, ethical and public policy dimensions as they relate to health care in general and nursing specifically. Emphasis will be on examination of current issues in these areas. Current trends and issues in health care will provide a framework for analyzing the legal, ethical and public policy aspects of the health care system.
556 Primary Care Management of Children' s Health (2 credits)
Students will develop competence in performing a comprehensive health assessment of children. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the management of children' s health/illness status. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of treatment plans or protocols utilized to manage common childhood health problems and illnesses. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 565
557 Care of Adults with Health Promotion Needs and Episodic Health Problems (2 credits)
Focuses on the delivery of theory-based care to adults with health promotion needs and episodic health problems. The application of advanced comprehensive assessment skills to the adult population are covered. Emphasis is placed on risk analysis and reduction and principles of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic clinical therapeutics. The stabilization of acute and management of common episodic health problems of adults are included. In addition there are selected practice experiences.
Prerequisites: NSG 551, NSG 552, NSG 514, *NSG 554 for FNP students only
558 Primary Care Management of Adults with Health Promotion Needsand Episodic Health Problems (2 credits)
Students will develop competence in performing a comprehensive health assessment of adults with episodic health problems. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the theory based management of adult' s health/illness status. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of treatment plans or protocols utilized to manage common adult health problems and illnesses. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 557
559 Health Care of Women (3 credits)
Emphasis is on gynecological and reproductive health care. Health promotion issues specific to women are covered. Focus is on the theory based management of gynecologic health needs and the normal reproductive cycle. The application of research findings to the health care of women is discussed.
Prerequisites: NSG 551, NSG 552, NSG 514, *NSG 554 for FNP students only
561 Primary Care Management of Women' s Health (2 credits)
Students will develop competence in comprehensive health assessment of the gynecologic and reproductive health care needs of women. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the theory based management of women' s health. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of treatment plans or protocols utilized to manage common health concerns of women throughout the life cycle. The application of research to practice will be included. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 559
562 Care of Adults with Chronic Health Needs and Problems (2 credits)
Focuses on the delivery of theory-based care to adults with chronic health problems. The ongoing assessment and management of chronic illnesses will be discussed. Students will be encouraged to utilize problem solving techniques to determine potential strategies for breaking through barriers to care. The utilization of computers to facilitate client care objectives will also be covered. Selected practice experiences are included.
Prerequisites: NSG 551, NSG 552, NSG 514, *NSG 554 for FNP students only
563 Primary Care Management of Adults with Chronic (2 credits)
Health Needs and Problems Students will develop competence in performing a comprehensive, ongoing health assessment of adults with chronic health problems. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the theory-based management of chronic health problems. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of treatment plans or protocols utilized to manage common, stabilized adult chronic health problems and illnesses in collaboration with other members of the health care team. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 562
565 Health Care of Children (3 credits)
This course focuses on strategies for the delivery of health care to children and adolescents. Comprehensive health assessment of children including health promotion needs, growth and development, family and cultural dynamics, physical and psychosocial status are covered. Emphasis is placed on clinical therapeutics both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic that are appropriate for the management of children experiencing acute and chronic illnesses. Selected practice experiences are included.
Prerequisites: NSG 551, NSG 552, NSG 514,*NSG 554 for FNP students only
567 Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Synthesis (3 credits)
This course serves as the culminating experience in the family nurse practitioner clinical specialization. Students work with clinical preceptors in family practice settings to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills. This capstone clinical experience focuses on demonstration of competency in the areas of: management of client health/illness status; nurse-client relationship; teaching-coaching function; professional role; managing and negotiating health care delivery systems; and monitoring and ensuring quality of health care practices. (A minimum of 135 hours of precepted clinical practice in a family practice setting is required for this course.)
Prerequisite: All courses except NSG 555
570 Faculty Role Development (3 credits)
This course is designed to develop a full understanding of entry into a faculty position. Students will be provided with the opportunity to learn how to initiate a job search, develop a dossier for promotion and tenure; implement the educator role as it relates to curriculum and evaluation and explore the opportunities for career advancement.
576 Advanced Nursing Management of Adults with Health Promotion (3 credits)
Needs and Episodic Health Problems Students will develop competence in identifying health promotion needs and performing a comprehensive health assessment of adults with episodic health problems. Clinical experience also will assist students to gain competence in the theory-based management of adults' health/illness status. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of clinical paths and/or protocols used in acute care settings to manage common adult health problems and illnesses. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 557
577 Advanced Nursing Management of Adults with Chronic Health Needs and Problems (3 credits)
Students will develop competence in performing a comprehensive, ongoing health assessment of adults with chronic health problems. Clinical experience also will assist students to gain competence in the theory-based management of chronic health problems. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of clinical paths or protocols used in acute care or long-term settings for clinical management of adult chronic health problems and illnesses. Collaboration with other members of the health care team will be stressed. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 562
578 Advanced Nursing Management of Women with Health Problems and Health Promotion Needs (3 credits)
Students will develop competence in comprehensive health assessment of gynecologic, obstetric, and reproductive health care needs of women. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the theory-based management of women' s health in acute care, ambulatory, and community settings. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of advanced nursing strategies utilized to manage common childhood health concerns of women throughout the life cycle. The application of research to practice will be emphasized. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 559
579 Advanced Nursing Management of Children with Health Problems and Health Promotion Needs (3 credits)
Students will develop competence in performing a comprehensive health assessment of children. Clinical experiences also will assist students to gain competence in the therapeutic management of children' s health/illness status in acute care, ambulatory, and community settings. Students will be guided by a preceptor in the implementation of advanced nursing strategies utilized to manage common childhood health problems and illnesses. (A minimum of 90 hours of precepted clinical practice is required for this course.)
Corequisite: NSG 565
590 Special Topics (1-3 credits)
The nursing department features a series of one-two-and three-credit courses which deal with special topics of interest to graduate nursing students. They are taught by respected and expert faculty who are leaders in their field. Special Topics may be used as electives within the graduate nursing program.
591 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Synthesis (3 credits)
This clinical course serves as a culminating experience in the advanced practice nursing clinical sequence for students who will seek certification as clinical specialists. Students work with clinical preceptors to integrate and apply previously acquired knowledge and skills. The clinical experience focuses on the synthesis of the clinical specialist roles, including expert practitioner, case manager, consultant for patient problems and quality improvement, staff educator, collaborator, and clinical leader. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, the formulation, use, and evaluation of independent nursing interventions, and strategies for administration of nursing systems.
Prerequisites: NSG 576 and 577 or NSG 578 and 579
596 Independent Study (Variable credits)
Allows students to investigate a topic of interest, complete their research, or implement a special project with the guidance of a faculty. Topics/projects/thesis must be approved in advance.
599 Graduate Nursing Synthesis Seminar (3 credits)
This course represents the culmination of graduate nursing knowledge and skills. A seminar format is used to facilitate students' demonstration of their ability to integrate theory, research, and clinical or functional practice. A capstone scholarly project provides evidence of students' synthesis of knowledge, written, oral, and critical thinking skills.
Prerequisites: All courses except the following corequisites NSG 555, NSG 535, NSG 545, or NSG 567, NSG 591
