Curriculum
Students in the nurse educator and nursing leadership tracks achieve program outcomes as they progress through the common core courses and major-specific tracks. Most courses are taught once a year but scheduling supports full-time and part-time study. Students engaged in full-time study will begin courses in the fall semester. A full-time load requires enrollment in a minimum of 9 semester hours of course credit during a semester. Course descriptions are described below:
Core
NURS 5100 - Theory for Graduate Nursing Practice (2-0-2)
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.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 5200 - Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (3-0-3)
The relationship between nursing research, theory, and practice for evidence-based practice will be examined. Particular topics such as the identification of practice and system problems, evaluation of research studies and systematic reviews, development and implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines, and use of evidence-based practice to improve outcomes for individuals, groups of patients, and health care systems will be examined. Evidence-based and value-based approaches to practice will be differentiated. The importance of integrating an evidence-based approach into advanced practice nursing roles is emphasized.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 5400 - Advanced Pharmacology (1-3-2)
This course includes principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism and transport, assessment of drug effects, drug therapy in special populations, and contemporary drug development as a foundation for the use of medications in the clinical management of diseases. Major classes of drugs will be discussed in terms of actions; therapeutic and other effects; adverse, allergic and idiosyncratic reactions; indications and contraindications. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibility, accountability, and application of the nursing process regarding drug therapy in a variety of settings with individuals across the life span.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 5410 - Advanced Pathophysiology (1-3-2)
This course focuses on developing an advanced knowledge base of pathophysiology of the human body and the impact of this knowledge base on evidence based practice. It will prepare advanced practice nurses to understand the mechanism underlying the disease process, its 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 2010 to improve clients’ quality of life and reduce health disparities.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 5420 - Advanced Health Assessment (1-3-2)
This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse's basic educational program. The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced practitioner utilizes comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated. Faculty and preceptors facilitate laboratory and clinical experiences, which focus on assessment of clients and presentation of findings in a variety of settings. Emphasis will be placed on important assessment concepts needed to support the goals of Healthy People 2010 to improve clients’ quality of life and reduce health disparities.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 5600 - Health Care Policy (2-0-2)
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.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
NURS 6000 - Transitions to Health Promotion and Illness Prevention (2-0-2)
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.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5100; NURS 5200
NURS 6010 - Advanced Practice Nursing Seminar (0-3-1)
Advanced practice nursing, with an in-depth examination of its definition and core competencies, is explored in this course. Different advanced practice nursing roles and critical elements involved in managing advanced practice nursing environments are analyzed. Ways of developing and integrating core competencies into advanced practice nursing roles are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5100; NURS 5200
NURS 6020 - Societal Transitions Seminar (1-3-2)
This course explores the special needs of the changing segments of society. It also examines emerging ethical, social, political, cultural, and legal issues related to provision of health care for diverse groups. Using an epidemiological approach, students complete a community assessment of a vulnerable population and develop a culturally relevant plan of care.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Graduate Nursing Program
NURS 6030 - Ethical Issues for the Advanced Practice Nurse (2-0-2)
This course provides a foundation for the professional practice of advanced nursing within an ethical context. The historical development of an ethical code for the nursing profession and its evolution is explored. Ethical principles underlying major U.S. health care policy, including the national health agenda, Healthy People 2010, will be examined. The ethical dilemmas that currently exist within the global health care environment of the 21st century are analyzed for their impact on the profession of nursing and on the health and well being of individuals and populations.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Graduate Nursing Program
Leadership
HCMG 5300 - Human Resource Management in Health Care (3-0-3)
The emphasis in this course will be the understanding of the vital nature of human resources in health care delivery. As such, this course will focus not only on recruitment, selection, and training issues, but also on how human resource management needs to be integrated into the strategic planning of the organization. Legal, ethical, and labor issues will be discussed, as well as the use of motivation and power.
HCMG 5500 - Health Care Financial Management (3-0-3)
This course will examine the financial issues that are unique to organizations in health care delivery. It will include looking at the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that affect the financial management of health care. In addition, reimbursement issues will be discussed, as will the current and future considerations of paying for health care.
NURS 6100 - Principles of Leadership & Management within Health Care Organizations (2-0-2)
Transitioning from novice to expert in the role of a nursing leader is explored in this course. Content includes theoretical foundations of effective leadership which will enable the student to function effectively in a leadership role in various settings. The management of human, fiscal and physical health care resources will be emphasized.
Pre or Co requisite(s): NURS 5100; NURS 5200
NURS 6200 - Analysis of System Performance (2-0-2)
This course is designed to develop an understanding of the interactions between regulatory controls and quality control within variety health care delivery systems. Issues such as performance evaluations of organizations and individual employees will be addressed.
Pre or Co requisite(s): NURS 5100; NURS 5200; NURS 6100
NURS 6300 - Transitioning into the Leadership Role (0-12-3)
This clinically based course operationalizes the theoretical principles and norms studied in previous courses. The student will have the opportunity to apply the concepts of leadership within a selected specialty area
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5400; NURS 6000; NURS 6020
NURS 6999 - Focused Project/Thesis in Nursing (3-5 variable hours)
The main focus of this course will be a faculty-guided thesis or project. This project/thesis will have a strong research component and will be a summative work. Students who do not complete the project/thesis in one semester may repeat for additional credits.
Pre or Co requisite(s): NURS 6300 or NURS 6550
Education
NURS 6110 - Principles of Education in Nursing (2-0-2)
This course focuses on the theoretical foundations of teaching, learning innovations, and the multifaceted role of a nurse educator in multiple settings. Expectations of a leader in nursing education are explored.
Pre or Co requisite(s): NURS 5100; NURS 5200
NURS 6220 - Effective Teaching/Learning Strategies (2-0-2)
This course is an overview of a variety of learning and instructional strategies to assist in the implementation of teaching plans. General principles and methodologies related to learning and instruction are integrated into face-to-face and technology enhanced techniques.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 6110
NURS 6330 - Evaluation of Learning (3-0-3)
This course will provide methods of assessing learning outcomes for individuals and groups in academic and clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on theoretical reflections and empirical methods used to evaluate educational programs, institutions, personnel, and students
Prerequisite(s): NURS 6110
NURS 6440 - Curriculum Development (3-0-3)
This course examines the principles, philosophies, and theories used in curriculum development. Graduate students will define, design, and analyze a selected curriculum model.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 6110
NURS 6550 Transitioning into the Nurse Educator Role (0-12-3)
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.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300; NURS 5400; NURS 5500; NURS 6220; NURS 6330; NURS 6440
NURS 6999 - Focused Project/Thesis in Nursing (3-5 variable hours)
The main focus of this course will be a faculty-guided thesis or project. This project/thesis will have a strong research component and will be a summative work. Students who do not complete the project/thesis in one semester may repeat for additional credits.
Pre or Co requisite(s): NURS 6300 or NURS 6550