Return to Nursing | Courses Index
[1] Graduate Courses in Nursing (NURS)
5310 NURSING ETHICS An elective course designed primarily for nursing students. A study of ethical principles and reasoning applied to particular issues and cases related to health care and especially to nursing concerns. The course will examine standard theoretical approaches to health care/nursing ethics with an emphasis on the application of those theories to the needs of specific providers, clients, individuals, and institutions. The course will include lecture and discussion in an online format.
5325 GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CARE Overview of alternative/complementary/holistic health care philosophies and therapies and their role in health care decision making. Addressees issues of self-treatment, safety, effectiveness, and resources. Examples include nutritional supplements, massage, aromatherapy, and herbal therapy. Open to all majors, not restricted to nursing majors.
5330 CULTURAL AND HUMAN DIVERSITY IN NURSING Examines the influences of culture on client responses to wellness, health challenges, and health care. The effects of cultural diversity on concepts such as time, health, food, and end-of-life rituals will be investigated. Cultural assessments and the use of these assessments in planning and implementing culturally congruent nursing care will be explored.
6V43 INDEPENDENT STUDY (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) Nursing topic of special interest to the student who wishes to conduct an in-depth concentrated study with faculty guidance.
6V99 CONTINUED STUDIES (Variable credit: 1-4 credit hours.) Credit/non-credit course required in subsequent semester(s) when an X-grade is awarded and until course requirements are met. Allows access to faculty guidance and university resources. Does not count toward degree.
6306 RESEARCH METHODS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on learning the research process, identifying a clinical question, accessing research evidence, appraising research evidence for scientific merit and clinical relevance, and synthesizing evidence. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6315 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT This course focuses on advanced health assessment techniques and data collection that promote diagnostic reasoning and comprehensive decision making in patient-centered care. Core content includes normal versus abnormal findings, health promotion, disease prevention and diagnostic testing across varied populations. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6320 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY This course focuses on the etiology, pathogenesis, and functional consequences of various disease states with an understanding of normal physiologic function and pathologic mechanisms that impact health status. The course establishes a foundation for clinical assessment, decision making and management. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6325 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY This course focuses on pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of broad categories of pharmacologic agents. The course provides knowledge to assess, diagnose, and prescribe pharmacologic agents in a safe and cost-effective manner. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6327 HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND LEADERSHIP This course explores and applies concepts related to healthcare quality and improvement. Content will also include organization and systems leadership principles necessary to assure quality and safety of patient care.
6332 HEALTH POLICY FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on influencing health policy with a focus on health care law, regulation, professional practice issues, and ethics. Emphasis is on the effect of health policy on health care delivery and population health outcomes at the state and national levels. This course requires 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6340 CLINICAL SPECIALTY FOR THE NURSE EDUCATOR A seminar/clinical course which is a component of the Nurse Educator track. This course provides the clinical foundation for graduate nursing competencies in a clinical specialty under the supervision of approved clinical preceptor/facilitators. Clinical options include community family, geriatric, maternal newborn and women’s health, adult, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health nursing. Students complete 180 hours of approved supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 6301, 6304, 6315, 6320, 6325, 6345, 6347, and 6348.
6345 EVALUATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION This course examines the theory, construction, evaluation, and current evidence of assessment instruments. It addresses classroom, clinical, online, and simulation assessment/evaluation. The following are emphasized: the role of assessment in instruction, developing instructional objectives and learning outcomes based on professional standards, developing and critiquing assessments; interpreting item and test analysis results, and appraising ethical/social/legal issues in educational and clinical settings. Prerequisite: Full admission to MSN program or other CHBS discipline and statistics.
6348 INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND TEACHING STRATEGIES Emphasizes the philosophical, theoretical, and empirical foundations of the nurse educator role for student education, continuing education, and staff development, or patient/client education. Core content includes principles of teaching-learning, learner assessment, developing/selecting instructional materials, preparing teaching plans, and classroom, laboratory/simulation, and online instruction strategies. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program or permission of the department chair.
6349 TEACHING PRACTICUM FOR THE NURSE EDUCATOR A seminar/clinical course providing an experiential foundation for nurse educator competencies under the supervision of approved preceptors/facilitators. Students complete 270 contact hours of supervised teaching practicum experiences. Prerequisite: NURS 6340.
6350 CURRICULUM IN NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS Explores professional, societal, health care, and educational influences on curriculum development in the health care environment. Students participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes to promote quality improvement. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program or permission of the department chair.
6360 PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on critique, evaluation, and use of philosophical and theoretical perspectives foundational to nursing and other disciplines. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
6371 CLINICAL NURSE LEADER IMMERSION The second of two seminar/practicum courses in the Clinical Nurse Leader track. Advanced competencies for the Clinical Nurse Leader role. Students complete 300 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 6327 and 6470.
6390 STATISTICAL METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on developing knowledge of and skills for using statistical methods, matching statistical methods to research designs, and data analysis. Computer software will be used to conduct appropriate statistical analyses and reporting findings. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program and NURS 7350.
6420 INTEGRATED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on the etiology and pathogenesis of common disease states with an integration of advanced pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of broad categories of drugs. The course targets the relationship between pharmacologic agents and physiologic/pathologic responses. Prerequisite: Admission to the Graduate Nursing program.
6470 CLINICAL NURSE LEADER PRACTICE The first of two seminar/practicum courses in the Clinical Nurse Leader track. This course provides the theoretical and clinical foundation for beginning graduate nursing roles and competencies as a clinical nurse leader. Students complete 100 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 6301, 6304, 6329, 6347.
6511 INTRODUCTION TO PRIMARY CARE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS This course introduces the role of the nurse practitioner primary care provider. This course focuses on disease identification based on diagnostic reasoning, treatment supported by evidence-based practice, common procedural skills, and health promotion, prevention, and disease management. Students complete 135 contact hours of approved supervised direct patient care clinical experiences. The course is a combination of online and on-campus instruction. Prerequisites: NURS 6315, 6320, and 6325; or APRN license/NP certification.
6512 CARE OF ADULTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I This course continues to develop the nurse practitioner as a primary care provider. The course focuses on disease identification based on diagnostic reasoning, treatment supported by evidenced-based practice, common procedural skills, and health promotion, prevention, and disease management. The course expands on practice management principles for the nurse practitioner. Students complete 135 contact hours of approved supervised direct patient care clinical experiences. The course is a combination of online and on-campus instruction. Prerequisite: NURS 6511 or APRN license/NP certification.
7V15 DNP CLINICAL INTERNSHIP (Variable credit: 1-4 credit hours) This course focuses on assimilation and application of the DNP Essential Competencies through a variety of clinical practice activities. This course will be required for students who need additional clinical practice hours based on the number of clinical hours completed in the MSN. The internship hours are variable and repeatable. Students can take up to 4 credit hours of DNP Internship. Each credit hour requires 90 clinical practice hours. The course is delivered online.
7V20 RESIDENCY FOR DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (Variable credit: 1-2 credit hours) This clinical residency focuses on meeting the competencies of the DNP prepared APRN. The DNP Residency course is designed to meet the individual needs of DNP students through collaboration with healthcare mentors. The course requires students to integrate evidence-based practice, comprehensive assessment, advanced diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and evaluation in a variety of sites and conditions. Each credit hour requires 90 supervised, direct patient care hours. Prerequisites: NURS 6306, 6315, 6320, 6325, 6332, 6360, 6390, 6511, 6512, 7110, 7315, 7320, 7325, 7330, 7340, 7350, 7365, 7513, and 7514.
7110 DNP PROJECT PLANNING This course facilitates development of the DNP scholarly project. Students will be guided in the application of the DNP Essentials to design an evidence-based practice initiative. Students must complete a minimum of three DNP Project Planning courses to complete the degree. At least one DNP Project Planning course must be taken prior to enrolling in NURS 7350. Prerequisite: NURS 6306, 6511, and 6512; or admission to the post-master’s DNP track.
7120 DNP PROJECT This course facilitates the completion of the DNP scholarly project. The DNP scholarly project is derived from practice experience in which DNP students apply the DNP Essentials to complete an evidence-based practice initiative. Students must complete two DNP Project courses to complete the degree. Each one credit hour requires 45 fieldwork hours. Prerequisites: NURS 6306, 6315, 6320, 6325, 6332, 6360, 6390, 6511, 6512, 7110, 7315, 7320, 7325, 7330, 7340, 7350, 7365, 7513, and 7514.
7230 ADVANCED CLINICAL DECISION MAKING I This course integrates clinical knowledge and experiences from previous courses with complexities seen in primary care settings. Core content includes extensive application of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics and reinforcement of health promotion and disease prevention. The course is a combination of online and on campus instruction. This is part one of a two-part course. Prerequisites: NURS 6511, 6512, 7513, and 7514; or APRN license/NP certification.
7235 ADVANCED CLINICAL DECISION MAKING II This course integrates clinical knowledge and experiences from previous courses with complexities seen in primary care settings. Core content includes extensive application of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics and reinforcement of health promotion and disease prevention. The course is a combination of online and on campus instruction. This is part two of a two-part course. Prerequisites: NURS 6511, 6512, 7513, 7514, and 7230; or APRN license/NP certification and NURS 7230.
7315 HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on application of systems theory to organizations and performance improvement initiatives. Emphasis is on methodologies to improve quality of care, safety, and outcomes within the health care environment. This course includes 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
7320 HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS AND FINANCE FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course examines principles of economics and finance as they relate to the role of the DNP within contemporary healthcare environments. The course explores healthcare economic theory, market drivers and restraints, finance and reimbursement, cost analysis, budgeting, entrepreneurism, and business principles. Prerequisite: NURS 7315.
7325 ETHICS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course presents an overview of ethical and legal issues facing the health care industry. It provides a basic knowledge of health law and ethics. A realistic knowledge of health law and ethics, and their application to the real world is emphasized. This course includes 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
7330 HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE Presents an overview of informatics, the transformation of data into information, knowledge, decisions and actions to improve outcomes. In addition, students will be prepared to use available technology tools to present, interpret, and organize data. This course requires 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
7340 LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course will focus on organizational and systems leadership qualities, communication and collaborative skills, and change management strategies needed to transform service delivery and improve health outcomes in complex healthcare delivery systems. The course includes 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisites: Admission to graduate nursing program.
7350 TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH METHODS FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE Explores the science of research translation. Emphasis is on analysis, evaluation, and use of evidence. Students will examine methods to promote the systematic uptake of science into routine practice to improve quality and effectiveness of health care. Prerequisites: NURS 6390 and NURS 7110; or admission to the post-master’s DNP track.
7365 POPULATION HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE This course focuses on population health theory, epidemiologic methods, and theories of health promotion. In addition, this course introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, with an emphasis on critical thinking, analytic skills, and application to clinical practice and research. This course requires 45 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program.
7513 CARE OF ADULTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN II This course further develops the nurse practitioner as a leader in primary care management. The course focuses on disease identification based on diagnostic reasoning, treatment supported by evidenced-based practice, common procedural skills, and health promotion, prevention, and disease management. Topics include the aging population, transitional care services, palliative care, and end-of-life care. The course is a combination of online and on campus instruction. Students complete 180 contact hours of approved supervised direct patient care clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 6511 and 6512; or APRN license/NP certification.
7514 PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN FOR FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONERS This course develops the nurse practitioner as a primary care provider in the pediatric population. The course focuses on disease identification based on diagnostic reasoning, treatment supported by evidenced based practice, common procedural skills, and health promotion, prevention, and disease management in the pediatric population. Core content includes normal and abnormal growth and development, anticipatory guidance, and life stage transitions. The course is a combination of online and on-campus instruction. Students complete 180 contact hours of approved supervised direct patient care clinical experiences. Prerequisites: NURS 6511, 6512, and 7513; or APRN license/NP certification.