Jun 15, 2024  
Graduate Catalog-Handbook 2012-2013 
    
Graduate Catalog-Handbook 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 

Graduate Core

  
  • NURS 501 - Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice


    Informed research consumption including the processes of knowledge diffusion and practice innovation (planned change). Attention is given to primary study evaluations, narrative reviews, meta-analyses, rules of evidence for developing clinical guidelines, and evidence-based practice. Students will collect a corpus of studies and do a systematic narrative review that includes: assessment of internal consistency and validity of the primary studies, judgment of the quality of the evidence, logical conclusions, and implications for practice. Note: Research must be taken within the first 12 hours of study.
    Prerequisites: Statistics and Undergraduate Research.

    3

    credit hours
  
  • NURS 502 - Quality, Safety & Effectiveness of Nursing Care


    This graduate course introduces students to modern concepts of quality of care, quality improvement, patient safety, and effectiveness of nursing care. The course builds upon the competencies of the baccalaureate nurse in quality and patient safety to include topics such as control charts, run-charts, quality analysis methods, root cause analysis, failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), and quality improvement models. Also explored in the course are concepts related to human factors and their role in errors, and patient safety goals and strategies both within and outside the discipline of nursing. The role of informatics and the work environment are also addressed, as these are critical factors that transcend quality, safety, and effectiveness discussions. The role of the graduate-prepared nurse in creating and maintaining a patient-centered care environment is central to the course.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 503 - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing


    Examines the relationship between theory, nursing practice and nursing research. Theories, concepts and models from both nursing and related disciplines will be evaluated. Application of relevant theories to nursing practice and research will be emphasized.

    3

    credit hours
  
  • NURS 504 - Leadership in Advanced Nursing Roles


    The purpose of this course is to analyze the theories and principles of leadership within the complex healthcare organizations of the 21st century. Special emphasis is on leadership knowledge and skills required for the masters prepared nurse in today’s local, state, national, and international health care environments
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 505 - Seminar: Writing for Publication


    Assists graduate nursing students in the mastery of professional writing skills through an understanding of the publication process; critiquing and discussing writing styles; identifying various professional journal submission requirements; and practiced writing.
    1 credit hours

Direct Care Core

  
  • NURS 520 - Advanced Pharmacology


    Provides fundamental pharmacologic principles in order for the advanced practice nurse to manage pharmacologic agents safely and effectively.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 521 - Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology


    Application of concepts of advanced physiology to the determination of clinical manifestations and selection of assessment and management protocols across the life span. Concepts of disease processes related to altered cell and tissue function, altered dynamics of organ systems, and multi-system failure of individuals across the life span will be studied.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 522 - Advanced Health Assessment


    Builds on the basic theoretical foundations and practice of health assessment skills. The course serves as a basis for the advanced practice nurse to critically evaluate pertinent information and assess the health needs of individuals across the lifespan. Applications of the health assessment techniques are practiced in the nursing laboratory as well as with clients in outside agencies.
    3 credit hours

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track

  
  • NURS 576 - Acute/Emergent Care I


    Course under development
    8 credit hours
    (5 credit hours as didactic & 3 credit hours as practicum = 150 hours clinical)
  
  • NURS 577 - Acute/Emergent Care II


    Course under development
    10 credit hours
    (5 credit hours as didactic & 5 credit hours as practicum = 250 hours clinical)
  
  • NURS 578 - Acute/Emergent Care III


    Course under development
    5 credit hours
    (5 credit hours as practicum = 250 hours clinical)
  
  • NURS 579 - Transition to Advanced Practice


    Course under development
    3 credit hours

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist Track

  
  • NURS 526 - Adult Health Theory


    This course is designed to synthesize theories from nursing and relevant disciplines to provide the basis for understanding adult health. Assessment, diagnosis and management of culturally diverse adults with acute and chronic illnesses will be examined.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 527 - Practicum – Acute


    Synthesis and application of theories of acute illness. Implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines and underlying research-based evidence in acute illness and symptom management. Through the practicum experience, students assess, plan, execute, and evaluate evidence-based care protocols within interdisciplinary environments. Preparation for the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse delivering care to a diverse population experiencing an acute illness will be integrated throughout the practicum.
    4 credit hours
    (150 clinical hrs.) (1 credit hours as didactic and 3 credit hour as practicum = 150 hours)
  
  • NURS 528 - Practicum – Chronic


    Synthesis and application of theories of chronicity. Implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines and underlying research-based evidence in chronic disease and symptom management. Through the practicum experience, students assess, plan, execute, and evaluate evidence-based care protocols within interdisciplinary environments. Preparation for the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse delivering care to a diverse population experiencing an a chronic illness will be integrated throughout the practicum.
    4 credit hours
    (150 clinical hrs.) (1 credit hours as didactic and 3 credit hour as practicum = 150 hours)
  
  • NURS 529 - Adult Health


    Synthesis and application of relevant practice theories. Implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines and underlying research-based evidence applicable to targeted patient populations. Through the practicum experience, students assess, plan, execute, and evaluate evidence-based care protocols within interdisciplinary environments. Expansion of the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse delivering care to a diverse, targeted population will be integrated in this practicum
    5 credit hours
    (Practicum of choice, 200 clinical hrs.) (1 credit hours as didactic and 4 credit hour as practicum = 200 hours)

Family Nurse Practitioner Track

  
  • NURS 570 - Primary Care I


    This course provides the nurse practitioner student with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver primary health care across the lifespan within the context of family and community through a didactic and clinical experience. Emphasis is placed upon the application of evidence based clinical decision making, problem identification and management, health promotion, and client and family health education. Basic concepts and knowledge needed to assess and manage common health problems are covered. Multi-faceted outcome-based interventions including complementary and alternative therapies, health education and health promotion will be explored within the context of a multidisciplinary team approach.
    8 credit hours
    (5 credit hours as didactic and 3 credit hour as practicum = 150 hours)
  
  • NURS 571 - Primary Care II


    Course under development
    10 credit hours
    (5 credit hours didactic & 5 credit hours practicum= 250 clinical hours)
  
  • NURS 572 - Primary Care III


    Course under development
    5 credit hours
    (250 clinical hours)

Nursing Administration Track

  
  • NURS 550 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior


    Examines organizational behavior and the impact of leadership on the individuals, groups and organizational structure in health care. Organizational behavior is the study of the dynamics of individuals and groups within an organizational structure grounded in values and beliefs. This course will examine this concept at the individual and group or micro-level and at the organizational or macro-level through a meso-perspective which integrates concepts of organizational behavior and organizational theory. Five meso elements are identified: 1) drivers of change, 2) alignment, 3) processes, 4) leadership, and 5) people as critical to the successful transformation of healthcare organizations.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 551 - Concepts of Nursing Administration


    Introduces the student to the leadership and management roles and functions for the practice of Nursing Administration. The focus of the course is on the specialty of nursing administration and leadership and management competencies in the area of communication, relationship building, business skills and principles and professionalism. Key concepts, research and best practices will be explored and opportunities for theory application and learning will be utilized.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 552 - Health Care Environments


    Explores current issues and trends in health care and concepts of policy and politics in health care; laws and regulations governing health care and nurse practice; the role of federal and state government; governance models; the role of health care institutions in the community and access to care; and challenges facing nursing administrators. These concepts are explored from the perspective of various health care delivery environments including urban and rural settings, free standing health care clinics, hospitals, long term care and rehabilitative services.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 554 - Integration of Nursing Administration Concepts I


    Integration of Nursing Administration of Concepts I is the first course in a two-course series serving as the culminating event or capstone of the Nursing Administration program. The course draws concepts from across the nursing Administration curriculum and introduces concepts of strategic planning, systems thinking, marketing, policies/regulations, crisis management, advocacy, and information management. The concepts are presented through authentic learning experiences in nursing administration.
    3 credit hours
    (2 credit hours as didactic and 1 credit hour as practicum = 50 hours)
  
  • NURS 555 - Integration of Nursing Administration Concepts II


    Integration of Nursing Administration of Concepts is the second course in a two course series serving as the culminating event or capstone of the Nursing Administration program. The course draws concepts from across the Nursing Administration curriculum utilizing authentic learning experiences in nursing management and administration.
    3 credit hours
    (1 credit hours as didactic and 2 credit hour as practicum = 100 hours)
  
  • NURS 556 - Finance of Health Care


    Course under development
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 557 - Economics of Health Care


    Course under development
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 598 - Scholarly manuscript completion *


    If the scholarly manuscript is not satisfactory completed at the time of course completion, students must enroll in NURS 598 (see policy )

Nursing Education Track

  
  • NURS 526 - Adult Health Theory


    This course is designed to synthesize theories from nursing and relevant disciplines to provide the basis for understanding adult health. Assessment, diagnosis and management of culturally diverse adults with acute and chronic illnesses will be examined.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 530 - Adult Health Practicum


    Synthesis and application of relevant practice theories. Implementation and evaluation of Adult Health content in the educational arena. Through the practicum experience, students assess, plan, execute, and evaluate evidence-based care protocols for inclusion within educational environments.
    2 credit hours
    (2 credit hour as practicum = 100 hours)
  
  • NURS 542 - Curriculum and Program Development


    Models and issues of curriculum design and program development will be analyzed. Nursing curriculum design in higher education and program development will be explored. Influences of accreditation requirements as well as societal and practice requirements will also be discussed
    2 credit hours
  
  • NURS 543 - Assessment, Measure and Evaluation


    Focuses on elements of assessment, measurement, and evaluation of leaning and program outcomes in the areas of higher education, staff development/continuing education and consumer education Research and cultural aspects relevant to assessment, measurement and evaluation will be explored.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 546 - Theoretical Foundations of the Instructional Process


    This course focuses on the art and science of instruction, with an emphasis on examining the theories of teaching and learning. Educational resources and instructional methods will be analyzed. The course emphasizes the cultural aspects of the teaching-learning process.
    3 credit hours
  
  • NURS 547 - Educator Practicum


    Focuses on the advanced nurse practice role in education. The theories and current issues impacting the roles of nursing educators will be explored. Professional standards, values, and awareness of cultural diversity are incorporated into role development as the student learns the diverse role of the nurse educator. The course offers supervised practice of teaching in higher education, staff development/continuing education and consumer education. All Master’s Program courses Approved 25 April 05/updates Dec 07 Graduate Council
    3 credit hours
    (3 credit hour as practicum = 150 hours)