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MS & Post-MS Course Descriptions
NURS 501 Pathophysiological and Pharmacology Bases for Nursing Practice
5 Credits
This course focuses on the pathophysiologic disruption to system functioning and on the use of therapeutic drugs in the health care setting. This course will provide an understanding of the Therapeutic Experiment and the role of the nurse in managing drug therapy. The student applies previously acquired knowledge in human anatomy and physiology as well as other basic sciences. The course contributes to the scientific basis for nursing practice. Prerequisite: None
NURS 503 Health Assessment
3 credits
This course is designed to provide the nursing student with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess individual health as a multi-dimensional expression of bio-psycho-social-cultural well being. Course content will reflect a functional health and systems approach to nursing assessment of humans through all developmental stages. Prerequisite: None
NURS 505 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice
4 credits
This didactic, laboratory, clinical and seminar course introduces students t the concepts of contemporary professional nursing. The student is guided in the application of theory to clinical practice and in the development of cognitive, psychomotor, communication, and therapeutic skills necessary to address common needs and responses of persons experiencing various health states. Prerequisite NURS 503
NURS 507 Clinical Nurse Leader Role
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the nursing profession with an emphasis on the evolving role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) as an entry-level master’s prepared professional nurse clinician. Course content builds on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) CNL role delineation. Students will gain knowledge of educational patterns in nursing and the development of the CNL role within the profession. Major issues and trends in nursing will be explored including the scope of practice of the CNL and its potential impact on patient care. The course will introduce students to the legal and ethical contexts of nursing practice and quality improvement. Students will gain beginning understanding of concepts applicable to the CNL role, including lateral integration of care, case management, risk anticipation, outcome assessment, patient education and others. Special emphasis will be placed on the introduction of patient care leadership concepts and the development of basic skills and competencies in problem solving, decision-making, group dynamics, coordination, delegation, collaboration, interdisciplinary communication, and advocacy. Contemporary issues influencing the nursing profession and the CNL role will be explored. Pre/Co-requisites: NURS 505
NURS 508 Community/Public Health Nursing for the Clinical Nurse Leader
5 credits: 3 didactic/2 clinical
This course provides the foundational principles of community and public health nursing using theory, analytics skills, and related clinical experiences. Global, federal, and state and local public health priorities and policy options are examined to illustrate the nursing process for the care of communities and population. The sciences providing the evidence base for community and public health assessment, intervention, and evaluation are integrated into the course. These include introductory epidemiology; community based participatory research (including cultural awareness and competence), nursing and social sciences and qualitative methods. Ethical principles and concepts of social justice are incorporated by analyzing the origins of health disparities especially in cases of special (vulnerable) populations. The U.S. public health system is analyzed relative to the Alma Ata Declaration, U.S. health goals, local emergency preparedness, populations’ access to care, and cost. The historical, current, and future role of nurses who care for populations by empowering individuals, families, and communities is critically analyzed. Students apply evidence based interventions in a variety of public and private clinical settings. Prerequisites: NURS 501, NURS 503, NURS 505, NURS 507, NURS 625 Co-requisite: NURS 509, NURS 511, 736
NURS 509 The Childbearing Family for the Clinical Nurse Leader
5 Credits
This course provides an understanding of prenatal, women and family nursing principles through classroom and seminar experiences. Course content builds on the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses’ Standards and Guidelines and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role delineation. An evidence-based practice approach is used and emphasis is placed on the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the childbearing experience. Course content includes patient centered care and examination of the societal and technological issues that influence women and childbearing families. Students will apply theory into clinical practice through nursing care experiences with antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartum families in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Prerequisites: NURS 503, NURS 505 Co-requisites: NURS 508, NURS 511
NURS 511 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for the Clinical Nurse Leader
5 credits
This course provides an understanding of psychiatric and mental health nursing principles through classroom and related clinical experiences in a variety of settings. Course content builds on the American Nurses Association’s of Colleges of Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role delineation. Using an integrated biological. Psychological, sociocultural, environmental, and spiritual approach, students will learn interventions for the care of individuals and groups with psychiatric disorders. Empirical, aesthetic, ethical, and personal ways of knowing are explored as a basis for understanding the holistic needs of persons with psychiatric disorders. Current research, theory, and biological foundations of psychiatric disorders are introduced. Evidence-based interventions, issues of professional and personal involvement in psychiatric mental health nursing, and legal and ethical implications of caring for persons with psychiatric disorders are discussed. The course requires the clinical application of communication, interpersonal, crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral, and motivational interviewing theory and skills. Students apply psychopharmacological principles, critical thinking, patient education skills, support, advocacy and caring in the clinical setting. The therapeutic use of self and the leadership role of the CNL are emphasized. The course provides opportunities for students to learn to function as beginning CNLs in the roles of professional, clinician, outcomes manager, advocate, educator, and life-long learner. Prerequisites: NURS 501, NURS 503, NURS 505, NURS 507, NURS 625
NURS 514 Adult Health Nursing
6 credits
This course is designed to introduce Clinical Nurse Leader students to the application of the nursing process for clients in acute care units. Topics fundamentals to the provision of client-centered nursing care in the adult acute care environment will be covered. Lectures, discussion, and clinical application will be used to address topics relevant to beginning nursing practice as a clinical nurse leader. Prerequisite: NURS 501, NURS 503, NURS 505.
NURS 517 Nursing Care of Infants and Children: Family Perspective
4 credits
This course provides an understanding of how family-centered atraumatic care in the pediatric setting facilitates the health and well being of infants, children adolescents and their families. The biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the child within the context of the family unit are examined. The strength and the competence of the family are enhanced through emphasis on the development of mutuality and partnerships between the pediatric nurse and the parents. Current pediatric health issues related to wellness and illness are examined utilizing an evidence-based practice approach. Clinical experiences will afford the CNL student the opportunity to provide nursing care across the continuum of pediatric health care services meeting the physical and psychological needs of infants, children and adolescents in primary, acute, critical and chronic care settings. Opportunities are provided through a variety of clinical experience for the development and refinement of assessment skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as nursing intervention strategies. Prerequisites: NURS 501, NURS 503, NURS 505, NURS 507, and NURS 625
NURS 523 Clinical Nurse Leader Emphasis Practicum
8 Credits
This course is the capstone clinical practicum and seminar taken in the final semester of the Clinical Nurse Leadership program of study to facilitate the transition from nursing student to clinical nurse leader. Analysis and synthesis of information from all coursework is applied to the delivery of organized, safe, efficient, outcomes oriented nursing care in a variety of clinical situations. The components of the course are the clinical and leadership preceptorship, critical thinking, and career planning. The course provides the student with opportunities to apply knowledge from nursing courses (they may also apply previous knowledge fro mother spheres) and critical thinking skills to clinical situations, patient care leadership, and case studies. The student works with a clinical preceptor to develop, implement and evaluate objectives specific to the clinical patient care and leadership in the emphasis area. Prerequisites: All program courses are prerequisites to NURS 523 except NURS 701 and NURS 622. NURS 525 must be taken concurrently. This course is taken during the last semester of the program of study.
NURS 525 Leadership In Clinical Nursing Practice
3 credits
This course focuses on the leadership roles and management functions expected of the clinical nurse leader in a contemporary healthcare environment. Organizational, economic, regulatory and interpersonal factors that impact nursing practice are explored. The administrative process is emphasized as a framework for analyzing concepts and principles such as system theory, fiscal principles, quality improvement methodologies, planned change and the principle attributes of professionalism, among others. Stress is placed on the development of critical thinking skills and the identification of nursing leadership and research implications. The integration of leadership and management theory and the social responsibility of the nursing profession are emphasized. Prerequisites/Co-requisite NURS 507 and one major clinical course such as, NURS 509, NURS 508, NURS 511, NURS 514 and NURS 517.
NPHY 600 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology
3 credits
Focuses on the study of selected areas in normal human physiology and pathophysiology. Emphasis is on the analysis of normal function using a problem solving process. The course covers major regulating and integrative mechanisms and examples of nonoptimal to pathological function to explain a conceptual approach to the physiologic basis of nursing practice. The course builds upon a basic knowledge of physiology.
NPHY 601 Cancer Genetics and Pathophysiology
3 credits
Covers the principles of cell biology, genetics, and pathophysiology of cancer, and the application of those principles to particular cancer sites. Emphasis is on understanding the multiple cellular pathways that may lead to malignant transformation and the heterogeneity of cancer as a disease and as a target for therapy. The class discusses manipulation of the pathways of malignant transformation for prevention of cancer and then examines the site-specific cancers with a detailed discussion of their particular pathophysiology. Prerequisite: NPHY 600 and NURS 629 or NURS 610.
NPHY 608 Reproduction Physiology
2 credits
Provides more extensive knowledge of human reproduction and the physiologic function of the newborn infant. The course presents examples of pathophysiology, focusing on developing a scientific client assessment of needs and selecting regulatory processes for the care of clients with complex physical needs. Topics include reproduction, growth, oxygenation, circulation, motion, motility, and elimination. Prerequisite: NPHY 600.
NPHY 610 Methods and Principles of Applied Physiology
3 credits
Provides students with a deeper base of scientific knowledge that correlates physiology and corresponding alterations to a process of clinical diagnosis and management. The course elaborates on specific pathophysiologic principles and a study of disease entities. It also provides exercises in applying epidemiological knowledge in clinical practice and preventive health settings. Prerequisite: NPHY 600.
NPHY 612 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
3 credits
This course provides graduate level content of physiology and pathophysiology that is necessary for understanding the scientific basis of advanced practice nursing and more advanced clinical courses in a variety of settings. Structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs that underlie selected diseases are discussed. The student will gain an understanding of the mechanisms underlying diseases and their clinical manifestations, thus providing a basis for clinical decisions related to diagnostic test and initiation of therapeutic regimens. Pathogenesis of disease will be related to principles of health promotion and disease prevention. The course contributes to the scientific basis for advanced practice nursing.
NPHY 614 Physiology of Aging
2 credits
Covers cell biology, metabolic process, cardiovascular, and neurobiological aspects of aging, and the pathophysiological basis for health problems of older adults. The course covers alterations at the cell, organ, and system levels to provide the basis for clinical management of common health problems. Prerequisite: NPHY 600 or DPHS 611 or equivalent.
NPHY 620 Pathophysiological Alterations in the Critically Ill
2 credits
This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of specific pathophysiologic processes often experienced by critically ill patients. Learning is reinforced during scheduled time in critical care areas where the students analyze and evaluate patients demonstrating some of the pathophysiologic problems discussed during the didactic portion of the class. Regularly scheduled clinical seminar presentations done by the student permits the student to apply theoretical knowledge to specific situations. Prerequisites: NPHY 612,NURS 605, NURS 623 and NURS 723.
NURS 622: Systems and Populations in Health Care Delivery
3 credits
This core course provides an analysis of critical issues in health care and population health. An overview of the design and structure of the U.S. health care system is presented including the policy, regulatory, financial, technological and social dynamics impacting health care organizations, health care professionals and consumers of health care services. Building on knowledge of the health care system, the epidemiological basis for local and national health care trends are examined. Issues of cultural diversity, health disparities, and social justice in health care are analyzed. Strategies to enable advanced practice nurses to influence policy and resource allocation to improve health are explored. The course should be taken early in the program of study.
NURS 630 FPI: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
2 credits
Focuses on health promotion and disease prevention strategies for culturally diverse clients across the life span. The course addresses the health promotion role of the family nurse practitioner in primary care and integrates the goals of Healthy People 2010. By emphasizing the multi-dimensionality of health promotion and disease prevention within emergent family systems, the course teaches students to synthesize data to formulate a comprehensive management plan for clients across the life span. Prerequisites: NURS 605 and 610. Concurrent: NURS 631.
NURS 631 FPI: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Practicum
2 credits
Emphasizes clinical implementation of health promotion and disease intervention strategies for culturally diverse clients across the life span. Concentrating on the health promotion role of the family nurse practitioner, the practicum provides multiple opportunities for clinical interventions of the goals of Healthy People 2010 in primary care settings. Students learn how to synthesize data and formulate a comprehensive management plan for clients and families. Prerequisites: NURS 605 and 610. Concurrent: NURS 630.
NURS 632 FPII: Clinical Management of Common Health Care Problems
3 credits
Focuses on developing a sound knowledge base for the effective diagnosis and management of selected acute, commonly occurring health care problems encountered throughout the life span. The didactic component integrates pathophysiology, psychopathology, and pharmacotherapeutics, with growth and developmental concepts within the context of family theory. It emphasizes the critical thinking skills required to distinguish cases manageable by the family nurse practitioner, versus those needing collaboration and referral to other providers. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 660, and 723. Concurrent: NURS 633 and 723.
NURS 633 FPIII: Practicum for the Clinical Management of Common Health Care Problems
5 credits
Focuses on the clinical application of critical diagnostic reasoning skills in the case management of acute, commonly occurring health care problems encountered across the life span. The practicum emphasizes the clinical integration of pathophysiology, psychopathology, pharmacotherapeutics, family theory, health promotion, and growth and developmental processes within culturally diverse family practice settings. It stresses the diagnostic and therapeutic role of the family nurse practitioner in primary care. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 660, and 723. Concurrent: NURS 632 and 723.
NURS 634 Advanced Health Assessment of Older Adults
2 credits
Assists students in developing the knowledge and skills necessary for the beginning level of the gerontological nurse in advanced practice roles. The focus is on the health assessment of the older adult and the clinical reasoning skills to differentiate normal from abnormal changes. Exploration of the advanced practice nursing roles (practitioner and specialist) in a variety of health care settings helps the students' role transition and realistic understanding of these advanced practice roles. Enrollment is limited to students in the gerontological nursing tracks. Prerequisite or concurrent: NPHY 600. Concurrent: NURS 605.
NURS 635 Practicum in Perinatal/Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialization
4 credits
Focuses on the application of theory from the areas of perinatal/neonatal nursing and clinical nurse specialization to clinical practice. Through supervised seminars and preceptored clinical experiences, the student carries out the role of the perinatal/neonatal clinical nurse specialist. Prerequisites: NURS 639, 649, and 743.
NURS 636 Clinical Diagnosis and Management of the Older Adult
6 credits
Prepares the student to function as a gerontological nurse practitioner in an ambulatory, long-term, or acute care setting with older adults with common acute and chronic health problems. The student applies assessment skills, laboratory, and diagnostic methods, and clinical diagnostic reasoning skills in caring for older adults with common health problems. Treatment strategies, which include selection of pharmacotherapeutic agents emphasize promoting the total well-being of the older adult (physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and environmental components). Prerequisites: NPHY 612, NURS 625, NURS 605 and NURS 634. Prerequisite or co-requisite: NPHY 614, NURS 723
NURS 637 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
3 credits
Provides advanced knowledge of commonly-prescribed pharmacologic agents in the care of older adults for nurses preparing for advanced practice roles in gerontological nursing. The course covers rationale for appropriate, safe, and effective pharmacologic agents in the treatment of selected health problems in aging; clinical considerations in the selection, initiation, maintenance, and discontinuation of drug treatment as they relate to the older adult; and legal implications of pharmacotherapy. Prerequisite: NURS 634. Concurrent: NURS 636.
NURS 638 Special Problems in Perinatal/Neonatal Nursing
1-3 credits
Provides for alternate learning experiences: independent study, development of specific clinical competencies, classes focusing on a variety of topics, or topics of an interdepartmental nature within the broad category of maternity nursing. Students may register for varying amounts of credit ranging from 1 to 3 credits per semester with a maximum of 6 credits per degree.
NURS 639 Advanced Nursing of the Childbearing Family and Neonate
4 credits
Introduces the role of the neonatal nurse practitioner/clinician in the management of normal and high-risk families and infants. Focuses on developing skills in physical and psychosocial assessment of childbearing families during all phases of the childbearing process: antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and the neonatal period. Emphasis is on events during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum period that affect the neonate and on application of the advanced nursing role in improving outcomes and care of these families, particularly the family at risk. Prerequisite or concurrent: NPHY 600.
NURS 640 FPIII: Management of Complex Health Care Problems
2 credits
Focuses on the disease management of complex, chronic health care problems in clients across the life span. The course integrates pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, growth and development, and health promotion into the context of culturally diverse family practice settings. This didactic component emphasizes the ongoing development of critical thinking skills for comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for chronic health care problems in children and adults. Refinement of clinical diagnostic reasoning skills addresses differentiating between those chronic manageable cases that fall within the family nurse practitioner scope of practice and others that require referral to or collaboration with other health care providers. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 632, 633, 660, and 723. Concurrent: NURS 644.
NURS 641 Cancer Management
3 credits
This is the last of three didactic courses required for completion of the Masters' specialty track for advanced practice in oncology nursing. Strategies for cure of cancer, treatment of non-curable cancer, and management of commonly encountered symptoms and side effects due to the cancer itself or to the treatment are discussed using relevant clinical research. Prerequisites: NPHY 601 and NURS 629 and 723.
NURS 643 Advanced Nursing of Children I
3 credits
Emphasizes the role of the advanced practice nurse in the managed care of acutely ill infants, children, and adolescents. The focus of this clinical course is use of the nursing process, advanced psychophysiological assessment skills, diagnostic skills, pharmacological management, and treatment plans for children with acute health needs. Emphasis is on the needs of families when children suffer acute illness or trauma and community resources that can help them. Critical pathways are the basis for exploring needs of children and families. Offered summer session. Prerequisites: NURS 611, 710, 711, 713, and 714.
NURS 644 FPIII: Practicum for the Clinical Management of Complex Health Care Problems
3 credits
Focuses on the case management of complex, chronic health care problems in clients across the life span. The practicum emphasizes the effective implementation of critical thinking skills for age appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic health care problems encountered with culturally diverse clients in a variety of community family practice settings. It stresses the role of the family nurse practitioner in differentiating between manageable chronic cases and the more complex clinical manifestations that require referral or consultation with other health care providers. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 632, 633, 660, and 723. Concurrent: NURS 640.
NURS 645 Advanced Nursing of Children II
5 credits
Focuses on the emerging role of the advanced practice pediatric nurse and the delivery of primary care within the reconceptualization of the health care system. This clinical course involves synthesis of all prior course work, application of critical thinking to the clinical arena, use of the nursing process, and advanced physical assessment skills. Emphasis is on tertiary care-based services. Prerequisite: NURS 611, 643, 710, 711, 713, and 714.
NURS 646 Advanced Practice Role
2 credits
Focuses on the emerging role of the advanced practice nurse. Areas of emphasis are role realignment, organizational theory, legal and ethical decisions, and management issues in the health care system. Prerequisites: NURS 611, 710, 713, and 714.
NURS 647 Diagnosis and Management I: Common Acute Care Problems of Adults
5 credits
Students gain knowledge and skills necessary to practice at the beginning level as advanced practice nurses with adult populations in acute care settings. Emphasizes the development of the role of advanced practice nurses, skills in diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making, and the examination of theoretical and empirical bases for advanced nursing practice. Direct practice content focuses on health problems commonly encountered in acutely ill and injured individuals. Indirect practice content focuses on the critical analysis of medical and nursing inventions commonly used with acutely ill adults. Role content integrates topics related to clinical specialists providing opportunities for the development of diagnostic reasoning and beginning management of common acute care problems. Prerequisites: NPHY 600 and 601 and NURS 605, 708, 723, and 724. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 723.
NURS 648 Special Problems in Nursing of Children
1-3 credits
Provides alternate learning experiences: independent study, development of specific clinical competencies, classes focusing on a variety of topics, or topics of an interdepartmental nature within the broad category of nursing of children. Students may register for varying amounts of credit ranging from 1 to 3 credits per semester with a maximum of 6 credits per degree.
NURS 649 Advanced Nursing of the High-Risk Neonate
1-6 credits
Students gain knowledge and skills necessary to care for infants at risk in clinical settings. Emphasis is on the development of a physiologic basis for managing care of the high-risk neonate. Topics include embryology, pathophysiology, and management. Students expand their skills in providing and managing care of the high-risk neonate. Role development continues as students explore the impact that the neonatal nurse practitioner has on improving services to high-risk infants and their families within the neonatal intensive care unit. Prerequisite: NURS 639. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 743.
NURS 655 Orientation to Critical Concepts in Family Therapy
2 credits
Orientation to various methods and techniques of family therapy directed toward the delineation of family systems and the identification of possible directions and methods of effecting changes in such systems. Includes a seminar in family concepts related to different family therapy theorists. Students begin to identify personal operating positions on family theory and therapy. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 656 and 667.
NURS 656 Practicum in Clinical Concepts in Family Therapy
3 credits
Students apply ideas of family therapy in a clinical setting and assess multiple families. Students use and evaluate theoretically-grounded techniques. Students analyze barriers to the therapeutic use of self and family therapy theorists begin to identify a personal operating position on family theory and therapy. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 655.
NURS 658 Special Problems in Adult Psychiatric Nursing
1-3 credits
Provides alternate learning experiences: independent study, development of specific clinical competencies, classes focusing on a variety of topics, or topics of an interdepartmental nature within the area of adult psychiatric nursing. Students may register for varying amounts of credit ranging from 1 to 3 credits per semester with a maximum of 6 credits per degree.
NURS 659 Organizational and Professional Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice
1-3 credits
This core course provides content related to organizational and professional challenges experienced by nurses in advanced practice whether in clinical care, education, management, or research. The course examines professional, social and organizational factors that influence work of advanced practice nurses. Roles that advanced practice nurses assume are examined with a particular emphasis on leadership development. Leadership strategies address fiscal management; interdisciplinary, inter-and-intra-organizational collaboration; professional and business ethics; and quality improvement. The course encompasses advocacy for the profession and for clients, management of innovation and change, as well as the strategies and skills needed for working in groups. The course is intended to be taken concurrently with clinical courses.
NURS 660 Advanced Health Assessment: Family
4 credits
This clinical seminar focuses on the development of the advanced practice skills of interviewing and physical assessment of in the health care of children from infancy through adolescence. The course compliments the advanced health assessment of the adult course for the Family Nurse Practitioner student by including the pediatric component. Students will refine their pediatric assessment skills through a variety of learning experiences, including: clinical lecture/presentations, laboratory assignments, and guided clinical assessments of patients at age-appropriate clinical sites. Criterion-referenced performance evaluation will specify skills that must be mastered. Prerequisites: NPHY 610
NURS 661 Differential Diagnosis of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescence
3 credits
Students gain knowledge and learn skills needed to conduct advanced clinical assessments of children and adolescents with mental disorders. The course emphasizes a multidimensional process of assessment, including interpretation of psychological and behavioral scales, and cultural, legal, and referral recommendations into a comprehensive biopsychosocial diagnostic formulation and treatment plan. Three hours of fieldwork per week provide students with experience interviewing children and appropriately documenting findings. Students are encouraged to select clients for assessments from medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
NURS 662 Therapeutic Approaches with Children and Adolescents
2 credits
Covers evidence based therapeutic approaches designed for child and adolescent clients. Topics include assessment considerations for treating vulnerable youth, theoretical bases for nursing interventions, and review of psychometric instruments. Interventions analyzed will include use of play therapy, behavior management, crisis intervention, solution oriented brief therapy, social problem skills training, aggression management strategies, strength-based assessment and treatment, and parent training skills. Prerequisite: NURS 661.
NURS 663 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programs: Issues in Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
3 credits
Core course components include an overview of the evolution of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programs, a critical appraisal of the state of the science in their implementation and evaluation in clinical, community and research contexts, and an opportunity to create and critique plans for implementing and evaluating MBSR programs for a variety of target populations taking into account the state of the science.
Pre/Co-requisites: None
NURS 664 Therapeutic Interventions with Adults
3 credits
Introduces students to selected theoretical constructs and therapy processes related to short-term individual and group therapy frameworks. Students analyze and critique relevant research, clinical applications to special populations, and outcomes associated with the use of different frameworks. Topics include legal, cultural, and ethical implications of individual and group psychotherapy. Prerequisite: NURS 667. Concurrent: NURS 665.
NURS 665 Therapeutic Interventions across the Lifespan in
Mental Health Nursing Practicum
3 credits
This practicum course provides an opportunity for students to apply concepts of brief individual and group psychotherapy across the lifespan. Theoretically grounded brief individual and group therapy strategies form the basis of assessment, intervention and evaluation of treatment outcomes. Students have the opportunity to collaboratively develop therapeutic contracts and work with clients in individual and group therapies (8 hours field work per week +clinical supervision). Clinical supervision will provide students with the opportunity to critique treatment outcomes and therapeutic use of self in brief individual and group psychotherapy. Prerequisite or co-requisite: NURS 667, Co-requisite NURS 664
NURS 666 Biofeedback
3 credits
This course will be an entry-level, experiential course in biofeedback, self-regulatory training, and stress-management. The course covers the content areas of the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA) biofeedback certification exam. These include basic applied psychophysiology and self-regulation, psychophysiological assessment, biofeedback instrumentation, biofeedback training for various conditions, and issues of professional practice. Students will engage in a wide range of learning activities including lectures, discussions, experiential biofeedback and relaxation training. Students will ultimately be capable of designing brief biofeedback training protocols for patients with selected disorders.
NURS 667 Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders Across the Lifespan
4 credits
This core specialty course provides the student with the knowledge and skill to perform advanced clinical assessment of mental disorders using the DSM-IV. The course emphasizes a multidimensional approach to assessment that integrates behavioral and social data into a comprehensive clinical evaluation of behavioral dysfunction and mental disorders, with appropriate recommendations for treatment of individuals across the life span. The course incorporates the use and interpretation of psychological behavioral scales, laboratory tests, observational and interview data integrated with the latest scientific knowledge about the biopsychological and socio-cultural dimensions of mental disorders. Clinical applications, appropriate to the student’s population focus of study (adult, geriatric, child and adolescent) allow students to complete comprehensive clinical assessments related to the diagnosis and treatment of major mental disorders. Students are encouraged to select patients for clinical assessments from medically underserved and vulnerable populations. Prerequisite: None
NURS 669 Primary Care of Women
5-6 credits
Provides the knowledge and skills necessary for a nurse practitioner to manage health maintenance and nonlife-threatening disruptions specific to women throughout their life span. Emphasis is on collaboration with other health care providers. The content includes normal antepartum and postpartum care, contraception, menopause, and common gynecological disruptions including the prevention and treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases. Prerequisites: NPHY 600 and NURS 611 and 620. Prerequisite or concurrent for women's health students: NPHY 608.
NURS 670 Issues in School Health
3 credits
Analyzes the roles, responsibilities, current theoretical frameworks, and issues of nursing practice related to health promotion, health teaching, and maintenance of students in educational settings from kindergarten through college. Focus is on school health in its social, cultural, political, legal, and professional context.
NURS 671 Epidemiological Assessment Strategies
3 credits
Provides a contemporary approach to epidemiological ideas and methods. The course covers general considerations and laboratory application to data in specific situations. Open to nonnursing majors with consent of instructor. Prerequisite: statistics.
NURS 678 Environmental Health
3 credits
Provides an overview of environmental areas for study, emerging environmental issues, major health hazards, and identification of responsibilities for advanced practice nurses and other health professionals. Covers the history of environmental health legislation and regulatory agencies. The course uses a framework for analyzing major environmental health issues to explore how the environment can influence health. Identifies the need for interdisciplinary teamwork in assessment, diagnosis and communitywide or population-based health promotion and disease prevention interventions.
NURS 679 Advanced Practice Roles and Health Care Delivery Systems
3 credits
Supports, expands, and applies trauma and critical care expertise to clinical role functioning. The focus of this course is application and analysis of theories and research used by trauma and critical care advanced practice nurses to increase effectiveness of role functions. Students participate in selected health care settings for a practicum experience and work closely with agency and faculty mentors in evolving their role and related skills in education, clinical practice, management, consultation, and research. Prerequisite: two semesters of clinical course work.
NURS 680 Curriculum Development in Nursing
3 credits
Students identify and analyze factors that decide content and organization of curricula in schools of nursing and health care agencies. The course also addresses principles and processes of curriculum development for initiating and changing curricula. Curriculum components serve as unifying threads as students study and develop a curriculum. The course explores systematic evaluation of the curriculum.
NURS 682 Practicum for Advanced Clinical Practice
4 credits
Experience in clinical and classroom settings promotes the opportunity for development and increased skill in the total teaching-learning process. The course emphasizes effectiveness in the nurse educator role. Placement in junior colleges, baccalaureate programs, or professional development settings is arranged according to track selected. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 680.
NURS 683 Practicum for Advanced Clinical Practice
4 credits
Supervised experience is provided by each clinical program to prepare the graduate student to function in advanced practice roles. Placement may be in community or home settings, chronic and long-term care facilities and critical care areas. Prerequisites: NURS 621, NURS 622, NPHY 612. Concurrent: NURS 755.
NURS 685 Instructional Strategies and Skills
3 credits
Builds on content of teaching-learning theory and focuses on the analysis and development of teaching and learning strategies and skills in nursing education. Covers the relationship of content and learning style to instructional method with particular attention given to the selection, preparation, and use of media and modes appropriate to teaching in nursing. A mini-teaching approach shows student-teacher performance in a variety of teaching strategies. The course examines techniques for the evaluation of teacher and student. Prerequisite: NURS 680 or consent of instructor.
NURS 686 Principles and Practices of Client/Family Teaching
3 credits
Focuses on principles and practices of client and family teaching that foster the behavior required to maximize the health potential of those experiencing acute or chronic illness. The course considers the entire process of client and family teaching during the illness episode. The course explores the influence of values, attitudes, and beliefs on compliance. Students may develop teaching plans according to their area of interest.
NURS 689 Special Problems in Clinical Specialization
1-3 credits
Independent study in any area of clinical specialization. Students may register for varying amounts of credit ranging from 1 to 3 credits per semester with a maximum of 6 credits per degree.
NURS 690 Managerial Health Finance
3 credits
Focuses on the role and responsibility of the administrator in fiscal management of health care institutions in both the public and private sectors. Students gain resource management and accountability training. The course emphasizes conceptual and practical issues related to health care economics, financial management, and budget preparation.
NURS 691 Organization Theory: Application to Nursing Management
3 credits
Serves as a foundation for other curriculum offerings in nursing administration with a focus on social science theories and administrative elements of planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating. The course covers management principles and issues related to organizational behavior in the health care industry. The course includes simulation, small group exercises, self-assessment instruments, and audio-visual aids.
NURS 692 Administration of Nursing Service
3 credits
Focuses on professional organizational dynamics of administration such as strategic planning, resource analysis, quality improvement, grievance and labor relations, and prototype technology impacting future health care systems. Case analysis ensures analytical thinking and relevancy. Business planning stimulates the thoughtful development and analysis of decisions designed to guide organizational futures. Prerequisite: NURS 691.
NURS 694 Theory and Practice in Nurse Administration
4 credits
Prepares students for first- or middle-management nursing positions. Exposes students to nursing administration leadership in real-world settings. Students request their preferred type of practice setting and faculty members arrange them. Examples of settings include: hospitals, primary care, long-term care, managed care organizations, and nurse-managed centers. Students work with a preceptor a minimum of 160 hours during the semester and attend two-hour weekly seminars to integrate theory into practice. Time is allotted for empirical study of a specific problem or content area within the scope of nursing administration. Prerequisites: NURS 690, 691, 692, and 736.
NURS 695 Practicum in Health Services Leadership and Management
5 credits
This is the concluding course of the Health Services Leadership and Management track preparing students for advanced or executive leadership and management responsibilities in selected health care organizations. Course content builds and integrates theoretical knowledge and skills acquired in pre-requisite coursework. The course centers on an intense administrative/management practicum (minimum of 150 hours for the semester). The field setting provides a backdrop for students to participate in and discuss a wide range of possible organizational forms with varying levels of system integration existing in today’s health care environment. In additions, the practicum allows students to integrate into organizations at the administrative/management level to observe and put into practice a range of leadership tasks. Discussions and written assignments provided the students with the opportunity for comparative analysis of theoretical and conceptual principles and those experienced in the field setting. Individual aspects of the practicum will be negotiated between the student, preceptor, and faculty facilitator. Students are encouraged to maximize learning experiences and be as flexible as possible. Prerequisites: NURS 690, NURS 691 and NURS 692.
NURS 696 Maryland State Health Policy and Nursing
3 credits
Gives students a deeper understanding of the state legislature and its impact on the nursing profession and health policy. Meeting in Annapolis where policy meets politics, students gain an understanding of the importance of advocacy; the dynamics between the executive, legislative, and regulatory branches of government; the leadership strategy of legislators who are nurses; and the organizational dynamics of policy. Prerequisite: NURS 606.
NURS 697 Nursing and Health Policy Theory
3 credits
Focuses on the analysis, formulation, and use of health policy viewed from a historical perspective with an examination of current issues in nursing and health care. Emphasis is on the role of nurses in influencing policy decisions and on socializing graduate nursing students to policy roles. The course examines the role of nurse policy analyst and students interview nurses employed in this role to decide how nursing background and experience contribute to their effective functioning in the health policy arena. Prerequisite: **POSI 601. Concurrent: **ECON 652 and **POSI 602.
NURS 698 Special Problems in Nursing Administration
1-3 credits
Develops further competency in the area of administration. Students may register for 1 to 3 credits per semester, with a maximum of 6 credits per degree.
NURS 699 Theory and Practice in Nursing-Health Policy
6 credits
Students enhance their policy-related skills through observation and direct participation in the policy process within a governmental or private agency that deals with health care issues. Placement is in accord with students' special policy interest in the nursing and health care field. Course content and seminar discussion builds upon the students' knowledge base in policy science, health economics, and health services research. Students integrate a professional nursing perspective with a policy-analyst role in this capstone course. Prerequisite: NURS 697.
NURS 701 Science and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice
4 credits
Focuses on the acquisition, evaluation, and interpretation of information designed to link nursing theory and science as a foundation for advanced nursing practice. Working from a body of literature related to broad- and middle-range theoretical frameworks, students are actively involved in an ongoing program of research critique with emphasis on applications to and implications for nursing practice, consideration of the usefulness of selected theories and research for relevance to nursing practice, and the development of beginning skills to become actively involved in selected research activities.
NURS 704 Program Evaluation in Nursing
3 credits
Introduces students to various models and approaches available for the evaluation of nursing programs in both educational and service settings. Class discussions focus on the components of various models, their relative strengths and weaknesses, and their utility for the evaluation of nursing programs. The course provides opportunities to assess program evaluation efforts in nursing.
NURS 708 Introduction to Intrapartum Midwifery
1 credit
This introductory course prepares the nurse-midwifery student to begin the skills required for the nurse-midwife’s role as a provider of safe and effective care to women and newborns during the essentially normal process of labor and birth. Students will lean to nurse-midwifery model in the provision of care and health promotion to healthy women during intrapartum and their newborns. This course will emphasize the techniques and controversies associated with caring for the essentially normal woman and her infant during intrapartum. In addition, issues such as risk assessment and collaboration with other health professionals are addressed. Prerequisites: NURS 717
NURS 709 Managed Care Services
1-4 credits
Provides an analysis of the health care environment in managed care, evaluation of patient service models, techniques for resource identification and acquisition, and methods to standardize and evaluate care. The course is foundational to understanding case management from an organizational and administrative process perspective. A 1 credit practicum (optional for nonadministration majors) provides on-site precepted experience with case managers.
NURS 710 Health Supervision of the Well Child I
3 credits
Provides the beginning preparation for the student to assume the role of primary care provider for children up to 10 years of age. The course provides an in-depth analysis of theories and behavior about health promotion and the advanced practice role. Emphasis is on normal growth and development and the role of the advanced practice nurse as an educator. Prerequisite: NURS 611.
NURS 711 Health Supervision of the Well Child II
3 credits
Provides the beginning preparation for the student to assume the role of a primary care provider for adolescents. Emphasis is on normal growth and development and the role of the advanced practice nurse as a collaborator and researcher. Prerequisite: NURS 710.
NURS 712 Quality in Health Care
3 credits
Presents a comprehensive practical overview of the ideas, tools, and organizational models used to improve the quality of all products and services in health care. The course illustrates ideas, principles, and philosophies with applications from the clinical setting. Content is useful for nurses who will provide leadership in clinical practice, management, or education.
NURS 713 Common Health Problems of Children I
3 credits
Focuses on selected health problems of children frequently encountered in ambulatory settings and the underlying alterations in health equilibrium. Emphasis is on problem identification, application of appropriate regulatory processes, and evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention. Prerequisite: NURS 611.
NURS 714 Common Health Problems of Children II
3 credits
Focuses on selected health care problems of children and the underlying alterations in health equilibrium. The problems are of a more complex nature than those studied in NURS 713, or more prevalent for older children and adolescents. Emphasis is on problem identification, application of appropriate regulatory processes, and evaluation of the effectiveness of invention. Prerequisite: NURS 611 and 713.
NURS 715 Advanced Primary Care of Children
5 credits
Helps integration and synthesis of material from all course work, material previously learned, and some new ideas about the pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care. Clinical experiences require that the student assume a more independent role in assessing and managing the health care of children from birth to adolescence as part of a multidisciplinary health care team. Prerequisites: NURS 611, 710, 711, and 714.
NURS 716 Diagnosis and Management in Adult Primary Care II
4 credits
Prepares the student to diagnose and manage complex health care needs of adults in primary care settings. Students refine diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making. Emphasis is on role issues on primary care nurse practitioners. Prerequisites: NURS 619 and 620. Concurrent: NURS 717.
NRSG 717 Ambulatory Midwifery
5 credits
This course offers a critical analysis and application of current women’s health theory, knowledge and research throughout the life cycle. The course also covers the nurse-midwife’s roles as a provider of safe and effective care to women during the essentially normal process of pregnancy. Evaluation, development and application of intervention models for gynecologic and prenatal care by the nurse-midwife are emphasized, as are health promotion, appropriate screening and risk assessment, cultural sensitivity, and family-centered care. Prerequisites: NURS 660
NURS 718 Women's Health Advanced Practice Nursing
3 credits
Provides the student with an opportunity to provide direct care to women across the life span. Focuses on carrying out advanced practice ideas for nursing care, theoretical models, and role components for the advanced practice women's health nurse. A variety of settings may include but are not limited to high-risk prenatal centers, ambulatory women's health centers, home care settings, and school-based centers. Open to women's health advanced practice students only.
NURS 719 Clinical Aspects of Drug Abuse
3 credits
Emphasizes information on commonly misused and abused psychoactive drugs, genesis of addiction, the clinical expression of addiction, and the use of various types of intervention, therapies, and supports. This course also offers 1 credit hour of advanced clinical nursing practicum to enhance the practice of master's prepared nurses faced with caring for clients who misuse or are addicted to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
NURS 720 Dual Diagnosis in Addictions Nursing
3 credits
Prepares the nurse for advanced practice in the differential assessment of, and appropriate interventions for, substance abuse with co-morbid emotional symptoms. Prerequisites: NURS 607 and 719.
NURS 723 Clinical Application of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Acute Care
3 credits
Students enhance their knowledge of commonly-prescribed pharmacologic agents used in the care of critically ill or oncology clients. Students critically analyze the role of pharmacotherapeutics in the care of the specific target population. Small group discussions and analyses of patient case scenarios ease the refinement of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills of the advanced practice nurse.
NURS 724 Special Problems
3 credits
Provides students with the opportunity to study a topic of interest within nursing and includes classes on a variety of special interest topics or topics of an interdepartmental nature.
NURS 726 Diagnosis and Management of Complex Acute Care Problems
4 credits
Provides students with advanced knowledge and skills necessary to function as acute care nurse practitioners. The course promotes refinement of skills in assessment, diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making, developing plans of care, and implementing nursing interventions for critically ill patients. The course analyzes the emerging role of the acute care nurse practitioner within the legal constraints of the health care delivery system. Students examine theoretical and empirical bases for diagnosing and managing adult patients with complex acute care problems. Clinical experiences focus on collaborative care of adult patients with complex health problems. Prerequisites: NURS 647.
NURS 727 Advanced Acute Care Management
4 credits
Emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and management of acutely ill adults with multi-system problems. Clinical experiences and seminar sessions help students integrate and synthesize previously-learned ideas in managing acutely ill adults across the continuum of acute care. Course emphasis is on increased independence and decision making in an interprofessional environment. The course explores clinical and professional practice issues. Prerequisites: NPHY 600 and 601 and NURS 605, 647, 723, and 726.
NURS 728 Legal and Regulatory Issues in Nursing
2-3 credits
Presents an overview of the legislative, regulatory, and judicial systems of our national and state governments as sources of health care law. The course covers court decisions on topics such as nursing malpractice, patients' rights, informed consent, termination of treatment, and assisted suicide. The course also covers laws affecting health care providers in the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Code of Maryland Regulations. Students meet with representatives to the Maryland General Assembly and attend a legislative hearing. Variable credit: 2 credit seminar, 1 credit special project.
NURS 729 Essentials of Managed Care
2-3 credits
An overview of ideas and principles fundamental to understanding a system dominated by managed care. The course examines health care environment, pertinent organizational structures, financing arrangements, disease management strategies, and accreditation mechanisms. Focus is on nursing implications, public policy reform initiatives, and ethical dilemmas. Variable credit: 2 credit seminar, 1 credit special project.
NRSG 729 Midwifery Primary Care Practicum I
2 credits
This course focuses on the clinical application of critical diagnostic reasoning skills in the case management of commonly occurring health problems encountered across the lifespan. This practicum emphasizes clinical integration of pathophysiology; pharmacotherapeutics; psychopathology; family theory; health promotion; and growth and developmental processes within diverse ambulatory care settings. It strengthens the diagnostic and therapeutic skills of the nurse-midwife in women’s and family health. Prerequisites: NURS 660, NURS 630 Co-requisites: NURS 632, NURS 714.
NURS 730 Environmental Health
3 credits
Provides an overview of environmental areas for study, emerging environmental issues, major health hazards and identification of responsibilities for advanced practice nurses and other health professionals. Reviews the history of environmental health legislation and regulatory agencies. Uses a framework for analyzing major environmental health issues to explore how the environment can influence health. Recognition of the need for interdisciplinary teamwork in assessment, diagnosis and community-wide or population-based health promotion/disease prevention interventions is highlighted. Prerequisites: None
NURS 731 FPIV: Integrative Management of Primary Health Care Problems
2 credits
The didactic component emphasizes the multifaceted implications of the role of the advanced practice nurse. It provides the forum for addressing the role issues encountered in primary care settings, comparing clinical experiences, implementing marketing strategies, and clarifying professional licensor, certification, and practice requirements. Individualized practice with designated preceptor(s) in culturally diverse settings reinforces the clinical opportunities required for family nurse practitioner role integration. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 632, 633, 640, 644, and 660. Concurrent: NURS 741.
NURS 732 Program Planning and Evaluation in Community/Public Health
3 credits
Focus is on the systematic inquiry of the foundations of advanced practice in community/public health program planning and evaluation. Emphasis is on the assessment, planning and evaluation of population/community focused health promotion/disease prevention programs and projects. Prerequisite: NURS 622, NURS 671, and NURS 701. Co-requisite: NURS 762. Permission of the Faculty.
NURS 733 Leadership in Community and Public Health
4 credits
This capstone course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate synthesis of prior learning, and mastery of new lead ship skills to assume management and senior leadership roles at all levels within the community/public health practice arena. The emphasis in this course is the development of leaders to assess and improve organizational structures, processes and outcomes; communicate and develop partnerships with public and private agencies and diverse communities, imitate and influence policy development and implementation; develop strategies for organizational and community leadership and empowerment; and create new opportunities for the organization and delivery of community health services to improve the health of the population. The course builds on and integrates prior knowledge and skills in epidemiological and community assessment methods, program planning and evaluation, interventions with high risk populations, and research skills obtained in prerequisites courses. The student outcomes include the development of (1) a scholarly, single authored; grant proposal; (2) a professionally created health message; and, (3) an organizational analysis with performance improvement initiatives, and a recommended 0strategic planning process. Prerequisites: NURS 671, NURS 761, NURS 732 and NURS 762. Co-requisite: NURS 753.
NURS 734 Advanced Diagnosis and Management of the Older Adult
7 credits
Students learn how to assess, diagnose, and treat older adults in a variety of settings. The course focuses on independent diagnosis and management of patients with complex or multiple problems. This course consists of parallel clinical experience and seminar sessions that help the student in integrating and synthesizing previously-learned ideas in the care of the older adult in the acute care, long-term care, and ambulatory-care settings. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 634, and 636.
NURS 735 Applied Toxicology
3 credits
Surveys the principles of toxicology that pertain to human health and the environment. Topics include a historical background of toxicology; principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination; effects of toxic agents, food additives, and pollutants, with effects on general and susceptible populations; risk communication; and the integration of these principles into public health practice. Prerequisite: NURS 730 or consent of instructor.
NURS 736 Computer Applications in Nursing and Health Care
3 credits
Fosters the use of computerized systems in nursing administration, education, and clinical practice. The course emphasizes information technology and an understanding of computer hardware and software technology. Focus is on social, ethical, and legal issues associated with information technology in a health care environment. Students use selected computer application packages to synthesize principles of computerized administrative systems to propose solutions to existing concerns in nursing.
NURS 737 Concepts in Nursing Informatics
3 credits
Emphasizes the skills of information technology applications and the principles and practices of nursing and health care informatics. Utilizes the organizing framework introduced in NURS 736 and incorporates themes of social context, technology, information and nursing and health care. Explores system selection, implementation, research and evaluation. Considers organizational theories in relation to information system planning, implementation and evaluation. Examines the analysis of health care data and its language, the management of ongoing information systems for health care and the use of technology standards in system development. Analyzes the impact of information systems on health provider roles and on emerging information technology roles. Learning activities include development of an RFP for an appropriate information system to meet identified health care needs, planning the implementation of an information system and identifying the impact of select trends on the design of health care information systems. Prerequisites: NURS 736 and NURS 786 or equivalent. Desired prerequisite: NURS 701
NURS 738 Practicum in Nursing Informatics
3 credits
Reinforces and enhances nursing information system specialist skills needed in analyzing, selecting, developing, using, and evaluating nursing information systems. Experiences also allow students to analyze the roles of their preceptors in relation to information technology and organizations. Placements are in accord with the student's career goals and interests. Emphasis is on experience in project management, user interface, evaluation of system effectiveness, and application of research findings. Students work with a graduate-prepared nurse working in the field of nursing informatics. Students may work at health care agencies, vendor agencies, or consulting agencies for the practicum. Students share practicum experiences and receive help in analyzing them during two-hour seminar periods every other week. An average of eight hours a week (96 hours total) is spent at the field agency. Prerequisites: NURS 690, 691, 736, and 737 and IFSM 601 and 636.
NURS 739 Issues in Home Health Care
2-3 credits
Examines trends and issues in home health care, including evolution and use of home health services, cost and quality issues, care coordination and case management, family caregiving, legal and ethical aspects of home care, and home care research. Students analyze ethical issues in relation to theoretical frameworks that guide nurses decision-making; compare care coordination case management and continuity; and examine the role of family caregiving and cost and quality issues. Students also critique research studies related to the issues and access Internet sites that might be useful to nurses in home care. Variable credit: 2 credit seminar, 1 credit special project.
NURS 740 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Internship with Special Populations
3 credits
Students enact the advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurse role, as outlined by the American Nurses Association, applying theoretical information and experiential learning from all previous course work under the guidance of a preceptor. Clinical conference sessions help students analyze multiple variables in mental health and illness and decide optimal psychiatric mental health care for individuals, families, groups, and special populations. Capstone course. Prerequisites: NURS 611, 667, 751, 752, and one clinical course.
NURS 741 FPIV: Final Practicum: Integrative Management of Primary Health Care Problems
7 credits
Focuses on preparing family nurse practitioner students to function independently at a beginning level of practice, in a variety of culturally diverse primary care settings. Individualized practice with designated preceptor(s) provides the integrative clinical experiences necessary to refine specialized knowledge and skills in family practice and selected primary care settings. It emphasizes continued development and refinement of clinical management skills and facilitates synthesis of advanced practice nursing roles. Prerequisites: NURS 605, 610, 630, 631, 632, 633, 640, 644, and 660. Concurrent: NURS 731.
NURS 742 Primary Care of the High-Risk Neonate
3 credits
Provides students with the skills necessary to provide primary health care to high-risk infants in the home and follow-up clinics. Course material includes physical assessment skills of the infant through the first year of life. The clinical component includes preparation for discharge, community resources, home visits, and experience in the ambulatory setting. Focus in clinical seminars is on critical analysis of primary health care issues for the high-risk infant in the home and follow-up clinic. Through clinical practice, students show advanced clinical skills in the assessment, intervention, and management of the high-risk infant after discharge from the acute care setting, through the first year of life. Prerequisites: NURS 639, 649, and 743.
NURS 743 Neonatal and Pediatric Pharmacology
3 credits
Focuses on the application of advanced pharmacologic principles used in the therapeutic management of common problems experienced by newborns, infants, and children. Emphasis is on the development of a scientifically-based approach to the pharmacological management of such problems. In addition, students apply the nursing process to solving pharmacological problems encountered in caring for newborns. Prerequisite: NPHY 630.
NURS 745 HIV and AIDS in Correctional Settings
3 credits
Presents the pathophysiological basis of HIV and AIDS, epidemiology, including prevalence and incidence in the prison population, primary and secondary prevention, and development and management of common HIV and AIDS associated opportunistic infections. Establishes the foundation for designing and implementing appropriate nurse interventions for patients in correctional health settings. Class content incorporates dealing with health care worker exposure, public policy, application of correctional health standards, legal issues, the effect of meeting the needs of HIV and AIDS inmates in the correctional setting, and future directions for treatment developments. Students may participate in an observational clinical experience in AIDS care.
NURS 746 Psychopathology in Correctional Settings
3 credits
Focuses on the psychiatric disorders most frequently encountered in people in the correctional system. The course reviews multiaxial DSM diagnoses in relation to this population. The class discusses differences between assessment for deciding competence to stand trial and existence of mental illness. Focus is on the high incidence of violent behavior and substance abuse in both juvenile and adult offenders and treatment approaches. The course considers pharmacotherapeutics, patient observations, and variations in treatment related to the setting. Students use Web sites that are useful to nurses in correctional health.
NURS 747 Practicum in Correctional Health
3 credits
Students function as an advanced practice nurse in the appropriate specialty area within correctional health nursing. Focus is on refining physical and psychosocial assessment skills within the correctional system, and working with inmates who are at high risk for complex medical and psychiatric disorders. Prerequisite: at least one clinical management course in behavioral, community health, or the adult primary care specialties. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 678.
NURS 748 Advanced Nursing of the High-Risk Neonate
1-3 credits
Students begin to apply the material learned in the first two clinical courses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They participate in case management of high-risk infants and families, integrating their knowledge and skills in the clinical setting. Focus is on role development. Implementation of the research project begins. Prerequisites: NURS 639, 649, and 743.
NURS 749 Advanced Nursing of the High-Risk Neonate II
1-6 credits
Students continue to manage care of the high-risk neonate, with emphasis on developing collaborative relationships with other health care team members in clinical settings. Students also continue discussing the advanced practice role. With completion of this course and NURS 742, students meet all requirements specified by the National Certification Corporation for the certification examination as neonatal nurse practitioners. Prerequisites: NURS 639, 649, and 743.
NURS 751 Psychopharmacology
3 credits
Provides advanced knowledge of commonly-prescribed psychopharmacologic agents. The course addresses rationale for using pharmacologic agents to treat selected disorders across the life span. The course also covers pathophysiologic theories of the etiology of psychiatric disorders; distinguishing characteristics of psychotropic medications; clinical considerations in the selection, initiation, maintenance, and discontinuation of drug treatment; and legal implications of pharmacotherapy. Prerequisite: NURS 667.
NURS 752 Neurophysiology of Mental Disorders
2 credit
Introduces students to the neurobiological aspects of psychiatric disorders. The course builds from a review of basic neuroscience, including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychoneuroimmunology, to a study of selected functional systems of the brain. The course covers current neurobiological research on selected psychiatric disorders, the fundamentals of neuroimaging, EEG, and other neurodiagnostic approaches.
NURS 753 Practicum in Leadership in Community and Public Health Nursing
4 credits
This is a 180-hour capstone clinical course (165 hours in clinical and 15 hours in seminar) that provides students with an opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge acquired in nursing core and community health courses. It provides an opportunity for students to develop leadership skills. This course involves a precepted clinical public health nursing leadership placement, an analysis of leadership experience, and the completion of a project such as development of a new program initiative, planning for change in an organization's activities, evaluating an activity, analyzing a leadership or policy issues, analyzing and evaluating health promotion/disease prevention outcomes, and participating in a community development project. Seminars related to clinical experience will be health every week for one hour. Prerequisites: This is a capstone clinical course that requires completion of the following nursing core and community health courses: NURS 622, NURS 671, NURS 701, NURS 732, NURS 761, NURS 762. Co-requisite: NURS 733. The didactic course in leadership in community/public health nursing, if not concurrent, needs to be taken prior too clinical (Recommend that clinical occur within one year of didactic.)
NURS 754 Seminar in Psychopharmacology for Children and Adolescents
1 credit
Provides case study discussion of the use of psychopharmcologic agents with children and adolescents using applied practicum cases at an advanced level. Emphasis is on integration of theory and practice, and in-depth examination of the modifications in psychotropic drugs required for children and adolescents. Current research and ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of psychopharmacology with children are important dimensions of discussion. Prerequisite: NURS 661.
NURS 755 Families in Crisis: Theory and Intervention
3 credits
Introduces students to the systems theory orientation for understanding human functioning within a family system. The course applies this orientation to personal, patient and family, and health care delivery systems. Focus is on the family as the unit of study with systems theory analyzed and applied to clinical issues and situations in various health care settings (acute, chronic, inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care facilities). Clinical interventions with families and supervision are components of this course.
NURS 756 Family Seminar I
1 credit
Explores theories, concepts, and challenges relevant to the study of the functional family. Focus is on the health needs of families in primary care settings, with examples drawn from the student's clinical practice. Emphasis is on promoting and providing care within a family framework. Prerequisites or concurrent: NPHY 610 and NURS 611.
NURS 757 Family Seminar II
1 credit
Focus is on common issues and problems facing families with special needs across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the application of theories, ideas, and research to meeting the families' needs and to providing care within a family framework. Prerequisites: NURS 713 and 756.
NURS 758 Practicum in Family Health
1-7 credits
Focuses on preparing the FNP student to function independently at a beginning level as an FNP in a primary care setting. Didactic material covers professionalism, health policy, and organizational issues in advanced practice. Individualized precepted practice provides clinical experiences for the refinement of specialized knowledge and skills in family practice and selected primary care interest areas. Prerequisites: NURS 619, 620, 669, 713, and 714.
NURS 761 Populations at Risk in Community and Public Health
3 credits
Students will learn about the mission of public health and the various organizations that support the responsibilities of public health at the international, national, and local level. Processes and dynamics, such as family systems, support, and risk communication that influence public health and populations at risk will be explored. A risk assessment analysis will be used to select a population at risk. Factors that influence the effectiveness of health promotion/disease prevention programs and projects targeted to aggregates, families, and populations will be analyzed. Responsibilities of community/public health practitioners, including clinical nurse specialist, will be explored in relation to core public health functions: assessment, policy development and assurance. Prerequisite: NURS 622 or permission of faculty.
NURS 762 Practicum in Program Development and Evaluation in Community and Public Health Nursing
3 credits
Focuses on the assessment of health needs of a specific community. Students develop a plan to meet the community's needs in this clinical course and then evaluate it. Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 732.
NURS 764 Advanced Environmental Health
3 credits
Building on the basic information about environmental health provided in NURS 730, this course continues to explore the relationship between the environmental exposures and human health outcomes. The effects of polluted or contaminated air, water, soil and food will be presented. The role of health care professionals in addressing environmental health threats and disease prevention will be discussed. Prerequisite: NURS 730, Pre- or co-requisite: NURS 735
NURS 765 Nursing Education: Ways of Knowing
3 credits
Fosters knowledge, competencies, and attitudes essential for a career as a teacher of nursing in baccalaureate, associate degree, staff development, and patient education programs. The course helps students who are interested in any of the practice areas of nursing education as they begin to ask about the assumptions that support their practice. The course explores the many ways in which we learn about the world. The class also examines traditional ideas about learning and cognition, emphasizing emerging ideas that are particularly applicable to nursing. Students examine how people learn to think critically, make decisions, and manage their own learning, and apply that knowledge to nursing. The course investigates common cognitive problems related to illness, developmental learning, illness and motivation, social influences on learning, and methods for assessing performance. First in a series of educational courses.
NURS 766 Managed Health Care Organizations
5 credits
Focuses on the elements that comprise the business of managed care environments. The course examines the development of corporate relationships toward building models of continuous care, contract development and negotiation, legal issues in establishing and managing care across health care delivery systems, reinbursement issues, use management, information technology in managed care, marketing, and accreditation. In a 3-credit practicum, students work with a preceptor at the leadership level of a managed care organization to analyze organizational ideas included in the course. Prerequisites: NURS 691, 709, and 736.
NURS 767 Leadership for Magnet Status
3 credits
The Magnet Recognition Program, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is designed to recognize acute care nursing services and demonstrate the ablitly to attract and retain professional registered nurses. Designation as a Magnet Hospital is the highest level of recognition that ANCC can accord to an organized nursing service. This course critically examines the history, structure, procedures and processes of the Magnet Recognition Program. Particular attention is given to the methodology used to evaluate applicant agencies and the nursing research base related to the Magnet phenomena is explored.
NURS 769 Society, Health and Social Justice
3 credits
This course examines social, cultural, and political-economic determinants of health from sociological and social epidemiology perspectives. The concept of social justice is used as a conceptual framework to investigate population health inequities that exist in social class, race, ethnic and gender groups in the United States. The course addresses the central question: "How does the structure of the society influence the health and illness experience of its population?" The course examines what a 'society' is, and how it works, and what the pathways are through which social forces differentially impact class, race, and gender groups. The course will focus on specific mesosocial contexts, such as the workplace, the community and the physical environment, which are particularly important in transmitting macrosocietal forces to the individual. The process of globalization and the role of social movements in shaping public health will also be discussed. The course concludes by examining innovations in health policy and practice that are currently emerging in an effort to address the adverse health impact of inequitable social environments. Prerequistes: Permission of instructor for undergaraduate students.
NURS 772 Issues in International Health and Nursing
3 credits
This course uses the World Health Organization's idea of primary health care as a framework for focusing on health in developing countries. Students explore environmental, sociocultural, political, and economic factors influencing health in developing countries, discuss parallels and contrasts with industrialized countries, and apply the principles of primary health care to understand strategies for improving health. Emphasis is on experiential learning along with lectures, discussion, readings, and films.
NURS 773 Intercultural Nursing I
3 credits
Cross-cultural considerations affect the provision of nursing services for select populations. Students explore culturally universal themes and core ideas that influence health beliefs and behavior and analyze current issues involved in community-level health care with culturally diverse groups. The course addresses the professional nurse's role in meeting the health care needs of individuals, families, and groups in the community.
NURS 774 Intercultural Nursing II
3 credits
Examines factors that limit individual and family use of health interventions with particular emphasis on language, stressors affecting the management of health concerns, and characteristics of health services that are impediments to their use. Emphasis is on easing communication with clients and promoting the use of available services with respect for cultural health practices.
NURS 775 Home Health Care Nursing
3 credits
Provides an in-depth orientation to clinical nursing practice in the home setting. The course builds on theory and learning experiences provided in the clinical major. Students develop prototypical care plans for individuals with selected health problems or risk factors. Emphasis is on the nurse as coordinator, deliverer, and monitor of patient care in the home. The course provides field experiences for assessment and evaluation. Prerequisite: first-level clinical course.
NURS 776 Intercultural Nursing III
3 credits
Enhances the analytic and comparative skills of intercultural nursing students through study of community health nursing services for culturally diverse groups. The course covers policy issues, standards of care, informed choice and consent, and social cultural norms. Students apply analytical and planning skills to the problems identified among culturally diverse groups regarding access to and use of health services.
NURS 781 Advanced Assessment of Computer-Assisted Instruction
3 credits
Explores the psychological underpinning of computer-assisted instruction and challenges the participants to apply those theories in the development of working products. Students learn what software authoring products are available on the market (such as Authorware, Toolbook, and HyperCard), and focus on Hyper Text Markup Language, the language that forms the basis of the phenomenon known as the World Wide Web. Students produce media-rich interactive programs in HTML and make those products available on the Web. Prerequisite: NURS 685 or consent of instructor.
NURS 786 System Analysis and Design in Health Care
3 credits
Information systems development is a process in which technical, organizational, and human aspects of a system are analyzed and changed with the goal of creating an improved system. In spite of the advanced technology surrounding computer-based information systems, the process of systems analysis and design is still largely an art. There is a high dependence on the skills of individual analysts and designers even though there are established principles, methods, and tools. This course gives students an understanding of the most common tools, techniques, and theories used in systems design and analysis.
NURS 787 Theoretical Foundations of Teaching and Learning in Nursing and Health Professions
2 credits
This course will provide a foundation in theory and application of essential knowledge for education in a variety of settings. Content includes the teaching/learning process, the learning environment, organizational standards, theories of learning, and organization of teaching and learning.
NURS 790 Ethics and Nursing Practice
3 credits
Enhances the graduate student's ability to describe and analyze moral ideas foundational to nursing practice and to apply elements of these ideas in the practice of nursing. The course covers historical development of these ideas in the professional ethic and theories of medical and nursing ethics. Students may apply elements of these ideas and theories of ethics to the practice of nursing through a case study approach.
NURS 791 Instructional Strategies and Assessment of Learning in Nursing and Health Professions
4 credits
This course prepares the student to select and gain skill in using instructional strategies appropriate to the learning style of adults and to the topic to be taught, and to make those choices on the basis of an understanding of the behavioral and physiological processes of learning. The course includes both didactic and experimental micro-teaching experiences and provides a strong linkage to techniques for evaluating the impact of various instructional strategies on learning. A full range of educational technology and simulation technology will be employed in learning experiences. Theory and practice of the assessment of learning as applied in diverse settings in health care are addressed. Attention is given to basic measurement principles of reliability and validity, test construction, assessing skill acquisition and competence, and interpreting results from measures.
NURS 793 Organizational Transformation
3 credits
Focuses on organizational evaluation and strategic redesign of health care systems. The course examines issues creating an impetus for organizational change and theories and models of traditional organizational structures and of creative and collaborative redesign. Prerequisites: NURS 692.
NURS 797 Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care
3 credits
Explores the U.S. health policy-making system, including policy paradigms, political ideology and dynamics, and federal-state relationships. Emphasis is on development of strategies to preserve quality in and access to health care services.