Graduate Course Descriptions

The role, scope and function of a nurse in an advanced nursing role are explored during a clinical practicum. In consultation with the faculty, students select a specialty area of nursing practice for the clinical component of this course. In conjunction with the role exploration, students also examine current nursing research, and trends in practice and emerging technology related to their selected area. Prerequisites: NURS 621 & 640.

Focuses on the role of the nurse as an educator in the classroom and clinical setting. The course examines the theory and methods of effective classroom and clinical teaching in nursing. Students will experience the role of the nurse educator during the education practicum. Pre-requisites: NURS 674, 675, 676 & 681; OR NURS 660, 661, & 681

Focuses on concepts and theories related to the professional development, quality outcome management, and legal, regulatory and ethical issues in relation to selected administrative functions of nurse administrators. Contemporary trends and issues affecting the role and function of nurse administrators are also discussed. During the practicum experience, students develop competencies as a nurse administrator under the guidance of a preceptor. Pre-requisites: NURS 670, 672, 681 & MML 603 At the time of each practica experience, students will be required to show documentation of a current RN license in the state where the practicum is being provided, health insurance, health clearance, CPR certification, and malpractice insurance. Please note that the practica site may require additional documentation.

Focuses on practical experience in clinical informatics, project management, system analysis, design, and implementation that impact nursing and health care. Contemporary trends, ethical frameworks, and issues affecting the role and function of the nursing informaticists are also discussed. During the practicum experience, under the guidance of a master’s prepared nurse informaticist, students develop competencies in nurse informaticist role. Pre-requisites: NURS 630, 631, 632/633, and 681.

Action research, as a methodology to critically analyze and reflect on practice, is presented. In a field experience, students develop and implement an action research project utilizing knowledge and skills acquired from all graduate courses. Students present their capstone project to a professional audience at course end. Pre-requisites: Successful completion of all required courses.

Focuses on management of common health problems in patients across the adult lifespan. Theory content emphasizes analysis and integration of evidence-based health promotion, disease prevention, health protection, and management of common acute and chronic problems. The practicum provides 225 supervised clinical practice hours for the FNP student to initiate all aspects of the NP role. (Course fee applies).

Further refine skills in critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Assessment, diagnostic, therapeutic, and health teaching strategies are applied to a continuum of health promotion/illness problems of women and children (infants through adolescents). Seminars are grounded in learning the application of theory and evidence to the competencies of practice of the family nurse practitioner with emphasis on the management of patient health and illness and the anticipatory guidance role of the nurse practitioner in the specialty of pediatrics and women’s health. The practicum provides 225 supervised clinical practice hours for the FNP student to continue development of the role competencies. (Course fee applies.)

Focuses on management of complex health problems in patients across the adult lifespan. Theory content emphasizes analysis and integration of evidence-based health promotion, disease prevention, health protection, and management of complex acute and chronic problems. The practicum provides 225 supervised clinical practice opportunities for the FNP student to further develop all aspects of the NP role competencies with focus on the provision of quality, safe, and cost-effective initiatives. (Course fee applies).

Students apply and evaluate assessment, pathophysiologic, and pharmacologic concepts essential to managing care of patients across the lifespan. The immersion practicum provides 150 supervised clinical practice hours for the student to demonstrate all aspects of the NP role in preparation for role transition to collaborative practice. Certification preparedness is considered. (Course fee applies).