Nursing Course Descriptions

NURS 601 Theoretical Basis for Nursing (3 credits)

Uses systems theory as the organizing framework for understanding the relationship between theory, practice, and research. Issues in the evolution of nursing as a science are explored through a review of classical and current theory. Students are prepared to assume leadership roles in expanding the boundaries of theory-based healthcare practice.

NURS 606 Professional Ethics: Theory and Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)

Discusses the evolution of the professional codes of ethics and theories grounding professional ethics. The course highlights ethical competence required for professionals to respond individually and collectively to contemporary ethical challenges in a pluralistic society.

NURS 607 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3 credits)

Prerequisites: BSN Equivalent Competencies in Community Health Nursing Explores the principles of health promotion, epidemiology, risk reduction, disease prevention, and health education. Healthy People Initiatives serve as the basis for assessing current health risks and behaviors across the lifespan. Strategies to reduce selected health risk behaviors are developed and evaluated.

NURS 608 Advanced Statistics for Health Care Professionals (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Undergraduate elementary statistics, undergraduate research. Provides a review of basic statistical concepts and data analysis and introduces students to more advanced statistical concepts commonly used in health care related research. Students apply statistical concepts to data analysis using published publicly available databases. Examples of statistical application in allied health research are provided. The student is introduced to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Emphasis is also placed on interpreting and critiquing data analyses in published research for application to evidence-based practice.

NURS 609 Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (3 credits)

Examines quantitative and qualitative research designs and models for evidence-based nursing practice. Discusses ethical, socio-political, cultural, and legal issues in research. Studies are critiqued for application to selected evidence-based nursing practice issues. Data are collected and analyzed as part of a nursing research project.

NURS 610 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)

Intends to foster an advanced understanding of pathophysiology for the practicing nurse. Therapies for altered physiology are explored with screening and diagnostic laboratory tests.

NURS 611 Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)

Prerequisite: NURS 610 Focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in relation to the clinical applications of the major drug classifications. Emphasis is placed on the safe competent use of drug therapy to manage common health problems across the life span. Ethical issues related to clinical decision making, access to therapy, and drug research are discussed.

NURS 612 Advanced Physical and Health Assessment (3 credits)

Prerequisites: NURS 610 and NURS 611 Course is required for students in the BSN-DNP track. Course is required for MSN-DNP track unless practicing as a nurse practitioner and approved by program director as exemption. Provides both a theoretical and clinical foundation for advanced assessment of patients across the life span. Students develop advanced skills in interviewing, history taking, and documentation of a holistic assessment of patients. This course incorporates simulation laboratory and precepted clinical components.

NURS 614 Health Policy, Organization, and Financing (3 credits)

Prerequisite: BSN equivalent competencies in Nursing Leadership. Examines the relationships among health policy, organization, and financing of health care services. Emphasis is placed on cost, quality, access, and equity of care. This course has a 54-hour clinical experience component.

NURS 615 Quality and Safety in Health Care (3 credits)

Prerequisite: NURS 614 Addresses Quality Improvement theories, models, methods, and tools and their application to quality and safety improvement. Strategies for creating a culture of quality and safety using models of process improvement. This course has a 54-hour clinical experience component.

NURS 700 Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Development in Nursing Education (3 credits)

The practice discipline of nursing serves as the foundation for the curriculum building process. Theories of teaching and learning are analyzed to guide learning experiences and curricular development. Factors influencing teaching and curricular development are examined to analyze a curricular model in nursing education.

NURS 705 Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Nursing Education (3 credits)

Teaching, Learning and Assessment in nursing education is examined. Strategies for teaching and evaluating student outcomes in classroom and clinical settings are explored within the context of ethical, legal, and culturally competent teaching. Students work individually and in groups to critique methodologies and instructional decisions used in assessing, measuring, evaluating and using learning outcomes.

NURS 710 Nurse Educator Role Practicum (3 credits)

The role of the nurse educator is emphasized. With faculty guidance, the student will select an educational practice site and work with a MSN prepared educator in this seminar and practicum course. Students apply concepts of teaching/learning, curriculum, assessment, and evaluation in classroom and clinical setting.

NURS 715 Advanced Clinical Practicum (3 credits)

The student has the opportunity to integrate theoretical concepts into clinical practice. The seminar and practicum course permits students to select a specialty area and partner with an MSN prepared clinical preceptor to provide advanced nursing care to a selected clinical population.

NURS 720 Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organizations I (3 credits)

The role of the nurse administrator in single and integrated health care delivery systems is explored. Developing leadership strategies to function as a change agent in a health care system is examined. Theories and principles regarding management of organizational systems within health care settings are discussed. Emphasis is given to the interdisciplinary delivery of health care services to diverse populations.

NURS 725A Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organization Practicum 1A (1.5 credits)

Corequisite: Must be taken with or before NURS 720 This is the first of two precepted clinical experiences designed to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate nursing administration theory, practice, and research into a variety of health care settings. Emphasis is placed on the student’s articulation and synthesis of theory and effective management strategies.

NURS 725B Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organization Practicum 1B (1.5 credits)

Corequisite: Must be taken with or before NURS 720 This is the second of two precepted clinical experiences designed to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate nursing administration theory, practice, and research into a variety of health care settings. Emphasis is placed on the student’s articulation and synthesis of theory and effective management strategies.

NURS 730 Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organizations II (3 credits)

Prerequisites: NURS 720 The emphasis of this course is on enhancing the skills needed for the effective practice of nursing administration. Human resources management in union and non-union environments is discussed. Issues related to resource allocation are explored. Developing a highquality practice setting in which the nurse is empowered and held accountable for making effective decisions is emphasized.

NURS 735A Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organization Practicum IIA (1.5 credits)

Prerequisites: NURS 720, NURS 725A, 725B Corequisite: Must be taken with or before NURS 730 This first of two precepted practicum builds on previous course work and experiences. Seminars examine the issues and problems involved in managing human resources, creating a professional work environment, allocating resources, and examining information systems. Students are provided with the opportunity to share and process weekly practicum experiences and to receive feedback from colleagues.

NURS 735B Nursing Leadership in Health Care Organization Practicum IIB (1.5 credits)

Prerequisites: NURS 720, NURS 725A, 725B, 735A Corequisite: Must be taken with or before NURS 730 This second two precepted practicum builds on previous course work and experiences. Seminars examine the issues and problems involved in managing human resources, creating a professional work environment, allocating resources, and examining information systems. Students are provided with the opportunity to share and process weekly practicum experiences and to receive feedback from colleagues