NURS 5020. Basic Statistics for the Health Care Professions. (3 Credits)

This core course provides learners with a basic understanding of methods commonly used in clinical research and nursing education. Learners are introduced to types of research designs and how to define research questions and form hypotheses. Key statistical concepts are reviewed including sampling, level of measurement, descriptive statistics, probability correlation and hypothesis testing. Inferential statistical tests including chi square, independent and dependent samples t-tests, simple linear regression, analysis of variance and nonparametric tests are also reviewed.

NURS 5030. Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing. (3 Credits)

Students will explore a variety of healthcare issues facing advanced nursing practice by becoming involved at a personal and collaborative level in healthcare policy. Students will analyze national and local nursing organizations and advocacy initiatives, evaluate the pros and cons of public and private reimbursement policies, and explore healthcare quality and the influence of emerging technologies, economic, political, sociocultural, and ethical factors on healthcare outcomes.

NURS 5034. Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration. (3 Credits)

In this course, students explore and evaluate leadership theory, models of care delivery and interprofessional collaboration. Theoretical foundations are analyzed within a Christian framework related to conflict management, leadership, and education to improve health outcomes. The role of interprofessional collaboration in delivering safe patient care is examined.

NURS 5040. Evidence Based Nursing Practice. (3 Credits)

In this course the student will gain increased understanding of the research process and beginning competence in: identifying researchable nursing education or clinical practice problems, searching databases for research evidence, analyzing the significance of quantitative and qualitative data, critiquing research studies, translating evidence into practice, and synthesizing research findings related to a nursing problem.

NURS 5050. Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing. (3 Credits)

This course is a review of the basic concepts in the structure and function of cells and how the breakdown of these functions lead to human disease. Students will learn how genetics is central to understanding human health and disease and will gain new insights into the role and interactions between microorganisms and the human immune system.

NURS 5060. Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics. (3 Credits)

This course provides an overview of health informatics with emphasis on the factors that helped create and sustain this field, the key players involved, and the impact health information technology is having on the delivery of care in a rapidly changing healthcare marketplace.

NURS 5410. Applied Epidemiology. (3 Credits)

This course will introduce students to tools and concepts in the field of epidemiology. Students will be introduced to descriptive and analytic epidemiology, determinants of health and disease in populations, and application of epidemiologic methods to disease control. Students will also learn to use resources to improve outcomes in their practice through experiential applications in quality improvement, population health, prevention, and critical appraisal of the health literature.

NURS 6036. Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan. (3 Credits)

The student will gain increased understanding of various physiological systems and the pathophysiology of frequently encountered primary care conditions across the lifespan and in special populations. In-depth case analysis of risk factors, pathophysiological changes, and associated clusters of signs and symptoms are investigated. Pathophysiological theories and evidence-based research as a basis for advanced nursing practice are studied.

NURS 6038. Advanced Health Assessment. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide the nurse practitioner student with knowledge and skills in advanced health assessment techniques and diagnostic reasoning. The focus of this course is on advanced clinical history, taking and physical and psychosocial assessment of individuals/families across the lifespan. Differentiation of normal variations and pathophysiologic changes are emphasized integrating advanced clinical reasoning within the scope of advanced practice nursing.

NURS 6042. Pharmacotherapeutics. (3 Credits)

This course covers clinical application of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics for common disease conditions encountered in primary care settings. Principles of altered pharmacodynamics relative to age, race, and ethnic groups are explored.

NURS 6045. Role Transition for the APN. (2 Credits)

Role Transition for the Advanced Practice Nurse explores the history of advanced practice nursing and the role of nurse practitioners in providing high-value primary health care and their role as community leaders. This course explores the transition of the student from registered nurse to the advanced practice nurse role with topics that include family-focused care, clinical education, case presentations, clinical placement, professionalism, ethics, and reimbursement.

NURS 6092. Global Perspectives/Primary Care. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to examine their own cultural beliefs, biases, and practices while learning about a culture different from their own. Graduate students will explore the opportunities and challenges present in the country they visit, and the beliefs, customs, and practices of the people who reside there in order to develop a global perspective of culture.

NURS 6377. Evaluation and Testing in Nursing Education. (3 Credits)

In this course, students develop competency in assessing learning in the classroom, laboratory, online environment, and clinical setting. Students learn how to construct different types of test questions including those that measure higher level thinking, develop test items similar to NCLEX and certification examinations, prepare assessment methods for courses, evaluate written assignments, plan for and construct tests, analyze tests and items, interpret test results, and develop clinical evaluation strategies. The course also explores grading and other concepts of assessment and evaluation in nursing education. This course is applicable for nurses in any setting who are involved in evaluating students, nurses, or other health care professionals.

NURS 6426. Foundations of Clinical Decision Support. (3 Credits)

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) applies clinical knowledge and data intelligently placed at the point where healthcare decisions are made, that is, the right information to the right person using the right CDS intervention format through the right channel at the right time in the workflow. This course applies knowledge management concepts and high-level reference models to evaluate a CDS, including legal and ethical implications surrounding CDS deployments.

NURS 6428. Data Analysis, Application, and Transformation. (3 Credits)

Traditional approaches to scientific inquiry, while still used and relevant, have changed due to the increased capacity to collect, store, and process data as many disciplines use large, complex data sets to advance knowledge and improve outcomes. This course provides the student with foundational skills and knowledge in healthcare data analytics to contribute more effectively to local data analytics and performance improvement efforts. Students will have hands-on practice to understand, process, extract value, and communicate information from datasets, resulting in actionable knowledge that is contextual, and goal driven.

NURS 6500. Neuropathophysiology & Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide advanced practice nurses with knowledge of the fundamental neuropathophysiology of mental illness as well as advanced concepts in neuroscience, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics across the lifespan. This course includes clinical management of targeted psychiatric illness and the use of psychotropic medications for treatment of symptoms.

NURS 6510. Psychiatric Mental Health Theory I. (3 Credits)

This course provides the theoretical content and clinical practice guidelines for assessing, diagnosing, and intervening in dysfunctional coping patterns and psychiatric disorders of individuals across the lifespan. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) will be used as the basis for diagnostic nomenclature. Emphasis will be placed on the assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment of mental health disorders.

NURS 6515. Psychiatric Mental Health Theory II. (3 Credits)

This course provides theoretical basis for psychotherapeutic interventions across the life span while focusing on cognitive treatment and evidence-based therapy techniques. This course focuses on management of common psychiatric disorders using clinical practice guidelines.
Prerequisites: NURS 6500 and 6510.

NURS 6520. Psychiatric Mental Health Theory III. (3 Credits)

This course addresses issues and roles essential to the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Promotes skill refinement in assessment, diagnostic formulation, and evidence-based treatment planning.
Prerequisite: NURS 6515.

NURS 7013. Diagnostic Skills for APRN. (3 Credits)

Evidenced based clinical decision making for selection of and interpretation of diagnostic tests are reviewed in this course. Commonly performed office procedures, diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests utilized in primary care will be explored. There is an emphasis on ordering appropriate labs and diagnostics to assist the APRN in the medical decision making process.

NURS 7110. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Primary Care for the Family Nurse Practitioner. (3 Credits)

This first health care management course focuses on the role of the Family Advanced Practice Nurse in care of diverse populations across the lifespan. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and introduces the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions.

NURS 7111. Adult Chronic and Acute Disease Management - FNP. (3 Credits)

This second didactic course builds upon the previous health care management course and focuses on the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in the care of diverse adolescent and adult patients. This course emphasizes the use of evidence-based guidelines as a framework for the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions and restorative health in addition to formulating differential diagnoses.
Prerequisites: (NURS 7110 or 710).

NURS 7112. Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and the Older Adult - FNP. (3 Credits)

This didactic course builds upon the two prior health care management courses and focuses on the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in providing complex care for diverse patients with a focus on pediatric, women’s health, and the older adult populations. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and furthers the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions, and restorative health.
Prerequisites: (NURS 7111 or 711).

NURS 7151. Advanced Primary Care Clinical I - FNP. (4 Credits)

This didactic and clinical course explores symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the adult lifespan. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice, health promotion and disease prevention as well as illness.
Prerequisites: (MSN 538, NURS 638 or 6038).

NURS 7152. Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - FNP. (4 Credits)

In this graduate didactic and clinical nursing course, the focus is on the assessment and treatment of individuals presenting with episodic and chronic health conditions in primary health care settings with an emphasis on common health problems across the life span. Integration of pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and pharmacotherapeutics with an emphasis on preventative evidenced based nursing interventions is incorporated into didactic and clinical learning experiences. Students gain experiences with community partnerships in developing prevention interventions at the community level.
Prerequisites: (MSN 851, NURS 751 or 7151).

NURS 7153. Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - FNP. (4 Credits)

This didactic and clinical course explores symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the lifespan. Integration of theory, pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacotherapeutics for the pediatric and older adult population along with women’s health issues will be highlighted. This course emphasizes evidence based practice, health promotion and disease prevention.
Prerequisites: (MSN 852, NURS 752 or 7152).

NURS 7220. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Primary Care for the Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. (3 Credits)

This first health care management course will focus on the role of the Adult Gerontology Advanced Practice Nurse in care of diverse populations from adolescence through older adulthood. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and introduces the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions.

NURS 7221. Adult Chronic and Acute Disease Management - AGPCNP. (3 Credits)

This second didactic course builds upon the previous health care management course and focuses on the role of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in the care of diverse adolescent and adult patients. This course emphasizes the use of evidence-based guidelines as a framework for the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions and restorative health in addition to formulating differential diagnoses.
Prerequisites: (NURS 7220 or 720).

NURS 7222. Women’s Health and the Older Adult - AGPCNP. (3 Credits)

This third didactic course builds upon the two prior health care management courses and focuses on the role of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care in providing complex care for diverse patients with a focus on women’s health and the older adult populations. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and furthers the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions, restorative health and palliative and supportive care.
Prerequisites: (NURS 7221 or 721).

NURS 7265. Advanced Primary Care Clinical I - AGPCNP. (4 Credits)

This didactic and clinical course explores symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the adult lifespan. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice, health promotion and disease prevention as well as illness.
Prerequisites: (MSN 538, NURS 638 or 6038).

NURS 7266. Advanced Primary Care Clinical II - AGPCNP. (4 Credits)

In this graduate didactic and clinical nursing course, the focus is on the assessment and treatment of individuals presenting with episodic and chronic health conditions in primary health care settings with an emphasis on common health problems across the life span. Integration of pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and pharmacotherapeutics with an emphasis on preventative evidenced based nursing interventions is incorporated into didactic and clinical learning experiences. Students gain experiences with community partnerships in developing prevention interventions at the community level.
Prerequisites: (MSN 865, NURS 765 or 7265).

NURS 7267. Advanced Primary Care Clinical III - AGPCNP. (4 Credits)

This didactic and clinical course explores symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the adult lifespan. Integration of theory, pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics for the older adult in the outpatient setting will be highlighted. This course emphasizes evidence based practice, health promotion and disease prevention.
Prerequisites: (MSN 866, NURS 766 or 7266).

NURS 7371. NE I: Role Transition for the Nurse Educator. (3 Credits)

In this course the student is socialized into the nurse educator role. Theory includes background and current influences on the nurse educator role and the development of advanced nursing education knowledge as well as the factors that influence design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum. The focus of the practicum experience is advancing the specialty area of nursing practice beyond the baccalaureate level and within the role as a member of the interdisciplinary practice team.

NURS 7372. NE II: Instructional Design in Nursing Education - Didactic Teaching. (3 Credits)

The course focus is on the development of teaching/learning strategies and methods for educating associate or baccalaureate degree nursing students in the classroom setting (which may include simulation learning environments and skills labs). Multiple theories of learning and effective classroom instruction are explored and applied in course assignments. Consideration is given to diverse student learning needs, use of technology in teaching and needs of students related to generational differences. Assessment and evaluation of teaching effectiveness, curriculum development and program evaluation are discussed in detail with students, who then apply this new knowledge at their practicum setting via site assessment.

NURS 7374. NE III: Instructional Design In Nursing Education - Clinical Teaching. (3 Credits)

In this course, emphasis is on developing skills in effective teaching, assessment and evaluation of learning, and patient safety in the clinical environment. This may include simulation learning environments and skills labs. Theoretical and scientific underpinnings for practice are used to socialize students into the nurse educator role. The nurse educator student will develop skills in teaching clinical reasoning, priority setting, and transfer of knowledge from the didactic setting to the patient care setting. Assessment and evaluation of student learning, student and patient safety, and teaching effectiveness are discussed in detail.

NURS 7375. Nurse Educator Capstone. (1 Credit)

The capstone course is a culminating experience that provides students with an opportunity to synthesize and apply new knowledge gained from theoretical and practicum experiences in the MSN Nurse Educator program. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students are expected to write a scholarly literature review on a question or problem of their choice related to nursing education or the clinical setting.

NURS 7431. Informatics Capstone. (3 Credits)

Students demonstrate mastery of essential skills and knowledge from core coursework through application to a project focusing on health informatics in a practical setting.

NURS 7510. Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I. (2 Credits)

Supervised clinical practicum focuses on the development and application of advanced assessment and clinical management skills of patients with psychiatric disorders.

NURS 7515. Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum II. (2 Credits)

Supervised clinical practicum focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex psychiatric disorders.
Prerequisite: NURS 7510.

NURS 7520. Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum III. (2 Credits)

This is the third of a three-sequence practicum. This supervised clinical practicum focuses on on developing progressive competence in diagnosis and treatment of patients and families with complex needs.
Prerequisite: NURS 7515.

NURS 8003. Biostatistics & Epidemiology. (4 Credits)

This course will introduce students to tools and concepts in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to use these resources to improve outcomes in their clinical practice through experiential applications in quality improvement, population health, prevention, and critical appraisal of the health literature.

NURS 8010. Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to apply knowledge and skills related to health care finance, business, and economic decision making in the health care environment. Topics covered include reimbursement, insurance, budgeting, strategic planning, and grant writing to support the DNP in the practice environment.

NURS 8015. Advanced Evidence-Based Practice. (3 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to introduce concepts associated with evidence-based nursing practice theories and models. Strategies for creating a culture of evidence based practice both for individuals and systems will be discussed. Proposed evidence-based practice changes are based on an understanding of the cultural, financial, and legal and human resource needs of the health care environment. The goal of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume a leadership role in transforming healthcare and educational environments.

NURS 8021. Healthcare Informatics. (3 Credits)

Health Care Informatics examines the student’s abilities to use information systems/technology to support and improve patient care and healthcare systems, and provide leadership within healthcare systems and/or academic settings. The student is exposed to informatics concepts, design, selection, and use of information systems/technology to evaluate programs of care, outcomes of care, and care systems. Information systems/technology provides a mechanism to apply budget and productivity tools, practice information systems and decision supports, and web-based learning or intervention tools to support and improve patient care.

NURS 8123. FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency I. (1 Credit)

In the first of three practicum courses, students will develop the skills required to conduct comprehensive history and physical examinations on patients across the lifespan. Using an evidence-based framework, students will focus on developing a diagnostic approach to performing a detailed history and physical exam.
Prerequisites: (BIO 542 or NURS 6042) and (NURS 536 or 6036) and (NURS 638 or 6038).

NURS 8124. FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency II. (5 Credits)

In the second of three practicum courses, students will integrate assessment and diagnostic skills when performing comprehensive health evaluations of patients across the lifespan. Using an evidenced-based framework, students will apply concepts of health promotion and disease prevention to assess and manage patients with acute and chronic health conditions.
Prerequisites: (NURS 8123 or 923).

NURS 8125. FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency III. (5 Credits)

In the third and final practicum course, students will demonstrate proficiency when performing comprehensive health evaluation and management of patients with complex acute and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. Students will integrate leadership and systems-based practice with increasingly independent decision making while improving clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills.
Prerequisites: (NURS 8124 or 924).

NURS 8226. AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency I. (1 Credit)

In the first of three practicum courses, students will demonstrate the skills required to conduct comprehensive history and physical examinations on patients from adolescence through older adulthood. Using an evidence-based framework, students will focus on developing a diagnostic approach to performing a detailed history and physical exam.
Prerequisites: (BIO 542 or NURS 6042) and (NURS 536 or 6036) and (NURS 638 or 6038).

NURS 8227. AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency II. (5 Credits)

In the second of three practicum courses, students will integrate assessment and diagnostic skills when performing comprehensive health evaluations of patients from adolescence through older adulthood. Using an evidenced-based framework, students will apply concepts of health promotion and disease prevention to assess and manage patients with acute and chronic health conditions.
Prerequisites: (NURS 8226 or 926).

NURS 8228. AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency III. (5 Credits)

In this third and final practicum course, student will demonstrate proficiency when performing comprehensive health evaluation and management of patients with complex acute and chronic health conditions from adolescence through older adulthood. Students will integrate leadership and systems-based practice with increasingly independent decision making while improving clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills.
Prerequisites: (NURS 8227 or 927).

NURS 9030. DNP Project Practicum Immersion I. (1 Credit)

This is the first of four sequential courses to develop and complete the DNP project. In this course, students will solidify the focus of the project and lay groundwork for the culminating DNP project. The course emphasizes using assessment data and available literature to identify a nursing practice issue focused on a population of interest to support change and involvement. Students work with a mentor from a selected health care agency, along with stakeholders, as part of an interdisciplinary team to increase leadership competencies and business practice interventions. The student also collaborates with their faculty chairperson to review the project progress.
Prerequisites: (NURS 540 or 5040) and (NURS 915 or 8015) and (NURS 940 or 9040).

NURS 9031. DNP Project Practicum Immersion II. (1 Credit)

This is the second of four sequential courses to develop and complete the DNP project. The focus of this course is on designing a scholarly project that addresses a specific problem of interest. Students use evidence-based findings from the literature to identify a theoretical framework to support the project intervention. Students will apply practice inquiry skills to synthesize and integrate knowledge to design the steps of the project implementation. Students continue to work with a mentor from the selected health care agency, along with stakeholders, as part of an interdisciplinary team to increase leadership competencies and business practice interventions. Students also collaborate with their faculty chairperson to review the DNP project progress.
Prerequisites: (NURS 9030 or 930).

NURS 9032. DNP Project Practicum Immersion III. (1 Credit)

This is the third of four sequential courses in the development of the DNP project. This course focuses on the implementation of the proposed plan with evidence-based interventions to address the selected problem of interest. The student continues to work within a selected health care agency along with an identified mentor to increase competencies in areas such as leadership and business practice.
Prerequisites: (NURS 9031 or 931).

NURS 9040. DNP Project I. (4 Credits)

In this course, students build upon prior knowledge and coursework to prepare for the role of the DNP prepared advanced nurse and develop a foundation for the DNP Project. Students attain knowledge of the quality improvement process, apply knowledge when conducting an organizational needs assessment, use strategies to prioritize organizational needs, and learn a foundation for applying research and other evidence to support change and improvement in practice. Students complete practicum hours in relation to the DNP Project for planned change.

NURS 9041. DNP Project II. (4 Credits)

The DNP capstone project is a scholarly experience that implements the principles of evidence-based practice and translation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The outcome of the DNP capstone Translational Research Project courses will be a tangible and deliverable academic product that is derived from the practice immersion experience and will be reviewed and evaluated by an academic committee.