Direct-Entry MSN degree program courses

This course focuses on assessment techniques as students explore the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, environmental, and cultural dimensions of individuals, families, aggregates, and communities at various developmental transitions. The lab experience provides students the opportunity for supervised practice of assessment skills learned in lecture. The course also explores nursing practice and the role and responsibilities of the master’s prepared nurse in healthcare. Didactic content includes evidence-based information related to specific nursing assessment skills and interventions. Skills lab practice and performance provide the student with supervised practice and validation of skills in a laboratory setting. A clinical simulation practice component provides the opportunity for the student to apply learned concepts and skills within the simulated practice setting under supervision of faculty. The course also explores nursing practice and the role and responsibilities of the master’s prepared nurse in healthcare Success in the course is determined by didactic knowledge assessment which must be a C or better, and by clinical/lab performance component which is a Pass or Fail. OUTCOMES: 5, 7 Corequisite(s): NG 504L Note(s): Admission to Nursing Program required. Corequisite(s): NG 504L

This course introduces the nursing student to the process of nursing education. During this seminar, students will be introduced to the profession of nursing and philosophy of the Department of Nursing. Students will have opportunities to explore campus resources and various strategies for success. Utilizing the resources gained, students will write a scholarly paper on a healthcare problem of interest. Prerequisite(s): NG 504, NG 515

This course utilizes classroom instruction, skills lab, and clinical practice settings to introduce the student to basic nursing skills and concepts. Didactic content includes evidence-based information related to specific nursing skills and interventions. Skills lab practice and performance provide the student with supervised practice and validation of skills in a laboratory setting. A clinical practice component provides the opportunity for the student to apply learned concepts and skills within the healthcare practice setting under direct supervision of faculty. Paper/project on differing levels of nursing practice analysis of recommendations of accrediting agencies and potential solutions. Success in the course is determined by the didactic knowledge assessment which must be a B or better, and by clinical/lab performance component which is Pass/Fail. To successfully complete this course, students must pass both the didactic and clinical/laboratory components. Prerequisite(s): HS 200, HS 315 Corequisite(s): NG 545L. Lab component of NG 545. Prerequisite(s): NG 545 Note(s) Taught Pass/Fail.

This course focuses on the interrelatedness of nursing concepts in pathophysiology and harmacology. Pathophysiology of and client responses to alterations in cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurological systems are covered. Pharmacologic interventions for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health for diverse populations across the lifespan will be discussed for each condition introduced.

This course focuses on the nursing management of acute and chronic illnesses in adults and the impact on their families and communities. Students apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning techniques, communication skills, and knowledge from previous courses to plan nursing care for individuals. This course includes a didactic component and clinical experiences that involve a holistic approach to patient needs. Prerequisite(s): NG 504, NG 545, NG 560 Corequisite(s): NG 506C Prerequisite(s): NG 504, NG 545, NG 560 Corequisite(s): NG 506C.

This course focuses on the management of acute and chronic mental illness throughout the lifespan and provides a foundation in behavioral health concepts. Students utilize critical thinking techniques, communication skills and application of knowledge in planning and evaluating patient-centered nursing care. This course covers the care continuum, provides in-depth coverage of psychotropic medications and adherence, addresses legal and ethical issues unique to mental health care, and introduces patient-centered care strategies to optimize care of clients with chronic and complex medical conditions and comorbid mental health issues. The course will include research evidence from genetics, epidemiology, neurosciences and behavioral sciences underlying health promotion and preventive interventions, and evidence-based treatments for common conditions. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite(s): NG 304, NG 345, NG 360

This course focuses on the interrelatedness of nursing concepts in pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pathophysiology of and client responses to alterations in neurologic (CNS), hematology/oncology, acid base balance, fluid & electrolytes, inflammation and pain, immunity, endocrine, reproductive, eye & ear, and integumentary systems are coverd. Pharmacologic interventions for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health for diverse populations across the lifespan will be discussed for each condition introduced. Prerequisite(s): NG 504, NG 545, NG 565 Corequisite(s): NG 508

This didactic and clinical course focuses on patient and family-centered care as it pertains to gynecological health concerns and childbearing families in the perinatal period along with physical and mental conditions that can affect pregnancy. Learners utilize critical thinking techniques, communication skills, and application of knowledge and technical skills in planning and providing nursing care specific to women’s health and childbearing women and their families. Specific components include policies, genetics, and genomics, nutrition, and ethical and diversity issues influencing perinatal and gynecological health. During the clinical segment, the student uses critical thinking and evi dence-based practice in providing quality comprehensive client care along the continuum of care. Prerequisite(s): NG 515, NG 504/L, NG 560, NG 545/L Corequisite(s): NG 604C

This didactic and clinical course focuses on health promotion, nutrition, disease prevention, and compassionate patient-centered nursing care in children and their families. Students utilize critical thinking, communication skills, and application of knowledge and technical skills when planning and implementing care for children and families. Specific components include growth and development, policy, ethical, legal and diversity issues. During the clinical segment, the student uses critical thinking and evidence-based practice in providing quality comprehensive client care along the continuum of care. Prerequisite(s): NG 504, NG 545/L, NG 560 Corequisite(s): NG 606C

This course introduces the student to the significance and process of concept analysis and theory development. Current nursing theories, family theories and community health theories as well as theories from other disciplines are critically examined for their relevance to nursing practice, education and management. The impact of differing world views is examined, and the interrelationships among theory, research, and practice are discussed.

This course provides advanced content in pathophysiology. Alternations in physiology at the cellular, organ, and system level are discussed and selected pathophysiologic mechanisms that occur throughout the life cycle are explored.

This course focuses on advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning as frameworks for the synthesis of knowledge of comprehensive care of patients across the life span. Emphasis is placed on assessment skills above and beyond those taught at the undergraduate level. This course provides foundational knowledge for the master’s prepared nurse to diagnose and perform appropriate histories and physical examinations. The foci of the course include developing decision trees, using diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills, and performing focused assessments and histories.

This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge of advanced pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and common complications of categories of medications and prototype pharmacologic agents. Calculation of dosages dependent on age and co-morbidity will be discussed. The action, common side effects, drug interactions, and prototype agents for categories of medications including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, reproductive, antimicrobials, gastrointestinal, endocrine, central nervous system, and dermatologic will be emphasized. Note(s) Admission to Nursing program required.

This course emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Research methods, data collection and analysis, ethical issues, reliability and validity, and interpretation of findings are discussed. Critique and utilization of research is emphasized. Students are given the opportunity to explore a research area of interest.

This course examines the conceptual foundations of culturally sensitive population health in advanced nursing practice. Theories, principles, and strategies of population-based healthcare are used to design, implement, and evaluate services and plans of care to promote, maintain, and restore health in a defined population.

This course explores principles of nursing management and leadership. Principles are considered in relation to diverse systems of care and within a variety of healthcare settings. Knowledge and skills gained from business, nursing and healthcare management are synthesized for application by the Nurse Manager. Decision options are considered for future and present nursing management challenges. Instructional approaches selected for the course are designed to build learning path ways that lead to future knowledge acquisition and appropriate decisions for clinical application.

This course focuses on advanced nursing concepts. Learners utilize critical thinking techniques, communication skills, and application of knowledge and technical skills in developing metacognitive learning tools to increase learning retention and application. Learners will be provided opportunities in applying test taking strategies. This course is one semester hour.

This course provides analysis of complex concepts to provide client care in a variety of settings. Students will use evidence-based practice to plan quality care. Advanced simulation will be utilized to implement coordination of high acuity care and evaluation of client outcomes. The course will include research evidence from genetics, epidemiology, neurosciences and behavioral sciences, and evidence-based treatments for high acuity patients. Prerequisite(s): NG 742, NG 760 Corequisite(s): NG 732L

This course explores the role of the family nurse practitioner as students apply knowledge from previous courses. Role dimensions and expectations are explored with emphasis placed on the role as a primary care provider. Prerequisite(s): HS 771, NG 711

This course is aimed at developing the knowledge and skills necessary for working with individuals and patient aggregates in a secondary care setting using recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. Students will formulate an answerable question that addresses a patient problem or situation and conduct a systematic search for research evidence that could be used to answer the question. Research evidence will be appraised for validity, relevance, and applicability to the problem and students will use research evidence to develop a plan for implementing a project to improve care through the integration of research evidence, available resources and diversity of patient populations. Prerequisite(s): NG 701, NG 731

This course is a continuation of NG 762 and is intended to give the student the opportunity to implement and evaluate the components, processes and outcomes of an evidence based practice project directed at improvement of health outcomes of a selected client population. Prerequisite(s): NG*762

Students refine skills necessary to function as a Master’s prepared nurse by providing care to clients of all ages in a clinical practice setting. The clinical course incorporates knowledge gained from advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing theory as well as concepts of cultural diversity, clinical reasoning, and communication. This practicum provides the student with practice and/or teaching opportunities based on individual experience and learning needs. Prerequisite(s): NG 746, NG 749 Note(s) This course is offered pass/fail.