Course information contained within the Bulletin is accurate at the time of publication in August 2023 but is subject to change. For the most up-to-date course information, please refer to the Course Catalog.
NURS 5101. Translation of Evidence in Healthcare. 3 Credit Hours.
The course provides the basis for clinical scholarship development by focusing on essential skills for applying evidence into advanced nursing practice and healthcare systems. Conceptualization, definition, theoretical rationale, and models of evidence-based practice will be evaluated. Students will explore the concept of practice-based knowledge and the process of translation of research into practice. Students will perform a critical review and synthesis of knowledge in their own area of concentration and will identify key concepts and relationships for their practice change that will become the foundation for their scholarly project proposal.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 5401. Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology. 4 Credit Hours.
A systems approach is used to review normal physiology and analyze selected acute and chronic pathophysiologic states across the life span to provide the scientific rationale for safe and effective advanced nursing practice. Pathophysiologic processes of diseases across the lifespan are explored within the context of health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based practice.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 5402. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. 4 Credit Hours.
This course will explore the principles of advanced pharmacology as they apply to various disease states with consideration of medication selection factors, client adherence, and ethical implications of prescribing. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse drug effects, precautions, and drug interactions of broad categories of drugs are examined. Safe prescribing of therapeutic agents is addressed within the context of specific populations.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 5401.
NURS 5501. Theories for Advanced Practice Nursing of Families and Individuals. 3 Credit Hours.
Advanced Practice Nursing students in this course will gain an understanding of families and current family theories (e.g., systems theory, developmental, communication, and stress theories) in detail. They will examine the interaction of family structure, function, traits, processes, and health for diverse families using a life-cycle approach. Case studies will focus on individuals, families, and communities dealing with health protection, health promotion, disease prevention, and acute and chronic illnesses. Students will plan assessments and empirically-based interventions for diverse, traditionally underserved families. Students will have the opportunity to present their application of a specific family theory to a selected clinical situation.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 5552. Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning. 4 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on developing advanced health assessment skills needed to formulate differential diagnoses in the care of individuals across the lifespan. Students will use clinical reasoning to distinguish abnormal from normal findings using advanced assessment techniques for culturally diverse patients.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 5402.
NURS 8101. DNP Project Development I. 1 Credit Hour.
This course is the first in a series of three. Utilizing a systems or population focus, the student identifies an issue that impacts healthcare outcomes either through direct or indirect care. The PICOT question format is used to frame and answer the clinical or health care related question, guided by the evidence base. In partnership with an appointed faculty mentor the student identifies a community partner with similar interests and establishes a collaborative agreement for future project-related work to address the question of interest as applied in the community setting.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 5101.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 8102. DNP Project Development II. 1 Credit Hour.
This course is the second in a series and focuses on the partnership with the identified community partner to develop and refine the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project. The student collaborates with the partner to finalize the overall project plan, design the implementation, and establish the evaluation process including identifying outcome measures. Further work on the scholarly product will continue through to the DNP Implementation course.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 8302.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 8101.
NURS 8103. DNP Project Implementation. 3 Credit Hours.
This is the final course in the series. Students incorporated previously acquired knowledge and skills to demonstrate integration of the advanced practice nurse role and successful execution of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project. The project is derived from evidence-based research and evolves from a student-initiated area of interest, informed by coursework, the clinical practice experience and collaboration with a community partner. Project execution included evaluation and dissemination of the findings that includes a public presentation and scholarly paper.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 8102.
NURS 8201. Health Indices of Urban Populations in Primary Health Care. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines factors critical to the health status of diverse populations across settings, with particular emphasis on urban environments. Variables explored include, but are not limited to, the dynamically interacting systems of education, housing, architecture, transportation, health care delivery, government, economics, law, religion, and culture. The relationships among these potential influences on health status are explored within the context of class and economics as key drivers of health indices. Students engage in course requirements that generate critical analysis of environmental systems that perpetuate poor health indices, particularly among minorities. Students engage in nursing-focused case analyses, problem-based exercises, class discussion, and debates as vehicles for understanding the key constructs explicated in this course.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C in NURS 5901.
NURS 8204. Policy: Health Care Advocacy in Advanced Nursing Practice. 2 Credit Hours.
Health policy and the processes and procedures that inform development and implementation are analyzed to assess impact on individual and population health. Social, cultural, economic, and demographic factors are considered. Students discuss and debate principles of equity, quality care, and health promotion and illness prevention within the broad context of access, insurance and delivery of advanced practice nursing, comparing and contrasting US and international practices. The roles and responsibilities of the health care team are dissected, with a focus on collaboration and delegation as a means to achieve cost effective quality care. Nursing's advocacy role in policy evolution is explored and evaluated.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 8205. Nursing Leadership for Systems and Communities. 2 Credit Hours.
This seminar is the core leadership course for all DNP students. It is designed to help students appreciate and understand the impact of their own strengths and biases, reflect on the importance of diversity in healthcare, and prepare to function and lead effectively within teams to meet the needs of the community. Students will learn about team science and critically analyze various approaches to promoting high-impact teams. They will become self-aware leaders and begin reflective leadership practice.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Course Attributes: SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 8206. Health Economics and Business Practices in Primary Healthcare. 2 Credit Hours.
Concepts that influence quality, access, and equity are explored to assess impact on the delivery of healthcare in the US. Reimbursement systems are examined to assess the impact on care decisions made at individual, family, community, and population levels. Gaps in healthcare financing resulting in compromises in health delivery are analyzed, with alternative models of healthcare coverage explored. The integration of business and financial principles into health care delivery is evaluated. Multiple data sets are analyzed to identify variations in health outcomes and to inform the system enhancements students propose to improve outcomes.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 8207. Advancing Health Through Information Technology. 2 Credit Hours.
Course content emphasizes the role of information technology in supporting the advanced practice nurse as healthcare provider, administrative/financial manager, client educator and researcher, in a variety of health care settings. Foundational concepts in nursing informatics, and its applications in point-of-care technology, data management and analytics, and patient safety and quality are reviewed. Emerging developments in nanotechnology, genomics, and the harnessing of social media in healthcare delivery are explored.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 8302. Managing Quality Initiatives Through Nursing Quality Initiatives. 3 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on improving health outcomes for individuals and populations through analysis of health reports and implementation of quality initiatives. Organizational systems are analyzed to identify barriers to achieving quality outcomes, including practice patterns, perceived incongruence between productivity and quality, and issues of sustainability. Using the principles of evidence-based practice, we will also discuss programmatic initiatives and policy changes that may lead to improved health outcomes.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Course Attributes: SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9182. Independent Study. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
This course is an independent study arranged by a student with a faculty member who has an area of expertise consistent with the project the student wants to develop.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
NURS 9189. Collaborative Partnerships: Interdisciplinary. 1 Credit Hour.
Interactions between health care professional teams within a health care delivery system are explored through case study methodology and fieldwork, relative to a health-related issue. Leadership, communication and team practice capabilities will be compared and contrasted among teams with and without a nurse working in an advanced nursing practice role.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9289. Collaborative Partnerships: Transdisciplinary. 1 Credit Hour.
Moving beyond discipline-specific approaches, the advanced practice nursing student will partner with professionals from other fields, such as engineering, criminal justice and education to identify a community issue with health implications and propose an intervention to address the issue that considers and integrates concepts, theory and methodology from nursing as well as other disciplines.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9377. Primary Care of Adults I Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on a holistic approach to primary care for the young, middle-aged and older adult patient. National guidelines inform the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of acute and chronic health problems, as well as health concerns that commonly occur in this population, considerate of age, race/ethnicity and gender, as well as the social determinants of health. Evidence-based health promotion strategies that support patients to establish and maintain healthy habits are explored. Clinical reasoning is further refined by incorporating nursing, biomedical, and complementary models of care delivery to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9387.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 5552, NURS 5401, and NURS 5402.
NURS 9387. Primary Care of Adults I Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.
This clinical course focuses on knowledge derived from core and advanced core courses as well as the concurrent
NURS 9377 theory course to provide primary care to the young, middle-aged and older adult patient. Clinical experiences focus on care of the individual within the context of family and the health care community.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9377.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9389. DNP I Practicum. 2 to 4 Credit Hours.
In this supervised immersion practicum experience, the post-masters nursing student will integrate and demonstrate new skills and knowledge consistent with the Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials and an advanced nursing practice framework. The practicum experience occurs within a variety of health-related environments and focused areas of specialization under the supervision of a preceptor(s), identified in collaboration with academic program faculty.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 8302, NURS 8102, NURS 8204, and NURS 8205.
NURS 9477. Primary Care of Adults II Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
This course continues to develop the content introduced in the Primary Care of Adults I course that focuses on a holistic approach to primary care of the young, middle-aged and older adult patient. Evidence-based management of increasingly complex and co-morbid conditions is reviewed with a focus on further development of competency, advocacy and appropriate engagement of others on the health care team. Strategies to enhance meaningful family and community engagement are explored.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9487.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 9377.
NURS 9487. Primary Care of Adults II Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.
Further development of critical thinking and clinical judgment and decision making skills occur in the primary care setting with a continued focus on young, middle-aged and older adults with increasingly complex acute and chronic conditions. There is increased participation by the advanced practice nursing student as a valued member of the care team. Family and community engagement is prioritized.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9477.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9489. DNP II Practicum. 2 to 4 Credit Hours.
In this supervised immersion practicum experience, further development and integration of the DNP role occurs as the post-masters student continues to build and assimilate knowledge and skill for advanced specialty practice at a high level of complexity. The practicum experience may occur within a variety of health-related environment/s and focused area/s of specialization under the supervision of a preceptor/s, identified in collaboration with academic program faculty.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of P in NURS 9389.
NURS 9577. Primary Care of the Elderly I Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
This introductory theory course incorporates a holistic approach to healthy aging of the elderly population. Students are introduced to the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of acute and chronic health conditions that commonly affect this population. Interventions that support healthy, therapeutic lifestyles and symptom management of the elderly are reviewed. Advocacy for elders in general and those living in urban poverty is explored.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9587.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 9477.
NURS 9587. Primary Care of the Elderly I Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.
In this clinical fieldwork experience, knowledge and skill development is applied to the primary care management of the elderly. The focus includes health maintenance, health promotion, improving health outcomes, reducing health risks, and preventing disease and/or disease progression, within the context of family, community and team practice.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9577.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9677. Primary Care of the Elderly II Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
Approaches to engaging and collaborating with formal and informal health care delivery systems to ensure quality care for elderly populations are discussed. Strategies to optimize functional status, quality of life, and improve health related outcomes are explored with attention to maximizing proficient use of cognitive, psycho-motor, and affective abilities. Management of common and complex health care problems is reviewed relative to normal changes associated with aging and pathological changes that occur with disease. The impact chronic illness has on the individual, family and community is considered. Challenges implementing preventive health recommendations and treating illness when working with under-served urban populations are discussed.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9687.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 9577.
NURS 9687. Primary Care of the Elderly II Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.
The clinical fieldwork experience provides opportunities to further develop knowledge and skill in the care of older adults with increasingly complex acute and chronic conditions. There is increased participation by the advanced practice nursing student as a valued member of the care team. Family and community engagement is prioritized.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9677.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9777. Primary Care of Children and Youth Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on a holistic approach to primary care for children, adolescents and family. National guidelines that inform primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of common acute and chronic health problems are reviewed, with a focus on the unique needs of families affected by urban poverty. Through the delivery of primary care, the child and family are supported to establish healthy habits and achieve maximum potential, considerate of developmental stage, anticipatory guidance needs and community resources. Clinical reasoning skills are refined by incorporating nursing, biomedical, and complementary models to foster optimal health outcomes.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9787.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 9577.
NURS 9787. Primary Care of Children and Youth Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.
This clinical course focuses on knowledge derived from core and advanced core courses as well as the concurrent
NURS 9777 theory course to provide primary care to pediatric populations. Clinical experiences focus on care of the individual and family within the health care delivery system and the community.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Co-requisites: NURS 9777.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
NURS 9885. DNP Clinical Capstone. 3 Credit Hours.
This course facilitates students' integration of evidence-based research and leadership within their fieldwork practicum. Through critical analysis of knowledge supportive of their practice, students progress from the role of novice provider to more sophisticated and skilled advanced practitioners. The program's systems orientation is explicated in practice through seminars, assignments, fieldwork, and professional presentations. Working in concert with one or more fieldwork preceptors, students practice in their selected specialty track and implement complex clinical reasoning in the provision of care appropriate to the client: an individual, family, community, or the public at large. Students' fieldwork, seminars, and course requirements culminate in nursing expertise in our culture's evolving health care delivery system.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in (NURS 8302 and NURS 5903)
NURS 9886. DNP Evidence-Based Practice Project Implementation. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is a culminating experience for students as they incorporate leadership attributes into their professional repertoire, assuming roles demanding evidence-based change in a selected field. Integrating previously acquired knowledge and skills, students demonstrate successful execution of a fieldwork project in concert with their project mentor(s). Such projects, derived from evidence-based research, evolve from needs identified in the fieldwork experience. Through faculty and mentor-guided seminars, students design and implement projects, providing their fieldwork agencies with final presentations. In cooperation with fieldwork mentors, strategic plans to integrate and evaluate project results are incorporated in final projects.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in NURS 9885.
