Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN)

This course includes experiences and instruction that promote professional communication. Content includes correct utilization of the American Psychological Association (APA) style, construction of professional papers and emails, and using common presentation software. This course is designed to be taken either concurrently or before the first nursing course in which the student is enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

This course examines selected concepts needed to develop sound judgment about data analysis and appropriate use of statistics. The course prepares students to interpret and critically analyze the results of health care research.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate statistics course or permission of the program director.

This course focuses on quantitative and qualitative research areas and methods used in health care. Analysis of the research process and application of research findings to health care will be emphasized. Students will design a best practice proposal related to an identified problem in nursing, health outcomes of a specific population or nursing education. At the end of the course students will have completed a literature review and methods section for a research project.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the graduate program.

Using Leininger's Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory, this course analyzes the social, political, economic, and cultural factors related to transcultural health care. Students will examine the interactions of consumers, providers, and health care systems in the provision of quality health care with an emphasis on persons of color and persons who are immigrants to the United States.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the graduate program.

This course examines selected concepts and theories that are derived from nursing and other disciplines for applicability to practice in a variety of health care settings. Strategies used in applying and evaluating nursing theories in relation to providing care will be discussed.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the graduate program.

This course examines multiple factors affecting the provision of care in an ever-changing health care system. The U.S. health policy-making system; ethical, legal, and political aspects of health care; and health care delivery systems will be explored, particularly in relation to their impact on nursing practice and nurses' ability to provide care. A historical perspective will facilitate a) identification of critical issues, b) understanding of how they developed to their current status, and c) examination of what options might exist for current and future resolution of these issues.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the graduate program.

The focus of this course is on educational theories and issues, and their implications for the teaching process. Teaching and learning distinctions, the domains of learning, and assessment of student learning outcomes are components of this course.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 505 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care, NURS 510 Transcultural Health Care, and NURS 515 Concepts and Theories in Nursing.

This course focuses on the analysis and application of curriculum theory in the development and evaluation of programs in nursing education. Development of programs for continuing education for professionals and/or the public also is a component of the course.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 550 Principles of Teaching and Learning.

This course assists the nurse educator in the development of innovative nursing education strategies in an area of practice of the student's choice. Emphasis is placed on research-based practice in education through the application of models and theories and the development of strategies for targeted populations. The majority of the course is web based; however, students meet face to face the first and last weeks of the term.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 552 Curriculum Development and Program Planning in Nursing.

Corequisite(s): NURS 556 Teaching Strategies and Evaluation.

This course focuses on teaching strategies to enhance the organization and the delivery of educational content. Assessment of student outcomes and of educational programs is also emphasized.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 552 Curriculum Development and Program Planning in Nursing.

This course focuses on the analysis and application of program planning and on planning the development and evaluation of programs for continuing education for professionals and/or the public.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 553 Innovative Nursing Education Strategies and NURS 556 Teaching Strategies and Evaluation, or permission of the program director.

Emphasis of this course is the implementation of the nursing education experience designed in Nursing 557. Students also evaluate existing online nursing education experiences ranging from continuing education credit to entire nursing education programs.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 557 Program Planning in Nursing or permission of the instructor.

This course examines the multiple roles of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations, including long term care, community based care, hospitals and larger integrated delivery systems. Students develop knowledge in the area of health care regulations and accreditation including the impact of technology in the health care environment.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 510 Transcultural Health Care.

This course provides basic knowledge of macro- and micro-economics and their relationship to the health care system in the United States. Concepts associated with supply and demand, normative and positive economics, utility, scarcity, choice, and marginality are explored in terms of the health care system. The concept of health as an investment opportunity and as a consumer good is also explored. In addition, the United States health care system is studied from an economic point of view. Economic decision making in light of professional ethics is emphasized.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 540 Nursing Leadership and Management I.

This course provides an overview of the concepts of financial analysis, financial and managerial accounting, and budgetary practices as they relate to the health care industry. Accounting concepts are understood with the assistance of electronic spreadsheet applications. Financial concepts are understood through the analysis of both for-profit and not-for-profit corporate accounting and public reporting.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 540 Nursing Leadership and Management I and NURS 541 Economic Policy in the Health Care System.

This course examines the leadership role of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations. Content includes leadership theories, motivation, conflict resolution, workforce planning, implementing planned change and effective administration of culturally diverse health care systems.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 540 Nursing Leadership and Management I and NURS 541 Economic Policy in the Health Care System.

This course provides the student with experience functioning within selected components of the role of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations, including long term care, community based care, hospitals, and larger integrated delivery systems. Students are paired with a nurse executive or case manager with a mutually agreed upon agency.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 540 Nursing Leadership and Management I, NURS 541 Economic Policy in the Health Care System, NURS 542 Finance and Accounting in the Health Care System, and NURS 546 Nursing Leadership and Management II.

This course prepares the student to develop the role of case manager in a variety of settings. The student will use the stages of managed care to determine current agency progress and project future organizational status and programs. Students will develop a set of indicators of effectiveness and quality of care as well as plan for their analyses.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 542 Finance and Accounting in the Health Care System and NURS 546 Nursing Leadership and Management II, or permission of the program director.

This course presents information needed by a nurse entrepreneur to develop innovative forms of nursing practice and care delivery. Emphasis is placed on acquiring skills to develop a nursing business plan, including financial and legal components. Implementation of risk management and total quality improvement plans within the role of the small business setting are also covered.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 541 Economic Policy in the Health Care System and NURS 542 Finance and Accounting in the Health Care System.

This course is a culmination of the graduate nursing courses in which the student will develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-faceted program related to the student's M.S.N. specialty area. The program will be research-based and incorporate theories, skills, and methodologies from prior course work. Emphasis will be placed on target populations and the compatibility of the project with the mission and culture of the organization in which the project is being conducted. NURS 599 Major Project in Nursing may not be repeated.

Prerequisite(s): All other courses in the designated MSN specialty area.