Nursing (R.N. to M.S.N.)

An introduction to basic knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a detailed health assessment of individuals across the age continuum. The biological, sociological, and psychological aspects of human beings are addressed. Emphasis is placed on obtaining a systematic health history and physical exam using the techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Supervised laboratory and clinical allow the student the opportunity to practice the assessment skills introduced in class.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program.

This course explores health with an emphasis on global issues. Health will be examined using the influence of social, political, economic, cultural, and geographical factors. Students will examine the basic health needs of all people and compare the availability of and types of services in different parts of the world.
Prerequisite(s): IDS 1010 Archway Seminar and sophomore standing.

This introduction to the study of ethics uses primary sources for the analysis of present day ethical dilemmas in health care.  The course examines some of the prominent moral principles and systems of the western tradition from Aristotle to the present and how those principles are applied to issues in health care ethics. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and IDS 1010 Archway Seminar.

This course will emphasize the integration and application of theories, principles, and practices of nursing management and leadership into a variety of healthcare settings. The course includes a 45-contact hour practicum. The practicum provides an opportunity for students to evaluate and assimilate management and leadership theories and principles for integration in the practice of professional nursing.
3 hours lecture; 1 hour practicum.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 3050 Leadership and Issues in Professional Nursing Practice and NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice with grades of "C" or better.

This course focuses on application of community health nursing concepts with aggregates, families, and populations. Application of the nursing process to clients from a variety of cultural groups and to those with developmental and situational crises is required. The role of the community health nurse in caring for specific aggregates is addressed.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2330 Health Assessment, NURS 3050 Leadership and Issues in Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, NURS 4400 Management and Leadership in Health Care, and PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development or other approved lifespan course, with grades of "C+" or better.

This course discusses both practical and theoretical approaches for working with patients, family, and friends who are diagnosed with a terminal illness, whose life is coming to a natural end point, and whose loved one has encountered a form of unexpected death due to trauma or sudden illness. This course will address the need for health care providers to recognize their own beliefs and biases about the dying process, death, and grief, as well as learning helpful suggestions of how to best meet the needs of those they are working with, caring for, and supporting.

This course introduces the student to the basic principles and responsibilities of the forensic nurse including: history of forensic nursing, nursing as it applies to victims and families experiencing violence and trauma. It will also address those accused/condemned of violent crimes. This course includes injury identification, preservation and collection of medicolegal evidence; maintaining chain of custody, and an understanding of the multidisciplinary team focus.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and junior standing.

This course requires students to develop an in-depth understanding of a current topic/issue in nursing and form recommendations for changes in nursing practice related to this topic/issue. Students will be required to evaluate all facets of the health care topic/issue chosen including but not limited to health care policy, finance, patient preference, and evidence-based practice recommendations.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2330 Health Assessment, NURS 3040 Global Health, NURS 3050 Leadership and Issues in Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, and NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice with grades of "C+" or better.

This is a topical course designed to investigate relevant subject matter not included in any standard courses. The title and the content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

Supervised individual projects in conjunction with departmental research and student interest. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

A survey of the mechanisms of diseases and fundamental disease processes of each organ system. Special topics related to the study of diseases will be assigned.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II, or BIO 3200 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 3210 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II, or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)

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.

An introduction to statistics concepts with an emphasis on applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and linear regression.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

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 MSN or MSN/MBA program or permission of the Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

This course introduces the student to nursing theories as the foundation for nursing practice. Coursework includes examination of the theoretical and conceptual basis of nursing to encourage the student to critique, evaluate and utilize appropriate theory within their own practice. The relationship of theory to nursing practice is examined. Historical, legal, cultural, and social factors that influence nursing are discussed. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010 Archway Seminar, and junior standing.

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 MSN or MSN/MBA program or permission of Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

This course introduces professional nursing concepts, competencies, and issues in the context of the history of nursing's scope of practice within the collaborative environment of the United States healthcare system. The course will emphasize nursing leadership concepts and theories used in a variety of clinical settings.
Prerequisite(s): IDS 1010 Archway Seminar and admission to BSN program.

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 MSN or MSN/MBA program and NURS 5020 Health Care Statistics, or permission of the Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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 provision of culturally competent care.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN, MSN/MBA, or MBA program or permission of Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

This course will emphasize the integration and application of advanced health assessment techniques, evidence-based pharmacology practices and knowledge of pathophysiology to promote excellent direct patient care. The course is organized using the top mortality and morbidity categories for the United States of America, as well as the social determinants of health. This course incorporates ethical and cultural considerations across the life span. The 45-contact hour Clinical Practicum provides an opportunity for students to deliver direct patient care at the master's level to strengthen his/her patient care delivery skills. Faculty and preceptors facilitate clinical practice experiences that focus on complex assessment and treatment of clients. Students will present direct patient care findings from a variety of settings.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program or permission of Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.
Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication 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): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5530 Nursing Education Roles and Methods.

This course focuses on development of the nurse educator role and nursing applications methods used to support the learning process. Emphasis is placed on research-based practices in education through the application of models and theories. A wide selection of instructional methods appropriate for the higher education setting will be examined.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5520 Curriculum Development in Nursing.

Program Planning in Nursing provides instruction and practice in designing and implementing health education/health promotion programs. This course focuses on the analysis, application and evaluation of program planning.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

This course provides the student with theoretical knowledge to support the development and implementation of online learning. Students will evaluate online nursing curriculum related to online educational principles and instructor competencies.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5560 Teaching Strategies, Assessment, and Evaluation.

This course will prepare the student for the role of nurse educator in both academic and clinical settings. Precepted practicum experiences will include working with an experienced nurse educator at the MSN level to complete a teaching project which promotes best practices and integrates teaching/learning theory into direct patient care. In addition to the main project, students will choose from the following opportunities such as staff development, academic classroom preparation and lecture, and academic clinical including simulation, or skills lab. This course is offered during a 16-week period, to fulfill the 135 practicum hours.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 5520 Curriculum Development in Nursing, NURS 5530 Nursing Education Roles and Methods, NURS 5560 Teaching Strategies, Assessment, and Evaluation, NURS 5570 Program Planning in Nursing, and NURS 5580 Online Education:Implement & Evaluation..

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): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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): Admission to the MSN or MSN/MBA program and permission of the Nursing department chair or program director.

Pre- or Corequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing.

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.  This course includes a 90-contact hour practicum experience.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5200 Critical Issues in Health Care, NURS 5400 Nursing Leadership and Management I, NURS 5410 Economic Policy in Health Care System, NURS 5420 Finance and Accounting in Health Care System, and NURS 5460 Nursing Leadership and Management II.

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 5420 Finance and Accounting in Health Care System.

This course requires students to develop the major project proposal and submit the proposal to the Institutional Review Board. Projects may be implementation of evidence-based practice, quality improvement or research projects.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing, NURS 5020 Health Care Statistics, NURS 5050 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care, NURS 5150 Concepts and Theories in Nursing, or permission of the Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.

Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5990 Major Project in Nursing.

This course requires the student to develop the major project, collect and analyze data, complete the written project and disseminate the results of the project. Projects may be implementation of evidence based practice, quality improvement or research projects.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5010 Professional Communication in Nursing, NURS 5020 Health Care Statistics, NURS 5050 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care, NURS 5100 Transcultural Health Care, or permission of the Nursing Department Chair or Program Director.

Pre or corequisite(s): NURS 5880 IRB Submission.