The following section provides course descriptions for courses offered and required in the Research College of Nursing Graduate Program. The number in parentheses following the course number and title indicates the semester credit hours for that course.
COURSES ARE OFFERED IN DIFFERENT FORMATS. When registering for the course in the student portal, the course delivery format of each course is provided. Course formats are defined below:
Classroom-based Course (CBC) – A face-to-face course with use of the campus Learning Management System for functions that may include document/resource repository, posting of student grades, or activities that complement class sessions without reducing the number and length of required class meetings.
Classroom Hybrid Course (CHC) – A course in which the majority of instructional time occurs face-to-face. Online learning activities, which reduce the number and length of required face-to-face meetings, may occur asynchronously or synchronously during the assigned course meeting time.
Online Hybrid Course (OHC) – A course in the majority of instructional time occurs through online learning activities that may occur asynchronously or synchronously during the assigned course meeting time. Face-to-face learning activities will occur during the assigned course meeting time.
Online Synchronous Course (OSC) – All course activity is completed online, with specific dates and times assigned during the semester for students to complete assignments and to engage in online course sessions with the instructor and other students. The online elements include essential interactions with course content, the faculty member, and other students. There are no required physical face-to-face meetings at the college or a college-affiliated location.
Online Asynchronous Course (OAC) – All course activity is completed online, and there are no scheduled real-time (synchronous) online sessions required. The online elements include essential interactions with course content, the faculty member, and other students, with specific deadlines for students to complete assignments. There are no required physical face-to-face meetings at the college or a college-affiliated location.
NU 6200. Clinical Prevention and Population Health (3)
This course focuses on the common core knowledge necessary for integrating clinical prevention and population health into nursing practice. Building on previously-learned concepts, the issues of epidemiology and biostatistics, health disparities, health systems, health promotion efforts, and dissemination of relevant information to the public are explored.
NU 6300. Informatics and Data Management (2)
This course provides an overview of nursing informatics and data management for advanced nursing roles. Technology-based health applications which support decision-making in all roles and settings will be emphasized. Examination of the technological, utility, and leadership competencies in nursing informatics will be included. Students will incorporate applicable theories and examine current trends and issues in using, designing, and managing health care information systems. Students will apply knowledge to analyze the design and implementation of health care information systems.
NU 6400. Leadership and Quality in Healthcare Systems (3)
This course is designed to facilitate the development of leadership skills for advanced nursing practice to improve quality outcomes, interprofessional collaboration, and accountability in health care systems. Patient centered leadership roles are analyzed as they relate to quality health care delivery. Theories related to leadership and systems are discussed. Principles of patient safety and quality are examined. Emphasis is on the role of the nurse collaborating to improve outcomes.
NU 6500. Promoting Health Through Policy and Finance (3)
The student will gain an understanding of the principles of healthcare economics, finance, and payment methods. The relationship between policy and health economics will be explored. Students will learn to advocate and affect change in systems while collaborating with stakeholders in order to influence policy at the institution, state, federal, or global level. Students will gain an understanding of the fiscal and ethical context in which they are practicing. Students will learn how advocacy, finance, and policy are linked to improve the health of a population.
NU 6600. Translating Evidence into Practice (3)
This course focuses on the translation of scientific knowledge using an evidence-based practice (EBP) process model. The student will design an evidence-based project to improve patient, administrative, or education outcomes. Prerequisites: Undergraduate or graduate statistics course.
NU 6990. Independent Study (.5 - 6)
This course is used to meet individual needs related to the required program of study. It provides guided study on selected topics and/or areas of nursing. Student learning objectives and activities are mutually developed between the student and faculty member. Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
NU 7014. Advanced Health Assessment for the Nurse Educator (2)
This course for nurse educators builds upon previously learned basic principles and skills of health assessment. Advanced practice case studies will facilitate a deep understanding and recognition of assessment parameters that vary from normal. The concepts of health promotion; developmental and cultural variations, and genetics will be emphasized. How to meet the learning needs of nursing students in a health assessment course will be integrated throughout.
NU 7020. Family and Community Concepts (3)
This course provides the advanced practice nursing student with the evidence base necessary to examine family and community needs and plan interventions. Students explore selected family and community issues. Strategies to promote healthy family and community functioning are identified and interventions are designed. Students’ group projects simulate organizational group leadership in community collaboration.
NU 7024. Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for the Nurse Educator (4)
This course for nurse educators builds upon previously learned knowledge related to pathophysiology and pharmacology. It examines selected pathologies and the categories of drugs used for treatment. Advanced practice case studies will facilitate a deep understanding of the physiological manifestations of these health alterations and their conceptual interrelationships. Categories of drugs used to treat these health alterations will be integrated into the case studies to support a comprehensive understanding of the connection between prescribed medications and their effect on diagnosed health alterations.
NU 7040. Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
This course examines complex physiologic cellular processes essential to an understanding of health deviations. Concepts are explored in relation to body systems. Age specific alterations are correlated with clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings to provide the student with a basis for clinical decision making, diagnostic reasoning and pharmacotherapeutics.
NU 7060. Advanced Health Assessment (3)
This course focuses on comprehensive health assessment including clinical significance and diagnostic reasoning. Variations and deviations from normal health assessment parameters will be discussed. Identification of risk factors and strategies for promoting health will be incorporated. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Undergraduate Health Assessment course or equivalent.
NU 7063. Advanced Health Assessment Lab for the Nurse Practitioner (1)
This course focuses on the application of advanced health assessment skills and development of diagnostic reasoning for the nurse practitioner.
NU 7065. Advanced Health Assessment Lab for the Nurse Practitioner (1 Lab, 1 Practicum) NEW FOR CLASS OF 2022
This course focuses on the application of advanced health assessment skills and development of diagnostic reasoning for the nurse practitioner. Total clock hours equal 90 (30 lab, 60 practicum).
NU 7080. Advanced Pharmacology (3)
The focus of this course is on the clinical application of medications commonly prescribed in the primary care setting. Pharmacotherapeutics of medications will be explored. Financial implications for patients, providers and third-party payers will be analyzed. Inter-collaborative care, evidence-based guidelines, patient education, and safe prescribing concepts will be integrated.
NU 7100. Primary Care I (4)
This course focuses on the health maintenance and the management of common acute conditions and chronic conditions in adolescent, adult, and older adult patients. Students examine health changes with adolescent, adult, and older adult populations and will develop the theoretical and experiential base to conduct health promotion and maintenance activities in these populations. Students are prepared in the area of diagnoses and management of common self-limiting conditions and chronic conditions in a primary care setting. Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses.
NU 7105. Primary Care I (3) FOR CLASS OF 2022
This course focuses on health maintenance and management of common self-limiting and acute health conditions in adolescents, women, men and older adults. Students will examine health changes with adolescent, women, men and older adult populations and will develop the theoretical and experiential base to conduct health maintenance activities in these populations. Students are prepared in the area of diagnoses and management of acute and common self-limiting health conditions in a primary care setting. Pre-reqs: all core courses and advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology. Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses.
NU 7110. Primary Care I Practicum (3)
This course offers clinical experience with adolescent, adult, and older adult patients in the primary care setting. Students have the opportunity to apply previous knowledge learned in didactic to the clinical area, explore practice patterns of nurse practitioners and/or physician preceptors, understand their role as a member of an interdisciplinary team, and begin to implement plans of care. Clinical sites are in primary care settings and provide student practice opportunities with patients. Students are focused on health maintenance and the management of common acute and chronic conditions with adolescent, adult, and older adult populations. All clinical practice is faculty supervised and performance based to ensure that students demonstrate competency in practice. Total clock hours equal 180. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NU 7100.
NU 7111. Community and Global Health (1) FOR CLASS OF 2022
Students will gain an understanding of methods for community-level and global health initiatives. A basis for the inquiry and skills needed to design, implement and evaluate health interventions at the community and global level will be acquired. There will be an emphasis on the use of evidence-based theoretical frameworks and participatory approaches to address synergistic conditions and social determinants that can negatively impact health outcomes. Pre-requisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses.
NU 7112. Older Adult/Frail Elderly Health (1) FOR CLASS OF 2022
The course provides the advanced practice nursing student with the theoretical base necessary to examine the needs of older adults and frail elderly and to plan interventions. Students explore the management of transitions across the continuum of care. Students discuss and integrate the interdisciplinary care functions of the advanced practice nurse. The complex interplay of the political, economic, legal, environmental, and ethical factors that influence health delivery to older adults is examined. Pre-requisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses.
NU 7113. Specialty Care Settings for Nurse Practitioner (1) FOR CLASS OF 2022
This course focuses on health conditions in adolescents, women, men and older adults seen in specialty care settings (e.g. cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, emergency, oncology, etc.) Students will explore and examine selected health conditions within various specialty care practice settings. Pre-requisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses.
NU 7135. Advanced Clinical Practicum (1) FOR CLASS OF 2022
Precepted clinical experience designed by the student, faculty, and preceptor, based on the student’s substantive area of clinical interest and the specialty elective course the student selects (i.e. (1) specialty care such as oncology or endocrinology, (2) older adult/frail elderly or (3) community/global health). At course enrollment, the student, faculty, and preceptor will complete a clinical plan which will be signed at the onset and completion of the course. Total contact hours equal 60 hours practicum. Pre-requisites: all core course and advanced practice core courses; Pre-requisites or co-requisites: one of the electives – NU 7111, NU 7112, or NU 7113.
NU 7141. Primary Care II Children’s Health (2)
This course allows the students to examine health maintenance and management of common acute and chronic conditions affecting children’s health. The student will develop the theoretical and experiential base to conduct health promotion and maintenance activities. Students are prepared to diagnose and manage children’s health conditions in the primary care setting. Prerequisites: NU 7100 and NU 7110; or permission of faculty.
NU 7142. Primary Care II Women’s Health (2)
This course examines health maintenance and management of common acute and chronic conditions seen in women’s health care. The student develops his or her own theoretical and experiential base to conduct health promotion and maintenance activities with emphasis on women’s health. Furthermore, the student is prepared in the area of diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic conditions. Prerequisites: NU 7100 and NU 7110; or permission of faculty.
NU 7143. Primary Care II: Principles of Geriatric Care (2)
This course examines health maintenance and management of common acute and chronic conditions seen in geriatrics. The student develops his or her own theoretical and experiential base to conduct health promotion, provide anticipatory guidance and maintenance activities with emphasis on geriatric health. Furthermore, the student is prepared in the area of diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic conditions. Prerequisites: NU7100 and NU7110, or permission of faculty.
NU 7145. Primary Care II (2) FOR THE CLASS OF 2022
This course focuses on health maintenance and management of chronic health conditions in adolescents, women, men and older adults. Students will examine health changes with adolescent, women, men and older adult populations and will develop the theoretical and experiential base to conduct health maintenance activities in these populations. Students are prepared in the area of diagnoses and management of chronic conditions in a primary care setting. All core courses and advanced practice core courses, co-requisite NU 7141.
NU 7151. Primary Care II Practicum for the FNP (3)
This course offers the clinical experience with patients across the lifespan, with a particular interest in women’s health and pediatrics. Students have the opportunity to apply theory in the clinical arena, analyze practice patterns of nurse practitioners and/or physician preceptors, function as a member of an interdisciplinary team, and implement plans of care. Clinical sites will be in primary care, pediatric, or women’s health, providing the student practice opportunities with patients. Students will focus on health maintenance, management of selected common acute conditions, stable chronic disease states and acute changes within these chronic states. All clinical practice is faculty supervised and performance based to ensure that students demonstrate competency in practice. Total clock hours equal 180. Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses, NU 7100, NU 7110. Corequisite: NU 7141 and NU 7142; or with faculty permission.
NU 7160. Primary Care III (2) NEW FOR THE CLASS OF 2022
This course synthesizes all previous material from Primary Care I and II and builds on this content to focus on complex health care conditions across the lifespan and the management of individuals with co-morbidities/concurrent health conditions and health needs of underserved populations. Students are prepared in the area of diagnoses and management of acute, common self-limiting, chronic, co-morbid, complex conditions across the lifespan and health needs of underserved populations. Course Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced core courses, NU 7145, NU 7151.
NU 7200. Executive Nurse Seminar I (2)
This course covers intra-organizational content in the areas of organizational management and organizational structure (human resources, internal policy and procedure). The health care delivery system and its environment are also addressed along with issues such as ethics, legal and regulatory and economic concepts. Specific attention is given to the application of these concepts specifically as students encounter learning situations regarding the above concepts. This course is intended to serve as a companion course to NU 7210, Executive Nurse Practicum I. Prerequisites: NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600, NU 7600, NU 7620, or faculty permission. Concurrent: NU 7210.
NU 7210. Executive Nurse Practicum I (3)
This course provides clinical practicum experiences that allow students opportunity to apply theoretical and executive management concepts with a focus on intra-organizational issues. All major theoretical concept areas are applied including organizational structure, economic factors, human resources, ethics and legal/regulatory concerns. Clinical supervision is provided by college faculty and selected preceptors who are nurse executives. Clinical conferences with faculty provide opportunity for integration of the executive role, understanding of professional issues and discussion of problem-solving processes. This course is intended to serve as a companion course to NU 7200, Executive Nurse Seminar I. Total clock hours equal 180. Prerequisites: NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600, NU 7600, NU7620; Concurrent: NU 7200 or faculty permission.
NU 7215. Executive Nurse Practicum I (1)
This course provides clinical practicum experiences that allow students opportunity to apply selected theoretical and executive management concepts with a focus on intra-organizational issues. Major theoretical concept areas are applied including organizational structure, economic factors, human resources, ethics and legal/regulatory concerns. Clinical supervision is provided by college faculty and selected preceptors who are nurse executives. Discussions with faculty provide opportunity for integration of the executive role, understanding of professional issues and discussion of problem-solving processes. This course is intended to serve as a companion course to NU 7200, Executive Nurse Seminar I. Total clock hours equal 60 hours.
NU 7220. Executive Nurse Seminar II (2)
This course covers extra-organizational content in the areas of organizational management and organizational structure (human resources, internal policy and procedure). The health care delivery system and its environment are also addressed along with issues such as ethics, legal/regulatory and economic concepts. Specific attention is given to the application of these concepts as students encounter learning situations regarding the above concepts. This course is intended be the second in a two-course sequence (NU7200 and NU 7220) and to serve as a companion course to NU 7230, Executive Practicum II. Prerequisites: NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600; NU 7600, NU 7620; Concurrent: NU 7230 or faculty permission.
NU 7225. Executive Nurse Practicum II (1)
This course provides clinical practicum experiences that allow students opportunity to apply selected theoretical and executive management concepts with a focus on extra-organizational issues. Major theoretical concept areas are applied including organizational structure, economic factors, human resources, ethics and legal/regulatory concerns. Clinical supervision is provided by college faculty and selected preceptors who are nurse executives. Discussions with faculty provide opportunity for integration of the executive role, understanding of professional issues and discussion of problem-solving processes. This course is intended to serve as a companion course to NU 7220, Executive Nurse Seminar II. Total clock hours equal 60 hours.
NU 7230. Executive Practicum II (3)
This course provides clinical practicum experiences that allow students opportunity to apply theoretical and executive management concepts with a focus on extra-organizational issues. All major theoretical concept areas are applied including organizational structure, economic factors, human resources, ethics and legal/regulatory concerns. Clinical supervision is provided by college faculty and selected preceptors who are nurse executives. Clinical conferences with faculty provide opportunity for integration of the executive role, understanding of professional issues and discussion of problem-solving processes. This course is intended to be the second in a two-course sequence (NU 7210 and NU 7230) and to serve as a companion course to NU 7220, Executive Nurse Seminar II. Total clock hours equal 180. Prerequisites: NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600; NU 7600, NU7620 or faculty permission. Concurrent: NU 7220.
NU 7304. Theoretical Basis of Teaching and Learning (2)
This course provides the student with the theoretical foundation needed to plan and implement effective evidence-based instructional strategies. Emphasis will be placed on memory and learning, learning theories, learner characteristics, learning domains, and the effect of motivation and engagement on learning.
NU 7314. Organizational and Regulatory Dynamics in Nursing Education (1)
This course provides the learner with a working knowledge of internal and external factors that inform the development and execution of nursing education programs. Emphasis will be placed on regulations and regulatory/accrediting bodies that approve and monitor educational programs. This course has a competency component that must be met at a designated level of proficiency. Prerequisites: NU 6500 or faculty permission.
NU 7324. Program and Curriculum Development (2)
This course provides the nurse with the knowledge and skills needed to support development of new programs and curricula. Various types of curricula configurations will be critiqued. This course has a competency component that must be met at a designated level of proficiency. Prerequisites: NU 7304 or faculty permission.
NU 7334. Teaching from an Evidence-Based Perspective (2)
This course provides the student with evidence-based strategies that support the creation of new knowledge. Emphasis will be placed on assessment and analysis of learner needs, selection of best-fit strategies, and creation of learner-centered environments. This course has a competency component that must be met at a designated level of proficiency. Prerequisites: NU 6600 and NU 7304, or faculty permission.
NU 7344. Learning in Online and Simulated Environments (2)
This course provides the student with a working knowledge of how to transform non-traditional methods of learning, both online and simulated, into rich learning environments. Emphasis will be placed on the use of learning management systems to access virtual audiences and simulated clinical scenarios that support the development of higher-level thinking skills and competencies. This course has a competency component that must be met at a designated level of proficiency. Prerequisites: NU 7304 or faculty permission.
NU 7354. Evaluation of Outcomes (2)
This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills to evaluate program and student outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on development and evaluation of program, course, unit, and clinical outcomes. This course has a competency component that must be met at a designated level of proficiency. Prerequisites: NU 7304 or faculty permission.
NU 7364. Nursing Focused Practicum (1)
In this course learners are provided an opportunity to develop proficiency in caring for a clinical population using previous and new knowledge. Learners will collaborate with faculty to develop an individualized plan of study related to their clinical area of interest. Total clock hours 60. Prerequisites: NU 7014 and NU 7024, and at least three of the MSN core courses, or faculty permission.
NU 7374. Education Focused Practicum I (1)
This course focuses on the educator’s role as an academic, a change agent, a leader and a scholar. Students will collaborate with faculty to develop an individualized plan of study that focuses on socialization to an educational role of interest. Total clock hours 60. Prerequisites: NU 6200, NU 6300, NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600, four of the six course nursing education courses or faculty permission.
NU 7375 Education Focused Practicum II (1)
This course focuses on application of learning theories, evidence-based instructional strategies, and assessment of outcomes and competencies in an educational setting. Students will collaborate with faculty to develop an individualized plan of study related to their educational interest. Total clock hours 60. Prerequisites: NU 6200, NU 6300, NU 6400, NU 6500, NU 6600, four of the six course nursing education courses or faculty permission.
NU 7451. Independent Primary Care Practicum for the FNP (5)
This course focuses on the incorporation of previous knowledge and integration of nurse practitioner role behaviors in primary care practice. The student should integrate the knowledge from previous clinical and academic experiences to care for persons with chronic and acute conditions throughout the lifespan. Health maintenance recommendations should be included in all practice domains. All clinical practice is faculty supervised and performance based to ensure that students demonstrate competency in practice. Seminars with faculty provide opportunities to integrate the nurse practitioner role, to discuss professional issues and the process of effective change within the health care system. Total clock hours equal 300. Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses, NU 7100, NU 7110, NU 7141, NU 7142, NU 7151; or permission of faculty.
NU 7455. Synthesis Practicum (4) FOR CLASS OF 2022
This course focuses on the incorporation of previous knowledge and integration of nurse practitioner role behaviors in primary care practice. The student should integrate the knowledge from previous clinical and academic experiences to care for persons with chronic and acute conditions throughout the lifespan. Health maintenance recommendations should be included in all practice domains. All clinical practice is faculty supervised and performance based to ensure that students demonstrate competency in practice. Seminars with faculty provide opportunities to integrate the nurse practitioner role, to discuss professional issues and the process of effective change within the health care system. Total clock hours equal 300. Prerequisites: all core courses and advanced practice core courses, NU 7100, NU 7110, NU 7141, NU 7142, NU 7151; or permission of faculty.
NU 7600. Healthcare Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)
This course is designed to increase students’ awareness of organizational processes and practices including leadership, management, motivation, morale group dynamics, interpersonal communications, conflict and group problem solving. This course provides conceptual insights and behavioral skills needed for successful leadership of continuous improvement in individual, team and organizational performance. The course also highlights unique ethical, technological, regulatory and practical considerations for leadership within healthcare organizations.
NU 7610. Human Resource Management (3)
This course focuses on the emerging role of the human resources function in enabling higher levels of organizational performance. Traditional HR functions such as recruitment, selection, training, performance management, employee relations, career development, succession planning, equal employment, benefits and compensation are covered. Students will also discuss organizational structures and explore state-of-the-art employee participation and organizational design trends. Prerequisite: NU 7600.
NU 7620. Health Systems (3)
Health Systems surveys the major components and organizational interrelationships of the United States health service system. Students examine the various health care organizations (HCOs), personnel issues, delivery systems, policy, and payment mechanisms. This course introduces students to the public policy and business practice issues associated with access, cost and quality.
NU 7640. Executive Influence: Communication and Relationship Management (3)
This course explores essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to promote influential leadership in executive roles. Strategies to assess and improve executive impact are developed: business communication, relationship management, influencing behaviors, and business etiquette. Management of relationships across diverse stakeholders and situations will be examined. Experiential exercises with self-reflections will be combined with case situations and peer review to promote learning. Prerequisites: NU 6400, or faculty permission.
NU 7650. Financial Management in Healthcare Organizations (3)
This course focuses on application of accounting and economic principles, as well as financial management strategies to manage healthcare resources in a variety of types of healthcare organizations. The course uses problems, case studies, and a project to relate principles learned to real world applications.