Courses

58:705:511 Foundations of Nursing Science (3) Advanced nursing practice requires the use of science-based theories, concepts, and philosophical underpinnings to determine the nature and significance of health and health care delivery phenomena. Worldviews as well as knowledge from social and organizational sciences will guide this course. Note: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. Corequisite: 58:705:511 and 58:705:517 should be taken together.

58:705:516 Advanced Pathophysiology (4) This course provides students with knowledge of pathophysiologic processes to support the development of the nurse practitioner role. Students will relate knowledge of disease processes with the development of treatment plans addressing a variety of patient needs including common disease management, health promotion, and disease prevention. Application is made through selected case studies. Prerequisite: This course is designed for undergraduate students. Students are enrolled by special permission of the Office of Nursing Student Success.

58:705:517 Evidence-Based Prevention, Promotion, and Practice (3) This research course builds on the student's knowledge of research methodology and evidence-based practice. Health promotion and disease prevention research related to primary care client populations will be critiqued and analyzed by students in order to gain a more thorough understanding of how to translate the information to practice. Prerequisite: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. or by special permission of the department. Corequisite: 58:705:511 and 58:705:517 should be taken together.

58:705:518 Advanced Pharmacology (4) This course explores and builds upon the basic concepts of pharmacology to establish a sound basis from which to engage in evidence-based prescriptive drug management across the lifespan. The course provides an in-depth study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacotherapeutics for the advanced practice nurse (APN) to manage various disease states. Major drug classifications are discussed related to administration, pharmacologic effects, toxicity, pharmacotherapeutics, and nursing precautions and safety monitoring. Emphasis will be placed on selection of safe and appropriate medications for clients based on current research, evaluation and management of potential reactions and drug interactions, and effective strategies for client education. Students will examine legislation, regulations, and information influencing the APN's responsibilities in prescribing and managing medications. Prerequisite: This is designed for undergraduate students. Students are enrolled by special permission of the Office of Nursing Student Success.

58:705:519 Advanced Health/Physical Assessment (4) This course focuses on acquisition of health assessment skills including comprehensive history taking, developmental and psychosocial assessment and recognition, and documentation of pathological changes as well as variations of normal. Students incorporate critical thinking and reasoning to develop clinical decision-making abilities, determine patient health status, identify health problems, and begin to formulate differential diagnoses and develop appropriate plans for patient management. This advanced course provides students with core content of general assessment and builds upon these skills to develop comprehensive assessment abilities inherent in advanced practice nursing. Accurate and concise documentation of health assessment findings is emphasized and case presentation skills are developed. Students learn to differentiate, interpret, and document normal and abnormal findings. Prerequisites: 50:120:253. This course is designed for undergraduate students. Students are enrolled by special permission of the Office of Nursing Student Success.

58:705:521 Advanced Health/Physical Assessment (3) This course focuses on acquisition of health assessment skills including comprehensive history taking, developmental and psychosocial assessment and recognition, and documentation of pathological changes as well as variations of normal. Students incorporate critical thinking and reasoning to develop clinical decision-making abilities, determine patient health status, identify health problems, and begin to formulate differential diagnoses and develop appropriate plans for patient management. This advanced course provides students with core content of general assessment and builds upon these skills to develop comprehensive assessment abilities inherent in advanced practice nursing. Accurate and concise documentation of health assessment findings is emphasized and case presentation skills are developed. Students learn to differentiate, interpret, and document normal and abnormal findings.

58:705:523 Advanced Pathophysiology (3) This course provides students with knowledge of pathophysiologic processes to support the development of the nurse practitioner role. Students will relate knowledge of disease processes with the development of treatment plans addressing a variety of patient needs including common disease management, health promotion, and disease prevention.

58:705:525 Advanced Pharmacology (3) This course explores and builds upon the basic concepts of pharmacology to establish a sound basis from which to engage in evidence-based prescriptive drug management across the life span. The course provides an in-depth study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacotherapeutics for the advanced practice nurse (APN) to manage various disease states. Major drug classifications including the use of botanicals are discussed related to administration, pharmacologic effects, toxicity, pharmacotherapeutics, precautions, and safety monitoring including the potential effects of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. Strategies to reduce polypharmacy and drug abuse will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on selection of safe and appropriate medications for clients based on current research. Students will explore strategies that promote client education and adherence. Issues related to legislation, regulations, and information influencing the APN's responsibilities in prescribing and managing medications will be incorporated throughout the course.

58:705:526 APN Role Transition (2) This course presents a variety of role-related topics designed to prepare prospective advanced practice nurses (APN) for practice. Practice concepts explored will prepare nurse practitioner graduates to enter the business of health care with the tools needed to be effective scholar/clinicians using evidence-based practice. Areas of focus will include: collaborative practice and consultation, scope of practice, development of joint protocols, billing and reimbursement (Medicare, Medicaid, fee for service, managed care organizations), state and federal regulations, malpractice, credentialing and privileging, the certification process, and the evaluation of the APN role performance. Students are encouraged to investigate opportunities to improve population health and health care delivery systems informed by an understanding of interrelationships among various social, economic, legal, and political factors. Corequisite: 58:705:676 or 58:705:679.

58:705:551 Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing I (5) This course focuses on the provision of acute and rehabilitative care for persons with selected acute and chronic conditions of the integumentary system. Disorders include acute surgical wounds; chronic wounds such as pressure, arterial, neuropathic, and venous ulcers; fistulous wounds; and requisite care for percutaneous tubes and drains. The course focuses on the role of the wound, ostomy, continence (WOC) nurse specialist by addressing role implementation via consultation, education, research principles, collaboration, leadership and management skills, and change theory. Professional issues are addressed including evidence-based practice, legal/ethical considerations, accountability, professional standards, budgeting, data management, reimbursement issues, and national health policies. Note: Enrollment in WOC program is required for registration in this course.

58:705:552 Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing II (5) This course focuses on acute and rehabilitative care of persons with acute or chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Major topics include anatomy and physiology of the GI and GU systems; pathophysiology and medical/surgical/nursing interventions for selected disorders in these systems; nursing management of patients with altered elimination (ostomies, alternative procedures, incontinence); rehabilitation concepts to include teaching/counseling theory, principles of sexual counseling, and body image theory. Evidence-based approaches to care are emphasized. Prerequisites: 58:705:551. Note: Enrollment in WOC program is required for registration in this course.

58:705:553 WOC Nursing Clinical Practicum (3) This clinical course is comprised of the completion of 160 hours of required clinical preceptorship with an appropriately credentialed preceptor(s) in the specialty areas of wound, ostomy, continence nursing and with a focus on professional practice issues. Students apply theoretical concepts and evidence-based practice principles to clinical care situations under expert direction. Prerequisites: 58:705:552. Note: Enrollment in WOC program is required for registration in this course.

58:705:580 Interprofessional Ethics for Advanced Practice (3) This course provides students the opportunity to renew and refresh prior knowledge about nursing ethics and introduce ethical concepts that impact advanced practice nursing, including interprofessional communication. Students will utilize written and verbal communication strategies in applying ethical principles in practice. Note: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. program or by permission of the department.

58:705:581 Best Educational Practices (2) This course will provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching the next generation of nursing students in the classroom, online, and during clinical experiences based on current research. Individual learning styles of adult, international, multicultural, and at-risk learners as well as learning theories will be explored. Teaching strategies, evaluation methods, and curriculum design for baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs will be examined. Current educational issues such as expansion of doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) education, use of technology in learning environments, lifelong learning, legal challenges in academia, and student outcomes will be discussed.

58:705:606 Financial Management in Health Care (3) This course will provide students with an overview of financial management theories, examination of health care economic trends, and reimbursement issues. Application of key principles and methods of financial analysis, budgeting, allocation of resources, and cost analysis and their implications for advanced practice nurses in managerial and leadership roles in a variety of public and private settings will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on techniques facilitating financial management and decision-making for advanced practice nurses providing services to clients in large health care centers, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and private practice. Prerequisites: 58:705:661 or 58:705:668. Note: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. program or by permission of the department and should be taken later in the program. Post-master's and D.N.P./M.B.A. students can override prerequisite clinical courses by contacting the department.

58:705:607 Health Information Systems and Technology (3) Students will explore the use of informatics in the delivery and management of patient care and will apply technology in educational settings. Topics include information processing and management, decision support, computer-based patient records and information systems, standards and codes, databases, outcomes research, and the generation and management of knowledge. Legal, ethical, regulatory, and cultural considerations will be explored as they relate to information management in health care. Note: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. program.

58:705:660 Adult Gerontological Primary Care Theory I (3) In this first clinical theory course, students will develop knowledge and skills that are necessary for the management of common health problems experienced by adolescent, adult, and older adult patients in primary care settings. Students will develop skills in assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses based on the best available evidence. Plans of care will include health promotion and disease prevention. Students will explore the role of the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner in a rapidly evolving, technologically driven primary health care arena. Prerequisites: 58:705:511 and 58:705:517 and (58:705:516 or 58:705:523) and (58:705:519 or 58:705:521). Corequisites: 58:705:662 and (58:705:518 or 58:705:525).

58:705:661 Adult Gerontological Complex Care Theory (3) This course is designed to build upon scientific knowledge and clinical experiences foundational to achieving adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner competencies. Students continue to apply principles and practice standards integral to health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention emphasizing recognition and management of complex acute and chronic health problems across the adult life span. The course further develops the decision-making process when performing comprehensive assessments. Differential diagnosis, effective plans of care, interprofessional team collaboration, coordination of services, and interprofessional consultation are integrated. Prerequisites: 58:705:660 and 58:705:662. Corequisite: 58:705:663.

58:705:662 Adult Gerontological Primary Care Residency I (4) During this first clinical residency, students will work closely with practitioners in primary care settings to develop and implement plans of care for patients with common acute and chronic health problems. Students will develop competencies in assessment, diagnosis, and selection of therapeutics. The student will evaluate patient outcomes in a manner consistent with the primary care nurse practitioner role based on the best available evidence. Students will develop advanced skills in patient education and transitional care. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies will be integrated throughout the course. Corequisite: 58:705:660.

58:705:663 Adult Gerontological Complex Care Residency (4) Students will continue to work closely with practitioners in primary care settings in developing and implementing plans of care for patients with complex health problems. Students will develop these plans of care in a manner consistent with the primary care nurse practitioner role and supported by the best available evidence. Students will develop skills in providing care that incorporates interprofessional collaboration and coordination of services for patients with complex health problems. Prerequisites: 58:705:660 and 58:705:662. Corequisite: 58:705:661.

58:705:668 Family Health Theory and Residency: Complex Care (4) Students apply principles and practice standards integral to health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention for patients across the life span with complex health conditions. Students will continue to develop their skills in generating appropriate differential diagnoses and effective plans of care for patients with complex health problems. Knowledge that supports effective coordination of services and interprofessional consultation are integrated throughout the course. Supervised clinical practice with expert health care professionals provides the student with opportunities to investigate the interrelationships among various social, economic, legal, and political factors impacting the structure and operation of health care delivery systems. Students will continue to work closely with practitioners in primary care settings in providing care for patients with complex health problems. Prerequisites: 58:705:660 and 58:705:662.

58:705:669 Family Health Theory and Residency: Women's and Perinatal (3) Course provides advanced practice nursing (APN) students with didactic learning and clinical experiences necessary for the management of diverse populations of women in primary care settings. Health promotion, disease prevention, comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic health problems in pregnant and nonpregnant females across the life span are emphasized. Principles of pharmacology, pathophysiology, research, evidence-based practice, and cultural issues are integrated throughout the course. Supervised clinical practice with expert clinicians provides students with opportunities to practice the critical thinking, cognitive, and psychomotor skills necessary for quality primary obstetrical and gynecological care for women across their life span. Prerequisites: 58:705:660 and 58:705:662.

58:705:671 Scholarly Seminar I (3) This is the first seminar course of a three-course capstone sequence that will culminate in a scholarly D.N.P. project. Students will begin the design and implementation phase of the final scholarly project. Students must identify a problem or issue in practice that they wish to address, establish an outline and timeline for the project, and complete a literature review. This seminar will provide the student with additional opportunities for practice expertise development and to work with a target population or specific health care environment. Prerequisites: 58:705:511 and 58:705:517 and 58:705:698 and 58:705:705:660 and 58:705:662. Note: Post-master's and D.N.P./M.B.A. students can override prerequisite clinical courses by contacting the department.

58:705:672 Scholarly Seminar II (3) The implementation course represents a synthesis practicum where the student works with their D.N.P. committee and a mentor in the student's advanced practice specialization or practice focus. Implementation includes the approval of the project by the capstone committee and involves executing the approved project developed during Scholarly Seminar I. Prerequisite: 58:705:671.

58:705:673 Scholarly Seminar III (3) Students will analyze and synthesize the findings of their capstone projects and prepare their work utilizing a variety of methods of dissemination. This course will build upon the work completed in Seminars I and II. Students will continue to work collaboratively with their course faculty and the members of the capstone committee in completing their work. The culmination of these courses will result in the process of dissemination of findings from the program or completed scholarly project. This will include abstract preparation for a conference presentation, a prepared manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed scholarly journal, a presentation of the project to the committee and invited guests, and a professional portfolio including an updated CV and a five-year professional plan. Prerequisite: 58:705:672.

58:705:675 Specialty Residency III (3) During this specialty focused clinical residency, students will apply theoretical and research components of care to specific populations of adult and older adult clients. Opportunities will be provided for students to rotate through clinical specialties of their choosing such as wound care, oncology, care of the frail elderly, women's health, and mental health. These courses will include a seminar where theoretical knowledge related to the specialty and problem-based learning will take place. Students will continue to utilize diagnostic reasoning, nursing and pharmacological therapeutics, interdisciplinary consultations, plan referrals, and provide education. In addition, they will be responsible for integrating research into practice in order to improve health outcomes in various settings. Emphasis will be placed on preventing illness, promoting health, and having clients reach an optimal level of individual functioning. Prerequisites: 58:705:661 and 663.

58:705:676 Specialty Residency IV (3) Specialty Residency IV increases student's knowledge and abilities in care of specialized patient populations in order to further inform primary care practice. This course will include a seminar that evaluates theoretical, research, policy, and primary practice knowledge that improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Systems-level skills include collaborative leadership and the use of health care technologies. Emphasis will be placed on preventing illness, and promoting health by synthesizing student experiences with diverse populations. Prerequisite: 58:705:675.

58:705:677 Family Health Residency: Women's Health and Pediatrics (6) This course is the third course in the Family D.N.P. sequence. It covers content that the family nurse practitioner needs regarding women and children. This course also contains clinical practicum. Note: Discontinued.

58:705:678 Family Health Theory and Residency: Pediatrics (6) This course focuses on the development of clinical decision-making and other skills needed to deliver primary health care to children and adolescents and their families in diverse primary care settings. Emphasis is on health promotion and prevention, and assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic health problems for children and adolescents, families, groups, and populations. Theories and research in growth and development, genetics, pharmacology, health and behavioral sciences, and best practices are explored. Nursing and related theories provide a framework for culturally sensitive, evidence-based advanced practice. Prerequisites: 58:705:668 and 669.

58:705:679 Family Health Practicum (4) The focus of the course is for students to operationalize the role of the nurse practitioner in the care of families within the larger health care delivery system. Students are encouraged to explore such professional issues as autonomy, accountability, and scholarship in relation to advanced practice nursing. Students are assisted in recognizing their roles in the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practice, scientific research and development, community service activities, and professional endeavors. Supervised clinical practice with expert health care professionals provides students with opportunities to investigate the interrelationships among various social, economic, legal, and political factors affecting the structure and operation of health care delivery systems. Prerequisite: 58:705:678.

58:705:681 Clinical Practicum I, Health Care Quality (3) This course focuses on the analysis of the health care environment as it relates to the nurse executive ensuring quality of care delivery. Note: This course is only available to students accepted into the D.N.P./M.B.A. program.

58:705:682 Clinical Practicum II, Health Care Environment (3) This course focuses on the analysis and enhancement of health care systems' leadership environments in promotion of a cost-effective culture of safety and quality. Note: This course is only available to students accepted into the D.N.P./M.B.A. program.

58:705:683 Clinical Practicum III, Improving Health Care Outcomes (3) This course focuses on utilization of business skills in health care organizations to promote positive health care outcomes. Note: This course is only available to students accepted into the D.N.P./M.B.A. program.

58:705:691 Leading Interprofessional Collaborative Teams in Health Care Organizations (3) This course aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of health care organizations by exploring complexity science, health system models, and organizational theory. Students will gain insight into interpersonal leadership capabilities and will be challenged to become transformational leaders who function as future change agents, leaders, and team facilitators. Students will explore strategies for effective interprofessional collaboration and apply these strategies to create, sustain, and evaluate system solutions for complex problems leading to improved health outcomes. Students will work collaboratively in interprofessional teams to examine how organizational culture, system infrastructure, and political and legal ramifications influence how change is introduced and maintained in systems. The role of the doctor of nursing practice advanced practice nurse and interaction with the interprofessional team will be emphasized. Prerequisites: 58:705:675 and 678. Note: Post-master's and D.N.P./M.B.A. students can override prerequisite clinical courses by contacting the department.

58:705:695 National and Global Health Policies (3) This course provides an overview and critical analysis of national and international social, ethical, and political issues that impact the organization, financing, and delivery of health care. Students will explore ways in which these factors affect the actions and choices of health care providers and consumers. Particular emphasis will be placed on how current and emerging trends in health care regulation and financing affect the advanced practice nurses (APN) role. This course also provides a theoretical framework that describes processes associated with the development of health policy. Students will utilize this framework to examine policy development as well as critique research that describes how policy affects the delivery of health care. Note: This course is open to students matriculated in the D.N.P. program.

58:705:698 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3) This course will explore key concepts of epidemiology and epidemiologic biostatistical methods for studying the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. Application to public health and population-based primary care practice will be addressed. Prerequisites: 58:705:511 and 517.

58:705:800 Matriculation Continued (0)