Nursing Course Descriptions

NURS - 601. Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course emphasizes the presentation of symptoms as they appear across the lifespan and within the major transitions along the age continuum. Particular attention is placed on the anticipation of risk, the mitigation of chronicity, and the awareness of the potential for serious sequelae. The presentation of symptoms across populations will be understood to encompass patient experience, and the patient's perception of illness, and their effect on the ability to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

NURS - 602. Introduction to Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This theory course focuses on the principles of epidemiology and evidenced-based practice in a variety of health care delivery models. Students as life long learners will analyze clinical decision making theories and forms of evidence-based practice. This course will introduce the student to nursing research literature and appropriate methods to disseminate evidenced-based knowledge.

NURS - 603. Assessment (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This theory course assists the student to apply concepts of health and person using a holistic approach. This course includes the techniques of complete history taking and systeatic physical assessment utilized by the Clinical Nurse Leader in the identification of health needs of clients throughout the lifespan. Psychosocial, sociocultural, and developmental staging are integrated throughout the course to reflect age appropriate assessments.

NURS - 604. Instructional Systems Design (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course presents the student with an opportunity to learn about the roles of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) in education, staff/professional development, program planning, and technology. The focus is on applying (a) learning theories and models, (b) legal, regulatory, and policy issues related to education, (c) instructional design strategies and resources, and (d) program planning and evaluation. Internet-based communication and guided learning will be incorporated into this course with online learning activities, web-based instruction, and the development of a learning portfolio (Needs Assessments, Evaluation of Web-Sites, and Health Teaching Project with Cost Analysis).

NURS - 609. Teaching, Learning, and Program Planning (2)

This course presents the student with an opportunity to learn about the roles of Advanced Practice Nurses in client education, staff/professional development, and program planning. The focus is on applying knowledge of (a) learning theories and models, (b) legal, regulatory, and policy issues related to education, (c) instructional design strategies and resources, and (d) program planning and evaluation. Students are given an opportunity to do a needs assessment, and design, implement, and evaluate a group teaching project.

NURS - 610. Health Promotion of Families and Individuals across the Life Span (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This theory course facilitates learning of the principles of health care management, health promotion, disease prevention, and learning theory with an emphasis on families and individuals across the life span. Students will learn the importance of advocating on behalf of the family as a functional unit and understand the vital responsibility of the nurse as a member of the profession. This course explores the interaction between the clinical nurse leader (CNL) and other team members in the care of the childbearing woman, infant, and family members.

NURS - 611. Clinical Lab I: Health Promotion - Primary Care and the Childbearing Family (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This clinical practicum will focus on the scientific concepts and principles related to health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and health care economics for the individual and/or child bearing family in hospitals, community settings, and school health centers. There is an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention in family centered care, quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and informatics for nurses and other health care providers working to promote the health and wellness for the family.

NURS - 612. Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course emphasizes the novel and breakthrough scientific gains in healthcare using the most current literature. The student is expected to research the most advanced literature in science, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing and integrate achievements across fields to forward patient care. Examples include nanotechnology for the delivery of chemotherapy, non-invasive therapies and surgeries, and medicines that can be individually tailored to meet the unique needs of various ethnic groups (anthropharmacy). Competencies that will be mastered in the course include a) self-regulated learning, b) the management of evidence-based data, and c) the ability to reflect and analyze personal opinion and patient opinion as a way of coordinating personalized care.

NURS - 613. Introduction to Clinical Nurse Leader Role (1)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course introduces the role of Clinical Nurse Leader as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Concepts and theories related to role development and role acquisition will be analyzed. This course emphasizes the CNL's role in clinical delegation, maintaining professional standards, and advocating for the clinical needs of patients. The historical context of the development of the CNL role will be discussed.

NURS - 614. Health Care Systems Leadership (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course will present a framework for interdisciplinary leadership and lateral integration of care to the Clinical Nurse Leader. The integration of leadership and clinical management concepts is presented to provide a context for implementation of the CNL role in complex systems. Concepts related to partnership, communication, collaboration and consultation, leadership, and coordination of nursing teams are presented.

NURS - 625. Advanced Practice Roles (2)

This graduate seminar will provide an overview of advanced practice roles and their implementation and utilization in health care systems. Issues and trends related to legislation, law, reimbursement, and policy as it affects advanced nursing practice will be emphasized.

NURS - 626. Disease Management I: Secondary Prevention/ Acute Care (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course focuses on the nursing role in disease management and the care of the continuum of care for the individual from childhood through adulthood. The student identifies, describes, and analyzes selected nursing interventions and treatments appropriate to children and adults with acute health problems. Emphasis will be on holistic assessment that builds and incorporates the principles of physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual wellness within changing developmental stages. The course highlights the professional nurse's role and communication skills needed in managing patient care based on the ability to question, analyze, and reason on behalf of the patient and to choose the appropriate care modality.

NURS - 627. Clinical Lab II: Disease Management I (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This clinical application course guides the student in providing comprehensive care for acutely ill children and adults. A variety of learning experiences will occur within various acute care settings. Emphasis will be placed on holistic patient assessment and the delivery of informed nursing care. The importance of patient perception, coping skills, and understanding of health and illness will be integrated to achieve optimal outcomes. Students will learn to effectively delegate and manage nursing resources and serve as both leader and partner on an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

NURS - 628. Clinical Nurse Leader: Decision-Making (1)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course expands on the clinical leadership aspects of the Clinical Nurse Leader role, emphasizing the importance of communication, alliance-building, and accurate assessment of the abilities and scope of practice limitations within a health care team. Concepts related to microsystem leadership and coordination of nursing teams will be presented.

NURS - 629. Financial Resource Management (CNL) (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course gives an overview of the role of the Clinical Nurse Leader in managing of fiscal resources. Principles of finance and fiscal management will be applied to clinical leadership in healthcare systems. Economic issues that affect patient care delivery will be analyzed. Financial reports and statements will be evaluated to predict organizational capabilities and limitations. The effect of varying budget methods and variance analysis will be discussed. Methods for product evaluation, mass customization of care, and the influence of global trends on clinical systems will be analyzed.

NURS - 630. Family Theory (3)

Principles of family theory are explored and analyzed in relation to advanced practice nursing. A family assessment tool is developed utilizing the concepts of family theory.

NURS - 631. Disease Management II: Secondary Prevention/ Chronic Care (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course emphasizes the need for professional nursing intervention in the optimal functioning and management of disease of the individual from infancy through adulthood. The course builds on previous knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology, and the management of acute illness across the age continuum. Emphasis will be placed on the principles of physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual diversity across the lifespan as they affect the perception, management, and coping skills of patients and families faced with chronicity and disease sequelae. The CNL role will be seen as integral to the case management and supervision of children, adults, and families as they cope with the physical and psychological demands of chronic illness.

NURS - 632. Clinical Lab III: Disease Management II (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This clinical application course guides the student in providing comprehensive care for chronically ill children and adults. The student will engage in a variety of learning experiences within chronic-care settings. Emphasis will be placed on holistic patient assessment as it relates to the impact of chronicity and the sequelae of illness. Goal-directed care will be underscored with respect to achieving an optimal level of functioning throughout the course of illness, including the end of life.

NURS - 633. Clinical Nurse Leader: Care Environmental Management (1)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course presents a framework for interdisciplinary leadership and lateral integration of care. Concepts related to partnership, communication, collaboration, and consultation will be analyzed.

NURS - 634. Clinical Nurse Leader: Nursing Research (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course focuses on research design, methodology, and analysis. It provides a foundation of nursing research principles, concepts, and application for clinical nurse leader students. The expansion of skills in literature review, critique, and synthesis, application of research findings to resolve clinical problems, and introductory research proposal writing will be emphasized.

NURS - 643. Nursing Research (3)

This graduate theory course introduces the student to the research process and its application to nursing practice and social problems. Critiquing skills are used to examine each step of the research process to enhance students' understanding of their role as nurse research consumers.

NURS - 644. Clinical Leadership in Mental Health and Community-Based Practice (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This theory course focuses on the clinical leadership skills and knowledge required to provide health care delivery to vulnerable populations. Emphasis will be made on the creation of micro systems needed to manage the health care of individuals, groups, and population aggregates within community settings to improve health outcomes, and to lessen health disparities. Students will analyze primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention nursing interventions that are appropriate for clients across the lifespan. Recognition will be made with respect to the way in which clients can differ in their ability to perceive, cope, and understand the meaning of their symptoms that can affect outcome. The client/family/aggregate will be examined in terms of their need for health promotion, treatment, or maintenance of physiological problems and/or acute and chronic mental illness. Research and epidemiological data will be employed to formulate outcome-based practice and quality improvement strategies.

NURS - 646. Clinical Lab IV: Community and Mental Health (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This community based practical application course focuses on clinical leadership skills and knowledge required to care for clients experiencing complex physiological and psychological problems. Nursing interventions and clinical leadership in the care of vulnerable populations are emphasized. Care customization, community partnerships, and accountability for outcomes, client advocacy, and community health risk assessments are some of the skills required for successful completion of this course. The use of evidence-based practice and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams are two of the methods used to strengthen decision-making skills while working within community mental health.

NURS - 647. Clinical Nurse Leader: Leadership in Complex Systems (1)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course integrates leadership and clinical management concepts to provide a context for implementation of the full CNL role in complex systems.

NURS - 648. Health Care Policy and Ethics (CNL) (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This course focuses on the values, codes, and principles that govern the practice of the Clinical Nurse Leader. Emphasis will be placed on the skills and knowledge and the obligations of the CNL role in health care planning and policy. Students will identify the ethical dimensions and dilemmas that impact the current health care milieu, the practice of nursing, and the delivery of health care. Concepts related to access to healthcare, quality of life, the need for cost containment, national health care policy, and the rights of clients will be discussed.

NURS - 649. Internship: Clinical Nurse Leader (4)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree program. This clinical application course offers an extended clinical experience mentored by an experienced clinical nurse leader. This integration experience reflects the current health care delivery system and provides the student with the opportunity to practice in a chosen health care environment(s). The focus is on taking primary responsibility for the design, coordination, and management of health care appropriate to the client/patient population. Communication, collaboration, negotiation, delegation, coordination, and evaluation of interdisciplinary work skills will be integrated within the practice setting. The students design, implement, and evaluate a CNL project which reflects the skills essential to the application, design, and evaluation of an outcome-based practice model.

NURS - 653. Internship: Clinical Nurse Leader (2)

Clinical application course offers an extended clinical experience mentored by an experienced clinical nurse leader. This integration experience reflects the current health care delivery system and provides the student with the opportunity to practice in a chosen health care environment(s). The focus is on taking primary responsibility for the design, coordination, and management of health care appropriate to the client/patient population. Communication, collaboration, negotiation, delegation, coordination, and evaluation of interdisciplinary work skills will be integrated within the practice setting. The students design, implement, and evaluate a CNL project which reflects the skills essential to the application, design, and evaluation of an outcome-based practice model.

NURS - 675. Health Care Policy and Ethics (3)

This core course focuses on the development of the family health clinical and administrative nurse's role in health care planning and policy and the ethical considerations affecting this process. Students will identify ethical dimensions which impact on current health care policy as it relates to family health nursing and its effect on the practice of nursing in general. The concepts of access, quality, and cost containment will be overarching themes in the course discussions.

NURS - 685. Health Care Systems Management (3)

This course examines the foundational concepts of leadership and management as used by Advanced Practice Nurses in various health care settings. A systems theory approach will be used to examine the skills expected of nurse managers. Included in this examination of organizations and management will be the discussion of the role of nursing informatics, basic budgeting, human relations, nursing care delivery methods, and power.

NURS - 706. Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3)

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in either the M.E.O. or M.S.N. degree programs. This is a one-semester theory course that provides an overview of advanced concepts related to normal body functioning. The course also focuses on physiologic phenomena related to human responses to health and illness.

NURS - 707. Applied Drug Therapy (3)

This course focuses on the clinical application of pharmacology needed in the provision of advanced practice nursing. The emphasis is on drugs commonly used in the family practice of ambulatory primary health care for the treatment of chronic diseases and minor acute illnesses, and on the integration of drug therapy as one component of therapeutic management plans. Patient teaching and methods to increase adherence to medication regimens are also included. The application of the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to clinical use of drugs will be explored, including therapeutic dosage patterns, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and the use of drugs in special populations such as children, the elderly, and the pregnant

patient. Entering students are assumed to have had previous baccalaureate instruction in pathophysiology and pharmacology.

NURS - 711. Evidence-based Practice in Healthcare (3)

Course focuses on principles of evidence-based practice and policy, practice guidelines, and information utilization for practice modeling. This information pertains to practice assessment, intervention, and the evaluation of outcomes. The course expands on basic preparation in evidence-based practice, providing advanced skills needed to implement and evaluate information available from research findings and professional consensus statements.

NURS - 712. Writing for Publication (1)

Course focuses on the development of a scholarly manuscript of publishable quality to a selected publisher's standards on a topic selected by the student.

NURS - 713. Grant Writing (1)

Course focuses on identifying an external funding source consistent with the student area of focus and developing a grant application to meet the RFP or grant requirements.

NURS - 714. Bioethics in Nursing & Healthcare (3)

In-depth discussion of ethical issues related to health and illness encountered during stages of the life cycle, focusing on the influences exerted by cultural diversities and psychosocial factors including the bi-directional interaction between the individual and society. Grounded in a 460-year ethics-centered academic tradition, Jesuit bioethics education is characterized by two core values--respect for the dignity of the person, and justice in the allocation, administration, and delivery of health-care services.

NURS - 715. Theory for Health Care (3)

This course provides the student with an opportunity to learn about the purpose, terminology, and process of theory development as well as the relationship between theory, research, and practice. The emphasis is on the description, application, and critique of nursing theories and other theories useful to health care.

NURS - 716. Advanced Practice Roles (2)

Graduate seminar will provide an overview of advance practice roles and their implementation and utilization in health care systems. Issues and trends related to legislation, law, reimbursement, and policy as it affects advanced nursing practice will be emphasized.

NURS - 717. Policy and Implications for Healthcare Outcomes (3)

Course focuses on the development of the nurse's role in health care planning and policy and responsibility for patient outcomes. Students will identify the dimensions that impact current health care policy as it relates to healthcare outcomes. The concepts of access, quality, and cost containment will be overarching themes in the course discussions.

NURS - 730. Advanced Assessment Skills Practicum (2)

Prerequisite: NURS - 706. This is a one semester clinical practicum course that includes the application of the techniques of complete history taking and advanced systematic physical assessment utilized by the advanced practice nurse in the identification of the health needs of clients. Psycho-social, socio-cultural, and developmental assessment skills will be integrated throughout the assessment process. Ninety practicum hours are required. Clinical hours are in appropriate clinical settings with faculty approved preceptors.

NURS - 731. Advanced Assessment Skills (3)

Prerequisite: NURS - 706. This is a one semester theory course that includes the techniques of complete history taking and advanced systematic physical assessment utilized by the advanced practice nurse in the identification of the health needs of clients. Psycho-social, socio-cultural, and developmental staging are integrated throughout the course to reflect age-appropriate assessment.

NURS - 740. Primary Care I: Practicum (2)

Prerequisites: NURS - 706, NURS - 707, NURS - 716, NURS - 730, NURS - 731. Corequisite: NURS - 741. This combination seminar-practicum course is the first in a three semester sequence of courses designed to provide the student with the knowledge and clinical practice relevant to the roles of advanced practice nurses providing primary health care across the lifespan. This course emphasizes health promotion, risk assessment, and disease prevention in adults. Students will have the opportunity to examine models of health and wellness, principles of self care, clinical strategies for prevention and early detection of disease, risk appraisal and behavioral modification strategies, and the assessment of the impact of cultural, socioeconomic, developmental, environmental, and occupational factors in the process of risk appraisal and choosing appropriate health promotion interventions. Critical analyses of health promotion/disease prevention strategies will be accomplished through application of research data and various theoretical frameworks. The concurrent clinical practicum will provide students with an opportunity to implement course content in diverse practice settings that emphasize the principles of prevention and health promotion.

NURS - 741. Primary Health Care I: Health Care Across the Lifespan (3)

Corequisite: NURS - 740. Please see Primary Care I: Practicum.

NURS - 750. Primary Care II: Practicum (4)

Prerequisites: NURS - 706, NURS - 707, NURS - 716, NURS - 730, NURS - 731, NURS - 740, NURS - 741. Corequisite: NURS - 751. This is the second course in a three-semester sequence designed to provide the student with opportunities to explore and apply advanced nursing roles in primary health care of clients across the lifespan. The course integrates student's knowledge of assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacological, and nonpharmacological management with autonomous and collaborative nursing interventions. Through exploration of clinical presentations, including symptoms and human responses, underlying causes of common health problems in the adult and geriatric population will be analyzed and appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes will be discussed. Students will examine the environmental and social-economic factors that influence acute health problems and human responses. The course will incorporate content about information access and management and health policy as it relates to acute health problems. The course builds on the previous semester to further develop the multi-faceted role of the advanced practice nurse through application of theoretical content in diverse practice settings.

NURS - 751. Primary Care II: Adult and Geriatric Health (3)

Corequisite: NURS - 750. Please see Primary Care II: Practicum.

NURS - 763. Management of Financial Resources (3)

This course gives an overview of the principles of finance and fiscal management as applied to decision-making in clinical systems. Economic issues that affect health care systems and patient care delivery will be analyzed. Financial reports and statements will be used to analyze the profitability and fiscal stability of organizations. Students will participate in all aspects of the budgeting process. Forecasting techniques and research will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of financial management strategies. The influence of global trends on the health care delivery system will be discussed.

NURS - 780. Primary Care III: Practicum (7)

Prerequisites: NURS - 706, NURS - 707, NURS - 716, NURS - 730, NURS - 731, NURS - 740, NURS - 741. Corequisite: NURS - 781. This course focuses on the principles of family practice. Women's health and primary care of children will be emphasized. The class refines the student's ability to synthesize the knowledge base obtained in the prior courses, while further developing assessment principles, diagnostic reasoning, and critical thinking skills. Application of the health behavior, treatment modalities, diagnostics, and the health promotion and maintenance with the score of Advanced Practice Nurse in the women's health and pediatrics population will be highlighted.

NURS - 781. Primary Care III: Women's Health and Pediatrics (3)

Corequisite: NURS - 780. Please see NURS 780 Primary Care III: Practicum.

NURS - 783. Organizational Theory and Research (3)

This course serves as an introduction to the theoretical foundation of clinical systems management. Students will explore organizational theory, management theory, leadership theory, and the field of nursing administration theory to explain individual and group behavior in organizations. Classic and current research articles will provide evidence of support, or lack of it, for the pre-existing theories.

NURS - 784. Management of the Internal Environment (3)

Prerequisite: NURS - 783. Corequisite: NURS - 790. This course emphasizes management of internal forces which affect patient care delivery in various settings and throughout the health delivery system. Processes and tools for case management will be analyzed. Students will have an opportunity to learn communication methods for managing groups, teams, and populations. Conflict management, team building, consensus, culture/diversity, organizational growth and stability, project management, and integrating processes will be discussed.

NURS - 786. Management of the External Environment (3)

Prerequisite: NURS - 783. Corequisite: NURS - 790. This course emphasizes the management of external forces which affect patient care delivery in various settings and throughout the health care delivery system. The historical context and ethical dimensions of health care delivery will be discussed. Students will have an opportunity to link conceptual elements of managerial practice to strategic, legal, regulatory, technological, and structural processes of clinical systems. The effect of the external environment on the management of quality, service utilization, and case management of populations will be discussed.

NURS - 789. DNP Project (1)

Evidence-based practice project addressing a clinically relevant problem including review of literature, translation of findings to the practice setting, collaborative interdisciplinary project design, implementation, and the evaluation of impact on patient outcomes and the care environment. The project is a faculty-guided scholarly experience that provides evidence of critical thinking and ability to apply research principles through problem identification, proposal development, implementation, and evaluation.

NURS - 790. Practicum I: Role Development (3)

Prerequisite: NURS - 783. Corequisites: NURS - 784, NURS - 786. Clinical practice course which provides for the role development of the clinical systems manager under the supervision of preceptor. Students will select a setting (i.e., hospital, long term, community health agency) where principles of management of clinical systems can be evaluated. Students will determine individual goals and learning objectives consistent with a learning contract negotiated with a preceptor and approved by faculty. Clinical placement will be based on students' clinical interest and the availability of preceptors.

NURS - 791. Practicum II: Role Implementation (3)

Prerequisite: NURS - 790. Clinical Course. A clinical practice course in which the student implements the role of the clinical systems manager under the supervision of a preceptor. Students will select a setting (hospital, long term or community health agency) where concepts, theories, and principles of administration and management can be applied. Students will determine individual goals and learning objectives consistent with a learning contract negotiated with a preceptor and approved by faculty. Clinical placement will be based on students' clinical interest and the availability of preceptors.

NURS - 792. Health Systems' Practicum III: Role Evaluation (5)

Clinical practice course in which the student evaluates the role of the clinical systems leader. Students will develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practice designed to positively impact patient care outcomes. Students will determine individual goals and learning objectives consistent with a learning contract negotiated with a preceptor and approved by faculty. Clinical placement will be based on students' clinical interest and the availability of preceptors.

NURS - 793. Health Systems' Practicum IV: Role Synthesis (5)

Clinical practice focused on synthesis of the advanced practice role based on an evidence-based practice approach to healthcare systems. Students will determine individual goals and learning objectives consistent with a learning contract negotiated with a preceptor and approved by faculty. Clinical placement will be based on students' clinical interest and the availability of preceptors.

NURS - 795. DNP Residency (3)

Individualized residency experience designed as a culminating experience for the advanced practice nurse. Focus is on operationalizing the role of the advanced practice nurse and integrating evidence-based practice as relevant to patient outcomes across the practice domains.