Full Course Description List:

DNRS, DNUR Courses

(5 credits)

Nurses base practice on sound and tested evidence to ensure the safety, high quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. This course provides students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and how it interacts and aligns with research and quality improvement. Students will examine how to use databases to discover evidence and how to apply their knowledge of research methodologies to critically appraise literature. They will also examine opportunities to strengthen their synthesis and integration skills to determine whether a change in practice is needed, based on a body of evidence. Through exploration of implementation, evaluation, and dissemination strategies, students will explore the intricacies of leading and mentoring change within an organization to enhance nursing practice.

(5 credits)

Students in this course examine the fundamentals of finance and economics in healthcare delivery. They explore different ways to analyze financial data and interpret the results of those analyses. They explore budgeting and financial management tools in the context of the nurse leader's role in the management of operational and capital resources. They examine the influence of policies and budgetary assumptions on the provision of health services. Students also explore budget and resource decisions contributing to the achievement of organizational outcomes within the context of providing efficient and cost-effective quality care.

(5 credits)

Advanced practice nurses must be equipped with an in-depth understanding of pathophysiological disease processes across the lifespan. In this course, students focus on understanding the bio-physiological processes, the deviations from these processes, and an in-depth examination of the scientific concepts related to the biology of disease processes. Advanced practice nursing students build on their knowledge of normal organ systems functioning to help organ systems return to optimal homeostasis. Through knowledge of pathophysiological disease processes, students synthesize the information needed to develop appropriate treatment plans for patients across the life span. Students explore a variety of topics regarding organ system diseases.

(5 credits)

The physical and emotional well-being of patients and families can be complex and multifaceted. Advanced practice nurses need to have the knowledge and ability to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical health assessments. Students in this course focus on concepts and skills to assess patients across the lifespan. They learn to use diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns. Students also will explore preventative health through risk evaluation of healthy individuals as a central theme of clinical practice in addition to the assessment of patients with acute and chronic health problems. The advanced skills of suturing, reading 12 Lead EKGs, and interpreting X-rays will be covered. Course assignments emphasize risk assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based assessment across the lifespan.

(5 credits)

A solid foundation in the concepts and principles of drug therapy across the lifespan is essential to the work of advanced practice nurses. This course applies the advanced principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy, such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, complementary regimens, and patient behaviors are considered. Through this course, students prepare to examine complex decisions in the management and treatment of selected acute and chronic diseases across the life span through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic agents. Advanced practice nursing students will have a more in-depth understanding of drug legislation and regulation for prescribing drugs.

(5 credits)

At times, psychotherapy is not enough to alleviate the emotional difficulties that some patients face. To that end, psychopharmacologic approaches are needed. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) must have a strong basis in psychopharmacology, extending from a prior education in pharmacology, to make appropriate medication choices for their patients. Learners in this course consider psychopharmacologic approaches to major behavioral health disorders including but not limited to major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, as well as psychotic disorders. Learners explore key considerations associated with medication selection, monitoring efficacy, and long-term management.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521

(5 credits)

This introductory course, designed for pediatric advanced practice nurses, introduces students to pediatric development and behavior. The course focuses on developmental and behavioral milestones, family systems, parenting styles, screening, surveillance, and assessment of infants, children, and adolescents. Management strategies, referral options as well as legal, ethical, and policy issues are discussed for children with normal development and behavior. The course also focuses on strategies for promoting wellness through anticipatory guidance of the child and family at each stage of development.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521

(5 credits)

In today's rapidly changing healthcare delivery system, decisions made within the political arena impact the future of health delivery systems, healthcare professionals, and the populations they serve. In this course, students examine the policy process and its impact on healthcare delivery, cost, quality, and access. Students examine the importance of getting healthcare issues on federal and state agenda, investigate governmental response through legislation and regulation, and identify where they can advocate for positive outcomes in program/policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Global health issues are examined for their relevance and impact on the development of the nurse advocate. Through discussions, reflection, case studies, and the application of professional communications techniques as political tactics to influence policy outcomes, students demonstrate integration of policy decision-making into professional nurse practice for the benefit of individuals and populations.

(5 credits)

Nurses base practice on sound and tested evidence to ensure the safety, high quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. This course provides students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and how it interacts and aligns with research and quality improvement. Students will examine how to use databases to discover evidence and how to apply their knowledge of research methodologies to critically appraise literature. They will also examine opportunities to strengthen their synthesis and integration skills to determine whether a change in practice is needed, based on a body of evidence. Through exploration of implementation, evaluation, and dissemination strategies, students will explore the intricacies of leading and mentoring change within an organization to enhance nursing practice.

(5 credits)

This course sets the foundational stage for the Nurse Executive specialty track. Students focus on theoretical and practical aspects of leadership in healthcare contexts, and they discuss professional standards of practice for nursing leadership. They explore components of the redesign or reformation of healthcare delivery and performance. Through this course, students synthesize the responsibilities of the nurse leader in the achievement of healthcare outcomes.

(5 credits)

Students in this course examine the fundamentals of finance and economics in healthcare delivery. They explore different ways to analyze financial data and interpret the results of those analyses. They explore budgeting and financial management tools in the context of the nurse leader's role in the management of operational and capital resources. They examine the influence of policies and budgetary assumptions on the provision of health services. Students also explore budget and resource decisions contributing to the achievement of organizational outcomes within the context of providing efficient and cost-effective quality care.

(5 credits)

Nursing leadership is grounded firmly in managing our most important resource—human capital. In this course, students address nurse executives' role and responsibilities in human resource management. Students explore recruitment and selection of human resources while ensuring current legal, ethical, professional, and practice systems and procedures align with organizational strategies, outcomes, policies and standards. They consider how to apply technology to support human resource functions. Additionally, students examine strategies to support positive organizational and nursing service goals. They also have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion, staff engagement, and empowerment, as well as creating collaborative and supportive partnerships within organizations.

(5 credits)

This course will examine health care quality assurance and risk management and the methods that are utilized to achieve improvements in health care organizations. Topics will include: the link between patient safety and legal and regulatory compliance; the role of accreditation organization requirements in patient safety; evidenced-based outcomes and standards of care; the development and archiving of reports, data and device evidence in medical error situations; and managing patient safety compliance through credentialing of health care professionals.

(5 credits)

This course will cover compliance regulations resulting from federal and state laws governing health care in various settings. Students will learn the essential elements of an effective compliance program and how to implement them. Topics will include: setting up and maintaining a compliance program, the role of the health care compliance officer, investigating, reporting, enforcement and discipline, and ethics in compliance management.

(5 credits)

In this course, students will consider the evolution of the U.S. healthcare system and health policy. Topics covered include current challenges in the delivery of healthcare and the future of the healthcare system. Perspectives for analyzing health and healthcare will be introduced with a focus on advocacy, activism, workplace influences, and the impact of technologies on healthcare, variations in medical practice, and quality of healthcare delivery.

(5 credits)

This course serves as an introduction to major health policy issues and examines the role of government in the health care system. The course will focus on the role of policy analysis in the formation and implementation of national and local health policy and the policy implications of how government pays for care. The role of the legal system with respect to adverse medical outcomes, economic rights, and individual rights is discussed. Proposals for health policy reform at the national and local level will be examined including potential reforms of Medicare and Medicaid. An overview of health program analysis and evaluation will also be discussed.

(5 credits)

The development of leadership strategies and competencies that support the healthcare organizational delivery of quality care is imperative to quality outcomes within healthcare systems. In this course, students use a systems approach to explore structures, processes, and outcomes that impact healthcare quality and ultimately improve patient experience and outcomes. Students learn how interdisciplinary collaboration is important to the development of quality and safety. Engaging in conceptual and application-based assignments, students focus on clinical and service quality planning and improvement initiatives; models, tools, and innovations for process improvement; and the importance and use of metrics in daily operations.

(5 credits)

Nurse leaders in healthcare organizations must be aware of and integrate strategic organizational goals. Students in this course use an interdisciplinary case study approach to address unmet organizational and/or professional needs through strategic planning processes. Students apply organizational, behavioral, political, leadership, and management knowledge and theory to planning, implementing, and evaluating strategically planned change. Through these applications, students learn to use a variety of administrative strategies within the context of supportive and collaborative interdisciplinary relationships to achieve desired health care outcomes that effect positive social change in patient and professional communities.

(5 credits)

The educational environment in higher education and health care settings is influenced by social, economic, regulatory, and technological transformations. Students in this course learn the theoretical foundations that drive curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation. They also focus on curriculum components, which include societal, professional, and educational trends that affect nursing education curricula.

(5 credits)

In this course, students explore how to plan instruction on a nursing topic, creating and adapting meaningful lessons and assessment/evaluation strategies for multiple learning environments and learner characteristics. Considering the diverse learning needs and ethical considerations of different learner groups (e.g., nursing students, staff, and patients/caregivers), students examine how to effectively integrate technology tools and develop lessons encompassing those needs. Students also explore evaluation strategies and outcome measurements related to their chosen topic and how technology can assist. A final project involves adapting a face-to-face lesson for a digital learning environment. Throughout the course, students apply innovative teaching approaches for effective nursing education.

(5 credits)

In this course, students develop basic skills that are used by Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Academic Nurse Educators in practice and academic environments, respectively. Foundational theories of learning are covered as they are applied to the Nursing Professional Development Practitioner and Academic Nurse Educator roles. An overview of the educational design process is examined. Standards and competencies for Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Academic Nurse Educators, and Academic Clinical Nurse Educators are explored as well as concepts of organizational alignment and leadership.

(5 credits)

Public health nursing is shaped by social, behavioral, cultural, and demographic factors that impact health care at multiple levels. In this course, students will develop an understanding of the history of public health and public health nursing, public health law and ethics, system infrastructure, and issues related to health equity and health disparities. Students will analyze theories and research that will assist them to understand the social determinants of health and develop models to assess and deliver health care to populations to promote a culture of health.

(5 credits: 3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)

The development of leadership strategies that supports the public health care system delivery of population health is imperative to quality outcomes. This course addresses the application of principles of leadership and management in a public health setting. And the skills needed for nurses to provide effective leadership across agency partnerships at the community, state, national, and international levels. A special focus will be placed on developing collaborative partnerships, systems thinking, evidence-based decision-making, organizational problem-solving, public health finance, professional accreditation, emergency preparedness, and global health competencies. Students will complete a practicum with a public health-related agency focused on program evaluation and the use of management and leadership skills.

Pre-requisites

• PUBH 6475