Full Course Description List:

DRNP Courses

(3 credits)

In this course, students learn how nurse practitioners master the art and science of clinical decision making among adult populations across the lifespan. Students focus on the diagnosis and management of primary healthcare needs and problems of the adult across the lifespan. They engage in a variety of course assignments that focus on physical and behavioral disease processes central to diagnosing conditions as well as planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic treatment programs for acute illnesses commonly encountered in a primary healthcare setting.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521

(3 credits)

In this course, students focus on the complex healthcare and management needs of older adults by advanced nurse practitioners in acute and primary care settings. Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens of older adults through the application of knowledge in multiple settings. Additionally, students examine content related to end-of-life care and caregiver issues to gain the knowledge and sensibilities needed to implement positive change for the quality of life available to this vulnerable population.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6531

(3 credits)

How can a nurse practitioner master the art and science of clinical decision making among pediatric populations? This course provides students with the opportunity to answer this question as they examine content related to the primary healthcare of pediatric patients, from newborn through adolescence (up to age 21), while focusing on growth and development, health promotion, and common primary care health problems. Students learn how to identify, diagnose, and manage these problems. They also gain confidence in clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting that provides opportunities to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens for acute and chronic illnesses commonly found in children and adolescents.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6531

(3 credits)

This course is the second of four clinical courses in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care curriculum. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate care for acutely/critically ill patients or patients experiencing an exacerbation of a chronic health problem. The clinical focus is on the role of the acute care nurse practitioner working with an interdisciplinary team across settings to facilitate the patient's return to optimal health. Students will apply appropriate diagnostic procedures and relevant laboratory tests in developing appropriate treatment plans to address patient health needs in the acute care setting.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6540
• DRNP 6566

(3 credits)

How can a nurse practitioner decide what is important to focus on in a 15–30 minute appointment with individuals seeking primary, prenatal, or postpartum care? Students in this course gain opportunities to teach and promote wellness in individuals through the process of screening for common gynecologic conditions, normal pregnancy, and other common health conditions that impact the individual's health. Students learn to analyze data to interpret results for the benefit of the individual seeking assistance with planning healthy lifestyle behaviors. They also gain an understanding of working with individual's sexual identity and sexual orientation with respect to, ethical decision making, and an unbiased approach to optimal care. Students will consider how this course will benefit their clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting to increase competence in diagnosis, treatment, referrals, or follow-up care with a concentration on improving patient outcomes.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6531

(1 credits)

This course provides students with foundational knowledge in the assessment and management of pregnant women. Common physiologic changes in pregnancy, complications, and postpartum care are discussed. Students analyze available data and plan appropriate interventions leading to positive outcomes for pregnant women and infants. Students develop competence in diagnosis, treatment, referral, and follow-up care.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6531

(3 credits)

Students in this course will advance their clinical competence in the care of patients in acute care settings. Students will build confidence as they begin the transition from student to advanced practice nurse. Classroom activities and case studies will enable students to explore resources and support systems available to acutely ill adolescents, adults, and older adults. The application of knowledge in the management of patients and the collaboration between the advanced practice nurse and the patient, family, and multidisciplinary healthcare team are emphasized.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6550

(3 credits)

Students in this synthesis course focus on clinical competence in the care of adults in primary care settings by building on knowledge and skills gained in previous courses. Students build confidence as they continue to transition from the role of registered nurse to that of advanced practice nurse. Classroom activities and case studies enable students to explore the salient nurse practitioner practice issues involved in the delivery of safe, competent, high-quality, and cost-effective care of patients in a dynamic healthcare system. The application of knowledge in the management of clients and collaboration among the advanced practice nurse and the client, family, and interprofessional healthcare team are emphasized. This course is designed for nurse practitioner (NP) students to synthesize their knowledge and clinical skills to provide care to patients with complex health conditions.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6540
• DRNP 6552

(3 credits)

This course is the first of four clinical courses in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care curriculum. Students will explore and integrate concepts of pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and collaborative management of adolescents, adults, and older adults who are acutely/critically ill or experiencing an exacerbation of a chronic health problem. The clinical focus is on the role of the acute care nurse practitioner working with an interdisciplinary team across settings to facilitate the patient's return to optimal health. Topics include cardiac, pulmonary, and renal issues as well as common diagnostic test and procedures.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521

(3 credits)

Students in this synthesis course focus on clinical competence in family settings by building on knowledge and skills gained in previous courses. Students build confidence as they continue to transition from the role of registered nurse to that of advanced practice nurse. Classroom activities and case studies enable students to explore the salient nurse practitioner practice issues involved in the delivery of safe, competent, high-quality, and cost-effective care of patients in a dynamic healthcare system. The application of knowledge in the management of clients and collaboration among the advanced practice nurse and the client, family, and interprofessional healthcare team are emphasized. This course is designed for nurse practitioner (NP) students to synthesize their knowledge and clinical skills to provide care to patients with complex health conditions.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6541
• DRNP 6552

(3 credits)

Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) need to have the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive mental health evaluations in a safe and competent manner. In this course, students can learn how to use knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic reasoning for health promotion and psychiatric assessment, and to develop differential diagnosis for patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders across the life span.

(3 credits)

Psychotherapy involves giving more than good advice. For the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) to be effective, deliberate approaches to therapy must be consistent with evidence-based practices. Learners in this course examine a variety of therapeutic techniques that can be used during psychotherapy sessions with individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based applications of various therapeutic approaches for a wide range of psychiatric issues.

(3 credits)

Working from a lifespan approach, this course brings together diagnosis and treatment planning in psychiatry. Topics include psychiatric assessment, application of diagnostic criteria, diagnostic formulation, differential diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and appropriate labs and diagnostics. The learner will select a combination of psychotherapeutic modalities coupled with psychopharmacologic approaches to treat common psychiatric mental health conditions across the lifespan. Legal and ethical considerations for working with clients across the lifespan will be addressed. Students build confidence as they continue to transition from the role of registered nurse to that of advanced practice nurse.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521
• DRNS 6630
• DRNP 6635
• DRNP 6645

(3 credits)

Continuing from the lifespan approach, students in this final course for the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) focus on clinical competence in mental health settings by building on content and skills from previous courses. Selection of assessment approaches for patients across the lifespan, as well as differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, and diagnostic case formulation will be undertaken. The learner will use both psychotherapeutic approaches coupled with psychopharmacologic approaches to treat common psychiatric mental health conditions. Classroom activities and case studies enable students to explore the salient nurse practitioner practice issues involved in the delivery of safe, competent, high-quality, and cost-effective care of patients in a dynamic healthcare system. The application of knowledge in the management of clients and collaboration among the advanced practice nurse and the patient, family, and interprofessional healthcare team are emphasized. This course is designed for nurse practitioner (NP) students to synthesize their knowledge and clinical skills to provide care to patients with complex health conditions.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521
• DNRS 6630
• DRNP 6645
• DRNP 6665

(3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the advanced practice nursing student with specialized knowledge needed for the well population of newborns to young adults. Course content also emphasizes common illnesses seen in the primary care office setting, health promotion, and evidence-based practice in the primary care setting.

Pre-requisites

• DNRS 6501
• DNRS 6512
• DNRS 6521
• DNRS 6800

(3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the pediatric advanced practice nursing student with specialized knowledge needed for the management of complex acute and chronic illnesses in children from birth to young adulthood. There is emphasis on evidence-based approaches to diagnose and treat complex and chronic illnesses in pediatric patients within the family and community systems. Students also integrate knowledge, theory, and clinical practice research from a variety of disciplines into age-appropriate assessment and treatment of children using culturally appropriate strategies for patient and family education.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6810

(3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the pediatric advanced practice nursing student with specialized knowledge needed when caring for specialized pediatric populations from birth to young adulthood. There is emphasis on what makes various subpopulations special and how best to provide evidence-based healthcare and disease management for special populations. This includes behavioral health issues, bullying, adolescent health, sexuality, contraception, eating disorders, LGBTQ+ youth, child abuse, mental health, and foster children.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6820

(3 credits)

This course is designed to prepare advanced practice nursing students with a combination of knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for the pediatric nurse practitioner primary care role. It also assists students to implement the pediatric nurse practitioner role in a collaborative model of practice.

Pre-requisites

• DRNP 6830