Full Course Description List:

NUNP Courses

(5 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, elderly, and frail elderly. They engage in a variety of course assignments that focus on physical and behavioral disease processes central to diagnosing illnesses as well as planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic treatment programs for acute illnesses commonly encountered in a primary healthcare setting. Students gain confidence in clinical experiences in a primary healthcare setting where they learn to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens for adult patients with common acute and chronic illnesses.

(5 credits)

The frail elderly are a subpopulation characterized by the decline in functional ability to meet the basic activities of daily living. In this course, students focus on the complex health care and management needs of the frail elderly by advanced nurse practitioners in community settings. Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens through the analysis of case studies and the actual care of frail elderly in various 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.

(5 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 children and adolescents 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.

(5 credits)

The complex assessment and care of patients in the hospital setting will require advanced practice nurses to obtain the specialized skills necessary to provide quality care for patients in these acute care settings. This course is designed to prepare students to provide care for acute, chronic, and critically ill patients. Students in this course will be introduced to the role of the advanced practice nurse, while gaining confidence in caring for patients. Through course assignments and clinical practice in the acute care setting, students will plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients. Students will also increase their knowledge of pharmacologic management of hospitalized patients, while applying knowledge gained through previous coursework.

(5 credits)

How can a nurse practitioner decide what is important to focus on in a 15–30 minute appointment with a woman seeking primary, prenatal, or postpartum care? Students in this course gain opportunities to teach and promote wellness in women through the process of screening for common gynecological disorders, normal pregnancy, and other common health conditions that impact women's health. Students learn to analyze data to interpret results for the benefit of women seeking assistance with planning healthy lifestyle behaviors. They also gain clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting that provides opportunities to increase competence in diagnosis, treatment, referrals, or follow-up care with a concentration on improving patient outcomes.

(5 credits)

Students in this course will advance their clinical competence in the care of medical and surgical patients in acute care settings. Through clinical practice, 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. Clinical experiences in hospital settings will provide students with the continued opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans for patients with complex acute, critical, and chronic illness. The application of knowledge in the management of medical and surgical patients and the collaboration between the advanced practice nurse and the patient, family, and multidisciplinary healthcare team are emphasized.

(5 credits)

Students in this synthesis course will focus on clinical competence in primary care settings by building on knowledge and skills gained in previous courses. Through clinical practice students will build confidence as they begin the transition from the role of registered nurse to advanced practice nurse. Classroom activities and case studies will enable students to explore the salient advanced practice nursing issues involved in the delivery of safe, competent, quality and cost-effective care of patients in a dynamic healthcare system. Clinical experiences in primary care settings will provide students with the continued opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate management plans for patients with complex health conditions. The application of knowledge in the management of clients and collaboration between the advanced practice nurse and the client, family, and interprofessional healthcare team are emphasized.

(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 mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) 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 mental 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 of efficacy, and long-term management.