Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Major in Leadership and Administration in Nursing

NURS 5102. Advanced Health Assessment Practicum.

This course emphasizes advanced health assessment techniques and skills common to patient evaluation and development of differential diagnoses. Advanced physical assessment skills and identification of common signs and symptoms related to physical examination will be developed. (60 practicum hours) Corequisites: NURS 5202 and NURS 5301 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5111. Diagnostic Reasoning and Procedures Practicum.

This course examines clinical laboratory diagnostics, imaging tests, and procedures commonly practiced in primary care by advanced practice nurses. Students will learn diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making skills through virtual and case simulations. Additionally, students will learn procedures in on-campus intensives as part of the clinical requirements of the course. Students complete 45 practicum hours in this course. Corequisite: NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5112. Advanced Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Interview.

This course provides a foundation for psychiatric assessment and clinical interview techniques to determine mental health status of clients throughout the lifespan. Additionally, psychiatric differential diagnosis, standardized screening tools, and documentation of a psychiatric assessment are emphasized. Prerequisite: NURS 5301 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5135. Foundations of Leadership Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5335. This practicum course provides experiential learning through foundational development in the nursing leader role utilizing leadership theories, frameworks, and best practices based on evidence. Practicum experiences examine leadership styles, organizational designs, and cultures in healthcare. Additionally, self-reflection, relationship-building, and healthcare team dynamics will be examined in the clinical setting. Corequisite: NURS 5335 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5165. Quality Improvement Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5265. This practicum course provides experiential learning through application of evidence-based practice. Using quality improvement science, students will critically appraise research and apply high quality evidence to improve healthcare processes and systems in the clinical setting. Corequisite: NURS 5265 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5185. Financial Management Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5285. This practicum course provides experiential learning through application of business and financial concepts in healthcare settings. Students will participate in budget and staffing processes in the healthcare facility. Additionally, using strategic and financial management constructs, students will develop a proposed healthcare business plan. Prerequisite: NURS 5260 and NURS 5262 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5285 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5190. Transition to Practice: The Advanced Practice Nurse as Healthcare Provider.

This course is designed for students preparing for the entry level role of a nurse practitioner. Students will examine a more in-depth view of the nurse practitioner role specific to licensure, malpractice, national certification and exam, and prescriptive authority including controlled substances. Prescriptive delegation, DEA, and other advanced practice nurse role socialization aspects are explored. Prerequisite: NURS 5111 and NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5250 and NURS 5255 and NURS 5256 and NURS 5257 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5345 and NURS 5346 and NURS 5351 and NURS 5354 and NURS 5391 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5392 and NURS 5393 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5195. Nursing Leadership Role Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5395. This practicum course provides experiential learning in operational, administrative, and strategic competencies related to the nurse leader role. This practicum experience promotes synthesis of leadership theories, quality, and risk management in the healthcare environment. Additionally, resilience, professionalism, and policy development will be examined in the clinical setting. Prerequisite: NURS 5185 and NURS 5165 and NURS 5135 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5395 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5205. Healthcare Leadership and Finance for Advanced Nursing Practice.

This course explores leadership concepts and complexity of changing healthcare systems for the advanced nursing role. Healthcare economics, innovation, and resource stewardship are examined. Change management and leadership theories guide students to create a leadership philosophy. Rich leadership perspectives and diversity from various professional fields are examined through reflective practice. Prerequisite: NURS 5301 and NURS 5351 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5208. Health Policy, Ethics, and Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice.

This course prepares students as advocates and change agents in health policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Current professional, ethical, and legal issues that influence advanced practice nursing, nursing education and the health care delivery system are presented. The importance of collaborative engagement in health care policy and economics at the local, national, and global levels is emphasized. Prerequisite: NURS 5205 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5209. Advanced Health Assessment.

This course provides the foundation for advanced health assessment techniques and skills common to family practice across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on interviewing skills, a methodical approach to physical examinations to formulate differential diagnosis. Documentation using informatics and electronic medical records is presented. Content incorporates physiological, psycho-social, spiritual, cultural, diversity, developmental, and integrative components of health. Corequisite: NURS 5111 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5301 all with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5210. Advanced Health Assessment Practicum.

This course serves as the companion course to NURS 5209. Emphasis is placed on the development of advanced health assessment techniques and skills common to patient evaluation and development of differential diagnoses for patients across the lifespan. Advanced interview skills, physical assessment skills, and identifying common signs and symptoms related to physical examination will be developed through lab, simulation, and clinical practicum experiences. Students complete 90 practicum hours with emphasis in advanced health assessment skills. Corequisite: NURS 5301 and NURS 5209 and NURS 5351 and NURS 5111 with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5230. Psychiatric Mental Health Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Pediatric Clients.

This course provides a foundation for evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of pediatric and adolescent clients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric theories, psychotherapies, health promotion and culturally sensitive interventions are examined. Establishing the provider-client therapeutic partnership is also explored. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5102 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5233 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5233. PMH Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Pediatric Clients Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5230. This practicum course applies health promotion, assessment, and diagnostic skills in managing care of pediatric and adolescent clients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders through integration of evidence-based psychiatric theories, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and alternative-based interventions. Working with a preceptor, students will facilitate therapies, create and evaluate treatment plans, and collaborate as part of interprofessional teams to deliver holistic care. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5102 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5230 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5243. PMH Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Adult and Geriatric Clients Practicum.

This practicum course serves as a companion course to NURS 5340. The course teaches application of health promotion, assessment, and diagnostic skills in managing care of adult and geriatric clients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders through integration of psychiatric theories, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and alternative-based interventions. Working with a preceptor, students will facilitate therapies, create and evaluate treatment plans, and collaborate as part of the interprofessional team to deliver holistic care. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5102 and NURS 5230 and NURS 5233 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5340 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5250. Mental Health Wellness and Illness in Primary Care.

This course examines behavioral and mental health wellness and illness in the context of family practice. Application of evidence-based knowledge to provide clinical management of patients across the lifespan with common psychiatric-mental health problems is emphasized. Screening, crisis intervention, and various therapies are presented, as well as referrals and interprofessional approaches to care. Prerequisite: NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5111 and NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 all with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5255. Pediatric and Adolescent Primary Care Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS5354. Students will apply and refine skills using an evidence-based approach for health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses for pediatric and adolescent patients using family centered and developmental perspectives. Students complete 120 practicum hours with emphasis in pediatric primary care. Prerequisite: NURS 5111 and NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5250 and NURS 5345 and NURS 5346 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5354 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5256. Geriatric Primary Care.

This course examines holistic assessment, prioritizing differential diagnosis, and integrative clinical management of older adult and geriatric patients using family centered perspectives (ages 65+). Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illness including polypharmacy and end of life considerations. Prerequisite: NURS 5354 and NURS 5255 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5257 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5257. Geriatric Primary Care Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5256. Students will refine skills using an evidence-based approach for health promotion, disease prevention, and integrative clinical management of common acute and chronic illness for geriatric patients and families. Comprehensive health status assessment, end of life care, and complex chronic health issues are addressed. Students complete a 90 hour practicum for this course. Prerequisite: NURS 5354 and NURS 5255 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5256 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5260. Organizational Development: Culture, Communication, & Interprofessional Concepts for Nurse Leaders.

This course provides students a foundation in organizational theories and dynamics to support the nursing leader’s role in improving system-level outcomes in healthcare organizations. The role of patient experience, communication strategies, and interprofessional team dynamics within the context of the organization will be explored. In addition, methods to influence and lead change in healthcare systems will be examined. Prerequisite: NURS 5335 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5261. Informatics and Innovation in Nursing Leadership.

This course provides students with skills in healthcare informatics in the context of the nursing manager or executive. Utilization of information systems and technology to lead innovative change and quality improvement processes are emphasized. Prerequisite: NURS 5335 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5262. Healthcare Finance and Strategic Management Foundations.

This course provides students with the foundation in financial acumen of business models and healthcare delivery systems. Students will learn mechanics of strategic management that includes use of standard industry tools and techniques to collect and analyze data to develop components of a strategic plan in the context of healthcare. Prerequisite: NURS 5335 and NURS 5260 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5263. Fostering Human Performance and Systems Thinking.

This course builds on nursing leadership competencies for effective human resource management within complex, adaptive healthcare environments. Students will learn and integrate into practice concepts associated with human resources management and performance including nature of work, compensation and benefits, workforce planning, recruitment and hiring. Additionally, training and development, employee appraisal, and union-management relations will be explored. Prerequisite: NURS 5335 and NURS 5260 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5264. Health Policy, Law, and Ethics.

This course prepares students as advocates and change agents in health policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Current professional, ethical, and legal issues that impact nurse leaders and influence health care delivery are presented. The importance of collaborative engagement in health care policy at the local, national, and global levels is emphasized. Prerequisite: NURS 5335 and NURS 5260 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5265. Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement, and Healthcare Systems.

This course lays a foundation for students to utilize research evidence and its role in supporting evidence-based practice. Content guides students to identify existing problems in clinical practice and healthcare systems through the translation of evidence into practice using quality improvement methods. Critical appraisal of research skills and opportunities to apply high quality evidence to improve healthcare processes and systems will be examined. Corequisite: NURS 5165 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5285. Business and Financial Management in Healthcare.

This course provides students with business, accounting, and financial concepts in the context of healthcare delivery systems. Emphasis is placed on staffing, budgets, revenue, and cost management for the role of the nurse leader. Additionally, entrepreneurship and business plans are explored. Prerequisite: NURS 5260 and NURS 5262 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5185 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5301. Advanced Pathophysiology.

In preparation for advanced practice, this course will expand understanding of the pathophysiology underlying dysfunctions and interrelatedness of the processes of normal physiology and pathophysiology across the continuum of disease and return to wellness. Applications will be made utilizing lifespan perspectives of the process.

NURS 5303. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics.

This course provides advanced knowledge in selecting pharmacologic agents and specific drugs, based on acute and chronic health problems in diverse populations. Knowledge of pharmacologic groups, indications and contraindications, dosing with special needs groups, adverse effects, and collaborative monitoring of pharmacotherapy and alternative therapies will be developed.

NURS 5312. Neuroscience, Epigenetics, and Psychopharmacology.

Building on previous knowledge of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, this course presents advanced concepts of neuroscience, epigenetics, and psychopharmacology that contribute to mental health and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Clinical management of psychotropic medication in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and mental illness are discussed and emphasis is placed on biologic actions, neurobiology, safe prescribing, and treatment response of psychiatric medication management. Pertinent laboratory diagnostics and neuroimaging related to psychiatric health and illness are also analyzed. Prerequisite: NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5335. Foundations of Leadership and Executive Nursing Practice.

This course emphasizes organizational and systems leadership by synthesizing principles of leadership, management, and change theory. Various leadership styles, organizational designs in healthcare, and leadership sustainability are explored. Corequisite: NURS 5135 with a grade of "C" or better.

NURS 5340. PMH Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Adult and Geriatric Clients.

This course provides a foundation for evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of adult and geriatric clients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric theories, psychotherapies, health promotion and culturally sensitive interventions are examined, and emphasis is placed on the provider-client therapeutic partnership. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5102 and NURS 5230 and NURS 5233 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5243 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5345. Young and Middle Adult Primary Care.

This course focuses on holistic assessment, formulating differential diagnoses, and integrative clinical management of young and middle adult primary care patients (ages 18-65). Course content includes health promotion and maintenance, including sexual, perinatal, and reproductive considerations of the child-bearing family. Management of common acute and chronic illness in this age group in the context of family centered perspectives and rural considerations are also emphasized. Prerequisite: NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5111 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5346 and NURS 5303 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5346. Young and Middle Adult Primary Care Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS5345. Students will apply theory to practice skills using an evidence-based approach for health promotion, sexual, perinatal, and reproductive care for the child-bearing family. This course provides experience to refine diagnostic reasoning skills for management of common acute and chronic illness in young and middle adult aged patients using a family centered approach. Students complete 180 practicum hours with emphasis in young and middle adult primary care. Prerequisite: NURS 5209 and NURS 5210 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5111 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5345 and NURS 5303 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5351. Theoretical Foundations and Role Development of Advanced Integrative Nursing.

This course explores historical processes and role development in advanced nursing practice. Theories and frameworks that guide and inform advanced nursing practice and scholarly inquiry are examined. Integration of theories from nursing, integrative care, and related disciplines provide a foundation for the graduate student to transition into the advance practice role and form a basis for evidence-based practice.

NURS 5354. Pediatric and Adolescent Primary Care.

This course emphasizes holistic assessment, formulating differential diagnosis, and integrative clinical management of pediatric and adolescent patients (ages 0-21). Content includes primary care approach health promotion, disease prevention, and managing common acute and chronic illnesses of increasing complexity using family-centered and developmental perspectives. Perspectives of underserved and rural populations in a variety of clinical settings will be explored. Prerequisite: NURS 5345 and NURS 5346 and NURS 5250 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5255 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5360. Leadership Science: Foundational Thinking Skills, Governance, & Community & Provider Relationships.

This course will emphasize leadership skills in communication, leadership styles and organizational theory. Communication will focus on conflict resolution, presentation skills, and relationship building. Delivery systems, leadership styles, and demand for nursing will be examined. Complexity science, systems theory, and diversity required for organizing health care will be explored.

NURS 5361. Leadership Science: Performance and Quality Improvement.

This course will articulate performance improvement activities using evidence-based metrics to align patient outcomes with organizational goals. Methods for using quality metrics and action plans will be emphasized.

NURS 5362. Leadership Science: Patient Safety, Risk Management, Legal and Regulatory Requirements.

This course will examine areas of risk and liability. Students will develop systems that identify early warning indicators of problems and will explore “just in time” reporting. The concept of sentinel events and root cause analysis will be explored. Accreditation standards, legal regulations, and compliance requirements will be integrated.

NURS 5363. Leadership Science: Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders.

The students will explore evidence-based practice (EBP) for nurse leaders. This EBP course will equip nurses with the skills needed to effectively engage in EBP, to serve as EBP champions and mentors, and to lead projects within healthcare facilities.

NURS 5364. Leadership Science: Health Care Finance and Workforce Planning.

This course will emphasize workforce planning for nursing and the application of general principles of accounting. Twenty hours will be allocated to the development of a department operational and capital budget in collaboration with a nurse director or executive. Negotiation and monitoring of contracts and contract compliance will be explored.

NURS 5365. Leadership Art: Ethics, Diversity, and Relationship Building.

This course will explore theories of culture and will include legal regulations that govern diversity. The relationship between medical ethics and corporate compliance will be explored. Methods for creating a trusting environment will be evaluated and the need for relationships with providers and academia will be illustrated.

NURS 5366. Leadership Art: Health Policy and Advocacy.

This course will focus on the need for leaders to belong to professional organizations to affect policy and advocacy. Participation in legislative activities will be promoted at the state and national levels. The impact of nurse leaders serving on boards that govern health care activities and organizations will be emphasized.

NURS 5367. Leader Within: Professional Accountability, Succession Planning and Reflective Practice I.

This course provides a mentored experience for the synthesis of critical thinking and reflections from didactic work with the practice of nursing leadership. Observational and independent learning activities will result in a Part I of the final capstone project reflecting culmination of program objectives.

NURS 5368. Leader Within: Professional Accountability, Succession Planning and Reflective Practice II.

This course is designed to be the culminating mentored experience for the synthesis of critical thinking and reflections from didactic work with the practice of nursing leadership. Students will evaluate and present their final capstone project, reflecting summation of program objectives.

NURS 5370. Psychiatric Mental Health Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan.

This course builds on previous courses to further develop competency in the PMHNP role in comprehensive, integrative clinical management for clients with complex psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, while utilizing current evidence-based practice guidelines. Self-directed management, crisis intervention and stabilization, and interprofessional collaboration of care in a variety of settings are emphasized. Additionally, innovative care modalities such as telehealth are explored to reach rural and underserved clients, special populations, and diverse communities. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5102 and NURS 5230 and NURS 5233 and NURS 5340 and NURS 5243 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5373 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5371. Clinical Prevention and Population Health.

Students will examine an overview of global and national population health including social determinants of health, health disparities, cultural diversity, and clinical prevention with an emphasis in evidence-based practice. Resources will be discussed in relation to the availability, barriers, and access in the community and rural areas. Prerequisite: NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5351 all with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5373. Psychiatric Mental Health Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan Practicum.

This course serves as a companion course to NURS 5370. This culminating lifespan practicum course provides experiential learning through further development of competency in the PMHNP role in comprehensive, integrative clinical management for special populations and clients with complex psychiatric disorders, utilizing current evidence-based practice guidelines. Practicum experiences emphasize crisis intervention and stabilization, guided self-directed management, and collaboration in an interprofessional environment in a variety of psychiatric settings. Additionally, innovative care modalities such as telehealth are explored to reach rural and underserved clients and diverse communities. Prerequisite: NURS 5312 and NURS 5112 and NURS 5301 and NURS 5303 and NURS 5102 and NURS 5230 and NURS 5233 and NURS 5340 and NURS 5243 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5370 with a grade of "B" or better.

NURS 5391. Translational Science for Evidence Based Practice and Innovation Capstone.

Students will explore evidence-based practice (EBP) for advanced nursing practice professionals. This course will equip graduate nursing students with the skills needed to effectively critique and engage in EBP, to serve as EBP champions and mentors, and to lead projects and innovation within healthcare facilities. Emphasis is placed on completion of a quality improvement or scholarly project, under the direction of a faculty member, which synthesizes advanced practice knowledge and skills to address substantive advanced nursing practice issues. Prerequisite: NURS 5255 and NURS 5354 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5392. Integrative Family Primary Care.

This course emphasizes health promotion and complex, integrative clinical management of patients and families with co-morbidities utilizing both traditional and complementary or alternative methods based on evidence and research. Integration of complex primary healthcare considerations and clinic-based emergency interventions are examined. Prerequisite: NURS 5256 and NURS 5257 and NURS 5391 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5190 and NURS 5393 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5393. Integrative Family Primary Care Practicum.

This course serves as the companion course to NURS5392. Students will master skills in utilization of holistic assessment, integrative clinical decision making, and designing interventions and treatment plans in a variety of clinical settings as they prepare for entry level into advanced practice nursing. Emphasis is placed on management of co-morbidities and complex patient management for patients across the lifespan integrating both traditional and complementary or alternative methods as part of the treatment plan. Students complete 180 practicum hours in this course. Prerequisite: NURS 5256 and NURS 5257 and NURS 5391 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5190 and NURS 5392 both with grades of "B" or better.

NURS 5395. Nursing Leadership and Administration Role Development.

This course provides students the opportunity to synthesize leadership, organizational, and financial skills as they complete preparation for transition to the nurse leader role. Leadership perspectives and diversity from nursing and other professional fields are examined through reflective practice. Additionally, policy advocacy and development, and disaster management are examined.  Prerequisite: NURS 5335 and NURS 5135 and NURS 5265 and NURS 5165 and NURS 5391 and NURS 5285 and NURS 5185 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: NURS 5195 with a grade of "B" or better.