Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| NURS 5050 |
Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing
This course is a review of the basic concepts in the structure and function of cells and how the breakdown of these functions lead to human disease. Students will learn how genetics is central to understanding human health and disease and will gain new insights into the role and interactions between microorganisms and the human immune system. | 3 |
| NURS 6042 |
Pharmacotherapeutics
This course covers clinical application of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics for common disease conditions encountered in primary care settings. Principles of altered pharmacodynamics relative to age, race, and ethnic groups are explored. | 3 |
| NURS 5030 |
Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing
Students will explore a variety of healthcare issues facing advanced nursing practice by becoming involved at a personal and collaborative level in healthcare policy. Students will analyze national and local nursing organizations and advocacy initiatives, evaluate the pros and cons of public and private reimbursement policies, and explore healthcare quality and the influence of emerging technologies, economic, political, sociocultural, and ethical factors on healthcare outcomes. | 3 |
| NURS 5034 |
Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles & Interprofessional Collaboration
In this course, students explore and evaluate leadership theory, models of care delivery and interprofessional collaboration. Theoretical foundations are analyzed within a Christian framework related to conflict management, leadership, and education to improve health outcomes. The role of interprofessional collaboration in delivering safe patient care is examined. | 3 |
| NURS 6036 |
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
The student will gain increased understanding of various physiological systems and the pathophysiology of frequently encountered primary care conditions across the lifespan and in special populations. In-depth case analysis of risk factors, pathophysiological changes, and associated clusters of signs and symptoms are investigated. Pathophysiological theories and evidence-based research as a basis for advanced nursing practice are studied. | 3 |
| NURS 5040 |
Evidence Based Nursing Practice
In this course the student will gain increased understanding of the research process and beginning competence in: identifying researchable nursing education or clinical practice problems, searching databases for research evidence, analyzing the significance of quantitative and qualitative data, critiquing research studies, translating evidence into practice, and synthesizing research findings related to a nursing problem. | 3 |
| NURS 6045 |
Role Transition for the APN
Role Transition for the Advanced Practice Nurse explores the history of advanced practice nursing and the role of nurse practitioners in providing high-value primary health care and their role as community leaders. This course explores the transition of the student from registered nurse to the advanced practice nurse role with topics that include family-focused care, clinical education, case presentations, clinical placement, professionalism, ethics, and reimbursement. | 2 |
| NURS 6038 |
Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
This course is designed to provide the nurse practitioner student with knowledge and skills in advanced health assessment techniques and diagnostic reasoning. The focus of this course is on advanced clinical history, taking and physical and psychosocial assessment of individuals/families across the lifespan. Differentiation of normal variations and pathophysiologic changes are emphasized integrating advanced clinical reasoning within the scope of advanced practice nursing. | 3 |
| NURS 8003 |
Biostatistics & Epidemiology
This course will introduce students to tools and concepts in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to use these resources to improve outcomes in their clinical practice through experiential applications in quality improvement, population health, prevention, and critical appraisal of the health literature. | 4 |
| NURS 8015 |
Advanced Evidence-Based Practice
The purpose of this course is to introduce concepts associated with evidence-based nursing practice theories and models. Strategies for creating a culture of evidence based practice both for individuals and systems will be discussed. Proposed evidence-based practice changes are based on an understanding of the cultural, financial, and legal and human resource needs of the health care environment. The goal of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume a leadership role in transforming healthcare and educational environments. | 3 |
| NURS 8021 |
Healthcare Informatics
Health Care Informatics examines the student’s abilities to use information systems/technology to support and improve patient care and healthcare systems, and provide leadership within healthcare systems and/or academic settings. The student is exposed to informatics concepts, design, selection, and use of information systems/technology to evaluate programs of care, outcomes of care, and care systems. Information systems/technology provides a mechanism to apply budget and productivity tools, practice information systems and decision supports, and web-based learning or intervention tools to support and improve patient care. | 3 |
| NURS 8010 |
Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice
This course is designed to apply knowledge and skills related to health care finance, business, and economic decision making in the health care environment. Topics covered include reimbursement, insurance, budgeting, strategic planning, and grant writing to support the DNP in the practice environment. | 3 |
| Specialization | ||
| Select one of the following specializations | 23 | |
| Specialization Course (FNP) | ||
NURS 7013 |
Diagnostic Skills for APRN
Evidenced based clinical decision making for selection of and interpretation of diagnostic tests are reviewed in this course. Commonly performed office procedures, diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests utilized in primary care will be explored. There is an emphasis on ordering appropriate labs and diagnostics to assist the APRN in the medical decision making process. | |
NURS 7110 |
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Primary Care for the Family Nurse Practitioner
This first health care management course focuses on the role of the Family Advanced Practice Nurse in care of diverse populations across the lifespan. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and introduces the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions. | |
NURS 7111 |
Adult Chronic and Acute Disease Management - FNP
This second didactic course builds upon the previous health care management course and focuses on the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in the care of diverse adolescent and adult patients. This course emphasizes the use of evidence-based guidelines as a framework for the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions and restorative health in addition to formulating differential diagnoses. | |
NURS 7112 |
Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and the Older Adult - FNP
This didactic course builds upon the two prior health care management courses and focuses on the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in providing complex care for diverse patients with a focus on pediatric, women’s health, and the older adult populations. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and furthers the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions, and restorative health. | |
NURS 8123 |
FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency I
In the first of three practicum courses, students will develop the skills required to conduct comprehensive history and physical examinations on patients across the lifespan. Using an evidence-based framework, students will focus on developing a diagnostic approach to performing a detailed history and physical exam. | |
NURS 8124 |
FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency II
In the second of three practicum courses, students will integrate assessment and diagnostic skills when performing comprehensive health evaluations of patients across the lifespan. Using an evidenced-based framework, students will apply concepts of health promotion and disease prevention to assess and manage patients with acute and chronic health conditions. | |
NURS 8125 |
FNP Primary Care Clinical Residency III
In the third and final practicum course, students will demonstrate proficiency when performing comprehensive health evaluation and management of patients with complex acute and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. Students will integrate leadership and systems-based practice with increasingly independent decision making while improving clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills. | |
| Specialization Courses (AGPCNP) | ||
NURS 7013 |
Diagnostic Skills for APRN
Evidenced based clinical decision making for selection of and interpretation of diagnostic tests are reviewed in this course. Commonly performed office procedures, diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests utilized in primary care will be explored. There is an emphasis on ordering appropriate labs and diagnostics to assist the APRN in the medical decision making process. | |
NURS 7220 |
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Primary Care for the Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
This first health care management course will focus on the role of the Adult Gerontology Advanced Practice Nurse in care of diverse populations from adolescence through older adulthood. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and introduces the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions. | |
NURS 7221 |
Adult Chronic and Acute Disease Management - AGPCNP
This second didactic course builds upon the previous health care management course and focuses on the role of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in the care of diverse adolescent and adult patients. This course emphasizes the use of evidence-based guidelines as a framework for the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions and restorative health in addition to formulating differential diagnoses. | |
NURS 7222 |
Women’s Health and the Older Adult - AGPCNP
This third didactic course builds upon the two prior health care management courses and focuses on the role of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care in providing complex care for diverse patients with a focus on women’s health and the older adult populations. This course emphasizes the use of evidence based-practice as the framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies and furthers the role of the advanced practice nurse in diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic conditions, restorative health and palliative and supportive care. | |
NURS 8226 |
AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency I
In the first of three practicum courses, students will demonstrate the skills required to conduct comprehensive history and physical examinations on patients from adolescence through older adulthood. Using an evidence-based framework, students will focus on developing a diagnostic approach to performing a detailed history and physical exam. | |
NURS 8227 |
AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency II
In the second of three practicum courses, students will integrate assessment and diagnostic skills when performing comprehensive health evaluations of patients from adolescence through older adulthood. Using an evidenced-based framework, students will apply concepts of health promotion and disease prevention to assess and manage patients with acute and chronic health conditions. | |
NURS 8228 |
AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency III
In this third and final practicum course, student will demonstrate proficiency when performing comprehensive health evaluation and management of patients with complex acute and chronic health conditions from adolescence through older adulthood. Students will integrate leadership and systems-based practice with increasingly independent decision making while improving clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills. | |
| Leadership Courses | ||
| NURS 9030 |
DNP Project Practicum Immersion I
This is the first of three sequential courses to develop and complete the DNP project. In this course, students will solidify the focus of the project and lay groundwork for the culminating DNP project. The course emphasizes using assessment data and available literature to identify a nursing practice issue focused on a population of interest to support change and involvement. Students work with a mentor from a selected health care agency, along with stakeholders, as part of an interdisciplinary team to increase leadership competencies and business practice interventions. The student also collaborates with their faculty chairperson to review the project progress. | 1 |
| NURS 9031 |
DNP Project Practicum Immersion II
This is the second of three sequential courses to develop and complete the DNP project. The focus of this course is on designing a scholarly project that addresses a specific problem of interest. Students use evidence-based findings from the literature to identify a theoretical framework to support the project intervention. Students will apply practice inquiry skills to synthesize and integrate knowledge to design the steps of the project implementation. Students continue to work with a mentor from the selected health care agency, along with stakeholders, as part of an interdisciplinary team to increase leadership competencies and business practice interventions. Students also collaborate with their faculty chairperson to review the DNP project progress. | 1 |
| NURS 9032 |
DNP Project Practicum Immersion III
This is the third of three sequential courses in the development of the DNP project. This course focuses on the implementation of the proposed plan with evidence-based interventions to address the selected problem of interest. The student continues to work within a selected health care agency along with an identified mentor to increase competencies in areas such as leadership and business practice. | 1 |
| NURS 9040 |
DNP Project I
In this course, students build upon prior knowledge and coursework to prepare for the role of the DNP prepared advanced nurse and develop a foundation for the DNP Project. Students attain knowledge of the quality improvement process, apply knowledge when conducting an organizational needs assessment, use strategies to prioritize organizational needs, and learn a foundation for applying research and other evidence to support change and improvement in practice. Students complete practicum hours in relation to the DNP Project for planned change. | 4 |
| NURS 9041 |
DNP Project II
The DNP capstone project is a scholarly experience that implements the principles of evidence-based practice and translation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The outcome of the DNP capstone Translational Research Project courses will be a tangible and deliverable academic product that is derived from the practice immersion experience and will be reviewed and evaluated by an academic committee. | 4 |
| Total Hours | 70 | |