Curriculum
Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing program may be completed in full-time or part-time study. Full-time students can complete the degree in two calendar years. Formal course offerings in the program are divided into core courses and the advanced nursing practice clinical track component.
Pre-requisites
- Before beginning clinical courses, students must first complete the core content curriculum and have at least one year of relevant clinical experience (two years for the Neonatal track) as a licensed registered nurse. This applies to all tracks except the Master's of Science in Nursing with a Certificate in Health Professions Education.
Clinical Track Curriculum
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist / Nurse Practitioner
Non-Clinical Curriculum
Core Course Descriptions
| Content | Course |
|---|---|
| Genetics This course will integrate clinical applications of genomics, including current ethical, legal, and social issues and emphasize the responsibility of the advanced practice nurse. Fall |
NURS 600 |
| Transition to Practice This course will assist completing students to make an easier transition to practice as advanced practice nurses. Students will focus on portfolio development, preparation for certification, and legislative and practice issues. Spring |
NURS 604 |
| **Foundations for Advanced Practice Focus is on the analysis and application of selected nursing and family theories for advanced practice. Fall (on-line) |
NURS 605 |
| **Health Care Systems The U.S. healthcare system evolution, services, policy, and delivery are examined and compared politically, ethically, technologically, environmentally, and socioeconomically. Availability, access, regulation, and accountability are considered using systems theory. Spring. |
NURS 606 |
| **Research & Professional Writing This course is an overview of nursing research using multiple designs and methods. Ethical issues, data management and analysis of findings are included. Instruction in scientific writing is integrated. Fall. |
NURS 609 |
| Pathophysiology for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (Neonatal Track Only - Course in currently in development) |
NURS 630 |
| Advanced Nursing Pharmacology Provides the basic pharmacological foundation for the nurse practitioner and clinical specialist in advanced practice. Fall. |
PHTX 650 |
| **Evidence Based Nursing Analysis of the value of research in advanced nursing practice. Focus is on research theory and process, ethics, critique of the literature, and dissemination of findings. Fall. |
NURS 651 |
| **Statistics Applied descriptive and inferential statistics. Fall, Spring, Summer. |
NURS 652 |
| Advance Practice Roles This web-enhanced course focuses on the advanced practice roles of educator, consultant, researcher, leader, and expert practitioner. Scope of practice, credentialing, reimbursement and future issues are also addressed. Spring. (On-line) |
NURS 653 |
| **Introduction Health Informatics Exploration and analysis of the foundation principles used in studying information utilization in health-related activities through case studies of selected problems and applications. Summer. |
NURS 654 |
| Pathophysiology: Clinical Decision Making This course provides the student an opportunity to synthesize pathophysiological concepts essential for critical thinking and clinical decision-making by the nurse in an advanced practice role. Spring. (Not required for Neonatal Track. Neonatal has track specific Pathophysiology and Assessment Courses.) |
NURS 655 |
| Advanced Clinical Assessment This course builds upon the basic critical thinking and psychomotor skills that professional nurses use in client care. Emphasis is on the physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment of individuals and families. Summer. (Not required for Neonatal Track. Neonatal has track specific Pathophysiology and Assessment Courses.) |
NURS 656 |
| **Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Across the Lifespan Theoretical and research foundation of health promotion and illness prevention (HPIP). Multilevel HPIP evidence-based interventions related to competencies of advanced practice nurse in various settings will be discussed. Spring. |
NURS 657 |
| Neonatal Pharmacology ( Neonatal Track only. This course is currently in development). |
NURS658 |
** - These are the Core Course taken for the Master of Science in Nursing Program with a Certificate in Health Professions Education.
