Courses

.75 credit

Establishes the framework for advanced nursing and a clinical leadership role. Concepts, theories and principles form nursing and related disciplines are examined from a systems perspective. The application of theory in ethical practice is explored to promote optimal outcomes and clinical leadership.

Prerequisites: NRS 508, NRS 520, NRS 525 and NRS 526.

.75 credit

Examines the structure, function and forces that shape U.S. and global health care delivery systems. Explores current and emerging technologies to support safe practice environments that optimize patient safety, cost effectiveness and health outcomes for individuals and populations. Identifies policy decision-making in relation to advanced nursing role. This course provides essential content to exercise clinical leadership in inter-professional teams in health care organizations and to advocate for individuals, diverse populations and the discipline of nursing.

Prerequisites: NRS 513, NRS 514 and NRS 538.

.50 credit

Examines the role of the CNL in addressing issues of quality improvement and safety in health care delivery systems. Advocacy and accountability for safe, quality, patient-centered care within standards of nursing practice are stressed.

Prerequisite: NRS 501.

Examines knowledge, skills and attitudes essential to professional nursing practice with individuals, families and populations across the lifespan. Clinical reasoning skills for the professional nursing role are developed using the concepts of quality, safety, evidence-based practice and patient-centered care within the health-illness continuum. Ethical principles and social determinants of health are introduced as framework for professional nursing practice. Clinical practicum/lab provides opportunity for application of these concepts as a provider of care in a variety of health care systems.

Focuses on theories, principles and processes for the adult population experiencing health problems within priority areas of care. A systems framework is used to discuss clinical prevention and patient-centered care for select care issues. Utilize knowledge of illness and disease management to support evidence-based decision making as a provider of direct care. Beginning leadership skills and ethical practice in promoting optimal care outcomes are fostered in an advanced nursing role.

Prerequisite: NRS 501.

Focuses on theories, principles and processes for care of the adult population experiencing health problems. A systems framework facilitates integration of knowledge from previous nursing and science courses. Knowledge of illness and disease management to support evidence-based decision making as a provider of care. Application of critical thinking and clinical judgment supports progressive decision making in promoting optimal outcomes of the adult population in advanced nursing roles. Clinical leadership for patient care practices and delivery is fostered in the coordination and evaluation of care.

Prerequisites: NRS 501 and NRS 509. NRS 507, NRS 527 and NRS 528 may be concurrent.

Patient-centered nursing care for the management of clients with complex health problems is addressed in a variety of settings. Selected complex health alterations are used as the context within concepts of case management, care transition and discharge planning. Clinical practicum builds on previous knowledge, skills and attitudes and provides opportunity for application and synthesis of course concepts. Emphasis is on increasing leadership, collaboration in inter-professional teams, and ethical practice.

Prerequisites: NRS 513, NRS 514 and NRS 538.

Individual, community and population centered care using the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Framework is addressed. Principles of teaching, learning and health promotion to design, implement and evaluate health education are examined. Clinical practicum builds on previous knowledge, skills and attitudes and provides opportunity for application and synthesis of course concepts. Professional nursing roles of advocate, clinical leader and educator within an interdisciplinary model are emphasized.

Prerequisites: NRS 513, NRS 514 and NRS 538.

Examines patient and family centered nursing care for select psychiatric/mental health conditions across the health-illness continuum. Students develop the professional roles of provider and designer/manager/coordinator of nursing care using an evidence-based approach. Clinical practicum builds on previous knowledge, skills and attitudes and provides opportunity for application of course concepts in a variety of health care systems.

Prerequisites: NRS 507, NRS 509, NRS 510, NRS 527 and NRS 528.

.50 credit

Examines the clinical nurse leader role in communication and care coordination. Skills in conflict management and team collaboration are explored. Emphasis is placed on leadership in the management of care at the microsystem level.

Prerequisites: NRS 513, NRS 514 and NRS 538.

Examines patient and family centered nursing care for select conditions and health alterations specific to children and families across the health illness continuum. Students develop the professional roles of provider and designer/manager/coordinator of nursing care using an evidence-based approach. Clinical practicum builds on previous knowledge, skills, and attitudes and provides opportunity for application and synthesis of course concepts in a variety of health care systems.

Examines patient and family centered nursing care for select conditions and health alterations specific to reproductive-age women, newborns, children, and families across the health illness continuum. Students develop the professional roles of provider and designer/manager/coordinator of nursing care using an evidence-based approach. Clinical practicum builds on previous knowledge, skills and attitudes and provides opportunity for application and synthesis of course concepts in a variety of health care systems.

.75 credit

Focuses on the knowledge that is foundational for clinical decision making in an advanced nursing role. A systematic, patient-centered approach to health assessment across the lifespan is emphasized. Students develop skills in interviewing, history-taking and physical examination. Lab experiences provide the opportunity to demonstrate advanced assessment skills.

.75 credit

Provides the scientific foundation for practice in an advanced nursing role. Focuses on etiology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation of common disease processes across the life span. This course provides the scientific rationale for clinical decision making and care management.

.75 credit

Focuses on major drug classifications, including indications, actions, interactions and side effects. Principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics provide the foundation for an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to clinical decision making and care management across the lifespan. Includes selected clinical applications of advanced pharmacology with related pathophysiology using a case study model.

.75 credit

This course is an introduction to epidemiological and statistical knowledge and skills that are fundamental to an advanced nursing role. Concepts essential for evidence-based practice, clinical prevention and population health are covered.

Prerequisite: NRS 501.

.75 credit

Provides the foundation for evidence-based decision making in the advanced role of clinical nurse leader. Knowledge of research design and essential competencies related to research in professional nursing are developed. Retrieval and systematic appraisal of evidence and the application of evidence to foster change and achieve optimal outcomes in nursing practice are addressed.

Prerequisite: NRS 501.

.75 credit

Focuses on transition as a graduate for entry into professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on promotion of lifelong learning and incorporation of ethical, legal and professional accountability for practice. Readiness for practice is examined.

Corequisite: NRS 540.

.75 credit

Focuses on the leadership role of the professional nurse as a clinical nurse leader. Role transition is supported by examination of the front-line clinical competencies of nursing leadership, clinical outcomes management, and care environment management at the microsystem level. Integration of systems theory, change theory, leadership and management theories, and social responsibility in professional nursing practice is emphasized. Organizational, economic, regulatory and interpersonal factors that impact nursing practice are explored. Skills in coordination, delegation, management and utilization of resources are addressed. Students analyze essential patient advocacy and education competencies to ensure delivery of quality care as a professional nurse.

Prerequisite: NRS 532. Concurrent enrollment with NRS 540.

.75 credit

Builds on the theories and principles of teaching/learning for an advanced nursing role that have been developed in the foundational courses. As an advanced competence course, emphasis is on knowledge and skills for teaching, learning and communication in technology-enabled environments. Focus includes management of relevant data and use of information to support professional nurses and to care for patients in multiple settings. Ethical and legal issues related to information technology are explored from the perspective of an advanced nursing role.

Prerequisites: NRS 502, NRS 511, NRS 512 and NRS 515.

.75 credit

Focuses on management of outcomes for individuals and populations. Health care systems are analyzed at the point of care to anticipate client risk, identify patterns of problem occurrence, target areas in need of intervention and examine cost. Skills are developed in microsystem assessment and the use of information systems and technology. Outcomes related to quality, risk and cost are reviewed in relationship to benchmarks. Recommendations for changes in practice for optimal outcomes are explored.

Prerequisites: NRS 507, NRS 509, NRS 510, NRS 527 and NRS 528.

1.5 credits

Designed as a capstone experience to synthesize knowledge and skills of professional nursing practice developed through the program and integration of the clinical nurse leader role. Focuses on clinical leadership in lateral integration of care at the point of care to promote optimal outcomes. Residency is a precepted clinical immersion experience. Residency supports implementation of clinical nurse leader role functions including advocate, health professional, team manager, information manager, system analysis/risk anticipator, clinician, outcomes manager and educator. Designated clinical faculty maintain frequent communication with students and assume responsibility for assessment and evaluation of student clinical experiences and competencies. Students complete 400 clinical hours.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all previous coursework with concurrent enrollment in NRS 530 and NRS 531 and consent of program director.