Online M.S. in Nursing Curriculum

Research and Evidence-based Practice. This course provides an in-depth consideration of qualitative and quantitative research designs in nursing and health care, including strategies for ensuring the reliability and validity of results. Students examine the processes of evidence-based practice and quality improvement, including the use of organizational models for EBP. Students initiate work on their own major MSN project through the completion of a significant literature review and analysis.

3 

Individual & Organizational Leadership in Healthcare. Provides an in-depth exploration and application of individual and organizational leadership factors, theories, approaches, and strategies as they occur in a range of healthcare and educational environments and situations. Students prepare to effectively take on leadership roles in organizations through self-examination and critical thinking regarding complex situations.

3

Informatics, Quality, and Safety in Healthcare. This course provides a comprehensive survey of informatics, quality, and safety in healthcare, including quality improvement methodologies focused on optimizing patient safety, eliminating waste, improving health outcomes, and enhancing the care experience. Students examine health care data dashboards using statistical techniques. The important role of informatics in supporting safe, effective, and evidence-based care is considered.

3

Clinical Prevention and Population Health. Clinical prevention and population health will be explored across four domains: foundations of population health, clinical prevention services and health promotion, clinical practices and population health, and health systems and health policy. Emphasis is placed on health disparities of vulnerable populations, ethical implications, and the role of nurses in advanced practice roles in equitable distribution of resources.

3

Advanced Pathophysiology for the APN. This course focuses on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on safety and the development of clinical reasoning skills as they relate to specific diseases. Attention is given to etiology, pathogenesis, biological and environmental factors in clinical disease manifestation

3

Advanced Pharmacology. This course focuses on prescriptive knowledge for primary care practice across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on safety and the development of clinical reasoning skills as they relate to specific diseases and pharmacologic agents. Attention is given to etiology, pathogenesis, biological and environmental factors in clinical disease manifestation as well as correct dosing, toxicity, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and client education.

3

Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostics. Provides advanced practice nurses with tools to perform advanced comprehensive health assessments on clients across the lifespan. It builds on existing knowledge and skills for advanced health assessment, history taking, physical exam and emphasizes diagnostic reasoning at an advanced practice level.

3

Healthcare Delivery Systems. This course provides an overview of the complex organizational and delivery aspects of many levels of health care, including primary care, mental health, long-term care, and hospital-based care. It explores the unique aspect of different systems and strategic planning within current and potential systems that affect health outcomes.

3

Primary Care of Women Across the Lifespan. Examines foundational knowledge of women's health management. Screening, assessment, diagnosis, and standards of care for common gynecologic conditions will be discussed. Essential concepts for basic, well-woman prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care will also be examined. Health promotion and education will be explored as a means of managing care throughout the lifespan.

3

Primary Care of Children and Adolescents. Primary prevention, health maintenance, and common health problems in the children and adolescent populations are examined. The course reviews theory and evidence-based practice guidelines for safe and effective management of care. Special attention will be given to developmental needs within this population and to developing partnerships with families for person-centered care.

3

Primary Care of Adults I. Provides a comprehensive overview of primary prevention, common health problems, and health maintenance strategies in the adult and older adult population. The course reviews theory and evidence-based practice guidelines for safe, effective management of care. It also focuses on behavioral health strategies for person-centered primary care management.

3

Primary Care of Adults II. Building on content learned in NSG 614 focusing on primary prevention, common health problems, and health maintenance strategies in the adult and older adult population. The course reviews theory and evidence-based practice guidelines for safe, effective management of care. It also focuses on behavioral health strategies for person-centered primary care management.

3

Primary Care Skills I: Diagnostics and Procedures.This on-campus two-day workshop will provide hands-on procedure training and evaluation for FNP students. Diagnostics and skills will focus on skills and procedures relevant to emerging practice.

1

Primary Care Skills II: Billing, Coding, and Care Management. This course provides training in billing/coding, and care management skills relevant to emerging practice for Family Nurse Practitioner students. Students will learn how to develop a complete plan of care, including billing, for patients presenting with acute and chronic diseases via in-person and telehealth formats.

1

Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical I (210 clinical hours). The first in a series of three, this clinical course allows the student to provide primary health care focused on patients across the lifespan, including pediatrics, adolescents, women, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings. The student is guided and mentored by preceptors and faculty in activities expected of an advanced nurse practitioner.

2

Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical II (210 clinical hours). The second in a series of two, this clinical course allows the student to provide primary health care focused on patients across the lifespan, including pediatrics, adolescents, women, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings. The student is guided and mentored by preceptors and faculty in activities expected of an advanced nurse practitioner.

2

Family Nurse Practitioner Capstone Clinical III (210 clinical hours). The third in a series of three, this clinical course allows the student to provide primary health care focused on patients across the lifespan, including pediatrics, adolescents, women, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings. The student is guided and mentored by preceptors and faculty in activities expected of an advanced nurse practitioner.

2

Seminar: FNP Synthesis. Students will synthesize knowledge from the MSN with a capstone project. It also in synthesizes program outcomes in preparation for national certification and initiation of practice.

1

Healthcare Budgeting and Economics. Comprehensively examines budgeting, economics, and financial aspects of healthcare delivery such as population health, reimbursement, healthcare finance, market drivers, and the role nurse leaders play in managing the production, consumption, and distribution of services within a variety of settings.

3 

Data, Health Analytics, and Forecasting in Healthcare. Provides an introduction to analytics and decision support in healthcare management using applied quantitative methods. Financial aspects of multiple areas of healthcare operations management is considered. Financial, budgetary, and strategic planning methods are included. 

3

Healthcare Delivery Systems. This course provides an overview of the complex organizational and delivery aspects of many levels of health care, including primary care, mental health, long-term care, and hospital-based care. It explores the unique aspect of different systems and strategic planning within current and potential systems that affect health outcomes.

3

Human Resource Management in Healthcare. Provides an overview of personnel management in healthcare settings. Laws and practices for effective hiring, recruiting, training, and retaining employees are examined. This course includes a 2-day on-campus workshop.

3

Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare. This course explores strategic leadership for creating an inclusive organizational culture for patients, employees, business partners, and the community. Topics include workforce demographics, education, pipeline development, diversity initiatives, and cultural competence.

3

Professional Partnerships and Communication Strategies. Examines effective strategies for intra- and interprofessional partnerships, including leadership, communication, and collaboration. Professional partnerships for improved healthcare outcomes are explored.

3

Nurse Executive Leadership Practicum I (min. 105 practicum hours). This leadership practicum provides students the opportunity to implement the nurse leader role in an organizational setting under the guidance of and in collaboration with an experienced nurse leader, conducting one or more projects relevant to the organizational setting.

At least one credit is required for all Nurse Executive Leadership students. This course may be taken for 1-3 credits (105 hrs, 210 hrs, or 315 hrs) in order to earn hours towards DNP hour requirements.

1-3*

Nurse Executive Leadership Capstone Practicum II (min. 105 practicum hours). This culminating, capstone course provides students the opportunity to synthesize leadership skills under the guidance of and in collaboration with an experienced healthcare leader within a healthcare setting. Students will also complete a capstone project to demonstrate cumulative knowledge. At least one credit is required for all Nurse Executive Leadership students. This course may be taken for 1-3 credits (105 hrs, 210 hrs, or 315 hrs) in order to earn hours towards DNP hour requirements.

1-3*

Nurse Executive Leadership Synthesis. This course provides the opportunity for students to synthesize knowledge from the MSN with a capstone project. It also in synthesizes program outcomes in preparation for national certification and initiation of practice.

1