Nursing — Courses

Nursing courses are open only to students matriculating in the graduate nursing programs, except by permission of the Graduate Program Director.

Core Courses

NURSNG 601
Advanced Nursing Concepts in Theory and Practice

This course focuses on the nature and structure of knowledge, with emphasis on the structure of contemporary nursing knowledge. Learners have opportunities to analyze and evaluate various nursing conceptual models and theories, as well as selected models and theories from adjunctive disciplines, and to apply those models and theories to advanced practice nursing.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 613
Human Diversity in Healthcare

This course examines the challenges associated with providing competent health care to diverse populations and examines its effects on the health of individuals, groups, and populations. Health behavior and health care outcomes are analyzed within the context of social, economic, political, and cultural forces. Implications of an increasingly diverse population for nursing education, research, and practice are determined, and strategies for improving the management of human diversity in nursing and health care are critically analyzed.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 614
Advanced Pathophysiology

This course focuses on the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of pathophysiological processes throughout the lifespan. Relevant research is integrated into evidenced-based nursing practice.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 615
Advanced Health Assessment

This course focuses on the development of advanced practice nursing skills in health assessment for urban populations. Concepts, theories, and research on human development, anticipatory guidance, prevention, and early detection of risk factors and disease are emphasized. Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and communication skills are developed through practice with case guide vignettes and simulated practice experiences specific to the student’s area of advanced practice nursing in the college laboratory.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 616
Utilization of Nursing Research for the Advanced Practice Nurse

This course focuses on theory-guided and evidence-based advanced practice nursing research to prepare students to become proficient in the utilization of research findings. Critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative research methods and design, and strategies to improve dissemination and application of nursing research findings in advanced practice settings, will be emphasized. Through an integrative literature review, students will synthesize research in an area of interest and develop skills in the use of electronic databases. Ethical issues in the conduct of research will be explored.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 618
Health Policy, Finance, Ethics

This course is designed to examine how ethical, financial, and health policy issues and concerns are linked in the health care delivery system. The role of the nurse in developing a professional ethical framework, understanding the economic implications of health care, and shaping and formulating health policy will be stressed. Several decision-making models and strategies in health policy, finances, and ethics will be compared. Relevant research in health policy, finances, and ethics will be analyzed.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 631
The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

The historical development, scope, and functional roles of the advanced practice nurse are analyzed. Students examine the dynamic relationships among professional organizations, health care trends, and health care policy as they influence the need for advanced practice nursing. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in the health care system. Related health professions theories, research, and opportunities for implementing changes are emphasized. Critical thinking, group dynamics, leadership skills, and role of the APN as educator are studied and modeled in classroom experiences and course assignments.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 634
Advanced Pharmacology

The course focuses on the role of advanced practice nurses in applying pharmacotherapeutics to the management of health and illness in populations at risk for morbidity and mortality. Students acquire advanced knowledge as a foundation for prescribing and monitoring pharmaceutical and alternative therapeutic agents. Emphasis is placed on synthesis of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. Evidence-based outcomes, consensus guidelines, and research studies are critiqued. Ethical, legal, and risk-management issues are discussed.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Courses

NURSNG 690
Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care I

This course introduces the role of the Acute Care/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, focusing on the patient sphere of influence. The course refines students’ clinical judgments and their diagnosis of common patient problems in the autonomous domain, extends assessment skills, and expands knowledge of nursing interventions and expected outcomes. Students acquire and expand the knowledge and skills needed for the advanced practice direct care competency and ethical decision-making. Diversity, health care disparities, and ethical issues will be discussed as they relate to the clinical topics. Students will apply theory and research through comprehensive assessments and the design of appropriate management strategies.
Prerequisites: NURSNG 601, 613, 614, 615, 616.
Corequisite: NURSNG 634.   
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 691
Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care II

This course builds on NURSING 690 and continues to emphasize the patient sphere of influence and the student’s competence in providing direct care as a CNS. A focus on high-incidence clinical problems, symptoms, or issues in acute and critical care continues. Students deepen their knowledge of acute and critical care from interdisciplinary empirical and theoretical literature and other sources of evidence. The emphasis is on synthesizing knowledge from a variety of sources to make clinical judgments and to build the practice base needed for implementing other advanced practice competencies—e.g., patient teaching and coaching.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 690.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 692
Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care III

This course builds on the patient population focus introduced in NURSING 691 and emphasizes the nursing personnel sphere of influence. Knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, and management in the autonomous nursing domain will be required. The course has two primary emphases: measurement of relevant, nursing-sensitive patient outcomes and quality improvement approaches to improving care provided by the CNS and other nurses. The Quality Health Outcomes Model (QHOM) will be used to frame outcome measurement and analysis. Evidence-based approaches to improving the quality of care, together with concepts from the QHOM, will be used to guide students in the selection and design of strategies aimed at improving the practice of groups of nurses.
Prerequisites: NURSNG 691.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 693
Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care IV

This course focuses on the organizational/ network sphere of influence and strategies for implementing the CNS role, with emphasis on the CNS as a nursing leader and an essential member of the interdisciplinary team. Theoretical and evidence-based, practical approaches to assessing health care systems as organizations and designing and implementing effective change are discussed. Focus is on the analysis of the organizational issues specific to effective CNS practice in acute and critical care. Analysis of factors such as finances and regulatory requirements will be examined. Students will develop the skills to assess the impact of organizational factors on clinical practice across the continuum of care and design strategic approaches to implementing change.
Prerequisites: NURSNG 692.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

Nurse Practitioner Courses

NURSNG 637
Mental and Psychosocial Health of the Urban Family

Multicultural individuals and families at risk for mental and psychosocial problems are considered within the context of urban living. Nursing theory and research is applied to developing processes of care for individuals with mental health and psychosocial problems across the lifespan. Students learn evidence-based care including cognitive-behavioral, psychopharmacological, and non-traditional approaches to psychosocial and related physical problems. Research related to environmental, psychosocial, genetic, economic and family systems, developmental risk factors, drug efficacy, and nonpharmacological approaches for individuals with mental and psychosocial illness is investigated. The impact of contemporary health care policy and legislative proposals on quality, cost, and access to care are investigated.
Prerequisites: NURSNG 631 and NURSNG 634, or permission of the instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 638
Advanced Health Promotion Practicum I

Students analyze the clinical application of theories and research from nursing, diversity, health promotion, and disease prevention. Family, human development, patient education, and community theories that explain the phenomena of family focused care are examined. Data grounded in epidemiological sources, health histories, family assessments, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests are examined as the basis for case finding and identification of risk factors. Students begin to institute primary and secondary interventions, demonstrate interdisciplinary communication skills, examine collaborative community partnerships, and analyze the dimensions of nurse practitioner professional leadership roles in the urban community.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 639
Primary Care of Adults

Students examine the nursing and health related theory and research applied to the primary care management of adults with episodic and chronic illness. Diagnostic, therapeutic, and pharmacological regimens are examined. Legal, ethical, and health policy issues that impact the delivery of primary health services are integrated. Continued emphasis is placed on developing social cultural sensitivity to the variations in health care needs of urban populations.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 638.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 670
Primary Care of the Adult/Older Adult Practicum II

Theory and research from multiple health disciplines are further integrated as students develop competencies in the role of adult/gerontological nurse practitioner. Under the supervision of nurse practitioners and faculty, students manage and coordinate primary care for multicultural adults and families experiencing health and illness problems across the continuum of care, including acute, subacute, community, home care, and long-term-care settings. The diagnostic, therapeutic, evaluative, consultative, and teaching functions of the nurse practitioner are emphasized. Seminar discussions include an exploration of the health policy issues that influence the delivery of health care to underserved urban adults and communities.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs and 15 Practicum Hrs/Week, 6 Credits

NURSNG 671
Primary Care of Older Adults

This course focuses on the health care issues and needs of elders across the care continuum of acute, chronic, community, and long-term-care settings. Aspects of physical, emotional, and social aging across the lifespan are explored utilizing various theoretical perspectives and models. The assessment, teaching-coaching, and management roles of the advanced practice gerontological nurse in relation to acute and chronic health conditions of the older adult are emphasized. The complex interplay of the political, economic, legal, and ethical factors that influence health care delivery to older adults is examined.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 670.
Corequisite: NURSNG 672.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 672
Primary Care of the Adult/Older Adult Practicum III

Students further refine skills in critical thinking and clinical reasoning in the application of theory and research to practice. Assessment, diagnostic, therapeutic, and health teaching strategies are applied to a continuum of health promotion/illness problems, with a focus on the primary care of adults and older adults across the continuum of care. Seminars are grounded in learning the application of theory and research to the domains of practice of the adult/gerontological nurse practitioner, including the management of patient health and illness and the teaching-coaching function of the nurse practitioner and ensuring the quality of health care practices. Interdisciplinary collaborative practice skills are developed. Students develop role competencies under the supervision of nurse practitioner preceptors and faculty in urban health care settings.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 670.
Corequisite: NURSNG 671.
3 Lect Hrs and 15 Practicum Hrs/Week, 6 Credits

NURSNG 680
Primary Care of the Family Practicum II

Family nursing theory and research are further integrated as students develop competencies in their role as family nurse practitioner. Under the supervision of nurse practitioners and faculty, students manage and coordinate primary care for multicultural urban families experiencing a continuum of health promotion, episodic, and chronic illness problems. The diagnostic, therapeutic, evaluative, consultative, and teaching functions of the nurse practitioner role are examined within a professional, ethical and legal framework. Skills in collaborative interdisciplinary practice are emphasized. Seminar discussions include an exploration of the health policy issues that influence the delivery of health care to underserved urban families and communities.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director.
3 Lect Hrs, and 15 Practicum Hrs/Week 6 Credits

NURSNG 681
Primary Care of the Childbearing Family

Students integrate research from the pathophysiological, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences. The primary care needs of multicultural families in urban communities are addressed. Problems of women, infants, and children are analyzed within a family nurse practitioner framework for practice. Evidence-based laboratory, diagnostic, therapeutic, and pharmacological plans of care are applied to problem management. Emphasis is placed on developing advanced competence in the management of common health and illness. Health policies, including cost, quality, access to care, and evaluation and management guidelines for reimbursement, are integrated throughout the course.
Prerequisite: 680.
Corequisite: NURSNG 682.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 682
Primary Care of the Family Practicum III and Capstone

Students further refine skills in critical thinking in the application of theory and research to practice. Assessment, diagnostic, therapeutic, and health teaching strategies are applied to a continuum of health promotion/illness problems with a focus on the primary care of women, infants, and children. Seminars are grounded in learning the application of theory and research to the domains of practice of the family nurse practitioner, including the management of patient health and illness and the teaching-coaching function of the nurse practitioner and ensuring the quality of health care practices. Interdisciplinary collaborative practice skills are developed. Students develop role competencies under the supervision of nurse practitioner preceptors and faculty in urban health care settings.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 680.
Corequisite: NURSNG 681.
3 Lect Hrs and 15 Practicum Hrs/Week, 6 Credits

Elective Courses

NURSNG 607
Health Policy

In this interdisciplinary course, students develop a basic understanding of how the health care system operates. The course looks at the system’s historical development and continual shaping in a politically and economically complex environment and explores implications for contemporary health care. Participants also examine different health policies and address ethical concerns of access, quality, and cost.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 696
Independent Study

Students wishing to enroll in this course should present to the faculty a well-defined problem for investigation. Plans for advanced study should be established at the beginning of the semester during which the student wishes to take the course. The study will be conducted in consultation and collaboration with the student’s faculty advisor, and documented in a report at the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: 6 graduate credits in nursing and permission of the graduate program director.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-3 Credits

NURSNG 697
Special Topics in Nursing

This advanced course offers intensive study of selected topics in the field of nursing. Course content and credit vary according to the topic and are announced prior to registration.
1-3 Lecture Hours, 1-3 Credits

PhD Courses

NURSNG 701
Science as a Way of Knowing

This course investigates “science” in its multiple forms as a set of clues to the nature of knowledge. Specifically, this course advances the relationship of philosophy of science and theory to nursing science. The course explores forces and issues in the philosophy of science and theoretical thinking which guide science and knowledge development in nursing methodologies and practice. Theory-research-practice linkages in nursing knowledge development are highlighted. Specific philosophy of science content includes the complex symbolic structures of “scientific” concepts; conceptual frameworks and explanations; the variety of methods used in scientific inquiry; the nature of scientific discovery and creativity; the role of metaphysical and aesthetic factors in the construction and validation of theories; the social matrices and determinants of scientific research; and science’s dependence on both value judgments and technology.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 702
Models of Health Care Services: Meeting the Needs of the Urban Population

This course focuses on health care needs and issues of access and quality of services for the urban population. It traces the historical development of health service delivery in the US, compares the US system with that of other countries, and discusses the values and beliefs that influence the delivery of health services. Attention is also given to analyzing the roles of nursing and other health care providers and new models in the delivery of health services.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 703
Health Economics

The primary purpose of this course is to have students learn and apply the basic economic concepts and models used by both economists and health policy analysts to understand and analyze health care markets. The goal of health economics is to provide a better understanding of health care problems and issues so that appropriate health policies can be designed and implemented. The course focuses on the structure and functioning of health care markets and specifically on how prices are determined in different markets for health and health-related services, as well as on how prices, in turn, critically affect the behavior of both consumers and suppliers. It is assumed that the student has no prior background in economics.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 701.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG L704 (GERON L772)
Seminar in Health Care Financing

This course will provide an overview of the structure and operations of various contemporary health care financing and provider reimbursement systems and related policy issues. The course will address the broad role of financial incentives in health service delivery systems from the perspectives of payers, patients, and providers. It will analyze historical, current, and proposed policy options in health care financing, including private health insurance and government programs and issues of provider reimbursement.

NURSNG 720
Secondary Data Analysis

This course will explore the use and limits of large national databases for the conduct of nursing and health policy research. Students will master accessing, downloading, and analyzing data from large data sets. Students will identify a testable research question and develop an analytic file to be used for analysis. Data used for this class are drawn from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization project (HCUP), 2000 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). For more information about HCUP data, see http://www.ahrq.gov/data/hcup
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 721
Program Evaluation

This course focuses on models and methods for program evaluation within health services organizations and health care delivery systems at the local, state, national, and global levels. Content areas include history of evaluation research, types of program evaluation, research designs, planning and conducting evaluations with quantitative and qualitative methods, reporting, dissemination and utilization of findings, and the “program evaluator” role, including ethical and political considerations. In addition to content areas, applied program evaluation methods at various health care delivery system levels will be presented in “spotlight” segments during the semester.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 741
Health Policy I

This is the first course in a two-semester health policy sequence. It provides a foundation for health policy analysis, focusing on the history and development of political, economic, and social systems involved in health care and on theories useful in the analysis of past, current, and future health policies. The course examines federal, state, and local governmental structures and the ways in which they and other forces affect health policy.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 701.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 742
Health Policy II

This course builds on NURSNG 741, applying models of policy analysis and theoretical perspectives to the critical examination of specific health policies. The course studies the historical, political, economic, and social context in which the policies emerged, as well as the specific actors involved. Emphasis is given to health policies affecting the aged and urban family population. Case studies are presented, and participants are introduced to a variety of methods for analyzing, formulating, and evaluating health policy. The policies examined in the course may include those confronting students in their own workplace or practice.
Prerequisite: NURSNG 741.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 743
Internship in Health Care Policy

A six-credit experience: students may intern with health care agencies, educational institutions, legislatures, professional associations, or health promotion and prevention organizations. Students are expected to write testimonies and research or evaluation papers analyzing the health policy issues raised during the internship. An internship seminar is part of the experience.
Prerequisites: NURSNG 742, GERON 734.
6 Credits

NURSNG 750
Contemporary Disciplinary Knowledge

This course is a multidisciplinary exploration of the structure and growth of knowledge. It examines the linkages of empirical, aesthetic, ethical, personal, and sociopolitical patterns of knowing with the conceptual models or paradigms of diverse disciplines. The course constructs a conceptual-theoretical-empirical structure for research into the generating and testing of theory.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 791
Integrating Theory and Policy in Dissertation Research

This course is designed to synthesize nursing, policy, and other appropriate theoretical constructs into a proposal for innovative inquiry and research. Content from nursing, basic and applied research in health and service delivery, social policy, research methods, and cognate courses is used to build a coherent conceptual framework and methods for data collection and analysis for dissertation research.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

NURSNG 796
Independent Study

Students wishing to enroll in this course must solicit a faculty mentor before the semester begins. Students should present to the faculty a well-defined program of study on the first day of the semester. The study is conducted with consultation from the faculty and includes a written report and formal presentation before the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: Permission of faculty mentor and graduate program director.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-3 Credits

NURSNG 899
Dissertation Research

Research in the student’s area of interest conducted under faculty supervision, resulting in the presentation of a doctoral dissertation.
3-9 Credits