General Approach

The College of Nursing graduate program prepares students for advanced practice roles in nursing through a blend of theory, research and clinical practice. The program, offered both on campus and online, allows students to pursue a number of clinical and role options. All students complete a 11-credit core that includes Nursing Theory (3 credits), Forces in Health Care (3 credits) and a 5-credit sequence of Nursing Research. The Nurse Practitioner programs have several options for different clinical specialties and range from 43-46 credits. All nurse practitioner students must take Clinical Pharmacology and Advanced Pathophysiology.   

Advanced Practice Nurse in Primary Health Care:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program is designed to prepare registered nurses as pediatric primary healthcare providers through graduate education leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree.  In this advanced nursing practice role, pediatric nurse practitioners provide a range of healthcare services to children from birth through early adulthood to promote wellness, prevent illness, and manage health and illness needs. Pediatric nurse practitioner students spend 540 hours in supervised clinical practice, meeting eligibility criteria for national certification through either the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

During the 43-credit Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, students develop skills in making independent clinical judgments, forming collaborative clinical relationships, providing advocacy for clients and evaluating the quality of care. Clinical instruction occurs in settings with preceptors who model collaborative nurse practitioner/physician relationships, allowing students to understand the complementary roles of advanced practice nurse and physician and the unique contributions of nursing to the care of pediatric clients and their families. Registered nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing may apply to complete a certificate program leading to eligibility for national certification.

Adult nurse practitioner students spend 540 hours in supervised clinical practice, meeting eligibility criteria for national certification through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or The American Association of Nurse Practitioner. 

Registered nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing may apply to complete a certificate program leading to eligibility for national certification.

Gerontological nurse practitioner students spend 540 hours in supervised clinical practice, meeting eligibility criteria for national certification through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or The American Association of Nurse Practitioner.     

Registered nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing may apply to complete a certificate program leading to eligibility of national certification.

NURS 6123 Nursing Theory provides an introduction to the nature of theory through study of selected major philosophical and theoretical orientations that provide the foundation for nursing practice. (3 credits)

NURS 6124 Forces in Healthcare examines the issues and concepts relevant to understanding the relationships between social networks, biomedical ethics and health policy. (3 credits)

NURS 6221 Health Concepts of Aging is designed to explore issues related to care of the elderly, including healthful aging, and issues related to chronic illness and frailty. Age related changes and the biopsychosocial theories of aging will provide the foundation for understanding key aspects of healthful aging. Principles of evidence-based practice will be utilized to explore the management of chronic health problems unique to older adults. An analysis of public policy and the impact of prospective payment system in long-term care will highlight the constraints of healthcare services to institutionalized and community residing elders. (3 credits - for Geriatric NP only)

NURS 6228 Health Promotion I - The focus of the first part of this two semester course is on primary, secondary and tertiary levels of prevention across the life span. The first part of the course allows students to refine and augment their knowledge of biopsychosocial changes across the lifespan and their impact on preventive health care needs. Age and condition specific strategies for health promotion are synthesized from the physical, social, and psychological sciences. The student studies the nursing process, emphasizing the application of a theoretical and research framework for providing primary health care. Current and evolving modes of health care delivery and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in the provision of comprehensive health promotion and screening are analyzed. (2 credits)

NURS 6229 Health Promotion II - This is the second part of this two semester course. During this semester the student will be introduced to the complex phenomenon of escalating risks and adverse events across the lifespan. Violence and its consequences will be addressed as well as a variety of evidenced-based approaches in the treatment of all individuals and groups, those who are directly affected and others who bear witness to violent acts. The student continues to view the person/family/community at risk from a nursing perspective and will also integrate new theories and strategies for screening and early intervention programs. Current and innovative health care prevention models, interdisciplinary collaborations (particularly in public health) and the provision of comprehensive health promotion and screening are analyzed. (2 credits)

NURS 6411 Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology explores the pathogenesis of major conditions will be presented. Symptoms and signs of clinical situations will be analyzed and discussed so that the student may improve his / her understanding of the etiology of health deviations as well as a cognizance of the rationale for their management. (3 credits)

NURS 6415 Clinical Pharmacology provides a working knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics, with emphasis on therapeutic needs of the ambulatory client, from childhood through older years. This course covers basic concepts in qualitative and quantitative drug actions within the body. (3 credits)

NURS 7141 Nursing Research I students develop clinically oriented, theoretically based research proposals. Emphasis is placed upon on the nature of scientific inquiry, role of research in knowledge and theory development, as well as ethics in research. Prerequisite: NURS 6123 (3 credits)

NURS 7143 Nursing Research II/Colloquium students finalize and implement a research proposal through the stage of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Students are expected to complete the study and prepare a written report by the end of the course. Students also have the opportunity to present the findings of their research project to peers and faculty. Prerequisite: NURS 7141. (2 credits)

NURS 7240 Primary Healthcare Theory - Women provides the knowledge and skills to formulate clinical judgments needed to initiate, manage and evaluate primary healthcare regimens for women of all ages. The course integrates the concepts of health promotion and health maintenance. NURS 6123, 6124. (3 credits)

NURS 7242 Advanced Practice Nursing I - Younger Years students acquire theory to initiate, manage and evaluate primary healthcare regimens for children and adolescents. Prerequisites: NURS 6223, 7331. (3 credits)

NURS 7243 In Primary Healthcare Theory - Older Years students acquire theory to initiate, manage and evaluate primary healthcare regimens for adults and the aged. Prerequisites: NURS 6223, 7331. (3 credits)

NURS 7244 Advanced Practice Nursing II - Younger Years focuses upon application of current theory relevant to primary healthcare nursing management of the developing individual from birth through adolescence, with a long-term healthcare deviation. Prerequisite: NURS 7242. (3 credits)

NURS 7246 Advanced Primary Healthcare Theory - Older Years is directed toward acute presentation of illness and complex health problems of adults and the aged. The role of the clinical nurse specialist in the care and management of frail elders and their support systems in institutions and the community is explored. Prerequisite: NURS 7243. (3 credits)

NURS 7249 Advanced Primary Healthcare Theory - Women's Health focuses upon providing the knowledge and skills to formulate clinical judgments needed to initiate, manage and evaluate primary healthcare regimens for women during pregnancy and postpartum. Complications of pregnancy and problems of high-risk pregnant women are included. Prerequisites: NURS 7240, 7347. Corequisite: NURS 7359. (3 credits)

NURS 7250 Acute Care Theory focuses on the diagnosis and management of the illness trajectory of patients with chronic conditions. Diagnosis and management of select chronic conditions are discussed via case scenarios. Risk factor modification is included for leading causes of morbidity and mortality spanning ages from older adolescent to the elderly, including ethnic/minorities. (3 credits)

NURS 7252 Advanced Acute Care Theory focuses on acute care through rehabilitation using a case management approach. The content emphasizes acute conditions: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI and renal disease, trauma and neuroendocrine emergencies. Students learn to diagnose and manage patients with acute conditions in collaboration with physicians. Research utilization and family dynamics are incorporated. Special considerations for ethnic minorities and the age range of late adolescents to the elderly are included. (3 credits)

NURS 7339 Graduate Nursing Practicum I - Students acquire mastery of advanced comprehensive and integrated assessment skills that include bio-psycho-socio-economic, developmental, and functional appraisals of all age groups, with a focus on cultural competence. Specialty assessments are further addressed and refined in the course content. The student is assigned to a clinical setting to practice advanced assessment skills and begin role acculturation. Corequisite: NURS 6223 or 6226; and 6411. (5 credits)

NURS 7343 Graduate Nursing Practicum II - Primary Healthcare: Older Years affords an opportunity to practice in ambulatory care to build primary healthcare skills in clinical assessment, diagnostic decision making and management of adults or the aged who have minor, acute, common, uncomplicated or chronic stabilized illness. Prerequisite: NURS 7333. Co-requisite: NURS 7243. (3 credits)

NURS 7344 Graduate Nursing Practicum II - Younger Years affords an opportunity to practice in selected ambulatory care sites for the purpose of building clinical appraisal, diagnostic decision making and management skills with healthy children, children who are experiencing minor acute illness and their families. Clinical seminar provides opportunity for case presentation and advanced nursing practice role analysis. Prerequisite: NURS 7334. Corequisite: NURS 7242. (3 credits)

NURS 7348 Graduate Nursing Practicum II - Acute Care students will begin to function in the role of acute care nurse practitioners. Students will be involved in team rounds and working with health professionals. Desired experiences are settings where patients have chronic conditions or stabilizing acute conditions. Seminars will focus on case studies relevant to content in Advanced Acute Care Theory. Case management is stressed. Seven clinical hours and 2 hours of seminar/week. (3 credits)

NURS 7356 Graduate Nursing Practicum III - Primary Healthcare- Older Years focuses upon continued development of primary healthcare skills. Students continue to provide primary healthcare services to well, acute and chronically ill clients. Prerequisite: NURS 7343. Corequisite: NURS 7246. (3 credits)

NURS 7357 Graduate Nursing Practicum III - Younger Years affords an opportunity for practice with children with long-term health deviations in schools and specialty clinics within a family and community context. Emphasis is on development of a therapeutic regimen and continuity of care based upon in-depth assessment. Seminar provides format for case analysis and development of a collaborative role model. Prerequisites: NURS 7242, 7344. Corequisite: NURS 7244. (3 credits)

NURS 7360 Graduate Nursing Practicum III - Acute Care emphasizes strategies for the ongoing assessment and management of clients. All settings are inner city with multicultural groups. Students will carry a caseload of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses in the tertiary care setting, including the critical care areas. New procedures/tests will be performed as per the following approach: (1) observe and assist; (2) perform with assistance; and (3) perform with supervision. Seven clinical hours and two hours of seminar per week are required. (3 credits)

NURS 7363 Graduate Nursing Practicum IV - Older Years.
Opportunity to integrate, synthesize and demonstrate expert clinical judgment and decision making in the provision of care to adults or aged in a setting of choice. Focus is on leadership and change strategies in a sociopolitical and legal environment. Prerequisites: NURS 7356, 7243. (3 credits)

NURS 7364 Graduate Nursing Practicum IV - Younger Years. Opportunity to integrate, synthesize and demonstrate expert clinical judgment and decision making in the provision of care to children and their families in a variety settings. Focus on leadership and change strategies in a sociopolitical and legal environment. Prerequisites: NURS 7357, 7244. (3 credits)

NURS 7369 Graduate Nursing Practicum IV - Acute Care. focuses upon on the acute care nurse practitioner's management of critically ill adults and their families from critical illness onset through rehabilitation or resolution. Case management is holistic and incorporates the family, critical care and long-term institutions and the community. The application of complex technologic care is emphasized and analyzed. This course affords the student continued opportunity to collaborate with clinical nurse specialists in the care of critically ill adults and their families in healthcare institutions and the community. (3 credits)

NURS 7449 Final Role Practicum - Acute Care is the fifth and final practicum which solidifies students' functioning as acute care nurse practitioners. Students manage a case load of clients under the guidance of faculty and preceptors. Critical thinking and conceptual model integration are incorporated as are current research findings. (3 credits)

NURS 7450 Graduate Nursing Practicum II - Women's Health provides the opportunity to gain skills in providing sound, scientifically based primary healthcare to women. Students participate in the care of women (from adolescence to the advanced years) who are well, have common or minor illnesses, or are experiencing common gynecological disorders. They assess, execute and manage the health/illness care of clients based on analysis of findings from health histories, physical, developmental and behavioral assessments. Prerequisite: NURS 7332. Corequisite: NURS 7240. (4 credits)

NURS 7451 With faculty guidance and preceptor supervision, in Graduate Nursing Practicum III - Women's Health, students begin to manage women and uncomplicated pregnancies and actively care for women who are well, have common minor illnesses, or are experiencing common gynecological disorders. Students have the opportunity to test and utilize theoretical concepts in primary healthcare practice and to develop competencies in clinical judgment. (4 credits)

NURS 7452 Graduate Nursing Practicum IV - Women's Health provides the opportunity to integrate, synthesize and demonstrate expert clinical judgment and decision making in the provision of providing healthcare to women. Focus is on mastery of skills and leadership strategies. A variety of clinical settings are utilized. Prerequisites: NURS 7249, 7359 (4 credits)

NURS 7453 Advanced Professional Role Enactment within Healthcare Systems focuses upon sensitizing the nurse practitioner student to the emerging and ever changing role of the advanced practice nurse. Students will explore the societal, economic and politico-legal developments affecting acceptance and utilization of the nurse practitioner role. Issues related to role development, leadership skills and case management for diverse client populations are analyzed. (2 credits)