Courses for the  Master of Science in Nursing program

NURS 500 Role Foundations for CNL and FNP Leadership (3 credits)
The role foundations course examines the theoretical principles and norms for practice as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse leader.  Content inherent in this course includes definition of the scope of practice of the graduate nurse, taking on the role of leader within the identified role, business and legal aspects and therapeutic use of self.  


NURS 520 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
An understanding of normal system-focused physiology is applied to pathologic disease processes to form a firm foundation for clinical assessment, decision making and clinical management (AACN, 1996, p. 13).  This foundation will enable the student to apply knowledge of pathophysiology to a variety of settings and age groups.  


NURS 522 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Advanced pharmacology for nurses is the focus of this course. Therapeutic agents are compared and contrasted for therapeutic affects, adverse affects, indications for use, and drug interactions.   This course provides students with a pharmacological basis for advanced practice as a nurse practitioner working with clients across the life span. This course is also required for CNL students as a basis for greater depth of knowledge in pharmacotherapeutics. This course meets Indiana State Board of Nursing’s requirements for application for prescriptive authority.


NURS 524 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
This course builds on basic client assessment skills.  Attention is placed on the development of assessment skills for the advanced practice nurse and the collection of the data base.    


NURS 602 Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations in Nursing (3 credits)
Nursing and related theories are critiqued, evaluated and applied to practice.  The focus is on exploration of concepts and concept development as a basis for developing frameworks for practice and research.  Attention will be given to the transformational potential of theoretical frameworks within the context of a comprehensive, holistic


NURS 504 Health Care Policy, Organization, & Finance (2 credits)
This course focuses on design and implementation of quality, cost-effective care in a variety of health care systems (AACN, 1996, p. 7).  The course includes three units.  Unit one, health care organization, analyzes health care systems & management principles.    Unit two, health care finance, provides information and key concepts on health care economics, fiscal management and budgeting.  Unit three, health care policy, examines key concepts in understanding legislative processes related to nursing and health care.  Nurses develop beginning skills in affecting health policy change.  Primary health care within a context of social justice is a key underpinning of this course.


NURS 606 Research for Evidence Based Practice I (3 credits)
The purpose of Research for Evidence Based Practice at the master’s level is to prepare a practitioner for the utilization of new knowledge to provide high quality health care, initiate change, and improve nursing practice (AACN, 1996).  The focus of this course is the understanding of scientific inquiry, knowledge generation, utilization and dissemination in nursing and healthcare.  Scholarly literature review, ethical considerations and research critique are emphasized.  The research practicum provides opportunity for application of research knowledge to the development of an evidence-based practice project.


NURS 607 Research for Evidence Based Practice II (2 credits)
The research practicum provides opportunity for application of research knowledge to the development of an evidence-based practice project.


NURS 510 Health Care Ethics and Concepts of Social Justice in Nursing (2 credits)
In this course the student is provided with frameworks for ethical decision-making based in philosophical, theological and professional theory. The course provides opportunity for the development of reflective moral thinking. The student learns to utilize critical thinking as a basis for ethical reasoning. The dynamics of the healthcare professionals’ roles are studied in view of the crucial importance assigned to matters of disclosure, confidentiality, and informed consent. The student is challenged to examine personal and professional values in the context of growing health care disparities impacting the local and world community.


NURS 604 Topics in Community Health Nursing within a Culturally  Diverse Society (3 credits)
The focus of this course is health in the community.  Content germane to this course includes a process of community assessment, program planning, implementation and evaluation.  Knowledge of basic epidemiology, communicable disease surveillance, survey data and cultural assessment contribute to a thorough knowledge of the community.   Attention will be given to issues of social justice for vulnerable populations.  


NURS 540 Family Care: Management of Health and Illness of Children (3 credits)
The focus of this course is on the primary care of infants, children, and adolescents for the advanced practice nurse.  For each developmental stage, the course examines health promotion, disease prevention, psychosocial issues, sexuality, and treatment of select common diseases and problems.
Prerequisites: Nurs 500, Nurs 520, Nurs 522, Nurs 524


NURS 541 Management of Health and Illness of Children Clinical and Seminar (3 credits)
Pre- or corequisites: Nurs 540


NURS 542 Family Care: Management of Health and Illness in Women (3 credits)
The focus of this course is primary care of women throughout the lifespan.  Women’s health will be examined in light of available evidence-based research.  The organizing framework of the course is the developmental stages of women from adolescence to older adulthood.  For each developmental stage, the course examines health promotion and disease prevention, psychosocial issues, sexuality, and treatment of select diseases.
Prerequisites: Nurs 500, Nurs 520, Nurs 522, Nurs 524


NURS 543 Management of Health and Illness in Women Clinical and Seminar (3 credits)
Pre- or corequisites: Nurs 542


NURS 544 Family Care:  Management of Health and Illness of Adults (3 credits)
The focus of this course is primary care for adults from early adulthood to aging adult.    .  Students build on their existing skills in interviewing and assessment while developing medical decision making in the diagnosis of common adult health problems.  The course focuses on the normal components of the well adult and preventative care, as well as nursing and medical diagnosis for common health problems, including discussion about the management of adults with chronic health problems.
Prerequisites: Nurs 500, Nurs 520, Nurs 522, Nurs 524


NURS 545 Management of Health and Illness of Adults Clinical and Seminar (6 credits)
Pre- or corequisites: Nurs 544


NURS 530 Clinical Outcomes Management (3 credits)
 “The clinical nurse leader oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners” (AACN January 2004).  This course emphasizes the role of the CNL as clinician, outcomes manager, and educator.  Knowing the patient story is foundational to affecting positive clinical care outcomes.  
Prerequisites: Nurs 500, Nurs 520, Nurs 522, Nurs 524


NURS 531 Clinical Outcomes Management Clinical and Seminar (4 credits)
Pre- or corequisites: Nurs 530


NURS 532 Care Environment Management (3 credits)
Explores the roles and functions of the clinical nurse leader in a micro-system of the healthcare arena. The student is prepared to assess, analyze, and evaluate the care environment and implement changes toward coordinated, effective care outcomes. The focus of this course is client-entered care management within a framework of best possible care standards. Organizational management, quality management, communication process and evidence-based practice initiatives within the microsystem of care are stressed.                                
Prerequisites: Nurs 500, Nurs 520, Nurs 522, Nurs 524

   
NURS 533 Care Environment Management Clinical and Seminar (3 credits)
Pre- or corequisites: Nurs 532