Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

NURS 512: FAMILY NURSING THEORY (3 credits)
This course examines the contemporary family’s structure, function and process. Various theoretical frameworks and models are explored and applied to nursing assessment of and intervention with the healthy and high-risk family system in a variety of clinical settings. Students utilize a wellness approach to optimize health within a developmental framework and promote family resilience and adaptation throughout the life span.  Psychosocial, cultural, economic, gender, and spiritual variables and their impact on family life are analyzed. Pre/corequisites: None. Fall semester.
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NURS 607: ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT (3 credits)
This is the first course in the clinical advanced practice nurse (APN) series with a focus on advanced physical assessment, enhanced communication skills, and the reinforcement of health promotion and disease prevention across the life span. The course work and clinical lab activities enhance the student’s history taking proficiency, physical assessment skills, critical thinking, and decision-making competency essential for planning, delivering, and evaluating health care in the population. Pre/corequisites: NURS 621. Fall semester.
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NURS-621: CLINICAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (4 credits)
This course focuses on the causality of alterations in human physiologic function across the lifespan. Normal physiology and pathological phenomena produced by altered states of health across the lifespan are contrasted. The human physiologic responses to these altered states are related to pertinent diagnostic values, tests, and methods. This course serves as a basis for subsequent courses that deal with the clinical diagnosis and management of health problems. Pre/corequisite: Matriculated graduate status. Fall semester.
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NURS 640: PHARMACOLOGY (3 credits)
An integrative approach to pharmacology is emphasized. The principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology are presented. The characteristics of the major drug classifications and clinical practice implications are addressed as well as the legal and regulatory implications of drug administration and the essentials of prescription writing. The opportunity to explore related topics alone or in a group is provided, e.g., substance abuse, self-medication with over-the-counter drugs, drug therapy for pain management, drug therapy in a specialty area (maternal, pediatric, gerontologic health care), and alternatives to drug therapy. Pre/corequisite: Matriculated graduate status; NURS 621. Spring semester.
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NURS 641: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: FNP I (3 credits)
This is an entry level clinical course in which the student integrates basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and builds on advanced health assessment knowledge. Students develop an understanding of the pathologic changes and clinical manifestations that characterize common acute disorders.  Students apply new understanding of pathophysiology and evolving clinical decision making skills to the interpretation of assessment data and the diagnosis and treatment of primary care clients and their families across the lifespan.  Students perform complete health assessments and provide client care with supervision.  In collaboration with the health care team, students are involved in the implementation and evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions and integrate research, teaching and consultation skills as a beginning basis for clinical practice. Pre/corequisites: NURS 607, NURS 616. Spring semester.
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NURS 642: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: FNP II (6 credits)
This course reflects a building of knowledge and skills from the previous clinical course, Clinical Management in Primary Health Care: Family NP I.   Students continue to progress in the nurse practitioner role and in the delivery of health care to individuals with acute and chronic health care needs.  In collaboration with the health care team, students are involved in the implementation and the evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of patients across the lifespan.  Effective use of skills required for clinical management, education, consultation, referral, and follow-up are emphasized.  Therapeutic interventions based upon evidenced-based research are integrated along with complimentary and alternative healing approaches appropriate for individuals and their families with health care problems.  Course work, classroom activities, and clinical assignments enhance students' critical thinking and decision-making skills, specifically for complex health care problem evaluation. Pre/corequisites: NURS 640, NURS 641. Fall semester.
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NURS 643: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: FNP III (6 credits)
This is a culminating clinical course in which students are managing client care with increasing independence.  The collaborative model guides the student in the implementation and evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of the patients across the lifespan. Students further develop leadership, research, teaching, and consultation skills as a basis for clinical practice.  Practice issues are identified and discussed in a structured environment that incorporates ethical concepts and effective use of resources for beginning autonomous practice.  Theoretical concepts of organizational systems and health care politics and policy are applied to the advanced practice setting to identify and solve complex problems. Pre/corequisites: NURS 642. Spring semester.
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NURS 686: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE : PNP I (3 credits)
This is an entry level clinical course in which the students integrate basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and builds on advanced health assessment knowledge. The student develops an understanding of the pathologic changes and clinical manifestations that characterize common acute disorders.  Students apply new understanding of pathophysiology,evolving clinical decision making skills to the interpretation of assessment data, the diagnosis of illness and the treatment of primary care in infants, children, adolescents and young adults populations. Students perform complete health assessments and provide client care with supervision.  Collaborative strategies guide the student in the implementation and evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions and integrates research, teaching and consultation skills as a beginning basis for clinical practice. Pre/corequisites: NURS 607, NURS 616. Spring semester.
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NURS 687: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: PNP II (6 credits)
This course reflects a building of knowledge and skills from the previous clinical course. The student continues to progress in the nurse practitioner role and in the delivery of health care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with acute and chronic health care needs. Collaboration guides the students in the implementation and the evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of the child health population.  Effective use of skills required for clinical management, education, consultation, referral, and follow-up are emphasized.  Therapeutic interventions based upon evidence-based research are integrated along with complimentary and alternative healing approaches appropriate for the child health population.  Course work, classroom activities, and clinical assignments enhance the student’s critical thinking and decision-making skills, specifically for complex health care problem evaluation. Pre/corequisites: NURS 686, NURS 640. Fall semesters.
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NURS 688: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: PNP III (6 credits)
This is a culminating clinical course in which students are managing client care with increasing independence.  Collaboration guides the student in the implementation and evaluation of accepted medical and nursing interventions used in the care of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Students further develop leadership, research, teaching, and consultation skills as a basis for clinical practice.  Practice issues are identified and discussed including ethical concepts and effective use of resources for beginning autonomous practice.  Theoretical concepts of organizational systems and health care politics and policy are applied to the advanced practice setting to identify and solve complex problems. Pre/corequisites: NURS 687. Spring semester.
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NURS 699: INDEPENDENT STUDY (1 credit)
This 1 credit independent study focuses on population specific health assessment skills and may be required for applicant’s whose previous health assessment course did not prepare the applicant to apply assessment skills across the life span or for currently certified nurse practitioners seeking certification in an additional specialty.
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