Master of Science in Nursing (RN - MSN) Courses

This course presents an overview of concepts for professional nursing practice and nursing informatics. The historical, philosophical, and professional perspectives are presented as the genesis for the development of professional nursing. Emphasis is placed upon the theoretical basis for the science of nursing. Also included in the module are the concepts of communication between health providers to assist nurses in obtaining health information, and to assist nurses as they develop health education materials and health presentations.

The focus of this course is to strengthen the understanding of selected pathophysiologic processes. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of common pathophysiologic processes and their relationship with current health issues utilizing evidence-based nursing practice.

This course helps the licensed nurse better understand clinically relevant pharmacological concepts and principles. Topics to be discussed include principles of drug actions and interactions, drug categories and the prototype of each, and drug considerations through the life span. The nursing process is utilized as students continue to build upon previous knowledge of assessment, implementation, and evaluation of pharmacotherapeutics.

The focus of this course is to strengthen physical assessment knowledge through the understanding of selected assessment processes. Emphasis is placed on the respiratory, circulatory, abdominal, and neurological systems as to the nursing history, examination, and documentation.

This course provides the basic foundation for an understanding of nursing research. Included in the course are an overview of nursing research, steps in the research process, research designs, research methodology, data collection and analysis, and utilization of research.Pre-requisite: MTH 120 Intro to Statistics

The focus of this course is on the role of a nurse in the health and well-being of the community. Health promotion, disease prevention, and health maintenance of local communities are assessed and evaluated. The health care delivery system, cultural diversity, ethics, and sociopolitical forces are examined. High risk population aggregates are studied and the roles of various community and public health nurses are explored. Resources investigated will include community agencies, clinics, and government agencies. 15 practicum/project hours required to complete course.

In this course, the development of cultural sensitivity is studied and an overview of global health issues is provided, along with the role of the nurse in preserving and promoting health in diverse communities. Students will analyze and discuss potential avenues of health promotion, health protection, health prevention, and health maintenance. Target populations are assessed and evaluated in relation to health care access and sociopolitical forces along with cultural considerations. Learners design delivery of culturally appropriate nursing care incorporating the role and function of the family across the life span. 15 practicum/project hours required to complete course. Pre-requisite: NRSG 326 Community Health Nursing

This course is the study of leadership and management theories, principles, and concepts along with a critical examination of the nursing profession in the 21st century. The course will focus on facilitating professional leadership including knowledge of healthcare law. The goal is to enhance learners' understanding of ethical management and leadership roles and current laws in the health-care setting. 15 practicum/project hours required to complete course.

This course provides an opportunity to explore theoretical models of practice in healthcare systems. The relationship between nursing systems models and other disciplines are examined. An emphasis is placed on developing a foundation for application of professional practice through using a systems approach.

This course provides the opportunity to study the nurses' role in moral and ethical decision making. This course will challenge the learner to examine moral and ethical value systems when encountering patients with acute and chronic disease processes. This course will allow the nurse to analyze the impact of moral, spiritual, ethical, social, and political values, as they relate to professional practice. Discussion center on recognizing physiological, moral, ethical, and spiritual variance among cultural norms and health care practices in varied racial and ethnic backgrounds. Students will reflect on their personal values as they relate to moral and ethical decision making, the role of change agent for others and nursing implications for professional, spiritual, and personal growth.

This course prepares students to use information systems and technology to support and improve patient care and to impact healthcare systems. This course builds on basic computer competencies and focuses on information literacy and management, including both electronic patient health information and provider decision support resources. Ethical and legal issues specific to the use of informatics will be explored in this course.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: 629 (only for Education & Leadership tracks)

This course examines concepts of leadership and advanced practice nursing as they relate to professional practice healthcare delivery systems, healthcare policy, finance, education and personal obligation. The course builds on knowledge from moral and ethical decision. This course examines concepts of leadership and advanced practice nursing as they relate to professional practice, healthcare delivery making theories and evidence-based practice. Opportunities to examine Christian philosophical views of leadership, change theory, barriers to change, and effective leadership strategies are explored. Students will define their role as it applies to their practicum and future practice.

This course allows students in either the Education or Transformational Leadership track to define, develop, and expand their role utilizing advanced professional nursing competencies. Ethics, change theory, and leadership theories will be explored from a Christian philosophical view. Students are prepared to apply knowledge gained in this course into their practicum and future advanced nursing practice.

Advanced Pathophysiology is the first course in a three-part series which provides the scientific foundation for advanced nursing. This course focuses on the etiology, manifestations, and consequences of human pathological processes across the lifespan via an in-depth examination of genetics, risk, prevention, pathogenesis, morphology, and health impact. Case studies explore clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and the process of team collaborative decision making in recognizing the appropriate treatment in primary care.

This course integrates the knowledge of pathophysiology with the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutics, physiological considerations, adverse reactions, contraindications, interactions, compliance concerns, and other issues that pertain to the use of pharmacological interventions in advanced nursing. Case studies explore the process for selecting effective, safe, and cost-efficient pharmacologic or integrative regimens in primary care. Prerequisites: NRSG 673 & 674

This course builds on pathophysiological and pharmacological principles, and expands knowledge and skills of physical examination and psychosocial, spiritual, risk, and functional assessment for advanced nursing. A systematic process for health screening, diagnostic reasoning, and the triangulation of laboratory, radiographic, and other data in the identification of health problems are included. Case studies explore the process and documentation of health assessment in primary care. Prerequisites: NRSG 673 & 674

This course provides an opportunity to examine the foundation for best practice, evidence-based nursing practice. An overview of qualitative and quantitative methodology, analysis of literature, research process, and data analysis will be presented. Strategies for devising research are explored and applied through an evidence-based practice (EBP) research proposal.
Prerequisite(s): 653, 629 (only for Education & Leadership tracks)

The practicum proposal will be submitted during NRSG 629. Experiences and previous coursework can be used as the foundation for the 150–hour practicum project, with a self-selected approved preceptor, where students apply the knowledge gained in the didactic courses of the specialty tracks. In addition, advanced pain management pathophysiology, assessment of pain and related symptoms, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of pain guide discussions and assignments in each section of this course, designed to give graduate students in nursing advanced knowledge of pain management. The knowledge in this course may be used for clinical
practice which emphasizes a multimodal analgesic approach. Various lectures by pain management experts, scholarly internet sources, websites of pain management societies, scholarly publications, classic and recent pain management research, as well as the core curriculum for the Advanced Pain Management Certification will be utilized. A 30-hour practical clinical experience in a pain management clinic, with a self-selected approved preceptor, allows the student to assess, evaluate, and apply the knowledge gained in this course. In total the student completes 180 hours during this practicum course. This practicum is divided into three sections, corresponding with the didactic courses in the Education Track (NRSG 621, NRSG 622, and NRSG 624) or Leadership/Management Track (NRSG 631, NRSG 646, and NRSG 647), which are taken congruently with this course. Each section of this course is 1 credit hour, for a total of 3 credit hours.

Teaching as a profession is explored along with the role of an educator, the role of the student, the learning process, and teachers as leaders, mentors, and role models. Educational philosophy is examined including student centered learning. Students will examine factors that influence learning, explore critical topics in education, accreditation, educational organizations, funding, cultural diversity, and gender sensitivity. Students will begin to formulate a personal teaching philosophy while differentiating learning needs, the learning environment, and a variety of teaching/learning strategies. GR
Prerequisite(s): All core courses Education Track, NRSG 629

This course will prepare the student to design curriculum and evaluate its effectiveness. Students will design, implement, and assess outcomes through a mini curriculum project. The student will consider their personal educational philosophy when determining ways to engage learners and assess learning outcomes. Various methods of course delivery are considered including distance delivery, online modalities, and emerging trends in education. GR
Prerequisite(s): All core courses for Education Track, 621Prerequisite/Corequisite: 624

The student will integrate, apply, and evaluate the principles and concepts relative to an advanced practice academic nurse educator. The students will build on their plans to design, implement, and evaluate a teaching component related to their specialization(s) and practice settings. Students will critically reflect on their knowledge and revise their personal development plan. GR
Prerequisite(s): All core courses for Education track, 621

This course will examine various models of organizational, managerial, and leadership theory. The student will review mid-level and senior managerial and leadership roles within a health care organization. The student will consider trends in nursing and health care as a means to predict practice change. Theories on change, leadership, concepts of power, and empowerment will be examined as they relate to administrative roles. Students will clarify personal values as they relate to leadership attributes and determine their role in improving quality of nursing services.
Prerequisite(s): NRSG 629, 653, 626, 628, 679, 680
Prerequisite/Corequisite: NRSG 646

In this course the student will integrate the concepts of leader, manager, and change agent as they relate to the health care environment. Consideration is given to mission, strategic planning, finance, systems analysis, and forecasting. Responsible management of human, fiscal, and physical resources is examined in the complexity of the health care organization. Strategies to ensure a quality workplace, staff support, and retention are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): NRSG 629, 653, 626, 628, 679, 680
Prerequisite/Corequisite: NRSG 631

This course provides the opportunity for participants to integrate and apply previously learned principles and concepts relative to a graduate level manager and leader. The student will critically reflect on their knowledge and submit a business plan specific for the practicum site.
Prerequisite(s): NRSG 631
Prerequisite/Corequisite: NRSG 646

This experience focuses on the synthesis of previously gained knowledge and skills in the provision of advanced nursing care to individuals, families, and communities. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention, and clinical management of clients with common acute and chronic illness. The students will fulfill 720 total practicum hours. This course is taken concurrently with NRSG 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, and 672.

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of acute and episodic health problems for advanced practice nursing. The course emphasizes the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic, and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current care guidelines. A clinical practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of common acute and episodic health problems in the primary care of adults and geriatric patients. Taken congruently with the first section of NRSG 665. Pre-requisite: NRSG 627

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of women’s reproductive, acute, episodic, and chronic health problems for advanced practice nursing. The course emphasizes the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic, and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current care guidelines. A practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of women’s reproductive, acute, episodic, and chronic health problems in primary care across the lifespan. Taken congruently with the second section of NRSG 665 with approved preceptor.

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of children’s acute, episodic, and chronic health problems for advanced practice nursing. The course emphasizes the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current care guidelines. A practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of children’s acute, episodic, and chronic health problems in
primary care. Taken congruently with the third section of NRSG 665. Pre-requisite: NRSG 668 with 240 practicum hours completed.

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of chronic health problems for advanced practice nursing. The course will emphasize the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current care guidelines. A clinical practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of common chronic health problems in the primary care of adults and geriatric patients. Taken congruently with the fourth section of NRSG 665. Pre-requisites: NRSG 669 with 360 practicum hours completed.

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of common complex health issues of adults and geriatrics for advanced practice nursing. The course emphasizes the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current evidence-based guidelines. A practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of common complex health problems in the family primary care of adult and geriatric patients. Course requirement includes a 120-hour practicum experience with an approved preceptor. Practicum is taken congruently with the fifth section of NRSG 665 with an approved preceptor. Pre-requisites: NRSG 667 & NRSG 670 and with 480 practicum hours completed.

This course presents a theoretical and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of common complex health issues in women and children for advanced practice nursing. The course emphasizes the appropriate use of diagnostic measures including laboratory, radiographic and other technologies, health promotion, disease prevention, and current evidence-based guidelines. A practicum (120 hours) provides the opportunity for the diagnosis and management of common complex health issues in the family primary care of children and women patients. Course requirement includes a 120-hour practicum experience with an approved preceptor. Practicum is taken congruently with the sixth section of NRSG 665 with an approved preceptor. Pre-requisites: NRSG 668 & NRSG 669 and with 600 practicum hours completed.

This elective course is organized to offer a hands-on experience for FNP students to acquire new knowledge on medically managing chief complaints and practice advanced nursing skills commonly encountered among patients across the life span in primary-care health care settings. The purpose is to create a safe environment that introduces the FNP student to their approaching practicum experience while engaging with their classmates. The immersion week will focus on evidenced-based experiential learning that will ensure high-quality patient outcomes under the supervision of the NP faculty members. There will be an emphasis on the transition into the FNP role as an ethical leader and the impact that the student has on the organization as a whole. The immersion experience should take place during, or as close as possible to, the first didactic and congruent practicum course. FNP students will receive credit up to 45-direct practicum hours applied toward their 120-practicum hours in the first practicum course (or the one closest to when the elective is taken). Prerequisite(s): NRSG 627 and NRSG 677. Corequisite(s): NRSG 678