Plan of Study – MSN Nurse Practitioner

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Nurse Practitioner: MSN

Major Courses (Minimum number of 47-60 semester hours required.)

Nursing Core (Minimum number of 12 semester hours required.)

NUR 6120 Scientific Foundations Informing the Advanced Practice Role (3 s.h.)

Integration of nursing theory, emerging genomic evidence, and related scientific theory for the development of the advanced practice role. Emphasis is on ethical perspectives, information technology, quality health outcomes, and the development of scholarly communication.

NUR 6150 Translating & Integrating Research for Advanced NP (3 s.h.)

Focuses on the scholarship of practice and the impact on health outcomes. Students engage in an in-depth examination of evidence-based research of advanced nursing practice. Emphasis on utilization of research methods and quality processes to improve population health outcomes. Prerequisite or corequisite: NUR 6110.

NUR 7010 Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy (NUR*/PUBH) (3 s.h.)

Critical analysis and advocacy of health care policies and their impact on communities is explored. Students analyze the effectiveness of various health policies, evaluating their influence on the structure and financing of healthcare, clinical practice, and health outcomes. Emphasis is placed on advocating for policy changes to address health disparities and inequities, and examining how policies affect social determinants of health. Skills needed to influence and implement policies that promote equitable and effective healthcare for all populations will be examined. Prerequisite or corequisite: NUR 6120.

NUR 7020 Organizational & System Leadership (3 s.h.)

Leadership skills related to the development and evaluation of care delivery approaches that meet current and future needs of patient populations. Emphasis is placed on ethics within an organizational culture and inter- and intra - professional collaboration to assure accountability for quality patient outcomes. Prerequisite: NUR 6120.

Advance Practice Core (Minimum number of 18 semester hours required.)

NUR 5070 Advanced Human Pathophysiology I (2 s.h.)

Advanced knowledge of complex physiological functions and pathophysiological processes related to the care of individuals with altered health states across the life span. Alterations in function and adaptive, integrative, and regulatory mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, organ and system levels are examined. Provides students with a foundation to guide clinical decision-making across the lifespan.

NUR 5080 Advanced Human Pathophysiology II (2 s.h.)

Builds upon advanced knowledge of complex physiological functions and pathophysiological processes related to the care of individuals with altered health states across the life span. Alterations in function and adaptive, integrative, and regulatory mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, organ and system levels are examined. In this course, students further investigate the impact of disorder functional processes on clinical decision making across the lifespan. Prerequisite: NUR 5070.

NUR 5240 Health Promotion for Advanced Practice (3 s.h.)

Advanced knowledge of clinical prevention, health promotion across the life span, and the practical application of epidemiology. This course provides a foundation for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to improve health outcomes and foster well-being of individuals and the local community. Includes 30 service-learning hours.

NUR 5270 Advanced Health Assessment (3 s.h.)

Advanced health assessment knowledge and skills with emphasis on comprehensive health assessment across the life span, diagnostic reasoning, and data synthesis for health-illness determination, risk reduction, health promotion, and health maintenance. This course includes 75 hours of lab practicum. Prerequisite NUR 5240; corequisite: NUR 6110.

NUR 5280 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 s.h.)

Constructs broad knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics across the lifespan, including evidence-based practice and the principles of prescribing. Students will critique the legal and ethical implications related to prescribing practice. The course includes comprehensive education on pain management, addiction, opioid prescribing, and the regulations surrounding the DEA, ensuring students are well-equipped to handle these critical aspects of patient care. Prerequisite: NUR 5080.

NUR 5290 Clinical Readiness & Skill Building (2 s.h.)

Apply and integrate health promotion, advanced assessment techniques, and diagnostic reasoning beyond the foundational knowledge of advanced health assessment. Emphasis is placed on developing the clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive care for patients in various clinical settings using a case-based and hands on approach. The course includes 75 hours of lab practicum. Prerequisite: NUR 5270.

NUR 7030 Advanced Practice Role Development & Integration (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 3 s.h.))

Integration of scientific knowledge into the APRN role. Traditional and emerging APRN roles, including mentorship, collaboration, and interdisciplinary practice are analyzed. The primary focus is on utilizing principles of creative inquiry to explore organizational, business, legal, and ethical practices on the achievement of quality care. Students learn to envision and enact advanced nursing practice. Includes 60 indirect hours of practice. Prerequisite: NUR 6750 or NUR 6751. Corequisite: NUR 6810.

Population Track Option (Choose one population track from the following concentrations: AG Acute Care NP (17 s.h.), AG Primary Care NP (18 s.h.), Family Nurse Practitioner (22 s.h.), AG Acute Care NP/Family NP (30 s.h.), AG Acute/Primary Care NP (24 s.h.).)

Family/AG Acute Care NP (Concentration Choice)

Pop Speciality Courses (Minimum number of 30 semester hours required.)

NUR 5320 Primary Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Focuses on the analysis of foundational care of adolescent, adult and older adult patients within primary care settings. Students learn health promotion/health protection interventions and illness management while considering appropriate developmental, age-related and gender specific issues. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in a primary care setting. Prerequisites: NUR 5280 and NUR 5290.

NUR 5330 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Support the development of the AGACNP in the diagnosis and management of the adult-older adult patient with acute and chronic health problems. The emphasis is on establishing therapeutic relationships, utilization of assessment skills, and implementation of evidence-based practice to provide care. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in an acute care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 5280 and NUR 5290.

NUR 5340 Advanced Assessment of Pediatrics & Childbearing Women (2 s.h.)

Comprehensive advanced health assessment skills for pediatrics and childbearing women. Emphasis is placed on the application of diagnostic reasoning and the ability to differentiate normal and abnormal developmental stages. This course includes 60 hours of lab practicum. Prerequisites: Post-MSN standing; NUR 5270; corequisite: NUR 5320.

NUR 5390 Advanced Practice Family Nursing of Pediatrics & Childbearing Women (2 s.h. (Not To Exceed 6 s.h.))

Focuses on holistic, evidence-based care of children from birth through adolescence as well as pregnancy and fertility issues in women of childbearing age. Emphasis is on pregnancy and post-partum management, well child care, variations in growth, development, and behavior, and the management of acute and chronic pediatric problems based on relevant family centered care theories. Includes a clinical practicum in pediatric and women’s health setting. Prerequisites: NUR 5320 and NUR 5380.

NUR 6540 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Further analysis of concepts related to the care of patients across the entire adult-older adult age spectrum with complex, acute and chronic health care needs. The emphasis is on exacerbation of illness, progression of chronic disease processes, associated complications, and the impact on mental health for returning the patient to an optimal state of wellness. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in an acute care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 5330.

NUR 6751 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Supports the use of advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability that include legal/ethical considerations in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care. The emphasis is on specialized populations including the hospitalized older adult and individuals experiencing trauma. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in an acute care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 6540.

NUR 6810 Nurse Practitioner Immersion (3 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

Immersive clinical and care-based experiences facilitate the transition of the NP student into independent clinical practice. Students exercise advanced clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in the management of adult-older adult patients with acute and chronic conditions. The focus is on integrating comprehensive assessment, therapeutic interventions, and collaboration with interprofessional teams to provide holistic, evidence-based care. Students will develop their ability to manage complex cases, ensuring safe, ethical, and effective patient care, while preparing for autonomous practice. Includes 1 credit of didactic; remaining credits are based on a clinical practicum in an appropriate setting related to population specialty.

Family NP (Concentration Choice)

Pop Speciality Courses (Minimum number of 22 semester hours required.)

NUR 5320 Primary Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 5340 Advanced Assessment of Pediatrics & Childbearing Women (2 s.h.)

NUR 5390 Advanced Practice Family Nursing of Pediatrics & Childbearing Women (2 s.h. (Not To Exceed 6 s.h.))

NUR 6530 Primary Care II (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Further analysis of concepts related to the diagnosis and clinical management of primary care patients with complex, acute and chronic health care needs. Students engage in clinical decision making to minimize the effect of illness and disability on the individual’s functional status, independence, health and well-being based on contemporary theories of adult development, aging, and chronicity. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in a primary care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 5320.

NUR 6750 Primary Care III (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Supports the use of advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability that include legal/ethical considerations in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care. The emphasis is on older adults and patients experiencing complex, chronic and/or multi-system health problems. The primary focus is readiness for autonomous practice of primary care nurse practitioners. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in a primary care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 6530.

NUR 6810 Nurse Practitioner Immersion (3 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

Adult-Ger Acute Care NP (Concentration Choice)

Pop Speciality Courses (Minimum number of 17 semester hours required.)

NUR 5330 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6540 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6751 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6810 Nurse Practitioner Immersion (3 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

AG Acute/Primary Care NP (Concentration Choice)

Pop Speciality Courses (Minimum number of 24 semester hours required.)

NUR 5320 Primary Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 5330 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6540 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6751 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6810 Nurse Practitioner Immersion (3 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

Adult-Ger Primary Care NP (Concentration Choice)

Pop Speciality Courses (Minimum number of 18 semester hours required.)

NUR 5320 Primary Care I (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6530 Primary Care II (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

NUR 6750 Primary Care III (4 s.h. (Not To Exceed 5 s.h.))

Supports the use of advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability that include legal/ethical considerations in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care. The emphasis is on older adults and patients experiencing complex, chronic and/or multi-system health problems. The primary focus is readiness for autonomous practice of primary care nurse practitioners. Includes 2 credits of didactic; remaining credits are clinical practicum in a primary care setting. Prerequisite: NUR 6530.

NUR 6810 Nurse Practitioner Immersion (3 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))