[ Master Of Science In Nursing ]

Course Offerings

2009–2010

NRS 501 Theories in Nursing and Clinical Leadership
Establishes the framework for advanced nursing and a clinical leadership role. Concepts, theories, and principles from  nursing and related disciplines are examined from a systems perspective. The application of theory in ethical practice is  explored to promote optimal outcomes and clinical leadership.

NRS 502 Health Care Systems: Organization, Policy and Finance
Examines the environment of health care systems from an organizational and policy framework. Emphasis is placed on the  role of health care finance in shaping care delivery systems and clinical practice. Select global, federal and local policy  issues affecting nursing and health care systems are explored. Content in this course provides an essential foundation to  exercise clinical leadership in health organizations and advocate for diverse populations.

NRS 503 Applied Research for Clinical Leadership
Provides the foundation for decision making in advanced nursing and clinical leadership. Emphasis is placed on generating  problem-focused questions that are relevant to practice with populations. Skills and competencies in informatics, research  design, and statistical analysis are enhanced. Systematic appraisal of evidence, and the application of evidence to foster  change and achieve optimal outcomes are addressed. The relationship of the role of a clinical leader in evidence-based,  ethical practice is examined. Prerequisites: undergraduate statistics and nursing research courses.

NRS 504 Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Practice
Develops a population-based framework for health promotion and disease prevention. Epidemiological principles are  examined. Concepts related to health and disease, burden of illness, vulnerable populations, and cultural diversity are  addressed. Population-based data are analyzed. Application of evidence-based methods in clinical intervention with a select  population is examined. Interdisciplinary practice and ethical considerations health care are explored. Prerequisite: NRS 503 or consent of the program director.

NRS 521 Foundations for Advanced Clinical Role
Provides the foundation for practice in an advanced nursing role. Advanced knowledge of health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmaco-
therapeutics to support clinical reasoning is developed within an integrated learning model. The scope of content addresses culturally diverse clients across the lifespan, and includes both didactic and laboratory  learning experiences. Competency in advanced history taking and physical examination skills is developed. Prerequisites: NRS 501, 502, 503, 504, and 523 or consent of the program director.

NRS 523 Clinical Leadership Role Development
Examines clinical leadership in an advanced nursing role. Theories and skills to facilitate clinical leadership role development within complex systems are analyzed. Differentiation of roles in the health professions, certification and licensure are  discussed. Professional role behaviors are examined, including group/team skills, advocacy, accountability, change, and  ethical conduct.

NRS 524 Practicum: Advanced Clinical Role
Focuses on critical thinking and decision making for optimal outcomes with a select population across the care continuum.  Evidence-based practice and ethical considerations in care management are analyzed. Communication and collaboration  issues in a clinical leadership role are explored. A practicum of 90 clinical hours provides the opportunity for application of  and reflection on knowledge from core and select advanced competence courses. Prerequisite: NRS 521 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the program director.

NRS 532 Theories, Principles and Methods for Nurse Educators
Examines theories, principles and methods that provide the basis for effectiveness in the nurse educator role. Strategies for teaching, learning and assessment of outcomes are analyzed. Focuses on advanced roles, including trends and challenges in nursing education. Prerequisite: NRS 521 or consent of the program director.

NRS 533 Curriculum Development and Evaluation for Nurse Educators
Examines the relationship between curriculum design, course development, and outcomes. Curriculum development,  including misson, philosophy, and stakeholders is explored from the perspective of the nurse educator role. Systematic processes for program assessment are examined. Standards from external accreditation agencies and ethical and legal  issues unique to education, evaluation and the profession of nursing are discussed. Prerequisite: NRS 521 or
consent of the program director.

NRS 534 Residency: Clinical Leadership in Nursing Education
Designed as a capstone experience with opportunities to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed throughout the  program. The student is mentored by a master teacher to develop expertise in the nurse educator role in a setting that is an area of interest. Settings include academic nursing programs, secondary and tertiary health care agencies, and community-
based primary care organizations. Students complete up to 180 clinical hours in this residency. Seminar is structured to explore issues and reflect on role implementation. Prerequisites: all core, advanced competence, and concentration courses and consent of the program director; NRS 533 may be taken concurrently.

NRS 538 Management of Clinical Outcomes
Focuses on management of outcomes for individuals and populations. Health care systems are analyzed at the point of care to anticipate client risk, identify patterns of problem occurrence, target areas in need of intervention and examine cost.  Skills are developed in microsystems assessment and the use of information systems and technology. Outcomes related to  quality, risk and cost are reviewed in relationship to benchmarks. Recommendations for changes in practice for optimal  outcomes are explored. Prerequisite: NRS 503 or consent of the program director.

NRS 540 Residency: Clinical Leadership in the Care Environment
Designed as a capstone experience with opportunities to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed throughout the  program. Focuses on clinical leadership in providing lateral integration of care at the point of care to promote optimal  outcomes. Residency is a mentored experience with designated preceptors in sites consistent with the student’s practice  interest and which support full implementation of the clinical nurse leader role. Clinical nurse leader role functions include  client advocate, health professional, team manager, information manager, system analyst/risk anticipator, clinician,  outcomes manager, and educator. Residents complete 360 clinical hours. Seminar is structured to explore issues and reflect on role implementation. Prerequisites: all core and advanced competence, and consent of the program director.