NURS 6000 Success Strategies in the Master of Science Program in Nursing Online Environment (1 sem. cr.)
This course is an introduction to the technology used in the M.S. program in Nursing, the online learning platform, student services, required university forms, the Professional Development Plan, Program of Study, and transfer of credit procedure (if applicable). Orientation to the mission, philosophy, and expected student outcomes on the university, school, and program levels is included. The roles and responsibilities of master’s-prepared nurses are explored. The process for the professional portfolio is described and implemented.

 

NURS 6005 Nursing Roles for Today and Tomorrow (4 sem. cr.)
In this course, the characteristics of professionalism are presented. The need to value the profession and its future is stressed. Selected concepts and roles that highlight the continued evolution of the profession and practice are examined. Nontraditional roles are explored as well as opportunities for developing and supporting new roles. Processes for creating innovative roles in traditional settings are also highlighted. A group project is included. 

 

NURS 6010 Advancing Nursing Through Inquiry and Research (4 sem. cr.)
The focus of this course is on the steps of the research process. Qualitative and quantitative methods are explored. Inquiry and critical analysis of scholarly literature provide the foundation for evidence-based practice. Strategies for utilizing research are examined. A group project is included.

 

NURS 6015 Information and Health Care Technologies Applied to Nursing Practice (4 sem. cr.)
The focus of this course is directed toward the understanding and use of information technologies and systems that support decision-making in nursing practice, administration, research, and education. Tools such as a listservs, the World Wide Web, email, and databases are used as examples of information sources. Advances in technology that support the delivery of services—as well as the collection, storage, and retrieval of information—are considered. Ethical and legal issues that impact the use of technology in health care are presented. A group project is included. 

 

NURS 6020 Healing Therapies in Nursing Practice (4 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on transformation in health care brought about by changing demographics and multiculturalism. The inclusion of early healing traditions into Western medicine is explored. Evidence for the value of healing therapies is examined. The role of nurses in evaluating therapies, developing strategies for including nontraditional therapies in practice, and educating consumers is presented. A group project is included. 

 

NURS 6025 Managing a Continuum of Care for Positive Patient Outcomes (4 sem. cr.)
This course is based on a multifaceted definition of patient outcomes management. Concepts related to the management of disease and the prevention of further disability are explored. The impact of cultural, social, political, legal, and environmental factors on providing a continuum of care is identified. The role of nurses in understanding the health continuum and achieving positive outcomes for individuals, groups, and communities is presented. The topics are presented from a research, evidence-based perspective and address documentation, evaluation, and quality outcome standards. A group project is included. 

 

NURS 6030 The Practice of Population-Based Care (4 sem. cr.)
This course is based on an interdisciplinary approach to caring for populations. Major components include concepts of health, levels of prevention, epidemiology of wellness, global health issues, and control of health problems. Principles of interdisciplinary care are addressed. Planning, intervention, and evaluation of care in communities are stressed. Integrative approaches to working with groups in the community, in order to positively impact health behaviors, are examined. A group project is included. 

 

NURS 6100 Understanding Health Care Systems (3 sem. cr.)
This course provides a critical analysis of economic, sociological, and political factors that affect the nursing and health care delivery systems. U.S. health policies that impact access, quality, costs, delivery systems, professional practices, and reform are discussed. Current issues and concerns related to health care financing and payment systems are explored. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6110 The Nurse Leader: New Perspectives on the Profession (3 sem. cr.)
This course presents the impact that changes in health care systems have had on transforming the nursing profession. Theories related to leadership and management are included. Strategies for becoming empowered are presented to assist master’s-prepared nurses to assume and sustain leadership roles. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6120 Linking Theory to Nursing Practice (3 sem. cr.)
This course includes a comparative study and critical analysis of major conceptual models and theories in nursing. Theories and models are evaluated for their usefulness in guiding practice decisions. The relationship between theory and practice is demonstrated. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6130 Evidence-Based Practice Through Research (3 sem. cr.)
This course emphasizes the competencies necessary to read critically, then evaluate and interpret findings of nursing research studies. Utilizing research to make practice decisions based on the evidence and incorporating research findings into professional nursing practice are emphasized. Utilization of technology in the research process is explored. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6140 Ethical and Legal Views of the Changing Health Care System (3 sem. cr.)
This course reviews ethical principles and theories and relates them to the new challenges facing the health care delivery system. Legal factors are examined in relation to their impact on ethical decisions. Ethical dilemmas are viewed in the context of ethical decision-making frameworks. The changes in health care are examined for their influence on nurse leaders as ethical practitioners. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6150 Promoting and Preserving Health in a Diverse Society (3 sem. cr.)
This course is based on a multifaceted definition of community. The promotion of healthy societies, worldwide, through health improvement and disease management/prevention activities is explored. The effects of social, political, and environmental conditions are examined in relation to health care access, quality of care, and cultural relevance. The contributions of nurse leaders to improving health in society are presented. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6200 The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence (4 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on the theory and practice of administration. Standards of practice for nursing administration serve as a foundation for discussion. Major topics include roles and responsibilities, quality improvements, strategic planning and management, regulations, and information systems. The goal of nurse leaders to achieve excellence in the delivery of patient services is emphasized. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6210 Health Care Finance and Budgeting (4 sem. cr.)
This course applies financial principles to developing, budgeting, and managing resources. Budgeting processes used in health care settings and the nurse administrator’s responsibilities are covered. The impact of private and public policies and budgeting models and information systems is included. Budget and resource decisions that contribute to the achievement of organizational and nursing service outcomes are examined. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6220 Human Resource Management (4 sem. cr.)
This course addresses the roles and responsibilities of nurse administrators in human resource management. Current legal, ethical, professional, and practice policies and standards are explored. The applications of technology to human resource functions are presented. Strategies that support positive organizational and nursing service goals are examined. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6230 Case Study: Quality Nursing in a Complex Health Care Organization (4 sem. cr.)
This course uses a case study approach to examine a nursing practice issue. Based on the information in the case study, students apply previous knowledge to the issue. The goal is to use a variety of administrative strategies to achieve positive patient care delivery outcomes. Students develop a comprehensive plan in the context of current nursing service challenges. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6300 Student-Centered Learning in Nursing Education (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on theories and principles that identify the diverse learning needs of adults. Strategies to meet these needs, within the framework of student-centeredness, are presented. Major topics include socialization, motivation, critical thinking, learning styles, and the impact of societal values on the learning environment. The unique needs of nontraditional, international, educationally disadvantaged, and physically challenged students are addressed. The goal of nurse educators is to recognize students’ individual and collective needs to create a supportive learning environment. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6310 Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on theories and principles that support a variety of evidence-based teaching strategies. Personal and professional teacher attributes that demonstrate positive role-modeling are presented. Major topics include a tool box of instructional strategies, effective communication, reflective thinking, student interactions, and student engagement. The goal of nurse educators is to develop a learning environment that supports student success. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6320 Integrating Technology Into Nursing Education (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on informational technologies and their application in a teaching/learning environment. The uses of media, multimedia, computer-based technologies, models, and simulations are explored. Processes for evaluating and selecting technology are presented. Technologies that support course processes—such as tracking student assignments and participation, outcomes assessment, and grading—are included. Distance and online education modalities are examined. Student and instructor use of online information resources, presentation systems, and information storage systems, and the integration of technology included with texts and printed materials are explored. The goal of nurse educators is to use current and evolving technology to enhance student learning. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6330 Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation (3 sem. cr.)
The educational environment is impacted by social, economic, regulatory, and technological transformations. Nursing education curricula must be relevant and meet the health and nursing needs of society. This course focuses on curriculum development and the many processes that contribute to it. The philosophical foundations of curriculum development are addressed. Major topics include curriculum components; societal, professional, and educational trends, frameworks, competencies, and outcomes; organizational constraints; and selection of learning activities. The processes of curriculum assessment and evaluation are defined and presented in the context of program, course, and student outcomes. The goal of nurse educators is to develop curricula that address the nursing needs of society, are supported by standards of practice, and prepare graduates for practice in diverse settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6340 The Nurse Educator: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships (4 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on the roles, responsibilities, and relationships that are part of being a nurse educator. While those nurses in academic settings are the most widely recognized as educators, nurses are also educators in other health care settings. The significance of the educator role is explored as it applies to diverse settings. Concepts related to being change agents and leaders, role socialization, legal and ethical expectations, and development are examined. Major topics include professional development, balancing role demands, using evidence to improve teaching, scholarship related to teaching, development of partnerships, collaboration, and advocacy. The goal of nurses, in all settings, is to be effective educators who guide and facilitate learning and contribute to the educational goals of the organizations in which they work. The knowledge gained in the previous courses provides the foundation for implementing this role in an educational setting. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

 

NURS 6400 Informatics in Nursing and Health Care (4 sem. cr.)
This course establishes the foundational knowledge for understanding and practicing nursing informatics in healthcare settings. Core and supporting models and theories for nursing informatics and the sciences that support nursing informatics are studied. Consideration is given to the use of information technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality in patient-centered care, and concerns about protecting information and system integrity are addressed. Course assignments focus on nursing practice/healthcare applications.

 
NURS 6410 Information and Knowledge Management (4 sem. cr.)
This course examines database systems as the focus for studying concepts of data modeling, techniques of data definition, and data manipulation. Concepts of information and knowledge management are considered with emphasis on application to the practice setting.

 

NURS 6420 Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems (4 sem. cr.)
This course examines the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of electronic information systems in healthcare. Methods of systems design are compared, contrasted, and critiqued. Special attention will be given to workflow modeling in systems design Emphasis is on application to practice settings.

 

NURS 6430 Project Management: Health Care Information Technology (4 sem. cr.)
This course explores the theory and practice of how to manage health information technology projects. Students will learn how to plan, schedule, and control healthcare informatics projects with emphasis on application to practice settings. Project management software is introduced.

 

NURS 6500 Synthesis Project (3 sem. cr.)
This course enables students to develop a project based on the principles, standards, and methods learned in their coursework. Students select a real-world problem that is important to their specialization. Then they work with the instructor to develop a project, and select a site and mentor, based on project guidelines. The proposal for the project is approved. Students may start their practicum when the approvals are complete. The professional portfolio, developed throughout the program, is finalized. A field experience is included to allow for the initial practicum preparation.

 

NURS 6510 Synthesis Practicum (3 sem. cr.)
This course enables students to apply the principles and methods learned from their coursework. By selecting a real-world problem and working with mentors, students apply standards of practice to develop, implement, and evaluate a plan. The final project is presented in the workplace. At the completion of the project, students submit a scholarly paper. The practicum includes a minimum of 125 hours.