Nursing

This course provides an opportunity to analyze theoretical concepts, principles and processes from nursing and related disciplines to guide advanced clinical practice and role development. These theories reflect important contributions from both the nursing profession and non-nursing disciplines. The course provides a historical perspective and analysis of nursing theorists from Nightingale to emerging theorists and includes an introduction to theories fundamental to advanced practice nursing, such as role theory and family nursing theory.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of the role of the advanced practice nurse. That knowledge is needed to conceptualize and identify with relevant historic, current and future practice issues inherent in the role. Both state and national legislation and trends are addressed, as they relate to the effective and appropriate use of advanced practice nurses within the rapidly changing healthcare system.

This course will review the application of pharmacotherapeutic principles to psychiatric disorders. Each major class of medications will be covered: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, psychostimulants, antipsychotic medications and anxiolytics. The indications, contraindications, side effects and adverse reactions and drug interactions will be reviewed in detail. The use of herbal remedies, homeopathy and diet will be addressed. The applications of psychopharmacology to clinical case studies across the life span will be emphasized.

This course focuses on the study of brain, mind and behavior and examines the neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and biochemical foundations of cognition, mood, emotion, affect, and behavior and the interactions among them. It takes into consideration both internal and external influences across a person's life span. Included is an overview of brain functioning and mechanisms of neurotransmission, genetics, the effects of other body systems such as the endocrine and immune systems, temperament, and the environment.

Class - 2.5 Credits, Clinical - 3 Hours/Week (Total 42 Hours)This course is designed for the development of advanced mental health assessment skills. The processes of psychiatric history-taking, mental status examination, biological and neurological assessment for clients throughout the life span is addressed. Students are prepared to use the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) multiaxial system. During practicum experiences students perform comprehensive mental health assessments, determine DSM IV diagnosis and medication management for clients.

The focus of this course is to critically explore theory and interprofessional practice issues related to rural community life. Through readings, fieldwork, films, guest speakers, and discussions, we will explore the complex relationships between the health and lives of diverse rural community populations, and the larger socioeconomic, physical and cultural environments of society. Fundamental ideas about the nature and scope of community, how it is defined, and by whom are addressed, as is the concept of “culture” and the ways in which systems of belief shape policy and services, the clinical decisions of practitioners, perceptions of illness and health, and ultimately, the lived human experience of rural life. The activities students will engage in throughout the course are designed to use a population perspective as a conceptual lens in which to understand rural community health and will help you appreciate how individual experience differs according to race, gender, age and class. The outcome of the course is a case study of a rural community and a critical appraisal of the aspects of rural life that contribute to health concerns and everyday challenges as well as the benefits of life in rural communities.

This is the culminating scholarly experience in the master's program. Graduate nursing students will demonstrate mastery of one particular subject area in their specialty track by developing a scholarly project including an evidence based review of that topic. The Department of Nursing uses the definition of scholarly work provided in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Position Statement on Defining Scholarship for the Discipline of Nursing (1999). This states scholarship in nursing can be defined as those activities that systematically advance the teaching, research, and practice of nursing through rigorous inquiry that 1.) is significant to the profession, 2.) is creative, 3.) can be documented, 4.) can be replicated or elaborated, and 5.) can be peer-reviewed through various methods. The course will allow students who are nearing completion of their program of study to develop such a project in close advisement with a faculty mentor, and present that scholarship through either a formal presentation or a manuscript.

Class-4 Hours/Week, Clinical-12 Hours/Week=CR. HR. This course explores relevant theories and practice issues in the health care of adults and families. It will focus on health promotion and simple acute and chronic health problems experienced by this population within a family and community context. Sociopolitical, cultural and ethical issues will be addressed. The clinical practicum will present the advanced practice nursing student with clinical experience with clients in early to middle adulthood in a variety of clinical sites. Clinical practicum opportunities may include sites that provide primary care to underserved and at risk populations, home care sites and tertiary sites. Opportunities will be available in both the classroom and clinical setting to explore the roles inherent to the advanced practice nursing student who provides primary health care to clients and families in this age group. 168 Hours of Clinical/Semester

Class-3 Hours/Week, Capstone-1 Hour/Week, Clinical-12 Hours/Week=6 CR. HR. This is the culminating clinical course in the program. The focus is on integrating the knowledge and clinical management skills from previous courses in preparation for the transition from graduate student to nurse practitioner. Students take part in seminars, allowing them to thoroughly explore the clinical issues that arise while caring for clients across the lifespan, having varied health care needs. As part of this course, the student completes a "capstone" project. This project will provide students with experience in scholarly writing and the publication process. Students select one clinical and professional issue and develop it into a publishable paper. Papers must be submitted to a scholarly journal for peer review prior to graduation. This is in addition to the clinical component of the course. 168 hours of clinical/semester.

Class-2 Hours/Week, Clinical-6 Hours/Week=3 CR. HR. The focus of this course explores theories and the practice of health care for women within a context of family health care. The course will focus on health promotion and acute and chronic illness conditions experienced by these childbearing and childrearing families. This course will focus on health-illness issues experienced by this population in underserved rural and urban areas. The clinical practicum experience will present the advanced practice nursing student with clinical experience in assessing, planning, and managing care for families in these age groups at a variety of clinical sites. Opportunities will be available in both the classroom and clinical setting to further explore the roles inherent to the advanced practice nurse who provides primary health care to these clients. 84 Hours of clinical/semester