Curriculum

This course provides an opportunity for students to focus on the clinical applications of the major classifications of drugs. The emphasis is on clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. Clinical correlations using case studies with applications to special populations, in primary, secondary, and tertiary settings will be addressed. Legal parameters for prescription writing protocols and factors promoting patient compliance with drug therapy will be included. Application of this knowledge for special patient populations will be further developed in Nu 800, 802, 804, and 806.

Class - 2.5 Hours/Week, Clinical - 3 Hours/Week = 3 Cr. Hr. The focus of this course is the assessment of total health status of clients throughout the lifespan. It is designed to enable the student to refine and further develop diagnostic reasoning skills and utilize a regional approach to physical exams in the delivery of primary health care. The course builds on undergraduate health assessment skills and includes a clinical practicum which provides the student the opportunity to apply advanced nursing knowledge and practice in the areas of physical and psychosocial assessment of clients. Students will perform complete health assessments on selected clients, obtaining an in-depth health history, performing a comprehensive physical examination, recording findings and developing a problem list and treatment plan. 42 Hours of Clinical/Semester

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 examines the reaction of the body to disease throughout the lifespan. Using a conceptual approach that is designed to integrate knowledge from basic and clinical sciences, it focuses on alterations in biological processes which affect the body's dynamic equilibrium. Alterations at the cellular and organ level are presented and include genetic, metabolic, infectious, immunologic, degenerative, and neoplastic processes. Clinical problems will be developed and explored to facilitate the acquisition of critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation skills needed by practitioners in the management of clients with chronic and acute health problems.

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 - 1.5 Credits, Clinical - 9 Hours/Week (Total 126 Hours) This is an intensive clinical internship that prepares students to practice in the role of a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Building on biopsychosocial theories, the student will deliver comprehensive holistic primary mental health care to clients. Students will conduct comprehensive assessment, including diagnosis of and referral for physical health problems. Additionally, clinical experiences will include ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies. Comprehensive medication management of psychiatric clients will include an in-depth knowledge of psychotropic medications, acceptable prescribing practices and monitoring for side effects and efficacy. Students will present case studies with decision-making trees during seminars to explore relevant clinical and non-clinical issues.