Graduate Nursing Courses

NURS 5086. Problems in Nursing. 6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0-6 Hours, Lab: 0-6 Hours).

Independent study focused on an area in nursing. Together with the faculty, the student formulates learning objectives and a plan for the course. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSN program and approval of the Department Head.

NURS 5300. Nursing Theory. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Explores the relationships among theory, knowledge, science, and evidence-based nursing practice. The student will develop an appreciation of the process of theory development in nursing, compare and contrast various theoretical perspectives, and apply nursing theory. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5301. Organizational Behavior and Human Resources. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course explores organizational behavior by investigating characteristics of employees, leaders, groups (including teams), and culture. Practical strategies to manage human resources are identified, investigated, and discussed. Opportunities for self-exploration are present. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5303. Advanced Nursing Role Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Course introduces development in the areas of healthcare policy, politics, and issues; leadership; team building; and written and oral communication. Self-awareness and communication techniques will be emphasized. Students are expected to incorporate the values of lifelong learning and professional development. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5306. Nursing Informatics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Explores nursing informatics, its value, impact, and application to nursing practice, research, and education. Advances in information technology, healthcare information systems, and tele-health are expanded. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5310. Leadership Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course will examine the dimensions of the leadership role; identification of attributes, knowledge and skill required to fulfill the role; and the distinctions between management and leadership. Opportunities for self-awareness are provided in the course. Leadership is explored through the process of developing oneself as a leader. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5312. Advanced Health Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focuses on enhancing previously learned nursing skills and techniques used in comprehensive health assessment. Facilitates the development of critical thinking and advanced communication skills using various modalities. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5314. Advanced Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Dual focus on the role of the nurse in management of pharmacotherapeutics across the lifespan and the analysis and evaluation of physiologic and pathologic changes. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5320. Healthcare Finance. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Offers an introduction to decision making in healthcare settings using accounting and finance theories, principles, concepts and techniques most important to managers. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5322. Healthcare Change and Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Examines change theory, team building, negotiation, and managing conflict in the healthcare habitat. Also addresses foundational principles of strategic planning. Evidence-based communication processes and orchestrating change in complex healthcare systems will be discussed. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5324. Outcomes & Eval Healthcare. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focuses on healthcare outcomes management and planning using the biopsychosocial spiritual approach of healthcare delivery. The course will also examine a number of different measuring methodologies and their strengths and weaknesses as they apply to healthcare outcomes management and planning. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5328. Administrator Role I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 4 Hours).

Course is an applied synthesis of concepts, theories, processes, and roles learned in previous and concurrent core and administration courses. Students are actively engaged with faculty and practicum preceptor to plan experiences to meet course objectives. Students will gain firsthand experience with the operational, administrative, and strategic issues of concern to middle management. 60 hour practicum experience with preceptor. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

NURS 5329. Administrator Role II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 4 Hours).

Continuation course of applied synthesis of concepts, theories, processes, and roles learned in previous and concurrent core and administration courses. Students are actively engaged with faculty and practicum preceptor to plan experiences to meet course objectives. Students will gain firsthand experience with the operational, administrative, and strategic issues of concern to executive management. 60 hour practicum experience with preceptor. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

NURS 5330. Instructional Methods and Strategies for Adult Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focus is on teaching and learning theories, characteristics of the learner and instructor, and diverse learning designs and environments. Legal and ethical aspects will be covered. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

NURS 5332. Curriculum Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focuses on curriculum development in nursing education and practice settings. Includes curriculum leader, faculty, and staff development, assessment of contextual factors, and curriculum design and process. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5334. Outcomes and Evaluation Education. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Course describes assessment, outcomes, and evaluation in nursing education; the process for collecting data and making decisions; and how to construct meaningful evaluation instruments. Social, ethical, and legal responsibilities and implications of decisions are presented. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5338. Clinical Focus Role. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 4 Hours).

Course begins with a discussion between the student and faculty and then student and preceptor to design an individualized experience to meet the course objectives. During this supervised practicum experience, the student will integrate advanced nursing knowledge to implement nursing interventions that influence healthcare outcomes for individuals, populations or systems. 60 hour practicum experience with preceptor. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

NURS 5339. Educator Role. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 4 Hours).

Course is an applied synthesis of concepts, theories, processes, and roles learned in prior and concurrent education and core courses. Students are actively engaged with faculty and practicum preceptor to plan experiences to meet course objectives. 60 hour practicum experience with preceptor. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

NURS 5373. Nursing Administration Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Students are expected to synthesize the concepts, theories principles, roles, and skills earned in this graduate program. Focus is on development of a scholarly product for dissemination. Course must be completed in one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program, full time students must complete all courses except NURS 5329 may be concurrent. Part time students must complete all courses.

NURS 5383. Nursing Education Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Students are expected to synthesize the concepts, theories principles, roles, and skills earned in this graduate program. Focus is on development of a scholarly product for dissemination. Course must be completed in one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program, full time students must complete all courses except NURS 5339 may be concurrent. Part time students must complete all courses.

NURS 5388. Thesis. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Scheduled when the student is ready to begin thesis. No credit until thesis is complete. Thesis will be completed following the guidelines from the College of Graduate Studies. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSN program, approval of Thesis Chair or Department Head, and all courses must be completed except practicum courses may be concurrent.

NURS 5398. Nursing Research. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Prepares students to explore, appraise, synthesize, and utilize appropriate research findings to address nursing problems and improve outcomes. Introduces research and knowledge generation in nursing. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.