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

This course explores the principles behind the development and application of nursing theories, emphasizing their role in evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, and the advancement of nursing science. Students will critically evaluate how nursing theories influence healthcare outcomes and apply them to solve complex problems through interdisciplinary collaboration. The course also guides learners in constructing a personal theoretical framework that aligns with their professional values, clinical expertise, and career goals. This will enhance their ability to integrate theory into practice and foster professional growth. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

This course explores how organizational culture, structure, and behavior impact performance and services in healthcare. Students will learn to apply emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathetic communication to promote ethical practices and healthy relationships in the workplace. Students will incorporate advanced knowledge and expertise to effectively manage and optimize processes with human resources to maintain standards and meet organizational goals. This course also covers leading change, assessing behaviors, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

The course explores the evolution, scope, and impact of advanced nursing practice within a variety of healthcare settings. Learners will examine role transitions, professional identity formation, leadership responsibilities, and ethical decision-making. Additionally, they will critique the integration of evidence-based practice in delivering holistic, patient-centered care. Learners will develop effective communication strategies to foster interprofessional collaboration, enhance team effectiveness, and improve healthcare outcomes. Learners will also develop strategies for lifelong learning, professional growth, and role expansion to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

This course explores the role of healthcare informatics in modern nursing practice, focusing on the integration of technology, data management, and evidence-based decision-making to improve outcomes. Learners will examine health information systems, electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support tools, and data analytics. Emphasis is placed on the ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in healthcare technology, as well as strategies for enhancing interoperability, patient safety, and workflow efficiency. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

This course explores the key dimensions of leadership, focusing on the attributes, knowledge, and skills necessary to fulfill the leadership role. Learners will examine the distinctions between management and leadership, providing opportunities for self-awareness and personal development. The course is designed to guide students in developing their leadership potential and applying these principles in dynamic, interprofessional settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

This course focuses on integrating advanced assessment techniques with holistic nursing concepts to delivery comprehensive, patient-centered care. Students will apply empathetic communication, collaborate with interprofessional teams, and use assessment findings to create individualized care plans. 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 5315. Integrated Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed for graduate nursing students who do not intend to pursue a nurse practitioner certification. The course focuses on integrating advanced concepts in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment skills for comprehensive client evaluations. The emphasis will be on identifying common deviations from normal, with content covering populations across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Admission into the MSN program.

NURS 5316. Advanced Nursing Pharmacology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will explore advanced pharmacology for managing acute and chronic conditions in various populations. Students will learn best practices for drug selection, dosing, and monitoring, with a focus on safe prescribing, polypharmacy, and special populations. The course also explores social and cultural influences, evidence-based guidelines, and skills in collaboration, health informatics, and clinical decision-making. Prerequisite: Admission into the MSN program.

NURS 5317. Advanced Nursing Pathophysiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course integrates advanced physiological concepts with pathophysiology and clinical implications across the lifespan, specifically designed for advanced nursing practice. It will address both normal and dysfunctional organ system functions, from the cellular level to integrated organ systems, while exploring the genetic foundations of disease. The course will emphasize how disruptions in biological processes affect the body's dynamic equilibrium, helping learners recognize abnormal physiological functions that contribute to illness. Prerequisite: Admission to 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 & Evaluations in Healthcare. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces foundational concepts in evaluating and improving healthcare delivery. Students examine how data informs decision-making, explore strategies for monitoring performance, and consider the impact of cost, quality, and outcomes in clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on preparing nurse leaders to drive quality initiatives and lead system-level improvements. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

NURS 5325. Business Skills & Principles in Healthcare. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with core business skills essential for effective healthcare leadership. Students will explore key concepts in finance, marketing, strategic planning, and organizational decision-making. Students will learn principles of budgeting, performance management, and marketing in healthcare systems.

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: 0 Hours, Lab: 4 Hours).

This course is designed to further build leadership skills in healthcare settings by focusing on core leadership principles and the use of data analytics for decision-making and performance evaluation. Students will continue to work with interdisciplinary teams to lead change, promote innovations, and tackle challenges in complex healthcare environments. The course also emphasizes ethical leadership, advocacy, and sound decision-making, while fostering professional growth through reflective practice and evidence-based approaches. Students will continue their capstone project by collecting and organizing data for phase 3. (180 practicum hours) Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program and successful completion of NURS 5328 Admin Role I.

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

This course focuses on adult learning principles to promote emotionally safe teaching-learning environments. Additionally, the course covers ethical, legal, and responsible practices, while promoting self-reflection and emotional intelligence. Participants will develop strategies to engage students, manage learning environment, and improve learning-teaching outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program.

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

This course explores curriculum development in nursing education, emphasizing alignment with institutional values, healthcare trends, and community needs. Students will analyze accreditation standards and apply them to creating program outcomes, competency statements, learning objectives, and evaluation strategies. The course also highlights the roles of nurse educators in curriculum design, ensuring alignment with educational principles and research. Finally, students will evaluate curriculum effectiveness using assessment data to support continuous improvement in nursing education. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.

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

This course prepares master's-level nursing students with the knowledge and skills to assess and improve educational effectiveness in academic and clinical settings. Students will explore evidence-based assessment strategies, curriculum evaluation methods, and accreditation standards to measure student learning and program success. Through practical application the students will analyze accreditation, regulatory, and institutional standards to maintain high quality nursing programs. Emphasizing quality improvement, data-driven decision-making, and competency-based education, the course prepares nurse educators to design fair and ethical evaluation methods. 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 II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 4 Hours).

Learners will focus on synthesizing teaching-learning theories to enhance various educational environments while integrating course design principles and evaluation strategies to optimize learning outcomes. The course explores the educator's role in the teaching and learning process and applies these principles to plan, design, and evaluate instructional presentation. Learners will also engage in professional practice through practicum experiences while refining their capstone project. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program and successful completion of NURS 5338.

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. Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This capstone course integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout the MSN program culminating in the dissemination of an evidence-based practice or quality improvement project. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program, students must complete all courses prior to enrollment in this course.

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).

This course explores the evaluation and application of nursing research in practice. Students will compare research designs, assess evidence strength, identify practice gaps, and examine ethical and legal principles in research. They will develop skills to design, conduct, and share research to advance evidence-based nursing practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN program.