Nursing

This graduate-level course equips healthcare leaders with the essential skills to navigate complex systems, drive meaningful change, and sustain personal well-being in high-pressure environments. Students will explore methodologies for mitigating risk, evaluating information and communication technology risk, applying change models to foster organizational improvement, and self-care of the leader. Through case studies, collaborative discussions, and real-world applications, this course prepares leaders to create lasting impact while safeguarding both organizational and personal effectiveness. CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Policy. 

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth exploration of population health management, equipping students with the skills to assess, analyze, and improve community health outcomes with an emphasis on information and communication technology resources for data collection, analysis, and implications for community health intervention development. Students will examine key health indicators, including morbidity, mortality, disease prevalence, and social determinants, to evaluate trends and disparities. The course emphasizes epidemiological principles and methods, guiding students in identifying patterns, assessing risk factors, and applying data-driven strategies to enhance public health.  CORE CONCEPTS: Social Determinants of Health; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Health Policy. 

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth exploration of pharmacological principles essential for advanced nursing practice. Students will examine drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based prescribing and clinical decision-making. The course integrates pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, equipping nurses with the knowledge to assess drug efficacy, monitor adverse effects, and individualized medication regimens based on patient-specific factors. CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

This graduate-level course prepares advanced practice nurses to conduct comprehensive health assessments with a foundation in caring and therapeutic relationships. Students will refine assessment and related information and communication technology skills. Students will integrate evidence-based techniques with therapeutic communication to foster patient trust, engagement, holistic care, and the related use of health information and communication technologies. Emphasis is placed on advanced reasoning, guiding learners to synthesize clinical findings, apply diagnostic reasoning, and make informed clinical judgments. CORE CONCEPTS: Compassionate Care; Communication; Clinical Judgement. 

This graduate-level course provides a structured approach to healthcare research review and analysis, preparing students to critically evaluate and synthesize evidence-based findings. Emphasis is placed on mastering APA review standards, ensuring scholarly rigor in literature evaluation and academic writing. Students will develop skills in identifying practice gaps, applying evidence appraisal methodologies, and integrating nursing science principles and history to inform research-driven practice. Additionally, students will engage with theoretical connections, linking research findings to models that guide professional practice and innovation. CORE CONCEPTS: Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice. 

This graduate-level course builds on foundational evidence-based practice principles learned in Scholarly Inquiry I to equip students with the skills to design and implement organizational interventions that drive evidence-based improvements in healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on defending clinical and ethical decisions based on evidence, ensuring that interventions align with best practices, regulatory standards, and patient-centered care. Students will engage with strategies to disseminate and implement socially just and responsible changes, fostering equity, inclusivity, and sustainable transformation within diverse healthcare environments. Through applied projects, critical analysis, and professional discourse, students will refine their ability to lead meaningful change that advances healthcare practice and policy. CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Policy. 

This course is a clinical component companion to the NURS6125 Managing the Health of Populations course. It is designed so that students may demonstrate mastery of the principles of managing the health of populations introduced in the didactic portion. Students will apply concepts learned to one or more experiential learning/clinical projects that cover three core themes: Direct Care of populations, Advocacy, and Emergency Preparedness. Students will log a minimum of 150 hours in completion of care. CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Ethics; Social Determinants of Health; Health Policy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  *Additional Program Fees may be Required

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth examination of healthcare microsystem evaluation, equipping students with the analytical tools to assess and enhance system performance. Grounded in systems theory, students will explore how interconnected elements within healthcare microsystems influence efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes. The course guides learners in using data-driven approaches to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Special attention is given to healthcare technology, exploring digital tools, informatics, and analytics that support microsystem assessment and innovation. Students will also engage in policy design, developing strategies to optimize system effectiveness through evidence-based policy interventions and leadership-driven improvements. CORE CONCEPTS: Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Policy; Communication. 

This graduate-level course equips healthcare professionals with the expertise to lead transformative change within microsystems, ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care. Students will explore effective leadership qualities essential for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and sustaining progress in healthcare settings with ethical comportment. Emphasis is placed on cultivating a culture of continuous quality improvement and employee safety, empowering leaders to implement evidence-based strategies that enhance workplace well-being and operational efficiency. A core component includes designing and delivering interprofessional person-centered care, highlighting strategies to align care models with patient needs, promote patient self-care management, equity, and holistic health outcomes.  CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Policy. 

This experiential learning course provides hands-on clinical and experiential learning opportunities to support the didactic study of leadership and education principles and concepts. Students will synthesize theoretical knowledge with practical application by integrating advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology knowledge and skills, preventive and health promotion strategies, systems theory, cultural competence, environmental influences, and social determinants of health in direct care, leadership, and educational settings. Emphasis is placed on developing clinical judgment, effective communication, and compassionate care.  CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health.  *Additional Program Fees may be Required.

This graduate-level course introduces students to the foundational principles of teaching and learning in nursing education, guided by the NLN Academic Novice Nurse Educator Competencies. Students will explore curriculum map development, gaining insight into course structure, alignment with competencies, and strategies for effective curriculum planning. The course emphasizes teaching and learning theories, providing frameworks for evidence-based instructional methods and learner-centered education. Students will engage in course content planning, refining skills in designing engaging, rigorous, and clinically relevant learning experiences. A global perspective on nursing education is integrated, examining worldwide trends, innovations, and challenges in preparing healthcare professionals.  CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Evidence-Based Practice. 

This graduate-level course builds on foundational pedagogical principles to deepen students’ understanding of evidence-based student assessment and evaluation strategies. Emphasis is placed on designing and applying effective assessment methodologies that support learning outcomes and foster academic achievement. Students will explore course and program continuous quality improvement, developing strategies to enhance curriculum effectiveness, instructional methods, and overall educational impact.  CORE CONCEPTS: Communication; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Ethics; Evidence-Based Practice.  

This experiential learning course provides hands-on clinical and experiential learning opportunities to demonstrate mastery of didactic study of leadership and education principles and concepts. A key component will be the development, implementation, and evaluation of a graduate leadership & education project. Emphasis is placed on developing clinical judgment, effective communication, and compassionate care.  CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. *Additional Program Fees may be Required.

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth exploration of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying complex disease processes, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of altered physiological functions across body systems. Students will analyze cellular and molecular disruptions, genetic influences, and compensatory responses, linking these concepts to clinical manifestations and disease progression. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Evidence-Based Practice. *Additional Program Fees may be required.

Uses critical appraisal skills to develop an evidence-based practice proposal for advanced practice nurses. Develops skills to create an individual practice question, integrate critically appraised existing knowledge and design a project to improve nursing practice and client outcomes. Includes experiential learning activity.

Advanced Pharmacology II will extend upon the base pharmaceutical competencies developed in Advanced Pharmacology I and develop competencies in the therapeutic use of drug classes and specific drugs for treatment of a comprehensive set of conditions. Competency in utilizing current evidenced-based guidelines, that comply with relevant laws, policies and regulations, will be developed and demonstrated for treatment across the lifespan. Utilization of health promotion, education, spiritual, and social determinants of health considerations, along with appropriate use of resources and consultation with other members of the healthcare team, will be demonstrated through applicable patient and population scenarios. 

This course focuses on advanced roles for professional nursing practice. Emphasis is on independent and collaborative practice, management, and the development of leadership skills for working with individuals and groups in advanced nursing practice. Specific leadership theories will be explored.

The first primary care course focuses on the analysis of family health. Students explore family concepts and theories for their relevance to nursing practice and research. Emphasis is placed on utilizing and application of advanced health assessment skills, preventive health care practices, and health promotion throughout the lifespan. The concepts of family systems, development, culture, environment, learning, and the objectives of Healthy People 2030, are integrated into the principles and practices of primary and secondary prevention. Experience is provided in clinical decision-making and the implementation of scientifically based therapeutic regimens. Structured clinical laboratories and clinical projects will assist students to synthesize knowledge gained. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health.

This experiential learning course provides hands-on clinical and laboratory experiences to support the didactic study of family health in primary care. Students will apply advanced health assessment skills, preventive health care practices, and health promotion strategies across the lifespan while integrating family systems theory, cultural competence, environmental influences, and social determinants of health into patient-centered care. Emphasis is placed on developing clinical judgment, effective communication, and compassionate care while implementing evidence-based therapeutic regimens. Through structured experiential learning, students will synthesize theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing them to provide holistic, evidence-based primary care to individuals and families. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. 

The second course in primary care of the family focuses on the theoretical and clinical basis for the advanced nursing management of women's health from a wellness and chronic care perspective. It is designed to focus on women’s health needs in rural communities, suburban settings, and globally. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis, management, and care coordination of acute episodic conditions in the context of the primary/acute care setting and the community. Key skills developed in this course will include: clinical decision-making, the implementation of scientifically based therapeutic regimens, and evidence-based medicine. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health.  *Additional Program Fees Required

The Clinical course focuses on family care with a special focus on care of women of all ages. Students are trained in implantable contraception and management of women specific care. 175 experiential clinical hours and a competency lab are completed. Students will apply advanced health assessment skills, preventive health care practices, and health promotion strategies across the lifespan while integrating family systems theory, cultural competence, environmental influences, and social determinants of health into patient-centered care. Students will synthesize theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing them to provide holistic, evidence-based primary care to women. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. 

This course will focus on advanced practice issues specific to the FNP role. Legal and ethical topics and their relationship to the advanced practice FNP role will be addressed. Prescriptive authority will also be examined. There will be integration of professional role and practice issues, and updates on legislation and health policy affecting nurse practitioners.

This graduate-level course prepares Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students to deliver holistic, evidence-based care to pediatric populations and their families, emphasizing the transition from pediatric to family practice settings. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of growth and development from birth through young adulthood, applying this knowledge to clinical decision-making and anticipatory guidance. The course highlights the importance of engaging and effective partnerships with families and interdisciplinary teams, while critically examining the socioeconomic determinants of health, equitable health policy, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. A strong focus on fostering a culture of patient safety and continuity of care equips students to navigate complex care transitions and lead initiatives that promote health equity and family empowerment. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. *Additional Program Fees Required

The clinical course prepares the FNP to take care of the entire family from birth through late-life with an emphasis on pediatric care. 200 clinical hours and a competency lab focusing on pediatric health care and conditions. Students will apply advanced health assessment skills, preventive health care practices, and health promotion strategies across the lifespan while integrating family systems theory, cultural competence, environmental influences, and social determinants of health into patient-centered care. CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. 

This course is the final integration and synthesis of advanced practice in primary care of the family. There will be integration of professional role and practice issues, and updates on legislation and health policy affecting Nurse Practitioners. All necessary clinical experiences specified for Family Nurse Practitioner certification are completed. Individualized and selected family-centered practice settings are identified according to student needs. Faculty and preceptors provide guidance for this experience. Case presentation with evidence of role transition required.  CORE CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health. *Additional Program Fees Required

This experiential learning course provides hands-on clinical and laboratory experiences to support the didactic study of family health in primary care. Students will apply advanced health assessment skills, preventive health care practices, and health promotion strategies across the lifespan while integrating family systems theory, cultural competence, environmental influences, and social determinants of health into patient-centered care. Emphasis is placed on developing clinical judgment, effective communication, and compassionate care while implementing evidence-based therapeutic regimens. Through structured experiential learning, students will synthesize theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing them to provide holistic, evidence-based primary care to individuals and families. CRITICAL CONCEPTS: Clinical Judgement; Communication; Compassionate Care, Evidence-Based Practice; Social Determinants of Health.