Graduate Courses

This course focuses on the role development of the nurse practitioner as an advanced practice nurse prepared at the doctor of nursing practice degree level. Historical, legal, ethical, social, and policy aspects of the role will be examined. Topics such as hallmark competencies, professional behaviors, financial relationships with health systems and interdisciplinary relationships also will be included. Fee: $95

This course provides the theoretical and practical foundation that guides the formation of a DNP-prepared leader. Leadership theories and processes will be appraised for applicability within a complex health care environment. Factors that impact the leader’s ability to design and evaluate safe, quality, cost-effective care will be analyzed. The development of personal leadership will be explored.

Scientific underpinnings from a variety of disciplines will be explored as they apply to the scholarship and practice of advanced nursing practice. Theoretical foundations of nursing and related disciplines will be applied to enhance health and health care delivery in a variety of settings among diverse populations.

Analytical methods will be examined to appraise multiple sources of evidence to determine its applicability for translating the evidence into practice to improve health outcomes and health delivery systems. Evidence-based practices, statistical analyses and appraisal processes are foundational for this course.

Quality improvement concepts, principles, models and strategies used to improve processes for health care delivery and quality of health outcomes will be explored. The process of new program development and evaluation will be examined.

This course is designed to provide students with the advanced pathophysiological foundation required for understanding diseases and genetic implications across the lifespan. Focus will be placed on key pathophysiologic processes common to many diseases, specific pathophysiologic processes underlying diseases commonly encountered by nurse practitioners, and the human biopsychosocial response to these processes. Fee: $100

This course focuses on the clinical application of pharmacotherapeutics commonly prescribed by nurse practitioners in primary care settings, including drug selection, dosing, monitoring, evaluation, and patient education. This course examines the nurse practitioner role as prescriber.

This course explores the clinical indications, potential risks, and evidence for alternative approaches to herbal and dietary supplement therapies. Conceptual approaches to herbal therapy and botanical medicine are explored. Emphasis is on the safety of herbs and supplements.

This course focuses on the development of advanced health assessment skills as the foundation for clinical decision making. The advanced health assessment process includes appropriate histories, physical exams, labs/diagnostic testing, use of screening tools, diagnosing physical variations and abnormalities, identification of health needs, and documentation for multiple patient presentations across the lifespan. Fee: $230

This course focuses on complexities of health care organizational systems and their impact on approaches to care delivery and relativeness to quality and safety outcomes. Principles of organizational culture, resource management and organizational policy will be explored.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on relevant history collecting and physical examination of patients with acute conditions. Students complete 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing competencies developed in NRS 620, in addition to preliminary differential diagnoses and management plans for mental health and gender health conditions, as well as adolescent populations. Students complete 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing the competencies developed in NRS 620 and NRS 621, in addition to preliminary differential diagnosis and management plans for geriatric patients. Students complete 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing the competencies developed in NRS 620, NRS 621, and NRS 623, in addition to comprehensive differential diagnosis and management plans for adults and older adults with chronic conditions. Students complete 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on relevant history collecting and physical examination of patients with acute conditions. Students complete 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing competencies developed in NRS 630, in addition to preliminary differential diagnosis and management plans for mental health and gender health conditions, as well as adolescent populations. Students complete 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing the competencies developed in NRS 630 and NRS 631, in addition to preliminary differential diagnosis and management plans for pediatric patients. Students complete 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

In this clinical course, students apply principles from management courses in direct care to patients. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing the competencies developed in NRS 630, NRS 631, and NRS 633, in addition to comprehensive differential diagnosis and management plans for adults and older adults with chronic conditions. Students complete 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. Course is graded P/NP.

The influence of health care and other policies on organizations and the nursing profession will be analyzed from multiple perspectives including, ethical, social justice, financial and professional impact. The process of policy formation will be examined and applied. The roles of advocate and political activist in promoting innovative and just policies will be fostered.

This course addresses the application and critical impact of informatics on health care delivery and health care systems. Health information systems and technology to improve health outcomes and approaches to health care delivery will be examined. Current and potential future issues that impact the role and use of informatics and technology in health care will be analyzed.

The development, implementation and evaluation of health promotion/illness prevention programs and interventions for populations at the microsystem level are the foci of this course. Analysis of epidemiological and research data related to populations, concepts of public health including environmental, occupational health and disaster preparedness and determinants of health are examined as essential components of programs for population health.

In this course, students acquire knowledge, skills, concepts and strategies from implementation and dissemination sciences to translate evidence into practice.

This course investigates differences between primary and specialty palliative care. Advanced practice nursing palliative care principles will be explored. This course also addresses assessment and coordination of management plans that meet the unique palliative care needs of clients. 

DNP Scholarly Project focuses on practice change in primary care, reflects the integration of coursework and DNP Essentials, and serves as a “foundation for future scholarly practice” (AACN, 2006, p.20). The project includes planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Students register a minimum of three semesters and continue registering until successful completion and dissemination of the final project. Course is graded P/NP.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute conditions encountered in primary care within a family context. Students will incorporate preventive care, differential diagnosis, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities. Fee: $155

This course covers the assessment and appropriate diagnosis of mental health conditions encountered in primary care. Emphasis is on differentiating between appropriate referral to a mental health specialist versus management by the primary care nurse practitioner. Safety, ethical, legal and policy issues will be examined. Students will incorporate preventive care, differential diagnosis, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of pediatric conditions encountered in primary care, in addition to focusing on preventive care from birth through middle childhood. Students will incorporate preventive care, differential diagnosis, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults and older adults with chronic conditions. Students explore chronic care models and incorporate preventive care, differential diagnosis, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities. Fee: $30

This clinical course prepares students for independent, entry-level nurse practitioner practice. Expectations include successful application of knowledge gleaned from all previous program courses. Students will complete a portfolio demonstrating integration and achievement of DNP program outcomes and competencies. Includes 360 clinical hours. Course is graded P/NP.

This course explores integrative perspectives for facilitating wellness, restoration of health, and the management of chronic and acute conditions in adults. Strategies include mind body approaches, nutrition, spirituality, complementary and alternative modalities and botanicals. The course examines opportunities for nurse practitioner students to incorporate integrative health principles into their practices.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of gender specific and adolescent health conditions encountered in primary care. Gender theories, adolescent growth and development, and biological science will be explored. Students will incorporate preventive care, differential diagnoses, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of geriatric patients within primary care. Emphasis is placed on functional status assessment and on management that is driven by the patient’s goals and wishes. Students will incorporate preventive care, differential diagnosis, evidence-based care, and integrative modalities.

This is the first of two directed clinical courses for DNP students who were practicing as nurse practitioners upon admission to the program. This course is devoted to the integration and demonstration of the AACN DNP Essentials and UP School of Nursing DNP program outcomes in clinical practice. Includes 180 clinical hours. Course is graded P/NP. Fee: $50

This is the second of two directed clinical courses for DNP students who were practicing as nurse practitioners upon admission to the program. Students will complete a portfolio demonstrating integration and achievement of the AACN DNP Essentials and UP School of Nursing DNP program outcomes in clinical practice. Includes 180 clinical hours. Course is graded P/NP.  Fee: $30