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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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. Epidemiological concepts, statistical analyses and appraisal processes are foundational for this course.

Quality improvement concepts, principles, models and strategies used to improve processes for healthcare 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 clinical decision making skills related to physical diagnosing. 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 healthcare 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 the principles of patient/family assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults with acute and simple chronic illnesses. The focused work-up format is used with an emphasis on differential diagnosis. Students complete 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. Graded on a P/NP basis.

In this clinical course students build on the competencies of FNP Clinical I and incorporate assessment, management and referral of patients with acute or chronic mental illness and management of conditions specific to gender (i.e. pregnancy and lactation). Students complete 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. (Graded on a P/NP basis.)

In this clinical course students build on the competencies of FNP Clinical I and II and apply the principles of patient/family assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic conditions in pediatric patients. Focus is placed on clinical evaluation of pediatric growth and development, providing anticipatory guidance for well-children and adolescents. Includes 120 hours of supervised clinical experience. (Graded on a P/NP basis.)

In this clinical course students build on the competencies from FNP clinical I, II and III to apply the principles of assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults and older adults with complex and chronic illness. The expanded work-up format is used and includes assessments of self-management, living w/chronic illness, and interprofessional treatment modalities. Includes 180 hours of supervised clinical experience. (Graded on a P/NP basis.)

The influence of healthcare 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 healthcare delivery and healthcare systems. Health information systems and technology to improve health outcomes and approaches to healthcare delivery will be examined. Current and potential future issues that impact the role and use of informatics and technology in healthcare 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.

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 3 semesters and continue registering until successful completion and dissemination of the final project. Graded on a P/NP basis.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults with acute conditions within a family context. The focused work-up format will be used with an emphasis on differential diagnosing. Fee: $155

This course addresses gender specific healthcare needs. Biological sciences and gender theories will be examined in developing and implementing appropriate health strategies. This course includes preventative care practices, assessment, diagnosis and management of common gender specific conditions.

This course focuses on the assessment and appropriate diagnosis of mental health conditions encountered in the primary care setting. Emphasis is on differentiating between appropriate referral to a mental health professional or management by the family nurse practitioner. Safety, ethical, legal and policy issues will be examined.

This course addresses well child and adolescent healthcare as well as the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic conditions. Integrative perspectives for facilitating wellness, restoration of health, and the management of chronic and acute conditions in children and adolescents will also be explored.

This course covers the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults and older adults with complex and chronic conditions. The expanded work-up format will be used and will include self-management, living with chronic illness, and multiple treatment modalities. Best practices for chronic care management will be emphasized.

This course prepares DNP students for independent, entry-level FNP practice. Clinical expectations include successful application of previous NP specialty and integrative health courses and progression of clinical knowledge and competencies with increasingly complex client situations. Students will also demonstrate integration and application of DNP program competencies. Includes 360 clinical hours.

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 is the first of two residency courses. Each course is devoted to the integration and demonstration of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program competencies for post master’s NP students. Students will demonstrate the most advanced level of NP practice and the application of DNP competencies within their personal NP practice and at the macrosystem level. Includes 180 residency hours. Fee: $50

This is the second of two residency courses for Post-Master’s NP students. Includes 180 residency hours.