Course Description: This course is designed to assist the registered nurse with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to develop the knowledge and skills to transition into the Master of Science (M.S.N.) program. The student will build upon current nursing experience and knowledge as well as previous baccalaureate education in order to demonstrate recommended competencies in baccalaureate nursing prior to beginning the M.S.N. coursework. (6 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 4900

The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Correlate the role of the professional nurse to the global healthcare environment.
• Analyze the relationship between the historical evolution of nursing and the practice of nursing.
• Examine the professional values and ethical and legal principles that guide professional nursing practice.
• Analyze the relationship of selected nursing, sociological, behavioral, biochemical, learning, health promotion, and family theories in evidence based practices in nursing
• Synthesize the use of information technology in administering technology in administering health care, educating consumers and personnel and evaluating health care delivery and personnel
• Formulate strategies to address political, cultural, legal and ethical issues facing nurse leaders within the current health care system
• Implement strategies to motivate others in adapting to changing situations in the health care environments
• Utilize evidence-based practice in the decision making process to improve financial viability and other economic issues impacting the health care system.
• Synthesize knowledge from nursing, business, and other disciplines to promote financial stability and responsibility
• Synthesize knowledge from previous nursing experiences, concepts of epidemiology, and biostatistics in the assessment, planning and management of disease and the development of health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention interventions
• Evaluate the impact of public policy and budget considerations in the planning and development of health promotion and disease prevention interventions
• Integrate conflict resolution skills to resolve discrepancies among nursing practice, health policy, and political constraints involving vulnerable populations
• Explore advances in genetics and genomics research as it relates to nursing practice.

Course Description: This course explores the diverse nature of knowledge, values and beliefs foundational to professional nursing practice. The relationship of theories from nursing as well as various other fields to science, research, and practice is analyzed with an emphasis on understanding the development, testing and use of theory to promote high quality health care. Models, theories, paradigms and philosophies are examined through critical inquiry to facilitate development of a framework for graduate nursing practice.(3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5100

The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Critique, evaluate for applicability, and utilize a variety of theories in the nursing specialty context; and,
• Write a publishable paper based on an interview with a theorist or researcher who utilizes a theorist's work in their research.

Course Description: This course provides the scientific basis for the development of nursing research proposals and an understanding of the research process for nursing. All steps of the research process are explored and analyzed in depth. The relationship of statistical methods to study design and their appropriateness to specific research questions is examined. Research protocols consistent with the first three chapters of a thesis will be completed in this course.(3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5110

The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Describe the nursing research process.
• Identify the characteristics of selected research designs.
• Describe and utilize the basic statistical techniques in analysis of data.
• Examine ethical issues in conducting research.
• Develop a thesis level research proposal.

Course Description: This course focuses on the evaluation and utilization of new knowledge for evidence-based nursing practice. Evidence is evaluated for translation into practice. Leadership, adoption of innovation, quality improvement, and change theories are utilized in applying the nursing process to an identified problem in the specialty practice setting amenable to evidence-based change. Fostering an organizational culture valuing evidence-based practice and an infrastructure supportive of the adoption of innovation based on evidence for improved outcomes are stressed.(3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5120
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Assess health care organizations and identify problems;
• Access and evaluate evidence-based practices for solving problems;

Course Description: This distance learning, on-line course focuses on providing the present and future nurse leaders with an understanding of health policy, organization, and finance.    Students evaluate the quality of care in a variety of health care systems, recognizing the relationship between these issues as essential components to improve client outcomes and eliminate health disparities.  Political advocacy and the health policy change process will be explored.  Acute care and community health care delivery systems will be analyzed from a leadership perspective. Management, budget, cost effectiveness, reimbursement and fiscal accountability will be addressed, in conjunction with the effects of these issues on populations’ health (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5130
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Define the role of the nurse leader in health care delivery, coordination education coaching, research, administration and leadership.
• Examine the implication of current health policy on health care providers and the consumers.
• Interpret the nurse leaders’ role as it related to the public, legislators, policy makers, and other health care professionals.
• Discuss and delineate the advocacy role of the nurse leader in health care delivery systems.
• Incorporated evidence-based practice in decision making to improve financial viability and cost management of the health care environment.
• Define and explore how nursing can effectively lobby for changes in health care legislation and regulation.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of legal regulations for nursing.
• Explore the role of the nurse leaders regarding access to health care, public health, and social issues such as poverty, literacy, and violence.
• Examine and discuss the impact of the uninsured and underinsured populations on the health care systems, and the vulnerability of these populations relative to health care delivery.
• Assess and plan how communities, groups, families and individuals might optimize their ability to gain health care.
• Identify the professional organizations that provide information links detailing current political activity and social involvement aimed at improving health care delivery.
• Analyze the ways various health care delivery systems meet the needs of diverse clients.
• Define the way health care is delivered in the United States and explore the strengths and weaknesses of the system.
• Lead efforts to transform health care systems to optimize outcomes.

Course Description: This course focuses on ethical theory, principles, and models for decision making in nursing. Students evaluate individual, family, community and health care situations and determine appropriate actions within an ethical framework respecting personal values and beliefs. Implications of decisions are explored in relation to legal, economic, environmental, technological, and cultural issues. The issues of poverty and public health as they relate to the WHO (1978) definition of primary health care and Healthy People 2010 will be addressed. Human diversity, societal issues and cultural competence are emphasized (3 semester hours).

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5140
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Apply ethical theories, principles, and models to decision-making in specialty nursing practice;
• Respect and appreciate human diversity, assuring culturally competent health care;
• Discuss public health and human rights relative to health care; and,
• Anticipate legal, economic, and social influences on and ramifications of specialty practice actions.

Course Description: Students examine the theoretical bases for health promotion and disease prevention. Health objectives for the nation will be examined from the perspective of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Health promotion and disease prevention will be explored from an ecological/epidemiological perspective including critical social, political, racial/ethnic, cultural, and economic environments. The ability to critically and effectively apply the nursing process to the community of diverse clients is emphasized at the aggregate level with consideration of individuals, families, and groups comprising the aggregate. Students analyze holistic nursing for health promotion. Evidence-based practices and political advocacy to achieve healthy communities are addressed. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5220
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Evaluate community health relative to health indicators and societal norms;
• Generate plans for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention at the aggregate level;
• Incorporate respect for human diversity and recognition of community/grassroots level influences in planning for adoption of evidence-based community innovations for health promotion/risk reduction; and,
• Influence initiatives for aggregate health such as the Healthy People initiative.

Course Description: Students examine the theoretical bases for health promotion and disease prevention. Health objectives for the nation will be examined from the perspective of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Health promotion and disease prevention will be explored from an ecological/epidemiological perspective including critical social, political, racial/ethnic, cultural, and economic environments. The ability to critically and effectively apply the nursing process to the community of diverse clients is emphasized at the aggregate level with consideration of individuals, families, and groups comprising the aggregate. Students analyze holistic nursing for health promotion. Evidence-based practices and political advocacy to achieve healthy communities are addressed. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5220
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Evaluate community health relative to health indicators and societal norms;
• Generate plans for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention at the aggregate level;
• Incorporate respect for human diversity and recognition of community/grassroots level influences in planning for adoption of evidence-based community innovations for health promotion/risk reduction; and,
• Influence initiatives for aggregate health such as the Healthy People initiative.

This course provides the student with an opportunity to examine nursing governance models within the health care system. The focuses on structure and design of governance models, human resource management, work environments and best practices related to health systems leadership. All students will be asked to utilize and apply systems thinking as it relates to governance models in complex health systems. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5240
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Utilize governance models, processes and theoretical frameworks to provide leadership in complex health care systems.
• Formulate solutions for the implementation of nursing shared governance structure in a complex health care system
• Analyze the effects shared governance models exert on policy, procedures, retention, longevity and decision making ability of the nursing division in a complex health care delivery system.

This course provides the student with an opportunity to examine advanced nursing roles within the health care delivery system. The content will focus on the fiscal, legal and information management issues impacting nursing practice and healthcare delivery. Students will develop foundational knowledge that will be applicable in their field and develop strategies for utilizing this knowledge to improve decision making.  All students will be asked to utilize and apply fiscal, legal and informatics principles to a current issue they are facing in practice. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5250
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Analyze the relationship between the fiscal and legal aspects of healthcare delivery and the impact on the nursing role in the health care system.
• Predict ways in which the fiscal system impacts the patients and nursing care delivery.
• Analyze the legal system’s affect on health care delivery and nursing practice.
• Evaluate the importance of information management in complex healthcare delivery systems.
• Formulate solutions for operational management using current fiscal and legal aspects encountered in nursing practice.

Course Description: This course introduces the student to public/community health nursing at the specialty level. The core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance are emphasized. Working with the community to improve population health, primary prevention for vulnerable populations, and elimination of aggregate health disparities are emphasized. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5280
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Apply the core public health functions;
• Work with vulnerable aggregates to promote health and reduce health disparities.

Course Description: This course introduces the student to the process of curriculum development. The relationship of nursing curriculum to the parent institution’s mission and philosophy is analyzed. Issues of accreditation, standards of professional nursing practice, and legal/ethical issues are analyzed within the context of curriculum development and program evaluation. Selected theories, principles and techniques of curriculum development are explored. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5300
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Analyze the historical impact and significance of selected educational theories and milestones in nursing education on curriculum development.
• Utilize current evidence, organizational mission/philosophy, professional, regulatory, and accreditation standards to develop program outcomes for a nursing unit curriculum.
• Develop a nursing course syllabus including measurable course outcomes and unit objectives.
• Develop components of a systematic plan for evaluation.

Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to the principles of teaching and learning.  A variety of strategies to facilitate learning in cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains will be introduced.  Students will develop learning activities for the traditional, non-traditional and online learning environments. Students will explore evidence-based resources to support teaching and learning. Students will facilitate learning in a nursing education environment. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5310
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Incorporate evidence based instructional strategies in developing learning activities in multiple educational environments.
• Create learning activities that address a variety of learning styles.
• Implement learning activities to address cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains.

Course Description: Nurse executives will utilize models, processes, and theoretical frameworks of decision making as a foundation for leadership activities in complex systems. Internal and external factors impacting decision making within a health care system will be explored and analyzed. Topics included in this course include trend analysis, evidence based systems leadership, and quality initiatives. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5320
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Utilize decision making models, processes, and/or theoretical frameworks to provide leadership in complex health care systems.
• Analyze internal and external factors impacting decision making in health care.
• Apply data collection techniques and strategies to the decision making process in complex health care systems.
• Articulate own worldview as an asset/liability in decision making in complex health care system

Course Description: This course provides the student with an opportunity to examine advanced nursing roles within the health care delivery system. The content will focus on leadership, change, and organizational culture theories as applied to current and anticipated nursing practice issues and trends. Students will develop strategies for introducing and sustaining change from the perspective of the nurse leaders. A leadership plan is required. (3 semester hours)

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5340
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Articulate the nature of advanced nursing roles in the context of various health care delivery systems
• Examine ways in which leadership, change, and organizational culture theories can be applied to nursing issues and trends.
• Analyze changes in the nursing profession that provide opportunities for nursing leadership.
• Evaluate personal action by creating a leadership plan which includes analysis of personal qualities/attributes/skills, knowledge of advanced nursing roles, and a leadership philosophy.

Prerequisite: Student must have completed all M.S.N. nursing courses or have program director permission.  

Student will develop a learning contract with the program director and faculty advisor for a project / thesis that puts into practice what has been learned in the program. This course provides the student with a learning experience in which the student implements a project (or thesis) under the direction of a graduate faculty member. The capstone course combines beginning research skills, theoretical knowledge, and nursing experience to study a topic of relevance to graduate-level nursing in the nurse educator role. The capstone project/ thesis will be reported in print. The project/ thesis material must also be defended orally in real time, either on campus or electronically. Continuous enrollment at 3 semester hours per semester is required until completion of the project.

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5500, NSG 5540, and NSG 5530
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Apply MSN level research skills and specialty nursing knowledge in a nursing project / thesis .

Prerequisite: Student must have completed all M.S.N. nursing courses except practicum and capstone courses or have program director permission. 

Students will analyze, synthesize and utilize all prior courses to develop a teaching project. Students will develop their practicum objectives to meet their own identified learning needs. A learning contract for the student's proposed project is required and must be approved by the program director and practicum advisor prior to the beginning of the project. The project will be implemented as per the agreement.

Course Outcomes of Student Learning for NSG 5360, NSG 5480, NSG 5490
The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Apply MSN level knowledge, skills, and abilities to the nursing specialty practice.