Master of Science in Nursing Course Descriptions

Scroll down to see the different courses the KU School of Nursing offers in its master's program or, if you know the course you are interested in, click the appropriate course number: 510, 550, 551, 552, 556, 572, 576, 701, 702, 703, 748, 754, 755, 801, 808, 809, 810, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 840, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 853, 854, 855, 856, 858, 860, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 890, 898, 899

NRSG 510 Health Care at the End of Life (2)
Complex issues that influence care for clients and their family systems at the time of and surrounding death provide the focus for this course. Contemporary attitudes surrounding death and dying as well as ethical, legal, cultural, social, and financial issues are examined. The needs of individuals and families surrounding death such as pain and symptom management, psycho-spiritual care, and bereavement are discussed in relation to contemporary causes of death. Collaborative role development with other members of the health care team surrounding care of the dying are explored. PREREQUISITE(S): Level III courses. CO-REQUISITE(S): NURS 490, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 550 Research Clinical Trial Coordinator: Pre-Study Activities (3)
This course is designed as an introduction to the research clinical trial coordinator role andprovides in-depth knowledge of Pre-Clinical Trials Study activities. Regulatory, administrative, and ethical issues will be presented as well as the daily operational requirements (study design, financial aspects, protocols, hiring of personnel, subject recruitment, etc.) to begin a study. PREREQUISITE(S):Senior status, RN licensure, graduate level, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 551 Research Clinical Trial Coordinator:  During Study Activities (3)
This course is designed as an introduction to the research clinical trial coordinator role andprovides in-depth knowledge of during-Clinical Trial Study activities. The process of conducting the ‘day-to-day’ operations of a research study; subject recruitment, data collecting forms and documenting subjects’responses to the interventions, audits, inspections, budget monitoring, ethical/liability situations that may occur during the study, etc. will be addressed. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 550 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 552 Research Clinical Trial Coordinator:  Post-Study Activities (3) (32 Class Hours and 64 Practicum Hours) This course is designed as an introduction to the research coordinator role andprovides in-depth knowledge of Post-Clinical Trial Study activities. The process of conducting the ‘day-to-day’ operations of a research study; preparing for final sponsor and FDA visits; preparing final reports to the sponsor and IRB; evaluating sponsor, site, and team members’ performance; management of data and preparing summary reports; etc will be addressed. The course is also designed to provide the student with a Research Coordinator practicum experience in selected research settings. Opportunities are provided to utilize learned details         related to the role of a Research Coordinator during key phases of a Clinical Trial Study: pre-study, during-study, and at the end-study activities. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 551 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 556 Interdisciplinary Wellness Promotion for People with Psychiatric Disabilities (2)
The course emphasizes development of wellness programs built on recovery philosophy and health promotion models. Factors relevant to the adoption of healthy behaviors in individuals with psychiatric disabilities are explored. Students have the opportunity to partner with interdisciplinary groups including students with psychiatric disabilities in designing a health promotion session that meet the needs of the population. PREREQUISITE(S): Level II, Level III, Graduate Level or consent of Instructor.

NRSG 572 Topics for Health Professional Educators (2-3)
This topics course is designed to develop the health professional’s role as educator and to promote a skill set to enhance teaching and learning for diverse populations. Experiences are gained assessing the learning needs of a target population and developing educational topics. Participants apply current learning theories and effective teaching strategies to design, implement and evaluate educational experiences. Technological advances, as well as current and future issues in teaching and learning are considered. Content, specific to the topic, includes role development issues, assessment and planning strategies, teaching/learning concepts, technology implications, and evaluation concepts.  PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): Senior level Nursing/Allied Health, admission to Graduate Program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 576 Promoting Wellness: Community Experience with People with Psychiatric Disabilities (1)
Course provides the opportunity for students to integrate information from the on-line health promotion course in a practice experience. Students will implement and evaluate an interdisciplinary health promotion module for persons with psychiatric disabilities in a community mental health setting. Course includes training in developing a collaborative approach with consumers and professionals from other disciplines. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 556 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 701 CNL Residency I (6) This course is designed to develop the clinical nurse leader’s role as a clinician.  The extensive clinical practicum helps the student become a designer, coordinator and evaluator of nursing care to a diverse set of clients.  The student examines health promotion and risk reduction services utilized to provide better health for the assigned client population.  The student applies clinical decision making to provide safe, efficient and effective client care.  PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S):  Completion of the BSN portion of the CNL track

NRSG 702 CNL Residency II (6) This course is designed to develop the clinical nurse leader’s role as a nurse leader in the provision of nursing care to groups of patients.  The clinical practicum helps students develop leadership skills in order to delegate, educate and guide staff nurses and other assisting nursing personnel on the clinical/care team.  Students continue to develop knowledge and clinical expertise using an increased tool set for designing, coordinating and evaluating efficient and effective health care for a group of patients.  PREREQUISITE(S) / CO-REQUISITE(S):  NRSG 701

NRSG 703 CNL Residency III (6) This course is designed to develop the clinical nurse leader’s role in devising solutions to system and/or aggregate client problems.  Accent of this practicum enhances the student’s ability to manage information and integrate it with clinical practice (collection and review of data).  Using this data, the student creates an environment that results in improved individual and group clinical outcomes on an identified unit.  PREREQUISITE(S) / CO-REQUISITE(S):  NRSG 702

NRSG 748 THEORIES FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY (3)
Theory development and analysis techniques provide the framework for the study of concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines. These concepts and theories are used to guide therapeutic nursing interventions and research for individual, family, and community client systems. Systems theory and theories related to cultural environments are analyzed to assess and intervene for complex systems. PREREQUISITE(S): Admission to the Graduate Nursing Program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 754 Healthcare Research (3)
Methods of critiquing and conducting research and evaluating research findings for use in practice are explored. Research that focuses on health risks of client systems, practice guidelines, therapeutic management, and on cost and outcomes will be examined. Emphasis is placed on generating research questions from theory and practice. PREREQUISITE(S): Admission to graduate program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 755 Healthcare Professionalism: Issues and Roles (3)
Healthcare Professionalism in nursing as influenced by social, cultural, political, and economic forces interacting with complex client systems is examined. Issues that develop in the changing healthcare environment that impact health and solutions are explored in relation to ethical and legal parameters. Innovative methods and skills essential for nursing are developed in a laboratory setting. PREREQUISITE(S): Admission to graduate program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 801 Analysis of Variance
Methods for designed experiments including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and analysis of covariance are emphasized. Post- ANOVA tests, power and testing assumptions required in ANOVA are discussed and applied. Outlier detection using robust estimators also are incorporated. Boxplots, histograms and scatterplots are used to display data. PREREQUISITE(S): PRE 710/711 or equivalent. Knowledge of statistical software, basic statistical plotting methods, p-value, two-sample t-test and simple linear regression is assumed.

NRSG 808 The Social Context for Health Care Policy (2)
Using a local/single clinical issue students examine ways to abstract this issue into a social policy context. Local examples are used throughout the course to demonstrate the leadership and structural systems required to effect change in policy. Strategies to identify constituencies and build coalitions are studied. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 755, NRSG 880, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 809 Health Promotion and Complementary Therapeutics (3)
Current trends in health promotion and clinical prevention care across the life span are examined. Specific guidelines for assisting clients to maintain/improve health and/or prevent illness are reviewed. Attention is given to the roles of the healthcare provider and care recipient in screening, communication, and counseling. The use of complimentary (non-pharmacological) therapeutics in assisting clients to achieve goals of health promotion is examined. The recommendation and use of non-pharmacological interventions will be evaluated based on research findings related to selection of therapeutic and measurement of expected outcomes following use of a particular intervention. PREREQUISITE(S): Admission to graduate program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 810 Advanced Health Assessment and Physical Diagnosis (5)
Building upon basic health assessment, knowledge, and skills for advanced clinical practice are discussed, described, and demonstrated. The advanced clinical practice content is then applied in multiple clinical settings (120 hours of clinical practice is required).  Content on special populations that cover the lifespan is presented (i.e. geriatrics, pediatrics, women’s health) followed by directed laboratory and simulated experiences. The concept of clinical decision making for differential diagnosis is introduced and applied to patient-focused data. CO-REQUISITE(S): Consent of instructor. 

NRSG 812 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
An in-depth scientific knowledge base relevant to selected pathophysiological states confronted in primary care is explored. This information provides a basis for the formulation of clinical decisions related to diagnostic tests and the initiation of therapeutic regimens. Age specific and developmental alterations are correlated with clinical diagnosis and management. Application is made through age appropriate examples. PREREQUISITE(S): NURA 806, admission to graduate nursing program or consent of instructor.

NRSG 813 Applied Drug Therapy (3)
The clinical application of specific categories of drugs, commonly encountered in primary care settings is discussed. The use of protocols, prescription writing, and the ethical/legal and economic issues surrounding the advanced nurses’ role in prescribing and monitoring pharmacologic therapies in the ambulatory setting are explained. Factors such as age appropriate content related to pharmacokinetics, dosages, expected outcomes, and side effects of the drugs are discussed. First line versus second line drugs, alternate drugs, drug interactions, adjusting drug dosages, patient education, and compliance issues related to drug therapy are addressed. The nurse’s role and responsibility related to data collection, problem identification and consultation with the physician is explored. Application is made through age-appropriate case studies. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 812, PHCL 761 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 814 Primary Care I: Management of Common Health Problems Throughout the Life Span (3)
Management of common health problems seen in individuals and families throughout the life span are discussed in this first of two sequential courses. Applications of current research and theory based interventions appropriate for management by advanced registered nurse practitioners will be stressed. Strategies and protocols to manage common problems, in urban and rural patients, interventions to restore individual's and family's levels of pre-illness health, and positive behaviors will be emphasized. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 809, NRSG 810, NRSG 811. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO -REQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 812, CO-REQUISITE: NRSG 815.

NRSG 815 Primary Care I Practicum: Management of Common Health Problems throughout the Life Span (2)
Opportunities to develop beginning skills as advanced practice nurses in a primary care setting are provided. Emphasis is on assessment, clinical decision making, and management of clients/client systems of all ages/stages who are experiencing common health problems. Internal and external environmental factors as well as legal, ethical, and economical concerns related to the presenting common health problems are explored. Current research outcomes and theory-based interventions appropriate for management by advanced nurses are stressed. Collaboration and consultation (including referrals) with appropriate health providers is emphasized. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 814.

NRSG 816 Primary Care II: Management of Complex Health Problems Throughout the Life Span (3)
Complex health problems seen in individuals and families throughout the life span are discussed in this second sequential course. Applications of current research and theory-based interventions appropriate for management by advanced registered nurse practitioners are analyzed. Strategies and protocols to manage complex patient problems, in urban and rural patients, are explored. Interventions to restore individual and family levels of pre-illness health, including secondary and tertiary prevention, are emphasized. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 814/815. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 817.

NRSG 817 Primary Care II Practicum: Management of Complex Health Problems Throughout the Life Span (4)
Opportunities to develop intermediate skills as advanced nurses in a primary care setting are provided. Emphasis is on assessment, clinical decision making, and management of client/client systems of all ages/stages who are experiencing complex health problems. Internal and external environmental factors as well as legal, ethical, and economic concerns related to the presenting complex health problems are explored. Current research outcomes and theory-based interventions appropriate for management by advance practice nurses are stressed. Collaboration and consultation (including referrals) with appropriate health providers is emphasized. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 816.

NRSG 818 Primary Care III: Preceptorship (3-5)
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care as delivered by the nurse practitioner are implemented through an intensive supervised clinical practicum with seminar sessions. An opportunity is provided to apply advanced clinical decision making skills and research to the assessment, management, and evaluation of complex healthcare problems in the primary care setting. The client systems for this experience include individuals and families within the context of community. Emphasis is on increased independence and decision making in a multi-disciplinary environment. Internal and external environmental factors, and ethical, legal and health policy issues related to the nurse practitioner role in the practice setting are analyzed. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 816/817 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 819 Advanced Pathophysiologic Assessment (3)
Systems approach to advanced physical assessment, pathophysiology, principles of hemodynamic monitoring, electrocardiography, pulmonary airway monitoring, and neuromuscular monitoring in the evaluation of the acute care and/or surgical patients. Emphasis will be on the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological systems and their relation to the assessment and monitoring practices of the health care provider. PREREQUISITE(S):  Permission of Instructor.

NRSG 820 Organizational Communication and Program Planning (2)
Advanced communication strategies necessary to inform, guide, and persuade clients, health care providers, payers, and other stakeholders are discussed. Special application of communication strategies will be made to program planning, project management, and program management. Means of using evolving information technologies to improve communication are emphasized. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S) NRSG 880, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 826 Global Perspectives and Diversity in Health Care (2)
Cultural receptivity is integrated into the collaboration, development, and implementation of health programs at the local, national, and international level. Frameworks that emphasize the meanings of health and health care; international concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary health care; disease prevention and management; and related ethical, economic, and social justice concerns are introduced. Students partner with a community of interest to understand their health and illness beliefs, identify barriers to health care access, integrate the historical, social, political and economic forces that impact health care. Together they plan and implement appropriate strategies to influence positive community outcomes. PREREQUESITE(S): NRSG 880 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 827 Advanced Concepts in Public Health Nursing (2)
Public health is addressed in terms of common values and interests as well as particular client populations (vulnerable and at risk groups) across the lifespan. Health promotion and disease prevention for whole communities and selected vulnerable and at risk aggregates are emphasized. Ethical and social justice concerns as well as public policy and legislative issues in population-focused health care are discussed. Selected models, concepts, theories, and research in public health provide the framework for identifying, exploring, prioritizing and planning interventions for public health concerns. Ultimately, a grant proposal is developed to support the action plan. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 754, PRVM 800, NRSG 808 or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 828.

NRSG 828 Public Health: Practicum I (3)
Students are provided with an opportunity to explore advanced practice roles within the context of public health needs. Based on each student's goals and interests, health related needs of an identified population are assessed, analyzed, and synthesized; and a plan of action proposed. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 827 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 829 Public Health Practicum (3)
Students will complete an intensive practicum in a community/public health setting. CO-REQUESITE(S): NRSG 827 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 830 Care of Women in the Antepartal Period (2)
Care during the antepartal period in healthy pregnant women is presented and analyzed. Strategies focusing on risk reduction and early identification of deviation from normal in this client system are examined. Complementary practice models demonstrating various management theories are described. Biopsychosocial and cultural aspects of pregnancy within the family structure environment are applied. Concepts of research, ethics, legal and political issues, nutrition, pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion, and selected high-risk deviation from normal are included. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 809, NRSG 810, NRSG 811, NRSG 812, NRSG 813, or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 831.

NRSG 831 Care of Women in the Antepartal Period: Practicum (2)
This clinical practicum centers on competencies for management of pregnant women and family client systems in various environments. Health promotion and risk reductions in pregnant women are emphasized. Management experiences in the advanced practice role include antepartal risk-assessment, collaboration, co-management, and referral when medically necessary. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 830.

NRSG 832 Nurse-Midwifery in the Neonatal Period: Practicum (1)
Synthesis of the nurse-midwifery philosophy for well neonates is conceptualized. Health maintenance models of care for infant client systems up to the first up to the first 28 days of life are included. Research, ethics, legal and political issues, nutrition, pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion, and selected high-risk deviation from normal are included. Clinical competencies for nurse-midwifery management of well neonates up to first 28 days of life are developed. Management experiences include the nurse-midwifery role in collaboration, co-management, and referral, as needed, during the early newborn period. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 830 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 834 Nurse-Midwifery in Women's Healthcare Practicum (2)
The nurse-midwifery management process is applied. Development of beginning competencies for promoting clinical nurse-midwifery management of well women client systems seeking gynecologic, contraceptive, health promotion, and maintenance services are included. Nurse-midwifery students experience delivery of care in independent practice environments as well as collaboration, co-management, and referral when medically necessary. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 830 or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 835 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 835 Primary Women’s Healthcare Across the Lifespan (3)
Psychological, sociological, and physiological issues of health and human functioning of the female client systems across the life span are explored. Theory and research-based therapeutic management of acute, episodic, and chronic conditions that occur in community-based women and their families will be planned. Professional values including standards of practice, certification, cultural, legal and ethical issues, and professional roles will be addressed. The healthcare delivery system will be analyzed for cost effectiveness and sensitivity to women. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 815 or NRSG 817, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 836 Nurse-Midwifery in the Intrapartal and Post Partum Period (3)
Nurse-midwifery care of uncomplicated mother/infant client systems through the intrapartal, postpartal, and neonatal period are presented and analyzed. Intrapartal and Postpartal complications and emergency events are addressed. Complementary practice models demonstrating various management modalities are described. Concepts of research, ethics, legal and political issues, nutrition, pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion, and selected high-risk deviation from normal are included. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 830 or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 832.

NRSG 837 Nurse-Midwifery in the Intrapartal and Postpartal Period: Practicum (2)
Competencies for nurse-midwifery management according to national standards of practice for low risk healthy women during labor, birth and, postpartum are demonstrated. The development of a skill base for intrapartal emergencies is addressed. Nurse-midwifery management practice provides experience in the role of care provider during normal labor and delivery postpartum and in collaboration, co-management, and referral when medically necessary. PREREQUISITE(S): 836 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 838 Primary Care of Women through the Lifespan Practicum (1-2
This practicum centers on clinical competencies for the advanced practice nurse providing primary care and gynecologic management of women throughout the lifespan. Health promotion, complementary therapies, and evidence based models of health care delivery are incorporated in the care of women.  Clinical management experiences in the advanced practice role include but are not limited to: family planning, gynecologic health, and primary care for women from adolescence through menopause. Clinical experiences will include collaboration, co-management, and/or referral when medically necessary.  PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S):  NRSG 835 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 840 Care of Women Integration: Practicum (4)
The theoretical, clinical and role components of care as delivered by the advanced practice student are implemented through an intensive supervised clinical practicum. Advanced professional clinical skills and evidence-based practice in the assessment, management and care of women and newborns are applied. The client system for this experience includes well women, childbearing women and may include neonates in a variety of environments. Emphasis is on increased independence and decision making embracing the function and scope of advanced practice. PREREQUISITE(S): Consent of instructor.

NRSG 844 Psychiatric Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice (2)
Advanced psychiatric assessment of children, adults, and the elderly will be covered including conducting caring and competent interviews in simulated situations. Assessment for psychiatric diagnosis including suicide and homicide potential, mood disturbance, psychosis, and dementia are emphasized. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 810 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 845 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Short-term Illness (3)
Short-term mental health problems (e.g., crises and grief reactions) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems) are discussed. Intervention frameworks such as behavioral, cognitive and crisis theories, and supporting outcome research are analyzed as they apply to individual, group, and family client systems across the life span. Focus is placed on environmental factors that relate to health promotion, disease prevention, symptom management, and behavior change. Professional issues that commonly occur in implementing the advanced practice role in psychiatric and mental healthcare are emphasized. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 745, NRSG 809, NRSG 812, NRSG 810, NRSG 844, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 846 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I: Practicum (2)
The role of the psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurse in developing short-term and episodic interventions with individuals, groups, and families is implemented. Students have opportunities to complete assessments, formulate diagnoses, and implement psychotherapy for culturally diverse clients from different age groups. Theory and research based nursing therapeutics and standards of practice are applied in an artful manner. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 845.

NRSG 847 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Chronic Illness (3)
Individual, family, and group client systems of varying ages with chronic and complex alterations in mental health, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and dementia are the focus. Biobehavioral, rehabilitation, and psychoeducation frameworks are used in examining factors that contribute to alterations in functioning in the client system's internal and external environment. Likewise, these frameworks and research outcomes related to rehabilitation goals are considered in implementing the advanced practice role. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 754, NRSG 810, NRSG 813, NRSG 844, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 848 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Practicum (4)
Individual, family, and group client systems with chronic and complex alterations in psychological functioning are managed. Selected theoretical frameworks such as biobehavioral, rehabilitation, and psychoeducation are used in examining factors in the client system's internal and external environment that contribute to alterations in psychological functioning. These frameworks as well as research outcomes and professional standards for Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice are used in implementing psychopharmacological and psychoeducational interventions. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 847.

NRSG 849 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Final Practicum (3-5)
The integration of the psychiatric mental health advanced practice nursing role is implemented. Students have opportunities to use diagnostic reasoning, psychotherapy, physiological interventions, interdisciplinary treatment plans, psychoeducation, consultation, referral, and research findings in the management and evaluation of culturally diverse clients from different age groups. The client system for this preceptorship includes individuals, groups, and families. Emphasis is on prevention of illness, stabilization of the client system, minimization of complications, and promotion of optimal level of health through interdisciplinary collaboration. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 845, NRSG 847, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 853 Abstraction and Modeling of Health Care Information (3)
The information system development life cycle process is presented with emphasis on determination and analysis of information system requirements and system design that meet the identified health care information requirements. Object-oriented techniques will be introduced, including Unified Modeling Language and Unified Modeling Methodology, to facilitate process analysis and design proposal development. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 820 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 854 Knowledge Management in Health Care (3)
Knowledge management is the creation, communication, and leveraging of a healthcare organization's knowledge assets. Defining knowledge, describing the knowledge creation cycle, and the identification of the knowledge worker and his/her impact on the organization are discussed. Information technology and communities of practice are presented in a balanced approach supporting a systematic viewpoint of the knowledge management process. Knowledge management theory is enhanced with the performance of a knowledge audit and the development of knowledge management tools. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 820, NRSG 858 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 855 Topics in Health Informatics (3)
Investigation of current and futuristic issues and trends relevant to health care informatics. PREREQUISITE(S): One graduate course in informatics or consent of instructor.

NRSG 856 Health Informatics Practicum (1-3)
In collaboration with health care informatics faculty, preceptors, students design an experience to facilitate application of theories and research related to healthcare informatics. Emphasis is on the application of the information system development life cycle. Students analyze the leadership and technical behaviors of various informatics roles and negotiate an informatics project to be completed within the practicum. PREREQUISITE(S): All Common Core, Leadership Core, NRSG 853, NRSG 858. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 854, NRSG 855, NRSG 898 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 858 Health Data: Theory and Practice (3-4) (Includes 3 credit hour didactic course, 1 credit hour optional lab)
Principles of database theory, modeling, design and manipulation will be introduced.  Students will have experience using a relational database management system. Database manipulation will be explored by composing and executing query statements and critically evaluating the results. PREREQUISITE(S): None.

NRSG 860 Health Care at the End of Life (3)
Complex issues that influence care for clients and their family systems at the time of and surrounding death provide the focus for this course. Contemporary attitudes surrounding death and dying as well as ethical, legal, cultural, social, and financial issues are examined. The needs of individuals and families surrounding death such as pain and symptom management, psycho-spiritual care, and bereavement are discussed in relation to contemporary causes of death. Collaborative role development with other members of the health care team surrounding care of the dying are explored. PREREQUISITE(S): Admission to the Graduate program.

NRSG 862 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare I (3)
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide holistic care for the culturally diverse adult in multiple care settings are emphasized. Clinical manifestations of and patient response to selected problems of sensory, psychologic, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and dermatologic systems and infections are examined. Physical and multidimensional functional assessments are emphasized as a basis for establishing differential diagnoses and planning effective therapeutic interventions. Coordination of services and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team for comprehensive healthcare are integrated throughout the course. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 810. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 809, NRSG 812, NRSG 813, or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 863 or NRSG 864.

NRSG 863 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare I : Practicum - CNS (2)
Management of the primary, acute, and chronic healthcare needs of a culturally diverse population of adults across the life span with specific system dysfunction are explored. Clinical practice will include multidisciplinary coordination for comprehensive managed care. Consultative, patient education, quality improvement, and project development activities will be the major focuses. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 862.

NRSG 864 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare I: Practicum - NP (2)
Assessment of adults across the life span and the management of common acute and chronic health problems are executed in consultation with the appropriate provider. Opportunities to manage pharmacological and medical therapeutics will be provided. Nursing therapeutics and case management based on theory and research are applied in a variety of community and institutional practice settings. Emphasis is on health promotion and health maintenance for culturally diverse adult individuals and groups. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 862.

NRSG 865 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare II (3)
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide holistic care for the culturally diverse adult in multiple care settings are emphasized. Clinical manifestations and patient responses to selected problems of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, urinary, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal and immunological systems, infections, and oncological problems are examined. Physical and multidimensional functional assessments are emphasized as a basis for establishing differential diagnosis and planning effective therapeutic interventions. Coordination of services and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team for comprehensive healthcare are integrated throughout the course. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 862 or consent of instructor. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 866, NRSG 867.

NRSG 866 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare II: Practicum - CNS (4)
Management of the primary, acute, and chronic Healthcare needs of a culturally diverse population of adults across the life span with specific system dysfunction are explored. Clinical practice will include interdisciplinary coordination for comprehensive managed care. Consultative, patient education, quality improvement, and project development activities will be major focuses. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 865.

NRSG 867 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare II: Practicum - NP (4)
Assessment of adults across the life span and the management of common acute and chronic health problems are executed in consultation with appropriate provider. Opportunities to manage pharmacological and medical therapeutics will be provided. Nursing therapeutics and care management based on theory and research are applied in a variety of community and institutional practice settings. Emphasis is on health promotion and health maintenance for culturally diverse adult individuals and groups. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 865.

NRSG 868 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare III: Preceptorship - CNS (3-5)
The theoretical, clinical, and research role components of care as delivered by the adult/gerontological CNS are implemented. Opportunities are provided to utilize diagnostic reasoning, nursing therapeutics, pharmacological therapeutics, interdisciplinary treatment plans, project development, consultation, referral, and research finings in the management and evaluation of culturally diverse clients experiencing specific system dysfunction. The client system for this Preceptorship includes adults (and their families) experiencing a selected system dysfunction. Emphasis is on stabilization of the client, minimization of complications, and promotion of optimal level of health through an interdisciplinary approach. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 862 NRSG 865; or consent of instructor. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 755.

NRSG 869 Adult/Gerontological Healthcare III: Preceptorship - NP (3-5)
The theoretical, clinical, and research role components of care as delivered by the Adult/Geriatric nurse practitioner are implemented. Opportunities are provided to individualize the student's clinical acumen in utilizing diagnostic reasoning, nursing therapeutics, pharmacological therapeutics, interdisciplinary treatment plans, consultation, referral, and research findings in the management and evaluation of culturally diverse adult/geriatric clients with common ambulatory care problems. The client system for this preceptorship includes adults (and their families) across the life span. Emphasis is on preventing illness, promoting health and an optimal functional level. Stabilizing the ill client, and minimizing complications through an interdisciplinary approach. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 862; NRSG 865; or consent of instructor. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 755.

NRSG 870 Designing a Student Learning Environment (3)
The roles of both the educator and student in designing a learning environment provide the framework for analyzing pedagogical philosophies, theories, ethical/legal issues, and research related to teaching strategies and education. The focus is on best practices and research based strategies to promote various learning styles and create an active learning environment that increases student retention and learning success for diverse multicultural student populations Attention will be given to the relationship between the setting, methodologies of clinical teaching and the assessment of competencies. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 754 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 871 Curriculum/Program Planning and Evaluation (3)
Philosophies, methods and processes of curriculum and instruction in nursing education provide the framework for discussing curricular and program planning theories/ models, resources for decision-making, research, and evaluation methods that create a learner centered environment. Attention is given to frameworks for program evaluation, methods of data collection, and the ethics and standards of evaluation practice. The influence of societal trends, and current health professions issues relevant to curriculum planning are addresses. Emphasis is on strategies for anticipating future societal needs and developing educational curriculum to meet those needs. Matters of diversity, workforce development, ethical/legal issues in curriculum planning and education are also included. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, NRSG 754 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 872 Topics in Nursing Education (1-5)
Investigation of special issues or problems relevant to appropriate client systems (client, family, and student or health care professional ) in Nursing Education. PREREQUISITE(S): Consent of Instructor.

NRSG 873 Teaching with Technologies (3)
Theories and trends that support the use of merging and emerging technologies for the enhancement of teaching and learning are explored. The focus is on assisting educators to gain skills in choosing appropriate instructional technologies to enhance learning. Learning variables, the environmental context, financial/political issues and the influence of those variables on technologies are examined. The evaluation and impact of current technology on the delivery of education are examined along with strategies for considering/anticipating future technologies to meet educational needs. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REREQUISITE(S):   None.

NRSG 874 Nurse Educator Preceptorship (3)
The role components of the nurse educator are implemented with a preceptor in selected educational settings. Opportunities are provided to utilize teaching and learning strategies, research findings, and evaluation methods with diverse students. Professional issues, educational trends, changing role of the educator, and self-assessment are incorporated in accompanying modules. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 870, NRSG 871 and NRSG 873.

NRSG 875 Women's Health: Adolescence and Young Adult (5)
The role of the advanced practice nurse is examined in relation to environmental and age related factors that result in complex health problems in the young adult female and the childbearing family. Theoretical concepts and research are explored as a basis for advanced family assessment and nursing practice decisions. Factors that maintain system balance or result in system imbalance for pregnant and nonpregnant young adults and for childbearing families including the neonate are examined and interventions are designed, implemented, and evaluated. Methods for influencing health policy regarding resources for the management of complex health problems in the young adult female and the childbearing family are examined. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 702, NRSG 704 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 876 Women's Health: Middle and Aging Adult (4)
The role of the advanced practice nurse in the provision of health care to women and their families during the middle and aging years is implemented. The difference between the management of acute and chronic conditions such as infertility, common gynecological conditions, and osteoporosis are compared as a basis for nursing decisions. Interventions designed to maintain or restore system balance are implemented and evaluated in relation to research. Methods for influencing health policy regarding resources for the management of the health needs of the women in the middle and aging years and her family are examined. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 702, NRSG 704 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 880 ORGANIZATIONAL FOUNDATIONS FOR LEADING CHANGE (3)
Leadership concepts are advanced and an orientation to organizational structures and dynamics in healthcare are introduced. Learners examine linear and non-linear mental models and analyze the social determinants that influence a service organization’s capacity for change. Political, legal, and ethical influences and interventions that reverse constraints and destabilized functions, or advance and strengthen the organizational mission are explored. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 748, or consent of instructor. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 755.

NRSG 881 Applied Budgeting and Finance (3)
Basic principles associated with program, project and service line fiscal management, price-setting, budget preparation, cost-benefit/break-even analysis, managed care contracting, and interpreting financial ratios are discussed and applied. Emphasis is on acquiring a financial vocabulary to communicate with various stakeholders. Financial reports such as balance sheet, budget forms and expense reports are studied and formulated related to government agencies, small clinical operations, grant-funded projects, and start-up programs. Staffing models and the staffing-quality equation are analyzed for the purpose of projecting human resource requirements. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 880, HP&M 814 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 882 QUALITY MANAGEMENT (3)
This course integrates outcomes management and research.  Through projects, site visits, readings, and class discussions, students develop an informed basis for leading quality improvement efforts in various health care settings.  Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to contribute to the planning and management of outcomes-based quality improvement programs; describe central issues in measuring functional status, quality of life, adherence to guidelines, customer satisfaction, and costs; articulate the potential rewards and costs of quality management efforts; apply scientific evidence on health care outcomes to quality management; and use techniques that are common in quality management. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 754, or NRSG 880 or equivalent course or consent of instructor.

NRSG 883 Complexity Science Approaches to Improve Organizational Effectiveness(3)
This course introduces complexity science principles with the aim of improving the quality and effectiveness of healthcare organizations. Traditional approaches to quality improvement will be contrasted with tools and metrics that can be applied in complex organizations. Principles that relate to embeddedness, diversity, distributed control, co-existence of order and disorder, nonlinearity, inability to predict, emergence, and functioning at the edge of chaos will be introduced. This course may be taken in lieu of NRSG 882, Quality Management; however, both courses cannot count towards your program of study. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 880 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 884 Topics in Organizational Leadership (3)
Investigation of current and futuristic issues and trends relevant to organizational leadership. PREREQUISITE(S): One graduate course in organizational leadership track course or consent of instructor.

NRSG 885 Evaluation and Analysis for Health Care Effectiveness (2)
Systematic approaches for analyzing and evaluating processes of care delivery and their impact on client populations, organizational processes, and communities are considered. Research concepts and methods are used in a systems context. Program evaluation, performance improvement, and other methods of measuring outcomes are examined for their utility within the health care setting. Linkages between program evaluation and regulatory policy are studied. PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 754. CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 880 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 886 Practicum in Organizational Leadership (1-3)
The knowledge, skills, and abilities learned throughout the course of study are integrated in this practicum experience designed to develop further specialized knowledge. The faculty and preceptor provide support and guidance to help interpret experiences, and gain a broader world-view within organizational leadership. Students design an experience to facilitate application of theories and research related to organizational leadership. Emphasis is on expanding the capacity of the emerging leader in leading change, facilitating advanced communication skills, and demonstrating one or more areas of leadership expertise. Students negotiate a leadership project to be completed within the practicum. Common Core, Leadership Core, HP&M 814, NRSG 882. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 884, NRSG 898 or consent of instructor. PREREQUISITE(S): Common Core, Leadership Core, HP&M 814, NRSG 882. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): NRSG 884, NRSG 898 or consent of instructor.

NRSG 890 Independent Study (1-4)

NRSG 898 Research Project in Nursing (2)
Portions of the research process in an area of nursing are implemented. Emphasis is placed on experimental knowledge of the actual conduct of research. The student selects one of several activities and reports on the project. PREREQUESITE(S): NRSG 754 and either one advanced practice or one administration track course, or consent of instructor.

NRSG 899 Thesis (1-6)
PREREQUISITE(S): NRSG 754, and one clinical, educational or administration track course. PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): a graduate level statistics course.

NOTE: Selected electives will be offered. A listing of electives appears in the catalog.