Online MSN Curriculum

This course covers the definitions of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles in community environments. Theoretical content includes ethics, multicultural population-focused care, community coordination strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and leadership. Roles of the nurse as case manager, administrator, educator, researcher, consultant, and practitioner are explored. Communication issues including assertive behavior, conflict resolution, and the dynamics of change are examined.

This course covers the in-depth exploration of pathophysiological responses involved in processes affecting the body's optimal functioning. The ability to implement diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and the integration of scientific concepts with psychosocial and spiritual aspects of the human condition are enhanced using case studies. Human pathophysiological responses across the life span that incorporate the individual, families, and communities are surveyed.

The level of health for a community is related to the organization of its health care system. This course develops the knowledge and skills required to assess needs and plan and write grants for the funding of programs. Forces that shape the policies and delivery of community health nursing services are analyzed. Attention is given to the nurse's role in influencing policy decisions.

A broad range of quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry are explored as a means to forward nursing research.

This course covers advanced knowledge of pharmacology integrated with the needs of the community served by the practitioner. A case-study method is utilized to support increased knowledge, development, and application.

This course will give the graduate student an opportunity to practice and advance their physical assessment skills by performing complete health assessments. Skills are taught and practiced on a class partner via the body systems approach with weekly integration of previous skills. Students will take complete histories and provide comprehensive documentation of the history and physical assessment obtained on lab partners or persons brought in from the outside. Specialized skills and techniques will be incorporated into the learning specific to pediatrics, geriatrics, and women's health as time allows.

Prepares the psychiatric/mental health APRN through complex role of prescribing psychotropic medications to clients in differing settings. The application of evidence-based knowledge of psychopharmacological principles to treat specific psychiatric conditions is emphasized. Management of iatrogenic/trophicogenic problems caused by pharmacologic agents is explored. Neuropsychiatric development, brain function, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology are examined relational to pharmacologic agents. The relationship between specific psychopathological and neurological conditions and psychopharmacological treatments is examined. Prescribing, management, and monitoring of psychopharmacotherapeutics including complementary and alternative agents are emphasized. The role of the psychiatric/mental health APRN as prescriber for the patient with psychiatric conditions including therapeutic challenges such as medication compliance, outcomes, ethical responsibilities, legalities, financial realities, cultural, and genetic diversity and practical considerations are incorporated throughout this course.

Prepares the psychiatric/mental health APRN for the complex role of providing mental health care and crisis intervention to adults/geriatric adults of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds in a recovery framework. Cultural assessment, psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and co-morbidities are incorporated throughout the course. Treatment and management of mental health disorders using a variety of modalities and interventions with emphasis on communication theory and group theory focused on recovery are explored. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of the patient and family are emphasized.

Prepares the psychiatric/mental health APRN for the complex role of providing mental health care and crisis intervention to adults/geriatric adults of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds within a recovery framework. Cultural assessment, psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and co-morbidities are incorporated throughout the course. Treatment and management of mental health disorders using a variety of modalities and interventions with emphasis on communication theory and group theory focused on recovery are explored. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of the patient and family are emphasized.

Prepares the psychiatric/mental health APRN for the complex role of providing mental health care and crisis intervention to adults/geriatric adults of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds within a recovery framework. Cultural assessment, psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and co-morbidities are incorporated throughout the course. Treatment and management of mental health disorders using a variety of modalities and interventions with emphasis on communication theory and group theory focused on recovery are explored. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of the patient and family are emphasized.

Prepares the psychiatric/mental health APRN for the complex role of providing mental health care and crisis intervention to adults/geriatric adults of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds within a recovery framework. Cultural assessment, psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and co-morbidities are incorporated throughout the course. Treatment and management of mental health disorders using a variety of modalities and interventions with emphasis on communication theory and group theory focused on recovery are explored. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of the patient and family are emphasized.

Prepares psychiatric/mental health APRN students for the complex role of providing recovery-focused, mental health nursing care to clients with chronic and complex psychiatric needs of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Emphasis on medication and therapeutic management of clients across the lifespan while integrating evidence-based, recovery-focused approaches. The student builds upon the knowledge and concepts developed/learned in NUR6970 and NUR6972 and more in-depth exploration of treating those with complex psychiatric/mental health needs with a view toward recovery-focused interventions. Examination of the forensic, social, cultural, physical, economic, familial, spiritual, and societal impacts of severe mental illness incorporates local and world views as well as advocacy opportunities for the psychiatric/mental health APRN. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of these clients is explored.

Prepares psychiatric/mental health APRN students for the complex role of providing recovery-focused, mental health nursing care to clients with chronic and complex psychiatric needs of differing social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Emphasis on medication and therapeutic management of clients across the lifespan while integrating evidence-based, recovery-focused approaches. The student builds upon the knowledge and concepts developed/learned in NUR6970 and NUR6972 and more in-depth exploration of treating those with complex psychiatric/mental health needs with a view toward recovery-focused interventions. Examination of the forensic, social, cultural, physical, economic, familial, spiritual, and societal impacts of severe mental illness incorporates local and world views as well as advocacy opportunities for the psychiatric/mental health APRN. Synthesis of evidence-based, recovery-focused management in concert with social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and physical needs of these clients is explored.

This course is a rigorous culminating scholarly endeavor in which the student will integrate theoretical knowledge, clinical experience, and research in a faculty-guided project proposal.