This course provides an advanced interdisciplinary study of applied mathematics, chemistry, biological sciences, and physics related to modern nursing practice. Concepts related to human health in various stages of the human life cycle are explored and integrated into the nursing knowledge base.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Explain applicable principles of organic and bio-chemistry sustaining and influencing human life. 
2. Explain medical applications of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physiology in treatment modalities. 
3. Describe physiological variations of the body systems in various stages of life. 
4. Differentiate variations of patho-physiology throughout the human life cycle. 
5. Identify genetic and environmental influences on health among various demographics. 
6. Evaluate biological, chemical, and physical factors contributing to current epidemiologic trends. 

This course focuses on general concepts in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to the major drug classifications used to treat leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Topics such as drug actions and interactions, metabolism and distribution, adverse effects, precautions, and contraindications are discussed.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe the fundamentals of drug therapy including drug actions and interactions, indications and contraindications, and physiological considerations.
2. Discuss medications commonly used within specific drug classifications used to treat the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.
3. Perform dosage calculations for all forms of drugs and various delivery methods.
4. Retrieve and utilize pharmaceutical information from reliable and current sources.
5. Apply the nursing process as it relates to medication administration.
6. Identify the scope of nursing practice regarding pharmacology including legal and ethical practices.
7. Identify and discuss contemporary issues in pharmacology regarding medical use and abuse.

This course addresses ethical reasoning and ethical frameworks applied to the nursing scope of practice. An awareness of personal/professional values and behaviors, and policy and law related to nursing practice and the professional Code of Ethics for Nursing are explored.

Upon course completion, students are expected to do the following:

1. Analyze personal and professional belief and value systems impacting one’s own nursing practice.
2. Examine the value of the professional Code of Ethics for Nurses and its application as an ethical framework.
3. Identify and examine legal and regulatory policies impacting nursing ethics.
4. Recognize and analyze current ethical dilemmas associated with nursing.
5. Apply ethical decision-making models for the nursing scope of practice.
6. Evaluate the role of self and personal accountability in ethical behavior.
    

This course provides an overview of health care delivery systems and their interaction and influence on health care practices. An examination of health reimbursement systems, external regulatory bodies, and public policy are explored.

Upon course completion, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe the processes/organizations associated with regulation of healthcare practice in the U.S.
2. Identify and discuss current legal statutes defining healthcare practice and professional rights and responsibilities of nurses.
3. Describe and compare how healthcare delivery systems are organized and financed.
4. Discuss social and economic factors shaping health care policy and ways to effect policy change.
5. Analyze the challenges associated with maintaining organizational compliance within a care setting.
6. Evaluate health reimbursement systems and their impact on health care practices and cost containment.
    

This course focuses on fundamental research skills needed to inform and guide quality nursing practices. Emphasis is on locating, critiquing, and interpreting research studies and reports to address a clinical practice problem.

Upon course completion, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Explain the connection between current nursing theory and research and professional nursing practice.
2. Describe the steps involved in the research process.
3. Identify clinical practice problems that may be resolved through the research process.
4. Critique nursing research studies for validity and applicability to nursing practice.
5. Perform a basic literature review to address a problem to be researched.
6. Determine a possible intervention for a clinical problem based on literature review findings.
7. Apply the ethical/legal considerations involved in research.
    

This course focuses on the integration of quality evidence from research, clinical expertise, and patient values to make informed decisions regarding quality nursing practices. Identifying areas of evidence-based practice, gathering and evaluating valid evidence, implementing the findings, and assessing the outcomes are discussed.

Upon course completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Apply an evidence-based practice model applicable to nursing.
2. Access and evaluate sources of evidence for validity and relevance.
3. Implement the fundamental steps of evidence-based practice for making health care decisions.
4. Determine interventions and modifications to the plan of care using valid evidence.
5. Integrate patient values and preferences into clinical decision making.
    

This course provides methods to gather and interpret assessment data from a variety of sources impacting patient health and care. Assessment of health factors such as community, family, culture, lifestyle, and environment are addressed as well as health education and community service needs.

Upon course completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe the role of the nurse in a comprehensive health assessment process.
2. Examine how family structure, culture, and community influences the health and care of individuals.
3. Apply a systematic data collection process to assess health risk factors such as lifestyle, genetic history, family, and environment.
4. Apply a community assessment model for evaluating patient needs for community health services.
5. Apply assessment models within a variety of health care settings for clinical decision-making.
6. Explain the impact of health care literacy on self-care treatment plans.
7. Apply learning theory principles for assessing, planning, and delivering patient/family health education plans.
    

This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem-based learning is used to address the leading causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and issues related to reproductive genetics. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.

Upon course completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify and examine the etiologies of the major medical/socioeconomic health problems associated with parturient, fetal, and neonatal health in the U.S.
2. Apply a systematic evidence-based approach to diagnose, plan, deliver, and evaluate quality care and interventions.
3. Plan for patient education with diverse populations to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce risk.

This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing children and teens. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.

Upon course completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify and examine the etiologies of the major medical/socioeconomic health problems associated with child and adolescent health in the U.S.
2. Apply a systematic evidence-based approach to diagnose, plan, deliver and evaluate quality care and interventions.
3. Plan for patient education to diverse populations to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce risk.

This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing adults. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.

Upon course completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify and examine the etiologies of the major medical/socioeconomic health problems associated with adult health in the U.S.
2. Apply a systematic evidence-based approach to diagnose, plan, deliver and evaluate quality care and interventions.
3. Plan for patient education to diverse populations to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce risk.

This course is one of four focused integrated nursing courses examining the major medical problems facing the U.S. population today. Problem based learning is used to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality facing older adults. The contributing causes, intervention, prevention, and health education/counseling are explored.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify and examine the etiologies of the major medical/socioeconomic health problems associated with geriatric health in the U.S.
2. Apply a systematic evidence-based approach to diagnose, plan, deliver and evaluate quality care and interventions.
3. Plan for patient education to diverse populations to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce risk.

This course examines the impact of cultural diversity on the helping relationship, encourages the acknowledgement of biases and beliefs about diversity and provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate an appreciation of the contributions of diverse populations. Special attention is given to diverse populations in the human service system, including the poor, the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, the frail elderly, and persons with HIV/AIDS.

The course examines the practical and dynamic relevance of critical thinking for managers, emphasizing the decisional aspects of management. Topics focus on eliciting new managerial insights, improving managerial problem solving and decision-making skills, and on strengthening the student's ability to articulate reasoned solutions to managerial problems and opportunities.

This course explores the concepts and theories of management and their application in today's managerial environment. It examines the essential functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. MG307 may be taken instead of this course.

Communication skills pertinent to organizational settings form the foundation of this course. Effective methods for design and delivery of oral communication are examined. Other topics include communication styles, interpersonal communication skills, dynamics of small group communication and persuasive speaking.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
2. Demonstrate effective and active listening skills.
3. Recognize and adapt to differing communication styles.
4. Demonstrate skill in interpersonal communication.
5. Understand small group dynamics.
6. Demonstrate persuasive speaking techniques.
7. Effectively create and utilize graphics or other appropriate media in professional presentations.
8. Deliver organized, professional informational and persuasive presentations.
    

Academic writing focuses on reflective, informational, and persuasive writing directed at an academic audience. Clear summarization of material, critical reading of texts, thoughtful and developed responses, effective secondary research, incorporation of sources into documents, appropriate document of research using APA format, and construction of persuasive and informative academic papers are addressed. The format and style of essays and research papers are explored. The course also emphasizes the development of a strong, formal academic voice and style.

Upon completion of this course, students are exepcted to be ble to do the following:

1. Critically read and engage texts.
2. Express and explain, in a logical and developed manner, their responses to texts or ideas.
3. Develop a clear thesis statement and support it with evidence.
4. Develop a clear organization for a paper, and manage their ideas and sources within the paper.
5. Conduct secondary research using library databases and other appropriate academic research.
6. Apply APA format and documentation to a research paper.
7. Write in a formal academic style and voice.
8. Incorporate source materials effectively into their papers.
9. Identify and follow all ethical requirements of using source materials for a paper or presentation.
    

This summative course integrates knowledge and skills developed in previous courses and provides an opportunity to apply them to a selected topic in a specialized area of interest. Each student selects a topic currently confronting the field of study or profession, clearly defines the topic using appropriate references and resources, and writes and presents their comprehensive project. The presentation must be provided in a professional manner suitable for a professional health care audience.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills as they relate to their field of study or profession.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical implications as they relate to their topic.Develop strategies for continuing education and competence in their profession.Communicate using inclusive methods in a variety of methods.
3. Identify management principles relevant to their selected topic.
4. Address diversity as it relates to their selected topic.
5. Identify relevant resources within their field of study pertaining to their selected topic.
6. Recognize and describe trends where applicable.
7. Address the laws, rules, regulations and policies relevant to the topics.
8. Demonstrate competence in applying the ten general education competencies.