FNP Courses – Descriptions

NURSG 601 Research Methods (3 Units)

This course presents an overview of the research process, with emphasis on using the scientific method to identify and investigate problems in clinical practice. Major topic areas include: types of research approaches, formulation of research problems and hypothesis/research questions, preparing a literature review including theoretical/conceptual framework, study designs and selecting a research method, sampling, measurement of variables, and data collection and analysis.

NURSG 602 Analysis of Health Policy Issues (3 Units)

This course focuses on political structures, the political process, and development of health-care policy. The course begins with an overview of the health-care system as shaped by cultural and societal values, perceived purposes of healthcare, and modern technology. Attention will be given to issues of economics, finance, regulatory systems, and social justice for consumer groups.

NURSG 605 Thesis (3 Units)

A thesis is a written report of a research study conducted under the guidance of and in keeping with the expertise of a faculty member with an established research agenda. A student desiring this option should declare this intention no later than the second semester of enrollment in order to ensure that a faculty advisor is formally assigned to provide early direction on the research project. Three semester units of credit are awarded upon successful completion of the thesis.

NURSG 606 Special Project (3 Units)

The special project may take one of three forms:

(a) Preparation of a scholarly paper for publication in concert with a faculty member. This assignment, which requires considerable student initiative, will include participation in the development of a topic, literature review, data collection and analysis as appropriate, and preparation of a scholarly paper for publication.

(b) Preparation of a scholarly report on the implementation of a major health program or instructional innovation designed to improve healthcare to high-risk populations in the community. Such a project is the culmination of work initiated in the core theory and clinical courses in the student’s area of concentration.

(c) Completion of a comprehensive exam specific to the student’s clinical specialty.

The format, content and timing of administration of this exam vary with each of the MSN program tracks. Refer to the MSN Synthesis Guidelines of the School of Nursing and program-specific documents for these details. Other scholarly projects are possible by arrangement. Three semester units of credit are awarded upon successful completion of the special project.

NURSG 619 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 Units)

This is a course which builds on prior knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. The major focus of the course is the exploration of current theory and research related to pathophysiological processes as applied to commonly encountered problems in family-oriented primary care practice, including physiological and mental health disorders. The course includes a life-span perspective, with content relevant to perinatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric clients. Application of content to the care of diverse multicultural populations is emphasized. Prerequisite: graduate status

NURSG 626 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Units)

This course explores the integration of contemporary theories with advance practice nursing. Learners will analyze selected theoretical frameworks and their application to modern day clinical practice. Foundational theories specific to the domains of informatics, patient safety and ethics, along with biopsychosocial model will be covered in this course, with interprofessional education and collaboration as a consistent conceptual theme. Emphasis will be placed on exploration of the substantive ideas being introduced and debated by health-care thought leaders. The intent is to provide a solid knowledge base in aforementioned domains for subsequent learning activities in either nurse anesthesia or nurse practitioner program curriculum.

NURSG 670 Family-Centered Advanced Practice Nursing (2 Units)

Healthcare in the 21st Century requires APRNs to incorporate a broad set of concerns that influence health and family life. In this course global health and environmental justice are explored as pre-conditions for healthy families. The influences of culture, society, behavior, and human development on the health of families are explored. The course examines family-centered healthcare in relation to interprofessional collaboration, evidence based practice, quality improvement, and safety.

NURSG 671 Advanced Physical Assessment (2 Units)

This course focuses on the strategies and skills needed to assess individuals throughout the life span in a family-oriented primary care setting with diverse populations. The expected outcome is advanced physical assessment competency appropriate for the primary care practice. Analysis of assessment data based on developmental and ethnic variation is included. The integration of assessment data in the clinical decision-making process is emphasized.

NURSG 671L Advanced Physical Assessment Lab (1 Unit)

This lab course is taken concurrently with NURSG 671 that focuses on the strategies and skills needed to assess individuals throughout the life span in a family-oriented primary care setting with diverse populations. The expected outcome is advanced physical assessment competency appropriate for the primary care practice. Analysis of assessment data based on developmental and cultural variation is included. The integration of assessment data in the clinical decision making process is emphasized.

NURSG 672 Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 Unit)

This course is an onsite/online hybrid seminar designed to introduce the APRN student to the role of the advanced practice nurse in the primary health-care setting. The evolution of the role from an historical and legislative perspective is explored. Issues including the evolving scope of practice, key role competencies, and inter-professional collaboration are introduced. Each student will be expected to discuss his/ her own philosophical/ethical framework for clinical practice. Using a case study approach the student will integrate a patient’s cultural preferences, values, and health beliefs in a treatment plan. Prerequisite: Admission to the FNP program or consent of instructor.

NURSG 673 Professional Advocacy for Entry to the Advanced Practice Role (1 Unit)

This course is offered in the final semester of the FNP program and builds on NURSG 672, using an online hybrid format. The course is designed to socialize the graduating student to the role of a family nurse practitioner. Online modules and onsite seminars challenge students to explore the FNP scope of practice, prescribing regulations, and credentialing process as outlined in the Nurse Practice Act. Other topics discussed in the course include models for entrepreneurial practice, methods for negotiation of employment, and avenues for innovative leadership. The course will also explore methods for marketing the NP role to the general public as a high quality accessible alternative to current mainstream health-care options. The student will graduate with an up-to-date e-portfolio that document achievement of NP core and population based competencies, professional achievements, and goals. Prerequisite: NURSG 672

NURSG 674 Health Protection, Promotion and Screening for Individuals, Families, and Communities (3 Units)

Collaborative inter-professional family-centered primary health-care is influenced by 21st century innovations in technology, genetics, behavior/change theories, and environmental health. This course integrates these influences into the provision of health-care services focused on health protection and promotion, disease prevention, and health screening across the lifespan. Critical analysis of clinical strategies and interventions in health promotion and protection based on the evidence and relevant theoretical frameworks are included. The effects of social, cultural and developmental influences are emphasized. Prerequisites: NURSG 670, NURSG 671/671L, NURSG 619, NURSG 677

NURSG 675/675L Care of Acute and Episodic Conditions (3 Units)

This course builds on NURSG 674 by focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and patient education of common acute episodic illnesses across the lifespan. The course emphasizes evidence-based healthcare that is both patient-centered and provided in the context of a health-care team. For each condition included the genetic, environmental, epidemiological, pathophysiological, cultural, and family implications are considered.

Diagnostic reasoning/testing in primary care including radiology, laboratory, microbiology, advanced imaging, and EKG are identified for each condition along with considerations of access, cost, efficacy, and quality as essential elements in planning healthcare services. The role of the NP as patient advocate, the process of negotiating an individualized treatment plan, the patient’s right to refuse care, safety, and privacy requirements are included. Prerequisites: NURSG 670, NURSG 601, NURSG 674, NURSG 677 (3 units lecture)

NURSG 675L Care of Acute and Episodic Conditions Lab (1 Unit)

This lab course is taken concurrently with NURSG 675. Learning strategies include simulation-based case studies and skills lab hours. Skills lab sessions focus on common office procedures performed in the primary care setting and clinical case discussions. Emphasis will be placed on interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic results and evaluation and management of patients based on such results.

NURSG 676 Care of Chronic and Complex Conditions (3 Units)

Trends in healthcare include an aging population, multiple comorbidities, and increasing lifespan. Linked with these issues is a move to care for people in the community rather than in the acute care setting. The goal of this course is to identify and explore the care of persons with multiple co-morbidities including but not limited to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatologic, and pulmonary conditions. The focus of evaluation intervention and treatment emphasizes the importance of quality of life, normal aging, and the optimization of health status in persons with chronic illnesses. Prerequisite: NURSG 674, NURSG 675

NURSG 677 Advanced Pharmacology (3 Units)

This course in clinical pharmacotherapeutics builds on prior knowledge of drug classifications, prototypes within classifications, actions, interactions, and side effects. The major focus is on medications that are commonly prescribed in the treatment and management of common acute and chronic illnesses in primary for patients across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on safe and effective prescribing and supporting patient adherence. Legal considerations for furnishing controlled substances are also addressed. Prerequisite: Admission to the FNP program or consent of instructor

NURSG 678L Clinical Practicum (2 Units)

Healthcare is undergoing an information explosion. Implementation of new and evolving standards for practice addresses issues of patient safety, the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS), informatics, and healthcare that is both team-based and patient-centered. Moreover, it is crucial that everyone involved in healthcare work together to improve both the health-care system and the health of people through practice inquiry. In this course the learner is immersed in a variety of clinical settings and given the opportunity to apply these evolving standards in the provision of health-care services. This clinical course is taken concurrently with NURSG 674 with an emphasis on health protection and promotion.

NURSG 679L Clinical Practicum (6 Units)

This course builds on NURSG 678L and continues to investigate health-care services within the context of evolving standards for evidence-based practice. In this course the learner is immersed in a variety of clinical settings and given the opportunity to apply these evolving standards in the provision of health-care services. This course emphasizes acute episodic health-care conditions across the lifespan. This clinical course is taken concurrently with NURSG 675 with an emphasis on acute and episodic healthcare.

NURSG 680L Internship (6 Units)

This course builds on NURSG 678L and NURSG 679L by expanding the learner’s focus to include the management of common complex chronic conditions. Again, in this course the learner is immersed in a variety of clinical settings and given the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to assess, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan across the lifespan. This clinical course is taken concurrently with NURSG 676 with an emphasis on chronic and complex health-care problems. (6 units practicum)

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