Kirkhof College of Nursing

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):  Core Courses

NUR 605   Theoretical Perspectives in Nursing I

Description:This course focuses on the philosophical and conceptual foundations of nursing science.  Emphasis is on historical evolution of theory development in nursing, as well as the purpose, structure, and function of theory.

NUR 606  Theoretical Perspectives in Nursing II

Description: This course focuses on the critique and utilization of theory in practice and research.  The utility of middle range theories, grand theories, and theories from other disciplines are addressed.

NUR 607   Health Care System, Policy, and Politics

Description:This course focuses on policy decisions related to the organization, financing, and delivery of healthcare in the global community.  It provides a basis for understanding political and social forces that shape nursing practice and health care delivery.  Ethical dimensions of public policy formulation and implementation will be highlighted.

NUR 608   Leadership Roles in Complex Systems

Description: In this course, students analyze and evaluate theories and research that influence leadership in complex systems.  Leadership is explored in complex system domains.  Core competencies and strategies for leadership effectiveness are examined and evaluated.

NUR 625   Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations

Description:   This course incorporates epidemiologic methods in addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations.  Course content will explore issues in health access and disparity in U. S. populations and examine current trends, societal consequences, contributory cause(s), and potential APN roles.

NUR 690   Introduction to Scientific Inquiry

Description:  Provides an in-depth examination of the research process in health care.  It includes the use of quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore researchable problems.  Students use a systematic approach to develop a clinical research proposal. Students will acquire competencies to evaluate the scientific and clinical merit of published research reports.

NUR 691   Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

Description:This course focuses on the review, analysis, synthesis, and application of scientific evidence for nursing and health care.  Emphasis is placed on integrative and systematic reviews as tools to achieve evidence-based practice.  Consideration is given to the ethical, legal, cultural, and financial implications of evidence-based advanced nursing practice.

NUR 703   Nursing Informatics 

Description:  This course provides an in-depth introduction to information systems and technologies that support nursing practice and improve patient care and outcomes.  Relevant theories, as well as informatics issues and standards, will be addressed.  Tools and strategies for building and managing information system components will be incorporated.

NUR 792  Scholarly Inquiry in Nursing Practice I

Description:   This course serves as a preparatory scholarly experience linking practica and scholarship for the DNP student.  It requires identification of a project that involves translating evidence into practice, informing and influencing care, and enhancing health outcomes.  This course prepares students to complete the scholarly project in NUR 793.

NUR 793  Scholarly Inquiry in Nursing Practice II

Description:    This course serves as a culminating scholarly experience linking practica and scholarship for the DNP student.  Students will complete a final written project for defense before their scholarly project committee.

STA 610   Applied Statistics for Health Professions

Description:  Project-oriented overview of major statistical techniques commonly used in problems encountered in health professions.  Students will learn to use a major statistical computing package (SPSS).  Hypothesis testing, t-tests, regression, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, categorical data analysis, nonparametric statistics will be covered.

STA 620   Advanced Statistics for Nursing

Description:  Builds on the knowledge students have gained from introductory statistics courses and earlier applied health statistics courses to develop skills in understanding published reports of multivariate analyses of health care data and to develop and implement research that builds evidence for health interventions.

Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)Track:   Core Courses

NUR 610  Advanced Assessment

Description:  The student will demonstrate the ability to use advanced health assessment skills to elicit a comprehensive history and holistic assessment to improve ability to detect and differentiate abnormal findings and potential diagnoses.  Didactic content is based on case study analysis.  Laboratory hours involve preempted demonstration and use of the Model Patient Program.

NUR 620  Clinical Pharmacology

Description:  Explores pharmacological categories of drugs used by practitioners with a variety of patient groups.  Selected drugs within categories are presented and compared on parameters such as indications, therapeutic and/or adverse effects, monitoring, doses, and common drug interactions.

NUR 622  Advanced Pathophysiology I

Description:  This course is the first of a two course series.  The focus of the course is to describe the biology of the disease process in terms of physiological dysfunction.  Content areas to be addressed include cellular injury, inflammation, immunity, genetics, tumor biology, altered fluid and pH balance, endocrine, respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

NUR 623  Advanced Pathophysiology II

Description:   This course is the second in a two course sequence which describes the scientific concepts underlying biobehavioral diseases.  Content areas include disease processes in the following systems: hematologic, renal, neurologic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive.

NUR 628  Nursing Therapeutics:  Mental Health (Psychopharmacology)

Description:  Provides a framework to study the pathophysiology and the therapeutic use of medications in the management of the health care of commonly occurring mental health problems.

NUR 676  Health Perspectives: Mental health

Description:  Theoretical concepts related to the health of individuals and families. Focus is on the application of theories to clinical practice of mental health. Students will examine psychosocial theories that provide explanations for individual and family responses that affect health.

NUR 677  Mental Health Practicum I (Counseling)

Description:  Application of theories and advanced nursing strategies in managing psychiatric-mental health care for individuals.  Focus is on the development, implementation, and evaluation of the APN roles.

APN Track:   Child/Adolescent Specialty

(Students also complete the DNP and Advanced Practice core courses)

NUR 629   Developmental Health:  Child/Adolescent 

Description:   Exploration of concepts and advanced nursing strategies related to health of infants, children, adolescents, and families.  Provides the theoretical base for pediatric advanced practice nursing.

NUR 720   Primary Health Care: Child/Adolescent

Description:   Application of theories and advanced nursing strategies in health promotion and management of common health problems for infants, children, adolescents and their families.  Provides the foundation for providing primary health care for the identified population.

NUR 721  Primary Care Practicum:  Child/Adolescent

Description:   Clinical application of knowledge and skills necessary to provide primary health care to infants, children, and adolescents.  Focus is on development and implementation of APN role in health promotion, disease prevention, and management of selected common pediatric health problems.

NUR 722   Management of Chronic Conditions:  Child/Adolescent

Description:    Expands the theoretical foundations for management of primary health care to include chronic conditions in children, adolescents, and their families across the health care continuum.

NUR 723  Chronic Care Practicum:  Child/Adolescent

Description:   Clinical application of knowledge and advanced nursing strategies for management of health care needs of children, adolescents, and their families who have chronic conditions and long-term alterations in functional health patterns.

NUR 724  Acute/Critical Care:  Child/Adolescent

Description:  This course provides theoretical foundations for management of acute and critical health dysfunctions of children and adolescents, and related family needs, across the acute care health care delivery system.

NUR 725   Acute/Critical Care Practicum:  Child/Adolescent

Description:  This course prepares students to apply knowledge and advanced nursing strategies in the management of acute and critical health dysfunctions of children/adolescents, and related family needs, across the acute care delivery system.

NUR 726  Complex Developmental/Behavioral Problems

Description:   Intensive study of the enactment of APN roles in managing the health care of infants, children, adolescents, and families throughout the health care system. Management of children/families with complex behavioral issues is addressed.  The impact of health systems, policies, and health innovations in selecting appropriate nursing strategies is emphasized.

NUR 727   Clinical Immersion I

Description:  Provides opportunity for enactment of the advanced practice role in the implementation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of health care to children and adolescents.  Culmination of clinical knowledge and skills. 

NUR 728  Clinical Immersion II

Description:   Provides opportunity for enactment of the advanced practice role in the evaluation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of health care to children and adolescents.  This course provides a culmination experience for developing clinical knowledge and skills.

APN Track:   Adult/Older Adult Specialty

(Students also complete the DNP and Advanced Practice Core courses)

NUR 630   Developmental Health:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Exploration of theoretical concepts and advanced nursing strategies related to the health of adults and older adults.  Provides the theoretical base for adult/older adult advanced practice nursing.

NUR 730  Primary Health Care:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Application of theories and advanced nursing strategies in health promotion and management of common health problems for adults and older adults.  Provides the foundation for providing primary health care for this population.

NUR 731  Primary Care Practicum:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Clinical application of knowledge and skills necessary to provide primary health care to adults and older adults.  Focus is on development and implementation of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) role in health promotion, disease prevention, and management of selected common adult/older adult health problems.

NUR 732  Management of Chronic Conditions:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Expands the theoretical foundations for management of primary health care to include chronic conditions in adults/older adults across the health care continuum.

NUR 733  Chronic Care Practicum:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Clinical application of knowledge and advanced nursing strategies for management of health care needs of adults/older adults with chronic illness and long-term alterations in functional health patterns.

NUR 734  Acute/Critical Illness:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Provides theoretical foundations for management of acute and critical health dysfunctions of adult/older adults and related family needs, across the acute care delivery system.

NUR 735  Acute/Critical Illness Practicum:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Students apply knowledge and advanced nursing strategies in the management of acute and critical health dysfunctions of adults/older adults, and related family needs, across the acute care delivery system.

NUR 736   Complex Behavioral Problems:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Intensive study of the enactment of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) roles in managing the health care of adults/older adults throughout the health care system.  The impact of health systems, policies, and health innovations in selecting nursing strategies is emphasized.  Addresses management of adults/older adults with complex/behavioral issues.

NUR 737  Clinical Immersion I:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Provides opportunity for enactment of the advanced practice role in the implementation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of health care to adults/older adults.  Culmination of clinical knowledge and skills.

NUR 738  Clinical Immersion II:  Adult/Older Adult

Description:  Provides students the opportunity for enactment of the advanced practice role in the evaluation of evidence-based strategies in the delivery of health care to adults/older adults.  Culmination of clinical knowledge and skills.

Nursing Administration & Health Care Systems Track

(Students also complete the DNP Core Courses)

NUR 646   Nursing Administration & Health Care Systems I

Description:Application of relevant theory to the human side of the health care organization.  Content includes nurse manager and executive competencies with an emphasis on administrative strategies appropriate to the health care setting.

NUR 647   Nursing Administration & Health Care Systems II

Description:Application of selected theories to assess, diagnose, plan, and evaluate administrative strategies for health care systems.

NUR 650   Business & Quality in Nursing

Description: This course provides students in the nursing administration area of emphasis with knowledge and expertise in organizational and systems administration for optimal business functioning, in sustaining change through the processes of quality improvement, and in assuring that the business of nursing is conducted in a safe, ethical, and efficient manner.

NUR 702   Nursing Administration and Health Services Research

Description: This course examines methods for evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of health care services.  Approaches to evaluating relevant structure, process, and outcome variables used to address effectiveness, efficiency, and equity issues are explored.  Linkages are made between specific health care policies, nursing administrative practice, organizational planning, and patient outcomes.

NUR 740         Administration Practicum I

Description:  In this beginning administrative practicum, students apply theories of administration in an agency setting and analyze an administrative structure within the context of the health care system.  An organizational assessment and diagnosis are completed, with recommendations for an advanced administrative intervention.

NUR 741  Administration Practicum II

Description:   A precepted experience with a nurse executive at a health care organization or system is completed.  Students utilize advanced administrative strategies with the guidance of a nurse executive to address an organizational diagnosis intervention project.  During this experience students master the competencies essential to the practice of nursing administration.

NUR 742  Administration Practicum III

Description:  The final practicum experience requires intensive enactment of the advanced administrative role.  Students demonstrate advanced administrative strategies using a nursing administrator as a resource.  During this experience students master the competencies essential to the practice of nursing administration across health care settings.

PA 614      Organizational Theory

Description:Explores the various theories of organizations. Focus is on the process of structural development and the impact each structure has on individuals and groups.

PA 632      Health Services Financial Management

Description:Provides detailed understanding of the health services financial framework for decision making.  Microcomputer applications that serve to facilitate operational and financial planning and analysis, third party reimbursement, regulation, and cost containment, rate settings, operating budgets, capital budgets, project budgeting, cash budgeting, and financial feasibility.

PA 634      Health Care Law & Ethics

Description:  Examines current and historical legal and ethical issues impacting health administration, including malpractice and other liability issues, licensing and regulation, professional ethics, contracts and property, insurance, corporate, taxation, antitrust, fraud and abuse, medical staff, confidentiality, health care access, peer review, ethics committees, legal and ethical aspects of patient care decision making and consent.

PA 643      Strategic Management and  Planning

Description:  Planning as a decision-making process, methods for defining goals in public and private planning programs, role of planning in policy formulation, planning for human environment relationships.