Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education

• Scholarly Writing at the Graduate Level
  • Focuses on evidence-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes for scholarly writing development. This online course examines the processes of translating and integrating scholarship into practice as well as the dissemination of evidence-based findings to diverse audiences through scholarly writing. Emphasis will be placed on advanced information searches, analytical reasoning and writing strategies relevant to the practice of advanced professional nursing, scholarly writing in the form of a manuscript using peer-reviewed journal guidelines, the generation of complex scholarly writing, and appropriate citation format according to the American Psychological Association (APA).
• Theoretical Basis for Clinical Scholarship
  • This course explores the scientific underpinnings and theories from nursing and related disciplines in the application to clinical practice. The student is prepared for the implementation and integration of evidence-based practice. The framework for professional practice and professional role activities is developed from the current American Nurses’ Association Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice.
• Informatics
  • This course prepares the APRN to utilize informatics and health care technologies in the management of individuals, groups and organizations for the improvement of patient outcomes. The course will introduce and explore the use of information technology and applications used by health care professionals to support health in clinical practice, education, research, and administration. This is an online course.
• Pathopshsiology and Differential Diagnosis
  • The advanced concepts of pathophysiology that alter and/or disrupt body system functioning in the adult and child patient are explored. Clinical findings and diagnostic approaches are emphasized. Current and emerging biomedical research is integrated and lays the foundation for advanced practice nursing. Having knowledge of pathophysiology concepts provide the foundation for determining differential diagnosis related to patient complaints and physical findings.
• Advanced Pharmacology
  • Pharmacotherapeutic principles for advanced nursing management of patients across the lifespan will be explored. The legal, professional and evidence-based dimensions of prescribing are addressed.
• Advanced Health Assessment
  • Advanced health assessment builds on undergraduate assessment skills and knowledge across the lifespan in diverse populations. Recognition of pathological signs and symptoms associated with illness and assessment of health promotion needs are emphasized.
• Advanced Health Assessment Clinical
  • Advanced health assessment- clinical course requires precepted hours in a primary care setting to refine undergraduate assessment skills across the lifespan in diverse populations. Oral, written, and electronic documentation and communication is developed. Campus visits may be required.
• Biomedical Ethics
  • This course is designed to present ethical principles preparing the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to guide patients, families, and communities through the complex maze of ethical dilemmas. Students will use evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature to analyze ethical dilemmas that arise in practice. Through the philosophical study of morality as applied to biomedical ethics in current health care systems, APRNs will be able to help people arrive at culturally sensitive and individually appropriate solutions that focus on protecting vulnerable individuals and restoring health.

• Theoretical Perspectives of Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education
  • This course explores the theoretical underpinnings that provide the foundation for teaching and learning in nursing education. A broad vase of theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology and education as applied to the needs of learners are covered. The role of the nurse educator is explored to meet the teaching needs of diverse learners in diverse learning environments designers and strategies to assess learning experiences from the standpoint of learner and instructor are investigated. Course includes exploring the nurse educator role as a leader in the academic community and cultivation of teaching, scholarship and service activities.
• Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Nursing Education
  • This course explores the processes of curriculum design and program development and in nursing education. The elements of the philosophical and contextual foundation of a curriculum, the application of professional standards and implementation and evaluation of both a curriculum and an educational program are explored.
• Teaching Strategies and Methods in Nursing Education
  • This course explores a broad array of creative classroom and clinical learner-centered teaching strategies, particularly those that promote critical thinking and facilitate active student learning. Frameworks, tools, and experiences to select, evaluate, and use teaching strategies appropriate to a variety of learning environments in nursing education are explored. An assessment of learning experiences from the standpoints of self, learner and instructor as well as appropriate assessment strategies to address teaching and learning issues and situations are addressed. Course content will include a focus on the use of technology in classroom and clinical nursing education.
• Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation in Nursing Education
  • This course focuses on the examination of a range of assessment methods, techniques, devices, and strategies and ways to determine appropriate assessments for measuring student learning and curricular goals in both theoretical and clinical applications.
• Clinical Specialty Practicum
  • This course emphasizes the enhancement of clinical proficiency through focused and sustained clinical experiences designed to strengthen patient care delivery skills as well as understanding of organizational dynamics. The clinical experiences afford the student the opportunity to focus on a population of interest or a specific clinical role. Teaching strategies and methods focusing on high quality and safe nursing practices will be applied in field experiences under the direct supervision of qualified nurse preceptors. 135 contact hours.
• Nursing Education Capstone
  • This capstone educational experience course provides an opportunity to integrate the role of the nursing educator in a real-world context. Student-centered educational activities will be developed that incorporate pedagogy, instructional design, curriculum development, and assessment of learner outcomes within a nursing course under the guidance of an experienced nurse educator. 135 contact hours.

SLO 1: Integrate core knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing as the foundation for advanced level professional practice.
SLO 2: Use knowledge of organizational systems, leadership principles, and resources to become responsible, safe, and accountable advanced level professional nurses that demonstrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
SLO 3: Demonstrate advanced level clinical judgment/decision making by using healthcare information, technology, scholarship, inquiry, and current evidence to improve individual and population healthcare outcomes.
SLO 4: Collaborate using advanced inter-professional communication to develop partnerships with other members of the healthcare team that improve patient health outcomes.