Master's to DNP Option

This course discusses the complex organizational dynamics and structures that dictate the interactions among the major components of the US. Healthcare System. The course will also investigate best practices and information related to providing excellence in service.

This course builds on the basic classes by delving deeper into many of the complicating factors leaders and negotiators face as they do their work. Some of the issues that will be explored in detail are building an organization of leaders, working effectively in teams, empowering others to lead, handling power when you do and do not have it, and managing time pressure and deadlines. Students will have the opportunity to engage with these subjects through case studies and simulations.

This course provides an examination of the research process, statistical analysis, and evidence-based practice with applicability to advanced nursing practice. Attention is given to critical research methods, analysis, and ethical aspects of scholarly inquiry. Emphasis on how research contributes to the development of nursing knowledge, improves patient care, and enhances the education and professional accountability of nurse practitioners.

Inter-professional course introducing students to theories of healthcare ethics, ethical decision-making, legal and professional standards, institutional policies, and major ethical dilemmas facing today's practitioners.

Students explore epidemiological investigation of diseases with special emphasis on the distribution and dynamic behavior of disease in a population. Topics to be covered include epidemics and the spread of infectious disease, epidemiological aspects of non-infectious disease; rates of morbidity and mortality, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values' strategies used in epidemiological studies to include measures of disease effect, validity, reliability; sampling methods and computer-based bio statistical analysis.

Students analyze theories and research from Nursing, health promotion, health protection and disease prevention. Family, human development, patient education and community are the foundation for exploring the phenomena of family-focused care. Data grounded in epidemiological sources, health histories and family assessments are examined as the basis for identification of risk factors.

This course focuses on the collection, organization, analysis, and dissemination of information in Nursing and health care. Students explore nursing informatics, the information system life-cycle, telemedicine, and the use of technology to enhance nursing care delivery and patient safety. Students learn how to design, use, and manipulate large and small patient databases for the analysis of patient outcomes.

This course explores the reciprocity between health care policies and population health and emphasizes the relationship of behaviors as well as social and political structures to health outcomes. A variety of theories, concepts, and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines will be utilized to examine influences at multiple levels (e.g., personal, community, institutional, and public policy).

DNP Capstone I is the first of two Capstone courses in which students complete an integrated evidence-based project that demonstrates a practice (as opposed to a research) focus. In Capstone I, students refine the project topic identified in NUR 610, and complete and defend a proposal which leads to a final application-oriented, scholarly work exemplifying the concept of the scholar-practitioner. Practice change initiatives, performance management projects, healthcare policy, and innovative uses of technology are some examples of projects within the scope of a DNP graduate. (Pre-requisite: NUR 610)

This seminar facilitates the transition of graduate nursing students to advanced clinical practice. It emphasizes the goals and tasks of the transformation of identity from student to independent professional.

In this course, students complete the evidence-based project started in Capstone I. In Capstone II, the emphasis is on evaluation and multiple modalities for dissemination of findings of the project for translating evidence into practice. 40 hrs. of clinical practicum required. (Pre-requisite: NUR 765)