MSN Course Descriptions

Required Coursework for the 39-hour MSN Degree
(Only One Area of Specialty Courses are Required)

Graduate Nursing Core Curriculum Taken by All MSN Students

• NURS 6003 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice (3)
• NURS 6013 Research in Nursing (3)
• NURS 6023 Emerging Trends in Healthcare Delivery: Systems, Ethics, Policy and Politics (3)
• NURS 6033 Health Promotion for a Global Society (3)

Direct Care Core Curriculum Taken by Nursing Education and Public Health Students

• NURS 6313 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
• NURS 6323 Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics (3)

Nursing Education Functional Area Content Courses

• NURS 6203 Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Teaching (3)
• NURS 6213 Curriculum Design, and Teaching Strategies (3)
• NURS 6223 Assessment of Student Learning (3)
• NURS 6233 Clinical Education, Simulation and Technology (3)
• NURS 6273 Applied Research in Nursing Education (3)
• NURS 6283 Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Education Practicum (3)
• ELECTIVE Elective (3)

Public Health Functional Area Content Courses
All Public Health Students Take These Courses Plus the Courses in One Emphasis Area

• MPHS 6403 Foundations of Public Health (3)
• MPHS 6413 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3)
• NURS 6913 Healthcare Informatics, Database Management, and Financial Reimbursement (3)
• NURS 6473 Applied Research in Public Health (3)
• NURS 6483 Evidence-Based Practice in Public Health Practicum (3)

Emphasis in School Nursing Functional Area Content Courses

• NURS 6433 Healthcare in the Academic Environment (3)
• NURS 6443 Theoretical Foundations of Childhood Education (3)

Emphasis in Occupational Health Functional Area Content Courses

• MPHS 6533 Occupational Safety and Health Management (3)
• MPHS 6543 Planning and Implementing Health Behavior Changes Across Populations (3)

Emphasis in Infectious Disease Control Functional Area Content Courses

• MPHS 6633 Food and Water Borne Illnesses (3)
• MPHS 6643 Control and Eradication of Global Infectious Diseases (3)

Healthcare Administration Functional Area Content Courses

• NURS 6103 Theoretical Foundations of Leadership (3)
• NURS 6113 Human Resources and Workforce Development (3)
• NURS 6123 Strategic Planning and Financial Management (3)
• NURS 6133 Quality and Regulation Management (3)
• NURS 6913 Healthcare Informatics, Database Management, and Financial Reimbursement (3)
• NURS 6173 Applied Research in Healthcare Administration (3)
• NURS 6183 Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare Administration Practicum (3)
• MGMT 6806 Healthcare Law (3)
• ELECTIVES Electives (3)

Healthcare Quality Management Functional Area Content Courses

• NURS 6103 Theoretical Foundations of Leadership (3)
• NURS 6913 Healthcare Informatics, Database Management, and Financial Reimbursement (3)
• NURS 6133 Quality and Regulation Management (3)
• NURS 6523 Risk Management in Healthcare (3)
• NURS 6533 Building a Culture of Patient Safety (3)
• MGMT 6806 Healthcare Law (3)
• NURS 6573 Applied Research in Healthcare Quality Management (3)
• NURS 6583 Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare Quality Practicum (3)
• ELECTIVES Electives (3)

MSN Elective Courses

• NURS 6333 Technology in Nursing Education (3)
• NURS 6343 Ethics in Healthcare (3)
• NURS 6353 Spirituality in Nursing (3)
• NURS 6363 Current Issues in Aging (3)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

NURS 6003: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice (3 hours): Presents the study and application of theory as the foundational guide to scholarly nursing practice, while introducing the nesting relationships between theory, research and practice. A wide range of theories (nursing as well as others) are presented to encourage the development of a comprehensive and holistic Christian approach to health care. The nature of nursing’s unique scientific body of knowledge will be emphasized.

NURS 6013: Research in Nursing (3 hours): Emphasizes the necessity of research as the basis of scholarly nursing inquiry which produces evidence-based practice. Compares qualitative and quantitative research methodology from the perspectives of purpose, design, method and analysis, focusing on quantitative design. Discusses informed consent and ethical issues related to research. Prepares students to evaluate research design, scientific merit, findings, and potential application to practice. Since an expectation of scholarship is to disseminate knowledge, the student will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the evaluation of research findings for the development of evidence-based practice.

NURS 6023: Emerging Trends in Healthcare Delivery: Systems, Ethics, Policy and Politics (3 hours): Prepares graduates with the knowledge necessary to assume leadership roles in the management of human, fiscal, and physical health care resources. The organization of health care delivery systems and the resulting impacts are evaluated from historical, political, ethical, and economic viewpoints. Healthcare reimbursement and potential changes in payment structures are explored. The procedures and processes for policy development at the national through facility level are analyzed. The students are challenged to explore their personal value systems and to analyze how these values shape their professional practices.

NURS 6033: Health Promotion for a Global Society (3 hours): Identifies and explores the influence of biologic, environmental and societal factors on health and wellness of individuals, families and communities. Emphasizes the study of personal and community-based interventions and strategies to influence the goal of health promotion and disease prevention. Considers the use of theory, research, resources, social policies and regulatory requirements as avenues to promote health from a personal, community and global perspective. Included in this course is the role of spirituality as a component of health promotion and holistic nursing practice. Students are introduced to practical applications and tools for spiritual formation, while exploring the idea of professional nursing as ministry through vocation. The student is encouraged to appreciate a multi-faceted workforce in health care organization and delivery to stimulate positive societal and global outcomes. Related issues associated with the rapidly expanding aging population, human diversity, cultural sensitivity and global awareness are also included.

NURS 6313: Advanced Health Assessment (3 hours): Provides a systematic and holistic approach of advanced assessment skills to evaluate physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual conditions of individuals across the lifespan. This course builds upon basic health assessment knowledge and skills, emphasizing advanced assessment skills, laboratory work interpretation, validation, documentation, and analysis of assessment findings.

NURS 6323: Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics (3 hours): Focuses on the development of an in-depth scientific knowledge base relevant to selected pathophysiological conditions across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on linking this advanced knowledge base to the formulation of clinical decisions needed in primary health care management as related to diagnostic tests, pharmacotherapeutics, and the initiation of therapeutic regimens.

NURS 6103: Theoretical Foundations of Leadership (3 hours): Presents leadership concepts and theories, as well as an orientation to organizational structures and dynamics in health care delivery systems. Students examine theories and analyze environmental and societal determinants that influence an organization’s capacity for change and quality improvement. The complementary qualities of leadership and management are examined and their impact on organizational effectiveness and corporate success is analyzed. Interventions that advance and strengthen the organizational mission and vision are explored.

NURS 6113: Human Resources and Workforce Development (3 hours): Analyzes leadership roles in relation to decision-making with particular emphases on human resource management. Evidence-based staffing models are developed for the purpose of projecting and accurately documenting human resource requirements. Interviewing, hiring, orientation, and competency rubrics are examined and developed while the guidelines and statutes governing these human resource issues are explored. Conceptual aspects of control, problem solving/decision-making, effective communication, conflict resolution, progressive disciplinary action, delegation, and team building are applied to a variety of situational contexts.

NURS 6123: Strategic Planning and Financial Management (3 hours): Introduces the concept of a strategic plan and the importance of linking this with an organization’s mission and ethos. Basic principles associated with program, project, and service line fiscal management, price-setting, budget preparation, return on investment, cost-benefit analysis, managed care contracting, and value-based purchasing are discussed and applied. Emphasis is placed on acquiring a financial vocabulary to communicate with various stakeholders. Financial reports such as balance sheets, budget forms, and expense reports are studied and formulated.

NURS 6133: Quality and Regulation Management (3 hours): Integrates the concepts of outcomes management and research as the basis to improve the quality and effectiveness of health care organizations. Program evaluation, performance improvement, and other methods of measuring outcomes are examined for their utility within the health care setting. Systematic approaches for analyzing and evaluating processes of care delivery and their impact on client populations, organizational processes, and communities are considered. National quality data bases and national benchmarking is explored. Accreditation and/or regulatory requirements will be presented. Through readings, projects, and various interactions students develop an informed basis for leading quality improvement efforts in various healthcare settings.

NURS 6173: Applied Research in Healthcare Administration (3 hours): Integrates the knowledge, skills, and administration expertise gained throughout the MSN course of study in a cumulative research project that examines evidence-based practice in one area of healthcare administration, documents how this best practice could be actualized in the clinical setting, and how its implementation and results would be measured and analyzed. Also provides the student with the opportunity to visualize a specific project/ implementation and to evaluate it to gain a broader worldview and vision within healthcare administration. This course is taken during the last semester of the MSN program and is a prerequisite for NURS 6183.

NURS 6183: Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare Administration Practicum (3 hours): Integrates the knowledge, skills, and administration expertise gained throughout the MSN course of study to culminate in this practice experience designed to further polish the administration professional’s role and skill set. The faculty and preceptor provide support and guidance to help interpret learning experiences, and to gain a broader worldview within organizational healthcare leadership. Emphasis is on the capacity of the emerging leader and administrator to implement evidence-based practice, facilitate advanced communication, and demonstrate one or more areas of effective leadership expertise. Students negotiate a leadership project to be completed during the practice experience. This course is completed during the student’s final module of MSN matriculation.

NURS 6203: Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Teaching (3 hours): Explores the roles of both educator and student in the creation of an effective learning environment. Frameworks for analyzing pedagogical philosophies, adult learning theories, ethical/legal issues, research, and professional values related to nursing education are examined. The incorporation of Christian teachings into nursing education and various other teaching strategies are explored. Also presented are the influences of accreditation and/or certification requirements, as well as the implementation of innovations and technologies in nursing education.

NURS 6213: Curriculum Design and Teaching Strategies (3 hours): Emphasizes curriculum development, outcomes, and competencies while focusing on effective teaching strategies. Evaluates the faculty role, the social responsibility of program curricular design, and pedagogies in meeting consumer and community needs, as well as professional nursing standards. Presents best practices and research-based strategies to promote various learning styles and encourage the creation of active learning environments that increase student retention and learning success for diverse student populations.

NURS 6223: Assessment of Student Learning (3 hours): Provides students with an opportunity to compare, question, and analyze various assessment and evaluation concepts, models, and frameworks for their applicability in the quality assurance process of curriculum and program development. Explores techniques to evaluate learner knowledge and competence. Methods of curricula and program evaluation are explored. Students consider innovations in the area of evaluation based on current theories and practice.

NURS 6233: Clinical Education, Simulation & Technology in the Learning Environment (3 hours): Explores the unique aspects of clinical teaching, as well as theories and trends that support the use of technology for the enhancement of learning. Focuses on developing the education specialist’s skill set to be able to select and implement appropriate instructional technologies, including simulation and the electronic health record, to enhance learning in a variety of settings.

NURS 6273: Applied Research in Nursing Education (3 hours): Integrates the knowledge, skills, and education expertise gained throughout the MSN course of study in a cumulative research project that examines evidence-based practice in one area of nursing education, documents how this best practice could be actualized in the educational setting, and how its implementation and results would be measured and analyzed. Also provides the student with the opportunity to visualize a specific project/ implementation and to evaluate it to gain a broader worldview and vision within nursing education. This course is taken during the last semester of the MSN program and is a prerequisite for NURS 6283.

NURS 6283: Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Education Practicum (3 hours): Integrates the knowledge, skills, and education expertise gained throughout the MSN course of study to culminate in this practice experience designed to further polish the nurse educator’s professional role and skill set. The faculty and preceptor provide support and guidance to help interpret learning experiences, and to gain a broader worldview within and educational framework. Emphasis is on the capacity of the emerging leader and educator to implement evidence-based education, work with a preceptor and faculty member to apply current theories, and to realize effective strategies in the design, implementation, and evaluation of teaching experiences. Students negotiate an educational project to be completed during the practice experience. This course is completed during the student’s final module of MSN matriculation.

MPHS 6403: Foundations of Public Health (3 hours): Explores the history, philosophy, and evolution of current public health practices, including the organization of public health systems, organizations, and practices in the United States. Presents public health requirements and statutes, and laws that affect public health agencies. Identifies opportunities for public health growth and the development of interface between public health and other health-related systems.

MPHS 6413: Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3 hours): Presents the foundations for understanding and applying the basic principles and methods used in epidemiology including disease measures, association and causation, bias, confounding and modification effects, and susceptibility. Explores effective methods to design and conduct epidemiologic studies used to address public health problems. Prepares students to become a critical reader of epidemiologic literature, by evaluating study design, data collection methods, study limitations and applicability to additional populations.

NURS 6913: Healthcare Informatics, Database Management and Financial Reimbursement (3 hours): Provides an overview of healthcare informatics and its current use by both public and private healthcare agencies. Teaches students to navigate and enter data into complex healthcare databases using the principles of database management including the ability to conduct population studies through the use of databases. Explores the interpretation and evaluation of quality indicators within databases to maximize reimbursement in a variety of settings.

NURS 6433: Healthcare in the Academic Environment (3 hours): Topics are presented that are unique in the provision of healthcare to minors in the academic environment. These include care of the chronically ill child, care of the child with co-morbidities, and providing healthcare education to children in the academic environment. The nurse’s role in the development of Individual Educational Plans for exceptional children is explored as is providing childhood education to children who are hospitalized, homebound, or otherwise unable to attend school in the classroom environment. Legal aspects of providing school nursing are addressed including principles of confidentiality and abuse or neglect reporting.

NURS 6443: Theoretical Foundations of Childhood Education (3 hours): Explores contemporary philosophical and theoretical foundations of childhood education. Presents various age-specific teaching strategies that may used to educate K-12 students with corresponding methods of learning evaluation. Alternative teaching strategies that may be used with educate children with special needs, (such as those with diagnoses of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, and various learning disabilities) are investigated as are best-practices in childhood education.

NURS 6473: Applied Research in Public Health (3 hours): Integrates the knowledge, skills, and public health expertise gained throughout the MSN course of study in a cumulative research project that examines evidence-based practice in the emphasis area of public health, documents how this best practice could be actualized in the public health setting, and how it implementation and results would be measured and analyzed. Also provides the student with the opportunity to visualize a specific project/implementation and to evaluate it to gain a broader worldview and vision within public health. This course is taken during the last semester of the MSN program and is a prerequisite for NURS 6483.

NURS 6483: Evidence-Based Practice in Public Health Practicum (3 hours): Inegrates the knowledge, skills, and public health experience gained throughout the MSN course of study to culminate in this practice experience designed to further polish the publich health nurses professional role and skill set. The faculty and preceptor provide support and guidance to help interpret learning experiences, and to gain a broader worldview within a public health framework. Emphasis is on the capacity of the emerging leader and public health professional to implement evidence-based public health initiatives. The work will incorporate the application of current theories, and to realize effective strategies in the design, implementation, and evaluation of this initiative while working with a preceptor and faculty advisor. Professional issues, public health trends, technological competencies, and self-assessment are incorporated into the course. This course is taken during the last semester of the MSN program after NURS 6473.

NURS 6333: Technology in Nursing Education (3 hours): Introduces students to the field of educational technology. Explores the historical and recent forces impacting educational technology and addresses the social and ethical issues surrounding acquiring, implementing, and evaluating technology in the learning environment. Best practices for distance education and alternative delivery modalities, which may be used in nursing education, are examined.

NURS 6343: Ethics in Healthcare (3 hours): Explores selected ethical theories related to health care and nursing practice. The history of ethical models in healthcare are examined as is the potential paradigm shift in ethical theory due to limited healthcare resources. Both institutional and broader health care policies related to ethical issues will be examined.

NURS 6353: Spirituality in Nursing (3 hours): Emphasizes the importance of providing spiritual care as a component of holistic advanced nursing practice. Nursing’s historical foundation for the provision of spiritual care, as well as the vital and expansive role of spirituality/spiritual health promotion, will be explored. Students will be challenged to articulate their own spiritual philosophy, as well as identify the impact of and resources for personal spiritual renewal as a basic necessity in their current nursing practice. Practical applications and tools for spiritual formation will also be presented.

NURS 6363: Current Issues Related to Aging (3 hours): Provides critical analysis of major social, economic, and political issues of growing old in America. Examines social policy in the public and private sectors including health, income, and social services and considers prospects for social change and political movements.