M.S. in Family Nurse Practitioner

The focus of this course is to prepare Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students in the role of independent prescriber of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments for the myriad of illnesses and diseases found in the primary care environment. To this end, FNP students will be provided with: 

•  The principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics
•  The scientific and practical basis of appropriate drug therapies
•  Practical information on the clinical pharmacology of major drug classes and their use in the primary care environment
•  The therapeutic objectives, strategies and evidence-based guidelines for managing both acute and chronic medical illnesses found in primary care
•  The foundation to critically evaluate and effectively use pharmaceuticals from current evidence-based clinical pharmacology and therapeutics sources

Pre-requisites: NUR 614 and NUR 630 are required.
Spring, 3 credits

NUR 621 The Family: Social, Ethical and Political Issues

Through the exploration of family theory and the examination of cultural, social, ethical, legal, and family policy issues which impact upon the family, the student will develop a comprehensive view of issues which need to be considered in the delivery of quality health care to families.
Pre-requisite: NUR 501 and NUR 601 are required
Summer, 3 credits

NUR 660 Diagnosis and Management I: Adult-Geriatric Health

This is the first of three diagnosis and management courses that builds on the previous core courses providing the student the opportunity to integrate both advanced theoretical and practical (patient centered) knowledge in order to deliver safe, evidence-based care to the adult population, which includes the geriatric population.  The main focus during this semester is the continued skill development in assessment, diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic conditions in the primary care setting in adult clients across their lifespan as well as utilization of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention techniques.  Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and use of evidence-based protocols will be developed throughout the course.
Pre-requisite: NUR 615, NUR 621 
Co-requisite: NUR 665 are required.
Spring, 3 credits

NUR 665 FNP Practicum I: Primary Care of Families(Adults- Geriatric Health)

This practicum is taken concurrently with Diagnosis and Management I (NUR 660).  Students are assigned preceptors (a nurse practitioner or a physician) in a primary care setting for their practicum experiences in adult health medicine.  Students are introduced to practice protocols and essential competencies necessary to provide safe primary health care to a diverse adult client population across their lifespan.  Comprehensive health management, including a holistic client approach, health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based decisions, is emphasized in this practicum. (180 hours)
Co-requisite of NUR 660 is required.
Spring, 4 credits

NUR 670 Diagnosis and Management II: Pediatric and Women's Health

This course focuses on two important segments of the population – specifically women’s health and the pediatric population.  In the first summer session, the assessment, diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies of common gynecologic conditions / illnesses found in women in the primary care setting will be discussed and reviewed (non-gynecologic women’s health issues will be discussed in both NUR 660 and NUR 780). In the second summer session, the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic diseases/conditions and preventative strategies within the pediatric population will be discussed and reviewed.  Each area of focus will require students to use appropriate evidence-based practice protocols.  The twelve-week summer session is utilized in order to provide enough time to complete both lectures and required clinical hours.
Pre-requisite of NUR 660 and a co-requisite of NUR 675 is required.
Summer, 3 credits

NUR 675 FNP Practicum II: Primary Care of Families(Pediatric and Women's Health)

This practicum is taken concurrently with Diagnosis and Management II (NUR 670).  Students are assigned preceptors (a nurse practitioner or a physician) in both pediatric and women's health primary care office settings for their practicum experiences in pediatric and women's health medicine.  Students are introduced to practice protocols and essential competencies necessary to provide safe primary health care to both pediatric and gynecology clients.  Comprehensive health management, including a holistic client approach, health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based decisions, is emphasized in this practicum.   The twelve-week summer session is utilized in order to provide enough time to complete both lectures and required clinical hours. (180 hours).
Co-requisite of NUR 670 is required.
Summer, 4 credits

NUR 770 Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning

This course is taken prior to students entering the three Diagnosis and Management didactic courses and practicum courses.  During the course, students will integrate what has been learned in the previous courses of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment with the clinical skills and critical understanding required to provide competent care within the primary care clinical setting (adults, pediatrics, women¿s health, and geriatrics) as a licensed independent health care provider.  In addition, the students will prepare for the role of the NP in the following skills and learning disciplines that are imperative to master for primary care practitioners:

•  Information technology and use of Electronic Medical Records
•  Use of coding and procedures for billing purposes
•  Administrative issues in primary care, i.e., collaborating with various health care disciplines and insurance companies to provide the best care through advocating for patients
•  Ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic tests, i.e., CXR, ECG, PFT, MRI, CT Scan, laboratory tests
•  Utilizing evidence-based national guidelines for diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic medical conditions
•  Acute care interventions, i.e., suturing
•  Chronic care interventions, i.e., diabetes management
•  Leadership issues, i.e., promoting nurse practitioners practice policy both locally and at the state level, advocates for improved access, quality and cost effective health care

Thus, this course provides a forum for students to start developing their critical thinking skills in diagnosing and managing diseases as well as developing strategies in understanding and utilization of the myriad of non-clinical requirements placed on nurse practitioners in the clinical setting.

Pre-requisite: NUR 615, NUR 621 or Department Consent, and a co requisite of NUR 775 are required.
Fall, 4 credits

NUR 775 Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning Practicum

This practicum course is taken in conjunction with NUR 770 and prior to students entering the three Diagnosis and Management didactic courses and practicum courses.  During this practicum course, students will integrate what has been learned in the previous courses of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment with the clinical skills and critical understanding required to provide competent care within the primary care clinical setting (adults, pediatrics, women’s health, and geriatrics) as a licensed independent health care provider.  In addition, the students will prepare for the role of the NP in the following skills and learning disciplines that are imperative to master for primary care practitioners through practical experiences in:

•  Information technology and use of Electronic Medical Records
•  Use of coding and procedures for billing purposes
•  Administrative issues in primary care, i.e., collaborating with various health care disciplines and insurance companies to provide the best care through advocating for patients
•  Ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic tests, i.e., CXR, ECG, PFT, MRI, CT Scan, laboratory tests
•  Utilizing evidence-based national guidelines for diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic medical conditions
•  Acute care interventions, i.e., suturing
•  Chronic care interventions, i.e., diabetes management

Thus, this practicum provides a forum for students to start developing their critical thinking skills in diagnosing and managing diseases as well as developing strategies in understanding and utilization of the myriad of non-clinical requirements placed on nurse practitioners in the clinical setting. (90 hours)
Fall, 2 credits
Pre-requisite: NUR 770 

NUR 780 Diagnosis and Management III: Management of Chronic Complex Medical Conditions Across the Lifespan

This is the final course of the diagnosis and management courses that builds on the previous core courses and two diagnosis and management courses.  This course, along with the practicum (NUR 785), focuses on clients with chronic complex medical conditions.   It provides the student the opportunity to integrate both advanced theoretical and practical (patient centered) knowledge in order to deliver safe, evidence-based care and manage clients across the lifespan who have chronic complex medical conditions and who are in need of:

•  Tertiary prevention strategies in addition to continued monitoring for primary and secondary prevention strategies;
•  Treatment for acute medical conditions in addition to their chronic conditions; and,
•  Treatment for new chronic conditions in addition to their current chronic conditions.

Thus, this course and practicum prepares the Family Nurse Practitioner student for independent practice as well as know when to refer patients to appropriate specialists due to the complexity of the patient’s condition(s).  Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and use of evidence-based protocols will continue to be developed throughout the course.

Pre-requisite of NUR 670 and a co requisite of NUR 785 is required.
Fall, 3 credits

NUR 785 FNP Practicum III: Management of Chronic Complex Medical Conditions Across the Lifespan

•  Tertiary prevention strategies in addition to continued monitoring for primary and secondary prevention strategies;
•  Treatment for acute medical conditions in addition to their chronic conditions; and,
•  Treatment for new chronic conditions in addition to their current chronic conditions.

Thus, this practicum and course prepares the Family Nurse Practitioner student for independent practice as well as know when to refer patients to appropriate specialists due to the complexity of the patient’s condition(s).  Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and use of evidence-based protocols will continue to be developed throughout the course. (180 hours)

Co-requisite of NUR 780 is required.
Fall, 4 credits