Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Curriculum

This course builds on knowledge of the basic principles of pharmacology to establish a knowledge base for clinical judgments in the pharmacologic management and evaluation of adults and older adults as related to the role of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. Major medication classifications and commonly encountered prototype(s) within specialty areas will serve as a framework for continued learning of new pharmacologic information as it relates to acute care of adults and older adults. Drug interactions, incompatibilities, side effects, contraindications and special considerations are discussed. Prerequisites: NR 548, NR 552. Corequisite: NR 553.

The first AGACNP didactic course engages students in the development of a theoretical, practical, and evidence-based foundation for advanced practice nursing in the diagnosis and management of common episodic and chronic dysfunctions/alterations. Through knowledge acquisition and integration, students advance the proficiency needed for comprehensive health evaluation in patient/family assessment and developing, implementing and evaluating an individualized management plan when caring for adult and older adult patients across the continuum of acute care services. The context of age-related considerations; family and community; and culture are emphasized. Prerequisites: NR 553, NR 591, Corequisite: NR 622.

The AGACNP clinical experience advances the student's proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the adult lifespan for patients with acute, critical, complex conditions within the context of family, community, and culture. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including adult gerontological acute care nurse practitioners and acute care physicians. Prerequisites: NR 553, NR 591, Corequisite: NR 621.

Grounded in theory and evidence-based practice the second of four didactic adult gerontology acute care courses develops the students’ clinical foundation of advanced practice nursing management of complex and comorbid health care problems common to adult and geriatric patients and builds upon the student’s proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation within the context of acute care disease management of the adult and geriatric population. Through knowledge acquisition and integration, students advance the proficiency needed for comprehensive health evaluation in patient/family assessment and developing, implementing and evaluating an individualized management plan when caring for adult and older adult patients across the continuum of acute care services. The context of age-related considerations; family and community; and culture are emphasized. Prerequisites: NR 621, NR 622, Corequisite: NR 624.

A clinical experience to advance proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the adult lifespan for patients with acute, critical, complex conditions within the context of family, community, and culture. The emphasis is on the integration of theory, assessment and advanced therapeutics for adults and frail elders in high acuity patient settings. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including acute gerontology nurse practitioners, and acute care physicians. This course fosters clinical competency and emphasizes evidence-based practice in adults. Prerequisites: NR 621, NR 622. Corequisite: NR 623.

This AGACNP third specialty track didactic course focuses on the high acuity medical and surgical issues of adults and older adults and examines the epidemiology, assessment, diagnosis, management, and evaluation of acutely or critically ill adults across the adult-older adult age spectrum. Using problem-based and self-directed learning strategies, acute and emergent disorders of the physiologic systems are presented and build on the information presented in the prior didactic courses. Emphasis is placed on using evidence-based practice to formulate individualized plans of care and developing collaborative partnerships with patients, their families, and inter-professional teams. Prerequisites: NR 623, NR 624, Corequisite: NR 626.

The AGACNP III clinical experience advances the student's proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the adult lifespan for patients with acute, critical, complex conditions within the context of family, community, and culture. The emphasis is on the integration of theory, assessment and advanced therapeutics for adults and frail elders in the highest acuity emergent patient settings. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including adult gerontological acute care nurse practitioners and acute care physicians. Prerequisites: NR 623, NR 624, Corequisite: NR 625.

This fourth didactic course serves as the final synthesis of evidence-based theory and research related to care of acute, complex and critically ill adult and older adult patients with a focus on integration of the critical thinking and psychomotor skills necessary to achieve advanced practice nursing core competencies for AGACNP practice, Students continue to build on prior knowledge and synthesize data from a variety of health resources related to the care of the acutely ill patient. Utilizing a systems framework, students further develop appropriate clinical judgment and decision-making skills regarding appropriate recommendations and treatments related to alterations in different systems with an emphasis on considering context while providing risk reduction. Emphasis is placed on using evidence-based practice to formulate individualized plans of care and developing collaborative partnerships with patients and their families. Prerequisites: NR 625, NR 626, Corequisite: NR 628. 

This fourth clinical course includes culmination and transition experiences to independent-interdependent practice and build upon the Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) expertise. The AGACNP IV advances the student's proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the adult lifespan within the context of family, community and culture. A minimum of 165 clinical hours in an adult acute/critical and/or chronic health care setting are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including: adult gerontological acute care nurse practitioners, and acute care physicians. Prerequisites: NR 625, NR 626, Corequisite: NR 627.

This course builds on principles of advanced pharmacology and provides a comprehensive overview of major drug classifications in relation to children and families. The effects of selected medications on pathophysiology with considerations of age are examined. The student explores clinical decision making, evidence-based prescribing and safety, dose response, side effects/drug interactions, and use of medication in the overall plan of care for populations across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NR 548, NR 552. Corequisite: NR 553.

The course is designed to facilitate student achievement of the competencies required of a practicing primary care provider in the family practice setting. The course focuses on the assessment and management of acute and chronic health care challenges for the adult patient. Learning resources include assigned readings textbook, scholarly articles, and relevant online resources; case studies engagement within course discussion assignments, interactive resource websites, and digital clinical experiences and simulations; reflection activities; quizzes and exams. Prerequisites: NR 553, NR 590. Corequisites: NR 612.

A clinical experience to advance proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the lifespan within the context of family, community, and culture. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including family, adult or geriatric nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians. Prerequisite: NR 553, NR 590. Corequisite: NR 611.

Prepares for advanced practice as an FNP caring for the older adult in primary care. The student will learn through engagement in asynchronous class lectures, interactive discussion boards, and case studies. Participation in patient advocacy; health promotion; disease prevention; and physical, functional, and mental health assessment and management are discussed. Emphasis is placed on age-related changes, holistic, culturally, and developmentally sensitive assessment, and management of common acute and chronic health conditions encountered in the primary care of the older adult. Integration of knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and physical assessment of older adults' common chronic health conditions will allow the advanced practice nurse to develop skills and attitudes necessary to provide evidence-based care to the older adult through the life span in the primary care setting. Prerequisites: NR 611, NR 612. Corequisite: NR 614.

The FNP II clinical experience advances the students proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the lifespan within the context of family, community, and culture. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required during the term. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including family, adult or geriatric nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians. Prerequisites: NR 611, NR 612, Corequisite: NR 613.

NR 615 is designed to enable the student to integrate the theoretical components of pediatric primary care nursing at an advanced level. The course incorporates the student's application of clinical knowledge and skills to the delivery of primary pediatric health nursing. In addition to considering a developmental context for overall pediatric well assessment, a systems approach will be integrated to highlight the common health problems encountered by the FNP in a primary care pediatric setting. Use of a digital clinical experience software to engage the learner as well as exams and case studies will be used to assist the learning process. Prerequisites: NR 613, NR 614, Corequisite: NR 616.

A clinical experience building upon previous clinical experience to advance proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan within the context of family, community, and culture. Patients during this practicum should be 18 years and under. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including family or pediatric nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians or pediatricians. Prerequisites: NR 613, NR 614, Corequisite: NR 615.

This course is the final didactic course in the FNP track. During this course, the student examines essential competencies necessary to provide primary health care to patients and families of diverse populations focusing on the reproductive healthcare of men, women and transgender clients. Understanding the development and cultural needs of patients across the lifespan in a primary health setting are emphasized. Through a variety of learning activities, the student will be engaged in the content to understand health promotion and disease prevention as well as preventative and acute care issues. Prerequisites: NR 615, NR 616, Corequisite: NR 618.

A clinical experience to advance proficiency in comprehensive health evaluation across the lifespan within the context of family, community, and culture. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including family, adult or geriatric nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians. Prerequisites: NR 615, NR 616, Corequisite: NR 617.

This course builds on principles of advanced pharmacology and provides a comprehensive overview of major drug classifications in relation to mental health diagnoses and treatment across the lifespan. The effects of selected medications on pathophysiology and psychopathology are examined. The student explores clinical decision making, evidence-based prescribing and safety, dose response, side effects/drug interactions, and use of medication in the overall plan of care for populations with mental health problems. Prerequisites: NR 548, NR 552. Corequisite: NR 553.

This course studies the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for clients across the lifespan. Utilizing self-directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care to patients across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NR 592, NR 553, Corequisite: NR 632.

This clinical course provides the foundational intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of family and adult population. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 592, NR 553, Corequisite: NR 631.

A continuation of Psychiatric and Mental Health NP I, this didactic course examines the theory of individual, family and group therapy techniques applicable across the lifespan, cross-cultural and problem focused. The course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual, group and family psychotherapy. The course studies the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for clients across the life span. Utilizing self-directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care to clients across the lifespan. Legal and ethical considerations of therapy are considered. Prerequisites: NR 631, NR 632, Corequisite: NR 634.

This second clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of an adult population. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 631, NR 632, Corequisite: NR 633.

A continuation of Psychiatric and Mental Health NP II (NR633), this course continues to examine the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for children and adolescents. The course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual and family psychotherapy. Utilizing self directed learning activities, emphasis is placed on assessment and treatment of pathology in mental health, history taking, mental status evaluation, differential diagnosis, documentation of care, and evaluation of the treatment of psychiatric mental health care in children and adolescents. Prerequisites: NR 633, NR 634, Corequisite: NR 636.

This third clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of children and adolescents. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 633, NR 634, Corequisite: NR 635.

As the fourth and final didactic course in the PMHNP specialty track this course continues to examine the major presentations of mental illness, clinical theory, and the use of the DSM V in diagnosing and treatment decisions for older adults and families and builds upon the knowledge gained in the previous three didactic courses. This course further examines a selection of evidence-based theories of individual and family psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on differentiating signs and symptoms for diagnosis and treatment and examines the effect of the illness on individuals and the family through the use of self-directed learning activities. Prerequisites: NR 635, NR 636, Corequisite: NR 638.

This fourth clinical course provides intensive practical experience in the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role. A minimum of 165 clinical hours are required. Preceptors will guide and direct the PMHNP students as they apply evidence-based practice concepts and develop expertise in assessing, diagnosing and developing treatment plans in the mental health care of older adults and families. Students will work with a variety of preceptors including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Prerequisites: NR 635, NR 636, Corequisite: NR 637.