MU Graduate Catalog » Course Descriptions »

NU 400 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities
Presents public health concepts, principles, standards, theory, and intervention modalities in nursing practice. Clinical experience is provided in distributive settings. Client advocacy is promoted and teaching is emphasized. Transportation is the responsibility of the student. Prerequisites: R.N. licensure and permission of M.S.N. chair. (5)

NU 412 Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy
Focuses on the roles of the professional nurse as a leader in the health care environment, manager of health care clients in a variety of settings, and advocate for social and political reform. Students explore theories of leadership, management, and organizational behavior as well as the social, political, and economic forces affecting health care environments. Students examine and apply legal and ethical accountability and decision making to planning, evaluating, and documenting client outcomes. Prerequisite or corequisite: NU 400. (3)

NU 501 Theoretical and Ethical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
Focuses on the synthesis and integration of theoretical knowledge and principles from nursing and related disciplines to serve as guides for advanced nursing practice. Curriculum concepts are woven throughout course content. Special attention is given to relevant theories and ethical and legal aspects of practice. Includes analysis and evaluation of nursing theory and application of ethical decision-making frameworks. Relevant research findings will be used to promote development of skills in critical analysis of advanced-practice nursing and health care issues. (3)

NU 508 Health and Culture
Examines culturally based value orientations, communication, and patterns of health care beliefs and practices among clients and health care providers. Emphasis is on provision of culturally competent health care. (3)

NU 512 Nursing and Health Care Systems and Organizations
Provides an overview of contemporary U.S. nursing and health care systems and organizations, including historical, social, political, economic, organizational, and cultural forces impacting nursing and health care. Examines the roles of research and health care policy, regulation, and law in shaping organizational structure and health care systems. (3)

NU 550 Advanced Pathophysiology I
Presents advanced pathophysiology of the head and neck, muscular skeletal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematologic, and dermatologic systems. Emphasis is given to the interaction of these systems with other body systems. Students analyze data pertinent to clinical disease states and utilize the information in implementing the nursing process as a clinical nursing expert. (3)

NU 551 Advanced Pathophysiology II
Focuses on the endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, genitourinary, neurologic, and reproductive systems. The interaction of body systems is stressed. Analysis of data pertinent to clinical disease states is continued as a foundation for expert clinical nursing practice. (3)

NU 552 Advanced Pharmacology
An in-depth study of clinical pharmacology and toxicology. Drugs affecting the organ systems are discussed with emphasis on mechanisms of drug action, types and mechanism of adverse drug action as well as drug interactions. The nursing implications of each drug classification are emphasized together with the implications surrounding the decision-making process used in prescribing drugs. Drug legislation and regulations affecting advanced-practice nurses are studied. Relevant research with implications for nursing practice is presented. (3)

NU 553 Advanced Health Assessment
This course provides the theoretical knowledge and clinical assessment skills requisite for the master’s-prepared nurse. Course content is consistent with the core curriculum recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. The influence of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, and developmental variables on wellness, and the roles and skills of the advanced-practice nurse in supporting wellness, are examined and practiced. Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to expand critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills. Prerequisites: NU 550 and NU 551. (3)

NU 590 Health Care Data Analysis
Provides the student with a conceptual understanding of statistical methods in relation to the purpose, design, and methods of health care research. Both descriptive and inferential applications are presented and students are introduced to the use of computers for data storage, retrieval, and statistical analysis. (3)

NU 591 Health Care Research
Provides an in-depth study of the design and conduct of health care research with an emphasis on identifying researchable clinical, educational, and health care delivery problems, matching the research design to the research question, and utilizing new knowledge to analyze health care intervention outcomes. Prerequisite or corequisite: NU 590. (3)

NU 592 Nursing Research Design II
A continuation of the research process in which students implement the research protocol developed in NU 591. Empirical data is collected and analyzed. A written report of the research process and findings is made. Prerequisite: NU 591. (3)

NU 599 Independent Study
Students investigate selected topics in Nursing under the direction of a faculty advisor and/or the dean of the School of Health Professions. Independent Study enables students to pursue specialized interests and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in nursing. (1-6)

NU 700 Evidence-Based Practice
Introduces students to the concept of evidence-based practice and its relationship to improved patient outcomes. It prepares students to critically examine current nursing practice standards and guidelines to determine if these are consistent with the best research available. Strategies to overcome barriers to the integration of new knowledge in the practice setting are identified. (3)

NU 701 Innovative Models of Care Delivery
Prepares students to demonstrate clinical, organizational, and systems-level leadership through study and design of innovative models of care delivery. It emphasizes the application of Continuous Quality Management (CQM) principles and Business Process Improvement (BPI) strategies in model development. Attendant course content focuses on developing skills in organizational and policy arenas, applying principles of practice management, balancing productivity with quality of care, and encouraging a culture emphasizing practice excellence. (3)

NU 702 Epidemiology
Provides students with the opportunity to engage in a comprehensive study of the concepts of epidemiology and the science of public health. Students evaluate distribution and determinants of health problems and diseases in select aggregates, with the goal of developing strategies to reduce the incidence and prevalence of identified health problems. (3)

NU 703 Research Methods and Applications
This course builds on prior knowledge of the research process. It provides students with the opportunity to gain an increased understanding of the philosophy of science, nature of scientific thinking, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. Emphasis is placed on the identification of researchable practice problems. The relationship among theory, research, and practice is addressed. The course prepares students to be nurse leaders who are able to utilize nursing research to refine and improve nursing practice. (3)

NU 704 Human Diversity in Health and Illness
Analyzes the effect that cultural practices and ethnicity have on health practices, health disparities, and health care delivery systems. The course highlights and evaluates current research in nursing and related disciplines. It emphasizes the responsibility of the D.N.P. graduate to plan and manage care for diverse populations and vulnerable groups. Ethical considerations basic to the delivery of culturally competent health care are considered. (3)

NU 705 Multivariate Analysis
This course builds upon NU 590 Data Analysis for Health Care, and introduces students to selected multivariate techniques used in health care and epidemiological research including multiple regression analysis, logistic regression, factorial analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance and covariance, factorial analysis of variance, path analysis, structural equation modeling, and select parametric techniques. The use of approriate hardware and software is integrated throughout the course. (3)

NU 800 Doctoral Project
Provides an opportunity for the student to synthesize knowledge and skills learned in previous Nursing courses and clinical practicums to produce a product that makes a contribution to advanced nursing practice. The product may vary with the student’s interest and his or her assessment of gaps in nursing knowledge and practice strategies. It is anticipated that the student will work closely with an advisor and seek the assistance of experts outside the University community, if necessary. It is anticipated that the final project will be disseminated to the nursing and health care communities. (3)

NU 801 Residency
This course is an advanced nursing practicum that provides an opportunity for the student to integrate and synthesize knowledge and skills acquired in graduate coursework. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating increasing competency in the integration of principles of evidence-based practice and science-based theories when making patient-focused decisions. The curricular elements and competencies include evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, organizational systems, principles of business, health care policy, evaluation of clinical outcomes, information systems and technology, prevention strategies, and health promotion. These elements are operationalized as the student develops competence in evaluating the links among practice, organizational, population-based, fiscal, and policy issues. (3-5)

NUE 503 Nursing Education I
A critical study of the educational process with emphasis on relevant research. The organization and administration of both the educational setting and the health care agency are discussed with attention to the role of the educator within both settings. Role development is initiated with an analysis of the rights and responsibilities of the educator. (3)

NUE 504 Nursing Education II
Intensive study of learning, the learner, and the environment for learning. Special attention is given to the theoretical base of learning and relevant education research. The special needs and interests of the learner in nursing are analyzed, and unique features of the teaching environment in nursing are discussed. Techniques of measurement and evaluation are presented with opportunities for test construction, analysis, and evaluation. (3)

NUE 505 Nursing Education III
Focuses on role preparation for nursing educators. Curriculum/program planning and development receive major emphasis. The instructional process and teaching principles are studied with attention to application. Prerequisites: NUE 503 and NUE 504. (3)

NUE 590 Nursing Education Practicum
This practicum provides opportunities to apply educational theory to teaching practice. Current issues in nursing education are explored. Leadership and research roles of nursing education are analyzed and opportunities are provided for role development. Experiences are analyzed and evaluated to develop teaching competence. Prerequisites: NUE 503, NUE 504, NUE 505, NU 550, and NU 551. (4)

NUF 501 Professional Role Development of the Family Nurse Practitioner
This course operationalizes the theoretical principles and norms of the professional role of the advanced-practice nurse in the role of the nurse practitioner. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating clear understanding of the nurse practitioner role, including legal responsibilities and state regulation. This course will assist the student in role transition to the advanced-practice nurse. Prerequisites: NU 501-552 and NU 590. (3)

NUF 502 Advanced Assessment and Health Screening for the Family Nurse Practitioner
Provides the theoretical and clinical foundation for advanced practice in primary care family nursing. It focuses on skills and knowledge necessary for role preparation of the family nurse practitioner who provides care to individuals and families in various communities. Laboratory and clinical experiences provide opportunities for the development of assessment and diagnostic skills. Prerequisites: NU 501-552 and NU 590. (5)

NUF 503 Primary Care of the Family I
Focuses on the correlates of chronic and acute illnesses throughout the life cycle. Provides role preparation of the primary family nurse practitioner with attention to the assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, coordinating, and management of the health status of clients over time. Clinical experiences develop competency in diagnosis and appropriate medical management or referral. Prerequisites: NUF 501 and NUF 502. (7)

NUF 504 Primary Care of the Family II
An advanced nursing practicum in primary care of the family. Provides opportunities for the student to synthesize and clinically apply the knowledge and skills acquired in previous nursing and cognate courses. Emphasis on demonstrating competency in the assessment, management, and evaluation of client health/illness status. Students are expected to mobilize and coordinate client, health professional, community, and governmental resources in the management of health problems and prevention of illness. Special attention is given to the analysis of the nurse practitioner’s autonomous and interdependent role on an interdisciplinary health care team. Prerequisite: NUF 503. (6)