Online Master's in Nursing (Administration)

This course will explore professional role development and interprofessional collaboration of advanced practice nursing. Selected theories and frameworks that guide nursing practice will be analyzed with emphasis on implications for nursing practice. The knowledge, skills and attitudes for the advanced practice nurse are based on AACN Essentials, including person centered care, use of evidence-based guidelines, professional development, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. The course content is designed to align to the specialized advanced nursing practice role.

This course explores the influence of health disparities and promotion of health equity through advocacy for diverse populations. Advanced analysis and evaluation of theories, concepts, and methods related to health equity and disparity, will be examined. The use of technology and informatics will provide data to analyze the relationship between health outcomes and economics, class, gender, sex, sexuality, race, and ethnicity at the advanced practice nurse level. Emphasis is on assessment of the social determinants of health and practitioner-patient interactions related to health outcomes.

This advanced leadership course focuses on the theories and practical application of leadership and healthcare policy for complex healthcare organizations. Special emphasis is placed on organizational leadership and health policy competencies that are needed for nurses to succeed as advanced practice nurse providers, educators, leaders, and managers in today's local, state, national and international health care and/or public health environment. The course content includes identifying emerging issues and the use of innovation and interprofessional relationships to meet ongoing challenges in the healthcare organizational environment.

This course focuses on the integration and application of knowledge into practice. Course content will include research design, statistical methods, and strategies used to facilitate translation of evidence into practice. The Advanced Practice Nurse requires the knowledge to independently search for, review, appraise, and synthesize research literature of particular interest to nursing practice. Students will be prepared to recommend practice changes at the individual- and individual and population level on the strength of the evidence.

This course focuses on the interrelationship between physiology and pathophysiology affecting wellness and disease states across the lifespan. Advanced practice nurses use this knowledge to understand how and why the symptoms and signs of various conditions appear, interpret changes in normal functions that indicate illness, and identify disease prevention strategies. This course serves as the foundation for clinical reasoning skills used for the advanced practice role.

This advanced course fosters an in-depth understanding of pharmacological principles based on evidenced-based guidelines, cultural, socioeconomic, and legal influences and strengthens the ability to use and apply this information across the lifespan. The physiological, biochemical, and anatomical considerations for safe medication administration, including the interaction of drugs and chemicals with body systems, will be presented. Over the counter and complementary and alternative medications will be discussed for certain disease states.

Advanced Health Assessment builds upon previous health assessment experience to provide the foundation for advanced roles in nursing. This course focuses on comprehensive physical assessment which includes in-depth health history, physical and psychological signs and symptoms, and psychosocial and cultural characteristics of the individual, family, and community. Advanced practice nurses use refined communication and assessment skills to adequately gather pertinent information and employ critical thinking skills in clinical decision-making.

This course focuses on organizational effectiveness, systems management, and the role of the nurse leader during organizational change. A key focus is the effect of change on health care delivery. Principles and models of change will be explored.

This course focuses on the nurse administrator's role for supervising the nursing personnel and support staff. The topics covered are common to nurse administrators; they include responsibilities for recruitment, scheduling, counseling, coaching, mentoring, developing, and evaluating nursing staff and support personnel. The legal implications surrounding interviewing, hiring, managing, and terminating employment will also be explored.

This course engages the student in the processes of budget preparation, analysis, and monitoring. These processes are essential for analyzing the financial performance of an organization, service, or system. Emphasis is placed upon the use of resources to support organizational mission and strategic vision.

This course reflects the culmination of advanced nursing education to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout the MSN Program. The Practicum for the Master of Nursing programs is offered in the NSG/518AD course. This course is 4 credits and requires a minimum of 15 direct and 45 indirect clinical hours. The practicum experience requires the student to synthesize and expand the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by applying evidence-based research to practice. Students will achieve the MSN program outcomes and competencies related to the AACN 2011 The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing and to the AACN 2021 The Essentials: Core Competencies for Advanced Professional Nursing Education.