MS, Nursing Curriculum

Graduate Nursing Core

NURS 5113   Theoretical Foundations of Nursing                 3 credits
NURS 5133   Nursing Research                                            3 credits
NURS 6123   Profession as Ministry                                     3 credits
NURS 6133   Health Promotion, Maintenance & Protection   3 credits
NURS 6153   Trends and Issues in Health Care Policy         3 credits

Education Focus

NURS 5123   Theoretical Foundations of Education             3 credits
NURS 6143   Information Management                                 3 credits
NURS 5143   Teaching & Evaluation Methods                      3 credits
NURS 6113   Curriculum Dev. for the Health Professions    3 credits
NURS 6116   Clinical Focus                                                  6 credits
NURS 6126   Capstone Experience                                      6 credits

                                                                                       TOTAL:      39 credits

Course Descriptions - Nursing (NURS)

Graduate Nursing Core:

NURS 5113  Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (3 hours)
The study and application of relevant theories and concepts that allow the professional nurse to develop a comprehensive and holistic approach to clinical nursing practice.

NURS 5133  Nursing Research (3 hours)
This course focuses on the discovery and utilization of new knowledge to provide high quality health care, initiate change and improve nursing practice.  The focus is on the identification of researchable problems and the utilization of research as a basis for decision-making in the practice setting.  A research proposal will be developed.
 
NURS 6123  Profession as Ministry (3 hours)
The focus of this course is on professional role development providing the learner with an understanding of the integration of faith, learning and living in the practice of nursing.  Ethical decision-making, patient advocacy and service to the global community are emphasized.

NURS 6133  Health Promotion, Maintenance and Protection (3 hours)
The study of personal, clinical and community-based intervention and utilization of health-care resources to influence the goal of achieving and maintaining health is the focus of this course.

NURS 6153  Trends and Issues in Health Care Policy (3 hours)
A study of the current trends in health care including health-care financing, globalization of health care, allocation of scarce resources, social issues, life-style choices, cultural sensitivity and diversity which influence the world’s health status.

Education Focus:

NURS 5123  Theoretical Foundations of Teaching (3 hours) 
Emphasis is on application of learning principles and adaptation of subject matter content and teaching techniques to the learner population.  Also examines legal and professional issues facing contemporary educators (i.e. teacher and learner rights and responsibilities, confidentiality, classroom management issues, etc.).

NURS 6143  Information Management (3 hours)
Integration of data into a total information system necessary for decision making is considered.  Issues of  information theory, communication, document flow and internal control are studied.

NURS 5143  Teaching & Evaluation Methods (3 hours)
A variety of instructional strategies (lecture, seminar, self-directed learning, laboratory practice, simulations, case studies, journaling and effective clinical instruction) will be considered.  Describes methods to evaluate knowledge acquisition and critical thinking of the learner in various settings.  Emphasis on development and administration of valid and reliable knowledge- and performance-based tests.

NURS 6113  Curriculum Development for the Health Professions (3 hours)
Provides elements of curriculum design, including course and syllabus development, evaluation of student learning and current issues in teaching in the health professions.  Emphasis is on the academic preparation of professional nurse faculty. 

NURS 6116  Clinical Focus (6 hours)
Experiences are individualized to meet learning needs of the learners.  May be accomplished concurrently with other courses.

NURS 6126  Capstone Experience (6 hours)
Development and presentation of a project which integrates all elements of the learning experience.  May be a thesis, internship or other special project.  It is recommended that students begin planning and developing this experience by mid-point of the program.