Course Descriptions
Descriptions of Required and Elective Courses Needed to Complete a Master In Nursing

NURS 505:
Research in Nursing and Health Care
This course focuses on quantitative and qualitative research areas and methods used in health care. Analysis of the research process and application of research findings to health care will be emphasized. Students will develop a guided research project related to an identified problem in nursing and health care.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program.

NURS 510:
Transcultural Health Care
Using Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory, this course analyzes the social, political, economic, and cultural factors related to transcultural health care. Students will examine the interactions of consumers, providers, and health care systems in the provision of quality health care with an emphasis on persons of color and persons who are immigrants to the United States.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program.

NURS 515:
Concepts and Theories in Nursing
This course examines selected concepts and theories that are derived from nursing and other disciplines for applicability to practice in a variety of health care settings. Strategies used in applying and evaluating nursing theories in relation to providing care will be discussed.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program.

NURS 520:
Critical Issues in Health Care
This course examines multiple factors affecting the provision of care in an ever-changing health care system. The U.S. health policy-making system; ethical, legal, and political aspects of health care; and health care delivery systems will be explored, particularly in relation to their impact on nursing practice and nurses’ ability to provide care. A historical perspective will facilitate a) identification of critical issues, b) how they developed to their current status, and c) what options might exist for current and future nursing participation in resolving or dealing with these issues.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program.

NURS 540:
Nursing Administration I
This course examines the role of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations, including long term care, community based care, hospitals, and larger integrated delivery systems. Emphasis is placed on administration of human resources, including labor and legal issues, collective bargaining, labor laws, and the design of effective policies and procedures to reflect these laws.
Prerequisites: Nursing 505, 510, and 515.

NURS 541:
Economics in the Health Care System
This course provides background information about federal health programs, third party payments, and managed care organizations and their relationships with health care organizations. The course also discusses private and public health care systems, as well as proprietary and nonprofit organizations. It includes interpretation of financial data as well as forecasting and financial management. Macroeconomics related to health care are introduced as well as some microeconomics.
Prerequisite: Nursing 540.

NURS 542:
Finance and Accounting in the Health Care System
This course provides primary concepts of health care finance, including managerial accounting and financial management concepts. Students will learn how to manage, control, and report financial information. Use of the financial information is practiced via electronic spreadsheet applications.
Prerequisite: Nursing 541.

NURS 546:
Nursing Administration II
This course examines the role of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations, including long term care, community based care, hospitals, and larger integrated delivery systems. It assumes the student has experience in providing and directing patient care. Content includes leadership theories, motivation, conflict resolution, workforce planning, implementing planned change, and effective administration of culturally diverse health care systems.
Prerequisite: Nursing 541.

NURS 547:
Practicum in Nursing Administration
This course provides the student with experience functioning within selected components of the role of the nurse executive in a variety of health care organizations, including long term care, community based care, hospitals, and larger integrated delivery systems. Students are paired with a nurse executive or case manager at a mutually agreed upon location.
Prerequisites: Nursing 542 and 546.

NURS 548:
Case Management
This course prepares the student to develop the role of case manager in a variety of settings. The student will utilize the stages of managed care to determine current agency progress and project future organizational status and programs; develop potential case manager roles in a variety of settings and relate the role of the case manager within multiple forms of managed care. The student will develop a set of indicators of effectiveness and quality of care (care protocols) as well as a plan for their analysis. The student will discuss benefits and challenges of various models of managed care.
Prerequisites: Nursing 542 and 546.

NURS 549:
Nurse as Entrepreneur
This course presents information needed by a nurse entrepreneur to develop innovative forms of nursing practice and care delivery. Emphasis is placed on acquiring skills to develop a nursing business plan, including financial and legal components. Implementation of risk management and total quality improvement plans within the role of the small business setting are also covered.
Prerequisites: Nursing 505, 510, 515, and 520.

NURS 550:
Principles of Teaching and Learning
The focus of this course is on educational theories and issues, and their implications for the teaching process. Teaching and learning distinctions, the domains of learning, and assessment of student learning outcomes are components of this course.
Prerequisites: Nursing 505, 510, and 515.

NURS 552:
Curriculum Development and Program Planning in Nursing
This course focuses on the analysis and application of curriculum theory in the development and evaluation of programs in nursing education. Development of curriculum for professionals and/or the public is a component of the course.
Prerequisite: Nursing 550.

NURS 553:
Nursing Education Clinical I
This course examines the role of the nurse educator in an area of practice emphasis of the student’s choice. Emphasis is placed on research-based practice, application of models/theories, and developing culturally sensitive interventions for targeted populations.
Prerequisite: Nursing 552.

NURS 554:
Nursing Education Clinical II
This course examines the role of the nurse educator in the area of program planning. Emphasis is placed on implementing programs designed in Nursing 557: Program Planning in Nursing and on content from the teaching strategies courses. Experiences previously encountered in Nursing 553: Nursing Education Clinical I will be incorporated throughout this course.
Prerequisites: Nursing 553 and 556.

NURS 556:
Teaching Strategies and Evaluation
This course focuses on teaching strategies to enhance the organization and the delivery of educational content. Assessment of student outcomes and of educational programs is also emphasized.
Prerequiste: Nursing 552.

NURS 557:
Program Planning in Nursing
This course focuses on the analysis and application of program planning and planning on the development and evaluation of programs for continuing education for professionals and/or the public.
Prerequisites: Nursing 553 and 556.

NURS 599:
Major Project in Nursing Education/Nursing Administration
This course is a culmination of the graduate nursing courses in which the student will develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-faceted program related to the student’s major of study. The program will be research-based and incorporate theories, skills, and methodologies. Emphasis will be placed on transcultural dimensions of targeted populations and the compatibility of the project with the mission and culture of the organization in which the project is being conducted.
Prerequisites: All other courses in the major of study.