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WSU-Master's Program in Nursing
Post Master's Certificate Course Descriptions

502/402 Clinical Pharmacology - 3 S.H.
This course includes principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as a foundation for the use of medications in the clinical management of diseases. Major classes of drugs will be discussed in terms of actions; therapeutic and other effects; adverse, allergic and idiosyncratic reactions; indications and contraindications. The importance of sound diagnostic reasoning in the selection of pharmacological interventions with attention to safety, cost, simplicity, acceptability and efficacy will be stressed. The responsibilities related to prescribing medications will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only.

504/404 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 S.H.
Advanced physiology and pathophysiology at the cellular, organic and systemic level will be explored as a basis for clinical assessment and management by advanced practice nurses. Integration of function among organ systems will be emphasized. The effect of psychosocial variables on physiologic function will be explored. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only.

506/406 Psychosocial Interventions in Family Care - 2 S.H.
This course explores the role of the advanced practice nurse in addressing the psychosocial needs of the client and family. Focus will be on the development of counseling skills for advanced psychosocial assessment and on providing culturally sensitive guidance in caring for the client and family during health, crisis, and acute and chronic illness. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only

508/408 Advanced Role Seminar - 2 S.H.
This course will provide a forum for the explorations of advanced practice role behaviors including collaboration and leadership. Selected theories and frameworks relevant to the various roles will be evaluated. Ethics and diversity issues in nursing and health care will be discussed. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only

514/414 Health Care Policy and Finance - 3 S.H.
This course provides a base for nurse leaders and advanced practice nurses to enter and effectively shape health care policy in the workplace, organizations, community, and government at the state and federal level. Students will develop an understanding of health care financing in the delivery of health care. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only

519/419 Advanced Health Promotion - 3 S.H.
Concepts related to health promotion and maintenance are analyzed from theoretical and research based perspectives. Using principles of epidemiology, advanced practice nurses identify risk factors for specific populations and examine variables that influence wellness. Interventions for promotion of optimal health are designed with particular consideration for age and cultural differences. A community-based practicum allows the student to explore possibilities for enacting the advanced practice role outside traditional biomedical settings and within the context of families and communities. (2 cr. seminar; 1 cr. clinical). Prerequisite: N510 and Admission to the graduate program in nursing or consent of instructor (contact Master's Program Secretary). Grade only

620 Clinical Nurse Specialist Role I Seminar - 3 S.H.
This course is designed to introduce students to the roles of the clinical nurse specialist. Nursing practice models will be explored. Assessment and measurement of patient outcomes, cost containment, cost-effectiveness, and evaluation will be emphasized. Use of a theoretical and research basis for effecting change to improve patient outcomes relevant to non disease-based etiologies of acute and chronic illnesses among adults is a major focus. Prerequisites or co-requisites: N502, N504, N506, N510, N519, N623 (or equivalent courses approved by faculty). Must register for N621 at same time. Grade only

623 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 S.H.
This course builds on prerequisite knowledge of systematic and holistic health assessment of children and adults. Additional assessment tools for the advanced practice nurse are provided. Emphasis is on diagnostic reasoning and research based strategies for assessing health of individuals within the context of family and community. Special emphasis is placed on age, gender, and cultural variations. This course emphasizes diagnostic reasoning that guides the collection and interpretation of data to serve as a basis for advanced practice. (2 cr. seminar; 1 cr. clinical Prerequisite: Undergraduate physical assessment course and/or N517 or equivalent; N504, N510, N519. Grade only

624 Clinical Nurse Specialist Role II Seminar - 1-3 S.H.
This course builds on Clinical Nurse Specialist Role I Seminar and Clinical. An in depth study of selected topics related to the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses among adults will be completed. An analysis and synthesis of the literature with an emphasis on theory and research will be included. Effects of culturally specific beliefs on response to acute and chronic illness will be discussed. The roles of the CNS are synthesized. Prerequisites: N502, N504, N506, N510, N519, N620, N621, N623 (or equivalent courses approved by faculty. Co-requisite: N625. Grade only

625 Clinical Nurse Specialist Role II Clinical - 1-4 S.H.
This course builds on Clinical Nurse Specialist Role I Seminar and Clinical. Assessment, measurement, and management of disease-based and non disease-based etiologies of acute and chronic illnesses among adults will be a major focus. Independent nursing interventions that aim to prevent, alleviate, and/or reduce symptoms, functional problems, or risk behaviors will be implemented. Integration of the clinical nurse specialist roles will be achieved. Prerequisites: N502, N504, N506, N508, N510, N519, N620, N621, N623 (or equivalent courses approved by faculty). Co-requisite: N624. Grade only

629 Clinical Nurse Specialist Prescribing Clinical - 1-3 S.H.
This course is specifically designed for the post-master's CNS student who already holds national CNS certification and is seeking a supervised clinical experience to become eligible for prescriptive authority. The course requirements are specifically designed to meet requirements established by the revised MN Nurse Practice Act in 1999; however, the course requirements also meet criteria in other state nurse practice acts (students are assessed on an individual basis). The course focuses on assessment, measurement, diagnosis and management of disease-based and non diseased-based etiologies of acute and chronic illnesses among adults. Emphasis is placed on accurate and safe selection of specific pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments under the supervision of a provider who is licensed to prescribe pharmacologic agents. Prerequisites: Earned Master's Degree in nursing with a CNS focus, N502, N623 (or equivalent courses approved by the CNS focus faculty). Grade only.

640 Primary Care of Adults I - 3 S.H.
Focus is on the diagnosis and management of acute and episodic health related conditions and illnesses in the primary care setting. Epidemiology of problems is examined and emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease prevention. Prerequisites: N502, N506, N623; Co-requisites: N519, N641. Grade only

641 Primary Health Care Clinical I - 2-3 S.H.
This course provides the opportunity to apply the knowledge and develop skills related to the role of the nurse practitioner in primary care. ANP students register for 2 S.H.; FNP students register for 3 S.H. Co-requisite: N640, N642 (FNP only). Grade only.

642 Primary Care of Children I - 2 S.H.
This course focuses on promotion of health of children and their families, and the diagnosis and management of acute and common health related conditions and illnesses in the primary care setting. Co-requisites: N640 (FNP only). Grade Only

643 Primary Care Clinical II - 3-4 S.H.
This course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop skills related to the role of the nurse practitioner in management of clients/families with complex disease states and health related conditions. ANP students register for 3 S.H; FNP students register for 4 S.H. Co-requisites: N644, N646 (FNP only). Grade only.

644 Primary Care of Adults II - 3 S.H.
This course focuses on the diagnosis and management of chronic and co-morbid health related conditions and illnesses in the primary care setting. Epidemiology of problems is examined and emphasis is placed on health promotion, health maintenance, and prevention of disability. Prerequisites: N640, N641, N642 (FNP only). Co-requisites: N643, N646 (FNP only). Grade only.

645 Primary Care Internship - 3 S.H.
A clinical preceptorship for nurse practitioner students that provides an opportunity to further enhance knowledge and the skill level related to primary care. The clinical preceptorship provides opportunities to apply theoretical and didactic knowledge in practice. The internship is an intensive immersion in a single practice setting with focus on continued development of the nurse practitioner role and in providing continuity of care. Asynchronous, Internet based course. Prerequisites: N502, N506, N508, N519, N623, N640, N641, N643, N644; N642, N646 (FNP only). Grade only

646 Primary Care of Children II - 2 S.H.
This course focuses on the role of the NP in the evaluation and management of chronic and complex health disorders of children in the primary care setting. The impact of chronic and complex disorders on children and families will be considered with an emphasis on strategies to promote wellness, optimize development, and facilitate adaptation in the child and family. Epidemiology of problems is examined. Prerequisites: N640, N641, N642. Co-requisites: N643, N644. Grade only.

650 Nursing Information Management & Decision-Making Technology - 2 S.H.
This course provides a basis for the use of computerized records and data for delivering nursing care. Content includes areas such as nursing informatics, electronic patient records, taxonomies for diagnosis, interventions, & outcomes, and decision support technology. Prerequisite: N510, N518 (or equivalent computer literacy, or consent of instructor). Grade only

669 Nursing Education: Theory and Research - 1-3 S.H.
Description: This course provides a foundation for the nurse educator focus with the MS program in nursing. The course is an overview of the classic and contemporary philosophies, theories and research about teaching and learning in nursing. Teaching and learning in schools of nursing, practice settings for the professional development of nurses, and client (patient) education are primary foci of the course. Prerequisites: N508, N510, N626, N627 or consent of instructor. Grade only

670 Nursing Education: Curricula and Program Design - 1-3 S.H.
Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the components of educational program processes. Principles of program design and evaluation of nursing education and staff development are the key concepts explored in this class. Prerequisites: N510, N626, N627 or consent of instructor. Grade only

671 Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation - 1-2 S.H.
Description: A course for nurse educators designed to apply teaching and learning theories, research and strategies to teaching in schools of nursing or healthcare organization staff development programs. Content focuses on the practical application of a large variety of teaching and evaluation techniques available in the practice of nursing education. Prerequisites: N510, N624 and N625 or N626 and N627, N669, N670 or consent of instructor. Grade only

672 Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation: Practicum 1-2 S.H.
Description: This practicum, a companion course to N671, provides the student with a guided experience in the process of teaching. The practicum will focus on assessing learners; planning, developing, and implementing instruction; and the evaluation of learner achievement. Prerequisites: N510, N624 and N625 or N626 and N627, N669, N670 or consent of instructor. Grade only

====ELECTIVES===

516/416 Issues in Gerontology and Geriatrics for the 21st Century - 1-3 S.H.
This course is a series of three consecutive modules of content related to common issues in gerontology and geriatrics. A student may take one, two or all modules and each has as a prerequisite, the preceding module. The course is open to upper level undergraduate students, students enrolled in the RN to MS Program and Graduate Students in Nursing. Other students admitted by consent of instructor. The course will focus on normal aging, theories of aging, social gerontology and societal effects of an increasing population of older people. The geriatric content will focus on major geriatric syndromes such as Immobility, Incontinence, Instability, Iatrogenic illness and Intellectual impairment. Emphasis will be placed on assessment and maintenance of individual competency, independence and physiological function across clinical settings. Grade only

602 Health Care for Rural Americans - 1-3 S.H.
This course provides an overview of issues related to caring for rural individuals, families and communities. The course is divided into three modules: Rural Health Care Policy, Rural Health Clinical Application and Special Populations in Rural Health. Emphasis will be on the knowledge and skills needed by primary health care providers in rural settings. Students will have the opportunity to examine rural health issues from a variety of perspectives including health promotion/disease prevention with individuals, families and communities, disease management and issues affecting rural health care policy. Graduate nursing students in any option may register for 1 to 3 credits; each module is worth one credit. Grade only.

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