Students complete an individually designed practicum based on their professional development plan and their self-assessment of the AACN Essentials Competencies. This clinical experience is also related to their role, population foci, and area of clinical interest. The practicum takes place within a health care system where students transition to independent advanced nursing practice. Inter-professional collaboration, practice inquiry and clinical judgment, role transition/enhancement, and advanced organizational and systems leadership skills are emphasized. May be repeated for credit.

The focus of this course is to develop knowledge and management skills related to family systems theory/family assessment; preconception health, FNP prenatal and post partum family/newborn care; well-child care; developmental appraisal; and triage of the ill child. Evidence-based practice principles are integrated. Emphasis is on the planned nursing and collaborative medical management provided by the family nurse practitioner to promote health, maintain wellness,and intervene during illness.

This course builds upon knowledge and skills related to child and family health and focuses on the assessment, differential diagnosis, and management of acute, emergent, and chronic health issues as well as developmental problems from infancy through adolescence, with ongoing appraisal on the family unit. Evidence-based practice principles are integrated in order to provide comprehensive and collaborative primary care to children and their families. Prerequisite: 695.

This course serves as a graduate exploration of epidemiologic principles as they apply to the determinants of health and disease surveillance in populations. An overview of epidemiologic measures and research designs is provided. Skills related to interpreting biostatistical data found in health care literature as well as those utilized in advanced nursing practice will be developed. Clinical and population-based principles of health promotion and disease prevention are incorporated.

This course serves as a graduate exploration of the nature and purpose of meta-theoretical and philosophical/theoretical thinking relevant to advanced practice roles. The development and utilization of knowledge from theories, practice, research, and evidence are critically examined. Selected theories and frameworks from nursing and the field of ethics, as well as those from other related disciplines, are examined for their application in professional nursing practice including ethical decision-making in complex healthcare situations.

This course offers continuing clinical experience and focuses on expanding upon and refining clinical decision-making skills in the management of acute, emergent, and chronic health problems in persons from adolescence through older adulthood in acute care settings. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies are incorporated; culturally sensitive care is emphasized. Preequisites: 618.

This course continues the integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner in the provision of comprehensive and collaborative care for acute and critically ill individuals with selected conditions. Throughout the course, concepts of safety, leadership skills, knowledge of health care systems, and interprofessional practice is emphasized as the individual develops beginning competency in the role. Prerequisite: 613.

This course further develops the acute care nurse practitioner competency knowledge, skills, and attitudes through continual enhancement of evidence-based care of the acutely or critically ill individual. A laboratory/simulation component will focus on specific skill development such as working with inserting and managing chest tubes, inserting central lines, and specialized oxygen-delivery (e.g. mechanical ventilation). Advanced therapeutic communication regarding end-of-life care in a culturally and spiritually sensitive manner is incorporated. Prerequisite: 620.

This course focuses on developing holistic, therapeutic, person-centered communication skills that are effective in promoting inclusivity, equity, diversity and relationship-building with patients, families, and other disciplines. Emphasis will be on exploring written, verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as, active listening skills and the science behind high-functioning teams.

This course focuses on developing and enhancing the students ability to be inquisitive scholars, engaged healthcare practitioners, and ethical leaders through the synthesis, integration, and evaluation of evidence to determine best practice that informs nursing practice at an advanced level. Students engage in meaningful and creative inquiry, critique health-related research, explore the ethical principles, and develop insights into the methodologic processes involved in conducting research and quality improvement activities.