Loyola University Chicago

CMAN 410: EPIDEMIOLOGY
This course provides the student with an introduction to epidemiologic concepts for advanced practice nursing. Selected concepts of epidemiology are presented as well as specific epidemiologic methods that can be applied to the study of both well populations and those with acute or chronic disease or injury. Health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention are emphasized. Homework assignments allow students to practice skills in calculation of rates, community assessment using large computerized data sets, and investigation of disease outbreaks.
 
CMAN 411: HOST DEFENSE FOR PICES
This course provides the conceptual and theoretical basis for understanding microbial pathogenesis and the human response to microbial pathogens and select immune-altering agents (radiological and chemical). It is designed to provide the scientific basis to understand the natural history of infectious disease as well as the dynamic interaction between the human host and pathogenic microorganisms responsible for disease. Relevant microbial and select environmental threats with high prevalence, morbidity, and/or mortality will be considered. Opportunistic and nosocomial infections important to susceptible populations will be highlighted. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the diversity of the human immune response to infectious agents and to host susceptibility/resistance to both microbial pathogens and immune-altering environmental threats. Risk assessment, prevention, control, and management of threats to the health of individuals, families, and communities, as well as that of populations in high-risk environments, will be considered. Learning experiences will include lecture, lab reports and interpretation, and on-line clinical case discussions. Each of these will be aimed at facilitating critical thinking. The application of microbiological and immunological concepts and principles will be integrated into each aspect of course content. Upon completion of the course, the student will be well grounded in the basic principles of human infectious disease and host defense.

CMAN 415: APN PRACTICUM: PICES
This practicum affords students the opportunity for exploration, analysis, and application of infection control and environmental safety management concepts as presented in core and advanced concentration courses. Emphasis will be placed on the student's clinical engagement in management projects requiring community risk assessment, program planning, intervention, and evaluation activities using theoretical models and management tools. Corresponding ethical issues relevant to specific public health threats and needs will be addressed. The student will be expected to evaluate and use evidence-based/research findings as a basis for their professional practice. This practicum model offers the student the opportunity to acquire and apply skills in project management from concept to completion, based on actual clinical situations and to obtain experience in a variety of settings relevant to population-based infection control and environmental safety, namely laboratory, community-based, non-traditional settings.

CMAN 417: APN PRACTICUM: HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
This graduate practicum is designed to allow students the opportunity for exploration, analysis, and application of advanced health systems management concepts as presented in management core and advanced concentration courses. Emphasis will be placed on the student's clinical engagement in management projects requiring critical assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation activities using theoretical models and management tools. Practicum sites are chosen to reflect current population demographics and represent state and private enterprises across the continuum of care. Further, the selection is based on the individual student's background and learning objectives and the site's ability to provide clinical experiences that meet program requirements. Corresponding ethical issues relevant to specific patient/organization problems and needs will be addressed. The student will be expected to evaluate and use evidence based/research findings as a basis for their professional health systems management practice. Using project management guidelines, students will have the opportunity to acquire and apply the necessary skills to develop projects from concept to completion based on actual clinical situations.

CMAN 434: HEALTH PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION
This course focuses on the evaluation of health programs using the framework of evaluation of need, evaluation of progress, evaluation of outcome, and evaluation of efficiency. Psychometric, economic, political, and ethical issues related to health program evaluation are analyzed. Examples will be drawn from community health, home health care, ambulatory care, and acute hospital settings as well as other health and social programs. Students will design a needs assessment or outcome evaluation as well as critique published evaluation studies. This course is designed for graduate students in nursing, medicine, social work, health law, or those in business or management who are interested in health care.

CMAN 435: HEALTH POLICY AND HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
This course provides the student with a framework for analyzing health policy based on selected theoretical models. Forces that shape health care policy in the United States will be discussed. Values and preferences for making social choices within a pluralistic society will be considered. The changing role and responsibilities of government, private sector, health professionals, and consumers will be examined in terms of the social, economic, legal, political, and ethical forces with impact on health care delivery in the United States. Case studies will be drawn from a variety of health care areas.

CMAN 436: ADVANCED PRACTICE CONCEPTS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH
This course provides students with a framework for advanced practice in community health, cardiac rehabilitation, home care, primary care, women's health, pediatric, and ambulatory care through analysis of essential concepts and methodologies. The definition and scope of community health nursing and primary care are discussed, and students explore models for practice. Concepts and theoretical models appropriate for the application of the nursing process to communities, aggregates at risk, families, and individuals are presented. Health promotion and disease prevention are emphasized, as well as concepts and theories appropriate for well populations and those with acute or chronic illness. Specific methodologies include epidemiology, community analysis, health education, risk factor reduction, case management, and contracting for health promotion, maintenance, and restoration.

CMAN 438: MARKETING IN HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS
This course introduces graduate students to the concept of marketing and essential marketing subconcepts such as product, price, distribution, and research in health care organizations. The course focuses on the philosophy of marketing and issues, problems, needs, and constraints in health care organizations that affect a marketing perspective. Student will have to analyze situations from a health care marketing perspective, apply marketing concepts and skills, and develop market analyses and plans appropriate for health care providers in leadership roles in health care organizations.

CMAN 439: OUTCOMES PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT (THEORY)
This course focuses on models, concepts, and processes of outcome performance management from national and local perspectives and their application in health care organizations. The course will trace the development of the concept of quality from measurement of adverse events and gaps in care to the current focus on measurement of performance for both quality improvement and public accountability. Creating the business case for quality, evidence-based practice, quality infrastructure design, consumer requirements, and safety issues will be explored. The course will also examine the relationship between policy development and performance management. Current political, legal, regulatory, and ethical issues as they relate to the topic of performance management will be analyzed.

CMAN 440: OUTCOMES PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT (METHODS)
This course focuses on methods, techniques, and tools employed in outcomes performance management at both the local and national levels. Emphasis is on application of quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and clinical integration approaches; strengths, limitations, purposes, and appropriate uses for accepted performance measurement and decision support methods; effective use of statistical process control, variance analysis, guidelines, protocols, and other measurements and methods; design, implementation, and evaluation of performance management programs; role of a project manager in directing all phases of the performance management process; role of national, expert panels in setting standards for national programs; and social, political, legal, regulatory, and ethical issues.

CMAN 468: ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Health systems leaders/managers must be able to integrate competitor/market analyses with the shaping of internal structures, cultures, human resources, management systems, and essential organizational competencies. Six basic processes in strategic management are goal formation, environmental analysis, strategy formation, strategy evaluation, strategy implementation, and strategic control and analysis. This course uses a framework that links strategic management with health care outcomes. Areas covered include leadership, planning, customers and markets, information and analysis, managing human capital, and managing organizational performance.

CMAN 487: USING TECHNOLOGY TO EDUCATE PATIENTS AND SUPPORT CARE INITIATIVES
The focus of this course is the use of new electronic technologies in the education of patients. Principles of patient education and adult learning will be discussed in depth. The development and use of the Internet in providing health information for decision making, disease management, emotional support, and health promotion will be explored. Special attention will be given to evaluation of health information on the Internet. Discussion groups and chat rooms as sources of emotional support will be investigated. Additional information on computer technologies used by patients for learning, monitoring, and documentation will be considered. Optimum locations and strategies for teaching patients will be identified. Course content is presented through lecture, individual projects, and class discussion.

CMAN 488: HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
This course will address methods and techniques of health care information system (IS) analysis and design as performed within the system development life cycle. Systems planning, analysis, design, implementation, support, testing, and evaluation are defined and differentiated using a case study approach. Principles of hardware/software design and their importance to the user interface are emphasized. The role of the health provider in the system development life cycle is delineated and applied. Evaluation criteria for system selection are identified. An emphasis is placed on analysis, development, selection, and evaluation of information systems as they relate to health care.

CMAN 489: KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION AND VOCABULARIES
The focus of this course is on the development of vocabularies and classification systems to describe nursing practice. The importance of documentation of patient care activities in manners that can be aggregated and shared across all practice settings and with various patient populations is discussed. The value and impact of having, versus not having, nursing practice incorporated in the patient record is outlined. Issues and initiatives relating to standardized nomenclature systems are examined. Individual nursing roles to promote unified documentation are identified. The student will gain an understanding of the value of a unified representation of nursing practice for use in the electronic patient record. Principles of knowledge representation will be discussed in depth. Special attention will be given to the role of professional nursing and health care organizations in the evaluation of health information initiatives in this area. Course content is presented through lectures, individual projects, self-paced learning activities, guided assignments, and class discussion.

CMAN 490: DECISION SUPPORT IN HEALTH CARE
This course focuses on the understanding of decision support systems. It emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on the virtually unlimited storage and data processing capacity of computers to assist in decision making in health care. Characteristics, structures, and uses of decision support systems (DSS) in health care are described. Considerations and criteria to evaluate DSS for clinical and operational use are delineated. The use of DSS to evaluate and justify nursing and health care resources is examined. Computer-based programs that are used to assist the health care manager with patient care decisions, as well as strategic planning, operations, and knowledge development, are described. Clinical, administrative, financial, decision support, and expert systems, as well as integrated hospital information systems, are introduced.

CMAN 533: FISCAL MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS
This course allows the graduate student to develop a framework for understanding key issues in financial management in health care from two perspectives. First, the course explores the relationship between the national economic environment and the financial context for current models of health care delivery. Second, the course introduces a variety of fiscal concepts and techniques as applied to nursing and health care administration such as cost accounting, cost behavior, budgeting, cost benefit/cost effectiveness analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, forecasting, cost variance analysis, and performance budgeting. Emphasis is placed on the way in which cost data can be used for decision-making and the role of information systems and their relationship to health care administrative practice. Opportunities for application of concepts enable the graduate student to develop a quantitative approach to decision making in health care administration.

CMAN 568: MANAGEMENT OF PROFESSIONALS IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS
This course offers students the opportunity to analyze, expand, and synthesize their understanding of technical, human relations, and conceptual skills essential to functioning within the role of manager/administrator in health care settings. Three major facets of the evolving role of manager/administrator, the remediator role, the maintainer role, and the innovator role, are explored in depth. The process and strategies for socialization into the role of manager/administrator in health care are discussed. The health care manager/administrator's commitment to providing an environment conducive to professional practice, as well as commitment to continued personal and professional growth, is stressed. This course is ideal for nurses, physicians, dentists, business majors, and others with an interest in managing professionals in health care settings.

GNUR 386/486: INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT
This course presents an overview of nursing informatics, information science theory, and an introduction to information systems used in health care settings. Computer-based programs used to assist the health care manager with patient care decisions as well as strategic planning, operations, and knowledge development are described. Clinical, administrative, financial, decision support, and expert systems, as well as integrated hospital information systems, are introduced. The present and future role of the computer-based patient record, standardized nursing languages, and electronic networks in health care are discussed. Selected microcomputer software applications are available for student, self-paced learning in the laboratory. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation, analysis, and use of existing programs and systems. Legal, ethical, and security issues in the use of automated information for health care are stressed throughout the course.

GNUR 401: NURSING CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
This course introduces the learner to the development and use of disciplinary knowledge as applied to advanced practice nursing. Basic philosophical assumptions undergirding nursing are presented, conceptual thinking and the process of concept development are introduced, and an overview and critique of nursing's conceptual models and mid-range theories applicable to advanced practice nursing are provided. The interrelationships among theory, research, and practice are explored with an emphasis on implementing theory-based practice.

GNUR 402: ETHICS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 
In their various roles and practice settings, health care professionals participate in the unfolding stories of patients/clients and their families. They encounter ethical questions, concerns, problems, and dilemmas in the course of their professional lives. These challenges affect health care professionals as independent and collaborative decision makers as well as members of the health care team who may be called upon to implement the decisions of others. This course provides students with opportunities to explore the impact of ethical issues on their personal and professional lives. Individual, family, institutional, and societal issues are discussed. Students are guided in the application frameworks that aid in resolving ethical dilemmas in professional practice. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in reflective moral thinking.

GNUR 409: ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This course prepares graduate nursing students to obtain a complete and accurate health database, including history, physical examination, and laboratory components, as a foundation for advanced nursing practice. Building upon previously acquired assessment skills, the focus is on the critical skills of obtaining a meaningful history and integrating it with physical findings to begin to develop a problem list. Specialized assessments used for the adolescent and older adult will be included. Organization of the database and complete and concise recording will be studied. The importance of interpreting historical and physical data in the context of a client's life, culture, and developmental stage will be stressed. The course includes lecture/demonstration, required readings, and laboratory and clinical components. Evaluation is competency based.

GNUR 409A: ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT-PEDIATRIC
This course prepares graduate nursing students to obtain a complete and accurate infant and child health database, including history, physical examination, and laboratory components, as a foundation for advanced pediatric nursing practice. Building upon previously acquired assessment skills, one major focus is on advanced techniques and skills of the physical examination. The second major focus is on the assessment of the growth and development of the child and family in the context of the community. Both of these critical foci are integrated when a problem list, based on a meaningful history and combined with physical findings, is constructed for either the well or ill child over the age spectrum, infancy through adolescence. Specialized assessments used for the neonatal through adolescent period will be included. Beginning diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills will be emphasized. The importance of interpreting historical and physical data in the context of a child's developmental stage, family, and culture will also be stressed. The course includes lecture/demonstration and laboratory practice.

GNUR 413: ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
This course will be the foundation for the advanced practice nurse to make appropriate decisions regarding the pharmacological management of patients in clinical practice. Pharmacological principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanisms of adverse drug reactions, and contraindications, will be discussed. Legal requirements for writing prescriptions and the format for prescriptions as well as common sources of medication errors and methods to prevent them will be described. Developmental considerations, socioeconomic status, and complementary therapies will be addressed throughout the course. Pharmacotherapy of selected common disorders will be addressed. Students will synthesize and integrate diverse viewpoints, principles, and selected research findings related to the complex needs of patients through case study analyses. This course, along with clinical courses, will prepare the advanced practice nurse for prescriptive authority.

GNUR 415: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
This is one of a series of clinical theory courses designed to prepare professional nurses for the advanced practice role of primary health care nurse practitioner. In Section One of the course, using a developmental, community-oriented framework, this course examines reproductive health care needs of adults across the life span, with a focus on women's health, health promotion, and disease prevention. The theoretical and clinical bases for nurse practitioner management of essentially well adults and those who are experiencing reproductive or genitourinary problems are presented (two credit hours). In Section Two, women's health and family nurse practitioner students will take an additional one-credit module designed to prepare them to manage the care of essentially normal childbearing women and families in the postpartum period. (Section One contains four clock hours of pharmacology content; Section Two contains one clock hour of pharmacology content.)

GNUR 416: EPIDEMIOLOGY PICES
This course introduces students to epidemiologic methods for disease prevention, surveillance, detection, and intervention to promote the health of populations. The epidemiologic investigation process and epidemiologic research methods are emphasized in order to describe patterns of health and disease in populations. The levels of prevention model is used as an organizing framework. Students will learn specific epidemiologic skills including risk assessment, calculation of rates, use of large data sets, data interpretation, criteria for screening for disease in community, and analysis of epidemiologic study designs. Emphasis will be placed on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, environmental health hazards, epidemiology for new and emerging diseases, and disaster preparedness.

GNUR 422: HEALTH MINISTRIES-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION SEMINAR I
The content of this course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of concepts pertinent to health ministry offered through faith communities. This course is part of a series of integration seminars that focuses on health ministry and is offered away from the Loyola University Campus. This seminar explores the understanding of health ministry, its historical development, and current offerings within the context of interfaith religious denominations. A variety of structural aspects of health ministry are reviewed as well as innovative applications of the concept.

GNUR 423: HEALTH MINISTRIES-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION SEMINAR II
The content of this course provides students with an opportunity to explore strategies for enhancing their skills in self understanding, spiritual practices, and behaviors that will support them in working with congregations in the capacity of health ministry. This course is part of a series of integration seminars that focuses on health ministry and is offered away from the Loyola University Campus. Content that is emphasized is working in the context of a faith community, effective communication patterns, understanding the culture and history of faith communities, collaboration with others to enhance heath ministry integration, and personal self care practices.

GNUR 424: HEALTH MINISTRIES-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION SEMINAR III
The content of this course is intended to explore the impact that health ministry can have on individuals, communities, political systems, and denominations. This course is part of a series of integration seminars that focuses on health ministry and is offered way from the Loyola University Campus. This seminar assists the participant in understanding how health ministry fits in to present day faith communities and can effect change in the advocacy, worship, teaching, preaching, fellowship, and service of a faith community. Change created through health ministry is also discussed from personal, communal, denominational, and political perspectives.

GNUR 426: PARISH NURSING PREPARATION
The objectives of this course encourage students to understand faith and health as central to the parish nurse role, demonstrate knowledge, attitude, and skills to serve as a beginning parish nurse, value inter-collegial peer support, identify a peer network of parish nurses, and commit to ongoing spiritual formation. The course is organized around the functions of the parish nurse and the context of the ministry of parish nursing practice. The use of the Nursing Intervention Classification system will assist in the defining the most frequently used and essential interventions of the ministry of parish nursing practice.

GNUR 427: PARISH NURSE COORDINATOR T
his course is designed to prepare those who are managers or coordinators of parish nursing to more fully understand and develop skills required for this role. Content includes budgeting, spiritual leadership, human resource management, program planning, and working with congregations, along with a review of the current context for the ministry of parish nursing practice. The importance of creating a support system of other parish nurse coordinators and managers is emphasized, along with developing a network of colleagues from other disciplines that can enhance management of the ministry of parish nursing practice through collaboration with others.

GNUR 428: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS IN SPIRITUAL CARE
This course examines the philosophical foundations for both "spirituality" and "contemporary spiritual care." It is designed to assist students to better understand what, in primarily the Western tradition, is meant by "spirit." Students will read selections from different philosophers and theologians exploring what evidence, proof, or arguments they have for claiming that there is a spiritual dimension to human life and noting how "spirit" is manifest in human life and behavior. Throughout this encounter with foundational Western thought on "spirit," students will be asked to monitor and share the affect that such thinking has on their own spirituality and their ability to articulate their personal account of "spiritual care." The latter part of the course will build on that foundation by reflecting on "spirit" and "spirituality" in their application to contemporary nursing practice.

GNUR 429: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION IN THE CARE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT
Spiritual care challenges providers to develop their own spiritual practices and, in turn, to be sensitive to the spiritual needs of another. This course is intended to encourage clarity and awareness of spiritual practices that can enhance one's personal spiritual life. The concept of spiritual formation is reviewed as well as the impact of different spiritual traditions. Spiritual care, assessment, and diagnosis are presented with practical ways in which these components of care can be intentionally integrated into nursing practice.

GNUR 430: SPIRITUALITY, HEALTH, AND HEALING
Scientific and religious communities have become progressively more aware of and interested in whole person health. The concepts of health, healing, wholeness, and spirituality are universal and integrated into life, disease, illness, suffering, and dying. Spirituality--how a person is in the world, sees the world, and experiences the world--is intimately connected to all of the preceding concepts. Tradition relates and connects spirituality to these concepts as well. This course explores the connections between spirituality and health, addressing concepts such as stress, health, care, cure, belief systems, wellness, spirituality, disease, suffering, and dying. Spirituality, health, and healing will be discussed from a personal perspective, particularly as it relates to vocation.

GNUR 441: ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY
The overall objective of this course is to provide graduate nursing students with a greater depth of knowledge of selected topics in physiology. The course will be organized around the physiological concepts of oxygenation, metabolism, mobility, sensation, immunity, and reproduction. These concepts form the foundation for the physiological aspects of the graduate nursing curriculum. Although the primary emphasis will be on normal physiology, the physiological response and adaptation to a disease state will be considered. By using the conceptual approach, the student should be able to apply this advanced knowledge of the above physiological concepts to a variety of clinical settings and age groups. For example, under the concept of oxygenation, the topic of effective pulmonary diffusion will be discussed. From this, students should be able to transfer this knowledge to understanding the pathophysiological basis of nursing care rendered to a client with impaired pulmonary diffusion, be it a child with cystic fibrosis or an elderly client with pulmonary edema. The learning experience will consist of three hours of lecture per week and independent readings. Evaluation will be by objective and essay tests of material covered and selected assignments.

GNUR 450: RESEARCH FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
This course prepares students to understand scholarly inquiry, knowledge generation, and knowledge utilization in nursing and health care. Methods of operationalizing scholarly inquiry include formulation of research questions, identification of existing literature through the study of the research process, examination of research methodologies, data management, and research utilization. The approach that best answers the research question is stressed. Utilization of scientific evidence to improve practice is emphasized. Social, cultural, political, and ethical issues related to nursing research are addressed. Students are given opportunities to participate in projects that allow them to be consumers of research or participants in research.

GNUR 460: ROLE SOCIALIZATION
This course is designed to assist the advanced practice clinical student as she/he prepares to enter an advanced clinical practice role. The role of the advanced practice nurse will be analyzed in terms of its major components--advanced practitioner, consultant, change agent, case manager, educator, researcher, and leader. The process of socialization into the role is explored, and strategies for effective role implementation and evaluation are discussed. Various practical strategies for role transition and development will be reviewed. Commitment to personal and professional growth as an advanced practice nurse will be emphasized.

GNUR 461: HEALTH POLICY AND ISSUES
This course provides students with the knowledge base and beginning skills to affect public policy in the areas of nursing and health care. Models of policy formation are presented and applied to current issues that impact the profession of nursing. Course content includes information on the organization and financing of health care systems, the legislative process, and the formulation and enactment of health care policy. Conflict resolution, negotiation, and advocacy skills are emphasized to assist the advanced practice nurse to defend and support legislation and health policies that affect the profession and client care.

GNUR 462: HEALTH CARE FINANCING
Basic financial, economic, and market concepts necessary to effectively function in the advanced practice nursing role are introduced. Key concepts related to strategic planning, financial statements, budgets, variance analysis, cost behavior, cost/benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, reimbursement, and business/marketing plans are covered as they relate to the advanced nurse practitioner role. Understanding the relationship between general business practices, existing payment mechanisms, and the role of the advanced practice nurse are emphasized.

GNUR 463: CANCER GENOMICS
This course uses a case-based learning process to examine the genetic basis for cancer disease, common cancer genetic syndromes, relative risk assessments, screening and surveillance guidelines, and the educational and management needs of clients and their families related to genetic predisposition to cancer. The emphasis is on the role of the advanced practice nurse.

GNUR 464: APN ENTREPRENEUR
This course is designed to provide an advanced practice nurse who has an identified area of clinical expertise with knowledge and skills requisite to planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating a unique health-related enterprise. Participants will develop a prototype for nurse entrepreneur/intrapreneur business or project/program and will learn how to sell her/his ideas. Participants will identify personal characteristics needed for the entrepreneurial role and explore areas of business management knowledge and skills. Emphasis will also be given to development of professional image, dealing with the media, and managing human capital. Resources for further entrepreneur development and management are delineated.

GNUR 467: CANCER-SUPPORTIVE CARE AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
This course is designed to present an in-depth understanding of current knowledge and research in psychological and supportive care for patients and families living with cancer. Learning activities will be focused on selected nursing interventions used by the advanced practice nurse in managing symptoms across the cancer continuum, assessing and providing psychological care to patients, families and survivors of cancer, understanding quality of life (QOL) issues in this patient population, and increasing awareness and knowledge of issues faced by cancer survivors. Knowledge relevant to these four domains (symptom management, QOL, survivorship, and psychological care) will be explored in depth. Course content will incorporate evidence-based practice, information on health care disparities (racial, ethnic, gender), age-related considerations, and opportunities to learn about and avail one's self of community resources.

GNUR 469: LEADERSHIP FOR PICES 
This course is designed to provide students with the theory and methods of infection control and environmental safety applicable to populations at risk. The levels of prevention model serves as an organizing framework. Assessment of risk based on scientific data is emphasized. Epidemiologic methods for prevention, surveillance, detection, and intervention are applied to a variety of disease causing agents. Evidence-based practice standards and regulatory requirements are presented. Biosafety and bioterrorism threats are discussed in relation to current prevention detection and intervention methods. Guidelines and protocols to counteract the harmful effects of chemical and radiologic agents are presented. Prototypes are presented for selected populations at risk, including hospitalized patients, patients likely to be seen in emergency departments, nursing homes, prisons, schools, and the community at large.

GNUR 470: CANCER PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
This course is designed to present an in-depth understanding of the current knowledge and research in cancer biology and pathophysiology as well as diagnosis and disease management of the most common cancers. Specialized content will focus on the therapeutic modalities utilized to diagnose, treat, and manage both the acute and chronic aspects of cancer therapy with discussion focused on selected nursing interventions used by the advanced practice nurse in treating adult patients with multiple tumor types across the cancer continuum. Knowledge relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including specific pharmacologic agents and their usage, will be explored. Course content will incorporate evidence-based practice, information on health care disparities (racial, ethnic, gender), age-related considerations, and ambulatory/community settings.

GNUR 471: PALLIATIVE CARE
This course is designed to prepare the advanced practice oncology nurse to provide leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that promote the highest possible quality of life for those experiencing life-threatening illness. Students will gain theoretical knowledge to support terminally ill persons and their families in approaching death. Emphasis is placed on a holistic approach to care using state-of -the-art nursing interventions that provide effective pain and symptom management and promote psychosocial and spiritual well being. Students are prepared to serve diverse client populations during the terminal phase of life and to perform effectively as members of an interdisciplinary team.

GNUR 509: TEACHING IN NURSING
This course is designed to provide the theoretical basis of the teacher role in schools of nursing and/or staff development programs. The four general categories of content are role socialization of the teacher, governance, teaching/learning process, and evaluation and measurement. Teaching strategies include lecture, discussion, guest lectures, role playing, simulation, microteaching, debate, and gaming.

GNUR 510: APN PRACTICUM: TEACHING IN NURSING
This course is designed to give students a context for applying the concepts of teaching and learning in nursing education. Students are assigned to a faculty mentor who guides them in their day to day teaching activities. Opportunities are provided for students to participate in numerous phases of the teaching role and to experiment with different teaching methods in real and simulated settings. The focus of the practice is in the areas of role socialization of the teacher, teaching/learning process, evaluation of measurement, and governance.

GNUR 514: COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS OF ADULTS
The second in a three course sequence, this course is designed to prepare the primary health care nurse practitioner to assume responsibility for coordination and management of adult health care. The course will emphasize the advanced nursing management of the most common acute health problems of adults across the lifespan. Initial evaluation and monitoring of selected chronic health problems will also be included. The accompanying practicum offers the student an opportunity to exercise critical judgment and implement theoretical knowledge in the management of care of adult health problems in primary health care settings. This three semester hour course includes .5 hours of pharmacology.

GNUR 517: APN PRACTICUM: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
These practica are designed to prepare the advanced practice nurse to assume responsibility for coordination and management of adult/family/women's health care. The foci of these practica will progress in complexity from health promotion and disease prevention to assessment and management of the most common acute, chronic, and complex health problems of adults/families/women. Students will integrate theoretical knowledge from all prior aspects of the program, including ethics, research, and biological, behavioral, and nursing science. The student's level of performance is expected to progress throughout the clinical practica from that requiring assistance to that being primarily independent. Clinical experiences will be scheduled in one or more clinical sites depending on the student's prior experience and future employment plans. For ANP students who wish to specialize, the clinical opportunity will be provided in the final practicum. Seminars will focus on management of complications, ethical and legal issues in practice, the nurse practitioner role, and aspects of setting up a nurse practitioner practice.

GNUR 517 (LEVEL 1): PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR
This practicum is designed to prepare professional nurses for the advanced practice role of primary health care nurse practitioner. The focus of the practicum is health promotion and disease prevention. The theoretical basis for nurse practitioner management of essentially well adults and those experiencing selected minor health problems is implemented in the clinical management of adult primary health care needs across the life span.

GNUR 517 (LEVEL 2): PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR
This is the second practicum accompanying a three-course sequence designed to prepare the primary health care nurse practitioner to assume responsibility for coordination and management of adult health care. The focus of the practicum is the advanced nursing management of chronic and complex health problems of adults across the lifespan. The practicum offers students an opportunity to exercise critical judgment and implement theoretical knowledge in the management of care of adults experiencing chronic and complex health problems in primary care settings.

GNUR 517 (ADVANCED): PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR
This is the culminating course in the preparation of women's health, adult, and family nurse practitioners. Students will integrate theoretical knowledge from all prior aspects of the program into primary health care of women/adults/families across the lifespan and refine their clinical management skills. In addition to meeting the course objectives, students will develop their own individual objectives for the course. Clinical experiences will be scheduled in one or more clinical sites depending on the student's prior experience and future employment plans. For ANP/FNP students who wish to specialize, the clinical opportunity will be provided.

MCN 401: CHILD/FAMILY HEALTH
This is the second in a series of courses designed to prepare the professional nurse for the integrated advanced practice roles of the primary health care pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric clinical nurse specialist. Using a developmental framework, this course examines the health promotion component of the primary health care needs of children, from birth through adolescence, within their families. It focuses on normal growth and development, genetics, health maintenance, and promotion of wellness in children, and on family development. It fosters the development of an in-depth knowledge base necessary for the provision of primary care to all families, including the medically underserved children living in urban areas. The theoretical and clinical bases for nurse practitioner management of essentially well children who are experiencing selected minor health problems are explored. Interventions necessary to assist children and families in achieving an optimal level of wellness are identified.

MCN 414: CHILDBEARING FAMILY
This course will prepare advanced practice nurses to manage the health care of essentially normal childbearing women during the prenatal and postpartum periods. Theories and knowledge from biological, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences will be applied in the provision of care for childbearing women and families. A developmental perspective will be used to address the primary health care needs of perinatal women throughout the childbearing years. Emphasis is placed on the concept of wellness during pregnancy and the importance of support from family and community networks. Assessment, management, and referral for selected pregnancy complications will also be presented. The role of the nurse practitioner in management of normal childbearing, collaboration with other health care providers and community groups, consumer education, and patient advocacy will be addressed.

MCN 420: APN PRACTICUM: CHILD/FAMILY HEALTH
This is the first of four practica designed to prepare professional nurses for the integrated advanced practice roles of the pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. The focus of this clinical practicum is meeting the primary health care needs of children, from birth through adolescence, and their families. Opportunities are provided for health maintenance and health/wellness promotion activities. Clinical experiences will afford students opportunities to implement the role of the advanced practice nurse in collaboration with other members of the health team.

MSN 406: ADVANCED PRACTICUM FOR THE ONCOLOGY ENTREPRENEUR
This practicum course guides students toward a synthesis of concepts and content from nursing and related sciences and toward the application of this knowledge to the advanced practice nursing of adult oncology patients across the health care continuum. Its focus is to experientially prepare nurses for independent and collaborative decision-making in health promotion, physical and psychosocial assessment and intervention, and the management of health and illness of patients. Each component of the clinical nurse specialist role, practitioner, educator, consultant, case manager, researcher, and manager, is highlighted. Most experiences are provided in clinical areas related to the student's area of specialty. Students will have the opportunity to rotate through different clinical settings. The role of the educator is actualized through a variety of preceptors, depending on the student's interests and experiences: undergraduate student clinical rotations, hospital nursing education departments, unit-based orientation and continuing education programs, and patient and community education programs. Clinical seminars will include student and faculty led discussions that build upon concepts that have been introduced in previous courses. Possible topics include implementation of the various role components of the advanced practice nurse, identification of ethical issues in the student's practice, competency based education, project management and outcome evaluation, application of research findings, cost-benefit analysis of selected interventions, and individual development of a philosophy of advanced practice nursing.

MSN 407: CLINICAL PRACTICUM FOR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST ROLE
This practicum course guides students toward a synthesis of concepts and content from nursing and related sciences and toward the application of this knowledge to the advanced practice nursing of adult cardiovascular patients across the health care continuum. Its focus is to experientially prepare nurses for independent and collaborative decision-making in health promotion, physical and psychosocial assessment and intervention, and management of health and illness of patients at risk for cardiac disease or patients recovering from a cardiac event. Each component of the clinical nurse specialist role, practitioner, educator, consultant, case manager, researcher, and manager, is highlighted. Most experiences are provided in clinical areas related to the student's area of specialty. Students will have the opportunity to rotate through different clinical settings: general cardiology office practices, inpatient cardiology, hospital-based cardiac rehab programs, heart failure clinics, wellness programs, etc. The role of the educator is actualized through a variety of preceptors, depending on the student's interests and experiences: undergraduate student clinical rotations, hospital nursing education departments, unit-based orientation and continuing education programs, and patient and community education programs. Clinical seminars will include student and faculty led discussions that build upon concepts that have been introduced in previous courses. Possible topics include implementation of the various role components of the advanced practice nurse, identification of ethical issues in the students' practice, competency-based education, project management and outcome evaluation, application of research findings, cost-benefit analysis of selected interventions, and individual development of a philosophy of advanced practice nursing.

MSN 408: APN PRACTICUM: CLINICAL SPECIALTY
This practicum course guides students toward a synthesis of concepts and content from nursing and related sciences, and toward the application of this knowledge to the advanced practice nursing of critically ill patients. Its focus is to experientially prepare nurses for independent and collaborative decision-making in health promotion, physical and psychosocial assessment and intervention, and management of health and illness. Clinical experiences are provided in selected clinical areas related to the student's area of specialty. Clinical seminars will include student and faculty led discussions that build upon concepts that have been introduced in previous courses. Possible topics include implementation of the advanced practice nursing role, adherence, social support, behavior modification, quality of life, cultural diversity, coping, etc. Seminars will also include identification of ethical issues in the student's practice, application of research findings, cost-benefit analysis of selected interventions, and individual development of a philosophy of advanced practice nursing.

MSN 431: 12-LEAD ECG INTERPRETATION
This course promotes in-depth exploration of significant diagnostic ECG challenges encountered in the advanced practice nursing environment (e.g., cardiac CNS, medical-surgical CNS, acute care NP, and adult NP). An understanding of the importance of clinical assessment skills and clinical judgment associated with diagnosis of clients in a variety of settings is an underlying assumption of faculty teaching this course. Included in this didactic/lab course are techniques for interpreting a variety of basic and advanced dysrhythmias and the ECG changes associated with bundle branch block, myocardial ischemia and infarct, atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, electrolyte imbalance, drug effects on the ECG, and other miscellaneous changes. Diagnostic characteristics, causes of the disorder, clinical significance, and management strategies will be provided. The student will be provided with opportunities for practicing 12-lead ECG interpretation using a variety of media.

MSN 432: CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION
This course offers advanced practice nurses the basic principles of radiographic interpretation. A systematic approach to interpret chest x-rays (CXR) and orthopedic x-rays is presented. Normal and abnormal findings commonly seen in ambulatory care clinics, emergency departments, and critical care areas are discussed. Correlation between symptoms and radiographs will be delineated. Common indications for obtaining a plain x-ray, CT, or MRI will be discussed. Case studies presented will require audience participation. A post-course exam is included. Various websites will be identified for continuing education in radiography. The student must receive a minimum course grade of B to advance within the ACNP program.

MSN 433: SUTURING/INVASIVE PROCEDURE SKILLS
This course is designed to enable nurse practitioner students to learn practical and commonly used skills inherent in a critical care/emergency room environment. An understanding of the importance of clinical assessment skills and clinical judgment associated with a critically ill patient is an underlying assumption of faculty teaching this course. Included in this didactic/lab course is the techniques of vascular access, airway management, chest tube thoracostomy, wound care, and skin closure techniques. Students will be able to practice these advanced nurse practitioner skills that are essential in the clinical management of acutely ill patients. The student must receive a minimum course grade of B to advance within the ACNP program.

MSN 434: EMERGENCY CARE
This advanced practice emergency management course is designed to prepare the advanced practice critical care nurse to recognize and manage emergency problems. This course represents the breadth of emergency nursing using a practitioner approach. Assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation of the emergency patient will be discussed. Research and evidence-based practice will be presented for each topic. A significant portion of the course is devoted to pediatric problems. Advanced practice issues, legal concerns, and ethical decisions will also be discussed.

MSN 435: DIAGNOSTIC CONCEPTS IN ACUTE CARE NURSING
This advanced diagnostic concepts course is designed to prepare advanced practice critical care nurses to recognize and manage acute care problems using a conceptual approach. The course will emphasize the critical care concepts of oxygenation, perfusion, ischemia, metabolism, pain, quality of life, and caring in the emergent and acute care setting. A diagnostic and holistic approach is used, giving the students an opportunity to use critical-thinking skills to determine and evaluate management plans. Research, legal, and ethical issues will be addressed as they relate to the case situations.

MSN 443: CARDIAC RISK REDUCTION/EXERCISE THERAPY
This overall course promotes in-depth exploration of theories, practice, and research related to cardiovascular health promotion and disease management across a broad spectrum of high risk behaviors. The first half of the course will focus on the comprehensive aspects of primary and secondary prevention. Practical techniques used by the advanced practice nurse for special intervention programs (smoking cessation, activity/exercise promotion, lipid management, dietary modification, medication adherence, stress and hypertension management) will be discussed. Issues in clinical management are discussed from theoretical and evidenced-based research perspectives. New models for delivery of individualized and group interventions will be explored. Pharmacologic management of these problems by advanced practice nurses will be highlighted. The second half of the course provides the advanced practice nurse with in-depth knowledge of the body's physiological response to acute and chronic exercise. It includes application of this physiology to physical training in normal adults, patients with coronary heart disease, and special populations. Class discussions and field experiences in exercise stress testing, interpretation of test results, and writing of exercise prescriptions will be provided.

MSN 445: CV NURSING OF ADULTS
This course promotes in-depth exploration of significant clinical problems occurring in cardiac/vascular patients. The aim of the course is to assist students to analyze selected problems of adults with acute or chronic alterations in oxygenation and perfusion. Pathophysiologic mechanisms and appropriate preventive measures and treatments will be investigated. Issues in clinical management are discussed from theoretical and evidenced-based research perspectives. Attention will be directed to both acute and chronic aspects of cardiac/vascular assessment and diagnosis, with discussion focused on selected nursing interventions used by the advanced practice nurse in treating patients in a variety of settings. Pharmacologic management of this population by advanced practice nurses will be highlighted. Special consideration will be given to new models for care delivery, such as chest pain evaluation units, critical pathways, case management, tele-management, and nurse-managed clinics (heart failure, hypertension, vascular clinics). Issues such as emerging risk factors, acute coronary and cerebral syndromes, peripheral vascular disease, psychological aspects of heart disease, insulin resistance, stress and coping, women and heart disease, and vulnerable/high risk populations will be considered. This course includes 10 clock hours of pharmacology.

MSN 449: COMPLEX HEALTH PROBLEMS OF ADULTS
The third in a three-course sequence, this course is designed to prepare adult nurse practitioners to assume responsibility for the coordination and management of adult health care. The course will emphasize the advanced nursing management of complex health problems of adults across the lifespan. A major focus of the course will be to prepare students to assess and manage selected complex health problems of adults in primary care and other ambulatory settings. Indications for collaboration, consultation, and/or referral to other health care providers are emphasized as an integral part of the nurse practitioner's role. The accompanying practicum offers the student an opportunity to exercise critical judgment and implement theoretical knowledge in the management of care of adults experiencing complex health problems. This three semester hour course will include .5 hours of pharmacology.

MSN 481: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR CRITICAL CARE NURSING
This course provides graduate students with advanced knowledge of pathophysiology to serve as a foundation for rational clinical judgments and nursing interventions in the care of critically ill adult patients. Emphasis is placed on current knowledge and research related to the mechanisms underlying selected critical disease states from the cellular/molecular level to organ system interactions and clinical manifestations. Developmental considerations that impact on the susceptibility and physiological responses to critical illness will be addressed. Emerging therapies, relevant to nursing care of patients with critical illnesses, will be discussed. Course content includes the biochemical mediators involved in and the immunologic, metabolic, and hematologic responses to life-threatening disease or injury; selected disorders of tissue oxygenation, mobility, perception, and the mechanisms of progression to multiple organ dysfunction. Identification of risk factors and means of preventing complications of selected critical illnesses will be emphasized.

MSN 485: APN PRACTICUM: ACUTE CARE NP
This clinical practicum is designed to guide student toward the development of scientific knowledge and advanced practice skills in the area of acute care nursing. The attainment of this advanced practice mastery involves the synthesis of concepts, knowledge, and skills gained in the previous courses applied to the care of the acutely ill adult patient. Course content focuses primarily on the advanced practice of acute care nursing and guides the student toward an actualization of the role of the acute care practitioner. The student will care for the acute care patient from admission to the tertiary care center through discharge/rehabilitation when possible. Through the use of nursing frameworks, nursing diagnosis, the nursing process, application of advanced knowledge, and advanced practice skills, students will develop strategies for the nursing management of the critically ill patient. Legal, cultural, and ethical implications are presented. The practicum offers students opportunities to work with the interdisciplinary team and to develop skills necessary for advanced practice nursing, advanced management, and exploration of research in the area of acute care nursing.

LEADERSHIP IN POPULATION-BASED INFECTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
This course will provide students with an understanding of systems-level thinking needed to effectively manage population-based programs for infection control and environmental management. The course builds on epidemiologic, environmental, and infection control concepts and provides students with the skills needed to manage change in a variety of settings. Change management skills include communication, networking, staff education, and information systems. Agencies and organizations important in homeland security, disaster preparedness, public health surveillance, standard setting, and regulation are discussed. Emphasis is placed on leadership and critical thinking skills to promote health of populations in a variety of settings.