Master of Science in Nursing

(2 units) Introduces the ADN graduate to the baccalaureate essentials that are foundational and build on previous knowledge and experiences. Concentrates on legal, economic, and political issues and current trends in healthcare affecting the nurse as an individual and a professional in the health care system. Emphasis is placed on refinement of writing skills needed in the development in the professional nurse role.

(3 units) Focuses on organizational strategies, leadership and change theories, and trends in healthcare to facilitate quality, safe, patient-centered, efficient, and cost-effective health care. Explores interprofessional communication and collaboration as frameworks to support the leadership role in professional nursing.

(3 units) Explores the importance of research and information management to improve clinical practice, strategies to evaluate the quality of research and evidence, and increase integration of research into practice. Examines the fundamental principles of nursing ethics and encourages reflection on and discussion about personal and professional values within nursing practice and research.

(3 units) Explores the role of the community health nurse presented within a public health framework; emphasizing the concept of community as client. Presents nursing interventions related to groups and aggregates identified as high risk for the development of health problems.

(2 units) Clinical learning experiences provided across community-based settings with emphases on community assessment and providing interventions designed to prevent and/or reduce risk of disease and injury and promote health and wellness of diverse populations across the lifespan.

(3 units) Focuses on health and wellness and associated anatomical dimensions, including health within the context of disability; assessment criteria and techniques are examined and developed.

(3 units) Conceptual and systematic study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaco-economics and therapeutic implications for healthcare practitioners.

(3 units) Explores the cellular mechanisms by which disease occurs, the body’s response to the disease process, and the effects of the disease process and genetics on normal function.

(2 units) Explores the nursing leadership role in creating and sustaining cultures of quality and safety in complex health care delivery systems; utilizing theories of change and intra and inter-professional communication and teamwork.

(1 unit) Leadership 45 hours

(3 units) Examines issues of health policy, financing, and the organization and delivery of health services at the local, national, and global levels.

(3 units) Examines advanced health promotion, disease reduction, prevention, and management with a focus on risk assessment, health literacy, and health education to improve care outcomes.

(2 units) Education & Outcomes 90 hours

(3 units) Integrates principles of graduate education, Nurse Leader role development, and direct care experiences to design, implement, evaluate and disseminate an outcome-based model of heath care improvement. The culminating quality improvement project is reflected in a scholarly paper with dissemination of the results through a poster presentation or a submitted manuscript.

The role in general nursing leadership is actualized through the following clinical experiences that provide the opportunity for students to observe, participate, and evaluate nursing leadership at the microsystems level; providing a framework to facilitate optimal outcomes within the health care delivery system.

• Clinical: Leadership (1 unit-45 hours)
• Clinical: Care Management (1 unit-45 hours)
• Clinical: Education and Outcomes Improvement (2 units-90 hours)
• Clinical: Immersion Role (3 units-220 hours)

(220 hours) (3 units) Focuses on organizational strategies, leadership and change theories, and trends in healthcare to facilitate quality, safe, patient-centered, efficient, and cost effective health care. Explores interprofessional communication and collaboration as frameworks to support the leadership role in professional nursing.