Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program
with a Nursing Education Focus

Course Descriptions

COR 510 Moral Leadership                                   
Moral Leadership introduces students to a philosophy of education that will provide the skills necessary to assume a prominent place in shaping the vision, mission and activities of their employers and professions. This course also is designed to help students study the importance of systematic reform of political, economic and social services, in remedying the problems that plague urban school systems, social services and society generally. It will also help the student understand the importance of openness to new analyses and strategies for change in addressing social problems.

COR 600 Organizational and Professional Ethics                       
This course explores specific questions relative to the behavior of systems, organizations and their members. The idea of a profession and its claim to special ethical expertise are examined. Methods to accomplish responsible social action, promote social justice and value the human dignity of each individual will be emphasized.  Particular attention is paid to ethical issues surrounding the not-for-profit and educational sectors of American society.

NUR 530 Advanced Health Assessment                                   
This course includes physical and psychological assessment of individuals across the lifespan, and strategies for health promotion. Comprehensive data collection includes history taking, assessment of signs and symptoms, and physical examination techniques. Critical thinking skills and transcultural nursing issues are integrated. Special attention is given to techniques used by nurse educators to teach assessment skill mastery to others.
Prerequisite: Basic health or physical assessment course or permission
Didactic: 40 hours
Laboratory: 3 hours                       
Clinical Hours: 6 hours in clinical practice setting assisting with physical assessment teaching and/or performance in various health care settings and/or undergraduate assessment teaching laboratory

NUR 540 Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology                       
Expands upon basic knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology to provide a more in-depth understanding of human responses to interventions. Integrates best current evidence for effective health care management. Students will demonstrate assimilation of technology and information literacy to access ever-changing research integration of best practices and apply findings to case studies or simulations.

NUR 550 Professional Nursing Theory and Research                       
Builds upon knowledge of basic quantitative and qualitative research methods to 
develop a more sophisticated ability to analyze scholarly literature in nursing and health care. Theories, concepts and ethical considerations driving contemporary health research are examined. Students will demonstrate a high level of information literacy in a synthesis of literature and research proposal.
Prerequisite: Basic undergraduate research course and statistics course. 

NUR 560 Policy and Curriculum                                    
Introduction to curriculum development and analysis based on health trends and standards of care. Explores organizational, community and government contexts in which nursing education takes place. Analyzes effect of government and institutional policies on health care and nursing education. Prioritize health needs of diverse populations in curriculum development. Change theory is applied to nursing education through an application project.
Clinical: Approximately 6 hours in consultation with nurse leader/educator for application project

NUR 630 Measuring Educational Outcomes                       
Evaluation strategies for clinical, laboratory and classroom nursing education are explored. Comparison of various methods of measuring student safety in skills and clinical performance. An in-depth review of objective test construction using sound measurement principles is performed. Correlation of national standards for nursing education with appropriate program evaluation measures is performed. Students practice reflective self and peer evaluations in relation to professional role development as a nurse educator.

NUR 632 Evidence Based Clinical Practice: focus                       
Students select a clinical-practice area (adult health, maternal-child, behavioral health, etc.) as a focus for in depth exploration of best health care practices. Priority health outcomes in the specialty are identified and applied to the specialty practice education of nurses at pre and post licensure. National health goals and professional standards are evaluated. Strategies to maintain clinical competency as a nurse educator are explored.
Didactic: 30
Clinical: 15 hours in consultation with practice expert and specialty meetings/conferences

NUR 640 Evidence Based Teaching Practice                       
Introduces theoretical and evidence based approaches in nursing education. Pedagogical methods are explored to develop student thinking, clinical competence and professional behavior. Teaching strategies geared toward culturally and demographically diverse learner populations are integrated. Explores the role of nursing faculty in a variety of settings and prepares educators for integration of technology in teaching across the curriculum.
Didactic: 30 hours
Simulation Laboratory: 8 hours
Expert Teaching Observation: 12 hours

NUR 642 Teaching Strategies in Nursing: Practicum                       
Includes practicum experience in the classroom, simulation skills laboratory, clinical, and academic settings. Students will demonstrate skill in working with technology enriched pedagogical methods and apply current evidenced-based literature in nursing education to teaching practice. The student will recognize the influence of teaching styles, interpersonal interactions and cultural contexts on learner outcomes.
Seminar: 10 hours (4 group meetings throughout semester)               
Clinical: 100-hour practicum experience with current nurse educator(s)

NUR 650 Nurse Educator Role Synthesis: Capstone                       
A guided, multi-disciplinary, scholarly project beginning with a theoretical framework and comprehensive literature review, proceeding through an implementation phase, and concluding with an analytical outcome measurement. The paper/project is supported by the integration of principles from the disciplines of education and nursing. The final paper will be presented in a professional conference setting. The student works with a capstone advisor(s) and a seminar component is included. Course is taken in the final 12 credits of the MSN Program.
Seminar: 12 hours – minimum
Faculty Advisement: Minimum of 6 individual meetings
Project Implementation: Approximately 100 hours

Possible Electives (non-inclusive)
NUR 610 Coordinated School Health Design
NUR 620 At Risk School Environments: Emergency Planning and Response
MED 501 Foundations of Teaching in Cross-Cultural Settings
MED 610 School Law and Social Advocacy
MED 510 Assessment and Evaluation
MED 515 Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom
MBA 500 Strategic Management
MBA 535 Crisis Management
MBA 540 Employment Law
MBA 635 Public Relations
LAS 500 The Evolution of Scientific Thought and Perceptions
LAS 510 The Biology of Behavior
LAS 520 Major Artists and Writers in their Milieus
LAS 600 Topics in Christian Ethics