Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Courses and Descriptions

APRN 5001 Socialization to the APRN Role 3 Credits

The course will examine the critical issues that define the APRN’s scope of practice and nurse practitioner competencies. Issues related to health policy, interprofessional collaborative practice, team building, conflict resolution, and leadership will be discussed. Guidelines for resolving professional legal and ethical issues that are often confronted in APRN practice will be analyzed.

APRN 5002 Applied Theory for the APRN Role 3 Credits

This course will demonstrate the use of science-based theories to analyze healthcare delivery at the patient, family, community and organizational levels in order to improve health outcomes. Theories addressing nursing practice, teaching and learning, health behaviors, and families within the context of cultural influences will be explored. Issues related to ethical decision making and advocacy in APRN practice will be analyzed.

APRN 5003 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 Credits

This course analyzes alterations in various physiological systems. General physiological and pathophysiological principles that regulate inflammation, cellular/tissue repair, genetics, immunity, and cancer will be discussed. Pathophysiology of disease processes in primary care conditions across the lifespan will be examined.

APRN 5004 Clinical Prevention and Population Health 3 Credits

This course will enable students to analyze epidemiological and biostatistical data in the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical prevention and population health initiatives. Concepts of public health, health promotion, morbidity and mortality, determinants of health, and cultural diversity and sensitivity will be incorporated into the advanced practice nursing role.

APRN 5005 Research and Quality Improvement 3 Credits

This course builds a foundation for advanced clinical scholarship and healthcare improvement while developing skills in analytical methods for evidence-based practice. Concepts of quality process, regulatory practices, root cause analysis, and problem identification will be explored.

APRN 5006 Health Delivery and Information Systems 3 Credits

This course focuses on trends, issues, and policies related to the transformation of the U.S. health care system. Emphasis will be placed on the economics of care and equity, access, and quality of the health care system. The role of the APRN in the utilization of information systems to reduce health disparities and promote quality initiatives will be presented.

APRN 5007 Advanced Physical Assessment 3 Credits

This course builds upon scientific underpinnings to enable the learner to develop a holistic approach to culturally sensitive health assessment including health related behaviors across the life span. The student begins to synthesize data in diagnostic reasoning to determine appropriate and effective healthcare strategies, including disease prevention, health promotion and health restoration. This course includes in-person, faculty guided clinical experiences.

Prerequisite(s): APRN 5003.

APRN 5008 Advanced Pharmacology 3 Credits

This course is designed to meet the needs of APRNs that are eligible for prescriptive privileges. Content will focus on the pharmacological management of self-limited, episodic complaints and stable chronic disease states across the life span. Emphasis is placed on the decision-making process utilized to safely and effectively prescribe and monitor pharmacotherapeutics appropriate to the client situation. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5003.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5007.

APRN 5009 Primary Care of Young Adult 3 Credits

This course focuses on the care of young adults and women. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses and life transitions as well as application of U.S. health promotion guidelines and screening for young adults and women. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and advocate for young adults and women. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5010.

APRN 5010 Young Adult Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in APRN 5009 - Primary Care of the Young Adult. The focus is on primary care of the young adult client and women. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Students will complete 180 clinical hours. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5009.

APRN 5011 Primary Care of the Middle-Aged Adult 3 Credits

This course focuses on the health state of middle-aged adults. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses and life transitions, as well as application of U.S. health promotion guidelines and screening for middle-aged adults. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and client advocate for acute and chronic illnesses of adults. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5012.

APRN 5012 Middle-Aged Adult Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in APRN 5011 - Primary Care of the Middle-Aged Adult. The focus is on primary care of common acute and chronic disease processes of the middle-aged population. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Students will complete 180 clinical hours. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5011.

APRN 5013 Primary Care of the Older Adult 3 Credits

This course focuses on the health state of older adults. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses and life transitions, as well as application of U.S. health promotion guidelines and screening for older adults. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and client advocate for acute and chronic illnesses of older adults. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5011, APRN 5012.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5014.

APRN 5014 Older Adult Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in APRN 5013 - Primary Care of the Older Adult. The focus is on primary care of common acute and chronic disease processes of the older adult population. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Students will complete 180 clinical hours. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5011, APRN 5012.

Corequisite (s): APRN 5013.

APRN 5015 Primary Care of the Pediatric and Perinatal Patient 3 Credits

This course focuses on the health state of pediatric and perinatal patient populations. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses and life transitions as well as application of U.S. health promotion guidelines and screening for pediatric and perinatal patients. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and client advocate for acute and chronic illnesses of adults. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5013, APRN 5014.

Corequisite9s): APRN 5016.

APRN 5016 Pediatric Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Primary Care of the Pediatric and Perinatal Patient. The focus is on primary care of common acute and chronic disease process of the pediatric and perinatal populations. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Students will complete 120 clinical hours. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5013, APRN 5014.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5015.

APRN 5017 Acute Care I 3 Credits

This course examines advanced practice nursing and healthcare management of adolescents and young adults in acute care settings. This course provides a foundation for the advanced practice nurse working in acute care practice settings to have entry level competencies for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) to build on the core competencies for all nurse practitioners. Emphasis on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative healthcare team member and advocate for adolescents and young adults in the acute care setting. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5018.

APRN 5018 Acute Care I Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Acute Care I. This course focuses primarily on transitioning from an expert registered nurse role to the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) student role that is working in a variety of acute care settings. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007, APRN 5008.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5017.

APRN 5019 Acute Care II 3 Credits

This course is designed to foster development of clinical competency in acute care settings for middle-aged adult patients. This course provides a foundation for the advanced practice nurse working in acute care practice settings to have entry level competencies for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) to build on the core competencies for all nurse practitioners. Emphasis on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative healthcare team member and advocate for adolescents and young adults in the acute care setting. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5017, APRN 5018.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5020.

APRN 5020 Acute Care II Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Acute Care II. This course focuses primarily on transitioning from an expert registered nurse role to the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) student role that is working in a variety of acute care settings. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5017, APRN 5018.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5019.

APRN 5021 Acute Care III 3 Credits

This course is designed to foster development of clinical competency in acute care settings for the older adult and frail elderly patient population (ages 65-74 and 75+). This course provides a foundation for the advanced practice nurse working in acute care practice settings to have entry level competencies for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) to build on the core competencies for all nurse practitioners. Emphasis on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative healthcare team member and advocate for adolescents and young adults in the acute care setting. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5019, APRN 5020.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5022.

APRN 5022 Acute Care III Practicum 3 Credits

This practicum provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Acute Care III. This course focuses primarily on transitioning from an expert registered nurse role to the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) student role that is working in a variety of acute care settings. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5019, APRN 5020.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5021.

APRN 5023 Advanced Psychopharmacology 2 Credits

The course builds on the knowledge from advanced pharmacology and provides an in-depth examination of drug classifications related to the treatment of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of psychopharmacologic agents and therapeutic treatment plans will be emphasized. Special topics on issues related to polypharmacology, drug abuse, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner prescribing issues are discussed. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5008

Corequisite(s): APRN 5024, APRN 5025.

APRN 5024 Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis 3 Credits

This course will examine the advanced concepts of assessment and differential diagnosis in advanced practice, psychiatric-mental health nursing. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) will be used in clinical decision making to determine screening, assessment, diagnostic studies, and differential diagnoses for psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. A holistic approach to assessment will be incorporated by examining social, genetic, cultural, ethnic, and gender elements in psychiatric illnesses. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5007

Corequisite(s): APRN 5023, APRN 5025.

APRN 5025 Foundations in Therapy 2 Credits

This course provides a foundation in the application of psychotherapeutic interventions to the management of psychiatric disorders for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. The practice of psychotherapy and crisis intervention in the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner role will be examined in relation to cultural, ethical, moral, and legal issues.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5023, 5024.

APRN 5026 Psychiatric-Mental Health I 3 Credits

This course will examine the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management in psychiatric practice with diverse adult populations. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and advocate for adults with psychiatric disorders. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5023, APRN 5024, APRN 5025

Corequisite(s): APRN 5027.

APRN 5027 Psychiatric-Mental Health Practicum I 3 Credits

This practicum course provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Psychiatric-Mental Health I. The focus is on psychiatric health care of adults. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in this population. The nurse practitioner’s role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5026.

APRN 5028 Psychiatric-Mental Health II 3 Credits

This course will examine the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management in psychiatric practice with diverse older adult populations. Complex disorders will be examined. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and advocate for older adults with psychiatric disorders. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5026, APRN 5027

Corequisite(s): APRN 5029.

APRN 5029 Psychiatric-Mental Health Practicum II 3 Credits

This practicum course provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Psychiatric-Mental Health II. The focus is on psychiatric health care of older adults. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in this population. The nurse practitioner’s role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5028.

APRN 5030 Psychiatric-Mental Health III 3 Credits

This course will examine the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management in psychiatric practice with diverse pediatric populations and families. Emphasis is on the nurse practitioner role as a collaborative health care team member and advocate for children with psychiatric disorders. Prerequisite(s): APRN 5028, APRN 5029

Corequisite(s): APRN 5031.

APRN 5031 Psychiatric-Mental Health Practicum III 3 Credits

This practicum course provides a clinical setting for the integration of classroom material presented in Psychiatric-Mental Health III. The focus is on psychiatric health care of pediatric patients and families. Students will utilize the necessary resources in health care to optimize health in these populations. The nurse practitioner’s role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated.

Corequisite(s): APRN 5030.

APRN 5032 APRN Role Immersion 3 Credits

This course is the final role immersion of adult-gerontology primary care and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration students. Students will collaborate with faculty to reflect on their clinical knowledge, skills, and experiences in the planning of personal practice short- and long-term goals for their NP role. The clinical immersion will support the students in the planning and meeting of their professional goals and foster the synthesis of the knowledge, skills, and experiences in the NP concentration courses.

Prerequisite(s): APRN 5013, APRN 5031.