Curriculum: MSN Family Nurse Practitioner

The focus of this course is the understanding of biostatistics for application to nursing and evidence-based practice. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation and appraisal of data analyses for the selection and use of best evidence for making practical conclusions about empirical data.

This course builds upon basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of disease across the life span. The emphasis is on applied physiology and pathophysiology to enable advanced practice nurses understand how and why the clinical manifestations of disease occur so that appropriate therapies can be selected.

This course examines the theoretical underpinnings of nursing practice, research, and evidence-based practice. Emphasis is placed on applying a range of theories from nursing and related fields when making clinical decisions.

This course examines approaches for the translation of the best available evidence into practice for improved outcomes in healthcare.

This course provides opportunities for the advanced practice nurse student to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of comprehensive and focused health assessment. This course addresses clients across the lifespan and the pediatric and family students receive additional pediatric information in their lab sessions.

The course focuses on the diagnostic reasoning process through analysis of present and past histories, physical findings and diagnostic studies that contribute to the formulation of differential diagnoses. An in-depth look at the clinical presentation from a symptom approach assists the student in the development of a diagnosis as well as the selection of the appropriate diagnostic testing.

This course prepares nurses for professional roles in advanced nursing practice with knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles of common drug categories used to prevent illness, and to restore and maintain health for client systems across the life span. Mechanisms of action, pharmacologic response, usual doses, adverse effects, indications, interactions, compatibilities, contraindications and routes of administration are emphasized in acute and chronic conditions. Six hours of legal, ethical and financial content related to prescribing is addressed in this course as required by the Ohio Board of Nursing.

This course provides the theoretical foundation and skills necessary to address health promotion needs of infants, children, and adolescents. The course also prepares students to assume professional practice roles in the application of advanced clinical decision-making skills in the assessment, risk analysis and diagnosis, management and evaluation of common illnesses and needs of these respective populations. Ethical and cultural considerations for clients appropriate to primary care settings are also addressed.

This course provides the theoretical foundation and skills necessary to address reproductive health promotion needs of well women across the ovarian continuum, from menarche through menopause, with an emphasis on well perinatal care. The course also prepares students to assume professional practice roles in the application of advanced clinical decision-making skills in the assessment, risk analysis and diagnosis, management and evaluation of common obstetrical and gynecological problems encountered in the primary care setting. Ethical and cultural reproductive health considerations for diverse populations are also addressed.

This practicum is the first in a series of three sequential clinical courses for the advanced practice nursing student in the role of primary care provider of individuals and families across the lifespan. Students focus on history taking and physical examination while incorporating pharmacology and evidence-based practice. Screening guidelines across the life span are evaluated. Students begin to apply knowledge from health assessment pharmacology, diagnostic and disease management courses, as well as the concept of family health nursing.

This seminar is the first course that prepares nurses for professional roles in advanced nursing practice using an inter-professional approach. It is taken in conjunction with the clinical practicum and provides an opportunity to discuss clinical cases while demonstrating the ability to apply the didactic material to practice. There is emphasis placed on screening guidelines, history & physical assessment, and the development of a Capstone project.

This is the first of two non-sequential courses which provides students with the theoretical foundation to assess, diagnose, and manage the care of client systems. Students focus on the promotion, maintenance and restoration of client health in collaboration/consultation with other members of the health care team. The role of the advanced practice nurse in developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient is used to demonstrate how culturally competent, age and gender specific, and risk stratified care can be provided. Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions are integrated throughout clinical management. Ethical considerations and role components in advanced nursing practice are addressed within the context of holistic nursing care. Analysis and critique of evidence-based practice serve as the basis for care management decision making. Systems covered include: Pulmonary, Cardiac, Neuro, Endocrine, Psychosocial, Common Problems

This practicum is the second clinical course for advanced practice nursing students pursuing role development as a primary care provider of individuals and families across the lifespan. Students build upon history taking and physical examination skills acquired in the first practicum while incorporating pharmacology and evidence-based practice. Screening guidelines across the lifespan are integrated. A clinical preceptor will supervise students in ambulatory settings which provide therapeutic interventions to diverse individual and family client systems from a variety of cultures to improve outcomes. Students synthesize knowledge from health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic and disease management courses, as well as the study of the concept of family health nursing.

This seminar is the second course that prepares nurses for professional roles in advanced nursing practice. It is taken in conjunction with the Clinical Practicum II and provides an opportunity to discuss clinical cases. The student also develops a Capstone project plan.

This is the second of two non-sequential courses which provides students with the theoretical foundation to assess, diagnose and manage the care of client systems. Students focus on the promotion, maintenance and restoration of client health in collaboration/consultation with other members of the health care team. The role of the advanced practice nurse in developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient is used to demonstrate how culturally competent, age and gender specific, and risk stratified care can be provided. Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions are integrated throughout clinical management. Ethical considerations and role components in advanced nursing practice are addressed within the context of holistic nursing care. Analysis and critique of evidence-based practice serve as the basis for care management decision making. Systems covered include: Renal/GU/GYN, GI, Hematology/Oncology, Skin, EENT,Musculoskeletal

This course is the culminating clinical experience for the advanced practice nursing student in the role of primary care provider of diverse individuals and families across the lifespan. Students integrate the skills of history taking and physical examination while incorporating pharmacology and evidence based practice into work with clients and the interprofessional and health care team. Screening guidelines across the lifespan are critiqued. Students evaluate knowledge from health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic and disease management courses, as well as the study of the concept of family health nursing, in the care of clients from across the lifespan.

This seminar prepares nurses for professional roles in advanced nursing practice. It provides an opportunity to discuss clinical cases while demonstrating the ability to apply the didactic material to practice. Emphasis is placed on the professional role assimilation and expectations of the new nurse practitioner.

This course guides students in exploring political, economic, ethical, and social forces that currently impact decision making in health care. Patterns of influence that derive current policy development are examined and proposal of advocacy behaviors is encouraged.