Adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner student learning outcomes

D.N.P. student learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate readiness to enter clinical practice via specialty competencies with the appropriate scientific knowledge, and considerations for its application to practice.
• Apply ethical principles along with the standards of professional conduct to clinical care, research, and education.
• Evaluate emerging health care systems and policies that influence delivery of cost-effective patient care.
• Generate entry level practice scholarship through the completion of a clinical practice improvement project based on the principles of improvement science.
• Model interprofessional communication and collaboration to improve individual and/or population health outcomes.
• Identify and address gaps in professional knowledge through ongoing reflection to support the principle of lifelong learning.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner student learning outcomes:

• Apply advanced knowledge in the science of a specialty area of advanced nursing practice. Use emerging information and health technologies to access current research and health care data to improve patient care.
• Make sound, culturally appropriate and ethically grounded clinical judgments based on critical analysis of best available evidence.
• Demonstrate safe care of adults, including the elderly with regard to issues of health promotion as well as unstable chronic, complex acute and critical conditions.
• Provide individualized, culturally sensitive management using quality improvement strategies where applicable.
• Use effective communications skills and technologies to provide collaborative care.
• Synthesize and translate relevant, current and scientific knowledge and evidence-based research findings into practice.

NURS 515A: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology I

3 credits. This course provides in-depth knowledge of physiologic concepts essential for advanced practice nursing. Physiologic processes related to the central and peripheral (including autonomic) nervous systems; cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems; hematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, microcirculation, neural control of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, and acid-base balance are discussed at biochemical, cellular, organ, system, and organism levels. Exemplar pathologies will be utilized throughout the course to demonstrate disruption of normal physiology in disease. Emphasis is on integration of concepts as a basis for understanding interrelationships among complex physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, throughout the lifespan. This course prepares students for more detailed exploration of pathophysiology in future clinical management courses. 

NURS 515B: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology II

3 credits. This sequel to NURS 515A continues to emphasize in-depth knowledge of physiologic concepts essential for advanced practice nursing. Physiologic processes related to the central and peripheral (including autonomic) nervous systems; cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems; hematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, microcirculation, neural control of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, and acid base balance are discussed at biochemical, cellular, organ, system, and organism levels. Exemplar pathologies will be utilized throughout the course to demonstrate disruption of normal physiology in disease. Emphasis is on integration of concepts as a basis for understanding interrelationships among complex physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, throughout the lifespan. This course prepares students for more detailed exploration of pathophysiology in future clinical management courses. 

NURS 517A: Advanced Health and Physical Assessment

3 credits. This course focuses on development of clinical decision-making skills in the process of health assessment across the lifespan. The course provides advanced theory in the assessment of an individual within the context of the family, psycho-social-cultural considerations, functional ability, presence of health risk factors and developmental stage. The concepts of diagnostic reasoning and differential diagnosis will be introduced. The lab component includes hands-on advanced practice health assessment skills. 

NURS 519: Principles of Pharmacology & Prescribing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

4 credits. This course applies the principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, alternative regimens, and patient behaviors will be integrated into patient decision-making exercises and discussion. 

NURS 720: Roles, Responsibilities and Concepts for APN

3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore key components that are essential to advanced practice nursing roles. Ethical and legal responsibilities are emphasized related to patient outcomes and safety. Professionalism, scope of practice, leadership and policy are explored within advanced practice work environments. 

NURS 721: Ethics for APN 

3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore ethical theories and principles and how they influence various dimensions of health care. Professional responsibilities of advanced practice registered nurses in clinical care, research, and healthcare organizations will be explored. Ethical principles are applied to delivery of care, scholarly inquiry and leadership.  

NURS 722: Informatics and Technology for Health Care

3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore the organization, collection, analysis and dissemination of information in health care. This course will serve as an introduction to clinical informatics with a focus on the electronic health record, telemedicine, and technological approaches to quality and safety. Ethical and legal dimensions of health care technology are examined. Students learn the basics of database design for the collection and analysis of patient outcomes data. 

NURS 723: Critical Appraisal of Evidence 

3 credits. This course is the first in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI). The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the different types of evidence and the critical appraisal process. The philosophical underpinnings and methods of knowledge development are introduced. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reviewed. The key steps in the EBP process and its importance to advanced nursing practice are highlighted.  

NURS 724: Application of Evidence to Clinical Practice 

3 credits. This course is the second in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI). The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to evaluate evidence in the context of practice-based decision making. Students will identify a clinical problem and apply the clinical inquiry process. The focus is on critiquing evidence for practical application. Implementation science, models and change theories used in translating knowledge into action are highlighted.  

NURS 725: Improvement Science

3 credits. This course is the third in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) focusing on improvement science (IS) methodologies. The purpose of this course is to utilize improvement science to eliminate discrepancies between identified standards of care and clinical practice. Students will build core competencies in improvement science, including appraising the IS literature, differentiating IS methodologies, testing and measuring change, displaying findings and participating in continuous improvement activities.  

NURS 726: Health Care Economics and Finance 

3 credits. This course will provide the foundation for assessing the financial impact of practice policies, procedures, and initiatives when meeting the health needs of the practice populations. The course will emphasize principles of economics and finance, the analysis of practice quality, and cost effectiveness of care. Strategies to design effective and realistic care delivery or practice initiatives are examined.  

NURS 727: Leadership & Health Systems

3 credits. This course is designed for the practical and integrated application of leadership and system theories to real-world problems in health care. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to understand and engage in health care leadership at the entry level.

NURS 728: Health Policy and Population Health

3 credits. This course will provide an overview of health care policy at the state and national level and provide a foundation for evaluating its impact on health outcomes. Basic principles of population health will be explored within the context of epidemiology, determinants of health, health equity, and health disparities. Social, political, legal, and economic factors are used to understand the relationship between health policy and population health.  

ACNP 701: Advanced Adult-Gerontology Pharmacology

2 credits. This course builds on knowledge of the basic principles of pharmacology to establish a knowledge base for advanced practice nurses making independent clinical judgments in the pharmacologic management and evaluation of adults and older adults who have unstable chronic, complex acute and critical conditions. Pharmacologic assessment including risks of complex medical regimes, drug interactions, incompatibilities, adverse events and contraindications is emphasized. Applicable Federal and State laws and appropriate patient education is integrated. 

ACNP 703: Management of Common Urgent Care Problems in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

2 credits. This didactic course focuses on competencies in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative management of adult patients with selected episodic/chronic health problems, with an emphasis on conditions commonly found in urgent and primary care practice. Diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills are developed, with special attention given to the impact of age-related physical and cognitive changes found throughout adult development and their impact on diagnosis and treatment. Further consideration is given to health promotion, patient education, and risk reduction in each selected topic. Clinical discussions will include triage strategies for deciding between outpatient care and inpatient admission. Challenges associated with transitions between acute and primary care settings will be discussed. 

ACNP 740L: Acute Care Diagnostic and Clinical Lab I

1 credit. This is the first course in a 5-course series covering laboratory techniques that is designed to support and reinforce the didactic content taught in ACNP 741-ACNP 745.  The course includes an introduction to common diagnostics, such as interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms, chest and abdominal radiographs and basic computerized tomography interpretation. 

ACNP 741L: Acute Care Diagnostic and Clinical Lab II

1 credit. This is the second course in a 5-course series covering laboratory techniques that is designed to support and reinforce the didactic content taught in ACNP 741-ACNP 745. This course focuses on interventional procedures such as arterial and central line placement, chest tube insertion, suturing, advanced airway management including endotracheal intubation, and lumbar punctures. These skills are enhanced through use of cadaver exploration and procedural application. Procedural labs are conducted to prepare students for upcoming clinical rotations and further clinical simulation. 

ACNP 741: Management I for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

3 credits. This didactic course focuses on competencies in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative management of adult patients with selected episodic/chronic health problems, with a focus in cardiovascular disorders. Diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills are developed, with special attention given to the impact of age related physical and cognitive changes found throughout adult development on diagnosis and treatment. Further consideration is given to health promotion, patient education, and risk reduction in each selected topic. 

ACNP 742L: Acute Care Diagnostic and Clinical Lab III

1 credit. This is the third course in a 5-course series covering laboratory techniques that is designed to support and reinforce the didactic content taught in ACNP 741-ACNP 745.  This course focuses on the development of clinical skills in a laboratory setting, including the use of high-fidelity simulation to refine diagnostic reasoning and clinical interventions. The course includes content on a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures such as interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms, radiographs, hemodynamics, and clinical lab values. 

ACNP 743L: Acute Care Diagnostic and Clinical Lab IV

1 credit. This is the fourth course in a 5-course series covering laboratory techniques that is designed to support and reinforce the didactic content taught in ACNP 741-ACNP 745.  This course focuses on the development of clinical skills in a laboratory setting, including the use of high-fidelity simulation to refine diagnostic reasoning and clinical interventions. The course includes content on a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures such as interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms, radiographs, hemodynamics, and clinical lab values. 

ACNP 743: Management III for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

4 credits. This didactic course focuses on competencies in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative management of adult patients with selected episodic/chronic health problems, with an emphasis on renal, urologic, surgical and medical conditions. Diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills are developed, with special attention given to the impact of age-related physical and cognitive changes found throughout adult development, on diagnosis and treatment. Further consideration is given to health promotion, patient education, and risk reduction in each selected topic. 

ACNP 744L: Acute Care Diagnostic and Clinical Lab V

1 credit. This is the final course in a 5-course series covering laboratory techniques that is designed to support and reinforce the didactic content taught in ACNP 741-ACNP 745. This course focuses on the use of high-fidelity simulation to refine diagnostic reasoning and clinical interventions. The course includes content on a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures such as interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms, radiographs, hemodynamics, and clinical lab values. 

ACNP 744: Management IV for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

4 credits. This didactic course focuses on competencies in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative management of adult patients with selected episodic/chronic health problems, with an emphasis on specific neurologic, endocrine and abdominal conditions. Diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills are developed, with special attention given to the impact of age-related physical and cognitive changes found throughout adult development, on diagnosis and treatment. Further consideration is given to health promotion, patient education, and risk reduction in each selected topic.

ACNP 745: Management V for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

4 credits. This didactic course focuses on competencies in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative management of adult patients with selected episodic/chronic health problems, with an emphasis on hematologic, and trauma conditions, as well as a focus on palliative care, pain and nutrition. Diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills are developed, with special attention given to the impact of age-related physical and cognitive changes found throughout adult development, on diagnosis and treatment. Further consideration is given to health promotion, patient education, and risk reduction in each selected topic. Additional topics surrounding geriatric syndromes will be presented in this course. 

NURS 703A: DNP Project Planning 

2 credits. The purpose of this course is to plan an improvement science project for the terminal DNP benchmark. Students will work with course faculty and the specialty chairperson to design a project to meet program expectations. Students will write a project proposal and plan for Institutional review board (IRB) submission. At the end of this course students will submit the project proposal for faculty approval. Students move to the implementation and evaluation of the project in 703B. Alternate projects in program development/evaluation or centered on policy may be developed with specialty program faculty approval.  

NURS 703B: DNP Project 

5 credits. The purpose of this course is to implement, evaluate and disseminate an approved DNP Project within the advanced nursing practice specialty. The project takes place within the context of the student’s practicum experience. It provides an experience that can be the foundation for future clinical scholarship.