This course prepares nurses with advanced knowledge and understanding of the pathologic mechanisms of disease to serve as a foundation for clinical assessment, clinical decision-making, pharmaco-therapeutics, and nursing interventions. Course content examines deviations from homeostasis, genetic and epigenetic influences of disease in body systems across the lifespan. A systematic survey of diseases within body systems including etiology, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations is explored. Current research findings are explored and utilized in this class.

This course focuses on the development and practice of advanced health assessment skills needed for delivery of culturally competent care across the lifespan. Diagnostic reasoning is used to interpret data obtained from the history, physical examination, and diagnostic procedures to generate a comprehensive health assessment and problem list. Domains of interest include family processes, transcultural issues, nutrition, genetic variations, growth and development, spirituality, and health promotion. Students refine the health assessment and clinical judgment skills needed to relate findings to underlying pathophysiologic changes in the client’s health status to plan therapeutic and healing interventions.

This course provides the advanced knowledge of pharmaco- kinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmaco- therapeutics needed to initiate safe and appropriate pharmacological treatment in the management of disease processes across the life span. Special concerns regarding developmental status, nutritional status, health status, cultural influences or membership in a high-risk group are identified. Strategies for counseling and education to promote adherence are explored. Ethics, cost effectiveness, legalities and regulations related to prescription writing are addressed. Students are introduced to the use of electronic drug databases for point-of-care decision-making based on up-to-date drug information.

This course is designed to prepare the student for the delivery of culturally competent care in diverse settings to women and families across the lifespan. With an emphasis on reproductive, gynecological, and family health issues, the student will acquire the knowledge and develop critical thinking skills that allow for the application of evidence in the promotion, prevention, renewal, and maintenance of health among women and families from various social and economic backgrounds.

This is the second course in primary care of the family. This course continues the development of skills in decision-making and the use of an evidence-based approach in the clinical management of families. In addition, the course includes study and clinical application of major theories of health promotion, risk assessment, differential diagnosis, health behavior change, and disease prevention across the lifespan. Cultural and socioeconomic factors are explored. Scope of practice issues continue to be addressed.

This course focuses on the management of common pediatric health and illness concerns using an evidence-based approach to assessment, differential diagnosis, and management. Includes the study of clinical application of major theories of health promotion and assessment, family dynamics, health behavior change, and disease prevention for the well child and adolescent. Students will develop skills in the collaborative management of the ill pediatric and adolescent patient. Scope of practice issues are addressed.

This course builds on the previous FNP course sequence and requires synthesis of advanced practice knowledge base and family nurse practitioner clinical skills for effective management of complex clinical problems across the lifespan. The emphasis is on acute and chronic illness as it affects all age groups. This course requires increasingly independent clinical application of evidence-based approaches to the assessment, health promotion, differential diagnosis, and management of families in their cultural and socioeconomic context. Scope of practice issues continue to be addressed.

This course examines issues related to assuming the advanced practice role including the legal and ethical aspects of practice, quality assurance issues, patient advocacy, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the stewardship of resources. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating a clear understanding of the professional nurse practitioner role and the transition to the professional clinicians’ role, including certification and licensure requirements. Current practice issues affecting nurse practitioners are examined.