THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG
Table of Contents > Capstone College of Nursing

14.8  COLLEGE OF NURSING: COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
These courses are offered at UA. The additional courses in the curriculum may be offered through UAB or UAH. Full curriculum outlines are available through the Capstone College of Nursing administrative offices.

NUR 501 Theoretical Models for Advanced Nursing Practice with Rural Populations. Three hours. Pertinent theories with relevance to health care for rural populations for nursing and related fields will provide the framework for consideration of nursing roles in case management or as a clinical nurse leader. Specifically, the content will examine the development of nursing theory, including rural nursing theory, and its relationship to ethics, teaching/learning, communication, nursing, health care delivery systems, management theory, change, role delineation, and decision making. Students will apply the theoretical bases to their advanced practice case management role or their role as a clinical nurse leader.

NUR 502 Issues in Community Health Care for Rural Populations. Two hours. Theory.
Students will examine issues that affect community health care for rural populations for nursing roles in case management or as a clinical nurse leaders. The advanced practice nurse case manager or clinical nurse leader student will gain understanding of the development of health care policy and the ethical, political, economic, sociocultural, and technological forces influencing all levels of healthcare.

NUR 505 Advanced Health Assessment. Three hours.
This course will assist the graduate nursing student to further develop health assessment skills for obtaining and recording a systematic health history as well as advanced holistic health assessment of individuals across the life span.

 

NUR 515 Writing for Publications. Three Hours. Theory.
This elective course is developed for graduate nursing students to develop and refine their skills in writing, editing and preparing manuscripts for publication. The process of writing a manuscript from the initial idea to submission of a publishable manuscript will be included in the course. This course will also emphasize the legal and ethical aspects of authorship and scientific publishing. Students should have mastered basic writing skills, e.g., grammar, syntax and computer skills prior to enrolling in this course.

NUR 517 Graduate Independent Study. One to Three Hours.
The independent study option provides an opportunity for students to identify, structure, implement, and evaluate learning experiences consistent with personal learning needs and career plans that are in addition to the current curriculum. The independent study option provides a mechanism for expanding knowledge through self-directed exploration of literature, participation in special projects, clinical practice, or a combination of activities. The Prospectus serves as a contractual agreement between the student and faculty and is negotiated prior to registration for the study.

NUR 520 Evidence Based Practice: Roles and Processes for the Case Manager. Four hours. This course describes the professional role of the nurse case manager with rural populations across the life span. Emphasis is on the influence of nurse case managers on person(s) outcomes at the systems level. Students will assess complex person(s) demands, plan coordinated, multidisciplinary, evidence-based collaborative approaches to person(s) care, and appraise strategies for evaluation of person(s) outcomes.

NUR 522 Human Relations Management. Three hours. Two hours Theory, one hour Clinical. The course focuses on establishing relationships with person(s) and families, group dynamics, team building, leadership and management skills, negotiation, human diversity in health and illness, conflict management, and rural health issues relevant for case management of rural populations and the clinical nurse leader role.

 

NUR 524 Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare. Three hours.
This course we will explore ethical issues confronted by advanced practice nurses. Basic principles that guide ethical decision-making will be addressed. The course is designed to enhance students’ understanding of value issues and familiarize them with ethical and legal considerations while applying the information to work situations. A variety of topics will be examined including privacy and human rights, women’s health and reproductive rights, children and adolescent issues, whistle blowing policies, nurse anesthesia practice and end-of-life care. Case studies are used and to stimulate thought and class discussion.
 

NUR 525 Evidence Based Practice: Roles and Processes for the Clinical Nurse Leader. Four hours. Three hours Theory, one hour Clinical.

This course describes the professional role of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) with rural populations across the life span. Emphasis is on the influence of the CNL on person(s) outcomes at both the microsystem level. Students will assess complex person(s) demands, plan coordinated, multidisciplinary, evidence-based collaborative approaches to person(s) care, and appraise strategies for evaluation of person(s) outcomes.

NUR 530 Case Management Practicum. Six hours. Clinical.
This course focuses on the application of the nurse case manager’s functions of assessing, planning, intervening, monitoring, and evaluating health care in rural communities. Emphasis is placed on implementing a coordinated, evidence-based, interdisciplinary, collaborative, integrated and cost effective approach to health care with rural populations. Web-based conferences will assist students in the exploration and application of case management issues in self-selected clinical experiences.

NUR 531 Nursing Faculty Roles and Responsibilities. Three hours.
This online course will provide an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of nursing faculty. This course will prepare students to participate in the processes of designing, implementing, and evaluating a nursing curriculum. This course will include roles and responsibilities of faculty in teaching, scholarship, service, and practice.
 
NUR 532 Instructional Media for Nursing Education. Three hours.
This course will provide students with an overview of instructional technology and media that can be used in undergraduate and graduate level instruction in nursing education programs. This course will provide students with skills to begin on site and online instruction. It will explore the use of computers, software, models, simulators, and other instructional media.
 
NUR 535 Clinical Immersion Experience. Six hours. Clinical.
This course focuses on the application of the clinical nurse leader’s functions of assessing, planning, intervening, monitoring, and evaluating health care in rural communities. Emphasis is placed on implementing a coordinated, evidence-based, interdisciplinary, collaborative, integrated and cost effective approach to health care with rural populations. Web-based conferences will assist students in the exploration and application of care management issues in self-selected clinical experiences.
 
NUR 540
Nurse Educator Practicum. Six hours. This online clinical course focuses on the application of the nurse educator's functions of assessing, planning, intervening, monitoring, and evaluating nursing education in the academic environment. Emphasis is placed on implementing a coordinated, interdisciplinary, collaborative, technologically appropriate and integrated approach to nursing curriculum, design, implementation and evaluation.
 
NUR 580 Fiscal Resource Management. Three hours.
This course addresses principles of fiscal resources management and their application to case management or clinical nurse leader. Concepts include cost analysis, budgeting, contract development, financial aspects of program development and evaluation, and cost accounting and tracking for rural populations.

NUR 595 Issues in Pharmacotherapeutics. Three hours. Theory. This course provides the students with the opportunity to explore issues in pharmacotherapeutics which affect clinical management of individuals and rural populations. Issues to be explored included: evidence-based and cost-effective strategies; traditional and alternative interventions; technological advances in the development, distribution and administration of pharmacotherapeutics; legal issues; and, new developments in clinical pharmacology.

NUR 599 Thesis Project. Three hours. Focuses on the actual implementation of the research process, including the development of the proposal, institutional review board (IRB) approval, data collection, data analysis, and writing the research report.

NUR 620 (AEL 620) Curriculum Theory and Practice. Three hours.
This is primarily an online, web-based course. It critically examines historical and contemporary discourses necessary to understand curriculum as a synergetic field of study and an area of professional practice. Factors related to organizing curriculum will be considered based on analysis, interpretation and synthesis of contextual data. Students will determine directions, outcomes, and goals for curriculum and course design. Methods for curriculum evaluation and a dashboard for successful implementation will be emphasized. Students will demonstrate their ability to develop and critique curriculum in the context of instruction through reflection, observation, documentation, and descriptive analysis and to relate ethical, moral, and social justice concerns to curriculum practice.

NUR 661 Major Trends and Issues in Higher Education & Nursing. Three hours. Theory.
This course is developed for EdD nursing students to analyze current issues and trends impacting educational organizations and leaders of those organizations. This course will emphasize the role of nurse educators in leadership roles in pro-active planning to meet the challenges of emerging trends and issues in higher education.

NUR 696
Doctoral Seminar. Three hours. This seminar provides a synthesis experience in which students develop their preliminary prospectus relevant to a selected nursing education research focus. Methods of dissemination including presentations and scholarly report development will be implemented. This course facilitates the process of proposal development.

 

NUR 717 DNP Independent Study – Special Topics. One to four hours.
The independent study option provides an opportunity for students to identify, structure, implement, and evaluate learning experiences consistent with personal learning needs and career plans that are in addition to the current curriculum. The independent study option provides a mechanism for expanding knowledge through self-directed exploration of literature, participation in special projects, faculty-directed clinical practice, or a combination of activities. The Prospectus serves as a contractual agreement between the student and faculty and is negotiated prior to registration for the study.

NUR 731 Philosophical, Theoretical, and Conceptual Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing. Three hours. This required core course in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program provides an understanding of the use of theory and conceptual foundations to guide the complexity of specialty nursing practice at the doctoral level. The content is derived from the philosophical and scientific underpinnings of nursing, natural, and psycho-social sciences.

NUR 732 Design and Statistical Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice. Three hours. Theory. This required course for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program provides the student with the basis to search, retrieve, and manipulate statistical data. The focus of this course is on quantitative and qualitative methodologies, research design, and data analysis. The content provides essential knowledge for the evaluation of research to guide evidence-based nursing practice at the highest level.

NUR 733 Informatics for Advanced Practice Nursing. Three hours.
This required course focuses on the collection, organization, analysis, and dissemination of information in nursing and health care. Students are introduced to the specialty of nursing informatics, the information system life-cycle, telemedicine, and the use of technology to enhance nursing care delivery and patient safety. Also, students learn how to design, use, and manipulate large and small patient databases for the analysis of patient outcomes.

 

NUR 734 Advanced Experiential Clinical Course. One to Seven hour.

This course is designed to validate Master's level competencies in clinical and organizational leadership. The course is required for postmaster's DNP students who are graduates of programs with less than 600 clinical hours.

NUR 735 Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing. Three hours.
This required course prepares the student to implement specialty population-based disease prevention and health promotion activities to achieve national and international goals of improving worldwide health status. The course focuses on a spectrum of issues affecting health, which include emerging infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, disparities in health and healthcare services, and the impact of behavior and lifestyle choices on health.

NUR 736 Application of Best Practices. Four hours.
This required course in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares the student to evaluate interdisciplinary clinical and health systems for best practices and outcomes in a specialty area. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools to support, promote, and implement evidence-based specialty practice in nursing and health care delivery systems to improve health outcomes. Emphasis is on the synthesis, critique, and application of evidence to support quality clinical and organizational practices.

NUR 737 Interdisciplinary Leadership and Role Development for Practice Excellence. Three hours. This course is a required core DNP course that focuses on organizational, systems leadership knowledge, and skills critical to role development in independent and inter and intra-disciplinary practice. Content includes communication, conflict resolution, collaboration and negotiation, leadership, and team functioning to maximize success in the establishment of safe, effective patient-centered care in complex environments.

NUR 738 Scholarly Project Development. Two hours. One hour Theory, one hour Clinical.
This required course is designed to assist the student in selecting an area of interest within a practice specialization, and in demonstrating professional competencies related to an area of interest. The student will document previously acquired abilities and competencies in a professional portfolio. Students will participate in the seminar to obtain guidance, be involved in discussion, and receive peer suggestions about the portfolio and project plans.

NUR 739 Scholarly Practice Project. One to seven hours.
This is the required capstone clinical course in all advanced practice tracks. The student presents evidence of achievements and competencies in a professional portfolio. The practice residency is completed in a specialty area of the student’s choice. The final project selected and planned by the student and the advisor will be implemented during this course. The student will complete the project, evaluate the outcomes, disseminate the findings, and make a formal scholarly presentation to peers and faculty.

NUR 740 Health Policy and Politics: Implications in Health Care. Three hours.
Health Policy & Politics is a required core in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program focuses on the basic principles of health policy and the influence of the political process as a systematic approach to health care in the United States and internationally. The course prepares students to assume complex leadership roles in order to advance specialty practice and health. This internet-based course focuses on the unique challenges of engaging and influencing health care policy in the U.S. and internationally. It is designed to develop skills, techniques, and approaches to the critical analysis of health policy proposals, health policies, and related issues from the perspective of consumers, nursing, other health professions, and other stakeholders in policy and public forums. The health policy framework is analyzed from a governmental, institutional, and organizational perspective.
 


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