Advanced Health Assessment (NAAHA-63401)
This course focuses on the development of advanced practice nursing skills in health assessment for diverse populations. Critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning and communication techniques will be developed through individual and group interaction, as well as case-guided learning experiences.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Aimee Langley
Advanced Pathophysiology I (NPATH-62105)
This course focuses on the pathophysiological processes experienced throughout the lifespan. Evidence-based practice resulting from relevant research of pathophysiological disease states is incorporated to develop interventions and a plan of care for patients with health status alterations.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Megan Bullerwell
Advanced Pathophysiology II (NPATH-62106)
This course focuses on the pathophysiological processes experienced throughout the lifespan. Evidence-based practice resulting from relevant research of pathophysiological disease states is incorporated to develop interventions and a plan of care for patients with health status alterations.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Megan Bullerwell
Advanced Principles of Anesthesia (NANPA-65802)
This course builds on basic concepts and information covered in Principles of Anesthesia, including the evaluation and management of patients with increased complexity. Advanced principles of anesthesia are introduced and incorporated. Evidence-based practice will be utilized to formulate an anesthetic plan for increasingly complex surgical procedures and/or comorbidities, as well as patients of diverse populations.
Credit: 5 semester hours
Course Director: Aimee Langley
Anatomical Sciences I (HPANA-65101)
This course is designed to provide the student an extensive background in the fundamentals of human anatomy through lecture, small group laboratory, and independent study formats. Embryology coupled with structures of the upper and lower extremities, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, abdomen and pelvis, and reproductive organs are described and illustrated in lecture followed by laboratory experiential learning that emphasizes the location, identification, function, and relationships of pertinent structures using cadavers, prosections, radiograph images, and static models. The course is intended to provide an anatomical basis for understanding the physical examination and structural changes associated with illness and injury of each major organ and body system.
Credit: 5 semester hours
Course Director: Adi Pinkas
Anatomical Sciences II (HPANA-62102)
This course is designed to provide the student an extensive background in the fundamentals of human anatomy utilizing lecture, small group laboratory, and independent study formats. Anatomic structures of the head and neck are described and illustrated in lecture followed by laboratory experiential learning to include location and identification as well as function and relationships of structures using cadavers, prosections, radiographic images, and static models. The course is intended to provide an anatomical basis for understanding the physical examination and structural changes associated with illness and injury of each major organ and body system.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Adi Pinkas
Approaches to Healthcare Education (NAAHE-83107)*
This course will introduce, contrast, and apply adult teaching-learning theories in the design of effective education. Innovative teaching strategies, including a web-based approach to education, will be incorporated to provide the student with tools to become an effective educator. Students will gain practical experience in planning and presenting educational projects and course development utilizing various technology mediums.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Biomedical Instrumentation (NABMI-62603)
This course is designed to educate the student about the essentials of biomedical and instrument technologies commonly used in anesthesia practice.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Megan Bullerwell
Biostatistics (NBIOS-83110)*
This course provides a comprehensive overview of frequently used descriptive and inferential biostatistical methods. The course includes application of the theories of measurement, statistical inference, and decision trees, which all contribute to better clinical decisions and improved patient care outcomes. Conceptual understanding, rather than computational ability, is the focus of the course. Development of an adequate vocabulary, an examination of fundamental principles, and a survey of widely used procedures or tools to extract information from data will form a basis for fruitful collaboration with a professional biostatistician when appropriate.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: James Walker
Clinical Biochemistry (HPBIO-63121)
This course is designed to provide the student with the basics of clinical biochemistry in order to prepare them for their further studies. The course will review basic organic chemistry pertinent to understanding metabolic pathways with emphasis on different aspects of clinical biochemistry including structure and function of proteins, enzyme kinetics, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids. Special attention will be given to the nutritional needs of humans.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Kristina Hulten
Clinical Skills Inquiry (NACLO-61608)
This course is designed to acclimate beginning nurse anesthesia students to the clinical environment and facilitate the student transition from the didactic phase into the anesthesia provider role. The class includes case-based learning activities and skills workshops focusing on complex patient populations, effective communication, and management of critical clinical incidents.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Megan Bullerwell
Comprehensive Examination in Anesthesia (NACEA-70810)
The comprehensive examination in anesthesia is given seven weeks prior to the date of graduation (i.e., the second Saturday in November for those graduating on Dec. 31). This examination serves to assure continued development of the core fund of anesthetic knowledge, retention of previously introduced concepts and assimilation of the didactic curriculum into clinical practice. The student will be expected to demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge of the practice of anesthesia.
Credit: none
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Critical Concepts in Anesthesia I (NACCA-71802)*
This course is designed to enhance the student's theoretic foundation and aid in the development of critical thinking abilities. The course consists of a series of clinically relevant reviews and examinations of critical anesthesia concepts in order to foster continued academic development and integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. Concepts and principles pertinent to each examination will be formally reviewed with students on a monthly basis. Additionally, two core competency simulation assessments are utilized to evaluate learner integration of core anesthesia concepts into simulated clinical practice.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Aimee Langley
Critical Concepts in Anesthesia II (NACCA-71805)*
This course is designed to enhance the student's theoretic foundation and aid in the development of critical thinking abilities. The course consists of a series of clinically relevant reviews and examinations of critical anesthesia concepts in order to foster continued academic development and integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. Concepts and principles pertinent to each examination will be formally reviewed with students on a monthly basis. Additionally, two core competency simulation assessments are utilized to evaluate learner integration of core anesthesia concepts into simulated clinical practice.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Aimee Langley
DNP Project I (NAPIA-83901)*
This course emphasizes the synthesis, critique, and application of learning gained in the program to support quality clinical practice and organizational systems. The DNP candidate, in consultation with their DNP project chair, proposes a project that begins with a thorough and scientific evaluation of a current healthcare issue. Following approval of the proposal by the DNP project chair and the program director, the DNP candidate will complete the doctoral project within two academic semesters as evidenced by the rendering of recommendation(s) or design of an innovative clinical practice or program addressing a healthcare issue.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
DNP Project II (NAPIA-84902)*
This course emphasizes the synthesis, critique, and application of learning gained in the program to support quality clinical practice and organizational systems. The DNP candidate, in consultation with their DNP project chair, proposes a project that begins with a thorough and scientific evaluation of a current healthcare issue. Following approval of the proposal by the DNP project chair and the program director, the DNP candidate will complete the doctoral project within two academic semesters as evidenced by the rendering of recommendation(s) or design of an innovative clinical practice or program addressing a healthcare issue
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Decision Science and Informatics in Healthcare (NHIDS-83109)*
This course introduces students to concepts related to health information system management and provides an overview of the role of information systems in healthcare organizations. Coursework emphasizes the integration of evidence-based research into clinical decision making and the influence of information systems on health outcomes. This course explores technical, organizational, and cost-benefit issues related to healthcare information systems, including clinical decision-support, integrated networking and distributed computing technologies, telemedicine applications, and artificial intelligence solutions.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Maddie Hortenstine
Emerging Sciences in Healthcare (NEMER-82111)*
This course surveys emerging sciences and technologies in health care including genetics, genomics, proteomics, robotics, stem cells, nanotechnology, tissue engineering, patient safety, and emerging mechanical technologies. Additional topics will be covered as they emerge.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Megan Bullerwell
Ethical and Multicultural Healthcare (NAEMH-83106)*
This course will provide a basic theoretical framework that will enable students to apply multicultural health care principles and concepts in their professional practice. An awareness of cultural influence on the biological, psychological, sociological, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of the individual will be developed and specific health care values and practices of different cultural groups will be identified. International healthcare perspectives and issues will be explored.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Nathan Jones
Evidence Based Anesthesia Practice (NAEBP-72804)*
This course is designed to enhance the student's theoretic and clinical foundations via an incorporation of evidence-based theory into clinical anesthesia practice. The course requires a review and synthesis of current published research germane to the student's area of interest for their DNP project. Students are required to conduct an evidence-based practice literature review utilizing an evidence-based framework that integrates research evidence into current clinical practice.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Human Physiology I (HPPHY-64221)
This course is designed to provide the student an extensive understanding of human physiology from the cellular to the organ and body systems level with a focus on the mechanisms of normal organ function and the consequences of malfunction of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and digestive systems along with temperature regulation. Clinical examples that illustrate the consequences of malfunction are used to emphasize, by comparison, normal physiology.
Credits: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Human Physiology II (HPPHY-62222)
This course is designed to provide an extensive understanding of human physiology from the cellular to the organ and body systems level with a major emphasis on the mechanisms of normal organ function and the consequences of malfunction of the endocrine and reproductive systems along with energy and metabolism, bone, and the physiology of normal pregnancy. Clinical examples that illustrate the consequences of malfunction are used to emphasize, by comparison, normal physiology.
Credits: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Immunology for Health Professions (HPIMM-62131)
This course will provide an overview of basic immunological concepts including components of the immune system, innate, and adaptive immune responses. The immune responses against infectious microbes, as well as immunologic diseases will also be addressed.
Credits: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Vanaja Konduri
Influencing Healthcare Policy (NAIHP-83104)*
This course will provide an overview for understanding healthcare policy, organization, and economics within a systems analysis framework. Current literature and research related to healthcare policy development and healthcare delivery systems will be examined. The role of leadership in policy development and in changing healthcare delivery and healthcare education systems will be highlighted.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: James Walker
Leading and Managing Healthcare Systems (NLMHS-83105)*
This course provides in-depth analysis and synthesis of the healthcare delivery system emphasizing improvement of healthcare delivery and access. It examines the complex organizational dynamics and structures that predicate the interaction among major components of the United States healthcare system. Individual strategies for effectively leading and managing organizational change, building strong organizational culture, developing effective teams, resolving conflicts, implementing effective motivational systems and nurturing a learning organization are investigated.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: James Walker
Pharmacology in Advanced Practice I (NANAP-63901)
This course begins with an in-depth study of basic human pharmacology principles. The course progresses to detailed explorations of the uptake, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of currently used clinical anesthesia pharmacotherapeutics. Pharmacogenetic disorders with specific anesthesia implications are examined. Various agents affecting the autonomic nervous system are detailed.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Pharmacology in Advanced Practice II (NANAP-64902)
This course is an in-depth study of the pharmacology of drugs currently used in human medicine. The student should gain an understanding of the uptake, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of drugs that are currently prescribed for specific human conditions, such as endocrine disorders, hypertension, rheumatic/inflammatory disorders & obstetrics. An in-depth study of the pharmacology of drugs currently utilized in the management of central nervous system disorders is included. Cancer chemotherapeutic and antimicrobial agents are addressed along with attendant anesthetic implications. The pharmacology of drugs used to treat cardiovascular conditions and hemostatic derangements is also discussed. Phytopharmaceuticals, toxicology and agents that may be encountered in biological and chemical warfare are also described.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Physics for Anesthesia Practice (NAPAP-61602)
This course is designed to review and reinforce concepts in physics specifically as it relates to anesthesia. Clinical concepts and application are emphasized and reinforced.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Nathan Jones
Principles of Anesthesia (NANPA-63801)
This course investigates the basic concepts in anesthesia care delivery including pre-anesthetic and post-anesthetic evaluation, premedication, formulation of anesthesia management plans, anesthetic techniques and procedures, equipment requirements, monitoring, and record keeping.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Aimee Langley
Principles of Electrocardiology (NANPA-61803)
This course investigates the basic electrocardiology for nurse anesthesia practice. Fundamental concepts of the electrocardiogram will form the foundation for identification of normal and abnormal findings. The ECG criteria for various dysrhythmias, as well as the physiological underpinnings, will be explored. Concepts based on the 12-lead electrocardiogram will explore frontal plane axis, horizontal plane axis (R-wave progression), chamber enlargements, injury patterns, conducting system abnormalities, and other conditions with ECG findings. Treatment of various dysrhythmias and other ECG abnormalities will be addressed.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: James Walker
Professional Philosophy and Scholarship (NAPAS-83102)*
This course will draw upon the disciplines of philosophy, ethics, and the social sciences to examine key concepts of professional practice that form the foundations for many advanced practice roles in nursing and anesthesia, with a focus on leadership and scholarship. Emergence and foundations of nurse anesthesia practice will be explored. Scholarship within the discipline will be investigated.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Maddie Hortenstine
Quality Outcomes Management (NAQOM-83108)*
This course analyzes problems raised by various levels of quality found in healthcare systems, educational institutions and other organizations. It includes knowledge about the major theories for the measurement of quality. This course will also explore the definitions of quality, how to measure quality, analyze outcome data, and implement improvements in a healthcare system.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Maddie Hortenstine
Radiology for Nurse Anesthesia Practice (NARAD-61151)
This course acquaints the student with basic principles involved in, and the clinical value of, various radiologic examinations. The module will emphasize normal radiographic anatomy as compared with abnormalities and findings associated with various disease states. The primary effort is directed at teaching students how to use radiology examinations in evaluating various medical diseases/disorders.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Maddie Hortenstine
Seminars in Anesthesia (NASEM-71801)*
This course consists of weekly seminars by students and faculty members on research topics, current literature, and case presentations. The course is designed to enhance the student's theoretic foundation as well as develop critical thinking abilities.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Aimee Langley
Theories and Concepts in Healthcare (NPTHC-83101)*
This course reviews the history and evolution of the philosophy of science in nursing, laying the foundation for the generation and expansion of new professional knowledge that will guide evidence-based practice for nursing and healthcare. Selected approaches to concept/theory development, analysis, and evaluation are examined and applied. Concepts related to acceptable theories in the scientific community and epistemology and ontology of nursing will be explored. This course allows doctoral students to gain appreciation for the underpinnings of philosophical frameworks and epistemological paradigms in future research.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Rachel Davis
Translational Research (NATRR-83112)*
This course is designed to provide the tools for the advanced practice nurse to evaluate, translate and integrate published research results into clinical practice. During the course, students will learn how to conceptualize clinical practice problems, how to transform these problems into answerable clinical research questions, how to search for the best clinical evidence, how to assess clinical evidence using basic epidemiological, biostatistical and scientific principles and how to integrate the research results with patients' values and preferences across clinical sites. Critical appraisal and research synthesis will provide understanding of models used to inform evidence-based advanced practice nursing. The course will culminate in development of the DNP project proposal.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Nathan Jones
*Denotes distance education course. There are no additional fees associated with distance education.