300 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Clarke University offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner programs, a post-master s certificate program and a master s completion option for certified advanced nurse practitioners. Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program Outcomes Clarke University envisions graduates of its MSN-FNP program to be persons who will: Synthesize concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines to form the basis for developing and integrating new approaches to nursing practice for the whole/healthy human being. Analyze social-cultural, spiritual, ethical, economic and political issues that influence and lead to the highest level of nursing practice. Utilize the process of scientific inquiry to validate and refine knowledge relevant to nursing. Demonstrate leadership and effective management strategies for advanced practice, including proficiency in the use of information systems/technology resources to support practice and ensure continuity of patient care. Design and implement advocacy strategies that address health care policies and issues of social justice and equity in healthcare. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate and engage in collaborative intra- and inter-disciplinary relationships in the conduct of advanced practice. Demonstrate effective direct patient care, clinical prevention and population health care within the context of socio-economic policies, appropriate scientific data, and the exigencies of the individual patient. Demonstrate expertise in a defined area of advanced practice and develop and articulate a vision for nursing practice in a selected organization. Students complete the 45 credit hour Master s program in two years of FT study. Clarke s MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is limited to 20 students per cohort. Students will have one-onone experience with Clarke University faculty and staff during their online and campus coursework. Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator Program Outcomes Clarke University envisions graduates of its MSN-NE program to be persons who will: Synthesize concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines to form the basis of philosophical and pedagogical perspectives. Utilize the process of scientific inquiry to validate and refine knowledge relevant to nursing.
301 Analyze social-cultural, spiritual, ethical, economic and political issues that influence outcomes. Demonstrate pedagogical skill and engage in collegial intra-and inter-disciplinary relationships in the educational environment. Demonstrate leadership and management strategies for nurse education. Demonstrate expertise in instructional strategies and develop and articulate a vision for nursing education in a selected organization. Students complete the 37 credit hour Master s degree in Nursing Education with full-time enrollment as a cohort in 18 months. This program includes three residencies (two-three days) and online delivery format of remaining courses. Admission Requirements FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING A student interested in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Clarke University must submit the following to: Graduate Studies Office 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001 1. A completed graduate application form, available online at www.clarke.edu/graduate. 2. A $35 application fee (waived for Clarke University graduates). Please make checks payable to Clarke University. If paying with credit card, please call (563) 588-6635 with your credit card number and expiration date. 3. Official academic transcripts. These transcripts must document: Completion of bachelor s degree from an accredited nursing program. Completion of bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university. GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Successful completion with a grade of C (2.0) or better of undergraduate coursework in statistics, nursing research, and health assessment. 4. Three completed recommendation forms, including one relative to clinical performance, one relative to academic ability, and one other. For FNP applicants, a second clinical performance recommendation is required. 5. Curriculum vitae. 6. Health record including proof of personal health insurance and annual TB test reporting form. 7. Photocopy of current licensure as a registered nurse. 8. Photocopy of current CPR or BLS certification. 9. Statement of goals for graduate education and subsequent career plans. 10. Documentation of a minimum TOEFL score of 550 if English is not the first language. 11. Interview
302 Applicants to the post-master s certificate program must also possess a master s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program. Applicants for the FNP certificate, seeking an MSN degree, must possess current certification as advanced registered nurse practitioner in a designated specialty. Advanced practice coursework in designated specialties may qualify for Credit for Learning Experience (CLE). Transfer of Graduate Courses Students may transfer up to 6 credits of graduate study in this field with an earned 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) in each course from another accredited graduate program. Acceptance of transfer credit must be documented prior to matriculation. CURRICULUM Core Courses (13 credit hours) NURS 501 Trends, Roles & Issues in Nursing (3) NURS 502 Research Design (4) NURS 510 Nursing Theory (3) NURS 511 Evidence-Based Practice (3) Nurse Educator Specialty (24 credit hours) NURS 500 Introduction to Nursing Education (1) NURS 512 Research Focus (1) HLTH 530 Clinical Education in Health Profession (3) NURS 532 Seminar in Education (2) NURS 533 Instructional Processes in Nursing Education (3) NURS 536 Curriculum Development in Nursing (3) NURS 540 Nursing Education Practicum (4) NURS 585 Research Seminar (3) NURS 599 Transition to Practice (1) One (1) Elective Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty (38 credit hours) HLTH 503 Advanced Health Assessment I (w/ lab) (3) HLTH 505 Advanced Pharmacology (3) HLTH 515 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3) NURS 508 Nursing Statistics (3) NURS 545 Clinical Applications (3) NURS 550 Primary Health Care Nursing of Children (4) NURS 551 Primary Health Care Nursing of Women (4) NURS 552 Primary Health Care Nursing of Adults (6)
303 NURS 553 Primary Health Care Nursing of Families (6) NURS 602 Advanced Research (3) MSN Program Electives NURS 535 Professional Ethics (3) NURS 536 Curriculum Development in Nursing (3) NURS 542 Nursing Systems Administration (3) NURS 544 Informatics in Nursing (3) NURS 560 Bioethics (3) NURS 564 End of Life Care (3) NURS 566 Pediatric Palliative Care (3) NURS 569 Teaching in the Community (3) NURS 580 Special Topics (CV) NURS 587 Thesis (CV) NURS 590 Independent Study/Readings in Nursing (CV) Scholarly Project MSN students are required to complete a scholarly project and present it as part of their program requirements. Students who do not complete the scholarly project during the last semester of coursework are required to enroll in NURS 587 Thesis for three credits each semester until the work has been satisfactorily completed. Comprehensive Exam MSN-FNP students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive exam. The exam is completed in the student s last semster of study. Ordinarily, students may not retake the exam in less than three months after the previous exam. Course Descriptions NURS 500 INTRODUCTION TO NURSING EDUCATION 1 hour This course is designed for future professional nurse educators. Students will be introduced to the ways in which theory, practice and research relate to one another and inform nursing pedagogy and practice. The three-day required residency provides the foundation for study in the Nurse Educator Program. NURS 501 TRENDS, ROLES AND ISSUES IN NURSING This course focuses on analysis of the effects of economic, political, legal, professional, ethical, and other forces on the delivery of nursing services. Conceptual and methodological approaches in the study of health care phenomena from the perspective of nursing will be explored with particular emphasis on nursing roles. NURS 502 RESEARCH DESIGN IN NURSING 4 hours This course focuses on the development of skills needed to analyze, critique, and conduct nursing research utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The student is prepared not only to utilize nursing research in practice but also to participate in the conduct of research. Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics and research.
304 NURS 508 NURSING STATISTICS This course is designed to provide a knowledge base of statistics appropriate for a healthcare professional. Topic include parametric and non-parametric test, reliability, the use of SPSS and a broad array of statistic procedures. NURS 510 NURSING THEORY This course presents the basis for understanding theory development in professional nursing. Theory construction and its relationship to nursing practice is explored in order to enable the student to conceptualize a relevant model of nursing that can be applied to advanced nursing practice. NURS 511 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE This course enables the student to develop an analytical approach to identifying clinical problems, reviewing and appraising clinical research literature related to the situation, in order to develop a rationale and plan for implementing best evidence practices. Topics include development of a Problem Intervention Comparison Outcomes (PICO) question, grading the strength of the evidence as well as the strength of the recommendation, implementing changes and evaluating those changes. Application of analytic methods for appraising and reviewing clinical practice are emphasized in this course. NURS 512 RESEARCH FOCUS 1 hour This three-day required residency course is designed to provide students with direction and support in developing their individual scholarly projects and planning for practice. Students will confirm the project topic and methodology by preparing and submitting a written project proposal for approval. Formal request and documentation for practicum placements will also be submitted for approval. NURS 532 SEMINAR IN EDUCATION 2 hours This seminar provides a forum for the consideration of a variety of contemporary issues related to nursing education in associate and baccalaureate degree programs and in continuing education. NURS 533 INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESSES IN NURSING EDUCATION This course examines the selection, application and evaluation of instructional strategies in nursing education and staff development. Testing and measurement of outcomes are included. Emphasis is given to both classroom and distance instructional methods. NURS 535 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS This course examines ethical theory and its application to professionals in the workplace. Specific topics include: codes of ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, paternalistic deception, informed consent, privacy, whistle-blowing, and social justice. The course will emphasize professions in health care, business and education. NURS 536 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING This course focuses on diverse pedagogical approaches to nursing education. Emphasis is given to curriculum planning, design and implementation and evaluation in associate and baccalaureate degree programs in nursing. NURS 540 NURSING EDUCATION PRACTICUM 4 hours In this course the student will teach in selected academic or practice settings. Students will design, implement, and evaluate teaching strategies related to identified educational outcomes. Clinical hours (120) are required. Student must have completed a minimum of 6 credit hours of Nursing Education courses. Prerequisite or co-requisite: NURS 532, NURS 533 and NURS 536. NURS 542 NURSING SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION
The nurse administrator is expected to develop, maintain and supervise nursing systems in health care delivery/monitoring institutions. This course focuses on the theoretical basis for these managerial skills and on strategies for the development of leadership skills. The impact on the system of regulation from the external environment and from conflicting internal demands is emphasized. 305 NURS 544 INFORMATICS IN NURSING SYSTEMS While not an expert in the area, the effective nurse administrator must possess a basic understanding of informatics as used by health care organizations. In this course research, ethical, socioeconomic, and legal issues pertinent to information technology are discussed and the integration of the sciences of nursing, computer and information are explored. NURS 545 CLINICAL APPLICATIONS This course is designed to supplement and complement previous experience and learning to meet career goals with regard to professional issues and legal considerations. The student chooses a clinical setting and in collaboration with the instructor identifies learning objectives. Objectives may be geared toward: a) a particular aspect of practice, i.e., entrepreneurial endeavor, b) clinical entity, age group or health alteration category, or c) research interest. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515. NURS 550 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF CHILDREN 4 hours This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision making in assessment and provision of primary health care nursing for children and families. Topics include health promotion/maintenance, growth and development, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in children. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503 and HLTH 515. Prerequisite or co-requisite: HLTH 505. NURS 551 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF WOMEN 4 hours This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision making in the assessment and provision of primary health care for women and families. Topics include health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in women. Clinical hours (100) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515. NURS 552 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF ADULTS 6 hours This course enables students to develop a knowledge base for clinical decision-making in the assessment and provision of primary health care for adults and families. Topics include health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of common acute and stable chronic illnesses in adults. Clinical hours (150) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515. NURS 553 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSING OF FAMILIES 6 hours This course enables the FNP student to develop a practice base for clinical decision making in the assessment and management of the health care of families. This course includes identification of health needs, nursing interventions for the prevention of illness, health promotion, and therapeutic interventions for selected clinical problems. Clinical hours (150) are required. Prerequisites: HLTH 503, HLTH 505 and HLTH 515. NURS 560 BIOETHICS Health care professionals and those they serve are confronted with increasing choices regarding the biological aspects of human life. This course focuses on ethical principles, theories of ethics, and dialogical skills that promote effective decision making in private and public spheres regarding such issues as reproductive technologies, end-of life choices and allocation of scarce resources.
306 NURS 564 END OF LIFE CARE This course is designed to prepare the caregiver to provide optimal end of- life care. The basis for this study comes from the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium s research into nursing education and care for the terminally ill. All participants who successfully complete this course will have the opportunity to become certified as an end-of-life nursing education trainer. NURS 566 PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE This course is designed to prepare the caregiver to provide optimal end-of life care to the pediatric patient and family. The basis for this study comes from the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium s research into nursing education and care of children and families facing end-of-life problems. Topic areas included are nursing care at the end of life, pain and symptom assessment and management, cultural considerations, ethical/legal issues, communication, loss, grief and bereavement, care at the time of death, and models of excellence in pediatric palliative care. NURS 569 TEACHING IN THE COMMUNITY Increasingly, health care is delivered in community settings, and nurses employed outside schools of nursing and acute-care organizations are expected to provide health-related education to individuals, families, groups, and communities. This course focuses on new pedagogies and teaching methodologies required to teach in such diverse settings and to diverse audiences. Emphasis is given to non-student populations. NURS 580 SPECIAL TOPICS Particular current topics related to nursing are studied. Topics will vary based on the needs of students and interests of the faculty. CV NURS 585 RESEARCH SEMINAR This course will focus on the application of research concepts in nursing practice, education and administration. Implementing research projects across settings will be discussed with an emphasis on the protection of human subjects. Methods of disseminating research findings will be highlighted. Integration of research findings into all areas of nursing will be discussed. Completion of a scholarly project is a course requirement. Prerequisite: NURS 502. NURS 587 THESIS Research skills are essential for the advanced nurse practitioner. The thesis elective offers an option for acquiring increased depth in research activity. May be repeated for credit. NURS 590 INDEPENDENT STUDY/READINGS IN NURSING Some students may benefit from expanded study in a particular area of interest not included in structured graduate course offerings. Independent study/reading provides the opportunity for in-depth study in an area mutually selected by the student and supervising faculty. NURS 599 CAPSTONE: TRANSITION TO PRACTICE 1 hour This course provides a closure to the graduate studies in the nurse educator program and guided transition to professional practice as a nurse educator. Students will document their progress in the submission of portfolio, complete their research and present their scholarly project. Sessions will include direction for transition to the profession. The culminating three-day required residency integrates theory with specific focus on future practice as professional nurse educators. NURS 602 Advanced Research This course represents an opportunity for students to explore advanced research designs or previously studied designs in more detail. Statistical procedures appropriate for the study design are addressed
including multiple regression, analysis of variance, multivariate techniques, nonparametric tests and factor analysis. Methodological designs examining measurement, measurement error and instrumentation related to developing, adapting, and selecting instruments will be explored. This course will include a brief orverview of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs. Prerequisite: NURS 508 Nursing Statistics 307 HLTH 503 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT Assessing the health/illness status of clients as nurse practitioners requires synthesis and integration of knowledge from the natural and behavioral sciences, the humanities and nursing. This course focuses on comprehensive history taking and physical examination of the client, including developmental, psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and physical assessment. Laboratory experiences will focus on advanced diagnostic testing procedures and collection of history and physical data as well as the application of critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in clinical decision making reflecting accurate differential diagnoses. Prerequisite: Admission to the nursing graduate program. HLTH 503L ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT LAB 0 hour Advanced health assessment, critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making are the foundation of nurse practitioner practice. This course provides the novice nurse practitioner student the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in HLTH 503 in a clinical practicum setting under the supervision of an expert preceptor. Clinical laboratory hours are required. HLTH 505 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY Comprehensive management and evaluation of the health/illness status of the client by nurse practitioners requires application of pharmacological interventions in clinical decision making. This course focuses on pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, and selected pharmacological interventions as applied to the management of client illnesses with attention to safety, cost, simplicity, efficacy, and acceptability. Prerequisite: HLTH 515. HLTH 515 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases through the synthesis of knowledge from natural, behavioral, medical, and nursing sciences is central to nurse practitioner practice. This course focuses on understanding each human biological system at a cellular level and subsequent identification of pathological mechanisms that manifest themselves as acute and chronic diseases. HLTH 530 CLINICAL EDUCATION IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS Much of the basic education for nurses and for students in other health professions occurs in clinical settings. These settings require teaching methodologies quite different from the classroom setting. This course focuses on clinical instruction and the development of clinical judgment in the health professions. Emphasis will be given to clinical education in associate and baccalaureate degree programs.