Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP

This course provides an overview of the advanced nursing roles and responsibilities in the healthcare system. The differentiated needs of the client being served and the range of specialized services offered will be explored. The course begins with an overview of the economic and financial aspects of the healthcare delivery system, including specific issues across the system and their relevance to nursing, healthcare finance and control, and the evolving role of the masters prepared nurse. Utilizing research and technology, the masters prepared nurse assesses changes in healthcare delivery informed by the principles of related theories. Integration of such advanced understanding is analyzed related to the ability to deliver evidence-based and value- based nursing care. Ethical considerations and legal professional responsibilities surrounding the delivery of healthcare are explored in an ever-changing environment.

This course presents a foundation for understanding the discipline and development of nursing knowledge as an essential component of scholarly practice for the Masters Prepared Nurse. This course provides the student with a better understanding of how evidence-based practice is translated into the healthcare environment. The research process is presented as students develop an appreciation for the thought processes used to formulate a research problem and purpose. Quantitative, qualitative, and outcomes research are examined in an effort to investigate a variety of research problems and purposes. Published studies are separated into their component parts to evaluate the logical consistency of the theoretical system and its interaction with the study methodology. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research are reviewed through performance of critiquing skills. Methodology, implementation, and data analysis/evaluation are stressed as the processes of statistical analyses are presented. Relevant theories highlight the application of nursing research aimed at providing evidence-based nursing care across a variety of patient care settings. The interrelationship of nursing theory, research, and practice is explored using best practice models. This course includes the theoretical basis of outcomes research, a brief history of emerging attempts to examine outcomes, the importance of outcomes research designed to examine nursing practice, and methodologies used in outcomes research.

This course extends and integrates the nurse's knowledge of nursing science, nursing interventions and evidenced based practice with computer science, informatics science and technology. Students examine and critique a variety of healthcare information sources and technologies focused on improving patient care outcomes by navigating and evaluating their reliability and validity. Patient care is considered relative to technology teaching tools, particularly as it aims to improve standards of care. The utilization and management of various information and communication technologies will be evaluated with attention to the ethical and legal ramifications. Those technologies that are most appropriate to enhance the delivery of patient care and to improve patient outcomes will be identified.

This course provides the student with a greater understanding of the health of the world population. The course begins with an overview of the political aspects of the healthcare delivery system, including the relevance of the political process in nursing, and information describing how one can become informed. Social, political, and economic considerations are discussed within the delivery of global healthcare. Health policy is studied in relation to relevant theories and principals of patient centered care. Research and theory are integrated as students consider potential strategies for change as leaders within the profession of nursing. Issues discussed include the controversy over the appropriate educational preparation for entry into practice. Information about the role of law and policy are explained in relation to legal issues in nursing practice. Leadership and management principles are further developed to give the Master's prepared nurse the tools needed to perform in an international leadership role.

This course provides the adult learner with the opportunity to develop advanced health assessment skills. Using the nursing process, the adult learner will obtain and interpret health histories and conduct thorough physical examinations with diverse populations across the lifespan. Normal aging is compared to and contrasted with pathological history and examination findings. An introduction to the process of diagnostic reasoning is provided. Health promotion and risk reduction concepts are stressed throughout the course. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are explored in light of the various predictors of health (i.e. genomics, socioeconomic situation, culture, and spiritual beliefs). The adult learner is expected to engage in experiential hands-on learning. The students have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based knowledge while practicing health assessment skills in assigned teams.

Using a systems approach, this course provides the adult learner with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and share knowledge related to the management of common pathophysiologic processes occurring within diverse populations across the lifespan. Systems to be explored include: cardiac, vascular, respiratory, and immune. Concepts of pharmacotherapy are presented including pharmaco-dynamics, pharmaco-kinetics, and pharmaco-genomics. In addition, non-pharmacologic, complementary, and/or alternative therapies are explored. Economic implications and their effects on the ethics of healthcare decision making are discussed and explored. Identification and management of co-morbidities will be addressed, with a strong emphasis on the importance of support from caregivers and/or family. Availability of community resources is explored. The adult learner is expected to engage in experiential hands-on learning. The adult learners have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based knowledge while practicing health promotion strategies in selected community settings.

Using a systems approach, this course provides the adult learner with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and share knowledge related to the management of common pathophysiologic processes occurring within diverse populations across the lifespan. Systems to be explored include: renal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, neurological, musculoskeletal and integumentary. Concepts of pharmacotherapy are presented including pharmaco-dynamics, pharmaco-kinetics, and pharmaco-genomics. In addition, non-pharmacologic, complementary, and/or alternative therapies are explored. Economic implications and their effects on the ethics of healthcare decision making are discussed and explored. Identification and management of co-morbidities will be addressed, with a strong emphasis on the importance of support from caregivers and / or family. Availability of community resources is explored. The adult learner is expected to engage in experiential hands-on learning. The adult learners have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based knowledge while practicing health promotion strategies in selected community settings.

This course focuses on the assessment of adult health status and application of clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice in the management of health status deviations. Clinical reasoning using advanced health assessment skills and knowledge of advanced path-physiology and patho-pharmacology leads to the formulation of comprehensive differential diagnosis. Use of appropriate diagnostic tools and timely referral is explored. Formulation of treatment plan using best evidence and system resources is introduced. Emphasis on professional role socialization and functioning within the interdisciplinary health care team prepares the practitioner for the advanced practice role within the current health care system. Scope of practice and legal aspects of the advanced practice role are examined including New York State and federal laws related to prescriptions and record-keeping.

Building upon knowledge and clinical reasoning skills established in NUR-550, 560, 570 and 580, this course focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and/or management of chronic health conditions and acute exacerbations of illness. Using a systems approach, this course focuses on conditions effecting the eyes, ears, nose, and throat; cardiovascular pulmonary; hematological; and gastrointestinal systems. Opportunities to apply evidence-based knowledge and enhance clinical reasoning skills will be available to the student through unfolding case studies and clinical practicum experiences which include care of the adult and geriatric populations served in acute, chronic care and/or community-based settings. Opportunity to utilize relevant technology in determined areas of care will be incorporated.

Building upon knowledge and clinical reasoning skills established in NUR 550, 560, 570, 580, and 650, this course focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and/or management of chronic health conditions and acute exacerbations of illness. Using a systems approach, this course focuses on conditions effecting the musculoskeletal; neurological; endocrine; genitourinary; reproductive, and integument systems. Opportunities to apply evidence-based knowledge and enhance clinical reasoning skills will be available to the student through unfolding case studies and clinical practicum experiences which include care of the adult and geriatric populations served in acute, chronic care and/or community based settings. Opportunities to utilize relevant technology in determined areas of care will be incorporated.

Seminar and practicum focuses on the role of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner as a community health leader. Nursing science and epidemiology provide the base for examining the spectrum of community health and understanding of the delivery of primary health care to individuals, communities, and populations. Tools for community assessment and diagnosis as well as concepts of health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, rehabilitation, and evidence-based practice for the health of groups is presented. Students develop role competencies under the supervision of nusre practitioner preceptors and faculty in a variety of health care settings.

This course integrates and applies knowledge gained through the core and specialty courses as well as internship/clinical experiences. Current issues and concepts affecting the role of the masters prepared nurse are explored relative to their ability to affect change. Research and theory are integrated as students propose potential strategies for change as leaders within the profession of nursing. The comprehensive exam will be an indicator of having met program outcomes.