This course is designed to use levels of prevention to provide nursing care for adults with selected health issues. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, early detection and treatment and restoration of health for individuals, families and communities across the health care continuum.

Must also enroll in MSN 277. This course is designed to apply levels of prevention in nursing care for adults with selected health issues. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, early detection and treatment and restoration of health for individuals, families, and communities across the health care continuum.

This course prepares the student to understand that scholarly inquiry, evaluation of evidence, and the development of evidence-based practices/protocols form the foundation for evidence-based practice. Methods of operationalizing scholarly inquiry include understanding relationships among nursing theory, research, principles of epidemiology and practice; formulating research questions and evidence-based practice questions; identifying and appraising existing literature; critically evaluating research methodologies used in the study of an issue or problem; and applying inquiry to practice. The importance of the translation of scientific evidence to improve practice is emphasized. Social, cultural, political and ethical issues related to research are addressed, consistent with the Jesuit values surrounding social justice.

12-Lead ECG Interpretation is a summer course that promotes in-depth exploration of the significant diagnostic ECG challenges encountered in the advanced practice nursing environment. An understanding of the importance of clinical assessment skills and clinical judgment associated with diagnosis of clients in a variety of settings is an underlying assumption of faculty teaching this course. Included in this course are techniques for interpreting a variety of basic and advanced dysrhythmias and the ECG changes associated with bundle branch block, myocardial ischemia and infarct, atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, electrolyte imbalance, drug effects on the ECG, and other miscellaneous changes. Diagnostic characteristics, causes of the disorder, clinical significance, and management strategies will be highlighted. The student will be provided with opportunities for practicing 12-lead ECG interpretation using a variety of media.

This course offers the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) basic principles of radiographic interpretation. A systematic approach to interpret chest x-rays (CXR) will be discussed. Normal and abnormal findings commonly seen in emergency departments and critical care areas are presented. Correlation between symptoms and radiographs will be delineated. Common indications for obtaining a plain x-ray, CT, or MRI and orthopedic injury will be discussed in regard to patient safety, cost contained care and optimization of outcome.

This course is designed to enable the APRN student to obtain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to assess and manage acute wounds. This didactic/lab course discusses principles of wound care and teaches students techniques of wound closure including pain control, basic suturing and advanced skin closures; management of infections and injuries to the skin, hands and feet; and simple incision and drainage of abscesses. The student will be able to practice advanced skills that essential in the clinical management of the patient with acute wounds.

This course promotes in-depth exploration of significant clinical problems occurring in adult health patients from the vantage point of the advanced practice nurse prepared as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). This course will prepare the CNS student for expert clinical practice and the competencies to translate clinical expertise into quality, cost-effective outcomes for adult patients. A major focus of the course is to prepare CNS students to assume responsibility for coordination, management and assurance of safety and quality of care of adult patients across the three spheres of influence: patient/client, nurses and nursing practice, organization/system of adult health patients. Attention will be directed to identifying and analyzing selected problems, designing effective advanced nursing interventions and evaluating health care outcomes related to adult health patients. Special consideration with be given to the top Medicare diagnoses, National Patient Safety Goals, CMS core performance measures, and new models for healthcare delivery. Indications for leadership, collaboration and consultation with other health care professionals are emphasized to insure optimal clinical management and achievement of evidence-based outcomes for the hospitalized adult patient. Strategies for improving the quality of health care through patient safety interventions and strategies are incorporated into patient care protocols at the individual, group and system level. The subsequent APN practicum offers the student an opportunity to exercise critical judgment and implement theoretical knowledge in the coordinating and managing the care of adults experiencing acute and chronic health problems.

This clinical practicum is designed to guide the student toward the development of scientific knowledge and advanced practice skills in the area of acute care nursing. The attainment of this advanced practice mastery involves the synthesis of concepts, knowledge and skills gained in the previous courses applied to the care of the acutely ill adult patient. Course content focuses primarily on the advanced practice of acute care nursing and guides the student toward an actualization of the role of the acute care practitioner. The student will care for the acute care patient from admission to the tertiary care center through discharge/rehabilitation when possible. Through the use of nursing frameworks, nursing diagnosis, the nursing process, application of advanced knowledge, and advanced practice skills, the student will develop strategies for the nursing management of the critically ill patient. Professional, legal, cultural and ethical implications are presented. The practicum offers the student opportunities to work with the interdisciplinary team and to develop skills necessary for advanced practice nursing, advanced management, and exploration of research in the area of acute care nursing. Clinical seminars will include discussion of concepts that have been introduced in previous courses and will be built upon with added depth. A grand rounds/case study approach will be utilized with cases cared for by students in the clinical arena. Other possible topics include: implementation of the advanced practice nursing role, social support, patient advocacy, vulnerable populations, cultural diversity, contracting, credentialing, privileging, etc. Seminars will also include identification of ethical issues in the students' practice, application of research findings, applying a Jesuit philosophy in the care of the acutely ill individual or family, and individual development of a philosophy of advanced practice nursing. Seminars will include student and faculty-led discussions.