Thomas Edison State University | Graduate Course Offerings
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Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Descriptions

NUR-763: Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (3 credits)
Statistical concepts are used to critique and determine applicability of research findings to support clinical decisions and to further evidence-based practice. Study designs, data sources, and statistical measures are examined and applied to the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations.
NUR-800: DNP Role Development (3 credits)
DNP Role Development is designed for those in direct clinical practice and areas that support practice environments: administration, organizational management and leadership, and policy. The course focus is on exposing the student to the leadership roles expected of DNP practitioners. The importance of clinical inquiry, scholarship, and ethics within nursing and related disciplines, and the imperative of interprofessional collaboration to promote quality improvement and safe patient outcomes will be explored.
NUR-805: Scholarly Inquiry: The Basis for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
This course provides an in-depth review of the research process, enabling students to analytically appraise and synthesize existing scientific research, practice guidelines, and other scholarly evidence. The course focus is on research design, research methods, project implementation, data analysis techniques, and evaluation of a nursing practice change that is based on the highest quality evidence.
NUR-810: Health, Healthcare Policy, and Politics (3 credits)
In this course, students enhance skills to analyze health policy, develop and implement health policy in institutions and government, and advocate for sound health policies. Health policy content addresses the interplay of access, cost, and quality in healthcare; quality assessment; financing; governance; delivery; and the social justice of policies affecting health. Students will examine this interplay from the patient, nursing workforce, and organization perspectives. Policy and advocacy concepts will be reinforced by examining how they are demonstrated in specific policy initiatives, such as the Affordable Care Act, and the impact they have on the behavior and outcomes of patients, nurses, and healthcare organizations.
NUR-815: Information Systems and Technology Impacting Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
In this course, students expand their knowledge and skills in using information systems and technology as tools to evaluate and improve patient and system outcomes. Additionally, students explore how data are extracted and analyzed to improve organizational decision-making behaviors and examine the role of system leaders in the selection and integration of information systems and technology.
NUR-820: Integrating and Evaluating Population Health in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course prepares the learner to lead population health initiatives. Students examine and apply biostatistical and epidemiological methods of analysis. The course addresses the use and analysis of available systems data to identify gaps in care or services and to design, plan, and evaluate evidence-based health promotion/clinical prevention programs and care delivery models.
NUR-825: Health Economics and Finance (3 credits)
This course provides students an in-depth exploration of value-based service, economics, finance, budget, and reimbursement models that impact healthcare organizations and healthcare practices. Students develop and analyze business plans and implement a cost-benefit analysis based upon value and quality models. Application of resources, tools for decision making, and communication strategies will be integrated.
NUR-832: Organizational and Systems Leadership I (3 credits)
This course immerses the doctoral student in the conceptual underpinnings of leadership and organizational theory to support the leader's role in improving organizational and system-level outcomes. Students will develop a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics and culture change at all levels of nursing practice and policy. The course will build upon the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Competency domains to define the role of professional nursing and to develop strategies to influence and transform healthcare systems. Systems thinking will be discussed as a key strategy to improve performance and lead change.
NUR-842: Organizational and Systems Leadership II (3 credits)
This course explores models, concepts, and processes to enhance care quality and patient safety in healthcare organizations. Concepts and principles of systems analysis, stakeholder theory, and complexity science will be discussed to describe and evaluate contemporary healthcare organizations' approaches to nursing issues. Various methods used in outcomes management and their application in healthcare organizations will be analyzed. Through the use of case studies, students will analyze a variety of scenarios and incorporate appropriate methods, measurement tools, and data elements to improve quality and safety and make a business case for system-level changes to improve outcomes.
NUR-902: Scholarly Immersion I: Project Identification and Mentored Practicum (3 credits)
This is the first of three clinical immersion experiences that provide the student with the opportunity to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills obtained during the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum. In this course, students will identify a real-world practice problem/issue that will serve as the basis for their entire clinical immersion experience. The course supports student creation of an executive summary, problem statement, evidence-based literature review, and the development of a preliminary, clinical immersion project proposal. The practicum element of this course will reflect the foundation for project development focusing on improving practice.
NUR-912: Scholarly Immersion II: Project Management and Mentored Practicum (3 credits)
This is the second of the three clinical immersion experiences that provide the student with the ongoing opportunity to synthesize, integrate, and apply knowledge and skills obtained during the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum. Prior to entry into Scholarly Immersion II, students will finalize the evidence-based practice change project proposal and submit the proposal to a designated committee for review, revision, and approval. The course will focus on the implementation of the approved DNP practice change project in a selected healthcare practice setting. The practicum element of this course will reflect the integration of project development.
NUR-922: Scholarly Immersion III: Project Completion and Mentored Practicum (3 credits)
This is the culminating component of the clinical immersion course sequence that provides the student with the opportunity to synthesize, integrate, and apply the knowledge and skills obtained during the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum. In this final clinical immersion experience, students will focus on the evaluation of the evidence-based practice change and on the impact the DNP change project had on the selected population. Students will develop a plan for dissemination of the project outcomes. The practicum element of this course will reflect the change element of project development. A scholarly presentation of the project is required. Demonstration of achievement of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program outcomes and competencies is required.