Summer Quarter:

NUR 7931 Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum I: Nurse Practitioner

Course Description:

This primary care practicum continues to expand the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the nurse practitioner within the student’s targeted specialty population. Emphasis is on the utilization of critical thinking, relevant theories of health and illness, and evidence-based practice to assess, diagnose, manage, and evaluate common health care problems, disease prevention, and health promoting strategies. The course integrates content from prior coursework and uses a standardized patient case-based format as well as field experiences.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, as scholars and professionals, students will be able to:

1. Develop appropriate differential diagnoses through application of evidence-based clinical decision-making for complex, chronic and behavioral health conditions in primary care
2. Develop and implement management plans based on analysis of comprehensive assessment data and best evidence which may include inter-professional collaboration
3. Apply full spectrum of health care services including disease prevention, health promotion and counseling for behavior change, development of therapeutic relationships and partnerships with patients, families and other professionals to facilitate optimal care.
4. Apply therapeutic communication techniques and appropriate standards to facilitate healthy behaviors in individuals and their families living with chronic illness/behavioral health concerns
5. Evaluate and revise management plans that are patient centered and culturally sensitive, using a continuous evaluation process.
6. Apply highest level of professional accountability for professional practice.
7. Identify potential leadership opportunities in practice.
8. Identify gaps or conflicting evidence affecting clinical practice.
9. Identify situations that may involve, ethical, legal/policy, information literacy considerations in clinical practice.

Autumn Quarter

NUR 7932 Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum II: Nurse Practitioner

Course Description:

This primary care practicum continues to expand the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the nurse practitioner within the student’s targeted specialty population. Emphasis is on disease prevention; health promotion strategies; the utilization of critical thinking; relevant theories of health and illness; and evidence-based practice to assess, diagnose, manage, and evaluate common health care problems. The course integrates content from prior coursework and uses a case-based format in Seminar as well as field experiences in Clinical Practicum.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, as scholars and professionals, students will be able to:

1. Develop appropriate differential diagnoses through application of evidence-based clinical decision-making for complex health conditions in primary care
2. Develop and implement management plans based on analysis of comprehensive assessment data and best evidence which may include inter-professional collaboration.
3. Apply appropriate standards and guidelines to facilitate healthy behaviors for all genders.
4. Apply advanced interviewing skills to develop therapeutic relationship with patients, families, and/or groups incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
5. Evaluate and revise management plans that are patient centered using a continuous evaluation process.
6. Articulate potential leadership opportunities in practice as relates to the unique needs of vulnerable populations.
7. Identify gaps or conflicting evidence affecting clinical practice and recommend strategies for improvement.
8. Articulate and analyze situations that may involve, ethical, legal/policy, information literacy considerations in clinical practice.
9. Apply highest level of professional accountability for professional practice.

Winter Quarter

NUR 7933: ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICAL PRACTICUM III: NURSE PRACTITIONER

Course Description:

This practicum course and connected clinical seminars continue to expand nurse practitioner clinical competencies with emerging independence in management of patient problems. Focuses on integration and application of evidence-based approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex clinical problems in primary care. Emphasis is on the synthesis of advanced knowledge and skills with management of complex clinical problems utilizing inter-professional collaboration, leadership role development, and systems thinking to improve healthcare outcomes. Students continue to develop self-reflection and self-analysis skills to promote advanced practice competency and professional development.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, as scholars and professionals, students will be able to:

1. Develop appropriate differential diagnoses through application of evidence-based clinical decision-making for complex health concerns in multi-problem situations  
2. Develop and implement management plans based on analysis of comprehensive assessment data and best evidence  
3. Evaluate and revise management plans that are patient-centered, using continuous evaluation process. 
4. Collaboration with the interprofessional team to facilitate optimal care and patient outcomes. 
5. Apply advanced interviewing skills to develop therapeutic relationship with patients, families, and/or groups incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches. 
6. Articulate potential leadership opportunities in practice as relates to the unique needs of people living with chronic illness/gender difference/behavioral health issues.   
7. Identify gaps or conflicting evidence affecting clinical practice and recommend strategies for improvement. 
8. Articulate and analyze situations that may involve, ethical, legal/policy, information literacy considerations in clinical practice. 
9. Applies highest level of professional accountability for professional practice

Spring Quarter

NUR 7938: DNP IMMERSION PRACTICUM

Course Description:

This course is a concentrated immersion experience to implement the doctorally prepared advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role in preparation for independent entry-level practice. Focus will be on the integration and application of APRN competencies, leadership strategies and practice inquiry as they relate to care management from wellness to acute care in the context of the individual, population/community, and health system.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, as scholars and professionals, students will be able to:

1. Practice independently with minimal supervision within APRN specialty focus area. 
2. Critically assess, plan, intervene and evaluate the health concerns/experiences of individuals and populations.
3. Evaluate and apply evidence to support best practices in advanced clinical decision making for complex health concerns in multi-problem situations to improve health care outcomes and systems of care. 
4. Consistently utilize appropriate mix of interviewing/listening/counseling skills with individuals/families/groups. 
5. Integrate and appraise advanced communication and decision support tools/systems to optimize health outcomes and cost-effective health care delivery for individuals, populations and systems. 
6. Demonstrate leadership and collaboration with interprofessional teams to plan transitions across the continuum of care and to solve practice or system problems. 
7. Identify gaps in evidence for practice and clinical systems level changes to insure higher quality of care. 
8. Synthesize knowledge of cultural diversity/global perspectives in delivering health care and in critiquing health systems. 
9. Synthesize ethical theories, health policy, and clinical expertise to guide decision making in advanced practice or in nursing systems and organizations.