Online MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Emphasis

This course examines the role of leadership, organizational science, policy, and informatics in supporting safe, high-quality, cost-effective patient care within interprofessional, dynamic health care environments. Learners explore various organizational relationships within health care systems and prepare to participate in the design of cost-effective, innovative models of care delivery and practice change proposals. Professional leadership theories and how they shape the nurse leader in such things as collaboration, conflict resolution, decision-making, and negotiation are introduced. Learners discuss change management theories and evaluate the ethical, social, legal, economic, and political implications of practice change and health care informatics along with strategies for managing human, fiscal, and health care resources in a variety of organizational systems. Learners also examine the uses of patient-care, information systems, and communication technologies and discuss the design, implementation, and evaluation of electronic health record systems and clinical decision support systems. Prerequisite: NUR-513A.

In this course learners examine the process of scientific inquiry, knowledge generation, utilization, and dissemination of evidence into advanced nursing practice in order to propose quality-improvement initiatives that advance the delivery of safe, high-quality care for patient populations. Learners critically evaluate evidence, including scientific findings from the biopsychosocial fields, epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics, and genomics, and apply levels of evidence and theoretical frameworks to design culturally appropriate clinical prevention interventions and population-based care that reduces risks, prevents disease, and promotes health and well-being. Learners also consider strategies to evaluate health policy and advocacy issues, the state of health care delivery, patient-centered care, and ethical principles related to health beliefs, health promotion, and risk reduction for a variety of populations. Learners apply these strategies to work towards recognizing gaps in nursing and health care knowledge, identifying potential solutions or innovations for those gaps, planning and implementing practice changes, and evaluating the outcomes in order to improve practice. Prerequisite: NUR-514A.

This course provides an opportunity for learners to complete their evidence-based practice (EBP) project proposal that addresses a problem, issue, or concern in their specialty area of professional practice. Learners previously identified a problem amenable to a research-based intervention, searched the literature, and proposed a solution. Now learners explore implementation considerations and various evaluation methodologies, complete the project proposal by developing a plan to implement the solution into the intended practice area, and design an evaluation plan that assesses the EBP project proposal's intended outcome(s). Prerequisite: NUR-550A.

This course focuses on advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles across the life span. This course is used to guide the advanced nursing practice learner in understanding normal function and interpreting changes in normal function that result in symptoms and diagnostic markers indicative of illness. Emphasis is placed on the following systems: cellular environment and inflammatory changes; fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance; genetics, genetic diseases, and the role of the environment; stress, disease, and the development of neoplasms; hematology and alterations in immunity. In addition, the physiology and pathophysiology of the endocrine, pulmonary, renal, digestive and integumentary, cardiovascular and lymphatic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and neurological systems, including mood disorders, are addressed. Prerequisite: NUR-590 or NUR-590A.

This course focuses on the basic concepts and principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and their practical implication in clinical practice across the life span. This course also places an emphasis on the strong influence of physiological variables (age, ethnicity, or pregnancy) and pathological conditions (hepatic or renal insufficiency, cardiac dysfunction) on drugs’ pharmacological response. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between patient’s physiological/pathological variables and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics can provide additional insight for practitioners in predicting potential drug interactions, and thus will provide additional guidance in prescribing strategies. This course also includes clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; clinical toxicology; and pathology and pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular, psychiatric, endocrine, respiratory, gastrointestinal, bone and joint, infectious, reproductive, and dermatological disorders. Prerequisite: NUR-631.

This course consists of a 2-day on-campus experience, and a 1-day live virtual webinar. Learners participate in lectures and simulation experiences related to the psychiatric mental health advanced practice role in patient-centered care to enhance the effectiveness of patient education, counseling, mental health care and recovery, mental health advocacy, and health promotion. Topics emphasized in this course are psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and clinical psychiatric interview. Prerequisite: NUR-634.

This combined didactic and clinical course focuses on evidenced-based practice related to various mental health disorders across the life span. Students will build upon concepts including neuroscience, advanced psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic principles of mental health disorders to provide safe and effective care. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, mental health assessment and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision-making that incorporates cultural and spiritual competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Clinical practice affords learners the opportunity to develop their clinical decision-making skills in assessment, clinical diagnosis, and management of individuals with mental illness, including interprofessional collaboration with other health professionals and community agencies. Clinical hours: 250. Prerequisite: PMH-630.

This combined didactic and clinical course focuses on the integrative management of evidenced-based practice related to various mental health disorders across the life span. Concepts include reinforcement of neuroscience, advanced psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic principles of mental health disorders to provide safe and effective care. Emphasis is placed on strengthening critical thinking, mental health assessment, and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision-making and evidence-based treatment plans that incorporate cultural and spiritual competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Clinical practice affords learners the opportunity to strengthen their clinical decision-making skills in assessment, clinical diagnosis, and integrative management of individuals with mental illness, including interprofessional collaboration with other health professionals and community agencies. Clinical hours: 250. Prerequisite: PMH-652.

This final combined didactic and clinical course focuses on advanced integrative management of evidenced-based practice related to various mental health disorders across the life span. Syntheses of previous concepts, including neuroscience, advanced psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic modalities of mental health disorders, are applied to provide safe and effective care. Emphasis is placed on application of critical thinking, mental health assessment, and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision-making and evidence-based treatment plans that incorporate cultural and spiritual competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Clinical practice affords learners the opportunity to apply their clinical decision-making skills in assessment, clinical diagnosis, and advanced integrative management of individuals with mental illness, including interprofessional collaboration with other health professionals and community agencies. Transition-to-practice topics include contract negotiation, prescriptive authority, licensure, certification, and credentialing. Updates on current legislation, health policy and ethical issues that arise in clinical practice are incorporated. This course includes a required 2-day, on-campus immersion experience to provide advanced practice skills and lectures. Practicum/field experience hours: 250. Prerequisite: PMH-654. Co-Requisite: PMH-656CE.