Nursing with Diverse Populations
NURS 7000 1 cr.
This course focuses on concepts of culture, ethnocentrism and diversity. The impact of cultural sensitivity on role enactment as an advanced practitioner is explored. Case studies are used to facilitate examination of values and beliefs.
Nursing Theory
NURS 7200 3 cr.
The course examines the process of theory development in nursing as a necessary tool to provide guidelines for advanced practice, as well as to foster a deeper understanding of the discipline as a whole. The concept of diversity in relation to theories is also included. Students have the opportunity to evaluate current theories in nursing and to explore one theory in depth.
Advanced Clinical Concepts
NURS 7300 3 cr.
This course provides the opportunity to validate current clinical skills and develop advanced professional decision-making. Clinical issues, such as performance evaluation, collaboration, physical assessment and ethical considerations are addressed. A clinical component provides the opportunity to increase skills in critical thinking, processing data, and clinical decision-making. This course includes a clinical component of 60 hours.
Contexts and Roles for Advanced Practice
NURS 7400 3 cr.
Students acquire a framework for understanding the interplay of political, social, and economic factors in health service delivery and their relationship to the advanced practice role in nursing. The focus is on initiating and facilitating change in health care and nursing systems. Topics include health care economics, health planning and policy, diversity in health care delivery, use of health status indicators for risk assessment of individuals and groups, informatics, role theory application to role assimilation, role creation, role negotiation and educator advocate, consultant, and researcher.
Nursing Research
NURS 7700 3 cr.
This course provides students with an overview of the design and methodology of qualitative and quantitative research as applied to professional nursing practice. Topics of study include critical analyzing and evaluating research literature, non-experimental, quasi experimental research design, phenomenological, grounded theory and ethnographic qualitative design, analysis and interpretations of findings including the application of statistical methods in quantitative data analysis. Ethical considerations will be discussed along with implications for professional practice.
Introduction to Forensic Nursing
NURS 8000 3 cr.
This course establishes the foundation for forensic decision making in advanced nursing practice with an emphasis on a holistic approach to living victims and perpetrators. The relationship between sociocultural factors and violence is explored. This course also includes an incisive exploration of the principles and philosophies of clinical forensic nursing as well as the role of the forensic nurse in the scientific investigation of violence, trauma, medical-legal and ethical-legal issues.
Scientific Foundations for Forensic Nursing Interventions
NURS 8130 3 cr.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of specialized topics in clinical forensic practice as a foundation for the advanced practice nursing role. Areas of exploration will include physical assessments and autopsy findings in forensic pathology, clinical laboratory tests and pharmacological usage. The complimentary roles of different professions in medical-legal investigative systems in relation to trauma and causes of death will also be identified. This course includes a clinical component of 60 hours.
Forensic Nursing: Caring for Victims
NURS 8200 3 cr.
This is a two-course sequence identifying the role of the forensic nurse in the care of victims and their significant others. Attention is given to understanding what happens to victims of assault and trauma.
Interventions to prevent and treat are also explored. The legal, ethical, clinical, and advocacy responsibilities of the advanced practitioner are key concepts emphasized throughout these courses. This course includes a clinical component of 60 hours.
Forensic Nursing: Caring for Perpetrators
NURS 8300 3 cr.
This is a two-course sequence identifying the role of the forensic nurse in the care of perpetrators. Attention is given to understanding the etiology of perpetrators and interventions in current practice. The legal, ethical, clinical and advocacy responsibilities of the advanced practitioner are key concepts emphasized throughout these courses. This course includes a clinical component of 60 hours.
Criminal Law: Substantive and Procedural
NURS 8410 3 cr.
This area of study examines both substantive and procedural criminal law. Within the context of the historical development and philosophy of law, students are introduced to the definitions and classification(s) of crime and their application to the system of criminal justice.
Research Thesis (Option 1)
NURS 9010 3 cr.
This course focuses on the application of the research process in clinical practice related to the student’s specialty area. Emphasis is on the completion of a research thesis under the guidance of faculty.
Research Project (Option 2)
NURS 9100 2 cr.
This course focuses on the application of the research process in the clinical practice related to the student’s specialty area. Emphasis is on the completion of a research project under the guidance of faculty.
Practicum in Forensic Nursing
NURS 9500 3 cr.
In this capstone course students select one or more areas of nursing practice to pursue in greater depth after consultation with faculty. Students find a clinical placement that gives them the opportunity for role negotiation and role development in the forensic nursing practicum. During the practicum, priority is placed on the development of leadership roles and interpersonal and psycho-motor skills needed to serve a selected client population under the preceptorship of an advanced practice nurse or related professional. This course is a continuation of NURS 9100.
Technology and Legal Limitations
NURS 9640 3 cr.
This course surveys the latest technology used in the criminal justice field for investigative procedures,
crime scene analysis, interviews, surveillance and evidence collection. The course is designed to balance the limitations of advancing technology within the limitations of the law. The ethical question “Does the end justify the means” is addressed throughout class discussions and case studies. Guest speakers with expertise in the technology field enhance the student’s understanding of and appreciation for the use of investigative techniques.