This course builds upon basic knowledge in pharmacology and presents content on pharmacological principles, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics essential for nurses in advanced practice roles. The course is designed to provide the advanced practice nurse with a knowledge of pharmacological agents commonly used in the treatment of young children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Emphasis is on the pharmacological management of common acute and chronic illnesses. Content includes, but is not limited to, drug indications, mechanisms of action, dosages, drug interactions, side effects and allergic responses. Also included is prescriptive drug protocols; the FDA approval process; prescription writing; legal and ethical ramifications of prescription writing and ordering by the advanced practice nurse; legislative and health policy issues pertinent to pharmacology, and client education.
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This course builds upon basic knowledge of physiology, body systems and function, and the relationship between alterations in normal physiology and disease processes. The course is designed to present evidence-based advanced pathophysiological concepts, which include the identification and interpretation of pathophysiological changes, and genetic influences that occur with acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan.
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NURS 6031: Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nurses - 3 hours/30 Lab hours                                 
Prerequisites: Admission to NGCSU MS Nursing Program

This course builds upon basic knowledge in health assessment/physical assessment at the undergraduate level. It is designed to expand and refine the student’s skill and critical analysis of the history and physical examination of individuals from across the lifespan and various sociocultural backgrounds. It will incorporate health history taking and physical examination at the advanced practice level and the development of a problem list based on synthesis of findings. Documentation, both written and electronic, will be reviewed within the context of maintaining HIPPA requirements and the provision of appropriate coding designations. The focus of the course will be to prepare the student to perform comprehensive and episodic assessments in the primary care setting which are appropriate for the presenting chief complaint, analyze their findings within the realm of evidenced based practice, and utilize a diagnostic reasoning process to arrive at differential diagnoses. The course prepares students to begin clinical practice as a nurse practitioner student.
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NURS 6032: Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Nurse  - 1 hour/30 Lab hours                                   
Prerequisites: Admission to NGCSU MS Nursing Program
This course prepares the advanced practice nurse to order, perform and interpret common diagnostic procedures for health management and evaluation within the context of the comprehensive history and physical examination. Findings are incorporated into differential and final diagnoses for patients. Documentation, both written and electronic, will be reviewed within the context of maintaining HIPPA requirements and the provision of appropriate coding designations. Classes and workshops will occur every other week.
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The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept of primary health care of individuals, families, groups, and communities. The focus is on advanced health promotion and disease prevention with rural and medically under-served populations. This course builds upon basic knowledge in the health, physical, and social sciences; especially health assessment and clinical nursing practice, theory, and research. Integration of health promotion, risk reduction, and anticipatory guidance in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of common health problems will be emphasized as identified in Healthy People 2010. Content areas will include the nurse practitioner role, scope and standards of practice, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, health policy, rural primary care, and health promotion and illness prevention for various health problems. Epidemiology and community assessment will be discussed as they relate to the nurse practitioner's role in health promotion and illness prevention. Clinical experiences will occur in a variety of settings with emphasis on adults in rural and underserved areas. An introduction to North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) Master of Science (MS) with emphasis on Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) philosophy, purpose, objectives, and conceptual framework will be included.
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The purpose of this course is to present the theoretical and clinical basis for health promotion and disease prevention for children and adolescents, as well as, management of commonly occurring problems. The focus is on the provision of evidence-based, holistic, culturally sensitive, primary care for children and adolescents. Attention is directed toward the care needed to meet the health objectives for children, adolescents and families in Healthy People 2010 as well as the needs of Georgia's rural and culturally diverse children. Clinical experiences will provide opportunity for the application and integration of theory in the practice setting and development of collaborative relationships with other health care providers. Clinical experiences will occur in a variety of settings with emphasis on rural and urban underserved children, adolescents and families.
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The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to analyze theoretical concepts, principles, and processes from nursing and other disciplines, in order to formulate a framework for advanced clinical practice. Theories from nursing and related fields are analyzed and critiqued from the perspective of theory development and utilization in advanced nursing practice. Students will synthesize knowledge from family, teaching/learning and developmental theoretical frameworks; nursing models; and related sciences. Return to Top

The purpose of this course is to present the assessment, diagnosis, management and evaluation of common acute health problems found in adults/older adults in the primary care setting. Chronic conditions, which are interrelated with the identified acute problems, will also be included. Associated adult health promotion and disease prevention, to include immunizations and screening of common acute problems, is also provided. Emphasis is placed on using evidenced based data to guide clinical practice. The domains and competencies of NP practice and the objectives for adults in Healthy People 2010 are reviewed within the context of identified health problems. This course serves as an introduction to adult health and does not have a clinical component.

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Prerequisites: Completion of B.S.N.; Undergraduate statistics;
                            Undergraduate research course

This course builds upon basic knowledge of the research process and statistical analysis. It explores research design, methodology and data analysis for clinically relevant research problems encountered by the nurse practitioner. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and principles of epidemiology will be presented. Students will critique nursing research studies in a selected area of interest and will begin to develop a proposal related to a particular health promotion or disease prevention problem in the selected area.

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The purpose of this course is to present the assessment, diagnosis, management and evaluation of common, chronic health problems found in adults/older adults in the primary care setting. Acute problems, which are interrelated with the identified chronic problems, will also be included. Associated adult health promotion and disease prevention of chronic problems is also provided. Emphasis is placed on using evidenced based data to guide clinical practice. The domains and competencies of NP practice and the objectives for adults in Healthy People 2010 are reviewed within the context of identified health problems. Clinical experiences provide an opportunity for the application and integration of theory and occur in a variety of settings providing care to rural and medically underserved adults including community health centers, nursing homes, migrant centers, family practice sites, and rural health clinics.

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The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the opportunity to refine and apply evidence-based knowledge and culturally sensitive skills acquired in the previous clinical courses. The practicum is an integrated clinical experience encompassing the development and implementation of the nurse practitioner role. The focus of the experience is on the integration of the theoretical and clinical components of advanced nursing practice in family primary care. The role of the nurse practitioner in a collaborative and consultative position is emphasized. Additionally the student is introduced to the business aspects of establishing and maintaining a practice to include reimbursement methods and sources, contracts, and review of nurse practitioner performance on a regular basis. This course also includes information related to preparation for subsequent employment and successful completion of certification exams. Clinical experiences will provide opportunity for the application and integration of theory in the practice setting and development of collaborative relationships with other health care providers. Clinical experiences will occur in a variety of settings with emphasis on rural and urban underserved families.
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Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate School

This course builds upon basic knowledge of the research process and statistical analysis. It explores research design, methodology and data analysis for clinically relevant research problems encountered by the nurse practitioner. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and principles of epidemiology will be presented. Students will critique nursing research studies in a selected area of interest and will begin to develop a proposal related to a particular health promotion or disease prevention problem in the selected area.

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The student will complete a clinical research project or thesis that provides the opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge from previous coursework under the guidance of graduate faculty. The project is practice oriented and related to the role of the nurse practitioner in research, health promotion, community education, and professional development. Students will develop and implement the projects under the guidance of their project or thesis committee.
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