Degree Requirements, School of Nursing

•  Follow the Graduate School Grading System as published in the TTU Graduate School Catalog. ( NOTE: only grades of A, B, and S are considered satisfactory at the graduate nursing level.)

•  A minimum B grade is required in each nursing course.

•  Required GPA. A graduate nursing student is required to maintain a cumulative grade average of at least B (3.0) on all courses taken for degree purposes. Credit toward a degree objective will be granted for any graduate course in which a grade of A, B, or S is assigned; however, not more than six hours of credit below a B grade will be allowed. If a grade of C, D, U, F, WF, or NF is assigned in a nursing degree-related course, the course must be repeated; and both the original grade and the grade for the repletion will be counted in the cumulative average.

•  A nursing course may be repeated ONE time, and no more than TWO nursing courses may be repeated.

NURSING EDUCATION

NURSING ADMINISTRATION

NURSING INFORMATICS

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

COURSES

NURS 4210. Health Care Research. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Statistics and/or permission of the instructor. This course builds upon the student's liberal arts background and basic health care knowledge, utilizing systematic inquiry and analysis by reinforcing the problem-solving method to utilize research in the improvement of health care practice to effect positive outcomes.

NURS 4211. Nursing Leadership and Management. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to RODP-MSN program as a "bridge" student, or special permission; current RN licensure; completed bachelor's degree. This course examines managerial and leadership concepts, issues, roles, and functions as applied to the role of the professional nurse in various healthcare settings.

NURS 4212. Trends and Issues in Nursing and Healthcare. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to RODP-MSN as a "bridge" student, or special permission; RN licensure; bachelor's degree. This course explores and analyzes socioeconomic and political variables that affect professional nursing and healthcare.

NURS 4213. Community Health. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program as a "bridge" student. Community Health provides a theoretical background for the study of community health nursing and is based on the synthesis of nursing theory and public health science. Emphasis is on health promotion, health maintenance and disease prevention among populations. The course assists students to recognize and analyze the interrelationships between individuals, families, population groups, and communities in determining the health status of each. The impact of political, economic, social, environmental, and cultural concerns on the health of populations is examined.

NURS 6000. Theoretical Foundations. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of Coordinator. This course provides the student with the theoretical foundations for advanced nursing. The focus of the course is on the critical components of contemporary nursing knowledge; exploration of the nature of theory development in nursing; examination of relevance of concepts from basic and applied sciences; analysis and evaluation of nursing and related theories; and relevance of theory in terms of impact on professional nursing practice, and  individuals, families, groups as clients in health care systems.

NURS 6001. Health Care Policy. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of Coordinator. The primary focus of this course is the analysis of healthcare systems.  Public and private healthcare delivery systems are examined.  Students explore future challenges and processes to improve systems. 

NURS 6002. Advanced Nursing Research. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of Coordinator. This course involves the systematic examination and application of the research process.  The concept of evidenced-based practice and its application to nursing is critically examined.

NURS 6003. Advanced Role Development. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the legal, historical, political, social, and ethical aspects of advanced nursing.  Traditional and emerging roles for advanced nursing are examined.

NURS 6101. Advanced Health Assessment. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. This course prepares the advanced practice nurse to conduct focused and comprehensive health assessments of clients across the lifespan.  The process of diagnostic reasoning is emphasized as the primary means of collecting and analyzing data obtained from the client history, physical examination, and diagnostic procedures.

NURS 6102. Advanced Health Assessment - Clinical. Cr. 1.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of coordinator. Corequisite: NURS 6101. This clinical course emphasizes the application of advanced assessment techniques to perform focused and comprehensive health assessments of clients across the lifespan.  Clinical analysis and synthesis of physical assessment data and diagnostic reasoning skills are developed. 

NURS 6103. Advanced Pathophysiology. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. An in-depth scientific knowledge base relevant to selected pathophysiological states confronted by advanced practice nurses is explored. This course provides a basis for the foundation of clinical decisions related to selected diagnostic tests and the initiation of therapeutic regimens. Pathophysiology across the lifespan is correlated to clinical diagnoses and management.

NURS 6104. Advanced Pharmacology. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. This course provides advanced pharmacology and therapeutics used in the treatment of selected health conditions commonly encountered by the advanced practice nurse. Emphasis focuses on the decision making process utilized to prescribe and monitor pharmacotherapeutics appropriate to the client situation.

NURS 6201. Theories of Nursing Education. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6000. This course explores major research-based theories of adult learning and knowledge development in nursing.  These theories will be examined for their utility across a variety of settings/and or levels of education.

NURS 6202. Teaching Strategies and Evaluation. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. This course provides the learner with knowledge necessary for competent classroom and clinical teaching. Methods of teaching students at the university, community college, and healthcare settings in classroom, seminar and electronic formats are explored. Evaluation methods used in the classroom and in clinical instruction are included.

NURS 6203. Curriculum Design Advanced. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6201. This course introduces the student to traditional and contemporary considerations for curriculum planning and design as applied to nursing education. Emphasis is placed on philosophy, theory, objectives, curriculum designs, and total program evaluation.

NURS 6207. Clinical Focus Practicum. Cr. 2. (8 contact hours).

Prerequisite: NURS 6103, 4 hours (2 courses) in selected clinical focus area. This practicum experience focuses on the synthesis of previously gained knowledge and skills in the provision of advanced nursing care to individuals, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on management of clients within a clinical focus area.

NURS 6209. Nursing Education Practicum. Cr. 4.

Prerequisite: NURS 6201, NURS 6202, NURS 6203. Pre- or Corequisite: NURS 6207. This practicum experience is designed to integrate theory in a reality context of the teaching role. Opportunities are provided to participate in all phases of the teaching role, including clinical instruction in an area of specialization, and to experiment with different teaching methods.

NURS 6301. Nursing Administration I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. Comprehensive analysis of concepts required for effective performance of the nurse executive's role in organizations. Management as a function of the total organizational system is evaluated. Organizational designs and interpersonal relationships in the healthcare organization are critiqued.

NURS 6302. Nursing Administration II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6301. A synthesis of concepts used for effective performance of the nurse executive's role in organizations. The use of human and financial resources in organizational development is explored.

NURS 6303. Health Care Economics. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program. Introduction to accounting and financial management focusing on the health care industry; includes understanding financial reports, cost behavior and profit analysis, cost allocation, pricing and service decisions, managerial accounting, planning and budgeting, time value analysis, and financial risk

NURS 6304. Human Resources Management Quality. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6301. Personnel and human resource issues including labor management in nursing and health care settings.

NURS 6305. Management in Nursing and Health Care. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6301. Analysis of quality management system models in health care.

NURS 6309. Nuring Administration Practicum. Cr. 4.

Prerequisite: NURS 6301, NURS 6302, NURS 6303, NURS 6304, NURS 6305. This practicum experience is designed to integrate theory in a reality context of the administrator's role. Opportunities are provided to participate in all phases of the executive role in different administrative settings.

NURS 6401. Informatics and Information Management. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program or consent of department chair. This course provides students with an overview of informatics and the theoretical foundation for information management within the health care setting.  The impact of automated data management through advances in information technology, health care information systems, and tele-health are explored.

NURS 6402. Health Care Information Systems. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: Admission to the RODP-MSN program of consent of department chair. This course introduces the concepts upon which health care information systems are developed, implemented, and maintained. Operating systems, networking concepts, security issues and workstation design and evaluation related to the health care environment are addressed.

NURS 6403. Analysis and Design of Health Care Information Systems. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6402. This course provides the student with knowledge and skills needed to analyze and design health care information systems. Informatics models, conceptual frameworks, and practice activities are discussed.

NURS 6404. Evaluation of Health Care Information Systems. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6403. This course provides advanced knowledge and skill for implementing and evaluating health care information systems in practice. Emerging technologies are emphasized.

NURS 6405. Health Care Data Analysis Techniques. Cr. 2.

Prerequisite: NURS 6401. This course presents the concepts related to complex data analysis within the health care environment. Principles of data collection, organization and statistical analysis and interpretation will be covered. Students will also have the opportunity to review complex applications for data mining and reporting within the health care environment.

NURS 6407. Informatics Practicum I. Cr. 2.

Prerequisite: NURS 6402. Pre- or Corequisite: NURS 6403. The practicum course builds upon the concepts and technology introduced in related informatics course work to provide experiences in informatics applications in health care settings.

NURS 6409. Informatics Practicum II. Cr. 2.

Prerequisite: NURS 6403. Pre- or Corequisite: NURS 6404. The practicum course builds upon the concepts and technology introduced in other related informatics course work to provide additional experiences in informatics applications in health care settings. Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of informatics applications and then identify specific informatics applications based on their practice interests.

NURS 6501. Advanced Adult Health Nursing I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6000. This course focuses on the theoretical and conceptual basis for nursing management of the acutely ill client from social, cultural, psychological, physical, spiritual and economic perspectives.

NURS 6503. Advanced Adult Health Nursing II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisites: NURS 6000, NURS 6103, NURS 6501. This course focuses on the theoretical and conceptual basis for nursing management of clients experiencing chronic illness from social, cultural, psychological, physical, spiritual, and economic perspectives.

NURS 6511. Psychiatric Nursing Care I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103. This course will provide a foundation in the specialty care of individuals and families experiencing a psychiatric disorder.

NURS 6513. Psychiatric Nursing Care II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103. This course provides students with a conceptual theory-base for implementing advanced practice psychiatric nursing psychotherapy interventions.

NURS 6522. Core Concepts in Critical Care I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103. This course focuses on advanced concepts of critical care related to multi-organ/system function and dysfunction. Nursing care relating to physiology, assessment, pathophysiology, system failure, and clinical management of the cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, renal system, and endocrine system are addressed. Core concepts of complex pathophysiology, current treatment modalities, and advanced nursing roles are integrated in discussions of providing care to critically ill patients.

NURS 6523. Core Concepts in Critical Care II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103. This course focuses on advanced concepts of critical care related to multi-organ/system function and dysfunction. Nursing care relating to physiology, assessment, pathophysiology, system failure, and clinical management of the defense systems (infection, sepsis, organ/bone marrow transplant), shock, trauma, neurological system, hepatic system and gastrointestinal systems are addressed. Integrative core concepts with more complex pathophysiology and advanced treatment modalities of advanced nursing care are integrated to provide care to critically ill patients.

NURS 6541. Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103. This course focuses on evidence-based care of the women experiencing common health alterations and developmental transitions. Nursing strategies will include health promotion, prevention of disease, maintenance, and restoration.

NURS 6543. Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6103, NURS 6541. This course focuses on evidence-based management and care of the pre-gestational, antepartum, intrapartum, and the puerpieum woman. Focus will include selected alterations of pregnancy. In addition, management and care of the adaptive transitional stages of the newborn and parenting education are explored.

NURS 6601. Family Nurse Practitioner I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6602. This course focuses on advanced practice nursing and health care management of women in diverse populations. Course content includes bio-psychosocial interactions, affecting women throughout the lifespan.

NURS 6602. Family Nurse Practitioner I - Clinical. Cr. 2.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6601. The focus of this clinical course is delivery of advanced nursing care to women. Various clinical settings with diverse populations will be employed for clinical practice.

NURS 6603. Family Nurse Practitioner II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6604. This course focuses on advanced practice nursing and healthcare management of adults and older adults in diverse populations. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses and life transitions.

NURS 6604. Family Nurse Practitioner II - Clinical. Cr. 4.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6603. This clinical course is designed to provide the student with opportunities to deliver advanced nursing care to adults and older adults. The student is expected to complete health assessments of adults and older adults and develop comprehensive plans of care.

NURS 6605. Family Nurse Practitioner III. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6606. The focus of this course is on advanced nursing and healthcare management of children and adolescents. Course content includes developmental, physiological, pathological, and psychosocial changes relative to health maintenance, acute and chronic illnesses, and developmental transitions within the family context.

NURS 6606. Family Nurse Practitioner III - Clinical. Cr. 2.

Prerequisite: NURS 6101, NURS 6102, NURS 6103, NURS 6104. Corequisite: NURS 6605. This clinical course is designed to provide the student with opportunities to deliver advanced nursing care to children and adolescents in families and communities. In collaboration with nursing faculty and clinical preceptors various primary care settings will be employed for clinical practice.

NURS 6609. Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum. Cr. 4.

Prerequisite: NURS 6000, NURS 6601, NURS 6602, NURS 6603, NURS 6603, NURS 6604, NURS 6605, NURS 6606. This practicum experience focuses on the synthesis of previously gained knowledge and skills in the provision of advanced nursing care to individuals, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention and clinical management of clients with common acute and chronic illness.

NURS 6631. Pediatric Nursing I. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6000, NURS 6101, NURS 6102. This course focuses on health maintenance and health promotion for well children and their families.

NURS 6633. Pediatric Nursing II. Cr. 3.

Prerequisite: NURS 6000, NURS 6101, NURS 6102. This course is designed to provide the advanced practice nurse with the necessary knowledge base to provide care for children and their families experiencing minor acute illness and chronic illness/disabilities. Content will emphasize common minor acute illnesses and chronic illness/disabilities typically seen in the ambulatory clinic site.

NURS 6990. Scholarly Synthesis/Research. Cr. 3.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER (FNP) CERTIFICATE

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Option in the Advanced Practice Concentration of the Master's of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare nurses to deliver primary health care to families in a variety of settings. Students follow patients through the life cycle utilizing obstetric, pediatric, gynecologic, as well as adult and geriatric primary care diagnostic and management skills.

The scope of practice of the Family Nurse Practitioner is based on a team approach. An interdependent member of the health team, the FNP provides primary care through the following means:

• Documentation of individual and family health history
• Physical assessment
• Diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational care plans
• Collaboration with physicians and other health care professionals
• Referral to appropriate health care providers
• Coordination of health care

Graduates are eligible to take the certifying examination offered by the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Graduates find positions in a variety of settings such as outpatient clinics, community health centers, private practice offices, health departments, homeless shelters, chronic care facilities, schools, day care programs, hospices, homes, and acute care settings.

Since opening the MSN-RODP, a number of master's prepared nurses have indicated an interest in completing the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration courses in order to sit for the national certification exam to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In order to be eligible to take the certification exam, students must “successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of a master's nurse practitioner program through a formal graduate-level certificate or master's level NP program in the desired area of practice.” Establishment of the FNP Certificate program offers a formal program of study to meet this need for students without requiring them to complete a second master's degree.

Constant change in the health system challenges the notion that one nurse can be all things to all people. Nurses with varied education and practice competencies bring different skills to patient care, and they must be able to practice to the fullest potential of these capabilities. To compete as attractive professional destinations, practice environments must recognize and reward these differences by defining nurses' roles, and by utilizing and compensating nurses according to their different educational preparation and competencies. Nurses prepared at the master's level in a variety of advanced practice roles are needed to meet patient needs in a changing health care environment.

Concentration(s): Total credits 21

Total contact hours – Advanced Family NP Clinical/Practicum = 780

Students in the FNP Certificate program will complete all courses in the FNP option of the Advanced Practice Concentration in the MSN-RODP. All courses are already approved through all review/approval processes.

Clinical experiences and required practicum are included. Clinical and practicum courses require four clock hours per credit hour. (For every credit hour awarded, the student is required to complete four clock hours in clinical/practicum contact.)

Additional admission requirements for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program include:

•  A master's degree in nursing from an accredited program (NLNAC or CCNE).

•  Satisfactory completion of the following courses at the master's level:

•  Advanced Health Assessment (3 sem hrs)

•  Advanced Health Assessment – Clinical or lab (1 sem hr)

•  Advanced Pathophysiology (3 sem hrs)

•  Advanced Pharmacology (3 sem hrs)

•  Eligibility to practice as a registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained during the first semester following admission to the program.

•  Overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

•  TOEFL score of 600 (250 CBT), if native language is not English

•  A written document prepared by the applicant that includes a resume, a discussion of prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate study.

•  Letters of recommendation from at least three persons (a minimum of one academic) familiar with the applicant's academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant's capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse.

Page last updated: 12/21/05

Graduate Studies
Tennessee Tech Univesity
P.O. Box 5036
Phone: (931) 372-3233 Fax: (931) 372-3497
E-Mail: Gradstudies@tntech.edu