All courses, arranged by program, are listed in the catalog. If you cannot locate a specific course, try the Advanced Search. Current class schedules, with posted days and times, can be found on the NOW/Student Dashboard or by logging in to SiS.
Health Promotion gerontological clinical practicum is designed to be taken as a co-requisite to 33:611 Gerontological Nursing II didactic, in which the student focuses on comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of health problems in older adults with complex, multi-system health issues. Students utilize evidence-based research to design, implement and evaluate intervention strategies to promote optimum functioning and wellness. Pharmacological and complementary therapies are applied. Client teaching is included. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
Co-Req: NURS 6110 Gerontological Nursing II; Pre-Reqs: NURS 6100 Gerontological Nursing I, NURS 6130 Gerontological Nursing Practicum I.
This course links health and illness to other central domains of life: gender, kinship, and culture within the context of the family, community and the current health care system. It draws on concepts from the social, health, and policy sciences to critically examine factors relating to health and health-seeking behaviors across the life course. Ethical dimensions of health policy formation and implementation are analyzed.
Pre-Reqs: Graduate Certificate or MS in Nursing, or DNP Nursing, or Instructor permission.
This course provides an overview of, and introduction to the concepts and skills of scholarly writing as it pertains to scientific reports and papers. Course topics will include scientific literature searches, organizations of research papers and reports, ethical and authorship considerations, and steps in critiquing one's own and others' writing. Course objectives will be accomplished by reading and critiquing professional writing, creating original written work, and integrating feedback to improve work.
Pre-req: MS in Nursing, or DNP Nursing, or Instructor permission.
Through didactic, discussion and field experiences, participants in this course explore research and theory related to death, dying, grief, bereavement, and end-of-life-care throughout the lifespan. Personal, professional, cultural, and ethical barriers and facilitators to the provision of palliative care will be examined using a holistic approach. Comfort and restorative care will be considered within the context of the family and the community in a variety of settings where palliative care is provided.
The focus of this course is on the nursing care of older adults with psychiatric and mental health problems. This course promotes a holistic approach to mental health care of older adults within the community and long-term care setting. Nursing implications of psychopharmacology, behavioral, and complementary interventions will be discussed. Community resources for older adults with psychiatric and mental health problems will be explored.
This nursing course focuses on clinical pharmacology and the mechanisms of drug action which determine therapeutic efficacy in clinical practice. Content includes basic pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology and monitoring parameters and standards of practice. Emphasis is given to implications of patient safety, patient diversity and patient teaching.
Course focuses on the analysis, critique, and application of theory as a basis for advanced practice nursing. Relationships among theories, research, and nursing practice are emphasized.
Course focuses on the critique of research studies for the purpose of determining implications for evidence-based practice. The research process will be applied to researchable nursing problems. The role of frameworks, ethics, research designs, sampling theory, and measurement strategies are emphasized.
Pre-req or Co-req: NURS.6000 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice.
This survey course aims to educate advanced practice nurses for safe and effective prescribing practices in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. The course utilizes a symptom management framework that integrates concepts from normative psychobiology with pathophysiology of the psychiatric diseases. From this perspective, emphasis is placed on gaining a fundamental understanding of the hypothesized compliment between the pathophysiologic basis of the disease state and mechanism of action of the drug treatment as a basis for rational selection of pharmacologic treatment. Current standards of practice and treatment algorithms are emphasized in helping the student to develop a working knowledge of psychopharmacology for the practice arena.
There is currently no description available for this course.
The focus of this course is on the advanced practice nursing role in the holistic assessment and management of health problems of the adult and older adult within a family and community context. Evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat common health problems and to maintain and promote health through the application of advanced knowledge, theory, relevant research and critical decision making are emphasized. Community resources, pharmacological therapies, and complementary strategies are addressed.
Pre-req: HSCI 5500 Human Development and Pathophysiology, and NURS 6510 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, and Co-req: NURS 6130 Adult Gerontological Nursing Practicum I.
The focus of this course is on health promotion and biopsychosocial well-being of young, middle aged and older adults from diverse cultures. Utilizing current scientific research, physical/natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, implications for advanced nursing interventions and health policy are identified. Principles of pharmacology and pharmacological therapies, and complementary therapies are addressed.
Pre-req: NURS 6100 Adult Gerontological Nursing I, and NURS 6130 Adult Gerontological Nursing Practicum I, and Co-req: NURS 6140 Gerontological Nursing Practicum II.
This capstone course builds on the adult/gerontological nursing curriculum of the previous three semesters. Issues related to health care policy and legislation relative to their impact on the role of the nurse practitioner within primary care are analyzed. Advanced knowledge of the management of complex health issues is integrated in nursing practice. Transition to the role of the advanced practice nurse is examined and actualized through an intensive, precepted, clinical experience.
This course focuses on comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of health problems in adults and older adults with complex, multi-system health issues, Students utilize evidence-based research to design, implement and evaluate intervention strategies to promote optimum functioning and wellness. Pharmacological and complementary therapies are applied. Group leadership, client and peer teaching are included.
Pre-req: NURS 6510 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, and HSCI 5500 Human Development and Pathophysiology, and Co-req: NURS 6100 Adult Gerontological Nursing I.
The focus of this course is on promotion of biopsychosocial well-being of adults and older adults through comprehensive assessment of health, the diagnosis of age-related changes and health problems, and the design, implementation and evaluation of pharmacologic and complementary intervention strategies. The application of scientific knowledge, theory and research findings to clinical practice is emphasized.
Pre-req: NURS 6100 Adult Gerontological Nursing I, and NURS 6130 Adult Gerontological Nursing Practicum I, and Co-req: NURS 6110 Adult Gerontological Nursing II.
Focus is on the advanced practice nursing role in the holistic assessment and management of health problems of the adolescent, adult, and older adults, within a family and community context. Evidence-based strategies are applied to the prevention, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health problems. Health promotion and maintenance are emphasized through the application of advanced knowledge, theory, research, and critical decision-making. Community resources, pharmacological therapies, and complementary strategies are integrated throughout the course.
Pre-req: NURS.6510 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, and Co-req: NURS.6100 Adult Gerontological Nursing Practicum I, or NURS.6600 Family Health Nursing Practicum I.
This course focuses on the development of advanced critical thinking and clinical judgment skills through comprehensive health assessment. Health promotion and health maintenance content, including relevant research findings are utilized to evaluate health status and to evaluate health risk among individuals and groups. Age, gender, and cultural variations in health and implications for advanced practice are included. Advanced practice health assessment skills are developed and refined.
Pre-req or Co-req: HSCI.5500 Human Development and Pathophysiology, or MLSC.5510 Advanced Pathophysiology, or HSCI.5510 Clinical Pathophysiology.
This course focuses on comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of health problems in adolescents, adults and older adults with complex, multisystem health issues. Students utilize evidence based research to design, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies to promote optimum functioning and wellness. The application of advanced knowledge, theory, relevant research, and critical decision making are emphasized. Pharmacological and complementary therapies are applied. Group leadership, client and peer teaching are included. Transition of the role of the advanced practice nurse is examined and actualized through an intensive, precepted clinical experience
Pre-Reqs: Graduate Certificate or MS in Nursing; or Instructor permission.
This course focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, and treatment through the comprehensive assessment and management of common health issues of individuals in the health setting; Application of theory, knowledge, and research finding to clinical practice is emphasized. The utilization of current clinical technologies is introduced.
Pre-req: NURS.6520 APRN Care of Adults, and NURS.6511 APRN Pacticum I, and Matriculation in the MS Nursing Program.
Advanced knowledge of the management of complex health issues of individuals across the life span is integrated in advanced nursing practice. Transition to the role of the advanced practice nurse is examined and actualized through an intensive, precepted. clinical experience.
Pre-req: NURS.6512 APRN Practicum II, and Co-req: NURS.6524 APRN Role Transition, and Matriculated in the MS Nursing Program.
Focus is on the advanced practice nursing role in the holistic assessment and management of health problems of the adolescent, adult, and older adult, within a family and community context. Evidence based strategies are applied to the prevention, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health problems. Health promotion and maintenance are emphasized through the application of advanced knowledge, theory, research, and critical decision making. Community resources, pharmacological therapies, and complimentary strategies are integrated throughout the course.
This course focus is on the advanced practice nursing of children adolescents in the primary care setting. Health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management principles are applied to alterations in health within a family and community context. Evidence-based strategies to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat common health problems are emphasized as the scientific foundation for independent practice. Additionally, this course emphasizes collaborative partnership development among individuals, families, and intra-professional teams.
Pre-req: NURS.6520 APRN Care of Adults.
The focus of this course is on health promotion and management of common health issues pertaining to women, from menarche to older adulthood. Based on current scientific research, students will develop knowledge to assess, diagnose and manage alterations in health ad develop holistic plans of care that address the health promotion, illness prevention, and primary care needs women across the lifespan. Sociocultural and political factors that affect the heath of women will be discussed.
Pre-req: NURS.6520 APRN Care of Adults, and Matriculation in the MS in Nursing Program.
Focus is on the advanced practice nurse in the holistic assessment and management of heath problems of the adult and older adult in a family and community context. Evidenced-based strategies to prevent and treat common health problems and to maintain and promote health though the application of advanced knowledge, theory, relevant research and critical decision making are emphasized. Community resources, pharmacological therapies and complementary strategies are addressed.
This course builds on the APRN curriculum of the previous three semesters. Issues related to health care policy, legislation, transition to the APRN role, ethical and fiscal concepts relative to their impact on the role of the nurse practitioner are analyzed.
Co-req: NURS.6513 APRN Practicum III, and Matriculation in the MS or DNP program.
Focus is on the advanced practice-nursing role in the holistic assessment and management of health problems of the family across the lifespan within a family and community context. Evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat common health problems and to maintain and promote health through the application of advanced knowledge; theory, relevant research and critical decision-making are emphasized. Community resources, pharmacological therapies, and complementary strategies are addressed.
Pre-req: HSCI 5500 Human Development and Pathophysiology, and NURS 6510 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, and Co-req: NURS 6630 Family Health Nursing Practicum I.
The focus of this course is on health promotion and management of common health issues pertaining to woman and to infants, children, and adolescents. Based on current scientific research, students develop skills in analyzing data, differential diagnosis, and developing holistic plans of care that address the health promotion, illness prevention, and primary care needs of a wide-variety of client populations.
Pre-req: NURS 6600 Family Health Nursing I, and NURS 6630 Family Health Nursing Practicum I, and Co-req: NURS 6640 Family Health Nursing Practicum II.
This capstone course builds on the family nursing curriculum of the previous three semesters. Issues related to health care policy and legislation relative to their impact on the role of the nurse practitioner within primary care are analyzed. Advanced knowledge of the management of complex health issues is integrated into nursing practice. Transition to the role of the advanced practice nurse is examined and actualized through an intensive, precepted, clinical experience.
The focus of this course is on the advanced practice-nursing role in the holistic assessment and management of health problems of the family across the lifespan within a family and community context. Evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat common health problems and to maintain and promote health through the application of advanced knowledge, theory, relevant research and critical decision-making are emphasized. Community resources, pharmacological therapies, and complementary strategies are addressed.
Pre-req: HSCI 5500 Human Development and Pathophysiology, and NURS 6510 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, and Co-req: or Pre-req: NURS.6500 Family and Adult-Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing I.
This course focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, and treatment through the comprehensive assessment and management of common health issues of infants, children, adolescents and woman in the context of family and social environments. Application of theory, knowledge, and research findings to clinical practice is emphasized. The utilization of current clinical technologies is introduced.
Pre-req: NURS 6600 Family Health Nursing I, and NURS 6630 Family Health Nursing Practicum I, and Co-req: NURS 6610 Family Health Nursing II.
This capstone project affords the student the opportunity for further knowledge development in an area of interest and learning need. The faculty-guided experience involves the development of a scholarly project which may involve a number of options: a scholarly review of the literature in a specific area; development of clinical teaching materials related to some dimension of sleep and/or sleep disorders; or a translational research project whereby a body of current research is interpreted for application to practice. The project will be negotiated with the faculty of record to meet the objectives of the course.
Pre-Req: 33.688 Clinical Assessment & intervention in Sleep Dysregulation.
This course provides doctoral students in nursing with philosophical perspectives in science, the nature of knowledge and its development, nursing knowledge development and philosophical underpinning to theory development, methods in scientific inquiry.
This course critically examines conceptual frameworks and theories of health promotion and health behavior. The content includes theoretical perspectives from multiple disciplinary perspectives including nursing, psychology, sociology, and public health. Health promotion orientations will include behavioral change and lifestyle modification, environmental enhancement and restructuring, and social ecological approaches.
This course provides students with theoretical principles of measurement and design in health and behavioral research. The strategies, techniques, and issues in survey research, sampling methods, and the development and administration of survey instruments will be critically examined. Psychometric properties using standardized approaches to measurement will be analyzed. Students will be required to select an appropriate instrument and conduct a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the instrument.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the concepts and methods of epidemiological research. Students will critique the principles of epidemiology with an emphasis on health promotion research. Students will analyze and develop epidemiological approaches, which seek to promote health and prevent disease.
The focus of this course is on development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing curricula and academic courses. Contemporary theories of learning are applied to analysis of student learning needs, teaching strategies and educational methodologies. This course is intended for those nursing students post-MS or enrolled in doctoral study who wish to teach in the academic and/or practice environment. However, students in a MS program who are interested may register for the course with permission.
Pre-Req: Graduate level or Instructor permission.
This independent study course is designed to enhance the international student's verbal and writing skills in order to successfully integrate in a doctoral level program. The student will meet weekly with the course instructor in addition to participating in a formal communication and writing course for international students.
The study of predominating qualitative methodology in the health sciences literature. Emphasis is on phenomenology, ethnography, life history/narrative, critical incidents, grounded theory, case study, and associated methodologies
This course focus is on the basic concepts of evaluation research and their application to education, health and social programs. Specific design and analytic approaches that effect quality evaluation research will be reviewed. Students will design a mock evaluation study. Prerequisites: Completion of a graduate level research methods course
"Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
This course introduces students to strategies and methods in research including an analysis of theoretical and empirical links, operationalization of concepts, research design, and ethics in behavioral research. Students will identify appropriate funding sources and complete a research grant application.
This course focuses on interdisciplinary health promotion research that targets diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities/society. Students will identify and analyze ethical issues, philosophical and conceptual underpinnings, measurement principles and major gaps in current knowledge in nursing and health promotion. Students will critique research approaches to health promotion studies and propose a research study in a topic relevant to health promotion.
Course focus is on application of the nursing research process. The student actively engages in at least two aspects of research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The course product has practical implications for nursing practice.
This course will focus on the in-depth historical and philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research. The student will examine and critique various analytic qualitative methods. The student will complete a project incorporating qualitative analysis using a qualitative software program.
Pre-req: NURS.7160 Qualitative Methods.
In this course, students participate in a mentored research experience. Students actively contribute as a member of a research study that will contribute to scientific knowledge. Opportunities are provided for the application of research skills and the dissemination of research with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach. This course also includes a monthly seminar, which focuses on ethical underpinnings, cultural considerations and disparities in health research.
Course focus is on the application of the full research process to a topic relevant to nursing practice and/or health outcomes. The student is expected to propose, conduct and defend the study under the guidance of a designated faculty thesis committee.
Independent Study
A structured series of sequenced seminars which guides students through dissertation proposal development, defense, collection and analysis of data. The first seminar concludes with the development of Chapters I and II of the dissertation; the second seminar concludes with defense of the proposal; and the the third seminar culminates in the development of discussion and conclusions of the dissertation effort. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
A structured series of sequenced seminars which guides students through dissertation proposal development, defense, collection and analysis of data. The first seminar concludes with the development of Chapters I and II of the dissertation; the second seminar concludes with defense of the proposal; and the third seminar culminates in the development of discussion and conclusions of the dissertation effort.
A structured series of sequenced seminars which guides students through dissertation proposal development, defense, collection and analysis of data. The first seminar concludes with the development of Chapters I and II of the dissertation; the second seminar concludes with defense of the proposal; and the the third seminar culminates in the development of discussion and conclusions of the dissertation effort.
Continued Grad Research
In this course the student will explore the role of the DNP in evaluating evidence to inform practice. The student will also identify a critical issue or influential trend within the health care system that impacts health care delivery. Methods relevant to reviewing, analyzing, synthesizing, and applying evidence from the scientific literature will be discussed. Models of systematic reviews of the literature will be explored and implemented. Decisions will be made relative to the student's topical area of interest and identification of the Scholarly Project Chair.
Pre-req: NURS.7070 Epidemiology of Health Promotion, and Must be a matriculating student in DNP program or needs permission of instructor.
This course consists of a seminar and leadership experience. The seminar will explore the major concepts in leadership and management and their application in the health care setting. The role of DNP will also be discussed in terms of leadership in the health policy, education, and clinical settings. A leadership project will be completed by the end of the semester.
In this course, students will implement their DNP Projects according to DNP Scholarly Project guidelines. Building on the course work of previous semesters, students will share progress on their projects and discuss issues related to implementation. Course work will guide students through the phases of implementation and evaluation.
Pre-Req: NURS.7700 Evidence-Based Practice.
this course will include a weekly seminar. The students will complete the scholarly project by undertaking dissemination activities. The student will analyze policies influencing DNP practice and quality, cost, and access to health care and participate in the policy making process.
Pre-req: NURS 7700 Evidence Appraisal, NURS 7720 Scholarly Project Implementation, NURS 7740 Scholarly Project Design.
In this course, the student will design and present the Scholarly Project proposal. Students will meet biweekly with the scholarly project chair to develop the DNP scholarly project using knowledge acquired in previous course work. Students will complete a University of Massachusetts Lowell Institutional Review Board application that considers ethical and cultural issues related to the scholarly project.
This course focuses on the synthesis of advanced practice leadership and evidence-based practice by the DNP student in the health care specialty of their choice. In preparation for the translation of acquired knowledge to practice in the scholar practice role of the DNP, the student completes this practicum under the guidance and mentor-ship of faculty and a preceptor. The DNP student utilizes this opportunity to refine and incorporate evidence-based practice into the care and education of patients, families and other professionals. The DNP student will assume a leadership role in some aspect of the care and/or education provided in a specialty practice. Students will utilize core concepts from the DNP Essentials.
Pre-req: NURS.7710 Advanced Nursing Leadership, and NURS.7720 Scholarly Project Implementation, and Co-req: NURS.7730 Evidence Dissemination.
In this independent study practicum students will apply knowledge of curriculum and teaching in nursing in an educational setting under the mentorship of a nursing faculty member. Students will actively engage in curriculum development, evaluation and refinement, course preparation, classroom and clinical teaching, and student evaluation. The nurse educator role will be explored.