Graduate School - Catalog of Studies - University of Arkansas

The Graduate School: Departments and Course Descriptions
• Clinical Associate Professor Lawson
• Assistant Professor Smith-Blair
• Instructors Buron, Odell
Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Nursing (MSN)
The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Graduate Program expands
on the philosophy of the undergraduate nursing program and contributes
to the mission of the College of Education and Health
Professions and the University of Arkansas. The online MSN program
prepares students as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) who are
eligible to take national certification exams and apply for licensure
as Advanced Practice Nurses. Program objectives focus on the roles
of expert clinician, consultant, educator, manager, and researcher.
The skills necessary for life-long learning, including self-assessment,
goal setting, active learning, and research utilization are integrated
throughout the curriculum. Graduates are prepared to function independently
or in a collaborative role on an interdisciplinary team as
change agents to affect nursing practice. Graduate education at the
master’s level builds on the foundation of baccalaureate education
to prepare students to assume responsibility for addressing complex
health needs of adults in a variety of settings. Graduates are prepared
to provide clinical leadership for evidence-based practice and to contribute
to the development of nursing science through practice, evaluation,
and outcomes research. The faculty recognizes the uniqueness
of individual students as adult learners and strives to provide flexible
opportunities for learning. The Graduate Nursing Core provides students
with the foundation of the science of nursing, the role of the
Advanced Practice Nurse; and the complex health needs of diverse
populations. The Advanced Practice Core provides students with the
advanced knowledge and skills for a comprehensive approach to the
management of client problems. The Clinical Nurse Specialist Core
provides students with the experience and guidance in advanced clinical
decision making to ensure quality care for diverse populations.
The Thesis or Research Project allows students to contribute to new
knowledge in nursing through original research, replication studies,
dissemination efforts, and utilization projects. The thesis or scholarly
project requirement also prepares graduates for further study in a
doctoral program. The Nursing Education option prepares students to
assume the nurse educator role in various institutional settings. The
Capstone experience, a written comprehensive exam, will provide students
the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to synthesize knowledge
from the cores areas and communicate their ideas effectively.
Upon the completion of the program of studies the graduate will
be able to:
1. Promote evidence-based practice through problem identification
and the critique and utilization of research findings.
2. Collaborate in policy development, resource management, and
cost-effective care delivery.
3. Apply legal/ethical principles to promote a values-based professional
practice.
4. Effect health care outcomes through advanced practice roles of
clinician, teacher, manager, researcher, and consultant.
5. Utilize theories from nursing and other disciplines for clinical
decision making.
6. Advocate for access to quality health care for diverse populations.
7. Collaborate with other disciplines to design, deliver, and evaluate
health promotion/disease prevention programs for diverse
populations.
Areas of Concentration: Medical-surgical nursing; nursing education.
Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Cardiopulmonary physiology;
placement, recruitment and retention of advanced practice nurses;
attrition and retention of nursing students; nurse educator leadership;
patient falls; self-care and health promotion in older adults; professional
development.
Admission Requirements: 1) Admission to the University of
Arkansas Graduate School. 2) Completion of a baccalaureate degree
in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. 3) Current
licensure to practice as a registered nurse. 4) Completion of a basic
health assessment course (academic or continuing education). 5)
Completion of a basic-level statistics course with a grade of “C” or
above. 6) Evidence of current CPR (American Heart Association for
Professionals) certification, TB screening, Hepatitis immunization,
professional liability insurance, and health insurance. 7) Basic computer
and library skills including the use of electronic databases. 8)
Qualified applicants will be admitted on a space available basis.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree:
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School,
students must complete a minimum of 41 credits (44 credits with
thesis option) including the following courses: Graduate Nursing
Core courses: NURS 5003, 5013, 5023, 5033, 5042, 5141; Advanced
Practice Core courses: NURS 5143, 5102, 5111, 5123; Clinical
Specialist Core courses: NURS 5212, 5225, 5232, 5245. Clinical
practicum courses involve 3 contact hours per credit. Students complete
a total of 540 hours of clinical practicum. Students who select
the thesis option complete a minimum of six credits of thesis that
will count toward the degree. As an alternative to completing a thesis,
students may elect the scholarly project option and are required
to complete a three-credit independent study. Students who intend
to pursue doctoral preparation are strongly urged to select the thesis
option. All candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
must successfully complete a comprehensive written exam.
The Nursing Education option is available to students currently
enrolled in the MSN program and to those nurses with a previous
master’s degree in nursing. Students complete nine credits by taking
the following courses: NURS 5303, 5313, offered only by distance
technology, web-based delivery; and NURS 5323, offered at selected
on-site locations.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved.
Accreditation of the program will be pursued prior to the first
graduating class.
Nursing (NURS)
NURS5003 Theoretical Foundations in Nursing (Odd years, Fa) The course
utilizes the critical reasoning process to examine the element of nursing knowledge. Emphasis
is placed on concept analysis and the evaluation of nursing theories. Identification of the links
between theory and empirical indicators is examined. The clinical relevance of mid-range and
practice theories is explored.
NURS5013 Advanced Nursing Research I (Sp) This course focuses on scientific
approaches to evidence-based practice, research utilization, and outcomes evaluation for clinical
practice. Pre- or Corequisite: NURS 5003.
NURS5023 Advanced Nursing Research II (Even years, Sp) This course builds
on the content of Advanced Nursing Research I. The focus of this course is to prepare the student
to design a systematic investigation of a clinical problem including identifying the impact
on clinical, practice, and organization outcomes. Prerequisite: NURS 5013.
NURS5033 Role Development of the Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse
Specialist (Even years, Sp) The study of role development of the Advanced Practice
Nurse with specific emphasis on the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Concepts
include role development, interdisciplinary communication and collaborative strategies, patient
advocacy and serving as change agent for role implementation. Pre- or Corequisite: NURS
5003.
NURS5042 Advanced Concepts in Health Promotion with Diverse
Populations (Even years, Sp) Provides a theoretical basis for health promotion, risk
reduction and disease prevention at the individual, family and community levels. A cross-disciplinary
approach to achieve or preserve health is identified. Focuses on holistic plans and
interventions that address the behavioral and social factors that contribute to morbidity and
mortality in diverse populations.
NURS5102 Advanced Health Assessment (Even years, Su) Application of
advanced health assessment techniques with adults within the context of the family and community.
Differentiate abnormal from normal findings, interpret diagnostic tests, and use clinical
reasoning to formulate diagnoses for culturally diverse individuals. Emphasis on health promotion
and disease prevention. Corequisite: NURS 5111.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville • Graduate Catalog 143