Course Descriptions

 
NURS 5100
Knowledge for Advanced Nursing (3,0,0)

NURS 5100 Knowledge for Advanced Nursing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course provides an opportunity for students to explore the philosophical (epistemological, ontological and moral) foundations of knowledge for nursing practice. Students will critically analyze the development, organization, and application of nursing knowledge in contemporary practice settings, authenticating the relevance of nursing knowledge to nursing practice as well as within interdisciplinary collaborative healthcare environments. Course emphases are: philosophy of science, knowledge generation, social justice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate Studies
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HLTH 5200
The Canadian Healthcare System (3,0,0)

HLTH 5200 The Canadian Healthcare System (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course examines the structure and functioning of the Canadian healthcare system in the context of Canadian society, including challenges to the provision of quality care. Students will critically analyze the role of advanced practice in the healthcare system, using the concepts of principled leadership, politics, macroeconomics and the determinants of health as they apply at the local, provincial, territorial and national levels. Comparisons with healthcare systems in other countries will also be made. The emphasis will be on application of knowledge to practice contexts.
Prerequisite: Recommended - Admission to Graduate Studies, NURS 5100
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HLTH 5300
Leadership and Managing Change in Healthcare (3,0,0)

HLTH 5300 Leadership and Managing Change in Healthcare (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course examines leadership and management theories in the context of healthcare delivery. Participants will develop leadership skills in advocating for clients and nurses to achieve optimal health outcomes and quality practice environments. Students will examine the literature on the development of strategic collaborative partnerships, build conflict management skills, develop strategies to communicate vision, policy and program directions, increase their ability to assess gaps and capacities in the design of programs, strategies, and policies, and demonstrate team building skills.
Prerequisite: Recommended - NURS 5100, HLTH 5200
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HLTH 6000
Research in Healthcare (3,0,0)

HLTH 6000 Research in Healthcare (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

The focus of this course is the development of knowledge and skills to conduct research. Specific emphases are: theory and conduct of studies in various research traditions, appraisal of studies for scientific merit, interpretation and dissemination of research findings, research utilization and evidence based practice.
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HLTH 6300
Indigenous Health Leadership (3,0,0)

HLTH 6300 Indigenous Health Leadership (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

In this course leadership best practices for effective, culturally relevant Indigenous people's healthcare are examined. Participants develop knowledge of Indigenous peoples' history, traditional perspectives, health-wellness practices, and challenges inherent in the complex and interrelated socio-cultural, historical, and contextual determinants that influence health. Participants analyze Indigenous and mainstream knowledge/practices and how each shapes service design and delivery. The importance of respectful relationships, partnership, and Indigenous leadership in improving healthcare access and outcomes is explored. Course activities will strengthen participant abilities to draw on the literature and other information sources to inform program and policy development, knowledge translation, and evaluating program effectiveness as well as assist in preparing for a major paper or thesis in the area of Indigenous peoples' health.
Prerequisite: HLTH 6000 Recommended Requisites: HLTH 5300, HLTH 5200 and NURS 5100
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NURS 5310
Issues in Professional Practice for Nurse Practitioners (0,0,39)

NURS 5310 Issues in Professional Practice for Nurse Practitioners (0,0,39)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

In this course students examine the social, economic, political, and ethico-legal issues that influence the professional and intra-professional roles of nurse practitioners as advanced practice nurses in BC, Canada, and globally. Areas of focus will include: implications for the implementation and sustainability of “value-added" advanced practice nurse practitioner roles in healthcare; implications for intra-professional practice, including collaboration, consultation, and partnerships; responsibility and accountability for professional practice, including professional regulation, continuing competence and the legal and legislative underpinnings of nurse practitioner practice; and the basis of ethico-legal decision-making in practice. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the role of leadership in supporting and furthering professional advanced nurse practitioner practice and healthcare.
Prerequisite: NURS 5100 and HLTH 5200 and HLTH 5300 and HLTH 6000
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NURS 5320
Advanced Pathophysiology

NURS 5320 Advanced Pathophysiology

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course offers an integrated approach to developing the foundational knowledge of advanced pathophysiology required to support clinical reasoning in advanced health assessment of health conditions commonly encountered in primary care practice with clients across the lifespan. Knowledge of advanced pathophysiology is the basis for developing an applied understanding of the principles of advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and disease management which guide nurse practitioner in clinical decision-making to treat common health conditions. This course will review anatomy and physiology, as well as in-depth pathophysiology of common acute/chronic health conditions to support both advanced clinical decision-making and disease management. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making in practice with clients of all ages in the context of primary care practice.
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NURS 5330
Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (45,0,0)

NURS 5330 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (45,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course offers an integrated approach to developing the foundational knowledge of advanced pharmacology required to support clinical reasoning in advanced health assessment, and the pharmacotherapeutic management of health conditions commonly encountered in primary care practice with clients of various ages and stages in life. Knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics guide nurse practitioner prescribers in clinical decision-making regarding the selection, prescription and monitoring of drugs used to treat common health conditions. This course involves in-depth study of the mechanisms of drug interactions, therapeutic and adverse effects, drug interactions, and client education. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making in practice with clients in the context of primary care practice.
Prerequisite: NURS 5320 and Admission to the Master of Nursing-Nurse Practitioner program or by permission of the Dean or Program Coordinator
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NURS 5350
Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Health Assessment

NURS 5350 Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Health Assessment

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course prepares students to integrate clinical reasoning with knowledge and skills required to conduct advanced health assessments with clients from infancy through advanced age and e life transitions common to all life stages. Students apply theoretical knowledge from health assessment and the pathophysiological basis of disease, and evidence-informed assessment skills to conduct both focused and comprehensive health assessments within the context of relational nurse practitioner practice; and apply critical analysis to synthesize complex client data derived from history taking and physical examination. Students begin to develop proficiency with using the diagnostic reasoning process to support sound clinical judgements. This course provides the foundation in clinical reasoning and advanced health assessment that students will continue to build upon in Nurse Practitioner in Primary Healthcare I and II, and consolidate in the Consolidated Nurse Practitioner Internship.
Prerequisite: NURS 5100 and HLTH 5200 and HLTH 5300 and NURS 5320 and NURS 5330 and HLTH 6000.
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NURS 5450 Nurse Practitioner Primary Healthcare I

NURS 5450 Nurse Practitioner Primary Healthcare I

Credits: 5 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course focuses on theoretical and evidence-informed knowledge and skills related to health promotion, illness prevention, and therapeutic management of episodic and chronic health conditions common to primary care practice across the lifespan. The provision of primary care health services will be enacted through the lens of primary health care, an ethic of social justice, and intercultural understanding, with an emphasis on the integration of primary care knowledge and skills with the "value-added" attributes of nurse practitioner practice. This course includes a condensed 45 hours on-campus laboratory and seminar to consolidate skill development and a preceptor-guided clinical practice component of 225 hours that will afford students the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in the areas of adult ages 18-59 years, adult 60 to end of life. Mental health will be integrated for all ages identified previously.
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NURS 5460
Management and Therapeutics in Adult Health II- Specialized Adult Populations ( 0,4,0)

NURS 5460 Management and Therapeutics in Adult Health II- Specialized Adult Populations ( 0,4,0)

Credits: 4 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course focuses on theoretical and evidence-informed knowledge and skills related to health promotion, illness prevention, and therapeutic management of episodic and chronic health conditions common to primary care practice across the lifespan. The provision of primary care health services will be enacted through the lens of primary health care, an ethic of social justice, and intercultural understanding, with an emphasis on the integration of primary care knowledge and skills with the "value-added" attributes of nurse practitioner practice. This course includes a preceptor-guided clinical practice component of 225 hours that will afford students the opportunity to extend and build on skills obtained in NURS 5450, while introducing the opportunity to focus on women's health and pediatrics. Mental health will be integrated for all ages identified previously.
Prerequisite: NURS 5100 and HLTH 5200 and HLTH 5300 and HLTH 6000 and HLTH 6300 and NURS 5310 and NURS 5320 and NURS 5330 and NURS 5350 and NURS 5450.
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NURS 6410 Directed Health Study

NURS 6410 Directed Health Study

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course affords NP students the opportunity to develop in-depth evidence-informed understanding and expertise in a specific area of specialized health across the lifespan. Possible topic areas may focus on particular population (such as mental health, Indigenous health, adult health, elder care) and/or complex health needs (such as autoimmune disease, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, traumatic brain injury, autism, inherited genetic disorders, gluten sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease). The graduate nurse practitioner student is expected to clearly identify the topic for their knowledge advancement, method(s) of inquiry, intended course outcomes, course timelines, and evaluation criteria that is reviewed and negotiated with a qualified faculty member.
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 6420 Directed Health Study

NURS 6420 Directed Health Study

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course affords NP students the opportunity to develop in-depth evidence-informed understanding and expertise in a specific area of specialized health across the lifespan. Possible topic areas may focus on particular population (such as mental health, Indigenous health, adult health, elder care) and/or complex health needs (such as autoimmune disease, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, traumatic brain injury, autism, inherited genetic disorders, gluten sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease). The graduate nurse practitioner student is expected to clearly identify the topic for their knowledge advancement, method(s) of inquiry, intended course outcomes, course timelines, and evaluation criteria that is reviewed and negotiated with a qualified faculty member.
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 6430 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics

NURS 6430 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

The NP Internship provides opportunities for students to consolidate and to build on knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program in a final intensive clinical experience. This course includes a condensed 60 hour on-campus laboratory and seminar to consolidate skill development. Students will then complete a consolidated preceptor-guided clinical experience of 320-hours in a primary care setting with the opportunity synthesize the learning from previous courses and clinical experiences through therapeutic management of clients across the lifespan. They will apply their integrated knowledge and skills in the critical analysis of health assessment data, and the diagnosis, therapeutic management, and evaluation of clients with acute and chronic conditions and healthcare needs commonly seen in primary healthcare practice. Intra-professional practice settings allow students to engage in autonomous nurse practitioner practice within team partnerships, and in collaboration and consultation with other healthcare providers. Students will demonstrate leadership attributes, modeling social responsibility, ethical behaviour, and intercultural understanding, as well as critical problem-solving in the application of research to enhance evidence-informed practice.
For more information, search for this course here.