Master of Science in Nursing Classes
(36 credit hours)
Core Courses (18 credit hours)
All Master of Science in Nursing students take these six required core courses.
Transition to the Graduate Nursing Role | NSRG 7000 (3 credit hours)
Assists the nursing student with transition to graduate study at Ottawa University in order to enhance opportunities for success in the program. Historical perspective of the scientific and theoretical basis of nursing at the graduate level of practice is explored. Emphasis is placed on standards for scholarly writing and linkages between theory, practice and research in advanced nursing practice. Core competencies vital to all advanced practice roles and health care in complex systems are addressed. In addition, students explore the complex ethical responsibilities that are faced by today’s nursing leaders.
Advanced Pathophysiology | NSRG 7100 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision-making when caring for patients with acute and chronic diseases. Disease prevention and health promotion are also emphasized.
Advanced Pharmacology | NSRG 7200 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on advanced pharmacotherapeutics across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision-making when caring for patients with acute and chronic diseases. Current issues and best practices in pharmacology are included.
Advanced Health Assessment | NSRG 7300 (3 credit hours)
Builds upon the student’s previous health assessment knowledge and experience. Emphasis will be placed on holistic assessment, intervention and evaluation using a family-centered approach as well as an exploration of evidence-based strategies for prevention and management.
Research to Improve Quality and Safety for Graduate Nursing Roles | NSRG 7400 (3 credit hours)
Builds upon statistics and expands understanding of research methods and critical analysis of the literature as a foundation for evidence-based practice at the graduate level. There is a focus on the evaluation of outcomes and risk analysis to ensure the improvement of safety and quality in the care of diverse populations.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate Statistics (Statistics for Social Sciences or equivalent statistical course approval)
Cultural Diversity, Policy and Advocacy within Population Health | NSRG 7500 (3 credit hours)
Uses the principles of epidemiology to evaluate disease prevention and health promotion data when advocating for health care policies that meet the needs of diverse population groups. In addition, there is a deeper exploration of cultural diversity and cultural humility with a special emphasis on vulnerable populations.
MSN students choose from one of two specializations: Nurse Educator or Nurse Leadership.
Nurse Educator Specialization (18 credit hours)
Foundations for Nurse Educator Practice | NSRG 7601 (3 credit hours)
Introduces the theoretical and research base for nurse educator practice in a variety of settings. The nurse educator roles of teaching, service and scholarship are explored and include an emphasis on nurse educators as leaders and change agents who pursue continuous quality improvement within the educational environment. In addition, there is an emphasis on domains of learning and adult learning theory from a learner-centered philosophy. The goal of this approach is to facilitate learner achievement of desired outcomes.
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of CORE MSN Courses or Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee
Teaching Strategies for Today’s Nurse Educator | NRSG 7602 (3 credit hours)
Emphasizes the theoretical and evidence base for effective teaching in nursing education. Students will examine and evaluate a variety of traditional and innovative teaching/learning strategies used in didactic, lab and clinical settings and identify best practices. There is an emphasis on creating a learner-centered environment that fosters student engagement, clinical reasoning and critical thinking. Techniques to assess student achievement of learning outcomes are highlighted.
Curriculum Design and Assessment Techniques in Nursing Education | NRSG 7603 (3 credit hours)
Explores models for curriculum design, development and evaluation within the context of organizational mission, philosophy, goals, and desired learning outcomes and competencies. There is a focus on internal and external factors influencing the curriculum. Also explores key strategies to enhance critical thinking in the development of instructional design, as well as test construction and item analysis. Analysis of assessment and evaluation data is addressed to facilitate student learning and enhance program effectiveness.
Instructional Technology and Simulation in Nursing Education | NSRG 7604 (3 credit hours)
Examines current and emerging instructional technologies and simulation used in a variety of nursing educational settings and e-learning environments, including online. Application, implementation and evaluation of instructional technologies and simulation concepts are explored to enhance understanding of evidence-based interactive learning practices for direct and indirect patient-care roles.
Nurse Educator Practicum | NSRG 7605 (3 credit hours)
Comprises the nursing education practicum in selected organization(s) with opportunities to apply educational knowledge, skills and concepts in a guided and transformational context in nursing education. Validation of advanced clinical expertise in a selected nursing specialty area is required as a significant value for nurse educators. An evidence-based practice approach is used to guide the scholarly project developed in this course and completed in the capstone.
Prerequisite: Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee is required for enrollment.
Nurse Educator Capstone | NSRG 7606 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on the integration of knowledge with advanced nursing practice competencies in the role of nurse educator to demonstrate attainment of program outcomes. The scholarly project provides validation of the student’s ability to translate evidence into practice, improve quality outcomes, advance interprofessional collaboration, embrace diversity, and lead change in nursing education.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all MSN nursing courses or Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee is required for enrollment.
Nurse Leadership Specialization (18 credit hours)
Foundations for Nurse Leader Practice | NSRG 7701 (3 credit hours)
Introduces the theoretical and research base for nurse leader practice in a variety of settings. There is an emphasis on nurse leaders as scholars and change agents who pursue continuous quality improvement within the health care environment. Professional communication skills such as conflict management and negation are addressed. There is a focus on human resource management in health care organizations, including the unique challenges encountered related to staffing, unionism, productivity, and performance evaluation in today’s complex health care delivery settings.
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of CORE MSN Courses or Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee
Health Information and Systems Management as a Nurse Leader | NSRG 7702 (3 credit hours)
Examines the essential components of healthcare information systems and patient-care technology in complex healthcare settings. A systems approach is used to evaluate health care delivery modes and work design in order to improve key performance metrics.
Legal and Ethical Issues for Nurse Leaders | NSRG 7703 (3 credit hours)
Explores salient legal and ethical issues faced by nurse leaders. There is a focus on professional accountability, interprofessional communication, advocacy, embracing diversity, and promoting access to healthcare. In addition, evidence-based practice that is based on outcomes measurement and research is addressed.
Business Concepts for Nurse Leaders | NSRG 7704 (3 credit hours)
Provides opportunities to examine critical business acumen needed by nurse leaders. Healthcare economics, strategic planning, and financial management topics are explored to enhance the effectiveness of the nurse leader in today’s complex health care environments.
Nurse Leader Practicum | NSRG 7705 (3 credit hours)
Comprises the nurse leadership practicum focusing on management of outcomes for individuals and populations. An evidence-based practice approach is used to guide the scholarly project developed in this course and completed in the capstone. Strategies to change practice for optimal outcomes are explored.
Prerequisite: Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee is required for enrollment.
Nurse Leader Capstone | NSRG 7706 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on the integration of knowledge with advanced nursing practice competencies in the role of nurse leader to demonstrate attainment of program outcomes. The scholarly project provides validation of the student’s ability to translate evidence into practice, improve quality outcomes, advance interprofessional collaboration, embrace diversity, and facilitate change as a nurse leader.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all MSN nursing courses or Approval by Program Coordinator &/or Director/designee is required for enrollment.
For curriculum and course descriptions, please download a program overview.
Full Degree Catalog