The contemporary nurse is continually faced with a wide variety of problems encountered in the care of patients. Thus the nurse must have a repertoire of problem-solving skills that is based on sound evidence. Identification, evaluation, application, and/or compilation of evidence from a variety of resources to apply to health-related problems of individuals, families, communities, and the health care delivery system are essential tools of the contemporary nurse. Students will identify problems encountered in practice and find pertinent resources to assist in resolving them. The student will apply specific criteria to assess the quality of evidence, and as part of a team, will discuss whether it could feasibly and ethically be applied to care of patients. In addition, students will identify a problem or aspect of a problem to be researched, find relevant resources and/or literature, and determine what additional information is needed to resolve the problem. In collaboration with team members, a method of gathering pertinent data will be developed. Active R.N. License, or transfer credit in Statistics accepted as requirements prior to taking this course.

This course expands the student's focus from the care of individual patients to the care of aggregates. Aggregates may range from small to large, and include families, groups, communities, and the global population. Students will investigate the concept of community assessment and use a systems-based epidemiological model to organize data about health problems and populations at risk. Health challenges of specific diverse populations will be investigated along with resources for change and health promotion within the community. Students will perform a problem-focused literature review about a selected problem and create a community-based plan of care. Students will also become familiar with public health resources and functions. This course involves a clinical experience which comprises thirty hours spent in virtual simulation.

Nursing care of vulnerable populations requires the nurse to integrate concepts of vulnerability, disparities, and social determinants of health with prior knowledge in caring for individuals and populations. This course includes information from different cultures and at-risk groups of individuals considered to be vulnerable. Key concepts to be covered include, understanding of the unique challenges in caring for the vulnerable, relevant health care research, and skills required to work with and advocate for vulnerable populations.

This course provides the foundations for master's level nursing practice to advance nursing practice. The student is required to integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment and research to improve population health outcomes. Evidence-based practice is applied to the role of the master's level nurse and will examine the ethical implications of research and translational scholarship. The student must be able to articulate how evidence is the basis for practice decisions and include the credibility and relevance of the sources. Practice guidelines will be discussed and their impact on health outcomes.