School of Nursing
Mary K. Walker, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean
Janet Claypool, MN, Associate Dean
Phone: (206) 296-5660
Degree and Certificate Offered doctorally prepared, clinically experienced nurses who are
also expert teachers. The curriculum focus on care of
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) vulnerable clients actualizes the Jesuit commitment to
Leadership in Community Nursing (LCN) social justice. Students may select an international setting
Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (FPCNP) for a clinical practicum. Value-based education empathizes
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Family the ethical, moral, and spiritual dimensions of nursing care.
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Attention to individual student strengths and needs
produces graduates who are knowledgeable, skilled, and
Information regarding tuition, fees, and length of program may confident in their ability to effect change.
also be obtained from: The National League for Nursing Accredit- The MSN program, designed for working professional
ing Commission (NLNAC), 350 Hudson St. New York, NY 10014, nurses, offers two specializations. The leadership in
800-669-9659. community nursing (LCN) is a four-quarter full-time or
seven-quarter part-time track. The family primary care
Objectives nurse practitioner specialization (FPCNP) offers full-time,
Today’s complex health care environment requires that part-time, and post-master’s certificate study options.
nurses have advanced practice nursing knowledge and Classes are offered Fridays during the day or evenings and
skills. Graduate study offers the opportunity to deepen on Saturday. Both specializations of the MSN program
knowledge of clinical phenomena, develop new perspec- must be completed within a six year period.
tives on old dilemmas, and acquire new roles within the
health care system. Nurses prepared at the graduate level The MSN program:
obtain the skills needed for greater career flexibility. • Provides the academic background and clinical practica
• Synthesize knowledge from nursing and related for national certification examinations.
disciplines for advanced nursing practice.
• Focuses on the health care of vulnerable populations.
• Use problem solving strategies to provide care and to
• Offers weekday, weekend, and evening classes.
enable groups of clients to manage and cope with
alterations in health and to attain higher levels of • Provides programs designed for the adult learner.
wellness.
• Allows application of theory and research through
• Embody values essential to advanced nursing practice. clinical practica.
• Evaluate one’s beliefs, values and ways of knowing to • Is accredited by the NLNAC and has preliminary
foster personal growth and professional practice. approval by CCNE
• Analyze health care systems and policies that influence
Admission Requirements
health care for vulnerable populations.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing recognized by a national
• Practice advanced nursing roles in collaboration with nursing accrediting agency or an associate degree in
clients, health professionals, and community organiza- nursing with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.
tions to ensure quality care. Professional and academic experiences will be evalu-
• Advance the health of vulnerable populations through ated on an indivdual basis.
scholarship, leadership, and delivery of quality nursing • A résumé indicating relevant nursing experience. Two
care. years of clinical nursing experience is preferred.
• A statement describing professional and personal goals
with reasons for choosing the MSN program and a
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING particular specialization.
The master of science in nursing degree (MSN) provides
• A successful interview with faculty.
experienced professional nurses with the additional
education needed to function in a rapidly changing health • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the past five
care environment that demands new and innovative years.
approaches to nursing and health care delivery. Graduates
are prepared for positions as leaders in community and • Two recommendations that speak to the applicant’s
clinical and academic abilities. NOTE: Recommendation
institutional organizations, or as family primary care nurse
forms and envelopes are provided.
practitioners.
The MSN program at Seattle University is grounded in
the Jesuit ideals of teaching, service, education for values,
and growth of persons. Graduate faculty members are
93
School of Nursing
• A 3.0 minimum undergraduate grade point average NURS 514 Research in Nursing ........................... 3
(GPA). Individuals who have less than a 3.0 GPA may NURS 520 Patterns of Health Promotion and
be considered, given evidence of other accomplish- Disease Prevention Across the
ments. Life Span ............................................ 3
Applicants who do not meet all of the admission
requirements will be considered on an individual basis.
II. Specialization Area
Thirty-nine NURS credits, including:
Prerequisites
NURS 501 Advanced Health Assessment and
Satisfactory completion with a grade of C (2.0) or better
Health Promotion ............................... 4
in the following undergraduate courses:
NURS 521 Psychosocial Aspects of
• Health assessment course Primary Care ...................................... 2
• Research course (2-3 credit minimum) and completed NURS 522 Pharmacological Applications ............ 3
within the past ten years. NURS 523 Well Child Care in the Family ............. 2
NURS 524 Advanced Pathoshysiology ................ 3
• Basic statistics course that includes descriptive and
inferential statistics with computer application (2-3 credit NURS 525 Family Primary Care Management and
minimum) and completed within the past ten years. Practicum I ......................................... 6
NURS 526 Family Primary Care Management and
Students admitted to the MSN program must first
demonstrate satisfactory writing skills by enrollment in the Practicum II ........................................ 5
Reading/Writing Workshop (fee required). NURS 527 Family Primary Care Management and
Evidence of the following must be provided to the Practicum III ....................................... 6
School of Nursing prior to enrollment: NURS 529 Family Primary Care Integrated
• Washington State RN licensure Practicum IV ....................................... 8
• Professional liability insurance III. Program Synthesis
• Current immunizations required in clinical sites, and Choose option a. or b.: ........................................ 3-6
other Occupational Safety and Health Administration a. NURS 593 Thesis (2)
(OSHA) and state requirements. Students will be NURS 594 Thesis (2)
informed of these health requirements and will be
NURS 595 Thesis (2)
responsible for compliance. The information is also
b. NURS 599 Scholarly Project (3)
available in the School of Nursing Graduate Student
Handbook. MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE 62-65
Note: A prospective student may take a maximum of 12
graduate nursing credits as a non-matriculated student Degree Requirements - Master of Science in
without being admitted to the MSN program. These
Nursing/Leadership in Community Nursing
credits may be applied towards a master’s degree once
admitted to the MSN program. Clinical courses cannot
Specialization
be taken without formal admission to the MSN pro- The LCN program is a four quarter full-time or seven
gram. Enrollment in any course requires permission of quarter part-time specialization which requires successful
the instructor and director of the MSN program. Non- completion of 49-53 credits of course work. Total credits
matriculated students who seek admission to the MSN include two to three credits of electives, and a scholarly
program, must successfully complete NURS 502 prior project or thesis.
to or during their first academic term as matriculated
graduate students. I. Foundation Courses
Twenty NURS credits, including:
NURS 502 Nursing Care of Vulnerable
Degree Requirements - Master of Science in Populations ........................................ 3
Nursing/Family Primary Care Nurse NURS 504 Concepts and Theories ...................... 3
Practitioner Specialization NURS 509 Advanced Nursing Practice Roles
and Functions .................................... 2
I. Foundation Courses NURS 510 Ethical Considerations in Nursing
Twenty NURS credits, including: Practice .............................................. 3
NURS 502 Nursing Care of Vulnerable NURS 512 Health Policies, Politics and Power ... 3
Populations ........................................ 3 NURS 514 Research in Nursing ........................... 3
NURS 504 Concepts and Theories ...................... 3 NURS 520 Patterns of Health Promotion and
NURS 509 Advanced Nursing Practice Roles Disease Prevention Across the
and Functions .................................... 2 Life Span ............................................ 3
NURS 510 Ethical Considerations in Nursing
Practice .............................................. 3
NURS 512 Health Policies, Politics and Power ... 3
94
School of Nursing
II. Specialization Area NURS 521 Psychosocial Aspects of
Twenty-four NURS credits, including: Family Primary Care ........................... 2
NURS 506 Theoretical Frameworks for Nursing NURS 522 Pharmacological Applications ............ 3
Practice in Communities and NURS 523 Well-Child Care in the Family ............. 2
Organizations ..................................... 3 NURS 524 Advanced Pathophysiology ............... 3
NURS 507 Advanced Practice in Community NURS 525 Family Primary Care Management
Health I ............................................... 3 and Practicum I .................................. 6
NURS 511 Communication and Information NURS 526 Family Primary Care Management
Technologies ...................................... 2 and Practicum II ................................. 5
NURS 513 Cultural Competence for Community NURS 527 Family Primary Care Management and
Partnerships ....................................... 2 Practicum III ....................................... 6
NURS 516 Health Care System Leadership NURS 509 Advanced Nursing Practice Roles
and Management ............................... 3 and Functions .................................... 2
NURS 517 Health Care System Economic and NURS 529 Family Primary Care IV
Financial Analysis ............................... 3 Integrated Practicum .......................... 8
NURS 518 Health Care Systems Design,
Implementation and Evaluation .......... 4 MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATE 20-44
NURS 519 Advanced Practice in Community
Health Nursing II ................................. 4
Graduate Courses
II. Program Synthesis 1 credit hour=30 contact hours for clinical practica. The ratio
of credit to contact hours for the MSN clinical practica is
Choose option a. or b.: ........................................ 3-6 consistent with University policy.
a. NURS 593 Thesis (2)
* Open to non-matriculated students by permission of
NURS 594 Thesis (2)
Director of MSN Program, and on a space available basis.
NURS 595 Thesis (2) Admission to Seattle Univeristy required.
b. NURS 599 Scholarly Project (3)
NURS 501 Advanced Health Assessment
MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE 47-50 and Health Promotion* 4
This course focuses on advanced knowledge and skills
necessary for the assessment and promotion of health
across the life span. Emphasis will be placed upon
POST-MASTER’S CERTIFICATE IN FAMILY collection and interpretation of comprehensive biological,
PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER cultural, psychosocial, and physical data from the history
and physical examination in relation to both normal and
abnormal findings. Course includes one credit of clinical
Admission Requirements practicum. By permission.
• A master’s degree in nursing recognized by a national NURS 502 Nursing Care of Vulnerable
nursing accrediting agency. Populations* 3
• A résumé indicating relevant nursing experience. Identification of vulnerable populations and analysis of the
multiple factors contributing to their health deficits. Field
• A successful interview with faculty. experience and seminar discussion focus on nursing
strategies to promote wellness with families and communi-
• A statement describing professional and personal goals
ties/populations.
and reasons for choosing the FPCNP post-master’s
certificate program. NURS 504 Concepts and Theories
in Nursing* 3
• Two recommendations that speak to the applicant’s
Seminar to explain the purpose, evolution and history of
clinical and academic abilities. NOTE: Recommendation
concepts and theories that are central to nursing. Analysis
forms and envelopes are provided.
of the role of relevant theories and concepts in guiding
• Satisfactory completion with a grade C (2.0) or better in current and future nursing practice. By permission.
a health assessment course.
NURS 506 Theoretical Frameworks for Nursing
Practice in Communities and
Requirements - Post-Master’s Certificate in Organizations* 3
Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Frameworks for viewing communities and organizations as
the focus of practice. Theories and concepts essential to
understanding and planning for the health needs of
Forty-four NURS credits, including: communities and organizations examined. Students apply
NURS 501 Advanced Health Assessment assessment models, methods, and processes in order to
and Health Promotion ........................ 4 identify patterns and trends in health of vulnerable popula-
NURS 520 Patterns of Health Promotion and tions. Emphasis on epidemiological principles and
Disease Prevention Across the methods. Thrity hours of field work are required.
Life Span ............................................ 3
95
School of Nursing
NURS 507 Advanced Practice in NURS 517 Health Care System Economic
Community and Organizational and Financial Analysis* 3
Nursing I 3 Application of management and microeconomics principles
Study, analysis, and application of nursing theories, for planning, control, and decision making in health care
frameworks, and public health science as they apply to a programs. Introduction of financial concepts, financial
community health clinical nurse specialist working among management, and cost accounting as they apply to health
families and communities/populations. Seminar, clinical services. Analysis of cost, quality, and outcomes as factors
conferences, and clinical experiences will allow the in the development and evaluation of health care programs
integration of theory, concepts, and research. Prerequi- for selected populations within a community. By permis-
sites: NURS 501. sion. (formerly titled Management Analysis in Health Care
Systems)
NURS 509 Advanced Nursing Practice Roles
and Functions 2 NURS 518 Health Care Systems Design,
Analysis of advanced nursing practice roles including Implementation and Evaluation* 4
those of the nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. Principles and frameworks for program design, manage-
Exploration of specific roles in a project proposal. ment and outcomes evaluation. Emphasis on the
Prerequisites: NURS 507. formulation of health education programs, development of
coordinated services for at-risk groups and strengthening
NURS 510 Ethical Considerations in
environmental forces that support wellness. Concepts of
Nursing Practice* 3
empowerment, collaboration and partnership building
Examination of ethical issues that influence advanced
explored as strategies to facilitate program and organiza-
nursing practice. The course focus is on professional
tional goals. Issues and trends in interventions for
values, cultural diversity issues, and ethical decision
vulnerable populations. Students will gain experience in
making in clinical practice.
grant writing. Thirty hours of field work are required.
NURS 511 Communication and Information (formerly titled Principles of Community and Organizational
Technologies* 2 Health Interventions)
Frameworks for communication and teaching/learning, and
NURS 519 Advanced Practice and
their relationship to technology. Stresses advanced skills in
Organizational Nursing II 4
the use of computer technology to access and manage
Advanced nursing practice among vulnerable families,
information for communication and clinical management.
groups, and communities/populations. Emphasis on the
NURS 512 Health Policy, Politics, and Power* 3 integration of community health clinical nurse specialist
Examination of the socioeconomic, political, legal, and roles of clinician, consultant, collaborator, educator, and
ethical considerations in the development of state and researcher. Seminar and clinical experience provide
national health policy. Course will consist of the discussion opportunities to integrate theory, concepts, and research
and evaluation of the health care policy process. with synthesis of role components. Prerequisites: NURS
516, NURS 517.
NURS 513 Cultural Competence for Community
Partnerships* 2 NURS 520 Patterns of Health Promotion and
Conceptual models for developing cultural competence. Disease Prevention Across the
Concepts of language, cultural identity, the continuum of Life Span* 3
cultural identification. Students analyze values, customs This course focuses on health promotion, risk screening,
and beliefs of various cultural and ethnic groups to and disease prevention among families across the lifespan.
understand how these influence health behaviors. Barriers Clinical strategies and interventions are examined, ana-
to culturally sensitive care evaluated. lyzed, and critiqued using research and theoretical data for
utilization within advanced nursing practice.
NURS 514 Research in Nursing* 3
Examination of the evolution of nursing research. Explora- NURS 521 Psychosocial Aspects of
tion of research methods, including qualitative and Family Primary Care* 2
quantitative research methodologies and outcomes The purpose of this course is to provide the primary care
research. Development of questions for either a scholarly practitioner with an overview of psychosocial and psycho-
project or thesis. Prerequisites: Undergraduate research pharmacological principles of family primary care. The focus
course and basic statistics course. is on a holistic approach to advanced practice nursing that
integrates biological processes with psychosocial dynamics.
NURS 516 Health Care System Leadership
and Management* 3 NURS 522 Pharmacological Applications* 3
Examination of selected management and leadership This course is intended to familiarize students with prin-
theories applicable to advanced nursing practice. Analysis ciples of drug therapy in family practice and to develop the
of trends in nursing leadership and management. Examina- skills necessary to prescribe drugs to children, adults,
tion of specific topics relevant to changing trends in pregnant women, and geriatric clients. The course covers
nursing leadership and management. By permission. drugs used in some of the basic diseases encountered in
(formerly titled Principles of Leadership and Management) family practice.
96
School of Nursing
NURS 523 Well-Child Care in the Family* 2 NURS 593 Thesis 2
This course focuses on well-child care with emphasis on
NURS 594 Thesis 2
growth and development, parental concerns, child-rearing
practices, nutrition, and family responses to pediatric NURS 595 Thesis 2
health care problems. Attention is directed toward the care Development and implementation of a thesis proposal. The
needed to meet the health objectives for families in Healthy course is completed when the thesis is approved by
People Year 2000 Health Objectives. committee. Prerequisites: NURS 516.
NURS 524 Advanced Pathophysiology* 3 NURS 596 Independent Study 1 to 5
In-depth analysis of selected concepts of pathophysiology
using a case study approach. Focus will be on common NURS 599 Scholarly Project 3
health alterations in health as seen in primary care settings. Refinement and execution of a scholarly project that makes
a significant contribution to nursing practice or science.
NURS 525 Family Primary Care Management Project culminates in a scholarly project that meets
and Practicum I 6 predetermined standards established in collaboration with
This course presents the theoretical and clinical basis for the scholarly project committee. Prerequisites: NURS 516,
primary care management of women’s health from NURS 527. (Project may take more than one quarter to
childbearing women to older women. Content will include complete).
health maintenance, concerns, and problems of women in
relation to reproductive health, common gynecological Graduate Faculty
problems and primary care issues. Clinical experiences will
occur in a variety of settings. The focus of the clinical Kathryn Anderson, PhD, 1993, Oregon Health Sciences
practicum is to begin the development of collaborative University; 1992
relationships and to acquire further knowledge in the area
of women’s health. Prerequisites: NURS 501, NURS 524 Maureen Niland, PhD, 1986, University of Washington;
and concurrent with NURS 522. 1986
NURS 526 Family Primary Care Management Graham Patrick, PhD, 1994, University of Washington;
and Practicum II 5 1998
This course focuses on the primary health needs of Jane Peterson, PhD, 1981, University of Washington; 1969
children and adolescents including those needs related to
school health strategies for identification, management, Elayne Puzan, PhD, 1997, University of Massachusetts; 1997
client and family education, and appropriate referrals. Janet Quillian, PhD, 1982, University of Texas; 1994
Theories and research from nursing and other disciplines
are applied and integrated through seminars, clinical Luth M. Tenorio, PhD, 1986, Texas Woman’s University; 1993
conferences, clinical practice and course assignments. Toni Vezeau, PhD, 1992, University of Colorado; 1994
Prerequisite: NURS 525.
NURS 527 Family Primary Care Management and
Practicum III 6
This course presents the theoretical and clinical basis for
advanced nursing management of adult and older adult’s
health problems. Clinical learning experiences focus on the
increased integration of ethical and diagnostic judgement
related to the health care of adults to promote their optimal
levels of being and functioning. Theories and research from
nursing and other disciplines are applied and integrated
through seminars, clinical conferences, clinical practicum
and course assignments. Prerequisites: NURS 525, NURS
526.
NURS 529 Family Primary Care IV
Integrated Practicum 8
This course is an integrated clinical practicum in the
development and implementation of the advanced nurse
practitioner role. Focus is on the integration of the theoreti-
cal and clinical components of advanced nursing in family
primary care. Dimensions of the role will be explored with
particular emphasis on leadership, accountability, au-
tonomy, professionalism, collaboration, consultation and
research. Prerequisites: NURS 525, NURS 526, NURS
528.
Back to Table of Contents
97