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NUR506 Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing

Course Description:
This course concentrates on related theories regarding Advanced Practice Nursing; the roles, the essential knowledge,
behavioral motivations and decision-making techniques of professional nurses. Application of various aspects of
Advanced Practice Nursing will be explored such as evidence-based practice, research, and quality and information for
advanced practice nursing. The application of these principles will be explored when providing nursing care to clients.
Course Student Learning Outcomes
Theoretical Outcomes:

Differentiate the roles of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) from the roles of the APN (PO 6)*
Investigate quality, safety and information systems as they relate to the APN role (PO 5)
Specify the impact of health care delivery systems & policy on the APN in today's global society (PO 1)
Analyze the leadership roles of the APN as they impact the practice of professional nursing (PO 5)

Practice Experience Outcomes:

Investigate career opportunities and role transition for the APN within today's healthcare industry (PO 6)
Investigate research methodologies including opportunities for the APN role (PO 5)
Analyze the changes in the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles that occur as a response to diverse populations
(PO 1)
*PO = program outcome

Course Credits: 3 credits: 2.5 credits didactic; .5 credit practice experience (encompasses 22.5 clock hours)
Course Textbook(s):
You will need to keep the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (used in NUR506)
for use in all future NUR courses.
DeNisco, S. (2015). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession (Third Ed.). Jones and Bartlett
Learning. ISBN: 9781284072570
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) American Psychological Association.
9781433805615
Evaluation Methodologies: The following methodologies are utilized in this course.
threaded discussion question postings
written assignments
reflective journals
quiz
final project
Rubrics are utilized to grade each of these items and are found in the Grading Rubrics content area on the left-hand
navigation panel within the Blackboard course. A course grade is determined based on the percentage of points as
designated in the following chart.

Assessment
Discussions
Written Assignments
Practicum Assignments
Quiz
ePortfolio Assignment
Final Project

Percent of Final Grade


20%
20%
35%
2%
3%
20%

Below is an at-a-glance look at the weekly course content. In each Getting Started module within the course, you will
find details about your weekly readings, lectures, supplemental resources, discussions and assignment instructions, and
rubrics. You must respond to at least two colleagues posts if there is a discussion question post.
TOPICAL OUTLINE BY WEEK
Week 1:
Readings/Viewings:

Discussion:

Assignment(s):

Week 2:
Readings/Viewings:

Advanced Nursing Practice: Scope and Role Development

Read textbook chapters 1, 2 & 18


View slide presentations for chapters 1, 2 & 18
View video The Changing Role of Advanced Practice Nurses
Read lectures A 360 View of Your MSN Journey and Advanced Practice Nurses Role
Transitions and Role Conflict

How would you justify the statement Advanced Practice Nurses add value to healthcare delivery?
Provide evidence from the nursing literature to illustrate your stand on the value of the APN. (T CO*
5)
Review the organization website for your chosen specialty. Summarize the competencies for
your specialty area. Select two competencies from your area that address leadership and
explain how your APN role will incorporate the two leadership competencies. Write a
summary narrative in which you reflect on your readiness to take on your chosen APN role. (T
CO 5)
Interview an APN in your community to determine your chosen APNs role and
responsibilities. Define the community in which he/she works. Explore your chosen APNs
leadership role regarding influencing change within his/her organization. (PE CO 1)
Establish the ePortfolio and follow the guidelines posted in the course materials regarding
documents that must be placed in the portfolio. (PE CO 1)

Health Care Delivery & Policy

Read textbook chapters 5 & 7


View slide presentations for chapters 5 & 7
View video The Health Care System of the U.S.
Read lectures Introducing the Practicum Experience and Application of Transformational
Transactional and Inspirational Models to Contemporary Organizations

Discussion:

Go to the website for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and select a government agency.
Then choose a health care policy that has an impact on current or future APN practice. Describe the
policy, issues with patient care and impact on the APN. (T CO 2)

Assignment(s):

Select two clinics within your local community that serve populations with specific needs. Select clinics
with diverse populations. Conduct a phone interview with either the facility director or an Advance
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Practice Nurse working in the facility. Summarize your questions and the answers from each clinic.
Analyze the needs of the populations served by the clinics. What is the relationship between the APNs
role and the needs of the populations? (PE CO3)

Week 3:
Readings/Viewings:

Discussion:

Assignment(s):

Quality, Safety & Information Management

Describe how APN performance affects the quality of health care. How do you build practitioner
relationships with patients, physicians & colleagues? In your professional experience, what factors
contributed (or detracted) from building working relationships? (T CO 5)

Week 4:
Readings/Viewings:

Read textbook chapters 12, 13, 14 & 15


View slide presentations for chapters 12, 13, 14 & 15
Read lectures Introducing the Capstone Process and The Art of Reflective Journaling

Introduce a sample study topic that aligns with your chosen MSN specialization. Conduct a
thorough search of the library databases to ensure there is a sufficient amount of current,
evidence-based research to support your sample study topic. Briefly describe your sample
study topic in 2-3 paragraphs to establish the main ideas and identified need. (PE CO 2)
Write a reflective journal about your first Capstone assignment. How did this assignment
inspire your work toward your Capstone project? What strengths can you draw upon that will
help you in your Capstone journey? (PE CO 1)

Theory-Based & Evidence-Based Advanced Nursing Practice

Read textbook chapters 19, 20 & 21


View slide presentations for chapters 19 & 20
Read lecture What is CITI Certification?

Discussion:

As an APN leading a research team, which strategies would you employ to encourage your team
members to critically appraise research articles? (T CO 4)

Assignment(s):

Develop an open ended survey consisting of at least 5 questions addressing your chosen APN specialty.
Use your survey to conduct a personal or telephone interview with an APN who practices in your
chosen specialty. (PE CO 1)

Week 5:

Competency Requirements: APN

Readings/Viewings:

Discussion:

Assignment(s):

Read textbook chapters 23 & 24


View slide presentations for chapters 23 & 24
Read lecture The Role of the Preceptor & The Practicum Experience

Post your interview summary from Week 4 in the discussion forum. Provide the specialty and the
credentials of the APN you interviewed but do not provide their name. (T CO 1)

Complete Quiz Identifying Your Preceptor (PE CO 1)


Complete a reflective journal regarding your progress towards locating your preceptor.
Reflect on any perceived barriers or challenges that you have encountered. (PE CO 1)
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Week 6:
Readings/Viewings:

Ethical & Legal Considerations and Healthcare

Read textbook chapter 6


View slide presentations for chapter 6
View video Accountable Care Unit: Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds

Discussion:

What is your vision of the ideal interdisciplinary team? Who would you invite to serve on the team?
What function would each member serve on the team? What are the legal aspects of working with an
interdisciplinary team? (T CO 1)

Assignment:

Describe the core concepts of ethical considerations that APNs must know to be effective in their
health care practice. Demonstrate how those ethical considerations can affect the decision making
process. Include examples. Create an original scenario of an ethical dilemma that you have
experienced. (T CO 3)

Week 7:

Leadership & Role Transition for the APN

Readings/Viewings:

Read textbook chapters 28 & 30


View slide presentations for chapters 28 & 30
Read lecture Paying it Forward APN Professional Responsibility

Discussion:

Discuss your experience thus far with establishing a relationship with a Practicum Preceptor. (T CO 4)

Assignment(s):

Using the ePortfolio self-assessment form provided in Week 1, create 8 slides (a title slide and one slide
for each of the course objectives). Provide a voice-over narrative describing each slide. (T CO 1-4 &
PE CO 1-3)

Week 8:

Government Regulation: Patient Care and the Future of Advanced Practice Nursing

Readings/Viewings:

Discussion:

Assignment(s):

Read textbook chapters 10 & 11


View slide presentations for chapters 10 & 11
Read lecture A 360 View of Your MSN Journey Part II

What is the impact of Electronic Medical Record Systems on hospital operations and patient care? (T
CO 2)

Take some time and write a few reflective journal pages on your transition process toward
becoming an APN. (PE CO 1)
Choose artifact(s) that showcase how you have met the programmatic outcome for this
course. Create 2-3 PowerPoint slides that reflect on the programmatic outcome for this
course, and describe how the artifact(s) you have chosen helped you meet the outcome. Add
Speakers Notes to the slides. Place the artifact(s) and the slides in your ePortfolio along with
the Final Project from Week 7. (PE CO 1)

*CO = course objective


The following table outlines the academic effort required by students to be successful in this course. While the times in
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the table are approximate, it is presented to help students with their time management. Please note, depending on the
student's background knowledge and experience of the course subject and an individual student's academic capabilities,
these times will vary. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.
Week

Type of Activity
Online

1
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

2
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

3
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

4
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


1.4
3.0
0.0
1.6
1.0
18.0
3.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


1.5
3.0
0.0
1.6
1.0
18.0
3.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


1.8
4.0
0.0
1.8
1.0
0.1
5.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


0.9
3.0
0.0
2.2
1.0
0.0
2.5

Activity

Estimated Hours Required


5

Online
5
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

6
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

7
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

8
Preparation

Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

0.9
2.0
0.0
1.7
0.0
0.0
2.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


0.7
3.0
0.0
0.9
1.0
18.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


0.7
4.0
0.3
0.9
0.0
9.3
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required


1.2
2.0
0.0
1.3
0.0
5.0
2.0

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