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Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing at Simmons College, Study notes of Nursing

The School for Health Studies at Simmons College, which offers health-related programs in health care administration, nutrition, physical therapy, and primary health care nursing. The Nursing Program at Simmons College aims to educate professional nurses to assume roles in clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and health care policy. The document also highlights the values and philosophy of the Nursing Program at Simmons College.

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Course Catalog
Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing
2006-2007
School for Health Studies
The coeducational School for Health Studies was established in July 1989, underscoring
Simmons’s commitment to the preparation of students for positions of leadership in health care.
The School brings together the College’s health-related programs in health care administration,
nutrition, physical therapy, and primary health care nursing, in addition to the post-baccalaureate
Dietetic Internship Program in nutrition. In 2001, the School was realigned to include the
undergraduate programs in nursing, physical therapy and nutrition. In 2002, the name was
changed to the School for Health Studies to reflect the inclusion of undergraduate and graduate
teaching. Further information about these undergraduate programs is available at
www.simmons.edu. The School’s goal is to prepare individuals for clinical and administrative
leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care environment. Its programs are committed to
educating students to be sensitive to human needs in terms of access and quality of health care,
and to also understand the organizational, institutional, and policy constraints that dominate the
health care system. Because it incorporates both clinical and administrative programs in one
organization, the School is uniquely positioned to respond to the critical need for well-prepared
health care professionals, to enhance the opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation, and to
expand the resources available to faculty, graduate students, and the health care community.
SHS students benefit from the College’s location in Boston. The city is one of the world’s largest
medical centers, with more than seventy hospitals, dozens of health centers, and hundreds of other
health care-related organizations. These countless resources, combined with Boston’s equally
distinguished high technology and research institutions, provide excellent learning experiences and
career opportunities for students in health-related programs. At 300 The Fenway, Simmons is
located in the heart of the Longwood Medical Area, neighbor to the Harvard medical, dental, and
public health schools and in close proximity to noted medical institutions such as Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital.
The Nursing Program
Vision
To expand clinical academic partnerships locally, regionally, nationally, globally
To expand program offerings
a. to respond to the shortage of nursing in Health
b. to respond to continuing education needs of practicing nurses.
c. to respond to the explosion of nursing knowledge
d. to respond to service partner’s needs for new advanced practice options
To academically support all learners with varied needs and learning styles
Mission
The Simmons College Nursing program supports the college mission by educating professional
nurses to assume roles in clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, scholarship and health care policy.
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Course Catalog

Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing

School for Health Studies

The coeducational School for Health Studies was established in July 1989, underscoring Simmons’s commitment to the preparation of students for positions of leadership in health care. The School brings together the College’s health-related programs in health care administration, nutrition, physical therapy, and primary health care nursing, in addition to the post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship Program in nutrition. In 2001, the School was realigned to include the undergraduate programs in nursing, physical therapy and nutrition. In 2002, the name was changed to the School for Health Studies to reflect the inclusion of undergraduate and graduate teaching. Further information about these undergraduate programs is available at www.simmons.edu. The School’s goal is to prepare individuals for clinical and administrative leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care environment. Its programs are committed to educating students to be sensitive to human needs in terms of access and quality of health care, and to also understand the organizational, institutional, and policy constraints that dominate the health care system. Because it incorporates both clinical and administrative programs in one organization, the School is uniquely positioned to respond to the critical need for well-prepared health care professionals, to enhance the opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation, and to expand the resources available to faculty, graduate students, and the health care community.

SHS students benefit from the College’s location in Boston. The city is one of the world’s largest medical centers, with more than seventy hospitals, dozens of health centers, and hundreds of other health care-related organizations. These countless resources, combined with Boston’s equally distinguished high technology and research institutions, provide excellent learning experiences and career opportunities for students in health-related programs. At 300 The Fenway, Simmons is located in the heart of the Longwood Medical Area, neighbor to the Harvard medical, dental, and public health schools and in close proximity to noted medical institutions such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital.

The Nursing Program

Vision

  • To expand clinical academic partnerships locally, regionally, nationally, globally
  • To expand program offerings a. to respond to the shortage of nursing in Health

b. to respond to continuing education needs of practicing nurses.

c. to respond to the explosion of nursing knowledge d. to respond to service partner’s needs for new advanced practice options

  • To academically support all learners with varied needs and learning styles

Mission

The Simmons College Nursing program supports the college mission by educating professional nurses to assume roles in clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, scholarship and health care policy.

Simmons College graduate nurses provide expert, compassionate care adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards to client populations in all health care settings.

Values

Support those of the college and include:

  • Community
  • Excellence
  • Diversity (cultural competence)
  • Scholarship
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Compassionate care giving (humanism)
  • Respect for others
  • Evidence based practice
  • Ethical practice
  • Life-long learning

Philosophy

The faculty of the Nursing Program believes that a liberal education is essential for the development of professional nursing practice in a culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse community. The quality of this practice is enhanced by and dependent on knowledge acquired from the liberal arts and sciences. The process as well as the content of the liberal education is fundamental to the development of critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills, as well as facilitating the individual student's development of an appreciation of the global society. The faculty believes that learning is a unique lifelong process, moving from the simple to the more complex, and encompassing the domains which the learner integrates and utilizes in her/his growth as a professional nurse. Growth is evidenced as the learner gains an understanding of the profession of nursing by acquiring knowledge in each of these domains.

The Simmons College Nursing Faculty believes that professional nursing is practiced according to the nursing metaparadigm, which includes beliefs about person, health, nursing, and environment. Each person is unique. Human beings are holistic in nature yet they have interacting biophysical, cognitive, social, spiritual, and developmental dimensions. Persons have their own perceptions, values, beliefs, and goals and have the ability to be self-directive, to adapt to change, to achieve their potential, and to ascribe personal meaning in their lives.

Health may include states of wellness and illness. It has subjective and objective perspectives viewed from both the standpoint of the person and the health care provider. Wellness is a dynamic state of integrity whereby the person repatterns life toward optimal functioning. Health is recognized as a multidimensional and dynamic state and is defined as "the actualization of inherent and acquired human potential, goal-directed behavior, competent self-care, and satisfying relationships with others while adjustments are made as needed to maintain structure, integrity and harmony with the environment." (Pender, 1987). The faculty believes that the professional

The Graduate Program in Primary Healthcare Nursing

Program Overview

Simmons’ graduate nursing program offers students the opportunity to be active participants in a nationally accredited educational program with an established history of academic and clinical excellence. The program provides students with specialized education in primary health care nursing focusing on scholarship, practice, and research as adult health, gerontological health, occupational health, women’s health, parent-child health, and/or family nurse practitioners. Graduates are prepared for leadership positions, research initiatives, and doctoral study.

The educational program combines classroom and clinical experiences that are responsive to student needs and interests as well as to program goals. Students participate actively in the process of teaching and learning. Their varied experiences and knowledge are integrated into the educational process through the faculty’s use of interactive teaching, web-enhanced learning, seminars, tutorials, and the case-study method. Students gain clinical experience in major health care settings within the metropolitan Boston community. Students are precepted by certified nurse practitioners and mentored by nursing faculty who are themselves certified nurse practitioners and active in clinical practice.

A new, interdisciplinary certificate of advanced graduate study in health professions education prepares graduates for positions as university faculty and other teaching roles. This program provides students with an opportunity to continue doctoral studies in our Ph.D. in Health Professions Education, offered through the College of Arts and Sciences.

Objectives

The primary goal of the curriculum is to provide students with specialized education in primary health care nursing and the foundation necessary for scholarly inquiry, clinical excellence, research, and leadership as well as the preparation essential for doctoral study. The program is located within the School for Health Studies, which provides a unique opportunity to work and study within an interdisciplinary environment, modeling the essential teamwork of the health care setting. Through systematic inquiry, graduate students obtain the expanded clinical and theoretical knowledge essential for critical analysis and synthesis of client data. Classes for both full and part- time students in the graduate nursing sequence are offered over a one- to-two day period during the week. The full-time academic program for adult and parent-child primary care concentrations is two years with one summer semester. Students selecting part-time study complete the program in three or four calendar years. Sample curricula for these options are found later in this catalog. The family health concentration can be completed in three years of full-time study or four to five years of part-time study.

All concentrations share a core of courses in scholarly inquiry, research, and clinical practice that are critical to functioning in the advanced practice role.

Graduate Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, graduates will:

  • Synthesize theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states.
  • Demonstrate a personal, collegial, and collaborative approach in the delivery of primary health care nursing to patients in a variety of health care settings.
  • Provide culturally-competent primary health care nursing.
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills essential to the implementation of the nurse practitioner role in the delivery of primary health care.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the implementation, preservation, and evolution of the nurse practitioner role.
  • Utilize critical thinking and build collaborative, interdisciplinary relationships to provide optimal care to patients.
  • Demonstrate accountability for nursing judgments and interventions utilized in the delivery of primary health care to diverse client systems.
  • Execute leadership skills and management processes within the interdisciplinary health care team to maximize health outcomes for patients, communities, and systems.
  • Initiate change through negotiation with health care professionals in the health care delivery systems on behalf of clients.
  • Evaluate the efficacy of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment interventions for client systems through the application of knowledge of the organizational structure, economics, policy, ethics, and the politics of health care.
  • Conduct clinical nursing research designed to advance the science of nursing.
  • Advance professional growth through continued acquisition of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, and through participation and/or leadership in professional and community consultation and collaboration, continuing education, certification, and lifelong learning.

Professional Standards that guide the specialist programs include:

  • The American Nurses Association Standards of Clinical Practice
  • The American Nurses Association Nursing Code of Ethics
  • The American Nurses Association Social Policy Statement
  • The American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Curriculum Guidelines and Program Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education
  • Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas

Program of Study

The Graduate Program in Primary Health Care Nursing offers three core programs of study:

ƒ Adult, with specializations in:

  • Adult Health
  • Gerontologic Health
  • Occupational Health
  • Women’s Health ƒ Parent-Child, with specializations in:
  • Children/Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs
  • Pediatric Health
  • School Health ƒ Family Primary Care

Degree Options

Master’s Degree Program for Nurses with a B.S.N. or B.A. /B.S. in a Related Field

This program is designed for registered nurses who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing or a related field who wish to obtain a graduate degree in nursing within a nurse practitioner specialty concentration. This program can be completed either full time in two years or part time in either three to four years. The Simmons College graduate program is one of the oldest nurse practitioner programs in the country.

Dual-Degree Program in Maternal-Child Health

Simmons College and the Harvard School of Public Health offer a two-year, full-time, dual-degree option offering a Master of Science in Primary Health Care Nursing from Simmons College and a Master of Science in Society, Human Development, and Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. The dual-degree program allows preparation as a parent-child nurse practitioner, and additionally prepares the graduate to deliver care to aggregate populations of women and/or children at a public health level and to develop health programs in the community. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the appropriate certification exam administered by the professional nursing organization.

Students admitted to the dual-degree program enroll in half-time study at both Simmons College and the Harvard School of Public Health for two academic years plus one summer session at Simmons College. The program is eighty semester hours. Applicants to the dual-degree program must apply to both institutions and meet admission requirements for both institutions. Applications for the Harvard School of Public Health can be obtained from the School’s admissions office at 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) for

M.S.N.s who wish to become Nurse Practitioners

This program was developed for individuals who have acquired their Master’s degree in nursing and wish to become nurse practitioners. The program of study allows students to focus on the essential content and role development of the nurse practitioner. The number of credits will depend on the concentration area selected. Two courses can be challenged: NUR 404, Normal and Abnormal Human Physiology; and NUR 422, Clinical Pharmacology. Courses in the research sequence will not be required for those students who have completed a master’s thesis that meets the Program’s criteria. The elective courses are optional.

Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in

Family Health for M.S.-prepared Adult or Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

A unique program of study allows the masters-prepared practicing nurse practitioner to complete a course of part-time study to qualify for the American Nurses Association family nurse practitioner exam. For certified adult nurse practitioners, the curriculum includes the primary health care of the parent-child health sequence, the family health courses, and clinical practice. For certified pediatric nurse practitioners, the curriculum includes the primary health care of the adult sequence, the family health courses, and clinical practice.

Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in

Health Professions Education for M.S.-prepared health care professionals.

This post-masters specialty program is designed to meet the national need for health professions educators. Advanced practice health care clinicians (nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists); will acquire core knowledge and skills to teach at the higher education level or as health educators in other settings. This 16 credit, online program can be completed in one year. The program will allow the student to apply theories of education, design lesson plans, create and evaluate health professions curricula and programs, develop skills in grant writing, and utilize various educational modalities. Upon successful completion of this program, students may apply to the Ph.D. in Education program offered by the Simmons College of Arts and Sciences.

Program Academic Schedule Certificate or Degree

Admission Requirements

M.S. in Nursing for nurses with their B.S. in nursing or B.A/B.S in related field.

Two year full time program; Three to four years part time study available; evening classes

M.S in Nursing Undergraduate degree from nationally accredited program; RN licensure; 1 year nursing experience; available; evening classes GRE or B or better in NUR 404 (Normal and offered Abnormal Physiology) Admission in September or January M.S Nursing for non- nurses with B.A/B.S (Direct entry)

Three year full-time program or one and a half years full time and three or four years part time study

Certificate of completion of RN requirements and M.S in Nursing

Undergraduate degree in any field; GRE scores. Prerequisite courses must be completed before application or during first summer session but before the first fall semester: These courses must be graded and may not be completed pass/fail or audited: Statistics, Human Anatomy/Physiology w/lab (2 semesters), Inorganic Chemistry w/lab (1 semester), Organic Chemistry w/lab (1 semester), Microbiology w/lab (1 semester) and Developmental Psychology (1 semester, birth to death focus). Progression to Nurse Practitioner sequence is contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA in generalist nursing courses. Admission in May only.

M.S. in Nursing for RNs without B.S. /B.A.

Three year full-time program or four or five years part-time study

M.S. in Nursing Diploma or Associate Degree from nationally-accredited nursing program; notarized certification of RN licensure; one year nursing experience; GRE or B or better in NUR 404 (Normal and Abnormal Physiology-offered only in Fall semester) Admission in September or January only M.S. in Nursing for Practicing (Certificate prepared) NPs

Individualized program two years of part-time study

M.S. in Nursing Satisfactory completion of nationally accredited NP program; notarized certification as NP and RN licensure. Admission in September or January

Post-M.S. NP Certificate for M.S.N.s

Individualized program two years of part-time study

Certificate of Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)

M.S. in Nursing, All B.S.N. requirements, No GRE and 3.0 GPA in graduate study. Admission in September or January

Post-M.S. Family NP program for M.S.N. prepared PNPs

One year of part-time study May lead into Ph.D

C.A.G.S. M.S. in Nursing, All B.S.N. requirements, No GRE and 3.0 GPA in graduate study. Admission in May only

NP Refresher course Individualized program.

Certificate Notarized copy of NP certification and RN Licensure Dual Degree Program in Maternal Child Health with Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Two years of full-time study

M.S. in Nursing from Simmons College and S.M in Society, Human Development and Health from HSPH

All B.S.N. requirements; GRE; must also meet HSPH admission requirements. Must apply to and be admitted by both Harvard Public Health (HSPH) Development, and Health and Simmons.* Admission in September or January.

NOTE: Nursing candidates must indicate on the admission application if M.S. in nursing and C.A.G.S. are desired. Formal application/admission is required for consideration of M.S. alone or C.A.G.S. alone or in combination. Accepted M.S.students may not automatically continue taking certificate courses after the awarding of the M.S. with the intent of earning a C.A.G.S. A separate formal application is required if a student desires to continue in the certificate courses after completion of the M.S. degree.

Important Requirements for all Programs For all program options, candidates whose first language is not English, must submit official scores of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) taken within the past two years. Student score reports are not acceptable. The SHS code is 3761. The required minimum TOEFL score is 570 (paper test) or 230 (computer test). Further information about this exam can be obtained by calling the Educational Testing Service 609-771-7100 or www.toefl.org. For program options requiring the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), official scores within the past five years are required. There is no required minimum score. Copies of the student score reports are not acceptable. The SHS code is 3761. Further information about

Requirements for Program Completion for All Nursing Candidates*

Prerequisite for the Research Sequence (SHS 410: Research Methods)

For all Master’s Candidates:

Statistics

An undergraduate-level statistics course must be completed before taking Research Methods (SHS 410). The course should include the following:

  1. Descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, percent, distribution, normal curve, confidence levels, variance, standard deviation
  2. Correlation: chi square, pearson r
  3. Inference: t-test, ANOVA
  4. Levels of significance
  5. Probability
  6. Parametric vs. non-parametric tests
  7. Hypothesis testing
  8. Types of error If an applicant’s course was taken more than ten years ago, the applicant should take the Simmons College Self-study Assessment Test (available from the Nursing Department) to assess competency. If the assessment result is poor, the student should retake Statistics prior to taking SHS 410.

Prerequisite for the Primary Care Clinical Sequence

(NUR 560 or 580: Primary Health Care Nursing I)

Health Assessment

A graduate health assessment course is required prior to entering Primary Health Care Nursing I (NUR 560 or NUR 580). This Health Assessment course can be completed after acceptance to either the Direct Entry Nursing or regular B.S.N.-M.S. in Nursing program. Students in the adult concentrations should take an adult assessment course. Students in the parent-child concentrations should take a pediatric assessment course. The course should include the following:

  1. Knowledge and skill in health history interviewing and in the use of the four basic physical examination modalities and
  2. Successful performance of a complete health history interview and physical examination.

*Students must complete statistics and health assessment before beginning SHS 410 and NUR 560 or NUR 580. However, the timing of when to take these prerequisite courses will depend on your chosen curriculum. Please refer to the sample program curricula to determine if statistics and health assessment should be completed before application or post-admission.

B.S.N.-M.S. in Nursing Sample Curriculum for Adult and Parent Child Concentration

Two-Year Full-Time Schedule

YEAR 1

FALL

SHS 570 Health Promotion: A Global Perspective ..................................... 2

NUR 404 Normal and Abnormal Human Physiology................................. 4

SHS 410 Research Methods ..........................................................................

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SPRING

SHS 450 The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives........

NUR 507 Scholarly Inquiry I ................................................................... 2

NUR 580/560 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing I .......... 2

NUR 580A/560A Clinical Decision-making I...................................................... 1

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SUMMER

NUR 581 Clinical Practicum ..........................................................................

NUR 508 Scholarly Inquiry II ....................................................................... 2

Elective*

Total credits.....................................................................................

YEAR 2

FALL

NUR 422 Clinical Pharmacology....................................................................

NUR 582/562 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing II ...............

NUR 582A/562A Clinical Decision-making II.....................................................

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SPRING

NUR 584 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing III...............

NUR 584A/564A Clinical Decision-making III .................................................. 4

NUR 509 Research Practicum....................................................................... 2

Elective *

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

Total credits for program ........................................................ 44**

*Total elective credits = 4. Elective credits may be taken in various ways; for example, a combination of one- or two-credit modules, or a three-credit elective plus a one-credit module.

**Including 4 elective credits

Total credits for program ........................................................ 44**

*Total elective credits = 4. Elective credits may be taken in various ways; for example, a

combination of one- or two-credit modules, or a three-credit elective plus a one-credit

module.

**Including 4 elective credits

If you wish to continue and pursue a C.A.G.S. Family Concentration, please see the

sample curriculum on the following pages.

B.S.N.-M.S. in Nursing Sample Curriculum for Family Concentration

Full-Time Schedule

YEAR 1

FALL

SHS 570 Health Promotion: A Global Perspective .................................... 2

NUR 404 Normal and Abnormal Human Physiology................................. 4

SHS 410 Research Methods ..........................................................................

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SPRING

SHS 450 The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.............

NUR 507 Scholarly Inquiry I ......................................................................... 2

NUR 580/560Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing I ................ 2

NUR 580A/560 Clinical Decision-making and Analysis I .................................. 1

Total credits.................................................................................... 8

SUMMER

NUR 508 Scholarly Inquiry II ..................................................................... 2

NUR 581 Clinical Practicum……………………………………………………………

Total credits.....................................................................................

YEAR 2

FALL

NUR 422 Clinical Pharmacology....................................................................

NUR 582/562 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing II ................

NUR 582A/562AClinical Decision-making and Analysis II ...............................

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SPRING

NUR 584/564 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing III.........

NUR 584A/564A Clinical Decision-making and Analysis III............................ 4

NUR 509 Research Practicum................................................................. 2

Elective *

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

RN-M.S. in Nursing Sample Curriculum

For RNs with Diplomas or Associate Degrees

Students are admitted directly into the graduate nursing program and work closely with an advisor. Students do not receive an undergraduate degree as they are considered graduate students and therefore, are not required to meet all the undergraduate requirements for a bachelor of science degree. Applicants must be licensed to practice nursing in Massachusetts. Simmons College maintains articulation agreements with Laboure’ and Roxbury Community Colleges for the RN- M.S. program and with Emmanuel College for the RN-M.S. program and the Direct Entry program. Graduates of these schools should direct specific questions to the Nursing Program Office at 617-521-2141.

Phase I-Senior Sequence

The nursing sequence begins in May. It is expected that students maintain a minimum cumulative average of 2.67 (B-) in the undergraduate courses and 3.0 (B) average in the graduate-level courses.

Phase II-Graduate Sequence

Upon successful completion of the first year of the RN-M.S. program (see below), students enter the core primary care courses and specialty courses for their nurse practitioner program of study. See the two-year, full-time or three-year, part-time B.S.N.-M.S. sample curricula for more information.

Portfolio documentation of senior year equivalent clinical experience in Community Health (NUR

  1. and Leadership and Management (NUR 454) affords the applicant the opportunity for an individualized and alternative senior year clinical practicum. Course work in these two courses is still required of all students. Students are guided in the portfolio development and review process by their faculty advisor. Upon successful completion of the first year of the RN-M.S. program, students select the core primary care courses and specialty courses for their nurse practitioner program of study. Prior to starting the graduate research sequence (SHS 410) students are required to take a basic statistics course.

Sample Sequence of Courses for First Year

SUMMER

MATH 118 Statistics (unless this course has been completed

in the past 10 consecutive years)................................................... 4

Elective............................................................................................ 4

Total credits.................................................................................... 8

FALL

NUR 337 Nursing Care of Individuals, Families, and Communities ........ 4

NUR 404 Normal and Abnormal Human Physiology ................................ 4

NUR 435 Integration of Pharmacology and Pathology ............................... 4

SHS 410 Research Methods ..........................................................................

Total credits................................................................................... 15

SPRING

NUR 292 Health Assessment........................................................................ 4

NUR 350 Independent Study ........................................................................ 4

NUR 454 Leadership and Management in the Clinical Setting.................. 4

SHS 450 The Health Care System ...............................................................

Total credits................................................................................... 15

Total credits for first year of program .......................................38*

(after all undergraduate prerequisites are met)

*Including 4 elective credits

YEAR 2 (SEE B.S.N.-M.S. in NURSING SAMPLE CURRICULUM)

YEAR 2

FALL

SHS 410 Research Methods ..........................................................................

NUR 454 Leadership and Management in the Clinical Setting.................. 4

NUR 455 Clinical Decision Making ............................................................. 4

Total credits..................................................................................

NCLEX (RN) Examination taken at this time.

SPRING

SHS 570 The HealthPromotion ................................................................... 2

NUR 458 RN Internship (24 hours/week) .................................................... 1

NUR 507 Scholarly Inquiry I ......................................................................... 2

NUR 580 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care Nursing 1 ................ 2

NUR 580A Clinical Decision-making in Primary

Health Care Nursing I.................................................................... 1

Total credits...................................................................................

SUMMER

NUR 459 RN Internship- 12 weeks (32 hours/week).................................... 1

NUR 581 Clinical Practicum- 6 weeks ..........................................................

NUR 508 Scholarly Inquiry II ....................................................................... 2

Electives*

Total credits.................................................................................. 6

YEAR 3

FALL

NUR 422 Clinical Pharmacology....................................................................

NUR 582 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care

Nursing II........................................................................................

NUR 582A Clinical Decision-making II ..........................................................

Electives*

Total credits.................................................................................... 9

SPRING

NUR 584 Theory and Practice: Primary Health Care

Nursing III ......................................................................................

NUR 584A Clinical Decision-making III ....................................................... 4

NUR 509 Research Practicum ..................................................................... 2

Electives*

Total credits.................................................................................. 9

Total credits for the program............................................... 94**

(if all science prerequisites are met before beginning the program)

*Total elective credits = 4. Elective credits may be taken in various ways; for example, a combination of one- or two-credit modules, or a three-credit elective plus a one-credit module.

**Including 4 elective credits

Dual Degree Sample Curriculum in Parent-Child Health (Pediatrics) at Simmons

Master of Science Primary Health Care Nursing

YEAR 1

FALL

NUR 404 Normal and Abnormal Physiology ............................................... 4

SHS 570 Health Promotion: A Global Perspective ................................ ..2*

Total credits.................................................................................. 6

SPRING

NUR 507 Scholarly Inquiry I ......................................................................... 2

NUR 560/560A

Parent-Child Nursing: Primary Care I / Clinical

Decision-making.............................................................................

SHS 450 The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.............

Total credits...................................................................................

SUMMER

NUR 561/581 Clinical Practicum .........................................................................

NUR 508 Scholarly Inquiry I ......................................................................... 2

Total credits................................................................................... 5

YEAR 2

FALL

NUR 422 Clinical Pharmacology....................................................................

NUR 562/562A

Parent-Child Nursing: Primary Care II: Pediatrics ..................... 6

Elective...........................................................................................3*

Total credits................................................................................. 14

SPRING

NUR 564/564A Parent-Child Nursing Primary Care III/Clinical

Decision-making.............................................................................

NUR 509 Research Practicum ...................................................................... 2

Total credits.................................................................................. 9

Total credits Simmons program .......................................... 40**

*Students may choose to take an elective and/or a health promotion course at Simmons or at Harvard School of Public Health.

**Including 3 elective credits