Online Master of Science in Nursing Courses

NURSG 500 – Population-Based Health Care
This course provides an overview of the nursing process applied to population health issues. Using previous coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics, students apply a method for assessing the health status of an aggregate or community. This assessment process results in a primary population diagnosis, which is then used as the basis of a program and evaluation plan to address this diagnosis.

NURSG 502 - Advanced Health Assessment
This lab and didactic course assists students to develop effective diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills, clinical interviewing, focused history-taking and advanced physical assessment skills. Course content builds upon the student’s foundational knowledge of pathophysiology, microbiology and anatomy that is relevant to understanding diagnostic and treatment decision-making in advanced practice nursing. The course contains 2 semester hours of didactic instruction and 1 semester hour of laboratory instruction

NURSG 503 - Advanced Pathophysiology
This course describes the etiology, natural history, developmental considerations, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of specific disease processes. In this course, students will acquire a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of disordered physiology that underlie the disease conditions that are most commonly encountered in practice settings. The diagnostic tests and laboratory procedures that are used to evaluate pathophysiologic alterations will also be included.

NURSG 504 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
This course focuses on philosophical and theoretical foundations of advanced practice nursing. The epistemological and ontological bases of practice are explored, including but not limited to nursing science, health care systems, aesthetic, cultural, legal and political matrices of professional practice. Ethical issues, including concerns of social justice, are introduced and discussed from a variety of perspectives, especially those of unserved and underserved populations. Foundations of clinical judgment are examined, and the concepts of professional autonomy, collegiality and consultation are studied.

NURSG 508 – Epidemiology
This course provides a basic introduction to the epidemiological method of describing distribution patterns and determinants of health, disease and condition frequencies across populations, for the purpose of promoting health and preventing conditions/illness.

NURSG 509 - Nursing Inquiry
This course focuses on methods of inquiry as a basis for the expansion of knowledge in nursing. Philosophical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods are explored. Emphasis is placed on the congruence between the research problem and the research design. Analysis of research studies and the ability to develop a research proposal are expected outcomes of this course.

NURSG 512 - Advanced Pharmacology
This course focuses on the pharmacologic effects and clinical uses of selected drug groups. The issues of altered pharmacotherapeutic response relative to physiologic and psychosocial variables will be included. This course and N525 prepare graduates of the family nurse practitioner program to obtain prescriptive authority.

NURSG 517 - Health Care Systems Policy and Financing
This course focuses on trends, issues and policies related to the transformation of the American health care system. Health care policy will be addressed at the local, state and federal levels as it relates to finance, managed care and a variety of alternate mechanisms for the delivery of health care.

NURSG 572 - Family Systems
This course focuses on the examination of concepts and theories that address the family as a dynamic system. Particular emphasis is given to the development of the family across the life cycle and the effects of social, cultural, political and economic variables on the family. The impact of stress on the family system will be analyzed.

NURG 501 - Clinical Nurse Leader Role
During this course, students will focus on the CNL role and its contribution to improve patient outcomes, ensure quality care, and reduce health care costs. Concepts, theories, and issues related to nursing leadership and care environment management are investigated in depth.

NURG 601-Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum I (3), 602-Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum II (3), & 603-Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum III (3)
These are three 3 credit hour practicum courses in the Clinical Nurse Leader track. Students go through each practicum building and refining their skills in advocacy and leadership and putting best practices in action. Periodic seminars provide opportunities for CNL students, faculty and mentors to discuss issues and assess experiences related to implementation of this role. /135 clinical hours per
each of the 3 practicums

About Saint Xavier University

Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Xavier University is a private, Catholic, comprehensive university grounded in the tradition of the liberal arts.

Chicago's oldest Catholic University now adds its online, global Saint Xavier campus to the existing campuses in Chicago, Orland Park, and Chicago Loop.

As one of 18 colleges and universities sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Xavier University educates approximately 5,100 students each year.

Saint Xavier’s Catholic tradition promotes ethical development, service to the community, and a search for truth via observation, analysis, and debate. We have a long history of educating students to prepare them for professional success and lay the foundation for personal fulfillment with values such as to explore and respect different viewpoints, work for the betterment of the community, and engage students in the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Saint Xavier continues this tradition throughout our online curriculum with support from experienced faculty, stimulating discussions among a diverse student body, and rigorous coursework.

SXU holds regional accreditation (the highest level of accreditation for institutions of higher education) from the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition: