School of Nursing (GRAD)

At the graduate level, the School of Nursing offers the master of science in nursing (M.S.N.), the doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.), and the doctor of philosophy in nursing (Ph.D.). 

Master of Science in Nursing

The master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) program prepares nurses for advanced practice nursing focused on direct patient care or as advanced specialists in health care leadership and administration.

Length of Program

The program of study varies from 33 to 46 credits of academic coursework, including clinical practice, a professional portfolio as a substitute for the oral comprehensive examination, and a master's paper (or in some cases, a thesis). Advanced practice students (i.e., nurse practitioner students) may purse the M.S.N. degree on a full-time basis, while students seeking preparation in health care leadership and administration may pursue the M.S.N. degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

Master's Program Curriculum

The curriculum includes professional, research,  clinical core courses and advanced nursing practice courses. The professional (NURS 746, NURS 790I) and research (NURS 740, NURS 992 or NURS 993) courses are required of all students. The clinical core courses and advanced nursing practice courses focus on the student's selected area of specialization and role preparation.

The program options offered reflect a combination of current practice trends as well as available faculty resources. Each student is admitted to a specific advanced nursing practice population or specialty area and assigned a faculty advisor appropriate to the student's educational and career goals. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for national certification examinations appropriate to their advanced area of preparation.

The M.S.N. program prepares nurses as (1) advanced practice registered nurses (i.e., nurse practitioners) focused on direct patient care or (2) as specialists in health care leadership and administration. The current advanced practice nursing population foci include adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner-primary care, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The Heath Care Leadership and Administration option is offered online and incorporates both with synchronous and asynchronous online learning. The nurse practitioner options are delivered in hybrid format, with a mix of face-to-face and online courses.

The M.S.N. program also includes advanced practice courses in adult oncology. Master's students may elect to take these offerings as electives or declare an oncology focus in addition to their primary population or specialty area of interest. A graduate certificate in nursing education (additional nine credits) is available for students who desire to develop these skills in teaching and learning along with their advanced nursing preparation.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The Ph.D. program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is grounded in our commitment to enhancing the health of individuals, families, and communities; increasing the effectiveness of health care systems; and furthering the translation of research into practice. Graduates of the program are prepared to advance the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of nursing science, engage in interdisciplinary inquiry, and disseminate knowledge. The Ph.D. curriculum reflects the goals of the National Institutes of Health to foster discovery and increase the knowledge base for improving the health of all populations and to reduce health disparities. The program emphasizes the integration of the biological and behavioral sciences; the development and testing of evidence-based, theoretically grounded interventions; and the improvement of health care quality and outcomes. Faculty research addresses three areas of emphasis: enhancing health in vulnerable populations, managing chronic health problems, and strengthening health care systems. Students work closely with internationally renowned faculty from nursing and other disciplines to develop the skills and expertise needed to launch their program of research and pursue a successful career in academic and health care settings.

Length of Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program of study is a minimum of 55 credits of academic coursework including a qualifying examination and a dissertation. Students may pursue the Ph.D. degree on a full-time basis only.

Ph.D. Program Curriculum

The Ph.D. curriculum in the School of Nursing includes the following components: coursework, a written qualifying exam, mentored research experience and the dissertation. The program of study for students incorporates both required and elective courses distributed as follows: core knowledge and competencies (21 credits), core research methods (16 credits), and elective courses in the student's substantive area or courses that support the development of methods or additional research practica (12 credits). Six of the elective credits must support the dissertation research from outside the discipline of nursing or be interdisciplinary. A minimum of 6 dissertation credits also are required.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) program prepares nurses for the highest level of advanced practice nursing focused on direct patient care (i.e., nurse practitioner) or as leaders  in health care systems. Graduates receive preparation in such key areas as evidence-based practice, organization and systems leadership, finance, health policy, information technology, population health, quality improvement, patient safety, and translational research with the goal of improving patient and population health outcomes.

Length of Program

The program credits range from 60–73 credit hours for those with baccalaureate preparation and 36 credits hours for those with M.S.N. preparation. The program includes academic coursework, clinical practice, a qualifying examination, and a practice-focused scholarly project. Students with baccalaureate preparation may pursue the D.N.P. degree on a full-time basis, while students with M.S.N. preparation may pursue the D.N.P. degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

D.N.P. Program Curriculum

The B.S.N. to  D.N.P. program of study builds upon baccalaureate education and expands current M.S.N. education to prepare nurses for the highest level of professional nursing practice. Each student is admitted to a specific advanced practice or specialty area and assigned a faculty advisor appropriate to the student's educational and career goals. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for national certification examinations appropriate to their advanced area of preparation.

The following nurse practitioner population foci are available in the  B.S.N. to D.N.P pathway: adult-gerontology primary care, family, pediatric primary care, and psychiatric-mental health. The Health Care Leadership and Administration option prepares nurses as leaders in health care systems.

The M.S.N. to D.N.P pathway is for nurses who have completed the M.S.N. degree and are certified or eligible for certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (nurse practitioner) or a health systems leader. The M.S.N. to D.N.P. curriculum builds on the M.S.N. degree to achieve the highest level of nursing practice. This pathway is offered in online format that incorporates both synchronous and asynchronous learning.

A graduate certificate in nursing education (additional nine credits) is available for D.N.P students who desire to develop these skills in teaching and learning along with their advanced nursing preparation.

Following the faculty member's name is a section number that students should use when registering for independent studies, reading, research, and thesis and dissertation courses with that particular professor.

Tenured/Tenure Track

Distinguished Professors

Jada Brooks (141)
Ashley Leak Bryant (143)
Cheryl Giscombe (31)
Cheryl B. Jones (112)
Saif Khairat (155)
Shawn Kneipp (134)
Jennifer Leeman (133)
Sheila Santacroce (51)
Suzanne Thoyre (45)
Mark Toles (142)

Professors

Ashley Leak Bryant (143)
Cheryl Giscombe (31)
Cheryl B. Jones (112)
Saif Khairat (155)
Shawn Kneipp (134)
Jennifer Leeman (133)
Mary Lynn (84)
Sheila Santacroce (51)
Brent Small
Suzanne Thoyre (45)
Marcia Van Riper (120)
Margaret C. Wilmoth (167)
SeonAe Yeo (108)

Associate Professors

Jada Brooks (141)
Leslie Davis (23)
Eric Hodges (16)
Cathi Propper
Mark Toles (142)
Natalia Rodriguez Villegas (26)
Jessica Williams (168)
Jessica Zegre-Hemsey (144)

Assistant Professors

Lorinda Coombs (30)
Rachel Hirschey (11)
Matthew LeBlanc
Lisa Mansfield
Rebecca Salomon
Karen Sheffield-Abdullah (002)
Grace Wu (12)
Rose Xavier (19)

Research Associate Professors

Jamie Crandell
Todd Schwartz

Fixed Term Track

Professors

Rumay Alexander (020)
Jennifer D'Auria (085)
Carol Durham (111)
Louise Fleming (013)
Theresa Raphael-Grimm (121)
Shielda Rodgers (021)
Victoria Soltis-Jarrett (126)
Meg Zomorodi (070)

Associate Professors

Jennifer Alderman (145)
Maureen Baker (007)
Margaret Carman
 (003)
Suja Davis(014)
Jean Davison
 (114)
Julie Jacobson-Vann (131)
Ashley Kellish (005)
Maureen Kelly (040)
Rebecca Kitzmiller (150)
Rhonda Lanning (146)
Carrie Palmer (049)
Audra Rankin (024)
JoAn Stanek (158)
Elizabeth Stone
Megan Williams
 (022)
Lisa Woodley (164)

Assistant Professors

Susana Barroso (027)
Kandyce Brennan
Amanda Brinson (86)
Michael Bury
Susan Catchings (025)
Beth Cosgrove
Cathy Crawford (032)
Stephanie Fisher
Grace Hubbard (062)
Sharon Jackson
Ann Marie Jones (017)
Stephanie Machalicky (028)
Rachel McInerney
 (018)
Leigh Mullen
Katherine Peppers (173)
Leslie Sharpe (159)
Brandy Reardon
Nancy Thompson

Tracy Vernon-Platt (147)

Instructors

Marlena Brokob
Marco Castro
LaTonia Chalmers
Bethany Davis
Ryan Lewis
Krystal Pendergraft-Horne
Megan Ross
Erin Stanley
Cara Winstead

Nurse Specialists

Laura Livingston
Patrick McMurray
Lonna Patel
Samantha Sheets Mapel
Scotty Switzer

Faculty Emeriti

Ruth Anderson
Linda Beeber
Beth Black
Barbara Bunker
Margaret E. Campbell
Linda Cronenwett
Jo Ann Dalton
Molly C. Dougherty
Margery Duffey
Catherine I. Fogel
Cynthia M. Freund
Sandra G. Funk
Barbara Germino
Edward Halloran
Joanne Harrell
Donna Havens
Carol C. Hogue
Margaret F. Hudson
George Knafl
Kathleen Knafl
Betty H. Landsberger
Patricia Lawrence
Vickie Lester
Barbara Mark
Deborah Mayer
Laura McQueen
Margaret Miles
Nancy Milio
Helen M. Murphy
Betty Nance-Floyed
Virginia Neelon
Sonda Oppewal
Julie Page
Mary Palmer
Nilda Peragallo Montano
Susan Pierce
Barbara C. Rynerson
Margarete Sandelowski
Mary Schuler
Anne Skelly
Lixin Song
Ingrid Swenson
Eleanor Taggart
Anita Tesh
Debbie Travers

NURS

Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate-level Courses

NURS 401.  Integrating Principles of Leadership, Quality and Safety, and Informatics into Nursing Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course focuses on systems thinking and complexity, development of leadership roles and skills, and interprofessional communication and teamwork. All Carolina Core tenets are examined; however, leadership, quality and safety, and informatics are central foci. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 402.  Foundations of Population Health and Global Health: Carolina Core IV.  2 Credits.  

In this course, all Carolina Core tenets are explored; however, there is a focus on population health and global health as essential components of nursing. Students will examine global health challenges as well as policy strategies of promoting health for all. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 410.  Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment III: On Campus Clinical III.  1 Credits.  

The third in a series of four on campus clinical courses with application of advanced clinical nursing skills and comprehensive health assessment to specialized populations. This course emphasizes application of leadership, pediatric and community health concepts. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310, 311, and 352; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 484.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 411.  Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment IV: On Campus Clinical IV.  1 Credits.  

Fourth in a series of four on-campus clinical courses with application of advanced clinical nursing skills to specialized populations with a focus on transition to practice. The clinical environment is simulated to provide the application of nursing principles and skills.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310, 311, 352, and 410; Corequisite, NURS 697.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 430.  Nursing Care of Adults II.  5 Credits.  

Centers on management of adults experiencing complex health problems and focuses on application of evidence based practice and skill acquisition needed to care for acutely ill patients through transitions in an illness experience. Clinical experience in acute care settings provide application for clinical reasoning, clinical care, and knowledge integration. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 310, 311, 330, and 352.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
IDEAs in Action General Education logoNURS 461I.  Exploring Social Determinants of Health Across Populations.  3 Credits.  

This seminar allows students to explore how social determinants of health affect the health of populations.

Rules & Requirements  
IDEAs in Action General Education logo IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: HI-SERVICE.
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: EDUC 461I.  
NURS 481.  Mental Health Promotion and Psychiatric Care Across Populations and Settings.  5 Credits.  

Using selected theories of human psychosocial development, psychopathology, and psychotherapy, this course requires students to advance their use of therapeutic communication skills, examine the range and complexities of human emotional suffering, and apply methods of effective intervention. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 330 and 351; Pre- or corequisites, NURS 311 and 352.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 482.  Reproductive Health and Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family.  5 Credits.  

The course emphasizes development of caring and critical thinking skills in providing evidence-based nursing care focused on reproductive health and care of childbearing families. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 351 and 330; Pre- or corequisites, NURS 311 and 352.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 483.  Family-Centered Nursing Care from Birth through Adolescence.  5 Credits.  

This course emphasizes development of caring and critical thinking skills in providing evidence-based, family centered, culturally responsive nursing care to infants, children, and adolescents throughout the care continuum. Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311, 330, and 352; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 430.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 484.  Public Health Nursing in Community Settings.  4 Credits.  

Students apply evidence-based public health concepts to community practice to improve health and reduce disparities across the life span, emphasizing interventions using partnership strategies at individual, family, organizational, and policy levels. Majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 311, 330, and 352; corequisite, NURS 410.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 496.  Advanced Practicum in Nursing.  1-3 Credits.  

Majors only. The focus of this course is the development of knowledge and experience related to research or service learning and its application to the practice of nursing and health care.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 497.  Preparation for Professional Practice.  1 Credits.  

This course will assist students in preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination through a strategic and systematic individualized plan of study that utilizes testing programs and other relevant resources.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit. 3 total credits. 3 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 510.  Management of the Critically Ill Adult.  3 Credits.  

This hybrid course, offered in collaboration with UNC Hospitals, focuses on collaborative management of critically ill adult patients. Students will gain advanced skills and demonstrate critical thinking to apply evidence based practice to care for critically ill patients across the continuum of care.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 430.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 512.  Care of Individuals with Cancer and their Families.  3 Credits.  

This course focuses on the cancer experience of individuals and families across the lifespan (pediatric to older adults). The cancer control continuum framework will guide content focused discussions on prevention and risk reduction, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 301 and 330; pre- or corequisite, NURS 352.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 514.  Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Fundamentals.  3 Credits.  

This course, offered in collaboration with UNC Hospitals, focuses on the collaborative care of pediatric patients in the emergency department and in critical care units (NICU, PICU). Students will be introduced to advanced assessments and interventions utilized in these environments. Students will also discuss interdisciplinary challenges specific to pediatric emergency and critical care and investigate evidence-based solutions to some of these challenges. Majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 483.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 600.  SHAC: Student Health Action Coalition.  0 Credits.  

This course provides service-learning opportunities to apply nursing practice within the context of interprofessional care for vulnerable populations by participating with Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) activities.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit. 0 total credits. 8 total completions.  
Grading Status: Pass/Fail.  
NURS 601.  Experiential Learning in Nursing.  0 Credits.  

This course provides experiential educational opportunities to apply nursing practice through volunteer participation in select communities. Majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 0 total credits. 8 total completions.  
Grading Status: Pass/Fail.  
NURS 607I.  Interprofessional Team Work and Communication - Key to Patient Safety.  3 Credits.  

Majors only. This interprofessional course focuses on understanding roles, teamwork, and communication to improve patient safety within the health care environment. National standards and initiatives will be the foundation of the course. Pass/Fail only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 609.  Health Care in the Global Context.  1 Credits.  

A faculty-led experiential learning opportunity focusing on development and knowledge related to research, health care systems, or service learning and its application to nursing and health care. Majors only or permission of the instructor.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 320.  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 8 total credits. 8 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 610.  Introductory Spanish for Health Professionals.  3 Credits.  

This course is intended for students who know no Spanish or so little that they feel the need to start over. Students with more than two semesters of college Spanish are not eligible. The course covers the curriculum of first-semester Spanish taught within a health context, with a focus on speaking.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: PUBH 610.  
NURS 611.  Supporting the Childbearing Family.  3 Credits.  

Application required. An interprofessional, service-learning approach to studying maternity care. Students will receive professional doula training and volunteer as birth doulas within the Volunteer Doula Service Program at North Carolina Women's Hospital.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 613I.  Intermediate Spanish for Health Care I.  3 Credits.  

This intermediate course is the equivalent of the third semester of college Spanish. Students will hone their listening and speaking skills in class primarily through role-playing activities and class discussion. Activities center on an original film set in a health clinic in rural North Carolina.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 615I.  Advanced Spanish for Health Care I.  3 Credits.  

Required preparation, third semester Spanish or equivalent. This advanced course reviews the grammar of the third and fourth semester of college Spanish. Students hone their listening and speaking skills through role-playing activities and class discussion. Activities center on an original film set in a Latino-run health clinic.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 616.  Experiential Learning in Nursing: A Collaboration with UNC Health Center for Nursing Excellence.  3 Credits.  

This course provides experiential educational opportunities to apply nursing practice through volunteer participation in select communities associated with UNC Health. Admission to the undergraduate nursing program required.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 430.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
IDEAs in Action General Education logoNURS 619.  Experiencing Health Professions: A Service-Learning Partnership for Pre-Health Students.  3 Credits.  

This course provides experiential service opportunities for career exploration with select communities and populations associated with UNC Health. Students will be assigned to a role within the health system and will complete service hours within their assigned role. Class sessions will include topics related to healthcare and will develop skills in reflection, communication, and teamwork for career development. Does not count as an elective in the BIOL major or minor. Permission of instructor.

Rules & Requirements  
IDEAs in Action General Education logo IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: HI-SERVICE, COMMBEYOND.
Requisites: Prerequisite, BIOL 117.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: BIOL 119.  
NURS 620.  Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Caring Professionals.  3 Credits.  

This course is designed to introduce students to rationale, research, and practices of mindfulness and self-compassion. Upon course completion, students will exhibit knowledge and skills related to mindfulness/contemplative practice/training, research evidence on mindfulness for enhancing provider self-care, patient/client engagement, and wellness (e.g., reducing stress, burnout, and fatigue; increasing resilience). Majors only; permission of the instructor for non-majors.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 625.  Global and Interprofessional Approaches to Solve Complex Cases.  3 Credits.  

This course uses a case-based approach to assist students to identify and critically examine challenging issues in health care, develop presentation skills as well as critical thinking from an interprofessional perspective. Students will work in interprofessional teams on a global complex case. Using this approach, students will attain the knowledge necessary to analyze and present results for a comprehensive case at the individual, organizational, and community levels. Open to undergraduate students with permission from instructor.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 671.  Nursing Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Scholarship.  3 Credits.  

Introduction to scientific inquiry, evidence-based practice, and nursing/healthcare innovations. Emphasis on: theory; ethics; problem identification; question development; design selection; data analysis and interpretation; statistical applications; and appraisal of research reports. Admission to an undergraduate BSN program and eligible to take required undergraduate nursing research course; the Hillman Scholars program; or PhD in Nursing Program required.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 675.  Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation: Integrative Seminar.  1 Credits.  

Cultivates students' development as nurse scientists, scholars, and leaders to improve health care quality, safety, and delivery, and to influence policies that promote health and strengthen health systems outcomes. Admission to the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation is required.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 680.  Experimental Courses.  1-3 Credits.  

Pilot test for new courses in the nursing program.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 12 total credits. 4 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 685I.  Care of the Dying and Bereaved throughout the Life Span.  3 Credits.  

Students from a variety of health sciences-related disciplines gain an understanding of issues in working with dying and bereaved individuals of all ages and their families.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit. 6 total credits. 2 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
IDEAs in Action General Education logoNURS 691H.  Honors in Nursing, Part I.  3 Credits.  

Permission of the program director. Majors only. Preparation of a two-semester honors project under the direction of department advisors.

Rules & Requirements  
IDEAs in Action General Education logo IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: RESEARCH.
Making Connections Gen Ed: EE- Mentored Research.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
IDEAs in Action General Education logoNURS 692H.  Honors in Nursing, Part II.  3 Credits.  

Permission of the program director. Majors only. Preparation of a two-semester honors project under the direction of department advisors.

Rules & Requirements  
IDEAs in Action General Education logo IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: RESEARCH.
Making Connections Gen Ed: EE- Mentored Research.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
IDEAs in Action General Education logoNURS 697.  Capstone: Transitions in Care and Practice.  6 Credits.  

Students will incorporate previously learned leadership concepts, clinical skills, therapeutic communication, and critical thinking to deliver quality nursing care, using evidence based practice, in varied settings with faculty and RN guidance. Preparing for the NCLEX-RN examination and strategies for successful transition from student nurse to registered nurse will be explored. Majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
IDEAs in Action General Education logo IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: HI-INTERN.
Making Connections Gen Ed: EE- Field Work.  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 330, 430, 481, 482, and 483; Corequisites, NURS 402 and 411.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  

Graduate-level Courses

NURS 703I.  Alternative Medicine.  3 Credits.  
Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 704.  Scientific Writing.  1 Credits.  

Focuses on the principles and practice of scientific writing, with emphasis on research proposals, theses, research reports, dissertations, and articles for publication.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 710.  Developmental Physiology and Pathophysiology.  3 Credits.  

This course explores developmental changes in morphological processes and normal and pathologic physiology in humans from conception through adolescence. Physiological differences between infants and children and adults are emphasized.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 715.  Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course explores the physiologic functions in humans throughout the lifespan. The broad-based content integrates pathophysiological concepts with emphasis on advanced practice nursing. Must be enrolled in School of Nursing Graduate Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisite, NURS 750 & NURS 752.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 720.  Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course will examine the principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision-making in advanced nursing practice, with application to the clinical management of common health problems specific to all age groups, encompassing a life span approach. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or Co-requisite, NURS 715.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 721.  Pediatric Pharmacology.  1 Credits.  

The course will examine the principles of pharmacotherapeutic decision making in advanced nursing practice, with application to the clinical management of common health problems specific to pediatrics.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715 and 720; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 722.  Psychopharmacology in Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing.  2 Credits.  

Examines the principles of psychopharmacology and neurobiology for safe and effective psychotherapeutic management of individuals with psychiatric and mental health problems across the lifespan.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 726, and 727; co-requisite, NURS 720; permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- and corequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 723.  Psychiatric Diagnosis and Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan.  3 Credits.  

This course provides concepts in evidence-based psychopharmacological management of individuals across the lifespan for advanced nursing practice. Topics include neurobiological concepts, psychiatric diagnosis and treatments, rational decision-making, and the initiation, monitoring, and discontinuation of psychotropic medications in the treatment of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders in a variety of settings. Students will explore recent advances in neurobiology, genomics, and psychopharmacology. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750 and 752; Corequisite, NURS 860.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 725.  Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning in Pediatric Nursing.  4 Credits.  

This course is designed to prepare the advanced practice nurse to comprehensively assess pediatric clients using a diagnostic reasoning process.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 710.  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 8 total credits. 2 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 726.  Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning in Primary Care Nursing.  4 Credits.  

This course examines the process of diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize comprehensive assessment of patients throughout the lifespan.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 715.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 727.  Advanced Diagnostic Process in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.  4 Credits.  

This course introduces students to the role of the advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nurse. Models for assessment, intervention, and evaluation are explored and tested clinically.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715 and 726.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 730.  Foundations in Clinical Informatics: Data, Information, and Knowledge.  3 Credits.  

Required preparation, graduate nursing program admission or instructor permission. This foundational course provides an overview of computer and information science concepts as applied to health care.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 740.  Evidence-Based Practice and Research.  3 Credits.  

This course provides the essential concepts and strategies for research and quality improvement, and the impact of these methodologies on patient populations and care systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 746.  Health Care Policy and Leadership.  3 Credits.  

This course examines the role of nursing in health care leadership and policy. Students will gain competencies in the application of micro and meso level leadership tools. Students will apply these skills to the health policy development and advocacy as a means of impacting the health of populations at the local, state, and national and/or international level. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 750.  Advanced Health and Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course is an advanced, comprehensive assessment of an individual's health across their developmental lifespan that examines the interactions of developmental, biopsychosocial, and socio-cultural contexts of health.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 715.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 752.  Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning.  2 Credits.  

This course examines the process of diagnostic reasoning as a framework to synthesize comprehensive assessment and disease prevention using lifespan concepts. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisite, NURS 750; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 715.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 776.  Research for Advanced Clinical Practice.  3 Credits.  

Graduate standing and successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course required. This course explores approaches to research problems in advanced practice nursing. Theories, methods, designs, measurement, ethical conduct, and skills in critical appraisal are emphasized.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 777.  Intermediate Statistical Applications in Health Care.  3 Credits.  

Graduate standing required. This course provides an introduction to probability, statistical concepts, and analytical techniques useful in health care research and for interpreting the literature.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 778.  Interpreting Research Reports.  3 Credits.  

For Nursing students admitted to the Graduate School. Focuses on approaches for critical reading of research reports to evaluate the evidence base for practice.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 779.  Synthesis and Translation of Evidence.  3 Credits.  

Focuses on the translation of research evidence to support improved models of care delivery.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 778; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 780I.  Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Managing Diabetes Mellitus.  2 Credits.  

This course examines the current issues involved in managing diabetes mellitus in persons over their life span. Contributions of the multidisciplinary team are an important theme throughout this course.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 781I.  Genomics and Society.  3 Credits.  

This multidisciplinary course offers students the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of human genetics and explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of recent advances in genetics.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 786.  Advanced Concepts in the Clinical Care of Older Adults.  2 Credits.  

Graduate students only. Focuses on advanced concepts for nursing management of older adults and their families with an emphasis on interdisciplinary care.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 787.  Cancer Care for Advanced Practice Providers.  1 Credits.  

This course for MSN, DNP, and PhD students provides an understanding of management of adults across the cancer continuum (prevention, early detection, treatment, and beyond [survivorship, palliative care, end-of-life care]) for advanced practice providers regardless of practice setting.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 788.  Advanced Pharmacology in Oncology.  1 Credits.  

Focuses on the pharmacologic management of drugs used for therapeutic management and supportive care in adult oncology.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715 and 720; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 789.  Advanced Concepts in Oncology Nursing.  2 Credits.  

Admission to Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program or permission of the instructor required. This course focuses on an evidence-based approach for the advanced practice nurse, incorporating pathophysiology; prevention/detection; medical treatment; nursing management; and socioeconomic, ethical, and legal issues related to adult cancer care.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 790I.  Population Health: Interprofessional Management in a Changing Healthcare System.  3 Credits.  

This interprofessional education course focuses on preparing healthcare professionals with the foundational skills needed to work in teams to effectively collaborate and coordinate care in population health. Admission to the School of Nursing graduate program or graduate students in any of the Health Affairs Schools with permission of instructor required.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: SOWO 790.  
NURS 799.  Special Problems.  1-3 Credits.  
Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 3 total credits. 99 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 810.  Primary Care of Adolescents and Adults.  6 Credits.  

This course will focus on advanced assessment, diagnosis and management of adolescents and adults seen in primary care settings.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 715, NURS 720, NURS 750, & NURS 752; Pre- or corequisite, NURS 720.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 811.  Selected Issues in Adult Health.  5 Credits.  

Provides the opportunity for an in-depth examination of management strategies with selected health problems in adults. Also examines issues inherent in the management of women and elderly populations.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 726, and 810; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 812.  Care of Adults with Complex Health Problems.  6 Credits.  

This course focuses on care of adults with complex health problems. Students will develop skills to assist with the successful transition into the role of an AGPCNP into health care systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 819, 824, and 825.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 815.  Advanced Practice Nursing Role.  1 Credits.  

Examines current advanced practice nursing roles issues, within the context of contemporary healthcare delivery, legal, and sociopolitical systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 810, 840, or 860; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 819.  Practicum in Primary Care Management of Adults.  2 Credits.  

A clinical practicum in an ambulatory care setting that provides experience in the delivery of healthcare from age 13 through end-of-life, to individuals and their families.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, and 810; Corequisite, NURS 825.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 820.  Clinical Practicum in Advanced Oncology Nursing.  2-4 Credits.  

Focuses on the evidence-based management of common acute, episodic, and chronic health problems in adult cancer patients for the oncology nurse practitioner.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 788 and 789; Corequisites, NURS 821; Permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- and co-requisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 821.  Seminar in Advanced Oncology Nursing.  0.5 Credits.  

Focuses on evidence-based nursing and medical management issues relevant to the care of patients and their families across the cancer continuum and practice settings.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 788 and 789; co-requisite, NURS 820; permission of instructor for students lacking the co-requisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 823.  Advanced Practicum in Primary Care Management of Adults.  2 Credits.  

This clinical capstone course prepares Adult Gerontology primary care nurse practitioner students to synthesize and apply concepts and knowledge critical for professional primary care advanced practice nursing with individuals, families and communities. Students' independent practice skills are refined in precepted clinical experiences.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 810, 812, and 824.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 824.  Advanced Concepts in the Clinical Care of Older Adults.  4 Credits.  

This course focuses on the clinical management of older adults and their families emphasizing interdisciplinary care. Content includes physiologic, pathological, psychosocial and functional changes associated with aging; including social gerontological issues. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 715, NURS 720, NURS 750, NURS 752, NURS 810, NURS 819, NURS 825.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 825.  Sexual and Reproductive Health for Advanced Nursing Practice.  2-4 Credits.  

Uses a life span approach to examine principles of primary care management of childbearing couples and sexual reproductive health in women and men. Application is in community-based settings. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, and 810; Corequisites, NURS 819.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 826.  Introduction to Population Health and Community-Based Practice.  2 Credits.  

This course introduces fundamental concepts and models of population-oriented nursing practice and the central issues affecting that practice. Focuses on health disparities and underserved populations.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 827.  Primary Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents.  4 Credits.  

This course will focus on developmentally appropriate advanced assessment, diagnosis and family-centered management of infants, children and adolescents seen in primary care settings.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, NURS 720, NURS 750, NURS 752, and NURS 810.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 828.  Primary Care Across the Lifespan with Advanced Clinical Practicum.  6 Credits.  

This capstone course emphasizes the comprehensive, whole-person approach to the clinical management of primary health care needs across the lifespan in the context of the individual, the family and/or the community.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or Co-requisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 810, 825, and 827.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 830.  Acute Care Advanced Nursing Practice for the Adult-Gerontology Population I.  5 Credits.  

Students will begin to explore the professional role of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The program begins with a developmentally focused examination of how to assess and manage common challenges in complex patient care, including the older adult and those with chronic conditions.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisite, NURS 831.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 831.  Pharmacology in the Acute Care Setting with the Adult-Gerontology Population.  1 Credits.  

Focusing on unique aspects of prescribing in the acute care setting, this course will help the AG-ACNP student to understand specific knowledge related to prescribing for more complex and unstable patients, and establish a systematic approach to prescriptive stewardship.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisite, NURS 830.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 832.  Acute Care Advanced Nursing Practice for the Adult-Gerontology Population II.  6 Credits.  

This course will focus on content and clinical applications for more complex and critical conditions managed within the scope of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner practice.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 830 and NURS 831.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 833.  Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum.  5 Credits.  

This final clinical course is intended to promote increasing independence in clinical decision making, risk stratification, and overall management of adult-gerontological patients with complex illness or injury in the acute care setting.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 830, NURS 831, NURS 832 ; Corequisite, NURS 834.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 834.  Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Seminar.  1 Credits.  

This final seminar course is designed to support the nurse practitioner in the transition from primary to acute care clinician. Students will explore the professional role of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner as a pivotal member of interdisciplinary teams. Unique aspects of this transition will be examined, including collaborative relationships, the credentialing process, billing and coding, ethical challenges, and professional advocacy.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 830, 831, 832; Corequisite, NURS 833.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 835.  Population Health and Epidemiology.  3 Credits.  

Admission to Nursing graduate program. Focuses on epidemiologic approaches for studying the impact of social, economic, and cultural inequalities on health and illness patterns at population and clinical levels.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 838.  Health Care of Women Practicum.  1-5 Credits.  

The women's health care advanced practicum focuses on the synthesis and clinical management of primary health care and specialty health care problems of women.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 726, 810, 825, and 833.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 840.  Primary Care of Children I.  6 Credits.  

This course concentrates on clinical management of pediatric primary care patients and their families with a continuing focus on advanced diagnostic reasoning.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 715, NURS 720, NURS 750, & NURS 752; Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 841.  Primary Care of Children II.  4 Credits.  

The course focuses on advanced clinical management of pediatric primary care patients, emphasizing concepts of family-centered health care in selected child and adolescent health problems. Students function in an advanced practice role working with children, adolescents, and their families in primary care, or outpatient pediatric specialty settings.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 840 and 849; Permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- or co-requisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 842.  Care of Children with Complex Health Conditions.  6 Credits.  

This course prepares the advanced practice nurse to design, implement, and evaluate a coordinated system of interventions that aim to promote optimal health and development for infants, children and adolescents with complex conditions. Students will develop skills to assist with the successful transition into the role of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner into health care systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 840, 841, and, 849.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 849.  Clinical Practicum in Advanced Pediatric Nursing.  2 Credits.  

Supervised practicum in an advanced practice role in a selected health care setting that provides primary care to infants, children, or adolescents.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 840, or permission of instructor.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 850.  Advanced Clinical Practicum in Primary Care of Children.  2-3 Credits.  

This course is the capstone practicum for pediatric nurse practitioner students. It emphasizes the comprehensive clinical management of primary health care needs of children in the context of the family.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 840, 841, and 842.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 860.  Biopsychosocial Care 1: Psychiatric Mental Health Interventions Across the Lifespan.  5 Credits.  

This course is the first of four in the sequence of intervention and case management courses. It builds on the skills of psychiatric mental health diagnostic formulation and provides a foundation for management of common behavioral health problems, psychiatric illness, and substance use disorders across the lifespan within a biopsychosocial framework.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 715, NURS 720, NURS 750, & NURS 752; Corequisite, NURS 723.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 863.  Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing for Underserved Populations.  3 Credits.  

Utilizing epidemiology, psychoeducation, case management, and health policy, students examine the scope of mental health problems and services for underserved populations.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 727 and 860.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 864.  Biopsychosocial Care 3: Psychiatric Mental Health Interventions in the Context of Relationships.  6 Credits.  

This course is third of a four course sequence that focuses delivery of care across the lifespan by the PMHNP in the context of relationships and larger systems. The influence of families, peers, groups, communities and society on client mental health and psychiatric illness will be examined.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 723, 860 and 865.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 865.  Biopsychosocial Care 2: Psychiatric Mental Health Interventions with Children.  3 Credits.  

This course is the second of four in the sequence of intervention and case management courses for the PMHNP. It focuses on management of common psychiatric illnesses in childhood using a biopsychosocial framework.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 715, 720, 723, 750, 752, and 860.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 868.  Biopsychosocial Care 4: Management of Complex Psychiatric Mental Health Problems Across the Lifespan.  6 Credits.  

This capstone course builds on and synthesizes knowledge gained in the previous semesters. Psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological interventions are integrated in the identification and management of complex psychiatric/mental health issues for diverse clients across the lifespan.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715, 720, 750, 752, 723, 860, 864, and 865.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 869.  Practicum in Psychiatric Mental Health Care for Advanced Practice Nurses.  1-3 Credits.  

This is the final advanced clinical course for students to apply knowledge and skills in selected domains of the advanced practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Supervision, peer evaluation, seminar, and independent readings will enhance the experience.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 727, 860, 863 and 864; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 870.  Applied Health Informatics in Complex Health Care Systems.  3 Credits.  

The course focuses on the concepts relevant to health care informatics, the use of computerized information systems, and the use of computer applications to support clinical and administrative decision-making.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 871.  Leadership and Advanced Practice Roles in Health Care Organizations.  3 Credits.  

This course examines health care and nursing practice organizations, and the influence of the external and internal environment on these organizations. Roles and functions of nurses at different levels and in different types of health care settings are explored.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 872.  Managing Human Resources in Complex Health Care Systems.  3 Credits.  

This course explores the knowledge and skills required for effective human resource management with emphasis on behaviors that promote and sustain an interprofessional health care practice environment. Nursing majors only. Admission to the Graduate School or permission of instructor required.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 873.  Financing for Value-Based Health Services and Systems.  3 Credits.  

This course focuses on fundamental financial management concepts in health services organizations. Emphasis is placed on the financial environment and application of financial and managerial accounting and budgeting principles and methods to prepare nurse leaders and entrepreneurs for decision-making in simple to complex health services organizations. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 874.  Improving Quality, Safety and Outcomes in Complex Health Care Systems.  3 Credits.  

Explores theories and methods for improving the quality, safety, and outcomes of care at patient and organizational levels, emphasizing the quality and patient safety movement, improvement science, and evidence based practice. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 875.  Teaching Principles and Practices for the Nurse Educator.  3 Credits.  

This course will prepare students for teaching in diverse healthcare and educational settings. Emphasis will be placed on the development of skills for teaching in nursing and healthcare to promote ethical, safe, and quality care. Must be a professional nurse enrolled in a graduate program at UNC-CH.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 876.  Curriculum Development in Nursing and Healthcare Education.  3 Credits.  

This course will examine curriculum development and evaluation in healthcare education for academic and clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on current contextual influences that facilitate curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation in diverse healthcare educational settings. Must be a professional nurse enrolled in a graduate program at UNC-CH.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 877.  Organization Theory for Managing Complex Health Care Systems.  3 Credits.  

This course explores complex health care systems' distinctive structures, processes, and outcomes and how internal and external environmental factors influence health care and nursing practice. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 878.  Health Care Leadership and Administration Residency and Integrative Seminar.  6 Credits.  

This course is designed to examine evidence-based strategies within health care systems, related to the management of resources, information systems, policies, and delivery of quality, relationship-centered care. Nursing majors only and permission from instructor required.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 872, 873, 874 and 877.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 879.  User-Centered Analysis and Design of Health Care Information Systems and Interfaces.  3 Credits.  

This course combines user-centered design theories, the science of systems analysis and design, and usability in health care, supported by real-world exercises in a simulated environment.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 730 and 870; permission of instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 880.  Advanced Assessment for Nursing Leadership.  4 Credits.  

This course focuses on advanced assessment for identifying evidence-based interventions across a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis is on the application of tools to implement changes related to care delivery and coordination at the client, unit, and organizational levels.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 881.  Evidence Based Care for Clinical Nurse Leaders.  6 Credits.  

Advanced clinical nurse leadership course emphasizing collaboration with key stakeholders to implement evidence-based interventions and improve care delivery in clinical systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 715 and 880.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 882.  Clinical Teaching and Evaluation in Nursing Education.  3 Credits.  

Prepares students for clinical teaching in diverse nursing education settings. Emphasis will be placed on the development of evidence-based clinical teaching skills designed to facilitate student learning and evaluation as well as safe, ethical, relationship-centered clinical practice of students. Must be a professional nurse enrolled in a graduate program at UNC-CH.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 899.  Special Topics in Nursing.  1-6 Credits.  

Special topics with an authority in the field.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 901.  Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation I.  6 Credits.  

Students engage in individualized, precepted clinical experiences and guided scholarly reflection. Students must be Hillman Scholars; licensed as an RN in NC and enrolled full-time in the PhD program. The first of two courses designed to enhance scholars' understanding of nursing practice and care delivery within clinical micro systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 902.  Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation II.  6 Credits.  

Second sequential course for doctoral students designed to extend scholars' understanding of nursing practice and develop identity as a nurse scientist. Scholars engage in individualized, precepted clinical experiences and guided scholarly reflection.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 901.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 903.  Scientific Reasoning I: Defining and Articulating a Researchable Nursing Problem.  2 Credits.  

Introduces scientific reasoning, methods and ethical principles guiding scientific inquiry. Includes an introductory review of the literature and formulation of a researchable problem and purpose statement within a focused area of nursing inquiry.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, Enrollment in the SON PhD Program; Corequisite, NURS 913.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 904.  Scientific Reasoning II: Creating and Articulating Specific Aims, Significance and Innovation.  2 Credits.  

Foundational knowledge and methods needed to construct and articulate the Specific Aims, Significance, and Innovation of a research project using the National Institutes of Health guidelines for a grant application.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 903, NURS 912, NURS 913, NURS 916, and NURS 924; Corequisites, NURS 914, NURS 917, and NURS 925.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 906.  Scientific Reasoning III: Crafting Methods and Analysis to Meet Specific Aims.  2 Credits.  

Knowledge and application of foundational scientific theory, design, methods and analysis to the creation of a research proposal within the National Institutes of Health proposal model. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 904.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 908.  Carolina PhD Seminar I: Introduction to Nursing Science and Syndemics.  1 Credits.  

Introduces the ontological and epistemological basis of nursing science and the application of syndemic thinking as a lens for conducting nursing science.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 909.  Carolina PhD Seminar II: Bio-Physiological-Psychological-Behavioral Determinants of Health.  2 Credits.  

Examines the biological, physiological, psychological, and behavioral determinants of health and their interactions. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 908.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 910.  Carolina PhD Seminar III: Social Determinants of Health.  2 Credits.  

Examines social determinants of health at multiple levels, and their interactions, and characteristics that differentiate structural from non-structural social determinants. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 908.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 911.  Carolina PhD Seminar IV: Synthesizing Determinants of Health, Syndemics and Nursing Science.  2 Credits.  

Evaluates the interplay among biological, physiological, psychological, behavioral, and social determinants, whether the relationships are consistent with a syndemics framework, and the potential for novel relationships across determinants in these areas to advance nursing science. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 908, NURS 909, and NURS 910.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 912.  Theoretical Foundations of Scientific Inquiry.  2 Credits.  

Students develop competence in analyzing and applying philosophical and theoretical orientations in the conduct and critique of scientific and scholarly work. Majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 903; Corequisite, NURS 913, 916, and 924.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 913.  Knowledge Synthesis I: Organizing and Evaluating Evidence.  2 Credits.  

Student develops competence in identifying, organizing and critiquing the evidence in a focused area.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisites, NURS 903, NURS 912, NURS 916, and NURS 924.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 914.  Knowledge Synthesis II: Disseminating Evidence.  1 Credits.  

Student continues to develop the knowledge synthesis with a focus on synthesizing the evidence and writing the review for publication. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 913; Corequisites, NURS 904, NURS 905, NURS 917, and NURS 925.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 915.  Health Organization Policy.  3 Credits.  

Examines interrelated changes in nursing, ethical and legal expectations, and the organization of health care and health policy. Ways that nurse leaders in health care organizations adapt to and challenge public policies throughout the policymaking process and consequences for organizations and for health, practice, research, and education are explored.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 916.  Design, Measurement, and Analysis I: Descriptive and Associational Research.  4 Credits.  

An in-depth examination of quantitative and qualitative descriptive and associational research, including design, sampling, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Enrollment in the SON PhD Program.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Corequisites, NURS 912, NURS 913, and NURS 924.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 917.  Design, Measurement, and Analysis II: Explanatory and Predictive Research.  4 Credits.  

An in-depth examination of qualitative and quantitative explanatory and predictive research, including design, sampling, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 916; Corequisites, NURS 904, NURS 905, NURS 914, and NURS 925.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 918.  Intermediate Statistics: Regression Analysis.  3 Credits.  

Focuses on the use of advanced regression techniques to analyze various types of response variables with multiple predictors, interaction terms, or longitudinal data. Permission of Instructor.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 920.  Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course provides a foundation philosophy of science, examines the elements and utility of theory, and explores key theories of practice, including theories from nursing and other disciplines. Admission to Nursing graduate program required.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 921.  Theoretical Principles of Evidence-Based Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course is an analysis of the theoretical principles of translating, disseminating, and implementing evidence into healthcare practice. Students will evaluate major theoretical and conceptual models in the fields of translational science, dissemination and implementation, organizational change, and quality improvement. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 922.  Critical Appraisal of Evidence.  3 Credits.  

This foundational course is focused on identification of a practice problem and systematically searching, appraising, and synthesizing a body of evidence to support practice change. Nursing Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 921.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 923.  Implementation and Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practice.  3 Credits.  

This course focuses on evidence-based implementation and evaluation strategies for development of methodologies for planning, implementing and evaluating a sustainable practice change project that emphasizes quality and safety principles. Nursing Majors Only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 922; Pre- or corequisites, NURS 921 and 969.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 924.  Experiential Learning I: Statistical Analysis.  1 Credits.  

This course will introduce and prepare students for biostatistical computing of quantitative data using mainly SAS statistical software. It builds on the knowledge obtained in NURS 916: Design Measurement and Analysis: Descriptive & Associational Research by reinforcing the material and focusing on application within the SAS framework. Course prepares students for future SAS programming and analysis needs in NURS 917: Design Measurement and Analysis: Explanatory and Predictive Research and NURS 918: Intermediate Statistics: Regression Analysis.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, Enrollment in the SON PhD Program; Corequisite, NURS 916.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 925.  Experiential Learning II: Research Methods.  1 Credits.  

Serves as a laboratory hub to guide students in developing the cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to perform qualitative and quantitative data collection and management, conduct ethical research with human participants, and interpret findings. Other professional development topics will be discussed including research career pathways, scientific publication, and grant opportunities.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 924; Corequisites, NURS 904, NURS 914, and NURS 917.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 928.  Organizational Theories.  3 Credits.  

Examines the major theoretical paradigms, perspectives, and issues in organization theory, particularly as applied to organizations providing health care services.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 930.  Children at Risk: Prenatal Period Through Emerging Young Adulthood.  3 Credits.  

This course will apply ecological and developmental perspectives to research with children at risk for conditions threatening life/quality of life and resilience under risk. Emphasis is on critically evaluating conceptual models, designs, and methods, and responsible conduct of research aiming to understand, prevent, or manage risk.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 932.  Families and Health.  3 Credits.  

Explores theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues related to research in families and health across the life span. Content includes family research related to health promotion, risk reduction, vulnerability, and health risk, and the family in the context of acute and chronic illness. Cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic issues are included.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 933.  Health Care Quality and Patient Outcomes: Conceptual and Empirical Approaches.  3 Credits.  

Examines literature on quality of care -- effectiveness, safety, efficiency, equity, timeliness, and patient-centeredness. Critically evaluates conceptual frameworks, research designs, sources of data, analytic approaches, and implications for health care policy.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 976; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 934.  Clinical Scholarship and Professional Communication.  3 Credits.  

This course provides students with a foundation in professional communication of scholarly and clinical work through a variety of strategies. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 935.  Leading Organizational and Systems Change.  3 Credits.  

This course provides a foundation for the application of core leadership principles to lead organizational change within complex and dynamic healthcare systems. Students will gain competencies in the application of macro-level leadership tools (e.g., organizational assessment, systems thinking, strategic planning, workforce management, and organizational policy development and analysis) to address service delivery challenges and drive organizational change, with a particular focus on quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 936.  Informatics for Safe and Effective Health Care.  3 Credits.  

This course prepares health care leaders to effectively select, implement and utilize health information systems for effective delivery of health care services and promote quality, safety and patient engagement.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 938.  Public Policy and Advocacy in Health Care.  3 Credits.  

This course examines the intersection of health policy development, advocacy and nursing as a means of impacting the health of populations at the local, state, national and/or international level. Emerging issues in health policy will be explored with an emphasis placed on transformational leadership principles as a means of influencing change. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 967.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 939.  Advanced Leadership I: Operational Effectiveness.  3 Credits.  

This course allows the learner to examine personal values, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they relate to successful leadership practices and behaviors in complex health care organizations. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 940.  Advanced Leadership II: Strategic Effectiveness.  3 Credits.  

This course builds upon foundational leadership knowledge to incorporate executive practices essential to successfully leading larger health care delivery systems and health professions organizations into the future. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 939.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 941.  Practice Inquiry I.  2 Credits.  

Course and project hours focused on identifying an evidence-based clinical practice question and resources necessary to support the DNP Project.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 778; permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- or corequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 942.  Practice Inquiry II.  2 Credits.  

Course and project hours focused on methodologies for planning and implementing the DNP Project.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or co-requisites, NURS 778, 779, 941; Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites or co-requisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 943.  Practice Inquiry III.  2 Credits.  

Course and project hours focused on issues related to the implementation, evaluation, and dissemination findings of the DNP Project.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisites, NURS 778, 779, 941, 942, and 994; permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- or corequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 945.  Population Health in a Global Context.  3 Credits.  

This course analyzes the complexities that contribute to the health of populations in a local to global context. This course will prepare leaders to integrate evidence-based approaches that impact the health of populations, building upon skills and knowledge developed throughout the program. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 950.  Analysis of the Academic Role in Nursing Education.  3 Credits.  

Knowledge, theories, and skills necessary for transition into an academic teaching role in university schools of nursing. Particular emphasis on the teaching-learning process as used in higher education.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 951.  Mentored Teaching Practicum.  1-3 Credits.  

Admission to the PhD program in nursing and successful completion of qualifying examination. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites. Application of educational theory and methods in teaching activities with mentor. Provides opportunities to analyze course design, implement objectives, evaluate student competencies, and practice in teaching methods.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 875 or NURS 950.  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit. 3 total credits. 3 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 957.  From Theory to Intervention and Implementation.  3 Credits.  

Required preparation, NURS 912 or graduate level theory course. In-depth exploration of selected programmatic research in nursing and related fields on prevention and management of chronic conditions in order to generate and evaluate treatment theory and intervention protocol.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 958.  Designing Intervention Studies.  3 Credits.  

Examines methodological, ethical, and practical issues in the design and implementation of theory-based intervention studies.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, NURS 957; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 960.  Proseminar in Nursing.  1-3 Credits.  

Proseminars are offered for one, two, or three credits. Topics differ each semester.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 3 total credits. 3 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 963.  Writing for Publication.  3 Credits.  

In this course, students apply principles and practices of writing to the preparation of manuscripts for publication.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 965.  Issues in Gerontological and Geriatric Research.  3 Credits.  

This course is designed to enhance the student's knowledge of relevant issues researchers face when planning, designing, and implementing research with an older adult population.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 966.  Implementing Health System Innovations in Complex Organizations.  4 Credits.  

Explores the application of implementation science and other relevant theory, focusing on the role of the executive nurse in integrating innovations into complex systems.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Pre- or corequisite, NURS 779, 871, 873, 874; permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- or corequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 967.  Economics and Financing of Health Care Systems.  3 Credits.  

This course examines economic and finance principles in health care from various perspectives including small to large healthcare organizations. Students will gain an understanding of the perspective of economics in the allocation of resources in the healthcare sector. Nursing majors only.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 968.  Writing the Pre-/Post-Doctoral Training Plan for a Research Intensive Career.  2 Credits.  

Explore components of and rationale for a pre-/post-doctoral training plan and its relevance for planning a research intensive career. Students will write a personalized training plan following grant criteria.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, Graduate status or permission of the instructor; NURS 959 or equivalent (including postdoctoral status); permission of primary mentor.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 969.  Applied Data Analysis.  3 Credits.  

This course focuses on the application of statistical concepts to the analysis of health care data and includes evaluation and presentation of the results.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 979.  Qualitative Analysis.  3 Credits.  

Required preparation, doctoral level qualitative methods course or NURS 977. Emphasizes the work of analysis and interpretation. Students apply relevant qualitative techniques to their own data.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 985.  Research Seminar and Practicum: Guided Individual Research Experience.  1-6 Credits.  

Directs students to develop research skills related to the dissertation and to their future research.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 986.  Elective Doctor of Nursing Practice Residency.  1-3 Credits.  

This course focuses on the synthesis of knowledge related to advanced practice, practice leadership, and practice inquiry and is composed of a residency related to the DNP project.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, NURS 941, 942 or 943.  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit. 6 total credits. 3 total completions.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
NURS 992.  Master's (Non-Thesis).  3 Credits.  
Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
NURS 993.  Master's Research and Thesis.  3 Credits.  
Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
NURS 994.  PhD Dissertation/DNP Project.  3 Credits.  
Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   

School of Nursing

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Dean and Professor

Valerie Howard

howardv@unc.edu

Interim Associate Dean, M.S.N./D.N.P. Division and Programs

Carrie Palmer

cfarr@email.unc.edu

Associate Dean, Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Programs

Cheryl B. Jones

cabjones@email.unc.edu