Course Descriptions
ANE 610 Physical Sciences of Anesthesiology (3 credits)
his course focuses on the concepts of general, organic and biochemistry and their application and
interrelationships to the understanding of basic physiologic and pharmacologic principles in
anesthesiology. Modern concepts in physics related to the delivery of general anesthesia are
delineated. In this course, the student will gain an extensive understanding of the synergic
relationship of the principles of anesthesiology as it relates to the scientific foundations of
biochemistry and physics.
NUR 741 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 credits)
This course focuses on principles and methods of biostatistics and epidemiology used to assess
determinants, distribution, and deterrents of disease in populations. The course includes
conceptual and analytical skills required to measure risk, incidence, and prevalence of morbidity
and mortality and its impact on healthcare delivery.
NUR 678A Advanced Health Assessment & Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
This is a core course for students in the nurse practitioner and nursing education specialization
tracks. The purpose is to establish differential diagnoses based on logical diagnostic reasoning
for health maintenance, disease prevention and detection. Content builds upon previously
acquired knowledge and skills of advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced
pharmacology, and the domains and competencies common to the advanced practice roles.
ANE 525A Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia (1 credit)
An overview of the development of anesthesiology as an advanced practice nursing specialty.
Emphasis is placed on those factors that shape the practice environment of the nurse anesthetist:
U.S. legal system, bioethics, professional standards, global health issues, multiculturalism, and the
concept of caring.
NUR 711 Role of the DNP (2 credits)
Emphasis is on the identification of the essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice role in
preparation for the highest level of nursing leadership and application of evidenced based
practice. The eight essentials that will be introduced are scientific underpinnings for practice,
organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking, clinical
scholarship and analytical methods for evidenced based practice, information
systems/technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of
health care, health care policy for advocacy in health care, inter-professional collaboration for
improving patient and population health outcomes, clinical prevention and population health for
improving the nation’s health, and advanced nursing practice. Ultimately the course establishes
fundamental bases wherein the nurse leader reflects and identifies an area of need in the practice
setting.
NUR 721 Scientific Foundation of the DNP (3 credits)
This course will explore the development of nursing knowledge and theory; the philosophies of
science and epistemologies, their influence on knowledge development for doctoral nursing
practice, and strategies for theory development and analysis will be discussed.
NUR 727 Healthcare Informatics for the DNP (3 credits)
This course will provide a knowledge and skills base related to information systems/technology
to prepare the doctoral nurse to apply new knowledge, manage individual and aggregate
information, and assess the efficacy of patient care technology appropriate to a specialized area
of advanced nursing practice. Computer programs and software relevant to nursing
administration, education, research, and practice will be explored.
NUR 734 Legal & Ethical Issues for Advanced Practice nursing (3 credits)
This course offers doctoral students an in depth examination of select healthcare laws and ethical
principles and the impact these have on healthcare delivery and advanced nursing practice. Case
studies will be used to illustrate how the principles of ethics can guide the decision making
process when clinical, research, and practice management dilemmas arise. Emphasis is placed on
ethical and legal issues in practice, scholarly work and research. Exploration of selected topics
will provide a practical and applicable framework to analyze the many complex issues and
competing interests that arise in the modern healthcare industry.
ANE 614 General Principles of Anesthesia (4 credits)
This course introduces the nurse anesthesia student to concepts that are necessary to formulate
a plan and implement a safe and individualized anesthetic in the perioperative setting. The focus
of the course includes: preparation of the anesthetizing environment; patient assessment;
physiologic monitoring; anesthetic techniques; prevention of complications; utilization of
anesthesia equipment; pharmacologic agents; fluid and electrolyte monitoring; communication
and documentation; formulation of an anesthesia care plan and evaluation.
NUR 510 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
This is a required course for students in the RN-to-BSN program and a core course for students
in the nurse practitioner and nursing education specialization tracks. A system-focused approach
delves into normal physiological processes and pathological changes that affect homeostasis of
individuals including changes associated with individuals of different ethnic/racial origins,
genders, and which occur across the lifespan. This knowledge provides the foundation for clinical
assessment, decision making, and disease management.
NUR 618 Scientific Foundations of Advanced Pharmacology (1 credit)
This course is designed to provide the basic pharmacologic concepts and foundations necessary
for the studies of advanced pharmacology. Covered topics include pharmacodynamics,
pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacoeconomics, and their importance in the
selection of proper pharmacotherapeutics and patient safety. In addition, the basic concepts of
drug interactions and adverse reactions will be discussed together with pertinent examples and
techniques to minimize potential risks to patient safety.
ANE 617 Advanced Pharmacology for Anesthesia Practice (3 credits)
This course is designed to follow NUR 618 and provides the third semester anesthesia student
with the necessary education in the advanced pharmacology of the primary agents used in
anesthetic practice. Building on previously learned scientific knowledge of the general
principles of pharmacology, this course provides an in-depth study of physiologic and
pharmacotherapeutic principles and agents used in anesthesia including the inhalational and
intravenous anesthetic agents and adjuncts, opioids, local anesthetics, and the cholinergic
agonists and antagonists. In addition, other important anesthetic concepts such as the gas
laws, acid-base chemistry, and selection criteria of the anesthetic agents will be discussed.
ANE 602 Clinical Practicum I (2 credits)
This course focuses on student simulation experiences and class discussions in conjunction with
in-hospital observation experiences. Applications of concepts gleaned from Basics of
Anesthesiology are integrated throughout the Practicum Competencies. An emphasis on patient
safety and vigilance, perianesthesia topics of pre-operative evaluation, comprehensive
equipment check and prevention of iatrogenic complications for general anesthesia are explored.
Experiential learning reflects upon the construction of care plans and bridging of skills and
knowledge taught in Basic Principles of Anesthesiology.
ANE 619 Advanced Pathopharmacology for Anesthesia Practice I (4 credits)
This course is the first of a two (2) semester sequence in pathopharmacology and provides an
in-depth systems approach to pathophysiology and the pharmacotherapeutic agents used to
treat specific disease states with an emphasis on their impact in anesthesia practice. Building
on previously learned scientific knowledge, this course provides an in-depth study of human
disease states and pharmacotherapeutic principles and agents used in the treatment of
cardiovascular, pulmonary and central nervous system disorders. In addition, other important
pathophysiologic topics such as shock and burns will be discussed and their anesthetic
relevance explored.
ANE 625 Advanced Principles of Anesthesia: Obstetrics (2 credits)
This course introduces the nurse anesthesia student to the theoretical and practical principles
that are necessary to formulate a plan and implement a safe and individualized anesthetic to the
obstetric population. The focus of this course includes: patient assessment, anesthetic
techniques and monitoring for the parturient, pharmacologic agents, fluid management,
prevention of complications, communication with the parturient and family, and formulation of
an anesthesia care plan and evaluation. A special emphasis is placed on recognizing, evaluating
and appropriately managing physiological responses and complications that occur during the
delivery of anesthesia care for the parturient
ANE 634 Advanced Principles of Anesthesia: Acute and Chronic Pain Management (3 credits)
This course focuses on the theoretical and practical considerations involved in the administration
and management of acute and chronic pain patients in the perioperative anesthesia
environment. Multi-modal pain therapies and associated anatomy, physiology and pharmacology
are reviewed and applied. Advanced regional anesthesia concepts and ultrasound techniques
are integrated with principles of pain transmissions, chemical mediators and peripheral nerve
blockade.
ANE 604 Clinical Practicum II (2 credits)
This is the second in a series of seven (7) courses. This course builds upon the clinical knowledge
and foundational concepts developed in Clinical Practicum I and in-hospital experiences.
Applications of clinical concepts specific to obstetrical anesthesia, regional anesthesia and pain
management of these patients are fundamentally explored through simulation and hands on
workshops. Students begin to incorporate evidence based research practices in the clinical
arena. An emphasis is placed on patient safety and vigilance, culturally competent care of the
patient throughout the perianesthesia continuum, interpersonal communication and integration
of critical and reflective thinking of an anesthesia provider.
ANE 615 Advanced Principles of Anesthesia: Special Populations (3 credits)
This course focuses on the advanced principles of anesthesia care for patients undergoing unique
surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with an interdisciplinary and collaborative
approach. Emphasis is placed on the pre-operative assessment, clinical management, and
technology and monitoring of patients for specialty cases. Content includes anesthesia in
emergencies and settings outside of the traditional surgical suites.
ANE 636 Advanced Principles of Anesthesia: Pediatrics (2 credits)
This course presents the theoretical and practical principles of anesthetic management of the
pediatric population. There will be an emphasis on the examination of the anatomical and
physiological transitions from birth to teenage years. Relevant pediatric disease states will be
addressed and anesthetic implications studied. Students will learn the significance of a
comprehensive history and physical, perioperative anesthetic management, and prevention of
iatrogenic complications as it relates to the pediatric patient.
ANE 621 Advanced Pathopharmacology for Anesthesia Practice II (4 credits)
This course is the second of a two (2) semester sequence in pathopharmacology and provides
an in-depth systems approach to pathophysiology and the pharmacotherapeutic agents used to
treat specific disease states with an emphasis on their impact in anesthesia practice. Building
on previously learned scientific knowledge, this course provides an in-depth study of human
disease states and pharmacotherapeutic principles and agents used in the treatment of
movement, endocrine, hematologic, renal, gastrointestinal, cancer and infective disorders. In
addition, other important pathophysiologic topics such as nutrition, and pregnancy will be
discussed together with relevant pharmacotherapy and their anesthetic relevance.
NUR 733 Translational Research for DNP (4 credits)
This course focuses on the methodological basis for translational research for the purpose of
improving the efficiency and effectiveness of nursing care in diverse practice settings through
critical evaluation, synthesis, transference, and application of appropriate evidence-based findings.
Students will critically appraise the nature of the evidence for potential inclusion in the
DNP scholarly proposal.
ANE 623 Clinical Practicum III (2 credits)
This is the third in a series of seven (7) courses. This course builds upon the clinical knowledge
and foundational concepts developed in Clinical Practicums I and II and in-hospital experiences.
Applications of clinical concepts specific to cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesia, neurosurgical
anesthesia and more advanced anesthesia specialty cases are fundamentally explored through
simulation and hands on workshops. Students begin to incorporate evidence based research
practices in the clinical arena. An emphasis is placed on patient safety and vigilance, culturally
competent care of the patient throughout the perianesthesia continuum, interpersonal
communication and integration of critical and reflective thinking of an anesthesia provider.
NUR 737 DNP Scholarly Project I (2 credits)
Emphasis is on the identification of the essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice role in
preparation for the highest level of nursing leadership and application of evidence based
practice. The eight essentials that will be introduced are: scientific underpinnings for practice,
organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking, clinical
scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice, information
systems/technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of
health care, health care policy for advocacy in health care, inter- professional collaboration
for improving patient and population health outcomes, clinical prevention and population
health for improving the nation’s health, and advanced nursing practice. Ultimately the course
establishes fundamental bases wherein the nurse leader reflects and identifies an area of need
in the practice setting. This seminar will focus on guiding the student through the organization
of the Scholarly project proposal. Emphasis is on the commitment to a clinical practice issue
appropriate to the Scholarly project. Course content will guide the process of data exploration
and substantiating and refining the rationale for issue selection, population and setting. The
Scholarly Project includes the translation of research in the clinical setting resulting in the
potential for change in practice or outcome analysis.
ANE 642 Advanced Principles of Anesthesia: Cardiovascular & Thoracic (3 credits)
This course entails the study of advanced principles of anesthesia care for patients undergoing
cardiac, vascular, pulmonary and other thoracic procedures. An emphasis on assessment, clinical
management and anesthesia equipment and technology is presented. The course content
includes on and off bypass procedures, transesophageal echocardiography, one-lung ventilation
techniques and minimally invasive cardiovascular and thoracic procedures. Course content
builds upon knowledge of normal and alter3ed cardiac and respiratory physiology and
pharmacology of vasoactive anesthetics
ANE 706 Leadership, Policy & Interdisciplinary Collaboration (3 credits)
Study of the use of select leadership skills in the administration of healthcare organizations.
A comprehensive overview of the components of the U.S. health care system, theories of
change, political influences on practice, group/team process and communication patterns
will be presented to foster development of negotiation skills. The course will also integrate the
conceptual methodologies underlying health care policy development and implementation.
Students will gain the skills necessary to analyze, synthesize, and enact healthcare policy in
organizations and wider public venues.
ANE 605 Clinical Practicum IV (1 credit)
This is the fourth in a series of (7) seven courses. This course builds upon the didactic and clinical
principles and skills learned in Semesters I, II, and III and integrates the scientific and anesthetic
principles introduced in didactic courses during Semester IV. Students use critical thinking skills
and best practices in the synthesis and correlation of didactic information to the clinical practice
of nurse anesthesia. Students develop, implement, and evaluate anesthesia care plans for all
patient populations based on best evidence. Clinical experiences focus on anesthesia care of ASA
I through IV patients across the lifespan undergoing elective and emergency surgical and
diagnostic procedures. Emphasis on advanced health assessment and differential diagnosis,
specialty surgical procedures, insertion of invasive pressure monitoring catheters, advanced
airway management and safety and vigilance. Incorporates simulation and focuses upon
culturally competent care of the patient throughout the perianesthesia continuum.
NUR 753 DNP Scholarly Project II (2 credits)
This seminar will focus on data exploration for the organization and refinement of all aspects of
the Scholarly Project design, implementation, and evaluation. Course content includes
preparation for Scholarly Project defense with an emphasis on methodology, data analysis and
oral presentation.
ANE 650 Anesthesia Seminar I (2 credits)
This is the first in a series of two (2) clinical correlation courses. Selected topics and case studies
will be applied in an advanced study of scientific principles, principles of therapeutics, and
principles of anesthesia practice in order to further develop critical thinking skills and to foster
continued integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. Recognition of culturally
diverse populations and the influence on care throughout the perioperative environment is
considered. This course reviews comprehensive topics encountered on the National Certification
Examination (NCE).
ANE 712 Finance & Business Management in Anesthesia Practice (3 credits)
This course builds upon an understanding of leadership and health organizational structure to
examine the financial and business aspects of healthcare practice as they relate to the delivery
of anesthesia services and social justice. Exploration of basic economic theory, healthcare
financing and reimbursement, cost/benefit analysis, and entrepreneurism
ANE 630 Clinical Practicum V (1 credit)
This is the fifth in a series of seven (7) courses. This course builds upon the didactic and clinical
principles and skills learned in Semesters I, II, III, and IV and integrates the scientific and
anesthetic principles introduced in didactic courses during Semester V. Students use critical
reasoning skills, best practices and reflective thinking in the synthesis and correlation of didactic
information to the clinical practice of nurse anesthesia. Students develop, implement, and
evaluate anesthesia care plans for all patient populations based on best evidence. Clinical
experiences focus on anesthesia care of ASA I through IV patients across the lifespan undergoing
elective and emergency surgical and diagnostic procedures. Emphasis on acute and chronic pain
management and crisis resource management. Incorporates simulation with a focus on safety,
vigilance and culturally competent care of the patient throughout the perianesthesia continuum.
ANE 750 Anesthesiology Scholarly Project (2 credits)
Completion and formal presentation of the scholarly project begun in Scholarly Projects I and II
that demonstrates synthesis of the student’s work. The project will require students to engage
in scholarly inquiry to analyze, evaluate, and/ortransform a relevant aspect of nurse anesthesia
clinical practice. Dissemination of the student’s scholarly work is culminated by the oral podium
presentation and poster presentation of the DNP Scholarly Project.
ANE 670 Anesthesia Seminar II (2 credits)
This is the second in a series of two (2) clinical correlation courses. Selected topics and case
studies will be utilized in an advanced study of scientific principles, principles of therapeutics, and
principles of anesthesia practice in order to further develop critical thinking skills and to foster
continued integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. This course reviews
comprehensive topics encountered on the National Certification Examination (NCE).
ANE 660 Clinical Practicum VI (1 credit)
This is the sixth in a series of seven (7) courses. This course builds upon the didactic and clinical
principles and skills learned in Semesters I, II, III, IV, and V and integrates the scientific and
anesthetic principles introduced in didactic courses during Semester VI. Students use critical
reasoning skills and best practices in the synthesis and correlation of didactic information to the
clinical practice of nurse anesthesia. Students develop, implement, and evaluate anesthesia care
plans for all patient populations based on best evidence. Clinical experiences focus on anesthesia
care of ASA I through IV patients across the lifespan undergoing elective and emergency surgical
and diagnostic procedures. Emphasis on therapeutic and technological advances in anesthesia
practice. Incorporates simulation and builds upon the skills sets of interpersonal communication.
ANE 724 Perioperative Safety, Risk Reduction & Outcomes (3 credits)
This course explores the theoretical and practical foundation of medical errors,
patient safety, perioperative risk reduction, and quality improvement. A
comprehensive overview of the human factors involved in errors, crew resource
management techniques, simulation, and the impact of the team performance on
safety is presented. This course will also integrate the theories, methods, and
statistical tools underlying the quality improvement process. Students will gain the
skills needed to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based practices that
reduce risk and promote safety in their areas of practice.
ANE 680 Clinical Practicum VII (1 credit)
This is the seventh in a series of seven (7) courses. This course builds upon the didactic and
clinical principles and skills learned in Semesters I through VI. Students use critical thinking skills
and best practices in the synthesis and correlation of didactic information to the advanced
practice of nurse anesthesia. Students develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive
anesthesia care plans for all patient populations based on best evidence. Clinical experiences
focus on anesthesia care of all patient populations undergoing a wide variety of diagnostic,
surgical, and therapeutic procedures. Students develop foundational skills of ultrasound
techniques for peripheral nerve blocks. Student teaching and mentorship opportunities are
integrated in the simulation lab. In addition, this course provides the third year student with
opportunities to further explore the role of the DNP through the synthesis and application of
advanced principles regarding patient safety, risk reduction, healthcare law, healthcare policy,
and bioethics for anesthesia practice.