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Online Nurse Educator Courses

Curriculum Details

39–40 credit hours required in the major

Southwest Minnesota State University’s online courses in nursing education are designed to provide focused study in leadership, quality improvement, health promotion, population health, and evidence-based practice. Each course is 16 weeks in duration, and the online MSN: Nurse Educator program is designed to be completed in two years.

Our flexible, customizable nurse educator courses were developed by nursing experts who understand the demands working nurses face. You’ll build collaboration, leadership, and communication skills while preparing to train the next generation of nursing professionals as a skilled educator. Every online MSN student also completes 90 practicum hours with virtual simulation experiences throughout the program to gain real-world experience.

SMSU is currently seeking accreditation for the online nurse educator degree program from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Core Courses

Credits

Students in this course examine knowledge, skills, and attitudes in contemporary nursing through advanced analysis of nursing theories, philosophies, and standards of practice. The course includes the scientific problem-solving approach and applied analysis of advanced nursing practice. The course incorporates an in-depth study of ethical codes with connections to contemporary nursing practice. Students orient to the MSN program, University learning platform, Library database search skills, and resources available to students during the MSN program. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program or documented instructor and director permission required.

This course, Holistic Nursing Approaches to Self-Care and Health Promotion in a Contemporary Society, is grounded in holistic nursing strategies for self-care, promoting self-care in others, and health promotion. Emphasis is on the context of current issues in todays society. The course includes advanced study of strategies and motivating factors for self-care and health promotion considering individual and community/population needs. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or corequisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

This course enhances knowledge and skills through an advanced health assessment and pathophysiology at the cellular, organic, and systemic levels. Holistic perspectives, including biochemical, environmental, genetic, psychosocial, and spiritual realms and the impact on human disease, are included. An examination of evidence-based health assessment and pathophysiology comprises the incorporation of interprofessional collaboration. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or co-requisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

Students in this course examine principles of clinical pharmacology for use in the treatment of disease and health promotion in the role of advanced nursing. The course includes an examination of the major classifications of medications related to pharmacodynamics, such as the mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, adverse reactions, indications, and contraindications. Students study pharmacological differences, such as age, gender, and genetics. The course includes the use of informatics as related to pharmacology and safety, evidence-based practice, patient education, and patient safety related to medications. Students explore medication monitoring for therapeutic and potential adverse outcomes. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program or documented instructor and director permission is required.

This course focuses on advanced concepts of culturally congruent nursing practice in contemporary society. Students examine the promotion of healthy futures for humans and the planetary interactions locally and worldwide based on applied analysis of data and ethical conduct. Research, interprofessional collaboration, and health policy development are vital aspects of the advanced study of societal and global health nursing. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or corequisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

In this course, students develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes about scientific inquiry within the discipline of nursing. The course includes the research process, designs, methodology, data collection, analysis, ethical issues related to human research, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning in nursing. Applied analysis in the nursing and healthcare context is an integrated aspect of the course. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or co-requisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

In this course, Advanced Leadership and Continuous Quality Improvement Through Interprofessional Collaboration, students explore advanced leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes of systems and organizations, including safety and continuous quality improvement. The development of interprofessional collaboration, effective communication, conflict management, and fostering a diverse, inclusive work environment is included. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or documented instructor and director permission required.

Nurse Educator Specialization

Credits

This course focuses on knowledge, skills, and attitudes of worldview and education philosophies. A key emphasis in the course is teaching-learning theories applied to nursing education. Students examine evidence-based teaching/learning methods, variables that impact learning, scaffolding, and lifelong learning. Students explore the roles and settings of nurse educators from academia, clinical teaching, organizational orientation/education departments, and continuing education. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 600 as a prerequisite or co-requisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

In this course, students focus on developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to instructional technology in the role of the nurse educator. The emphasis includes instructional technology theories, learning technology research, technology tools, open education resources (OER), and creative commons. Students collaborate with professionals of other disciplines related to an instructional technology project. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program or documented instructor and director permission required and NURS 650 (pre-requisite or co-requisite) or approved equivalent course.

In this course, students develop fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes about addressing the needs of a growingly diverse student body. Content includes a variety of teaching/learning methods, inclusive communication approaches, and delivery of culturally responsive feedback in the nurse educator role. Students examine the creation of an inclusive and welcoming educational environment. The practicum experience includes developing or revising a lesson plan to be culturally responsive, inclusive of all, using various teaching/learning methods, inclusive communications, and evaluation. The practicum includes an applied analysis component with a data-driven project to promote culturally responsive teaching. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program with NURS 650 as a prerequisite or co-requisite or documented instructor and director permission is required.

Students in this course, Curriculum Development, Assessment/Quality Improvement, and Evaluation for Nurse Educators, focus on curriculum development, educational assessment/evaluation, and continuous quality improvement in the role of a nurse educator. Advanced level practicum includes curriculum development, curriculum alignment, applied analysis of educational assessment/evaluation data, and writing educational assessment narratives with supporting data. Additionally, students complete the nursing contact hour application for a continuing education activity/session, including evaluation. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program or documented instructor and director permission required. Prerequisite/corequisite: NURS 650.

The nurse educator capstone project concentrates on synthesizing knowledge, skills, attitudes/professionalism as a culturally responsive nurse educator. The clinical practicum capstone project connects theory, research evidence, technology and informatics, ethical practices, interprofessional collaboration, and lifelong learning. Curriculum development, assessment/evaluation, writing narratives, and creating table/chart data are components of the capstone project. Admission to SMSU Graduate Studies required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Admission to the MSN Program or documented instructor and director permission required and NURS 650 or approved equivalent course. Co-requisites or pre-requisites are NURS 654, 658, 660.

Note: 2 credits for Theory and 1 credit for practicum.

Additional Electives

Credits

This Z course focuses on enhancing foundational contemporary holistic nursing knowledge and skills. Emphasis is on the advanced evaluation of holistic theory, knowledge of modalities, various cultural health practices, leadership, and cross-cultural communication. Advanced level study in the course includes ethical practice, bias, healthcare disparities, research and evidence-based practice as a holistic nurse and member of the interprofessional team. Admission to SMSU required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: RN with BSN, or RN with Baccalaureate, or RN with Master or Doctorate degree, or RN in SMSU RN to BSN program having completed NURS 430 Evidence-Based Practice.

This Z course serves to assist the registered nurse in enhancing foundational contemporary holistic nursing knowledge and skills. Emphasis is on the evaluation of holistic theory, nature therapy modalities, planetary health, practice, ethics, and diversity/inclusion with the role of the holistic nurse as a member of the interprofessional team. Admission to SMSU required. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to remove students from the course who do not meet the course requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: RN with BSN, or RN with Baccalaureate, or RN with Master or Doctorate degree, or RN in SMSU RN to BSN program after completion of NURS 430: Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing.

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