This is a core course that prepares students to critically examine and seek evidence for practice, ethically translate current evidence and identify gaps in clinical knowledge. This course provides the student with a foundation in nursing research, theory, research ethics, and evidence-based practice approaches.

3 credit course

This course is offered Hybrid Wednesday evenings 5 to 7:00 pm.

The focus of this course is on the interrelation of human systems and the effect that illness in one body system has on the functions of the whole person.  Concepts related to clinical physiology and research literature related to pathophysiology of various body systems are examined.  Pertinent literature related to nursing interventions associated with improved physiological status is analyzed.

3 credit course

This course is offered Wednesdays, asynchronous online. 

This course requires a passing grade in a basic pathophysiology course prior to taking this course with approval by Jean Boucher.

This course serves as an introduction to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness across the lifespan. The etiology, course, and management of common psychiatric symptoms frequently encountered in primary and mental health care settings will be addressed.   The student will access the most current clinical sources on assessment and diagnosis for psychiatric disorders using DSM-V diagnostic criteria, ICD coding, standardized guidelines and other mental health assessment tools.  Confounding and supportive influences on mental health and illness will be analyzed including the availability of biopsychosocial resources and economic, legal/ethical, and policy related variables. Emphasis is placed on the assessment of common psychiatric conditions.

3 credit course

This course is offered remote/zoom Friday evenings 6 to 8 pm

This course requires special approval by Mechelle Plasse

This course is designed to explore the major psychotherapeutic approaches to individual therapy and focuses on the legal and ethical issues and the therapeutic role of the advance practice psychiatric ¿mental health nurse in providing care to individuals with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.  Strategies for intervention will include development of therapeutic relationships, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented philosophies, trauma-informed care, SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) CBT (cognitive- behavioral therapy), brief psychotherapy and use of complimentary modalities for individuals. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, illness prevention, crisis care and follow-up strategies among diverse populations for persons receiving advanced psychiatric and mental health nursing care.

1 credit course

This course is offered remote/zoom Tuesdays 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

This course will provide students with concrete skills to understand and critique the medical literature. Students will learn the various types of epidemiologic study designs including their potential strengths and weaknesses. Using these skills, students will critique articles from the medical literature. Students will also work in groups to design a hypothetical epidemiology study to address a healthcare quality issue. 

3 credit course

Meets online remote zoom 11 am to 1 pm three Saturdays Sept. 6, Oct. 18 and Dec. 6 2025.

The course requires special approval by Jean.Boucher@umassmed.edu

This course explores the trends influencing the role of the DNP in hospitals and community-based settings. The student will develop strategies to address these challenges that are grounded in evidence-based practice. The course enables graduates to serve as leaders in synthesizing clinical nursing knowledge and translating research findings into practice within complex health care settings and community-based organizations.

3 credit course

Meets online remote zoom 8:00 to 10:30 am three Saturdays Sept. 6, Oct. 26 and Dec. 6 2025.

The course requires special approval by Jean Boucher

This course focuses on survey methods, measurement theory and the process of instrument evaluation, refinement, and development. There will be an emphasis on the interaction of conceptual, methodological, cultural, pragmatic considerations that are essential to undersand when measuring variables among clinical populations. Topics include survey design; scale development, item construction, psychometric evaluation of scales, data collection procedures and sampling strategies.

3 credit course

This course is offered Tuesdays 9:00 - 12:00am

This course requires permission by instructor Nancy.morris@umassmed.edu