Masters Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
MEPN 521 | HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 521L
Focuses on holistic and focused assessments of the health state of the adult patient within the community and hospital setting. Emphasizes development of culturally appropriate physical assessment skills and the ability to recognize deviations from normal. Includes both lecture and skills laboratory components.
MEPN 521L | HEALTH ASSESSMENT LAB
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Non-Core Attributes: Lab
Corequisites: MEPN 521
This is the lab component for Health Assessment MEPN 521 and must be taken concurrently.
MEPN 533 | CONCEPTUAL BASIS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
Units: 2 Repeatability: No
Provides an overview of the nature of the professional nursing role and its conceptual bases. Examines the historical development of the profession; nursing leaders; and the various professional roles of the nurse. Emphasizes theory-based and evidence-based nursing practice; the theoretical foundations in nursing and those imbedded in the graduate curriculum at USD; introduces APA format for
scholarly papers.
MEPN 534 | FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 534P
Introduces basic nursing care concepts and skills necessary to work with the adult and older adult hospitalized patient with acute and chronic health problems. Introduces students to the normal and aberrant variations in physiological and pathophysiological health states of adults and older adults with or at risk for altered status in hygiene, mobility, nutrition, skin integrity and bowel and bladder
elimination. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher is necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 534L | FUNDAMENTALS IN NURSING LAB
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 534, MEPN 534P
This is the lab portion of the Fundamentals course.
MEPN 534P | FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 534, MEPN 534L
This is the practicum(hospital) portion of the Fundamentals course.
MEPN 535 | INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
Units: 2 Repeatability: No
Provides an overview of the pharmacological concepts of pharmacotheraputics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and precautions,
adverse effects and drug interactions. The pharmacological concepts of each prototype drug from the following classifications will be included: neurological;
cardiovascular; respiratory; gastrointestinal; genitourinary; endocrine and immune; anti-microbial; and antineoplastic. Emphasis will be placed on nursing management that minimizes risks and adverse effects and maximizes the
therapeutic effects for patients receiving these medications.
MEPN 540 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course provides the learner with necessary skills to understand the basis for health care informatics. This course emphasizes basic understanding of computer hardware, network architecture, clinical application of electronic health records, and health care software applications. It also addresses relevant regulatory, patient privacy, security, and reimbursement issues and examines current trends in meaningful use and electronic health record (EHR) certification as a foundation for understanding emerging issues in health care informatics.
MEPN 547 | CARE OF POPULATIONS
Units: 4 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 547P
Focuses on the health of the community and subgroups within the community. Applies nursing and public health concepts to promoting and restoring the health of
population groups. Addresses nursing involvement in the legislative and regulatory processes as they affect health status and health care delivery. Examines selected
community health problems and their implications for community health nursing practice.
MEPN 547P | CARE OF POPULATIONS PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 547
This is the practicum portion of this course.
MEPN 555 | NURSING PRACTICE WITH ADULT AND OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS I
Units: 5 Repeatability: No
Prerequisites: MEPN 534 with a minimum grade of C- and MEPN 534L with a minimum grade of C- and MEPN 534P with a minimum grade of C-
Corequisites: MEPN 555P
Expands basic nursing care concepts and skills necessary for students to work with the acute and chronic health problems of adult and older adult patients specific to alterations in oxygenation, fluid/electrolyte status, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Emphasis is on understanding and assessing the pathophysiologic alterations, risks for complications and sequelae and the interventions necessary to stabilize, restore and promote health. Students will identify essential teaching and health restorative measures in the context of planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for the patient and family. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher is required to pass the course.
MEPN 555P | NURSING PRACTICE WITH ADULTS AND OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROB I PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 555
This is the practicum portion of Medical/Surgical I.
MEPN 556 | NURSING PRACTICE WITH ADULT AND OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS II
Units: 6 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 556P
Requires students to apply the nursing process for selected acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older clients. It further develops the generalist nurse’s role in the care of adult and older adult patients with pathophysiologic
disruptions across systems. Emphasis is placed on new content such as pathophysiological alterations in the neurological, musculoskeletal and respiratory systems; and long-term care elements specific to cancer, hospice and rehabilitation. Assists students to refine their knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate care related to patient needs, to restore health and prevent complications. Successful completion of both the theory and
clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher as necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 556P | NURSING PRACTICE WITH ADULT AND OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS II PRACT
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 556
This course expects students to apply the nursing process for selected acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older clients. It further develops the generalist nurse’s role in the care of adult and older adult patients with pathophysiological disruptions across all systems. Emphasis is placed on new content such as pathophysiological alterations in the gastro-intestinal, renal, neurological, dermatological, musculoskeletal, immune, and female and male reproductive systems; as well as evidence-based practice, ethics, critical thinking, and end of life care. The course expects students to refine their knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient needs, from the context of health restoration and prevention of complications and further exacerbations of the pathophysiological disruptions. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher as necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 557 | NURSING PRACTICE WITH PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS
Units: 4 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 557P
Provides a general overview of clients with mental health problems. Focuses on conceptual models of psychiatric nursing management and treatment modalities. Concepts related to neuropathology, polypharmacy and psychopharmacology and their effect on the mental health of patients are introduced. Specific contexts of psychiatric nursing care are addressed. The goals of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship are also explored. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher as necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 557P | NURSING PRACTICE WITH PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 557
This course provides a general overview of clients experiencing mental health problems in the acute care setting. This course focuses on conceptual models of psychiatric nursing management and treatment modalities. Concepts related to neuropathology, poly-pharmacy and psychopharmacology, and their effect on the mental health of patients are introduced. Specific contexts of psychiatric nursing care are addressed. The dimensions and goals of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship are also explored. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher are necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 558 | NURSING PRACTICE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY AND NEWBORN
Units: 4 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 558P
Provides a general overview of family, prenatal, antenatal and post-natal health in addressing the health care needs of the childbearing family with a focus on health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention. Emphasizes primary care as the major dimension of health care; however, students are expected to address secondary and tertiary prevention needs as appropriate. Focuses on family care and education for health. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher as necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 558P | NURSING PRACTICE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY AND NEWBORN PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 558
This is the practicum (hospital) portion of Obstetrics course.
MEPN 559 | NURSING PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS
Units: 4 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 559P
Provides a general overview of the health care needs of children and adolescents with a focus on health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention. Pathophysiological disruptions in health across all systems, the unique presentation of these alterations and the acute and chronic health problems specific to this population are presented. Identifying genetic, environmental, developmental and
life-style behaviors contributing to acute and chronic health problems are discussed. Focuses on family care and appropriate education for health and optimizing growth and development. Successful completion of both the theory and
clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher as necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 559P | NURSING PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 559
This is the practicum portion (hospital) of the Pediatrics course.
MEPN 560 | ADVANCED GENERALIST NURSING INTERNSHIP
Units: 5 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 560P
Focuses on integration of learning from all other courses to develop and execute the advanced generalist nursing role when providing holistic care to patients with complex or critical care level health problems and their families in such clinical specialty areas as pediatrics, high risk OB, crisis psych-mental health and adult medical-surgical units. Emphasizes care of complex patients, identifying rapid response clinical situations by differentiating emergent, urgent and non-emergent clinical states, developing, implementing and evaluating evidenced-based nursing interventions to assist in a patient’s participation in their recovery, prevention of complications and sequelae, reduction of risks and management/stabilization of acute and chronic conditions. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher is necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 560P | ADVANCED GENERALIST NURSING INTERNSHIP PRACTICUM
Units: 0 Repeatability: No
Corequisites: MEPN 560
Focuses on integration of learning from all other courses to develop and execute the advanced generalist nursing role when providing holistic care to patients with complex or critical care level health problems and their families. Emphasizes care of complex patients, identifying rapid response clinical situations by differentiating emergent, urgent, and non-emergent clinical states; developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based nursing interventions to assist in a patient’s participation in their recovery, prevention of complications and sequelae, reduction of risks, and management/stabilization of acute and chronic conditions. Successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course with a letter grade of B- or higher is necessary to pass the course.
MEPN 590 | ESSENTIALS OF CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
Focuses on the concepts and frameworks that impact and support critical care nursing of the adult patient. Explores the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and collaborative management of disorders commonly seen in critically ill patients. Emphasizes evidence-based therapeutic interventions to manage complex patient problems and prevent complications.
MEPN 598 | NURSING EXTERNSHIP
Units: 1 Repeatability: No
Applies nursing theory, process and clinical skills in an RN-precepted position within a health care agency. The agency and USD have a clinical agreement allowing students to work with geriatric, adult and/or pediatric patients and families. The purpose of this experience is to enable students to become more proficient in patient care activities while at the same time providing a needed community service. Students apply previously acquired nursing theory and skills in assigned patient care; no new nursing skills will be taught in this externship experience. Seminars are held by the School of Nursing Faculty to assess clinical progress of students and discuss clinical experiences, issues, and application of theory.