Syllabus

Masters of Nursing

NSG 500 – Advanced Pharmacology

Credits - 3

Description

This 14-week course will reacquaint students with key concepts and topics in pharmacology but at an increased breadth and depth that is appropriate for nurses in the advanced practice role as future health care providers and prescribers. There is specific emphasis on basic principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, autonomic drugs,  cardiovascular-renal drugs, drugs acting on smooth muscles, central nervous system drugs, drugs used in treatment of inflammatory processes, drugs used in treatment of hematologic disorders, drugs used in treatment of endocrine disorders, selected chemotherapeutic drugs, drug toxicology and management, special considerations for vulnerable populations and selected drug toxicology and adverse medication events.

Materials

Additional course materials will be provided in Brightspace

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  • Analyze the role of the advanced practice nurse in application of advanced pharmacologic concepts and topics in care of patient populations across the lifespan.
  • Examine evidence-based national pharmacologic guidelines for managing selected health care syndromes/diseases commonly encountered in patients across the lifespan.
  • Synthesize the impact of patient genetics, nutrition, culture, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on selection of traditional pharmacotherapeutic, herbal, and natural agents
  • Identify the role of the advanced practice nurse in evaluating the effects of pharmacotherapeutic agents and implementing accurate and timely action. 
  • Integrate knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to develop therapeutic regimens that maximize therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing harm and adverse drug events.
  • Synthesize knowledge of applicable laws, codes, and regulatory guidelines when prescribing pharmacologic agents including Pharmacy Rules and Regulations, Health and Safety Codes, and the Federal Register.
  • Evaluate patient response and adherence to pharmacotherapeutic agents and/or devices.

Assignments

Real-World Prescribing Scenarios and Case-Based Simulations (Weeks 1–15)

Students engage in weekly clinical case studies and discussion boards, developing and presenting treatment plans for a variety of conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and mental health disorders. These case presentations require evidence-based pharmacologic decision-making, rationale development, peer engagement, and reflection.

Interactive Shadow Health Assignments and Concept Labs (Weeks 2–12)

Students complete virtual patient simulations and concept labs in Shadow Health focused on anti-infectives, antiasthmatics, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, analgesics, and more. These immersive activities reinforce clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills, and patient education.

Four Unit Exams Covering Clinical Pharmacology Content (Weeks 4, 8, 11, 15)

Timed multiple-choice exams assess knowledge across systems and drug classes. Each exam (50 questions, 90 minutes) covers 3–4 weeks of content and tests both foundational knowledge and applied prescribing concepts.

Unfolding and Specialty Case Studies with Peer Review (Weeks 3, 7, 9, 10, 12–14)

Students choose or are assigned detailed clinical cases that evolve through multiple steps or involve nuanced care (e.g., pernicious anemia, chemotherapy-induced nausea, PCOS, substance use disorder). They create recorded PowerPoint presentations and post them for peer feedback and discussion, simulating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentsPoints
Academic Integrity Agreement1
Week 1 Discussion: Prescribing Privileges and Responsibilities of the Advanced Practice Nurse3
Week 1 Assignment: Clinical Decision-Making – Writing a Prescription for Hyperlipidemia3
Week 2 Discussion: Drug Recalls Approvals and Clinical Implications2
Week 2 Assignment: Shadow Health Concept Lab – Anti-infectives and Reflection assignment3
Week 3 Discussion: Case-Based Presentation – Dermatologic Ophthalmic and Otic Conditions2
Week 3 Assignment: Shadow Health Case Study - Sophia Haddad (Strep Pharyngitis) and Reflection3
Week 4 Assignment: Shadow Health Case Study: Debbie O’Connor (COPD) and Reflection3
Week 4 Assignment: Shadow Health Concept Lab – Antiasthmatics3
Week 4: Exam #111
Week 5 Discussion: Managing Hypertension and Related Comorbidities2
Week 5 Assignment: Shadow Health Concept Lab – Antihypertensives and Reflection3
Week 6 Discussion: SOAP Note with Clinical Rationale – Applying Clinical Decision-Making in Practice2
Week 7 Discussion: Translating Clinical Knowledge for Patients – Case Summary and Educational Handout2
Week 7 Assignment: Shadow Health - Anita Douglas (CAP) and Reflection3
Week 8 Assignment: Shadow Health Case Study - Makayla Henderson (UTI) and Reflection3
Week 8: Exam #211
Week 9 Discussion: Decision Pathway and Justification2
Week 10 Discussion: Virtual Poster Presentation – Best Practices in Pharmacologic Management of Generalized Anxiety Disorder3
Week 11 Assignment: Shadow Health Concept Lab – Analgesics3
Week 11 Assignment: Shadow Health Case: Tanner Bailey (LBP) and Reflection3
Week 11: Exam #311
Week 12 Assignment: Shadow Health Concept Lab - Antidiabetics3
Week 13 Discussion: Unfolding Case – Clinical Reasoning and Management of Fatigue2
Week 14 Discussion: Reflection – Evolving as a Pharmacology-Informed Clinician2
Week 14: Exam #411
100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Dates: August 27  – November 30

Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
Week 11: Monday – Sunday
Week 12: Monday – Sunday
Week 13: Monday – Sunday
Week 14: Monday – Sunday

The first week is a short week, beginning on Wednesday and ending on Sunday. Each week after will start on Monday and end on Sunday.

Week 1: Foundations of Safe Prescribing & Pharmacologic Principles

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 1-3, and 7

Quiz

  • Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement

Discussions

  • Clinical Decision-Making – Writing a Prescription for Hyperlipidemia

Assignments

  • Prescribing Privileges and Responsibilities of the Advanced Practice Nurse

Week 2: Principles for Prescribing for Special Populations and Concepts Relative to Prescribing Antimicrobials

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 4-6

Discussions

  • Drug Recalls, Approvals, and Clinical Implications

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab – Anti-infectives and Reflection

Week 3: Pharmacologic Management of Skin, Eye, and Ear Disorders

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 13, 16 and 17

Discussions

  • Case-Based Presentation – Dermatologic, Ophthalmic, and Otic Conditions

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Case Study – Sophia Haddad (Strep Pharyngitis) and Reflection

Week 4: Respiratory Pharmacotherapy – Infections and Chronic Disease

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 23 and 24

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab – Antiasthmatics
  • Shadow Health Case Study: Debbie O’Connor (COPD) and Reflection

Exam

Exam #1

Week 5: Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and Cardiovascular Risk

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 18-20

Discussions

  • Managing Hypertension and Related Comorbidities

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab – Antihypertensives and Reflection

Week 6: Heart Failure, and Cardiac Dysrhythmias

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 21 and 22

Discussions

  • SOAP Note with Clinical Rationale – Applying Clinical Decision-Making in Practice

Assignments

  • Shadow Health – Anita Douglas (CAP) and Reflection

Week 7: Managing GI Disorders – GERD, PUD, and Nausea

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 25 and 26

Discussions

  • Translating Clinical Knowledge for Patients – Case Summary and Educational Handout

Week 8: Urologic Conditions and the Associated Pharmacotherapy

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 28-30

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Case Study – Makayla Henderson (UTI) and Reflection

Exam

  • Exam #2

Week 9: Endocrine Disorders – Diabetes and Thyroid Management

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 35-38

Discussion

  • Decision Pathway and Justification

Week 10: Strategies for Managing Common Mental Health Disorders

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 39-41

Discussion

  • Virtual Poster Presentation – Best Practices in Pharmacologic Management of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Week 11: Pain, Inflammation, and Autoimmune Conditions

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 32-34

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab – Analgesics
  • Shadow Health Case: Tanner Bailey (LBP) and Reflection

Exam

  • Exam #3

Week 12: Pharmacologic Management of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid Disorders

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 44 and 45

Discussions

  • Clinical Case Presentation – Endocrine Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab and Reflection – Antidiabetics

Week 13: Pharmacological Management of Thrombotic disorders and Anemias

Learning Materials

  • Archangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Kang, T.K. (2022). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (5th ed.).
    • Chapters 49 and 50

Discussions

  • Unfolding Case – Clinical Reasoning and Management of Fatigue

Assignments

  • Shadow Health Concept Lab and Reflection – Antidiabetics

Week 14: Prescribing Ethics, Regulation, and Course Wrap-Up

Learning Materials

  • None

Discussions

  • Week 14 Discussion: Reflection – Evolving as a Pharmacology-Informed Clinician

Exam

  • Exam #4

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Passing Grade Statement

A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement

Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.

Students in the Graduate Programs in Public Health (GPPH) must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. GPPH students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

Within GPPH, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.

Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.

For example, 

Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2024).

Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.

The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.