Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing
About This Programme
The College of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Master of Science in Adult Critical Care responds to the current and emerging health care needs in the UAE. This program supports the University's strategic plan to develop post graduate programs and to continue the development of Nursing within the UAE. The program is student centered, clinically focused, culturally relevant, geographically proximal and cost effective alternative to studying abroad. Moreover, it will strengthen the UOS interdisciplinary effort which implies inter-program collaboration in teaching, clinical and research.
Course Highlights
- 36 credit hours
- Taught in English
- College of Health Sciences
- Two clinical practicums in critical care settings
- Study system: Courses and Theses
- Full-time and part-time study
- AED 3,200 per credit hour
What You'll Study
The nursing program consists of Major Compulsory Courses and Major Elective Courses. The distribution of credit hours for the Nursing program is outlined in the table below: Major Compulsory Courses: 33 Major Elective Course: 3 Total: 36 To be awarded the degree, students must complete all the major compulsory courses, the elective course, submit the thesis document, publish one manuscript in a Scopus-indexed journal, and successfully defend the thesis in the viva voce exam.
Year 1, Fall semester
9 credit hours
0503501Health Assessment for Advanced Critical Care Nursing Practice2 credits
This course is designed to help critical care nurses develop advanced clinical assessment skills, focusing on the essential technology and procedures utilized in the management of the critically ill. During laboratory/clinical experiences, psychomotor skills and the use of advanced technologies will be developed, this course also enables the Students to differentiate abnormal from normal findings using advanced assessment techniques such as obtaining appropriate health history and performing physical examinations on adult patients with complex problems in a variety of critical care settings, In addition, the course emphasizes proper documentation of data obtained and the development of appropriate plans of care.
0503502Pathophysiology for Advanced Critical Care Nursing Practice2 credits
This course describes the etiology, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of specific disease processes and provides the students with knowledge of the mechanisms of disordered physiology that underlie the disease conditions commonly encountered in critical care settings. Knowledge of pathophysiological processes is linked to the clinical manifestations of disease and forms the basis for diagnosis and decision-making regarding therapeutic interventions for complex problems.
0503503Biostatistics for health care providers2 credits
The goal of this course is to help students conduct and interpret statistical analysis for different research studies and designs assisted by the appropriate computer software. Emphasis will be on the nature and characteristics of the most commonly used statistical techniques (descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression, factor analysis, and elementary hypothesis testing), and their applicability to specific health care problems within the context of nursing.
- Elective3 credits
Year 1, Spring semester
9 credit hours
0503504Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing 12 credits
This course builds on previous theoretical and clinical knowledge to prepare the student to manage culturally diverse patients and families with complex health problems. This course enables the students to integrate, at an advanced level, pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and current research findings for the collaborative management of adults with life-threatening problems using advanced technology. Content includes pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, and fluid and electrolyte disorders. Emphasis is on prioritizing the care of patients and families with acute and complex health problems.
0503505Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing- Clinical Practicum 15 credits
This practicum course is a clinical experience in a critical care setting designed to allow the students to apply knowledge gained from the theory in the management of patients with complex problems. Emphasis is on delivering holistic care to critically ill patients and families using a multidisciplinary approach. Students engage in physical assessment, interpretation of medical data, differential diagnoses, development and implementation of management plans, documentation in the medical record, and performing relevant procedures to the critically ill adult- population. The focus is on providing advanced care to clients with complex cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal disorders.
0503506Advanced Nursing Research2 credits
This course provides graduate nursing students with advanced knowledge in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Within this course, students will be able to write a research proposal in a critical care area. This course will be distributed into two parts over the fall and spring of the first year of the program. The course is designed to assist in the planning of Master’s theses.
Year 2, Fall semester
12 credit hours
0503507Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing 22 credits
This course builds on previous theoretical and clinical knowledge to prepare the student in the management of culturally diverse patients and families with complex health problems. This course enables the students to integrate, at an advanced level, pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic concepts and current research findings for the collaborative management of adult with life-threatening problems. Content includes neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal disorders, multi-organ dysfunction, burn and Trauma. Emphasis is on Utilizing a holistic nursing, and evidence-based framework.
0503509Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Critical Care Nursing Practice2 credits
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to apply the principles of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to manage common acute and chronic health problems. The course provides an overview of critical care medications commonly used in complex situations and covers the representative drugs of a pharmacologic group, mechanisms of action, indications for use, drug interactions, titration of dose, key adverse effects, contraindications and monitoring of therapy in order to achieve safe and optimal patient outcomes.
0503510Thesis3 credits
This is culmination of the in-depth research activity. During this course, students should design and conduct an empirical study in the field of critical care nursing and present written report called master’s thesis. Scholarly activity demonstrates the student’s advanced level of knowledge, professional competence, critical thinking, and writing skills from conception to completion.
0503508Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing- Clinical Practicum 25 credits
This course is a clinical experience that builds on prior clinical and theoretical courses to enable the critical care nurse to analyze complex health problems of diverse patients who present to the acute care setting. Critical care nurse students engage in the comprehensive management of patients with a variety of complex critical illnesses and/or chronic disease. Research, patient preferences, and nursing experience are integral to clinical decision making, management, and evaluation of patient-focused clinical outcomes. Emphasis is on providing advanced care to clients with neurological, endocrine, Multi-organ failure, trauma and end-of-life care.
Year 2, Spring semester
6 credit hours (programme total: 36)
- 0503510Thesis6 credits
Other courses described on the programme page
The study plan's elective slot (3 credit hours) names no courses; these are the remaining courses the programme page describes, each of 3 credit hours.
0503511Advanced Critical Care Concepts3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with various advanced intensive care topics. It also focuses on developing students’ competencies in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with complex critical illnesses. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice in the management of critically ill patients.
0503512Informatics in Health Care3 credits
This course orients graduate nursing students to the foundation of health informatics and enhances student’s competency in using information technology to ensure safety and quality care. Electronic Health Records (EHR), health data management, telehealth, and application of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) using information technology will be emphasized.
0503513Healthcare Education3 credits
This course introduces the students to the evidence-based theory needed to develop essential skills in learning, teaching, and assessment (LTA). Students develop the skills needed to support positive learning environments in their workplace, which have a direct impact on the quality of care and services for the public. This course provides the students with a range of teaching and assessment strategies. It also addresses innovations in healthcare education and other technology-enhanced learning strategies to develop their educator practice.
0503514Leadership and Management for Quality Health Care3 credits
This course will enable students to explore aspects of leadership and various styles of management relevant to critical care nursing practice. Principles of effective multidisciplinary team working will be applied to the critical care setting, Emphasis is on providing the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a member and lead interdisciplinary groups in organizational assessment to identify issues and facilitate changes in practice delivery utilizing quality improvement strategies.
0503515Evidence-Based Practice3 credits
The emphasis of this course is on the elements of evidence-based practice. This course will provide the students with tools to develop practice in an area of current practice in the healthcare setting, after critiquing it in relation to the most current evidence in the same area. Utilizing nursing research concepts and methodology, and own clinical judgment, students will appraise practice and research and apply the outcomes of this process to provide the best evidence based nursing practice. Critical thinking is essential in all steps of this process.
What You'll Learn
The Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates for advanced roles in critical care, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in complex healthcare environments. This program emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration enabling graduates to make a meaningful impact in critical care settings. It integrates theoretical education, practical clinical training, and research opportunities to prepare graduates for leadership and innovation in critical care nursing. This will be achieved by: • Mastering advanced knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive, holistic, and safe care for critically ill patients and their families. • Applying clinical judgment and problem-solving skills through experiential learning, participant observation, and reflective practice. • Designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based nursing procedures, protocols, and guidelines to improve critical care outcomes. • Communicating effectively with critically ill patients, their families, and healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes. • Collaborating within multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated and effective critical care services. • Leading quality improvement initiatives in critical care settings through scholarly inquiry into clinical practice. • Implementing legal and ethical principles in critical care delivery while upholding professional standards. • Advocating for patients and their families to ensure optimal care outcomes and support. • Employing healthcare technology and informatics to enhance critical care delivery and patient safety. • Conducting research to advance the field of critical care nursing and contribute to evidence-based practice.
Entry Requirements
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences (AHPGS).
Programme Details
Award
MSc
Start Date
Fall and Spring
Duration
2-4 Years
Qualification
MSc
Subject Area
Health Sciences
Study Pattern
Full time / Part time