2025-2026 Academic Catalog

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Nursing - Master of Science (MS)

Admissions

For a full list of MS admissions requirements, please visit: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/masters-program-admissions

Applications are submitted through Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

Choose one of our specialties:

Students select from 12 different specialties, comprised of direct patient care and indirect patient care areas of study. Past coursework to be applied toward the degree will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The specific courses required for each specialty option are included in the plans of study tab. Graduates of specialty tracks are eligible to apply for national certification by examination. Once you pass the certification examination, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and CNS specialties may apply for licensure in all 50 states, including Colorado where licensure is granted as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and is required for practice. (Learn more at the Colorado Board of Nursing APRN.)

Direct Patient Care Specialties

  • Adult-Gerontology
    • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner This specialty prepares nurses to provide care for adult and older patients with acute, critical and complex chronic illnesses. Graduates will be prepared to formulate clinical, administrative and policy decisions to care for the very sickest elderly patients and provide acute care services. Students will also learn to develop, manage and evaluate the care within hospitals and healthcare systems.  
    • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner As an AGPCNP, you'll work closely with patients ranging from teenagers to older and disabled adults through the end of life, maximizing their ability to stay active, healthy and strong. Our program prepares advanced practicing nurses to deliver high-quality care and transform lives. Specifically, you'll learn to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health problems, enhance your leadership and clinical decision-making skills and promote health and disease prevention.
    • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Adult-Gerontology You can be an advocate for our most vulnerable population when you become an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) at CU Nursing. Our specialists care for patients from wellness through acute care, specifically focusing on acutely and critically ill patients, medical-surgical patients and elderly patients, along with patients requiring palliative care services (chronic illness management and end-of-life care). The AG CNS is involved in all levels of healthcare from long-term care to acute-care hospitals to home care.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner  Our FNP specialty track will give you the clinical skills and education to treat physiologic and psychologic health, and prevent, assess and manage common, acute and chronic illnesses. Having specialized education and clinical training in family care, you will be able to provide primary care services for infants to seniors. Practitioners also conduct wellness checks, administer treatments, screen for diseases and order tests to improve patients' overall health and well-being.
  • Nurse-Midwifery Do you have a passion for childbirth and counseling women before conception, during pregnancy, birth and post-partum? CU Nursing's Nurse-Midwifery track is the specialty area for you! Because we run and operate our own Midwifery clinics, our students have a distinct advantage over other programs specializing in midwifery. In addition to attending births, our midwives perform annual exams, counsel families and write prescriptions. 
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care  This specialty prepares graduates to care for children with complex acute, critical and chronic illness from birth to young adulthood in critical care units, emergency departments, inpatient units and ambulatory-specialty based clinics. Most of the clinical placements happen right on campus at Children’s Hospital Colorado, a nationally ranked Top 10 Academic Pediatric Tertiary Care Facility.
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care  Make a difference in a child's life. Help maximize children's health and prevent disease from birth through their young adult years from one of the best programs in the country. U.S. News & World Report ranked our program as #8 in Top Nursing Programs in 2017.  In this specialty, you will learn about well child-care and prevention management of common pediatric acute and chronic medical diseases and illnesses. The practitioners are involved in health promotion, screening, and primary prevention education.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner  PMHNPs assess, diagnose and treat people with psychiatric disorders and illnesses such as mood disorders, substance abuse, anxiety and depression. The nurses can also provide therapy and prescribe medications for patients who have mental health disorders and drug and alcohol abuse problems. At CU Nursing, we emphasize holistic care, integrated mental health, cultural sensitivity and substance treatment to prevent and treat psychiatric conditions. Coursework includes psychotherapy, neurobiology, and psychopharmacology content for patients during their lifetime.
  • Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Focus on the care of women throughout their lives as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). Learn about conditions specific to women to improve their health, prevent disease and make smart lifestyle choices. WNHPs provide comprehensive care focusing on reproductive, obstetric and gynecological health. While pursuing your MS in this specialty, you'll work in private practice settings, learning from the best of the best where you will learn about the comprehensive health needs of women: gynecological, prenatal, post-partum care, common minor and acute health problems, as well as influences that affect women's lives. The WHNP program is based on in-depth knowledge of nursing and scientific theory, physiology and pathophysiology, research utilization, and clinical decision-making. 

Indirect Patient Care Specialties

  • Health Care Informatics Looking for an exciting career that combines your clinical expertise with your passion for technology? The field of informatics provides opportunities for health care professionals to become leaders in the forefront of health care transformation through the use of provider and patient care technologies. Our online programs prepare you to plan, select, design and implement emerging technologies that advance consumer engagement, support clinical decision making, promote safety and drive quality care. 
  • i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems So, you're on track to be a leader in your organization, but you need additional skills in order to do so. iLEAD provides nurses who are interested in advancing their careers with essential competencies to become effective leaders and managers in a variety of health care settings. In this specialty, you'll learn to implement evidence-based practices and data-driven processes to provide high-quality care with best outcomes. You'll be equipped to manage others across a continuum of primary care, acute care, long-term care, school nursing, correctional facilities, home care and care coordination. Knowledge gained in cultural competence, informatics and evidence-based practice will provide educated leaders with the ability to excel in today's complex and changing health care system.
  • Veteran and Military Health Care Featured in US News & World Report as part of a constellation of initiatives to serve our veteran population, this emerging health care specialty is first-of-its-kind in the nation. Designed for working nurses who are currently novice to expert leaders and are affiliated with the military and/or veteran community, this specialty prepares you to be leaders, innovators, care coordinators, and change agents in caring for veterans and service members. This innovative and focused curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the individual learner and allows students to rapidly apply knowledge in their own practice settings. 

Curriculum

Adult Gerontology Programs

Adult Gerontology Acute Nurse Practicioner - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic Credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6590Introduction to Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 2 Didactic Credits, 1 Clinical Credit3
NURS 5981AGACNP Practicum I 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours3
NURS 6600Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5982AGACNP Practicum II 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours3
NURS 6620Adult Gero Acute Care NP Diagnostics & Therapeutics 2 Didactic Credits2
NURS 5983AGACNP Practicum III 4 Clinical Credits; 180 Clinical Hours4
NURS 6610Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 2 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5984AGACNP Practicum IV 4 Clinical Credits; 180 Clinical Hours4
NURS 6630Advanced Practice Synthesis in Adult Gerontology Acute Care 1 Didactic Credit1
Total Hours49
Total Didactic Credits:     35
Total Clinical Credits:      14
Total Clinical Hours:        630

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5971AGPCNP Practicum I 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6819AGPCNP Primary Hlth Care I:Hlth Promotion & Prevention 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5972AGPCNP Practicum II 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6882Foundational Clinical Skills Adv Pract NP 1 Didactic credits1
NURS 6829Primary Care II: Diagnosis and Management I 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5973AGPCNP Practicum III 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6839Primary Care III: Diagnosis and Management II 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5974AGPCNP Practicum IV 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6849PC IV: DM III Care for Complex Older Adult 3 Didactic credits3
Total Hours48
Total Didactic Credits:     36
Total Clinical Credits:      12
Total Clinical Hours:        540

Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6882Foundational Clinical Skills Adv Pract NP (Optional)1
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic Credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5901AG CNS Advanced Practicum I 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours1-3
NURS 6800Leadership, Financial Management and Innovation 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5902AG CNS Advanced Practicum II 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours1-3
NURS 6740ADULT-GERONTOLOGY CNS WELLNESS TO ILLNESS 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5903AG CNS Advanced Practicum III 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours1-3
NURS 6742Adult-GerontologyCNS AdvancedPractice AcuteCareNursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5904AG CNS Advanced Practicum IV 3 Clinical Credits; 135 Clinical Hours1-3
NURS 6746Adult-Gero CNS Complex patient management 3 Didactic Credits3
Total Hours40-48
Total Didactic Credits:     35
Total Clinical Credits:      12
Total Clinical Hours:        540

Family Nurse Practitioner - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic Credits2
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6640FNP Hlth Promotion, Prevention, Screening 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6434FNP Care of the Pediatric Patient 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6739Ob-Gyn Essentials for the FNP 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5931FNP Practicum I 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6882Foundational Clinical Skills Adv Pract NP 1 Didactic Credits1
NURS 6549FNP Adv. Clinical Skills 1 Didactic Credits1
NURS 5932FNP Practicum II 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6528FNP DM Physio & Psych Health I 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5933FNP Practicum III 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 6529FNP DM Physio & Pysch Health II 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5934FNP Practicum IV 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 6950Synthesis/Integration/Transition into FNP Practice 2 Didactic Credits2
Total Didactic Credits:     42
Total Clinical Credits:      14
Total Clinical Hours:        630

Health Care Informatics - MS

NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6794Decision Support and Data Management 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6274Semantic Representation 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6759Informatics Adv Practicum 3 or 6 Clinical Credits3-6
NURS 6290Information Systems Life Cycle (Nursing students must enroll for 4 credits) 4 Didactic Credits for Nursing Students3-4
NURS 6284Digital Tools for Connected Health (Specialty Course ) 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6285HCI Design Principles (Specialty Course ) 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6279Knowledge Management (Specialty Course ) 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6293Database Mgmt Systems (Specialty Course ) 3 Didactic Credits3
Total Hours36-40
Total Didactic Credits:     28
Total Practicum Credits:    6
Total Practicum Hours:    270

i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems - MS

NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6793Relational Communication 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6790Systems and Leadership Theory 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6794Decision Support and Data Management 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6973State of Science: Healthcare Systems 3 Clinical credits3
NURS 6795i-LEAD Administrative Internship 3 Clinical Credits3
NURS 6108Inferent Statistics & Quality Improvement Applying Evidence 3 Clinical credits3
Total Hours30
Total Didactic Credits:      27
Total Internship Credits:    3
Total internship Hours:    135

Nurse-Midwifery - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6377Foundations of Midwifery Care 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6376Reproductive Physiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6344NMW Gynecologic Care 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6380Primary Care of Women 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6378Care of the Childbearing Family I 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5941NMW Advanced Practicum I 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 6374NMW/WHNP Adv Clinical Skills - Outpatient 1 Clinical credit1
NURS 5942NMW Advanced Practicum II 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 6379Care of the Childbearing Family II 4 Didactic credits4
NURS 6375NMW Advanced Clinical Skills - Inpatient 1 Clinical credit1
NURS 5943NMW Advanced Practicum III: Integration 8 Clinical credits, 360 Clinical hours8
Total Hours59
Total Didactic Credits:     40
Total Clinical Credits:      18
Total Clinical Hours:        720

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6376Reproductive Physiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6380Primary Care of Women 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6344NMW Gynecologic Care 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5961WHNP Advanced Practicum I 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 6374NMW/WHNP Adv Clinical Skills - Outpatient 1 Clinical credit1
NURS 6378Care of the Childbearing Family I 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5962WHNP Advanced Practicum II 4 Clinical credits, 180 Clinical hours4
NURS 5963WHNP Advanced Practicum III 6 Clinical credits, 270 Clinical hours6
Total Hours50
Total Didactic Credits:     34
Total Clinical Credits:      15
Total Clinical Hours:        630

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic Credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5921AC-PNP Practicum I 2 Clinical Credits 90 Clinical hours2
NURS 6490Pediatric Primary Care Essentials 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 6450Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment 1 Didactic Credit1
NURS 5922AC PNP Advanced Practicum II 2 Clinical Credits 90 Clinical hours2
NURS 6456Advance Pediatric Clinical Skills 1 Didactic Credit1
NURS 5923AC PNP Advanced Practicum III 3 Clinical Credits 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6500Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5924AC-PNP Practicum IV 3 Clinical Credits 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6510Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 2 3 Didactic Credits3
NURS 5925AC PNP Advanced Practicum V 3 Clinical Credits 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6520Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 3 3 Didactic Credits3
Total Hours50
Total Didactic Credits:     37
Total Clinical Credits:      13
Total Clinical Hours:        585

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5911PNP Advanced Practicum I 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6450Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment 1 Didactic credit1
NURS 6478Primary Care of Children: Well Child Care 4 Didactic credits4
NURS 5912PNP Advanced Practicum II 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6456Advance Pediatric Clinical Skills 1 Didactic credit1
NURS 5913PNP Practicum III 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6488Pediatric Minor and Acute Illness 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5914PNP Advanced Practicum IV 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6496Pediatric Chronic Illness and Disability 3 Didactic credits3
Total Hours47
Total Didactic Credits:     35
Total Clinical Credits:      12
Total Clinical Hours:        540

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - MS

NURS 6243Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6664Integrated Behavioral Healthcare & Common Psychiatri 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6222Adv Pharm & Therapeutics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6665PsyTherapy, BehavioralChange & HP Lifespan 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6761Advanced Assessment 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6859Advanced Professional Role 2 Didactic credits2
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6659Adv Assess,Neurobiology&Psychopharm AcrossLifespan 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5991PMHNP Advanced Practicum I 2 Clinical credits, 90 Clinical hours2
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 6661Diagnosis and Management/Adults PMHNP 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5992PMHNP Advanced Practicum II 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 6662Diagnosis and Management/Children and Older Adult PMHNP 3 Didactic credits3
NURS 5993PMHNP Advanced Practicum III 3 Clinical credits, 135 Clinical hours3
NURS 5994PMHNP Advanced Practicum IV 6 Clinical credits, 270 Clinical hours6
Total Hours52
Total Didactic Credits:     38
Total Clinical Credits:      14
Total Clinical Hours:        630

Veteran and Military Health Care - MS

NURS 6009Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6286Foundations Informatics 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6070Policy and Politics of Health 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6109Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6018Home from the Battlefront: Psychological Health Care 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6023Veteran and Military Health Care Systems 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6015Women & War 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6017On the Home Front: Supporting Vet & Military Families 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6019Wounds of War: Military & Veteran Disability Evals 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6024Caring for Veterans: Aging, Chronicity, & End of Life 45 Didactic hours3
NURS 6025Veteran and Military Health Care Admin Internship 90 Practicum hours2
Total Hours32
Total Didactic Credits:      32
Total Practicum Credits:    2
Total Practicum Hours:    90

MS Program Outcomes

Approved January 2023

  • Demonstrate the ability to translate theory and evidence into a holistic healthcare approach for individuals and populations.
  • Demonstrate ability to provide and coordinate person centered nursing care when working with patients and families within or across populations and settings.
  • Implement interdisciplinary strategies to improve population health outcomes and promote health equity for all patients, families, and communities through collaborative partnerships.
  • Disseminate nursing scholarship to improve health and transform health care.
  • Integrate quality and safety evidence to promote system effectiveness and individual performance
  • Cultivate interprofessional teams that enhance healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients, families, communities, and partnerships.
  • Lead within complex systems to provide quality and cost-effective healthcare to improve health and health equity for diverse populations.
  • integrate informatics processes and technologies to manage and improve the delivery of safe, quality, and efficient healthcare services.
  • Cultivate the future identity  and ideals of the nursing  profession.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills that support organizational resilience as well as personal and professional well becoming.