This course prepares learners for master’s-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze how the role of the practitioner-scholar guides leadership in the health care field and determine the ways in which they can effectively use communication strategies expected of health care professionals. In particular, learners examine the attributes that contribute to effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making. Must be taken by learners in their first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of health care policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply health care policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement.

This course helps learners develop and demonstrate concepts, principles, issues, and trends in health care economics and the economic decision-making practices employed in the health care environment. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of business decisions on health care economics; explore the ways economic and stakeholder influences affect operational planning and decision making; and practice applying performance monitoring and process management measures as part of the decision-making process. Learners also examine cost-effective problem solving; community- and population-based orientation; and effective use of health care market research, analysis, and assessment.

Learners in this course acquire an understanding of the nature of evidence and its relative value and weight in making clinical decisions that impact patient and population outcomes. In particular, learners assess appropriate methods and analytic approaches in order to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize the best available evidence for potential solutions and innovations.  For Accelerated Master’s Pathway, BSN/MSN and MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

In this course, learners develop and demonstrate competence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of interprofessional quality improvement initiatives. Learners investigate models for quality improvement, with an emphasis on outcome identification and measurement. Learners also examine quality within the context of patient safety through adverse event and near-miss analyses.  For Accelerated Master’s Pathway, BSN/MSN and MSN,​ FlexPath option learners only.

Learners in this course develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to integrate select biopsychosocial concepts into professional processes that promote quality and cost-effective patient and systems outcomes, with particular emphasis on the ways in which these concepts impact the National Academy of Medicine’s six aims of health care improvement: Safe, Effective, Patient-centered, Timely, Efficient, and Equitable.  For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

Learners in this course develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to integrate select biopsychosocial concepts into professional processes that promote quality and cost-effective patient and systems outcomes, with particular emphasis on the ways in which these concepts impact population health, as defined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.  For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

Learners in this course develop their critical thinking skills and gain advanced nursing knowledge in preparation for master’s-level nursing practice in a designated specialization. Learners create and implement a personalized practicum experience under the supervision of a preceptor at a site of their choice and demonstrate synthesis of professional and academic growth and practice. Throughout the practicum, learners also develop and maintain an electronic portfolio that includes coursework products, demonstrations of competency and outcome achievement, and practice experience documentation (number of hours, preceptor evaluations, achievement of objectives, and contributions to the organization). For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.  Special permission is required for registration. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In the course, learners examine the tripartite faculty role of teaching, service, and scholarship and the responsibilities associated with functioning as a nurse educator in an academic or health care environment. Learners also analyze nurse educator competencies and the professional development activities expected of those who fill this multidimensional role.  For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

In this course, learners examine how the application of educational theory and teaching strategies facilitate learning in the classroom, online, in the laboratory, and in clinical settings. Learners also investigate concepts associated with the domains of learning, learning styles, student engagement, and classroom management techniques. For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

In this course, learners examine curriculum frameworks and models used in nursing education. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate their understanding of these frameworks by beginning to develop curricula that are designed to reflect professional nursing standards and contemporary health care trends and that are structured to achieve expected student outcomes. Learners also investigate the evaluation process used to assess curriculum design and identify accreditation and regulatory requirements that impact nursing curricula.  For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

In this course, learners examine the integration of current and evolving technology into nursing education. Learners investigate the use of multimedia, social media, computer-based technology, learning management systems, simulation, technology tools for outcomes assessment, and the process for selecting the appropriate technology. Learners demonstrate their ability to integrate technology in an academic or health care environment by developing a relevant project and accompanying evaluation plan. For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.

In this course, learners investigate a variety of strategies used to assess and evaluate student learning in the classroom, online, in the laboratory, and in clinical settings, as well as within all domains of learning. Learners develop and demonstrate the skills required to use assessment and evaluation data to improve the teaching-learning process, measure the achievement of learning outcomes, and evaluate program effectiveness. For MSN, FlexPath option learners only.