This course prepares learners for master’s-level course work 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 during the learner’s 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 BSN and MSN 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 BSN and MSN 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 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 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 learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course develop and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary leadership and management concepts and theories relevant to a variety of health care delivery settings. Learners analyze the nurse leader’s role in leading high-performing health care teams and examine the skills needed to collaborate with, and create buy-in from, stakeholders, colleagues, constituencies, and interdisciplinary teams. Learners also examine the impact of cultural, ethical, and regulatory considerations on decision making and implement a future-looking strategic vision to ensure sustainable gains in quality and safety.  For MSN learners only.

Learners in this course examine the nurse leader’s role in helping to effectively integrate into health care delivery systems the quality and safety principles that inform evidence-based changes and best practices. Learners demonstrate an understanding of the ways they can measure health care quality and safety; monitor and assess patient safety and outcomes; develop a transparent system for identifying and resolving medical errors and adverse patient outcomes; use data to monitor and improve patient care and outcomes; and support a culture of quality and safety.  For MSN learners only.

Learners in this course gain and demonstrate the knowledge and skills nurse leaders need in order to utilize health information technology to enhance patient care and outcomes. In particular, learners develop a strategy for technological integration and examine the ways in which they can use technology to evaluate patient data to inform patient diagnoses and outcomes. Learners also assess the effective management of technological change within the health care environment and examine issues of consumer access to information and the privacy and confidentiality of patient information.  For MSN learners only.

Learners in this course examine the nurse leader’s role in establishing and managing an operations and capital budget. In particular, learners develop an understanding of how to incorporate variances or discretionary spending, manage the labor force within budget parameters, examine the availability and appropriate use of equipment and supplies, and apply finance principles to a strategic plan for achieving an organization’s fiscal goals.  For MSN learners only.

Learners in this course examine the role of the nurse leader in evaluating and responding to health care opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing local and global environment. Learners develop proactive strategies to drive and lead changes in health care and integrate evidence-based decision making into the culture of the health care organization. Learners also develop the critical-thinking and communication skills needed to positively influence health care redesign and examine the effects of visionary leadership in the field.  For MSN learners only.