RN-to-MSN, Care Coordination
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Capella University offers RN-to-MSN bridge specializations for licensed registered nurses who have completed 135 quarter credits of undergraduate coursework. Learners in the RN-to-MSN bridge specializations are required to complete NHS5004, NURS5003, NURS5005, and NURS5007 before registering for any other Master of Science in Nursing course. Upon successful completion of the RN-to-MSN bridge courses, learners pursue the program requirements for any Master of Science in Nursing specialization. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will not be conferred.
Learners in the MSN Care Coordination specialization examine and
apply theories, research, and best practices for the nurse care
coordinator. The specialization curriculum emphasizes client
assessment and evaluation; care planning; transitioning of care;
clinical efficiency; and monitoring, reporting, and analysis
techniques used to meet the needs of individuals, caregivers,
families, communities, populations, and healthcare organizations.
Throughout the specialization, learners evaluate the historical
evolution of care coordination and its relevance in population health,
emerging health care models and their relationships to care
coordination, care coordination structure and process, legal and
ethical considerations, the role of cultural competence in care
coordination, and the role professional nursing leadership plays in
achieving successful quality measurement. Successful graduates of this
specialization are prepared to pursue director-level and leadership
positions in a wide range of health care settings and organizations
that specialize in care coordination nursing.
Practicum Requirement(s):
Minimum of 100 practicum hours. See the Practicum section, below, for more information.
Sixteen Required Courses
At least 66 quarter credits
Required courses:
NURS5003 |
Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health
In this course, learners apply concepts, frameworks, and models used
to foster health promotion and disease prevention, particularly in
diverse and vulnerable populations. Learners evaluate individual and
population wellness from multicultural, ethnic, traditional, and
spiritual perspectives. Learners examine factors that cause
disparities in wellness among people in diverse and vulnerable
populations. By analyzing effective health assessment methods and
communication strategies, learners identify best practices for
developing a population-focused approach to health promotion and
disease prevention.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
NURS5005 |
Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethics, and Technology
Learners in this course gain and demonstrate knowledge of nursing
research, ethics, and information technology in health care settings.
Learners apply the basic principles of nursing research and ways that
information systems and patient care technologies contribute to
improving patient outcomes. Learners also evaluate ethics in nursing
research and scholarship and how evidence-based practice relates to
the effective use of information technologies in nursing practice.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS5007 |
Leadership for Nursing Practice
In this course, learners examine and apply theoretical concepts and
leadership competencies for nursing practice. Learners evaluate
evidence-based best practices and behaviors that support effective
nursing leadership in health care settings, and analyze strategies for
coordination, delegation, and goal setting and performance
improvement. Learners also assess concepts and principles of health
care policy, legal and regulatory issues, and quality control in
health care and the nursing profession.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
Core courses:
NHS5004 |
Communication, Collaboration, and Case Analysis for Master’s Learners
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.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
NHS6004 |
Health Care Law and Policy
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. | 4 quarter credits |
NHS6008 |
Economics and Decision Making in Health Care
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. | 4 quarter credits |
NURS6011 |
Evidence-Based Practice for Patient-Centered Care and Population Health
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.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6016 |
Quality Improvement of Interprofessional Care
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.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6021 |
Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 1
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.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6026 |
Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2
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.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6030 |
MSN Practicum and Capstone †
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.
| 6 quarter credits |
Specialization courses:
NURS6610 |
Introduction to Care Coordination
In this course, learners examine the importance of nurses' contributions to coordinating patient care and the nurse's role in coordinating care for diverse populations in varied settings. Learners identify essential members of the patient care team needed for interprofessional collaboration and assess how the current health care climate is shaping the future. In addition, learners evaluate care coordination plans and outcomes according to performance measures and professional standards as well as develop patient assessments based on current legislation, policies, and evidence-based research. For MSN learners only. | 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
NURS6612 |
Health Care Models Used in Care Coordination
Learners in this course examine how health care models are incorporated into the larger framework of clinical care oversight. Learners analyze the role of informatics in nursing care coordination and the ways in which client information is collected and used to influence health outcomes. Learners also identify the ways in which care coordination can support cost efficiency, promote quality of care, and affect positive health outcomes. For MSN learners only. | 4 quarter credits |
NURS6614 * |
Structure and Process in Care Coordination
Learners in this course gain and demonstrate knowledge of the various
care coordination components, including client selection criteria,
communication methodologies, clinical team development, assessment
tools, care plan and profile development, cultural considerations,
data structuring for reporting, and clinical efficiency. Learners
examine the responsibilities of the nurse care coordinator to the
client prior to the implementation of the care plan and during the
care coordination process. Learners evaluate successful strategies for
interviewing and organizing information around client health, goal
setting, efficient clinical oversight, technological support, and data
formatting.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6616 |
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Care Coordination
In this course, learners examine the care coordination process in
relation to confidentiality and client privacy, management of consents
for health care, client rights in the care coordination process,
terminations of care coordination management, and the importance of
clinical team collaboration and communication. Learners navigate the
process of aligning limited resources with client needs and gain an
understanding of the balance required between cost effectiveness and
conscious stewardship. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate an
understanding of the importance of cultural literacy with regard to
client health care considerations.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
NURS6618 |
Leadership in Care Coordination
Learners in this course propose a project for change in a care
coordination setting, aligning care coordination resources with
community health care needs. Learners apply project management best
practices to affect ethical practice and support positive health
outcomes in the delivery of safe, culturally competent care in
compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. In addition,
learners identify ways in which the care coordinator leader supports
collaboration between key stakeholders in the care coordination process.
For MSN learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
Total
At least 66 quarter credits
* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for
the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses
associated with this course.
Alabama residents are not eligible to enroll in this program.
This specialization does not prepare graduates for licensure as an RN or APRN.
Learners enrolled in the RN-to-MSN Care Coordination specialization are required to maintain a current, unrestricted RN license throughout their program.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with a specialization in Care Coordination; RN-to-MSN Care Coordination; Care Coordination, FlexPath option; RN-to-MSN Care Coordination, FlexPath option; Nursing Education; RN-to-MSN Nursing Education; Nursing Education, FlexPath option; RN-to-MSN Nursing Education, FlexPath option; Nursing Leadership and Administration; RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration; Nursing Leadership and Administration, FlexPath option; or RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration, FlexPath option are required to complete 100 documented hours of hands-on practicum experience. Learners enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with a specialization in Nursing Informatics; RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics; Nursing Informatics, FlexPath option; or RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics, FlexPath option are required to complete 200 documented hours of hands-on practicum experience.
The practicum experience requires learners to synthesize and expand the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by applying evidence-based methods to practice. Learners are responsible for finding an appropriate preceptor to oversee the practicum experience. With their preceptors, learners engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that reflects course outcomes. The practicum experiences offer learners an environment in which to apply their knowledge and skills. Practicum takes place at a professional site at which learners, with the support of program faculty and their on-site preceptors, participate in advanced practice initiatives. These could include program evaluation, quality improvement, and advanced practice techniques. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve the MSN program outcomes and competencies and the learning objectives related to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing.
Additionally, learners are required to document their practice
practicum experience in associated online coursework. The associated
practicum courses provide systematic opportunities for feedback and
reflection. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program
required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial
completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for
licensure or transfer of credits.