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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.