Nursing Practice (Online Programme) – (Ph.D.)

Contents

Course Descriptions

Introductory, Foundational and Core Curricula

Introductory Course (1 sem. cr.)NURS 6000 Success Strategies in the Master of Science Program in Nursing Online Environment (1 sem. cr.)*The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. The course will also provide a foundation for the student’s academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. Course assignments focus on the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and the integration of professional practice with professional and academic excellence as they relate to practice in nursing.

*BSN track students take this orientation course as part of the core courses, while RN track students take this course as part of the foundational courses.

RN Track: Foundation Courses (24 sem. cr.)NURS 6006 Issues and Trends in Nursing (4 sem. cr.)This course provides an overview of the evolution of nursing as a profession and its relationship to the changes in organization, structure, and function of the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Major issues and trends in nursing and healthcare are examined with consideration given to the influence of socioeconomic, ethical, legal, and political variables, as well as professional values on contemporary nursing practice.

NURS 6010 Advancing Nursing Through Inquiry and Research (4 sem. cr.)The focus of this course is on the steps of the research process. Qualitative and quantitative methods are explored. Inquiry and critical analysis of scholarly literature provide the foundation for evidence-based practice. Strategies for utilizing research are examined. A group project is included.

NURS 6015 Information and Healthcare Technologies Applied to Nursing Practice (4 sem. cr.)The focus of this course is directed toward the understanding and use of information technologies and systems that support decision-making in nursing practice, administration, research, and education. Tools such as a listserv, the World Wide Web, email, and databases are used as examples of information sources. Advances in technology that support the delivery of services—as well as the collection, storage, and retrieval of information—are considered. Ethical and legal issues that impact the use of technology in healthcare are presented. A group project is included.

NURS 6022 Topics in Clinical Nursing (4 sem. cr.)This course highlights major acute and chronic health problems and leading causes of death across the lifespan, including etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and implications for treatment and disease management. Consideration is given to the relationship of genetics and genomics to health and illness, infection-control issues such as drug-resistant organisms, accidents/injuries, common geriatric syndromes, palliative and end-of-life care, as well as complementary and alternative therapies. Development of a framework for nursing interventions is emphasized.

NURS 6025 Managing a Continuum of Care for Positive Patient Outcomes (4 sem. cr.)This course is based on a multifaceted definition of patient outcomes management. Concepts related to the management of disease and the prevention of further disability are explored. The impact of cultural, social, political, legal, and environmental factors on providing a continuum of care is identified. The role of nurses in understanding the health continuum and achieving positive outcomes for individuals, groups, and communities is presented. The topics are presented from a research, evidence-based perspective and address documentation, evaluation, and quality outcome standards. A group project is included.

NURS 6030 The Practice of Population-Based Care (4 sem. cr.)This course is based on an interdisciplinary approach to caring for populations. Major components include concepts of health, levels of prevention, epidemiology of wellness, global health issues, and control of health problems. Principles of interdisciplinary care are addressed. Planning, intervention, and evaluation of care in communities are stressed. Integrative approaches to working with groups in the community, in order to positively impact health behaviors, are examined. A group project is included.

Core Courses (18 sem. cr.)NURS 6101 Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare (3 sem. cr.) This course provides a critical analysis of socioeconomic, political, legal, ethical, and global factors that affect nursing and healthcare delivery. Issues of cost, quality, and access are considered with emphasis on healthcare reform, including financing and payment systems, delivery models, health information management, and the integration of healthcare services to affect safety and quality. Inter-professional practice issues are explored along with nursing’s involvement in health policy and advocacy.

NURS 6110 The Nurse Leader: New Perspectives on the Profession (3 sem. cr.)This course presents the impact that changes in healthcare systems have had on transforming the nursing profession. Theories related to leadership and management are included. Strategies for becoming empowered are presented to assist master’s-prepared nurses to assume and sustain leadership roles. Course assignments focus on nursing applications.

NURS 6125 Integrating Theory and Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 sem. cr.)This course provides an overview of the development and relationship of nursing theory, research, and practice. The students will learn the process by which theory and research is critically appraised and translated into evidence-based practice in the development of clinical outcomes. An appreciation for diverse research methods and associated statistical techniques is integrated into the course and builds on the required undergraduate statistics course. Course assignments focus on evidence-based practice applications.

NURS 6150 Promoting and Preserving Health in a Diverse Society (3 sem. cr.)This course is based on a multifaceted definition of community. The promotion of healthy societies worldwide, through health improvement and disease management/prevention activities, is explored. The effects of social, political, and environmental conditions are examined in relation to healthcare access, quality of care, and cultural relevance. The contributions of nurse leaders to improving health in society are presented. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

Specialization Curriculum

Education Specialization (16 sem. cr.)NURS 6300 Student-Centered Learning in Nursing Education (3 sem. cr.)This course focuses on theories and principles that identify the diverse learning needs of adults. Strategies to meet these needs, within the framework of student-centeredness, are presented. Major topics include socialization, motivation, critical thinking, learning styles, and the impact of societal values on the learning environment. The unique needs of nontraditional, international, educationally disadvantaged, and physically challenged students are addressed. The goal of nurse educators is to recognize students’ individual and collective needs to create a supportive learning environment. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6310 Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators (3 sem. cr.)This course focuses on theories and principles that support a variety of evidence-based teaching strategies. Personal and professional teacher attributes that demonstrate positive role-modeling are presented. Major topics include a toolbox of instructional strategies, effective communication, reflective thinking, student interactions, and student engagement. The goal of nurse educators is to develop a learning environment that supports student success. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6320 Integrating Technology Into Nursing Education (3 sem. cr.)This course focuses on informational technologies and their application in a teaching/learning environment. The uses of media, multimedia, computer-based technologies, models, and simulations are explored. Processes for evaluating and selecting technology are presented. Technologies that support course processes—such as tracking student assignments and participation, outcomes assessment, and grading—are included. Distance and online education modalities are examined. Student and instructor use of online information resources, presentation systems, and information storage systems, and the integration of technology included with texts and printed materials are explored. The goal of nurse educators is to use current and evolving technology to enhance student learning. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6330 Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation (3 sem. cr.)The educational environment is impacted by social, economic, regulatory, and technological transformations. Nursing education curricula must be relevant and meet the health and nursing needs of society. This course focuses on curriculum development and the many processes that contribute to it. The philosophical foundations of curriculum development are addressed. Major topics include curriculum components; societal, professional, and educational trends; frameworks, competencies, and outcomes; organizational constraints; and selection of learning activities. The processes of curriculum assessment and evaluation are defined and presented in the context of program, course, and student outcomes. The goal of nurse educators is to develop curricula that address the nursing needs of society, are supported by standards of practice, and prepare graduates for practice in diverse settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6340 The Nurse Educator: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships (4 sem. cr.)This course focuses on the roles, responsibilities, and relationships that are part of being a nurse educator. While those nurses in academic settings are the most widely recognized as educators, nurses are also educators in other healthcare settings. The significance of the educator role is explored as it applies to diverse settings. Concepts related to being change agents and leaders, role socialization, legal and ethical expectations, and development are examined. Major topics include professional development, balancing role demands, using evidence to improve teaching, scholarship related to teaching, development of partnerships, collaboration, and advocacy. The goal of nurses, in all settings, is to be effective educators who guide and facilitate learning and contribute to the educational goals of the organizations in which they work. The knowledge gained in the previous courses provides the foundation for implementing this role in an educational setting. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

Leadership and Management Specialization (16 sem. cr.)NURS 6200 The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence (4 sem. cr.)This course focuses on the theory and practice of administration. Standards of practice for nursing administration serve as a foundation for discussion. Major topics include roles and responsibilities, quality improvements, strategic planning and management, regulations, and information systems. The goal of nurse leaders to achieve excellence in the delivery of patient services is emphasized. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6210 Healthcare Finance and Budgeting (4 sem. cr.)This course applies financial principles to develop, budget, and manage resources. Budgeting processes used in healthcare settings and the nurse administrator’s responsibilities are covered. The impact of private and public policies and budgeting models and information systems is included. Budget and resource decisions that contribute to the achievement of organizational and nursing service outcomes are examined. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6220 Human Resource Management (4 sem. cr.)This course addresses the roles and responsibilities of nurse administrators in human resource management. Current legal, ethical, professional, and practice policies and standards are explored. The applications of technology to human resource functions are presented. Strategies that support positive organizational and nursing service goals are examined. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

NURS 6230 Case Study: Quality Nursing in a Complex Healthcare Organization (4 sem. cr.)This course uses a case-study approach to examine a nursing practice issue. Based on the information in the case study, students apply previous knowledge to the issue. The goal is to use a variety of administrative strategies to achieve positive patient care delivery outcomes. Students develop a comprehensive plan in the context of current nursing service challenges. A field experience is included to allow for application to practice settings. Course assignments focus on nursing practice applications.

Nursing Informatics Specialization (16 sem. cr.)NURS 6400 Informatics in Nursing and Healthcare (4 sem. cr.)This course establishes the foundational knowledge for understanding and practicing nursing informatics in healthcare settings. Core and supporting models and theories for nursing informatics and the sciences that support nursing informatics are studied. Consideration is given to the use of information technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality in patient-centered care, and concerns about protecting information and system integrity are addressed. Course assignments focus on nursing practice/healthcare applications.

NURS 6410 Information and Knowledge Management (4 sem. cr.)This course examines database systems as the focus for studying concepts of data modeling, techniques of data definition, and data manipulation. Concepts of information and knowledge management are considered with emphasis on application to the practice setting.

NURS 6420 Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems (4 sem. cr.)This course examines the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of electronic information systems in healthcare. Methods of systems design are compared, contrasted, and critiqued. Special attention will be given to workflow modeling in systems design. Emphasis is on application to practice settings.

NURS 6430 Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology (4 sem. cr.)This course explores the theory and practice of how to manage health information technology projects. Students will learn how to plan, schedule, and control healthcare informatics projects with emphasis on application to practice settings. Project management software is introduced.

Capstone Courses

NURS 6500 Capstone Synthesis Practicum I (3 sem. cr.)This course enables students to apply the principles and methods learned from their coursework. Working in collaboration with their preceptor and instructor, the student engages in applying theory to better understand a specialization role in the context of an organization, formulates and achieves individualized learning objectives, and initiates a project conceptualized by student and preceptor in agreement with the instructor. The practicum (NURS 6500 and NURS 6510) includes a minimum of 125 total hours that are reflected in the cumulative Journal.

NURS 6510 Capstone Synthesis Practicum II (3 sem. cr.)This course is a continuation of the work started in NURS 6500. Students continue their practicum applying the principles and methods learned from their coursework. Students bring closure to their work on real-world problems that they developed with their preceptors. Students evaluate and complete their practicum project and present their project in the workplace and in the online classroom. The practicum (NURS 6500 and NURS 6510) includes a minimum of 125 total hours that are reflected in the cumulative Journal.

Accreditation

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE is a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CCNE accreditation ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs in preparing effective nurses by:

• Ensuring nursing programs are held accountable to the profession as a whole.
• Evaluating the success of nursing programs in achieving their missions, goals, and expected outcomes.
• Assessing the extent to which nursing programs meet accreditation standards.
• Fostering continuing improvement in nursing programs and professional practice.

University Accreditation

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org; 1-312-263-0456.

The North Central Association is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). When evaluating credentials, employers and universities often look for applicants who earned their degree from an accredited university.

Funding details

Walden University is committed to providing broad access to higher education. Our scholarships are an investment in the future of our students and the future of the communities they serve as advocates for positive social change.

Walden offers merit-based scholarships for academic and professional accomplishments. Certain scholarships may be available to international students.

Faculty

Walden’s School of Nursing features a distinguished faculty of more than 100 scholars and professionals—100% of whom hold doctoral degrees—who are academically and experientially qualified to teach at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. They blend academic theory with firsthand knowledge to enrich your learning experience and broaden your perspectives on the latest issues and best practices in the field of nursing.