Nursing Case Management (MSN) Curriculum

This course concentrates on related theories regarding advanced Practice Nursing (APN); the roles, the essential knowledge, behavioral motivations and decision-making techniques of professional nurses. Application of various aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing will be explored such as evidence-based practice, research, and quality and information for advanced practice nursing. The application of these principles will be explored when providing nursing care to clients. The preparation for the capstone project is part of the clinical practice experience in this course in identifying an issue or concern about which the capstone project can be completed. The clinical practice experience the investigation of the role of the APN through interviewing and reflection on the roles and responsibilities of a practitioner at the master's level.

This course presents the moral, ethical and legal aspects facing the advanced practice nurse in their daily professional work, with an emphasis on the ethical practices and decision-making processes faced by all nurses. The 22.5 hours of clinical practice experience focus on the basic tenets of these practices and the practical application of professional nursing principles as they are examined throughout this course and continue throughout the nursing program at Grantham University.

This course is designed to assist Registered Nurses to make the transition to Advanced Practice. Human Patient Simulation is utilized to assist in learning the six discrete components of clinical reasoning. A validated conceptual framework designed to operationalize clinical reasoning within virtual patient simulations is used. In addition to advanced physical assessment of all major body systems, students will incorporate principles of advanced pharmacology and advanced pathophysiology through a series of Focused Exams. The Focused Exams explore a specific pathology occurring in populations across the lifespan. Infused throughout the course are the Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing and QSEN. The clinical practice experience in this course occurs through virtual simulation.

This course covers the utilization of technology in the healthcare environment from an individual and organizational point of view. Challenges faced by nurses and healthcare professionals in the dynamic technological era requires a broad understanding of the concepts of healthcare informatics. Students will be provided the tools, techniques, and resources used for specific application in the healthcare environment. Regulations for meaningful use of information in healthcare systems is explored. Students are exposed to interdisciplinary collaborative models of informatics processes which improve efficiency as well as patient experience and outcomes. This course also covers technological changes, challenges, and risks that organizations face internally or externally.

The focus of this course is examining the research process and its importance in guiding and supporting evidence based and advanced nursing practice. A review of research methodologies and terminology to include: identifying a problem, developing research questions, exploring the literature review process and examining the methodology of conducting research. Building content throughout this course, the first three chapters of the Capstone Project will be developed. Clinical practice learning experiences (PE) are included in the course with the investigation of institutional review for research and support of research for nursing as well as the establishment of the problem or issue upon which the capstone project and capstone paper will be based. The student is expected to work with the track specialist mentor and the clinical institution in the 600-level courses of the curriculum.

Students examine the foundations of clinical information collection, processing, recording and use to support decision-making in healthcare environments. The importance of patient information privacy, compliance with regulatory standards, safety and data integrity is prominent throughout the course. Topics covered include types of health care information systems for specific healthcare settings, system selection, implementation process, system security and data standards. In addition, students will explore strategic planning and management implications associated with information technology in healthcare management.

This course examines the evolution of the case manager concepts for the inception through current practice models. The role and process of the case manager as an advanced nurse practitioner will be emphasized. Included will be the analysis of the interdisciplinary team and the function of the nurse in a variety of clinical settings. This specialty emphasis area is based upon the Case Management Society of American Core Curriculum for Case Management. The courses within this specialty are designed to provide the student with the essential competencies of the advanced practice professional, with emphasis on quality of care.

This course introduces students to case management concepts, principles of practice, psychosocial aspects, healthcare management and delivery, healthcare reimbursement and rehabilitation. It uses the Case Managers Scope of Practice criteria to assist in developing a Life Care Plan for a patient. Included will be patients with congenital complications, chronic illnesses and complex injuries throughout the life span. Precertification exams will be employed to assist in preparation for Certification as a Case Manager.

The process of evidence-based patient care is the central theme of this course. The role of the case manager as client advocate and the incorporation of evidence-based care into the management of patient care cases are examined. The course will provide the student with the essential competencies of the advanced practice nurse professional with a particular emphasis on total quality management (TQM). The role of the nurse in expanding the content of evidence-based practice guidelines will be defined in the parameters of case management.

This course provides and introduction and exploration of concepts and theories relevant to healthcare for diverse populations with 22.5 hours of clinical practice experience embedded for the application of the concepts and theories to a population's health care needs. Diversity is examined relative to social organizations, roles and expectations, communication patterns, and the values and belief underlying health-illness behavior between western and nonwestern cultures.

The MSN Research Seminar for the Graduate Nurse Case Manager emphasizes the emerging trends and roles in Case Management in healthcare and the world health systems. Issues related to the identification of problems, determination of outcomes, coordination of resources, special population advocacy, and facilitation of inter-professional care case management coordination will be reviewed throughout the course. The culmination of this course will result in the finalization of chapters 1, 2, and 3 and a draft of chapter 4 of your Capstone Project. Capstone projects are designed to encourage you to think critically, solve challenging problems, and develop skills such as oral and written communication, research, planning large projects, and goal setting to achieve the outcomes in a timely manner. The capstone project will provide you an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of both a specific topic and the relation of this topic to the broader scope of your role as a Case Manager.

The Case Management Practicum is the final course in the MSN program. This practicum requires demonstration of the knowledge and skills acquired in prior courses as they relate to Advance Practice Nursing as well as the specialty of Case Management. During this course, the Capstone project that was completed during the Research Seminar will be finalized and issues related to patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, diversity, critical thinking, collaboration and teamwork, and professionalism will be demonstrated. Program Outcomes and specialty track role specific competencies will be showcased within the five chapters of the capstone paper, during the Oral Capstone Presentation, and through the reflection of these in the Program Outcome Identification Table. 64 hours of direct Practicum Experience are completed under the guidance of a preceptor and 26 hours of indirect practice experience are embedded in the course. Practicum Experience is evidence-based, reflects contemporary practice and nationally established patient health and safety goals, and is designed to verify early mastery of new levels of advance practice.