Nursing Informatics (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.

This nursing informatics course examines the knowledge sets, skills, tools and techniques of managing informatics projects, with an emphasis on how project management contributes to the strategic goals of the organization. Topics include strategic management process as it relates to information technology; project prioritization and planning; evaluating project risk; resource scheduling, and project teams and partner management issues. Additionally, some of the most common change management challenges and best practices related to change in informatics will be explored.

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 explores the essential concepts related to the development and utilization of nursing informatics in healthcare institutions. Students will explore the theoretical underpinnings of the specialty of nursing informatics and the impact of informatics on the healthcare environment. A comprehensive overview of the role of the nursing informaticist is examined in addition to analyzing clinical and financial information and processing and reporting acquired data. Nursing informatics trends and issues are also explored.

This course exposes students to an in-depth discussion of both the theories and practical applications of healthcare management. In addition to the primary management functions of planning, organizing and controlling, specialized topics like communication, ethical responsibilities, process management and leadership are discussed. Students also investigate alternative management and leadership styles that can be utilized as effective models and approaches for managing change, resources, time and performance.

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 Informaticist emphasizes the emerging trends and roles in nursing informatics in the healthcare environment. Issues related to plans for evaluating, contracting and implementing new technologies, evaluating and improving current technologies in healthcare, as well as QI, safety, and security related to information technology 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 relationship of this topic to the broader scope of your roles as a Nursing Informaticist.

The Nursing Informatics 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 Nursing Informatics. 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.