Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership (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 course addresses the application of behavioral sciences to management. An overview of managing the modern organization and the structure of industrial and non-industrial organizations is explored. The course emphasizes the relationship of the organization and administrative theories to the current healthcare delivery system.

This leadership course focuses on organizational systems leadership, knowledge and skills critical to the role development of master's prepared nurses. Content includes communication, conflict resolution, collaboration and negotiation, leadership and team functioning to maximize success in the establishment of safe, effective patient-centered care in complex environments. Emphasis is on the synthesis of skills, knowledge and attitudes to coordinate holistic, evidence-based care in healthcare organizations

This course is focused on the business of healthcare for nurse leaders and managers. Planning for strategic challenges encountered by nursing leaders in healthcare will be explored. The course stresses the dynamic nature of issues as related to rapidly evolving healthcare delivery. Areas to be examined include organizational structure, strategic planning, operations, care delivery and evaluation of healthcare agencies. In addition, budgeting and the management of information and technology will be addressed.

This final management and organizational leadership course challenges students to apply their leadership skills to high level leadership positions using a microsystem to a macrosystem view. The course focuses on topics pertaining to executive leadership competencies and State and Federal laws and regulations that govern professional practice. This course also prepares students for new challenges for health care leaders such as disaster and emergency management from a systems perspective as well as shifts in regulatory requirements.

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 Leader/Administrator emphasizes the emerging trends and roles in Nursing Leadership and Management in healthcare and world health systems. Issues related to strategic planning, coordination of care to improve healthcare outcomes, development and maintenance of health care environments, promoting innovation and change, adherence to regulatory standards, and developing/evaluating transformational leadership models 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 Nurse Leader/Administrator.

The Management & Organizational Leadership 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 Management and Leadership. 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.