NURS 650 - Ethical and Policy Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Nurses at the Master’s level are particularly prepared to engage in holistic appraisal and development of policy in organizational, state, national, and global arenas. Integral to this participation is a fundamental understanding of health economics, policy, law, and ethics. This course is designed as a forum for students obtaining an advanced degree in nursing to discuss and critically analyze the complexity of health system policy and regulation from their perspective as advocates for patients and for the profession of nursing. The course will use case based learning as a means of engaging students in the professional process of examining current issues relevant to their practice using ethical decision making strategies and organization and governmental policy strategies. Students will gain an understanding of legal and financial implications of these issues. Learning strategies used in the course are designed to help students develop skills for advocacy; examine multiple perspectives on current topics in health care; engage in constructive, evidence based debate; and explore ethical decision making strategies in the face of complex systems with competing interests.

Credits: 3