Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for the Health Systems Management program (see Course Curriculum for complete course listing):

300 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
This course prepares students to critique, evaluate and utilize theory within their nursing practice. The student applies a wide range of theories from nursing and related disciplines to develop a comprehensive and holistic approach to care. The focus is on mid-range theories with emphasis on integration of theory into advanced nursing practice. (2 credits)

301 Research Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course prepares students to critique, evaluate and use research within their nursing practice. Advanced nursing practice uses a wide range of empirical findings to provide quality healthcare, initiate change, and improve nursing practice. At the conclusion of the course, the student will be proficient at critiquing and evaluating research findings relevant to advanced nursing practice. (3 credits)

302 Theory, Research, and Advanced Nursing Practice: Integration and Application
This course provides a capstone experience, which requires integration of content from previous courses and experiences. Students will identify a clinical problem in their advanced practice nursing specialty, demonstrate an understanding of the research and theory related to this problem, critically analyze the problem and current knowledge, and develop strategies for problem resolution. (2 credits)

303 Healthcare Delivery Systems
This course provides the student with the understanding of how the business of healthcare affects the practice of healthcare. Students analyze and evaluate healthcare delivery systems. The relationships between various stakeholders including consumers, providers, payers, regulatory agencies, and policy makers and their effect on healthcare are described. The focus is on economic implications of health planning, organization of personnel and resources, the design of payment systems, and the outcome analysis of healthcare delivery, including the cost effectiveness of healthcare services. (2 credits)

304 Transitions to the Advanced Practice Role
This course builds upon previously acquired knowledge and experience of the professional nurse role. The course focuses on the interaction of the advanced practice nurse with the healthcare system, colleagues, and client system. Students develop a personal philosophy of practice that is consistent with professional practice standards. This course gives direction in managing careers and modifying clinical practice. (1 credit)

376 Program Development and Evaluation
Organizational structures in the contemporary healthcare delivery system are explored. This course focuses on the analysis and application of theory and skills needed to assess, plan and evaluate the clinical care of population within integrated health systems. This course draws on behavioral, social and organizational sciences to analyze effectiveness within integrated delivery systems. Topics include: motivation, group behavior, conflict management, power, decision making, managing change, managerial communication, performance assessment and human resources allocation and budgeting. Analytical decision models will be used to evaluate clinical care coordination/delivery. Content related to planning and evaluating information systems, principles of performance improvement, systems thinking, knowledge based practice and evaluation models will be explored. (3 credits)

380 Organizational Dynamics
Integral to management practice is the acquisition of theoretical frameworks that explain organizational theories, management models and decision-making strategies related to healthcare systems and care delivery. In addition to providing a conceptual understanding of management practice, this course focuses on the development of interpersonal skills and effective leadership styles through role preparation, communication theories and the application of change strategies. (3 credits)

381a Introduction to Health Informatics
Health informatics is the management and transformation of health data into information and knowledge to improve healthcare. This survey course focuses on information systems in clinical settings and the use of databases for outcome management. Students address data management needs in healthcare settings and carry out related database projects. (3 credits)

382 Leadership
This course allows students to explore theories and models of leadership and to assess their personal leadership style. Application of leadership theory in complex organization is analyzed. (3 credits)

383 Continuous Quality Improvement and Outcomes Measures
This course has two related foci: quality improvement models/methods and the measurement of client outcomes across a broad range of healthcare settings. Students learn the systematic methods of CQI, based on the work of Deming and others. These statistical and applied research methods are linked to the measurement of outcomes. The use of various outcome measurement instruments is explored. (2 credits)

385a Healthcare Financial Management
Students in this course apply accounting, economic principles, and financial management strategies to the management of healthcare resources in healthcare organizations. Students acquire a degree of proficiency at computerized spreadsheet utilization to enhance efficient financial analysis. (3 credits)

386 Management Practicum I
The students apply concepts of CQI organizational dynamics and outcome measures, informatics, and financial management in a selected healthcare setting. This practicum provides students with an opportunity to work closely with a manager in a variety of healthcare settings. The students experience positive role modeling while contributing to the functioning of the healthcare agency. Students work on agency designated projects throughout the practicum. (3 credits)

387 Management Practicum II
This practicum provides the student with an opportunity to work closely with a manager in one of a variety of healthcare settings. The student has an opportunity to observe and practice management and leadership skills in a healthcare organization. The role of a leader is explored in the context of the changing healthcare environment. In addition, the student works on agency designated projects and presents the process and results of a completed project to the student group. (3 credits)

388 Management Strategies for Healthcare Systems
This course will focus on long-term strategic issues that will affect financing, organization and delivery of healthcare services. Market driven organizations/services are at the core of the course with emphasis on designing as well as operationalizing strategies at the executive and middle management levels as individuals and part of a team. (3 credits)

389 Healthcare Management of Populations
This course provides a framework for students to develop and apply both an ethical and a theoretical framework for population-based care management. Students develop a framework for measuring client satisfaction, quality of care, resource efficiency and explore principles of multidisciplinary collaboration. (3 credits)

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