NUR 310: Healthcare Policy, Economics, Regulation and Ethics

Course Description

This course examines the leadership issues related to professional nursing and health from an economic, legal, regulatory and political framework. Evidence based strategies designed to influence organizational, institutional and governmental decisions impacting nursing, leadership and healthcare are discussed. Topics for discussion include compliance with regulatory standards, nursing ethics and professional responsibility and the sociopolitical landscape.

(3 credits)

Prerequisites

• ENG 101: English Composition 1
• ENG 102: English Composition 2
• NUR 301: Baccalaureate Nursing Role

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will have gained knowledge about:

1. Analyze the role of relevant regulatory bodies on nursing practice and healthcare organizations.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of staffing budget development in inpatient and outpatient settings.
3. Discuss the impact of value-based reimbursement.
4. Investigate how healthcare policy at national and state levels affects nursing practice and the profession.
5. Engage in ethical reasoning and actions to promote advocacy, collaboration and social justice.

6. Articulate legal and ethical issues relevant to nursing care management in a varietyof healthcare settings.

7. Employ problem solving strategies to determine the potential of nursing professionals to address healthcare disparities.

8. Identify community, state and global health issues that influence the delivery of healthcare.
9. Describe strategies to address ethical dilemmas in nursing practice and organizational leadership.
10. Demonstrate understanding of ethical principles, values, concepts and decision making that apply to professional nursing practice, interprofessional collaboration and patient care.

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

• Mason, Gardner, Outlaw and O’Grady. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Healthcare. 8th ed. W.B Saunders Co., 2021. ISBN-13: 978-0-323-55498-5
• Fowler, Marsha Diane Mary. Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses: With Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application. 2nd ed. American Nurses Association, 2015. ISBN-10: 1-55810-603-0 or ISBN-13: 978-1-55810-603-1

Course Activities and Grading

Course Projects

See rubric in course policies for grading details.

1. Week 2, Project 1: Nurse Staffing
   
   • Review ANA Principles of Nurse Staffing.

   • Include the following in Project 1:

     1. Choose one of the five principles of nurse staffing.
     2. Interview a practicing nurse regarding the implementation of this principle in their work environment.
2. Week 4, Project 2: Policy and Politics in the Workplace and Workforce
   • Identify a workplace and /or workforce issue and suggest a solution applying your knowledge about policy, politics and creating change.

   • Include the following in Project 2:

     • Identify the issue and explain your proposed solution
     • Explain the steps and resources needed to implement your proposed solution (for example, staff training, supplies, procedures, communications, allies, stakeholders, committees, public health)
       1. What is the strategy for transformation/change?
       2. Does your issue require a policy change? Explain why or why not.
       3. What resources, if any, will you need?
       4. Are there financial implications for implementing your proposed solution?
       5. Identify key stake holders essential to implementing your proposed solution (for example, leadership, legislators, nurses, community partners).
       6. Does your issue require a change in scope of nursing practice?
       7. Identify the nurses’ role in the proposed solution
       8. Discuss how this solution affects nursing practice and the profession?
3. Week 6, Project 3: Healthcare Issues in Your Community
   
   1. Identify a current health issue within your local community.

      • Include the following in Project 3:

        1. Describe the health issue/concern (for example, homelessness, social isolation [e.g., students, elderly], decreased access to personal protective equipment (PPE), food insecurity, job loss, suicide, underage drinking).
        2. Is this health issue considered or related to a healthcare disparity? Why or why not?  How is your local community addressing this health issue?
        3. How is your local community addressing this health issue/concern?
        4. What populations in your community are impacted by this issue/concern?
        5. Identify state, national or community policy makers/stake holders who are or should be engaged in addressing this issue/concern
        6. How can nurses use their skills, knowledge, and expertise in addressing this health issue/concern?
4. Week 8, Project 4: Nursing Decision Making Based on the Code of Ethics
   • Based on this semester course content include the following in Project 4:
     
     1. Summarize the health issue presented in Project 3.
     2. What strategies for change can be implemented in addressing this health issue?
     3. What principles of staffing may be relevant to this health issue? (if any)
     4. Explain and identify the Code of Ethics that is guiding your approach to addressing this issue.

   • Based upon the quality safety problem identified in NUR301, utilize an ethical framework to delineate/summarize the ethical implications for the interprofessional team of addressing/not addressing the issue.

Course Schedule

Late Work Policy

• Refer to COSC Late Assignment Policy
• Emergencies/Extenuating Circumstances: The Faculty and Program Director appreciate that emergencies come up in life. Emergencies/ Extenuating Circumstances are not planned activities and/or are not normally work-related. Please communicate with your instructor if you are having difficulty with completing the assignments. 

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.