Master of Science in Nursing Nursing Administration & Leadership Program MSN STUDENT HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Master of Science in Nursing Nursing Administration & Leadership Program MSN STUDENT HANDBOOK Original 12/09, upd 09/10/

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTACT INFORMATION...4! Global Online Student Services 24/7 access to information...4! MSN FACULTY AND STAFF...6! Welcome from Dr. Mary O Connor...7! Global Online Coordinator RN-BSN & MSN Programs...7! Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)...8! Nursing Administration and Leadership Program...8! MISSION STATEMENT...8! MSN PROGRAM GOALS...8! MSN PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES...9! MSN CURRICULUM...10! CORE (12 credits)...10! SPECIALTY (12 credits)...10! COGNATES (12 credits)...10! ACADEMIC ADVISING...11! REGISTRATION...11! Add/Drop Period or Withdrawing from Classes...12! Dropping Summer Courses...12! Financial Aid Information...12! Summer Stafford Loan Application...12! Tuition and Payment Information...13! Text Book Ordering Instructions...13! Accessing your CALU address via the internet...13! Desire2Learn (D2L) Online Course Access Information and Student Tutorial:...14! LIBRARY AND ELECTRONIC RESOURCES...14! CalCard Information...14! STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES...15! WRITING RESOURCES...15! WRITING CENTER...15! SIGMA THETA TAU PI RHO CHAPTER...16! PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS...19! COURSE DESCRIPTIONS...20! NUR601 - Theory & Research in Nursing...20! NUR602 - Health Policy in Nursing...20! NUR603 - Information Systems for Nurses in Health Care Organizations...20! NUR604 - Population Health Promotion-Disease Prevention...20! NUR711 - Nursing Organization & Leadership Theories...21! NUR712 - Nursing Administration and Leadership Role...21! NUR714 - Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration...21!

3 NUR715 - Financial Management in Non-Profit Healthcare Organizations...21! NUR813 - Nurse Admin Role Practicum...22!!"#$%&'()'*+,%-+%',-'./&#, !!*.' *...23! Admission Requirements... Error! Bookmark not defined.! Formal Written Complaint...26! PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS...27! Practicum Site & Preceptor Policies...27! MSN Preceptor Policy...27! MSN Practicum Site Policy...27! Grading Scale for MSN Courses...28! 3

4 4 CONTACT INFORMATION MSN PROGRAM MSN Global Online Coordinator MSN Program Advisor Chair, Department of Nursing Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research Department of Nursing Secretary Graduate Assistants Mary A. O Connor, PhD, RN ; (fax) oconnor@calu.edu Dr. Linda Pina, PhD, RN ; (fax) pina@calu.edu Stanley Komacek, PhD ; (fax) komacek@calu.edu Judy Byers Office hours Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m ; (fax) byers@calu.edu Jeffrey Merlo Nursingga3@calu.edu Ezgi Yildirim nursingga@calu.edu OFFICES & HOURS Department of Nursing Office California University of Pennsylvania Morgan Hall Room University Drive, Box 60 California, PA FAX MSN Website Global Online Student Services 24/7 access to information Global Online Office M-F 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m ; ; FAX msnonline@calu.edu or calugo@calu.edu

5 5 Campus Contact Information Cal U Bookstore Natali Student Center 125, Mailbox ; FAX Bursar s Office Dixon Hall 118, Mailbox: ; FAX Manderino Library Bill Denny, Distance Education Librarian Denny_w@calu.edu ; FAX Veteran s Affairs Office ; FAX veterans@calu.edu Writing Center M-TH 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.; F 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Writer s Hotline writingctr@calu.edu

6 6 MSN FACULTY AND STAFF NAME TELEPHONE ADDRESS Faculty Dr. Mary O Connor oconnor@calu.edu Professor FAX MSN Program Global Online Coordinator Dr. Linda Pina pina@calu.edu Associate Professor, Dept. Chair Dr. Joan Clites clites@calu.edu Associate Professor Dr. Robin Weaver weaver@calu.edu Assistant Professor Dr. Nicole Welding welding@calu.edu Assistant Professor Additional Faculty* Dr. Mary Clarke * clarke@calu.edu Dr. Paula Glass * glass@calu.edu Ann Hubbard * hubbard@calu.edu Dr. Orlando Malate * malate@calu.edu Dr. Paula Rodney * Rodney@calu.edu Dr. Carol Stockman * stockman@calu.edu Secretary/Graduate Assistant Judy Byers byers@calu.edu Department of Nursing Secretary FAX *Phone number is the Dept of Nursing secretary s number. She will contact the faculty member with your message.

7 7 Welcome from Dr. Mary O Connor Global Online Coordinator RN-BSN & MSN Programs Dear MSN Student, Welcome to California University of Pennsylvania s online MSN program in Nursing Administration and Leadership! These are exciting times for nursing and healthcare and the MSN in Nursing Administration and Leadership program will help to prepare you in the advanced practice roles of administrators and leaders. Today s nurse administrators and leaders depend on a thorough understanding of management, legal and ethical issues, finance, and marketing in order to achieve the expectations of their job. Highly developed managers and leaders make a difference in patient safety and patient outcomes, staff preparation, job satisfaction, and ultimately retention of nurses. Nurse administrators are expected to design, develop and lead systems consistent with healthcare quality standards. The MSN in Nursing Administration and Leadership develops strong and visionary leaders who are competent in all of dimensions of the role and are able to respond effectively to today's dynamic healthcare environment. Graduate study in the totally online MSN program is exciting and challenging. Students will work within a cohort of 35 MSN students in a learning environment that respects their experiences and knowledge. There are now two entry points into the program, fall and spring. During the 20 month, 5 term program, students will take one course at a time to enhance students focus and attention to the coursework. Regular term courses are 8 weeks and, during the first summer term, courses are 5 weeks in duration. The capstone period varies depending on the term of admission. Students admitted in the fall term, have a 15-week practicum in their final spring term, and students admitted in the spring term, have a 10-week practicum in their final summer. The courses and content blend concepts and practice in the areas of nursing theory and research, health promotion and disease prevention, health policy, management, organization, delivery systems of patient care, human resource management, legal and ethical practice, and health care finance based upon the United States health care system. The MSN program fosters a learning environment that allows nurses to build their knowledge base in order to effectively and creatively apply what they have learned. Enjoy the MSN program! Sincerely, Dr. Mary A. O Connor, Ph.D., RN Professor/ MSN Program Global Online Coordinator oconnor@calu.edu* ( is the best way to reach me)

8 8 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Administration and Leadership Program MISSION STATEMENT The faculty and students of California University of Pennsylvania are participating members of a diverse, caring, and scholarly learning community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional studies, and devoted to building character and careers, broadly defined. To advance this ultimate mission of building the characters and careers of students, the university focuses its efforts on three goals: student achievement and success, institutional excellence, and community service. The mission of the nursing program at California University of Pennsylvania reflects the primary mission of the University in expanding the careers and characters of our students. To this end, the Department of Nursing has defined its mission to: 1. develop a nursing program appropriate to meeting the complex health care needs of society; 2. prepare professional nurses for practice in the 21st century, focusing on leadership, critical thinking, diversity and health promotion for families and groups as well as health care needs of the University s service area; 3. stimulate intellectual and professional growth of faculty and students by encouraging participation in research, service, and/or other scholarly activities; and 4. promote a commitment to education as a life-long process. MSN PROGRAM GOALS The MSN in Nursing Administration and Leadership program will produce graduates who: 1. Integrate advanced knowledge and skills in the role of administration and leadership of nursing and patient care services to improve the delivery of healthcare and the practice of nursing in interprofessional and multiculturally diverse environments. 2. Synthesize critical thinking, research, and theoretical knowledge in order to engage in scientific inquiry in the area of nursing administration and leadership 3. Possess a foundation for certification in nursing administration. 4. Integrate competencies associated with critical thinking, communication, leadership and management, and nursing research to develop and facilitate systems for the provision of culturally competent and safe patient care. 5. Design, implement, analyze, and evaluate complex interprofessional, multicultural healthcare delivery systems.

9 6. Apply and integrate specialized knowledge related to organization and management theory, economics, human resources, professional standards, ethical guidelines, and legal and regulatory aspects in the management and leadership role within interprofessional, multicultural healthcare delivery systems. 7. Develop, implement, and evaluate effective communication systems and processes in interprofessional, multicultural healthcare delivery systems. 8. Manage the delivery of healthcare through collaboration with nurses, other health professionals, and consumers of healthcare. 9. Create strategies that promote the well-being of individuals, families, culturally diverse groups, vulnerable populations, and communities. MSN PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of the Nursing Administration and Leadership program, graduates will be able to: 1. Integrate competencies associated with critical thinking, communication, leadership and management, and nursing research to develop and facilitate systems for the provision of culturally competent and safe patient care. 2. Design, implement, analyze, and evaluate complex interdisciplinary, multicultural healthcare delivery systems. 3. Apply and integrate specialized knowledge related to organization and management theory, economics, human resources, professional standards, ethical guidelines, and legal and regulatory aspects in the management and leadership role within interdisciplinary, multicultural healthcare delivery systems. 4. Develop, implement, and evaluate effective communication systems and processes in interdisciplinary, multicultural healthcare delivery systems. 5. Manage the delivery of healthcare through collaboration with nurses, other health professionals, and consumers of healthcare. 6. Create strategies that promote the well-being of individuals, families, culturally diverse groups, vulnerable populations, and communities. 9

10 10 MSN CURRICULUM The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in Nursing Administration and Leadership is 30 credits and builds on the BSN program. There are two pre-requisite/co-requisite courses for admission into the MSN program that are taken at the BSN level in nursing; these courses are nursing research (3 credits) and statistics (3 credits). All MSN students in the Nursing Administration and Leadership program are required to complete 12 credits of core courses, 6 credits of cognate courses to support their area of specialization, and 12 credits of specialty courses, for a total of 30 credits. NUR 813 Nursing Administration Role Practicum, is designed as a capstone course/practicum that is taken as the last course in the program. This is 6-credit practicum that consists of a 3-credit course component and 3-credits for the practicum experience. Students work with qualified nurse administrators and leaders as their preceptors. CORE (12 credits) NUR 601 Theory & Research in Nursing NUR 602 Health Policy in Nursing NUR 603 Information Systems in Healthcare Organizations NUR 604 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention SPECIALTY (12 credits) NUR 711 Nursing Org & Leadership Theory NUR 712 Nursing Administration & Leadership Role NUR 813 Nursing Administration Role Practicum* COGNATES (12 credits) NUR 714 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration NUR 715 Financial Management in Non-Profit Healthcare Organizations * Students admitted prior to Fall 2014 are required to complete a 120-hour practicum field experience, and students admitted beginning in Fall 2014 are required to complete a 150-hour practicum field experience.

11 11 ACADEMIC ADVISING All MSN students receive academic advising by Dr. Mary O Connor, MSN Program Global Online Coordinator. Students can contact Dr. O Connor for one-to-one advisement and other questions either by at oconnor@calu.edu (preferred method). The MSN program is part of the Global Online community at California University of Pennsylvania. The Global Online Office staff includes client service specialists, and a financial aid representative and will assist prospective students with application, answer basic questions about the program, provide guidance with financial aid, registration, and withdrawal from courses. The MSN website at provides answers to questions for prospective students. Global Online Student Resources Cal U Global Online is a worldwide learning community providing quality academic programs, delivered completely over the Internet. Course requirements such as , discussions, chats, readings, tests and web resources are delivered asynchronously, so that you can log on and complete your school work when it's convenient for you. Feel free to work at home, from the office or on vacation, in the early morning or late at night, wherever and whenever you want. It is the perfect way for you to reach your educational goals while maintaining a normal work and home life. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Client Service Specialists in the Global Online Office for assistance. You can fill out the Online Information Request Form, send an to msnonline@calu.edu, or calugo@calu.edu, or call or The purpose of the useful hyperlinks below is to provide you with information to help you prepare for the start of the upcoming semester. Billing and Payment Information Cal Card Information Cal U and VIP Access Information Contact Information Degree Works Student Manual Drop/Withdrawal Process Financial Aid Information Online Course Access Information Registration Instructions Text Book Ordering Information REGISTRATION MSN students will receive an in their Cal U account from the Global Online Office prior to the registration period. MSN students may register for the next term during early registration. Please follow this link for registration instructions Billing statements will be mailed in approximately one month prior to the course beginning.

12 12 Note: If you experience any problems, please contact the Global Online Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST). CalU Global Online Office Phone: or Add/Drop Period or Withdrawing from Classes The MSN program s courses are offered in shorter time frames than the regular term and summer session. To drop any course, students must contact Global Online Office by at calugo@calu.edu and copy Dr. Mary O Connor oconnor@calu.edu It is very important to note that failure to withdraw/drop your class(es), and/or failure to attend class(es) including Desire2Learn, and/or failure to make payment DOES NOT dismiss your financial obligation per semester. You must officially withdraw/drop with the appropriate department in order to determine your financial and academic obligation and penalty per semester. To drop spring courses, you must contact the Global Online Office at ; calugo@calu.edu. The request to drop your course(s) must be done via confirming the course(s) to drop. Students cannot withdraw from classes via the California University of PA website after the first class date. Dropping Summer Courses There is only a 1 day drop period in the summer courses! Contact the Global Online Office by at calugo@calu.edu and copy Dr. O Connor oconnor@calu.edu before the first summer course starts to avoid charges. Financial Aid Information Many students in the program receive financial aid. If you are interested in applying for financial aid, go to this link and follow the instructions closely: If you have questions regarding financial aid, please contact the Jennifer Verscharen, California University of Pennsylvania Financial Aid Representative, directly at (724) or verscharen@calu.edu. Summer Stafford Loan Application The Summer Stafford Loan Application is required every summer semester for students taking out loans and the application can be found on the financial aid forms page of the Cal U website. If you have any questions about loans, please contact Jen Verscharen, Financial Aid Representative - Global Online Office, Verscharen@calu.edu

13 13 Tuition and Payment Information Formal billing statements will be mailed with a tentative due date. Students who register after the billing date are expected to make payment at the time of registration and before the start of the spring semester. Students can log into student services to check account balances and make a payment. Please note, billing processes overnight. This means that if you just registered, your bill may not be generated until the following morning. To login to student services (SIS Web) click this link: and enter your Campus Wide Identification Number or your Social Security Number (if you do not know your CWID) and enter your Pin (birthday: mmddyy or the personal 6 character pin you created.) Also, if you are interested in a payment plan or for questions about your bill, you may contact the Bursar s Office by at cupbursars@calu.edu or call the Global Online Office toll-free at and a client service specialist can transfer you. To review the refund policy, please click on the following link: Text Book Ordering Instructions During the course of the program, you will be required to purchase text books for some courses. Other courses do not require text book purchases and some courses share certain text books. The upcoming term s booklist will be available close to the start of the term. Please continue to check the following link periodically beginning approximately a month prior to the start of the term for the updated book list to be posted. You can log in to VIP and look up your course and click Book List to see which books you will need to order. Suggested web sites to order books from: Preferred Web Sites: CAL U Bookstore Other Web Sites: (For texts from Human Kinetics) Accessing your CALU address via the internet

14 Check your California University account (several times per week) as this is the that is registered in the course system and will be used by University Administration, faculty, and classmates to communicate. NOTE: If are experiencing technical difficulties accessing your assigned CAL U account please contact the University helpdesk at Desire2Learn (D2L) Online Course Access Information and Student Tutorial: Desire 2 Learn (D2L) is the learning management platform for Cal U. The D2L student tutorial link for your reference is The D2L Help Desk is available 24 hours a day. It can be contacted toll-free at All D2L Help Desk information is available within the D2L Help Desk widget when you login to the system. IMPORTANT: If you have any problems logging into D2L, immediately notify the Global Online Office at Phone: or , or calugo@calu.edu LIBRARY AND ELECTRONIC RESOURCES Librarians at California University of Pennsylvania s Manderino Library have full faculty status and Bill Denny, Distance Learning Librarian, is available to assist MSN students with MSN courses to locate resources. Bill Denny can be reached at denny_w@calu.edu or 724/ Manderino Library has a collection of online, electronic resources, and an advanced online catalog and more than 130 research, reference, and statistical databases. Students and faculty can access 45,000 full-text periodicals and 270,000 electronic books through the library's Web site. To find library resources use our Find Resources by Subject (resources grouped by discipline or topic) or A to Z List of Library Resources (find resources by name). Chat with a Cal U Librarian To text a Cal U Librarian on AIM, text this: send calulibrary [stuff] to (AIMAIM). Chat not working? Contact the Reference Desk at: reference@calu.edu AIM: CalULibrary California University of Pennsylvania s Manderino Library citation resources CalCard Information All students enrolled at California University of Pennsylvania are provided with a CalCard Student Identification Card. This card will allow you to login to California University s Library via the Internet. Simply go to the University website and login at the Library website using your 14

15 ID number listed on your card. A Card will be mailed to you closer to the start of the term; however, prior to receiving the CalCard, you can also access the library system by entering your Campus Network Username (i.e. your login) and Password on the right side of the log-in page STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with disabilities: Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive accommodations. Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations. Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations, which specifically involve the faculty. Personnel from the disability services offices will be available to provide assistance to students and faculty regarding the procedures. Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to OSD. Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation Approval notice and provide to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner. The OSD is located in the Azorsky Hall Room 105 and the phone number is (724) WRITING RESOURCES Graduate courses in the MSN program require students to write effectively in Discussion Boards and in written assignments, and APA style is required for all written assignments. Faculty provides specific requirements in each of their courses. APA Style Guide The Online Writing and Learning Center at Purdue University California University of Pennsylvania s Manderino Library citation resources WRITING CENTER California University of Pennsylvania s Writing Center provides free writing assistance to all members of the Cal U community-students, staff and faculty. They work with people of all skill levels at all stages of the writing process. The center provides individual conferences with trained writing consultants, group workshops and the Writer's Hotline. The Writing Center staff can help you: Get started or get past writer's block, brainstorm ideas for assignments Develop a rough draft Learn to write for a specific audience 15

16 16 Form a thesis, develop points, examples and supportive details Work on transitions, introductions and conclusions Revise for content, structure and mechanics Cite sources for research papers Writing Consultation at the Writing Center A one -to-one conference with a writing consultant works closely with students to identify individual writing needs and improve skills. Visit the Writing Center well before your paper is due to give you time to consider suggestions and make revisions, if you choose to do so Bring/ your assignment, notes, early drafts, etc. Bring/ a document file on disk or a legible, double-spaced copy of your paper Call to schedule a 50-minute appointment; contact the center a day or two ahead; and set up one appointment or weekly appointments. The Writing Center 110 Noss Hall ; FAX Dr. Kurt Kearcher, Director writingctr@calu.edu Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday SIGMA THETA TAU PI RHO CHAPTER Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) was founded in 1922 by six nurses at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis, IN. Sigma Theta Tau is derived from the Greek words of love, courage and honor. The Pi Rho Chapter at California University of Pennsylvania is one of 470 international chapters. If you are interested in becoming a new member or dual member of the Pi Rho Chapter, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below: FAQ - SIGMA THETA TAU PI RHO CHAPTER! Q 1. How can I become a member of Pi Rho? There are two ways that you can become a member of Pi Rho as a student or community leader.! "# To join as a student you have to meet the following basic requirements to be invited! Enrolled in baccalaureate or graduate nursing program at California University of Pennsylvania! Additionally, each program has the following criteria:!!! RN-BSN Students! Enrolled in baccalaureate nursing program at California University of Pennsylvania! Completed at least 17 credits of the BSN curriculum (1/2 of the BSN curriculum)!

17 17! Rank in upper 35% of graduating class! Achieved academic excellence of at least 3.0 GPA! Be recommended by University faculty! MSN Students!!!!!!Enrolled in graduate nursing program at California University of Pennsylvania Completed at least 8 credits (1/4 of the MSN curriculum GPA of 3.5 or better Be recommended by University faculty 2. To join as a Nurse Leader Be legally recognized to practice nursing in his/her country Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field Demonstrate achievement in nursing If you have not been previously inducted as a nursing student and are not currently enrolled in a nursing program, you can join STTI as a Nurse Leader. Read Examples of Achievement in Nursing and sample achievements from previous candidates nurse leader membership criteria at the STTI website.! Q 2. Where do I receive the honor cord as a new member of Pi Rho member to wear at graduation.? You will need to order the honor cord directly from STTI to wear at your graduation. Q 3. How will I become a member of Pi Rho after I ve completed the application and returned it as instructed? After the application due date Pi Rho sends membership information to STTI. New member packets will be mailed to Pi Rho and new members will be sent a letter from Pi Rho that includes information on how to attend the induction ceremony. At the induction ceremony the new members will receive their membership packets (card and certificate)!! Q 4. What if I am unable to attend the induction ceremony? If you are unable to attend the induction ceremony your membership materials will be mailed to you. You will still be inducted in absentia.! Q 5.!!How do I become a member of Pi Rho In addition to my current chapter?! You can belong to multiple chapters but will pay chapter dues for each chapter and one international dual membership or transfer membership through STTI. Learn more about holding multiple memberships at the STTI website. There is an administrative fee to process a multiple membership request.!!

18 Q 6.!Once I am a member of Pi Rho, I would like to be more involved with the chapter. How can this be done?! Contact Judy Byers, the Department of Nursing secretary, at byers@calu.edu and ask that she forward your request to the Pi Rho President or the Pi Rho Faculty Advisor.!!For questions not answered or additional information, call STTI Headquarters at:

19 19 California University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Studies and Research PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Graduate Program: Nursing Administration & Leadership Degree/Award: Master of Science in Nursing Credits Required: 30 Major Program: Nursing Administration & Leadership Major Code: 0930 Required Courses (30 credits) NUR 601: Theory and Research in Nursing - 3 credits NUR 602: Health Policy in Nursing - 3 credits NUR 603: Information Systems for Nurses in Health Care Organizations - 3 credits NUR 604: Population Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - 3 credits NUR 711: Nursing Organization and Leadership Theory - 3 credits NUR 712: Nursing Administration and Leadership Role - 3 credits NUR 714: Legal Aspects of Healthcare - Administration - 3 credits NUR 715: Financial Management in Non-Profit Healthcare Organizations - 3 credits NUR 813: Nursing Administration Role Practicum - 6 credits Program Notes This program is not intended for persons seeking graduate education for career opportunities related to nurse educator or advanced practice positions (e.g., nurse practitioner, etc.). Coursework and practicum experiences in this program provide academic development for administrative and leadership roles such as charge nurse, nurse manager, nurse executive, clinical project leader and numerous other health care administration and leadership roles Approvals Department: 11/05/2013 Undergraduate Dean s Council: 11/2013 Graduate Dean s Council: 12/2013 University Curriculum Committee: 12/1013 Provost:!

20 20 CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA MSN PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS NUR601 - Theory & Research in Nursing Nursing Administration and Leadership This course explores the relationships between theory, nursing research, and nursing practice. The use of theory and research in the construction of a scientific knowledge base for nursing practice will be examined. Emphasis will be on the importance of research as a process for developing and examining practice-based questions, and evidence- based practice. The research process, with emphasis on the logic and processes of inquiry, design, data collection and analysis, and the interpretation, dissemination, and application of findings appropriate to nursing practice, will be reviewed. A critical analysis of nursing research and the methodological approaches utilized in the practice of nursing administration and leadership in health care will be conducted. Students will develop a proposal for an individual or group research project relevant to their area of interest. Prerequisites: Graduate Status. (3 crs.) NUR602 - Health Policy in Nursing This course is intended to familiarize graduate nursing students with current healthcare policy and the roles and responsibilities, processes and strategies, which create and support policy-based initiatives in health care today, and the impact of policy on health care. Students will apply the concepts gained in this course in advocacy and leadership roles in search of creative solutions to pervasive issues in health care to culturally diverse populations. Prerequisites: Graduate status. (3 crs.) NUR603 - Information Systems for Nurses in Health Care Organizations This course is designed to introduce students to information systems in health care organizations. Students will examine, evaluate, and utilize a variety of information systems available to the nurse administrator and leader in health care organizations. Use of information systems, standardized databases, and statistics needed for population analysis is presented. During the course, students will compare and interact with information management applications related to administration, education, practice and research. Multimedia technology and software will be used for projects related to the student s area of interest. Prerequisite: graduate status. (3 crs.) NUR604 - Population Health Promotion-Disease Prevention This course explores the role of the masters-prepared nurse in integrating broad scientific, client centered, and culturally appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based health promotion and prevention services and care to individuals, families, aggregates/identified populations, and global communities. Models and principles from a wide variety of sources and disciplines are examined to assist students in the exploration and evaluation of existing programs and services and in proposing new interventions and strategies to meet identified needs. Prerequisites: Graduate Status. (3 crs.)