RN-BSN NURSING PROGRAM NUR 4315 Policy and Ethics in Health Care Spring 2014 David J Crowther, PhD, RN, CNS, CPHIMS ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY Department of Nursing & Rehabilitation Science
COURSE NUMBERS NUR 4315 COURSE TITLE Policy and Ethics in Health Care CREDITS Three Semester Credit Hours (3-0-0) PREREQUISITE COURSES None COREQUISITE COURSES None COURSE DELIVERY Online Class: Meets using Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) FACULTY David J. Crowther, PhD, RN, CNS, CPHIMS Associate Clinical Professor Department of Nursing and Rehabilitation Science Angelo State University Member, Texas Tech University System ASU Station #10902 San Angelo, TX 76909 Dept. Phone: (325) 942-2224 Office Phone/Fax/Voice mail: (508) 785-1555 (Boston, MA - Online Faculty) Virtual Office Hours: Mon., Wed., & Fri. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and by appoimtment Email: david.crowther@angelo.edu TECHNICAL SUPPORT Helpdesk: 325-942-2911 or helpdesk@angelo.edu Course Description: This course evaluates pertinent trends and issues impacting professional nursing, quality of care, access to care and the delivery of health care. Course Overview: Students analyze political, societal, ethical, cultural and economic factors that impact health care and professional nursing practice. Assignments elicit critical thinking related to public health and nursing practice delivered in a diverse population. 12.13.13 lc/dc 2
Course Objective/Student Learning Outcomes BSN Outcomes Course Objective/Student Learning Outcome 1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments, including local, state, national and global health care trends. 2. Describe how health care is organized and financed, including the implications of business principles, such as patient and system cost factors. 3. Compare the benefits and limitations of the major forms of reimbursement on the delivery of health care services. 4. Examine legislative and regulatory processes relevant to the provision of health care. 5. Describe state and national statues, rules, and regulations that authorize and define professional nursing practice. AACN BSN Outcomes 1, 6 1 1 1, 5 6 6. Explore the impact of socio-cultural, economic, legal, and 1,5 political factors influencing health care delivery and practice. 7. Examine the roles and responsibilities of the regulatory 2 agencies and their effect on patient care quality, workplace safety, and the scope of nursing and other health professionals practice. 8. Discuss the implications of health care policy on issues of 5 access, equity, affordability, and social justice in health care delivery. 9. Use an ethical framework to evaluate the impact of social 1, 5 policies on health care, especially for vulnerable populations. 10. Articulate, through a nursing perspective, issues 2, 4 concerning health care delivery to decision makers within health care organizations and other policy arenas. 11. Advocate for consumers and the nursing profession. 4 Method of Assessing Learning Outcomes: Unit quizzes Final exam Online unit discussions Assignments (Including Learnscape interactive videos) 12.13.13 lc/dc 3
Journal entries Topical Outline - Topics include but are not limited to: Professional Roles in Health Care Access to care and health disparities Health Care Costs Ethical Decision Making Advanced Directives and End of Life Decision-Making US health care spending Role of Technology in Health Care Quality of care, standards of care, and health outcomes Safety and error prevention Advocacy strategies Nurses' image, research, professionalism and role in the media Nursing role in political and legislative processes Course Policies: All undergraduate students are required to follow the policies and procedures presented in the Angelo State University Department of Nursing Undergraduate Nursing Handbook http://www.angelo.edu/dept/nursing/handbook/index.html. Students must use their ASU email address for online classes. No other email address is acceptable. Students can obtain their email address and password at the Computer Help Desk (325-942-2911 option 1). High speed internet access is necessary for this class. All programs must be compatible with Microsoft 2007. Teaching Strategies: This course is taught completely online through the Blackboard platform. Online course lessons Web-based discussions and journals Multimedia presentations Videos and interactive videos Grading System: Details about each grade in the table below are explained separately within the course-see Course Content Tab. Be sure to review the rubrics prior to starting on assignments in the course. Grade Scale A = 90.00-100 B = 80.00-89.99 C = 70.00-79.99 D = 60.00-69.99 F = 59.99 and below Missed exams, quizzes, & assignments: There are no makeup exams, quizzes or assignments. 12.13.13 lc/dc 4
Extra credit: There are no extra credit or re-do opportunities. Urgent Concerns: Please email your instructor in advance if a problem arises, there are times when unexpected emergencies occur and considerations may be made; however, an email or phone call must be completed to your instructor PRIOR to the due date or event to be considered. Assignment Weight/Percent Group discussions 30 Quizzes 20 Learnscape Videos 15 Letter to Editor/Letter to Legislator 15 Final exam 20 Total points 100 Attendance: Class attendance is necessary and required for successful completion of this course. The nursing undergraduate handbook http://www.angelo.edu/dept/nursing/handbook/classroom.html#attendance explains that online class attendance is evidenced by timely participation in discussion, assignments and other required activities. One week of non-participation in online classes with no communication or explanation to faculty may result in the student being blocked from the class. Any student with a total of two weeks of non-participation, either continuous or episodic, is also subject to withdrawal from the class. The faculty member will make at least two attempts to contact the student before removing the student. Three unit grades of "0" will result in course failure when removing the student occurs after the official university withdrawal date. Note that online discussions, quizzes and assignments are a large part of your grade. Make sure to read all posts and participate fully in all discussions! A student will receive a "0" for any week in which he or she does not participate in discussion assignments or other weekly requirements. A "0" cannot be made up. Academic Honesty: Students must maintain complete honesty and integrity in their classroom, online and clinical learning experiences. Any student found guilty of any form of dishonesty in academic work is subject to disciplinary action. See the following site on the ASU web page for the ASU Academic Honor Code: http://www.angelo.edu/forms/pdf/honorcode5.pdf This link explains: Academic dishonesty Disciplinary penalties Disciplinary process, and Student appeal process The Nursing Department adheres to the academic honesty statement as set forth in the Angelo State University Student Handbook (2003). The University "faculty expects all 12.13.13 lc/dc 5
students to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach and to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experience both in and out of the classroom setting and may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials." Please note that at any time you reference another individual s work, thoughts, or ideas, you must reference that work. This means using the correct APA format. Plagiarism is an offense that is taken very seriously at ASU and considered a breach of academic honesty. Plagiarism can be grounds for course failure. DISCUSSION BOARDS: There will be assigned discussion board activities for the course that are group work in which students will share experiences and knowledge related to the content. Students will be expected to contribute on multiple days within the week. Specific information on discussion board and grading rubrics will be available in the Blackboard online course. LEARNSCAPES: There will be assigned Learnscape activities for the course in which the student will complete Learndcape Interactive Video Scenarios. Specific information on Learnscapes and grading rubrics will be available in the Blackboard online course. QUIZZES: There will be quizzes spread throughout the course. Students must adhere to academic honesty rules and guidelines when taking quizzes and exams. FINAL EXAM: There will be one final exam in week 8 (last week of the course).. The final exam will be comprehensive. The content on the final exam will be from the 7 weeks of prior content, activities and assignments. Students must adhere to academic honesty rules and guidelines when taking the exam. LETTER TO THE EDITOR/LEGISLATOR: There will be an assignment in which the student participates in advocacy and policy changes and influence through written letter assignments. Once graded and approved by the faculty, this letter can be submitted to the legislator or the editor for publishing or comments. This assignment takes approximately 1 week to complete. Guidelines and grading rubric can be found within the blackboard online course. WRITTEN WORK: Writing is an essential component of the communication skills that help define professional nursing practice. Clear, precise, logical, appropriate expression of ideas, opinions, and values in nursing is required to provide quality care to clients, families, and communities. High standards for communication lie at the heart of professional nursing practice and should be reflected in all curricular activities. 12.13.13 lc/dc 6
The discipline of nursing uses formatting standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA) to guide clear and precise professional communication. APA format refers to the APA editorial style (grammar, quotations, etc.) as well as standards for content and organization of a paper and ways to express ideas clearly while reducing bias in language. Knowledge and use of APA recommendations enhance professional communication. The official source book for formatting papers is the most current edition of: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Students are required to purchase and use the most current Publication of the American Psychological Association (APA). Students are expected to follow the guidelines in this manual. While there are online APA websites with abbreviated guidelines, there is no substitute for the detailed information in the book. Papers with an abundance of noticeable errors, including spelling and grammar, will receive a low grade or an Unsatisfactory for the clinical assignment. ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is necessary and required for successful completion of this course. The nursing undergraduate handbook http://www.angelo.edu/dept/nursing/handbook/classroom.html#attendance explains that online class attendance is evidenced by timely participation in discussion, assignments and other required activities. Online Sections: Like face-to-face classes, online classes require weekly attendance. Timely participation in discussion forums or other assigned activities is online classroom attendance. Equivalent weekly attendance is expected and is critical to the successful completion of the course. For example, a three credit-hour course may require 3 separate days of attendance in on-line forums or other activities. Missing one week is equivalent to missing 3 days of class. Failure to contribute in a timely fashion to any weekly discussion is considered an absence. Just like face-toface classes, missing a week of class may result in evaluation of the studentʼs ability to meet course objectives and may result in failure of the course. Two weeks of non-participation in online classes with no communication or explanation to faculty may result in the student being blocked from the class. Any student with a total of three weeks of non-participation, either continuous or episodic, is also subject to withdrawal from class. The faculty member will make at least two attempts to contact the student before removing the student. TESTING: See student handbook for testing policies both online and in class testing. These policies are expected to be abided by at all times. 12.13.13 lc/dc 7
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students must maintain complete honesty and integrity in their classroom, online and clinical learning experiences. Any student found guilty of any form of dishonesty in academic work is subject to disciplinary action. See the following site on the ASU web page for the ASU Academic Honor Code: http://www.angelo.edu/forms/pdf/honorcode5.pdf This link explains: Academic dishonesty Disciplinary penalties Disciplinary process, and Student appeal process PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Students in the Nursing Program are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, not only in interaction with clients and hospital staff, but also with peers, faculty, and university staff. Students represent the Angelo State University Nursing Program and the nursing profession, so students must maintain/demonstrate specific ethical obligations, standards and commitments to patients and society. These professional ethical standards are delineated in the Code of Ethics for Nurses, American Nurses Association (ANA), 2011. The statements of the code and their interpretation provide guidance for nursesʼ behavior in relation to carrying out nursing responsibilities within the framework of ethical decision-making. NETIQUETTE Proper Online Activity Behavior: All students are expected to maintain professional demeanor and behavior in all ASU nursing online activities. Postings are to be constructive and non-judgmental. Please do not type in ALL CAPS as this represents someone shouting a response. Please be mindful of the variety of different cultural and personal communication styles within any group. Always think before posting and carefully read responses. COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS: All students are required to have access to a dependable computer with a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP or internet connection). Students taking traditional, online, and web supported courses must have a computer that meets minimum requirements recommended by Information Technology (IT). Computer hardware and software that are less than the specifications may cause technical problems interfacing and working with Blackboard TM. Click these links if you need a refresher about Online Learning or specific information about Computer Requirements If you run into problems with Blackboard TM or your internet service, you must address the issue immediately. One of your first contacts should be Information Technology. IT services are available around the clock so please do not hesitate to call them for computer problems (325-942-2911). You may e-mail them as well @ helpdesk@angelo.edu. If you come across problems with your computer that cannot be corrected in a timely manner, it is your responsibility to secure access to a reliable computer and keep up with the materials being presented. 12.13.13 lc/dc 8
Missing an assignment due to computer problems is not an acceptable excuse for missing the work. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY: The Angelo State University Nursing Program supports the use of social media in personal/nonacademic or non-professional contexts. Students may encounter confidential information within the academic or patient care environment during clinical practicum and must demonstrate professional behaviors and communication. Consistent with Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements [ANA, 2001], Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice [ANA, 2nded., 2010], Nursingʼs Social Policy Statement [ANA, 2010] and the ASU Confidentiality Statement all students sign at the beginning of their program, it is the student s responsibility to refrain from the following: Uploading images/videos of yourself in a clinical environment or uniform* Discussing patients, visitors, vendors, or organizational partners Talking about physicians, hospital/facility/clinical staff Discussing clinical events or news stories involving clinical partners Giving medical advice online Friending or requesting to friend patients (even when they are no longer patients), Department/College faculty, or staff. The only exceptions are individual or group photos of the clinical group and faculty. ASU nursing faculty reserves the right to order the immediate removal of inappropriate items (HIPPA violations, etc.) that are posted on a student s social media site. Students preparing to enter the nursing workforce have a professional obligation to understand the nature and consequences of participating in social networking of all types [blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.]. Patient privacy is a fundamental ethical and legal obligation of nurses. Although social networking venues offer opportunities for mentoring and sharing needed health related education and information among colleagues and the lay public it also presents risk. The use of privacy settings and the separation of personal from professional information is not guaranteed from being shared or made public in less protected forums. Online content and behavior has the potential to enhance or undermine the individual student s career and/or the academic institution they attend. Students should consider the ʻunintended consequencesʼ of any information they share outside the context in which it was learned [adapted from Principles: Social Networking and the Nurse [Draft 25 April 2011], American Nurses Association]. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Nursing students are expected to maintain an environment of academic integrity. Actions involving academic dishonesty violate the professional code of ethics, are completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in any form. Any student found guilty of any form of dishonesty in academic work will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University." Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for 12.13.13 lc/dc 9
another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts" (Regentsʼ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2). All assignments submitted by students are subject to review by anti-plagiarism software. Students found guilty of scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the ASU Academic Honor Code http://www.angelo.edu/forms/pdf/honorcode5.pdf. Disciplinary procedure for academic dishonesty are also explained under the section on Student Services and Activities in the Angelo State University Student Handbook. In a case of suspected academic dishonesty, the faculty member may take any or all of the following actions in the order as indicated below: F on the assignment or F in the course Refer the case to the Student Affairs Committee Report the student to the Department Chair as is outlined for student filing a grade grievance. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: Cheating: Copying from another studentʼs exam or other assignment. Using or possessing unauthorized materials during a test Using, having, or acquiring test answers, test drafts, test copies, etc. Discussing or sharing test content with students who have not taken the test Plagiarism: Using someone s work in your academic assignments without appropriate acknowledgement Copying another student s paper or any portion of it Using ideas from or copying a portion of published material (e.g., books or journals) without adequately documenting the source If five or more words in sequence are taken from a source, those words must be placed in quotes and the source referenced with authorʼs name, date of publication, and page number of publication If the author s ideas are rephrased, by transposing words or expressing the same idea using different words, the idea must be attributed to the author by proper referencing, giving the authorʼs name and date of publication If a single authorʼs ideas are discussed in more than one paragraph, the author must be referenced at the end of each paragraph. Authors whose words or ideas have been used in the preparation of a paper must be listed in the references cited at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to review the plagiarism module from the UT Arlington Central Library via http://library.uta.edu/tutorials/plagiarism and from the ASU library http://www.fairfield.edu/library/lib_plagiarismcourt.html. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 1. Angelo State University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or 12.13.13 lc/dc 10
be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the university, or be subjected to discrimination by the university, as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and subsequent legislation. 2. Student Contact: The Student Life Office is the designated campus department charged with the responsibility of reviewing and authorizing requests for reasonable accommodations based on a disability, and it is the student s responsibility to initiate such a request by contacting the Student Life Office, Room 112 University Center, at (325) 942-2191 or (325) 942-2126 (TDD/FAX) or by email at Student.Life@angelo.edu to begin the process. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students determined to be disabled or who have documented disabilities. STUDENT ABSENCE FOR OBSERVANCE OF RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. Please see ASU Operating Policy 10.19. Syllabus Changes: The instructor reserves the option to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes become necessary during this course, the instructor will notify students through email communication or class announcement. Student Evaluation of Course: Students are provided the opportunity, and are strongly encouraged to participate in a course evaluation at the end of the semester. Areas of evaluation include: Gaining factual knowledge. Developing specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in nursing. Developing skill in expressing myself orally and in writing. Learning how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view. Required Textbooks: NUR 4315 Customized Text Bundle, Jones & Bartlett Learning, (2013). Includes publisher s web-site access key for publisher s web materials including Learnscape videos access key. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington DC: American Psychological Association. COPYRIGHT POLICY Students officially enrolled in NUR 3301 should make only one printed copy of the given articles and chapters. You are expressly prohibited from distributing or reproducing 12.13.13 lc/dc 11
any portion of course readings in printed or electronic form without written permission from the copyright holders or publishers. 12.13.13 lc/dc 12