NURS 651: Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Leadership
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Nursing or Permission of Instructor
Cross-Listed: NURS 700
Credit Hours: (3) Three hours seminar
This course examines advanced nursing practice roles, both from a historical view and in current practice, and explores roles using philosophical, political, economic, and legal frameworks. Emphasis is on examination of current social, professional, legislative, and technological trends in health care, as they relate to advanced practice nursing. The focus will be on encouraging the student to develop the requisite skills needed for role assumption and leadership within the health care delivery system through engagement in activities designed to develop role competencies in advanced nursing practice.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topical Outline
1. Advanced Practice Nursing
a. Historical Development
b. Advanced Practice Nurse Roles
c. Communication Skills in Advanced Practice Nursing
2. Advanced Practice Competencies:
a. Direct Clinical Practice
b. Case Management
c. Collaboration
d. Consultation
e. Educational/Coaching/Guidance
f. Leadership/Managerial Role
g. Research
3. Political and Advocacy Strategies
4. Professional Issues
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This online course may include but is not limited to: lectures, faculty/student directed discussions, class participation, reading assignments, and written work. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon completion of this course, the student will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Analyze the historical development of the advanced practice nurse role and relate this development to current practice environments.
2. Describe different advanced practice nurse roles, including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Nurse Practitioner (NP).
3. Examine competencies of advanced practice nursing, including direct clinical practice, case management, collaboration, consultation, education (including mentoring and teaching roles), leadership, and ethical decision-making in meeting clients’ holistic needs.
4. Explore leadership roles as they pertain to the advanced practice nurse in both clinical and professional arenas.
5. Discuss available technological advances in health care and explore how the current and future technologies might improve advanced practice nursing care.
6. Explore the concept of cultural competence as it relates to advanced practice skills in providing culturally sensitive care.
7. Examine legal and political issues in advanced nursing practice.
8. Implement an advocacy intervention to influence legislation related to health care policies and programs.
9. Demonstrate professional communication skills appropriate to the Doctoral level for advanced practice nursing.
10. Demonstrate skills in accessing current research and other resource information required for advanced practice nursing.
11. Examine current and potential future barriers to advanced nursing practice, and develop strategies to overcome these barriers.
12. Create a personal philosophical base from which to practice and evaluate personal commitment to continued learning necessary for advanced practice nursing.
Assessment Measures
May include but are not limited to: tests, class participation, papers or proposals, critiques, abstracts, or presentations.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April, 2010