Nursing 812

NURS 812: Health Care Policy, Ethics, and Law            

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Nursing or Permission of Instructor

Credit Hours: (3)

Analysis of principles of ethics, law, and policy impacting health care delivery systems and advanced practice nurses.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Provides analysis of principles of ethics, law, and policy impacting health care delivery systems and consumers at  local, state, national, and international levels.  Explores ethical and legal constraints influencing health care providers and systems.  Investigates methods for advanced practice nurses to impact structure and function of legislative/regulatory organizations and practices.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

May include but not limited to: lecture, faculty/student directed discussions, class participation, reading assignments, computer exercises, application activities, study and independent research, and other written assignments. 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 this Course

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Articulate the principles of health law in clinical care delivery (tort law, criminal, civil, contracts, antitrust, corporate liability).
2. Explore the structure, function and liability of legislative and regulatory organizations within advanced practice.
3. Critique the standards/principles for selecting and evaluating information systems/management and quality assurance programs.
4. Explore ethical, regulatory, legal issues regarding patient consent, legal reporting requirements, intellectual property, data security, privacy and confidentiality (HIPAA)
5. Analyze ethical theory, principles, systems and accountability in advanced practice nursing.
6. Utilize strategies for policy development, implementation and analysis.
7. Explore advocacy strategies for communities and populations (patient rights/end of life/beginning of life issues)
8. Analyze legal/ethical issues within the work place (i.e., zero tolerance, bullying, oppression, whistle-blowing)
9. Explore national and global health care issues.
10. Articulate and develop inter-organizational agendas for coalition building
11. Integrate public relations and use of media to enhance health care.
12. Explore health policy and related issues in nursing, impacting consumers and other health professions.    

Assessment Measures

May include but are not limited to:  class participation, presentations, computer exercises, written papers, quizzes, and tests.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

Approved:  April 2010