Course Syllabus
Course Description
Number: NURS5600
Title: Health Care Policy
Credit: 2-0-2
Catalog description: The political process related to health care policy and nurses’ role in affecting policy decisions will be a major focus of this course. Access, cost and quality of health care will be examined along with major issues related to concepts of health policy, nursing advocacy and the policy process. Legislative and regulatory issues, health care financing, managed care and coverage of the uninsured will be emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge of these topics to in-depth analysis of an issue related to their practice specialty.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
Corequisite(s): None
Textbook Information
Required:
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., & Chaffee, M. W. (2007). Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care (5th Ed.) St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Technology Requirements
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Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets the ITP Choice requirements (http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/) for the student's academic program.
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Students must have access to the Internet either through the on-campus local area network or through an Internet Service Provider.
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Students must be proficient with Internet access, WebCT Vista and Microsoft Office and demonstrate competency using web browsers, website navigation, search engines and e-mail communication.
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Contact the HUB for software and connectivity issues; no excuse will be accepted for inability to access the Internet and/or technical difficulties.
Course Objectives
By the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Examine the role of the World Health Organization in the development of health policy and the organization and financing of health care.
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Differentiate between legislative and regulatory processes.
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Evaluate local, state and national socioeconomic and health policy issues and trends.
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Advocate for support of selected health care issues.
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Interpret the significance of advanced practice nursing to policy-makers, health care providers and consumers.
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Analyze how the organization of health care delivery systems impact access, cost and quality.
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Discuss the implications of health planning, payment systems, budgeting and health economics.
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Evaluate the cost effectiveness of policy impact decisions, cost, quality and access to healthcare.
Methods of Instruction
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Participation in online chats
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Lecture/guest lecture
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Group/individual activities
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Case study analyses
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Self-analysis of political development
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Policy issue paper
Course Requirements
- Courses taught in an online format require students to be self-directed and responsible for meeting deadlines.
- Attendance is mandatory at scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Students are expected to use APA format for all submitted papers.
- Approval must be obtained from the University Institutional Review Board for all research studies.
- This syllabus provides a general plan for this course; the faculty reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus and/or course schedule including but not limited to assignments, time tables, examinations, projects, etc.
Evaluation
| Case study analyses | 40% |
| On–line discussion participation | 35% |
| Policy issue paper | 20% |
| Self analyses | 5% |
Grading Scale
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| F |
Classroom Policies
- Attendance: Mandatory for scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Communication: WebCT Vista is the official tool for this course and is accessible online from any computer; students are responsible for monitoring e-mail on a regular basis and should direct all communications with faculty and other students through WebCT or Clayton State e-mail.
- Conduct: Students must abide by policies in the University Graduate Student Handbook, the Graduate Student Responsibilities, and if applicable program handbook; the code of academic integrity will be strictly enforced.
- Electronic devices: Cell phones/pagers must be turned off (or placed on vibrator mode) during class meetings. Permission from individual faculty is necessary before taping a class.
- Mid-term progress report: Mid-term grade will reflect approximately 1/3 of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W”; contact the Registrar for withdrawal procedures.
- Submission: Students are responsible for completion and submission of all course requirements as scheduled in the course calendar. Make-up work is at the discretion of the faculty.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disability Resource Center.