This course focuses on the evaluation and development of evidence-based approaches to improve practice, health outcomes, and the care environment. Emphasis is placed on utilizing theories in nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement; analyzing evidence; identifying knowledge gaps; developing strategies to generate and disseminate new evidence; and planning approaches for translating evidence into practice. Cultural and lifespan considerations of evidence-based practice approaches are addressed. Ethical considerations of evidence appraisal, development, and implementation are identified. This course serves as the foundation for synthesis and development of nursing knowledge in clinical (capstone) projects. Students must have completed an undergraduate statistics or equivalent course and an undergraduate nursing research course.

This course examines how health care delivery systems are organized and financed and the economic, political, and regulatory factors that influence the planning and delivery of healthcare services across the continuum of care. Emphasis is placed on utilizing health system data sets, quality improvement tools, and evidence-based practice to optimize patient safety and health outcomes. Students apply economic, systems, and organizational principles in evaluating the structure, function, and delivery of health care in the U.S. and participate in the development of policies to improve health care. The utilization of information technology to support the coordination, improvement, and delivery of care is explored.

This course is a foundation for the health care leader and manager shaping change across the continuum of care. It builds upon the knowledge base, tools, and abilities essential to function as an effective nurse leader and manager in a variety of health care systems. Students will synthesize management skills related to systems analysis, human resources, outcomes management, financial management, micro and macroeconomics, organizational development, business planning, conflict resolution, and change management. The clinical practicum is focused upon the application of nursing research, theory, and the essential principles of management to a practice setting. The student will advance knowledge and skill through participation in an agency based project. Students will complete an agency assessment to identify an opportunity (problem) to focus on an agency specific project. These healthcare settings may include acute care agencies, community settings, not for profit corporations, congregations, government agencies or education facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. Practicum site selection and project planning and approval are done between the student, faculty, and preceptor with the goal of improving outcomes for individuals or populations. The student develops objectives specific to advancing knowledge and management skills and begins work on a capstone practicum project. Practicum hours total 140.

This course is a foundation for the healthcare leader and manager shaping change across the continuum of care. It builds upon the knowledge base, tools, and abilities essential to function as an effective nurse leader and manager in a variety of healthcare systems. Students will synthesize management skills related to systems analysis, human resources, outcomes management, financial management, micro and macroeconomics, organizational development, business planning, conflict resolution and change management. The class includes both a didactic and practicum component. The practicum component is focused upon the application of nursing research, theory and the essential principles of management to a practice setting. The student has the opportunity to advance knowledge and skill through participation in an agency-based project. Course projects relate to developing a business plan, analyzing a financial plan, and human resource management approaches in a healthcare setting. These healthcare settings may include acute care agencies, community settings, not-for-profit corporations, congregations, government agencies or education facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. Practicum site selection and project planning and approval are done between the student, faculty, and preceptor with the goal of improving outcomes for individuals or populations. The student develops objectives specific to advancing knowledge and management skills and begins work on a capstone practicum project. Practicum hours total 180 clock hours. Prerequisite: NURS 5010, 5015, 5020, 5030, 5421.

This course focuses upon the student as a transformational leader in the healthcare environment. The student analyzes and evaluates community based care, integrated systems, and community networks. Concentration on the continuum of care as it moves from simple to more complex systems of partnerships, mergers, networks, and interdisciplinary teams will be emphasized. The role of the leader advances to that of strategic change agent who is knowledgeable in the transformation of organizations to enhance capabilities and adaptability of resources at all levels. Having learned about nursing management processes during NURS 5431, the practicum focus for this semester is on innovative leadership, quality improvement, safety, collaboration, and problem resolution. The student seeks out these experiences in collaboration with the preceptor. Time may be spent with departments and programs such as Quality Improvement, Infection Prevention, Risk Management, Informatics, Patient Advocacy, Bed Control, or other relevant experiences. Activities may include observation, participation in data collection, monitoring, or patient rounding. The student, preceptor, and faculty member work together to identify those activities that best meet the student’s learning objectives. Completion of the practicum project provides the student with an opportunity to apply skills and approaches learned during course work into practice in a healthcare environment. Practicum hours total 180 clock hours.

This course provides an overview of basic concepts in biostatistics with application to healthcare. Various research methodologies and data collection procedures are analyzed. The meaning of specific biostatistical tests, how to detect patterns in data, and how to judge the validity and reliability of data are explored. Specific clinical applications of biostatistics related to advanced nursing practice is examined.

This course integrates foundational and advanced principles of epidemiology and population health across the lifespan. Students’ progress from analyzing basic epidemiologic measures to critically appraising complex determinants of health, including social, cultural, environmental, structural, and genetic influences. By applying ethical, evidence-based frameworks and statistical concepts, learners conduct population risk assessments, identify priority health needs, and examine the root causes of illness and inequity. Building on these foundations, learners design, implement, and evaluate culturally responsive health promotion, disease prevention, and policy initiatives that address community, urban, national, and global contexts. Emphasis is placed on translating epidemiological data into actionable proposals, leading interprofessional collaborations, and advocating system-level improvements that enhance equity, quality, and sustainability.

This course explores leadership theory, organization theory, philosophy, culture, structure, and processes for their relevance to health care enterprises. The implementation, development, and improvement of both inter professional practice models and healthcare outcomes are examined. Quality improvement models are discussed in the context of national initiatives and organizational processes. The role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse is examined within the health care system.

This course will enable students to understand, apply and communicate the concepts required for effective financial planning, decision making and management in health care programs and organizations. The long-term financial impact of practice changes will be assessed at the organizational level. In addition, this course focuses on the structure and function of organizations. The elements of organizational features, culture and human talent and the influence on outcomes are explored.

The primary focus of this course is to explore the leadership role of DNP nurses in health policy development and implementation. Overview of issues in health policy, including the socio political and economic context of health and health seeking behaviors, are explored. Health care policy development and implementation at the local, state, national, and global levels are examined. Ethical dimensions of public policy formulations and implementation are highlighted.

An overview of the foundational concepts of Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) is provided. The stages of implementing a new HMIS, from planning to evaluation, are examined. The standards, governance, policy, globalization, and future of HMIS are discussed. Data analysis and presentation techniques are explored and used to trend organizational findings.

This course prepares students to develop a publishable manuscript based on their DNP project. It addresses the key elements of scholarly writing including development a query letter, preparation of a scholarly paper, determination of authorship, and identification of ethical/legal considerations. Considerations for engaging in peer review and effective strategies for oral and poster presentations are addressed.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the initial stages of the DNP project, including clinical problem identification, stakeholder engagement, critical appraisal and synthesis of evidence, and development of collaborative project teams. Students will build a strong foundation in leadership and organizational readiness for sustainable system-level change, preparing them for comprehensive project planning and implementation.

This course focuses on the latter phases of the DNP project. This course facilitates the design of detailed program plans using logic models, ethical considerations, IRB application development, and project evaluation strategies. Students engage with mentors and stakeholders to refine project proposals, develop budgets and timelines, address ethical issues, and present their scholarly work to academic and clinical audiences, ensuring readiness for project implementation and leadership in practice.

The focus of this course is to facilitate DNP project implementation. It builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the DNP project development seminars. This course includes 150 practicum hours.

The focus of this course is to facilitate DNP project evaluation. It builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the DNP project development seminars. Emphasis also is placed on the dissemination of project findings for translating evidence into practice. 

DNP students enroll in mentored practicum hours to gain expertise in building and assimilating knowledge in advanced nurse practice. This course may be repeated for a total of 10 SH, or at the discretion of the faculty advisor.

This course examines current theory and practice as it applies to the management of human resources within organizations. Specific focus is given on the effects of organizational mission and culture on human resource management. The processes of recruitment and selection, training and development, performance evaluation, compensation and motivation, and legal influences are examined. The course takes the viewpoint of human resource management as a key responsibility of every manager within the organization.

The course will cover a foundational introduction and in-depth review of the socio-historical context and the theoretical basis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Key DEI concepts and their significance in today’s world are explored. Participants will study and recognize the impact and importance of addressing discrimination, bias, microaggression, forms of exclusion, privilege, and oppression as they interplay with established identities and those around them. Additionally, participants will gain a better understanding of cultural sensitivity to strengthen awareness and deepen cross-cultural respect for all groups.

This course presents valuable tools and methods that assist with recruitment and retention of the most qualified people who are also a good fit for the organization. Exercises provide experience in selecting the right employees and in coaching and counseling for current and future performance improvement, emphasizing the capacity to provide feedback in a way that it will actually be heard. Finally, the ethics of termination will be discussed, along with examining when and under what circumstances termination should occur. Additionally, this course will assist with the construction of individualized career plans for each student.

This course is based on the premise that today’s world increasingly depends upon collaboration for success. Teams are currently touted as the primary organizational unit in which the collaborative effort takes place. Students will investigate the arguments for and against teams and teamwork. Through exposure to theoretical knowledge and experiential learning technologies, students will identify when teams are and are not appropriate, as well as examine what is required to create a truly effective, high performing team.

This course addresses the application of leadership skills to transform organizations. The external and internal drivers of organizational change are explored, and systems archetypes are utilized to analyze the root causes of organizational issues that must be dealt with in order for change initiatives to be successful.