NU 452 - Health Promotion and Policy

The last six weeks of the course examines the nature and quality of health care delivery systems and health-related social programs from a nursing perspective. The role of the baccalaureate nurse requires scrutiny and understanding of social policy at the organizational, community state, federal and international level. Critical thinking skills and strategies needed by professional nurses to participate in health care planning and health care consumer advocacy for improved health services are emphasized.

Course outcomes:

• Analyze how health care is organized and financed, including the implications of business principles and ethics, such as patient and system factors
• Analyze legislative and regulatory processes relevant to the provision of health care with a focus on communication of patient/community needs
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments, including local, state, national, and global healthcare trends
• Assess health/illness beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations
• Use evidence-based practices to guide health teaching, health counseling, screening, outreach, disease and outbreak investigation, referral, and follow-up throughout the lifespan
• Examine the roles and responsibilities of the regulatory agencies and their effect on patient care quality, workplace safety, and the scope of nursing and other health professionals’ practice
• Compare the benefits and limitations of the major forms of reimbursement on the delivery of health care services
• Collaborate with others to develop an intervention plan that takes into account determinants of health, available resources, and the range of activities that contribute to health and the prevention of illness, injury, disability, and premature death
• Participate in clinical prevention and population-focused interventions with attention to effectiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and equity
• Describe state and national statutes, rules, and regulations that authorize and define professional nursing practice