Introduces theories essential to nursing leadership in the contemporary health care system. Explores theories of change, complexity, horizontal leadership, microsystems, & decision-making & their relationship to nursing & the health care system. Course emphasizes self-assessment of leadership attributes. Course content provides an application of leadership skills to actual and/or simulated problems.

This core course provides an overview of nursing and health care related theory used for research and evidence based clinical practice. Students will focus on the specialized body of knowledge in the discipline of nursing and its contexts, historical perspectives, and interdisciplinary practice.

Students examine career, leadership, and practice environment issues and situations. Students expand their understanding of the legal context of practice and ability to advocate for needed change. Job acquisition skills including the development of a professional portfolio and formal leadership project proposal are focal points of the course.

Applies theories introduced in earlier courses that are essential to nursing leadership in the health care system. Explores the context of nursing in the health care system, ethical nurse leadership, and theories involving lateral integration of care and organizations. Emphasizes leadership attributes and theory in health care. Offers a framework for a analysis of the CNL role with application of leadership to actual and/or simulated problems.

This course is an intensive clinical experience in an area selected by the student. The experience allows for full implementation of the clinical nurse leader competencies and includes a strong interdisciplinary practice focus. A capstone project is required and will be presented in a poster session at the end of the course.