Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Contemporary Issues in Nursing for the RN to BSN (Online)

NURS 4441-B30

Course: NURS 4441-B30
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: NURS
CRN: 32887

Course Description

This course explores the nursing role in the context of current legal, ethical, political, and economic issues. Students develop skills to influence decisions on issues that impact health for individuals and populations. This course is designed for the RN to BSN student. Must be completed with a grade of ā€œCā€ (2.0) or better. (Fall - 2nd Session, Spring - 2nd Session, Summer - 2nd Session) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): NURS 3101 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): Acceptance into RN to BSN major

Required Texts

None required

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply effective oral and written communication strategies in health care, political, and institutional settings.
2. Critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
3. Engage in the political process to advance the profession of nursing, enhance healthcare, and improve patient outcomes.
4. Develop knowledge and skills to influence systems.

Course Requirements

Admission into the RN to BSN program

Course Outline


Discussions 
Developing the skills of explanation, clarification, and persuasion in communication is one of the benefits of participation in this course. Appropriate self-expression, exploration of differing ideas and outlooks, and appreciation of others beliefs without demeaning, better prepares you to function in diverse settings. Contributing to discussion is a significant component of this class. To receive  full credit in each discussion you will be required to post your own response as well as reply to 1 of your peers. Discussion posts and responses are due Sunday nights by 11:59pm MTN. No late discussions will be accepted unless arranged with the professor. 

Article Analysis Discussion 25% 
Public opinion is usually driven by media coverage of an issue. Each week you will select an article from the newspaper, a magazine, the internet, etc. which is produced for the general public. NOT a professional journal. Read the article and provide an analysis of the issue. Considerations for your analysis: Do you agree with the information presented? Why or Why Not? What should happen in your opinion? How could you impact this situation? Who should take action concerning this issue? Expressing your opinion with logical rational as to why you believe the way you do is the objective of this assignment. 

Letters to Political Officials 15% 
Letter to public officials should be well written, specific, direct and short. One to two paragraphs is long enough. Only one topic should be addressed in the letter with suggestions for what you think should happen (what that political official should do about your concern). The most efficient written communication is sent by e-mail. 

Assignments 25% 
Expected Outcome: Nurses understand the facts regarding local, federal and worldwide politics. 
General Description: 
Assignments should be completed, well written, and easy to understand. Each assignment will have specific instructions to follow. Rubrics and grading expectations are posted within each assignment. 

Involvement Project 20%
Expected Outcome: 
Students are active in political processes and become directly involved in professional communications. 
General Description: 
Governments play a very significant role in health care for its citizens. Consequently, nurses need to be informed and actively involved in communication with government officials and community leaders. Actions taken on a community level to better inform the community about nursing and health care can have a positive influence on individuals as well as policy decisions. Nurses can effectively and directly impact healthcare at local and state levels of government when they understand the politics involved. Nurses can also be active in influencing policy at federal and global levels. 

Current Issues Presentation 15% 
Expected Outcome: Nurses are aware of current issues. 
General Description: 
Nurses need to be informed about current issues on a local, national and international level. 
Nurses can positively influence public opinion and policy makers when they have a working knowledge of the issues, concerns and developments impacting the provision, access, and utilization of health care practices. 



Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

As nurses, you are expected to be on time to work and perform your tasks within the appropriate time frame. The expectation is the same here. With that said, I'm human, you're human, let's be human together. If you're struggling or have exceptional circumstances (COVID-19 counts) let me know as soon as possible and we can discuss options. 
In general: Late points will not be taken off for assignments submitted after the due date. Due dates are there to keep you on track throughout the course and to prevent you from getting behind. 

Attendance Policy

Online asynchronous

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.