Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Evidence-based Practice in Nursing Leadership (Online)

NURS 6320-A70

Course: NURS 6320-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 12776

Course Description

This course is designed to enhance proficiency in understanding research, developing clinical questions, evaluating current guidelines, implementing change, and maintaining best practices. Learners will gain an understanding of and begin to utilize resources for the implementation of principles of evidence-based practice in the healthcare setting. Students will combine clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence to improve quality of care, safety, and administration in the role of the nurse leader. Scholars will advance competency skills in information literacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge dissemination to efficiently translate evidence-based innovation in the capacity of nursing leadership. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): NURS 6110 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- Registration Restriction(s): Master of Science in Nursing students only.

Required Texts

Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice, 5th edition, Melnyk
and Fineout-Overholt, 2023
ISBN-13: 978-1975185725
ISBN-10: 1975185722
American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
ISBN-13: 978-1433832161
ISBN-10: 143383216X

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1. Synthesize evidence for practice to determine appropriate application of interventions
across diverse populations (E-I-5).
2. Plan to implement evidence-based information for impact on quality and/or safety of care
(E-III-2).
3. Analyze information and design systems to sustain improvements and promote
transparency using high reliability and just culture principles (E-III-3).
4. Compare modules for improvement and EBP improvement proposals (E-III-4).
5. Integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, research, and interprofessional perspectives
using translational processes to improve practice and associated health outcomes for
patient aggregates (E-IV-1).
6. Articulate to a variety of audiences the evidence base for practice decisions, including the
credibility of sources of information and the relevance to the practice problem confronted
(E-IV-3).
7. Apply current practice guidelines and best-practice strategies in an effort to improve
practice and the care environment (E-IV-5).
8. Perform rigorous critique of evidence derived from databases to generate meaningful
evidence for nursing practice (E-IV-6).
9. Apply the best available evidence from nursing and other sciences as the foundation for
practice (E-IX-2).

Course Requirements


Quizzes (5% of Final Grade)
Quizzes are used to assess understanding of key concepts related to evidence-based practice and course content. They are designed to reinforce learning, identify areas that may require further review, and ensure students are prepared to apply EBP principles throughout the course. Some quizzes may allow multiple attempts to support learning and mastery of content.

Discussion Boards (20% of Final Grade)
Weekly discussion boards are a critical component of this course and support scholarly dialogue, leadership development, and preparation for the MSN capstone project. Discussions are intentionally aligned with the section of the paper being developed each week and emphasize critical thinking, professional communication, and leadership perspective.
Students are expected to submit an initial post by Wednesday and respond to at least two peers by Friday. Discussion participation should be substantive, scholarly, and aligned with course objectives. Students must identify their program track (MSN or FNP) at the beginning of each initial post.

Module Assignments (15% of Final Grade)
Module assignments are designed to reinforce course content and support development of the capstone project. These assignments focus on building essential components of the project, such as evidence synthesis, framework selection, and data collection planning. Assignments vary by module, and detailed instructions are provided within each Canvas module.
These assignments help students apply evidence-based practice principles and prepare material that directly contributes to the Master Project Paper.


Recorded Project Proposal Presentation (10% of Final Grade)
The recorded project proposal presentation is a required end-of-course assignment in which students present their capstone project as it exists at the conclusion of the Research & Planning Phase. This presentation synthesizes work completed in Chapters 1–4 and demonstrates readiness to move into implementation and evaluation in the Capstone course.
Students will record and upload their presentation following the required PowerPoint outline and participate in professional peer review by watching classmates’ presentations and providing constructive, leadership-focused feedback.

Master Project Paper (50% of Final Grade)
The Master Project Paper is developed progressively throughout the course and serves as the foundation for the Capstone course. The paper integrates evidence-based practice, leadership principles, and systems thinking to address a clinical or practice problem identified by the student.
This paper synthesizes scholarly evidence, applies appropriate EBP and change frameworks, and includes planning for implementation and evaluation. Successful completion of the Master Project Paper prepares students for implementation in the subsequent Capstone course.

Course Outline

Date Details Due
Fri Jan 9, 2026
| Discussion Topic Discussion: PICOT Question | due by 11:59pm
Sat Jan 10, 2026 | Assignment Quiz: Overview (1.1 & 1.2) | due by 11:59pm
Wed Jan 14, 2026 | Assignment Commenced Attendance Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion: Evidence & Synthesis | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Quiz: Critically Appraising Evidence | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Introduction Discussion | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jan 20, 2026 | Assignment Commenced Attendance Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Wed Jan 21, 2026 | Discussion Topic Discussion: Purpose & Leadership Alignment | due by 11:59pm
Fri Jan 23, 2026 | Assignment Key Contributors Assignment | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jan 26, 2026 | Assignment Model Assignment | due by 11:59pm
Wed Jan 28, 2026 | Discussion Topic Discussion: Framework Selection | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Synthesis Table Assignment START EARLY | due by 11:59pm
Sun Feb 1, 2026 | Assignment Begin Master Paper Project | due by 11:59pm
Wed Feb 4, 2026 | Discussion Topic Discussion: Evidence Themes | due by 11:59pm
Mon Feb 9, 2026 | Assignment Rough Draft of Master's Paper Project | due by 11:59pm
Wed Feb 11, 2026 | Discussion Topic Discussion: Methodology & Ethics | due by 11:59pm
Sun Feb 15, 2026 | Assignment Peer Review | due by 11:59pm
Tue Feb 17, 2026 | Assignment Leadership in EBP Assignment | due by 11:59pm
Wed Feb 18, 2026 | Assignment EBP and the Nurse Leader Reflection Assignment | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion: Project Presentation | due by 11:59pm
Fri Feb 20, 2026 | Assignment Final Project Paper | due by 11:59p

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

Assignments are due at the time designated by faculty (in MDT/MST). Due dates/times are posted in the syllabus/course calendar. Coursework that is turned in late will be graded to the same standard as coursework that was turned in on-time, however, 10% off the maximum attainable score will be deduced for each day that the coursework is late. No late coursework will be accepted more than 6 days after the deadline.  If you know you will miss a class in advance of the due date/time submit materials early IF the assignment permits

Attendance Policy

Attendance in online courses is evaluated based on completion of assignments, participation in online discussions, and timely response to instructor’s emails. You should notify the faculty in advance if you know you are unable to complete assignments, etc. by the assignment due date.  In the case of emergencies, notify the faculty ASAP.

Course Fees

None

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.