Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Contemporary Issues for the Health Professional (Face-to-Face)

NURS 4462-01

Course: NURS 4462-01
Credits: 2
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 20741

Course Description

This course explores the nursing role in the context of current legal, ethical, political, and economic issues. Students develop skills to effect decisions on issues that influence health for individuals and populations

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

Issues presentation, Discussions in class, Letters and meeting attendance.
Discussions, presentations, and issues evaluation
Presentations, discussions, issue analysis
Issues analysis, classroom discussion, final exam
Involvement project, classroom discussions, final exam.

Course Requirements

Grade Scheme

Grades will be determined in the undergraduate programs using the following grading scale. To progress in the undergraduate program, students must pass each course with a C (74%) minimum.

A100 % to 94.0%
A-< 93.0 % to 90.0%
B+< 89.0 % to 87.0%
B< 86.0 % to 84.0%
B-< 83.0 % to 80.0%
C+< 79.0 % to 77.0%
C< 76.0 % to 74.0%
F< 74.0 %
Assignment Outline
Class Activities and Discussions - 15%

Developing the skills of explanation, clarification, and persuasion in verbal 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 discussions in class is an expectation and lack of contributions on a consistent basis will affect your grade

Issue Submission/Evaluations - 15%

Public opinion is usually driven by media coverage of an issue. Each week you will select an issue from the newspaper, a magazine, the internet, etc. that is produced for the general public. NOT a professional journal. Read the issue and provide an analysis of the issue. Considerations for your analysis: Do you agree with the information presented? Why or Why Not? What do you think should happen about this issue? What action should be taken concerning this issue? Expressing your opinion with logical rational as to why you think the way you do is the objective of this assignment.

Worksheet,Quiz, Letters, Meeting - 15%

Letters 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 each letter with suggestions for what you think should happen (what that political official should do about your concern). E-mail is the most efficient written communication.

Letter to Representative or Senator Rubric
  • Letter dated, addressed appropriately, proper grammar
  • One to two paragraphs maximum (One page)
  • One topic
  • Includes suggestion for what you would like the Representative to do about the issue.
Involvement Project - 15%

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.

Directions. (Choose one of the following five projects)

One-on-One with Federal Representative
  1. Select one issue to address-either a topic that is being considered or a topic of concern to you
  2. Obtain faculty approval
  3. Research the issue before contact/interaction with a federal government official or their staff person.
  4. Initiate contact and present position
  5. Submit documentation
    1. Method of contact and transcript (rough idea of what took place)
    2. Summary of interaction (signature of federal legislator or staff)
    3. Plan for follow-up
  6. Submit a typed report on your experience. No more than 3 pages
B- Honor Society or Nursing Support Group
  1. Working with colleagues (not more than 2) organize and initiate a SUU Nursing event
  2. Collaborate with faculty (Professors Crookston or Rayburn) in the conceptualization, advertisement, and development of the event.
  3. Submit a typed report on your experience. No more than 3 pages
C- Department Newsletter
  1. Workings with colleagues (not more than 3) develop a nursing department newsletter.
  2. Compile newsworthy information in an attractive format that tells the story of SUU Nursing. (Previous editions are available on the Department of Nursing website.)
  3. Meet with the faculty member with your printed newsletter for approval to publish by August 1
D- Utah Board of Nursing meeting
  1. Attend a Utah Board of Nursing Meeting
  2. Submit a typed report on your experience. No more than 3 pages
E- Pinning Ceremony
  1. Work with committee colleagues to plan your class Pinning Ceremony which will be held August 15.
Current Issue Presentation-20%
  1. Working with one other student select a healthcare issue to analyze and present.
  2. Obtain faculty permission for your issue at least 24 hours before the presentation.
  3. Evaluate the merits of your selected issue including but not limited to: Why is this an issue today? Why does it matter? Are there studies, reports, statistics that validate or strengthen either or both sides?
  4. Develop a News hour which presents the issue from different perspectives. If pro and con opinions exist for your issue present both sides equitably. (Consider presenting the side you least agree with).
  5. Do not fabricate information. Present verifiable facts concerning the issue.
  6. Present your issue in a News hour format for the class.
  7. Lead a class discussion, which involves exploration of the topic and incorporates questions and insight of your colleagues.
  8. Total time: 45-50 minutes (20-25 minutes presentation & 20-25 minutes discussion)

note: If you have never seen the PBS News Hour it is on KUED at 6:00 p.m. and KBYU at 7:00 p.m. locally.

News Hour Performance Criteria:
  • Points Points
  • Performance Description of Criteria
  • Possible Earned
Issue analysis
  • Select issue and obtain faculty permission at least 24 hours before presentation
Presentation
  • Evaluate the merits of your issue. Research demonstrates that the issue has been researched and evaluated.
  • Presentation in News Hour format
  • Meets program guidelines for presentations (10)
  • Appropriate/balanced presentation for the issue (30)
  • Appropriate appearance/attire/behavior (10)
  • Meets specified time frame (20-25 min.) (10)
Discussion
  • Facilitates exploration of the issue
  • Encourages and appropriately incorporates input from class members (20-25 minutes)
TOTAL 100
Final Exam

The final is a reflective exam.

Course Outline

Course Summary

Date Details Due

  • Wed May 14, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Mon May 19, 2025 due by 11:59pm
  • Commenced Attendance Quiz
  • Wed May 21, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed May 28, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jun 4, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jun 11, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jun 18, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jun 25, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jul 2, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jul 16, 2025 due by 11:59pm
  • Wed Jul 23, 2025 due by 5pm
  • Wed Jul 30, 2025 due by 5pm

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

Semester long course guidelines: Emails from students in semester-long classes must be responded to within three business days (Definition of business day: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and does not include holidays). All assignments must be graded within seven calendar days of due date for semester-long courses. If faculty need an extension to grade assignments because of assignment length, holiday, or other circumstances, faculty will notify students in advance. Assignments need to be graded in sufficient time to allow students to improve and build upon their learning for subsequent assignments.

Late Assignments
Papers/assignments are due at the first of class or by the time listed on canvas.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is expected at all classes. Because classroom discussions and participation are a significant part of this class, points will be deducted when students are not in class or do not participate in discussions. Lack of participation will negatively affect grades.

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.