Course Syllabus

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Southern Utah University

Summer Semester 2026

Innovation and Information in Nursing Leadership (Online)

NURS 6510-B70

Course:	NURS 6510-B70
Credits:	3
Term:	Summer Semester 2026
Department:	NURS
CRN:	20758

Course Description

This course will examine the role of nurse leaders in developing and influencing the adoption of innovative strategies to improve population outcomes. Students will learn to apply systems change theories for planning, implementing, and evaluating strategically planned change. Nursing informatics is essential to facilitating interprofessional data-driven organizational change. Students will develop an understanding in the use of patient- and population-based data applications that inform and support the transformation of nursing care delivery toward a future of value-based quality nursing care that improves health outcomes, reduces costs, and ensures health equity. Must be completed with a grade of “B-” (2.0) or better. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

In course readings

Supplemental Resources

MSN Student Handbook

Learning Outcomes

Apply quality processes and improvement science to evaluate care and ensure patient safety for individuals and communities.
Describe organizational science and informatics to make changes in the care environment to improve health outcomes.
Demonstrate the ability to use complexity science and systems theory in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health care.
Analyze current and emerging technologies to support safe practice environments, and to optimize patient safety, cost- effectiveness, and health outcomes.
Evaluate outcome data using current communication technologies, information systems, and statistical principles to develop strategies to reduce risks and improve health outcomes.
Use information and communication technologies to advance patient education, enhance accessibility of care, analyze practice patterns, and improve health care outcomes, including nurse-sensitive outcomes

Course Requirements

Grade Scheme

Grades will be determined in the graduate programs using the following grading scale. To progress in the graduate program, students must maintain a term grade point average of B- (GPA 2.70 on a 4.0 scale) and no failing courses.

Grade Range
A	100 % 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%
F	< 80.0 %

Assignment Outline

Discussions - 40%
There are 6 discussions in the course (not counting the introduction discussion). All discussions will have a prompt that the student will need to respond to with their own words, and then they will respond to 1 peer. 20 points possible for each discussion, 15 points for the student's initial response to the discussion prompt, and 5 points for 1 response to a peer. Discussions must be clear, well-written, and respectful, fully answering the prompt to receive full credit. If student responses are unprofessional in any way, the instructor will give the student a 0

Assignments - 30%
There are three assignments in this course. 1 case study, 1 AI assignment, and 1 wearable assignment. All assignments will be graded using the rubric shown with each assignment on Canvas.

Group chart audit and innovation project - 15%
Students will complete a chart audit and then collaborate with their peers to identify the charting errors and areas for improvement. The students will approach the innovation project with a specific role to help achieve better patient outcomes. The groups will then create a PowerPoint (1 slide for each student) and submit how they propose to innovate and improve patient outcomes based on the information presented. Group assignments can be found on the assignment page.

Final Paper: Reflective Integration of Innovation and Informatics in Nursing - 15%
Students will write a 3-5 page (not including the title or reference page) paper on what they have learned in this course. The essay should address key innovations in nursing informatics, their impact on patient care, safety, and outcomes, as well as identify at least two specific tools or technologies discussed in class that could enhance their clinical practice, including implementation strategies. Students are also expected to reflect on anticipated challenges in applying these innovations and outline plans to overcome them. Additionally, they should discuss how their perspectives on the role of informatics in nursing have evolved during the course. The essay must adhere to APA formatting guidelines and include at least three scholarly references, allowing for the use of first-person writing to express personal reflections.

Course Outline

Course Summary

Sun Aug 16, 2026

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

All coursework must be submitted by the deadline listed in CANVAS. If you anticipate that you will be unable to meet a due date, you are expected to submit your work early and/or communicate with the instructor in advance.

In the case of unforeseen circumstances, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as possible and request a reasonable alternate due date. Acceptance of late work will be determined by the instructor on a case-by-case basis. Late assignments will incur a penalty of at least 10% per day.

All assignments must be submitted through CANVAS. Assignments sent by email will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in online courses is evaluated based on completion of assignments, participation in online discussions, and timely response to the 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

Course fees information will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisite(s)

AI Policy

When students use generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process for this course, students should only use these technologies to improve readability and language, or to generate a basic skeleton of ideas for assignment content. Applying these technologies should be done with careful oversight, and students should carefully review and edit the result, as AI can generate good-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased. SUU Policy#6.33 on academic integrity should be followed when using AI. If you are unsure to what extent to use AI as part of an assignment, please reach out to me before the assignment is due. If a student uses AI-assisted technologies, the student should disclose in their assignment the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the assignment by following the instructions below. This declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references etc. If there is nothing to disclose, there is no need to add a statement. Any assignment which has been determined by the professor (using the tools provided by SUU to monitor academic integrity) to have been created using these technologies that were not disclosed by the student is subject to failure.

Disclosure Instructions:

Students must disclose the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process by adding this statement at the end of their assignment:

Statement: During the preparation of this work [THE STUDENT(S)] used [NAME TOOL /SERVICE] in order to [REASON].

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.

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