Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Health Policy for Nurse Leaders (Online)

NURS 6310-A70

Course: NURS 6310-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Nursing
CRN: 32889

Course Description

This course examines organizational, state, and federal policies which affect healthcare delivery. Students will examine the influence of lay, professional, and special interest groups in relation to advocacy for policy change, state and federal legislation, as well as the allocation of resources and the setting of health priorities. Students will develop skills to advocate for policies in both private and governmental agencies that are important to nursing, improve population health, enhance the care experience, reduce costs, and health equity.

Required Texts

Patton, R. M., Zalon, M. L., & Ludwick, R. (Eds.). (2023). Nurses making policy: From bedside to boardroom (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

ISBN: 978-0-8261-6645-6

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome Alignment: A list of learning outcomes for this course is found below. You will demonstrate your understanding of the outcomes throughout your coursework as listed under the assessment criteria below.

  • Analyze how healthcare systems are organized, financed, and influenced by economic, legal, and political factors to impact patient care and health outcomes
  • Engage in the development, implementation, and evaluation of institutional, local, state, and federal health policies
  • Interpret and communicate research evidence to influence policy decisions and advocate for the nursing profession and public health
  • Employ advanced clinical reasoning and systems thinking to assess risk, prioritize quality and safety, and guide diagnostic and policy-related decision- making.

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

Graded Assignments - 50%

Weekly assignments are designed to encourage critical thinking, application of course concepts, and individual reflection. Each assignment will be evaluated using a specific rubric to ensure consistent and fair grading. The rubric will clearly define expectations, including the quality of content, depth of analysis, integration of course materials, and overall clarity and organization. By focusing on these assignments, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts, apply knowledge to real-world scenarios, and showcase their individual learning and development. All assignments will be completed and graded on an individual basis. Assignments will not be assigned every week.

Quizzes -50%

Quizzes are designed to assess student comprehension, reinforce key concepts, encourage consistent study habits, and provide ongoing feedback to support academic progress throughout the course. Weekly quizzes will be administered to promote regular engagement with the material.

Commenced Attendance Quiz

A short quiz that is required to confirm your attendance in accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations. Failure to complete it within the first three days of the term may affect your financial aid and/or result in being dropped from the course. Please note that this quiz is not graded.

Course Outline

Course Summary
DateDetailsDue
Module 1 Introduction Discussion
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593421
due by 11:59pm
Week 1 quiz- Chapters 1 & 2
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593419
due by 11:59pm
Sun Sep 6, 2026Module 1: Overviewto do: 11:59pm
Commenced Attendance Quiz
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593416
due by 11:59pm
Module 2 Assignment- Identifying Local Representatives
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593429
due by 11:59pm
Sun Sep 13, 2026Week 2 Quiz- Chapters 3 & 15
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593414
due by 11:59pm
Module 3 Discussion- Policy Problem Identification and Agenda Setting Brief
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593420
due by 11:59pm
Sun Sep 20, 2026Week 3 Quiz- Chapters 4, 5 & 6
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593417
due by 11:59pm
Module 4 Assignment- Policy Development and Political Strategies in Nursing
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593431
due by 11:59pm
Sun Sep 27, 2026Week 4 quiz- Chapters 7 & 8
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593415
due by 11:59pm
Module 5 Assignment- Policy Advocacy Op-Ed with Nursing Lens Application
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593432
due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 4, 2026Week 5 Quiz- Chapters 9, 10 & 11
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593413
due by 11:59pm
Week 6 Quiz- Chapters 12 & 13
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593418
due by 11:59pm
Module 6 Discussion- Evaluating Health Policy and Addressing Health Inequities Reply to Topic
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593422
due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 11, 2026Module 6 Discussion- Evaluating Health Policy and Addressing Health Inequities Required Replies (2)
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593422
due by 11:59pm
Module 7 Assignment-Reflecting on Health Policy Change
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593433
due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 18, 2026Week 7 Quiz- Chapters 14 & 15
https://suu.instructure.com/courses/1206706/assignments/18593412
due by 11:59pm

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

Late Assignments

Late Policy:

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.

Course Reminder: This is a short, 7-week course. Staying on top of assignments is very important, as late or missing work may lead to failing the course. Students are responsible for making sure their assignments are submitted and visible in Canvas before the due date.

Attendance Policy

In asynchronous learning, students have the flexibility to engage with course content, such as lectures and readings, at any time that suits their schedule within a set timeframe (usually a week). Assignments, however, have specific deadlines. Late work will not be accepted.

In asynchronous learning, students have the flexibility to engage with course content, such as lectures and readings, at any time that suits their schedule within a set timeframe (usually a week). Assignments, however, have specific deadlines. Late work will not be accepted.

At the beginning of each term there is a Commenced Attendance Quiz which must be completed within a few days of the start of the term. If this is not completed a student may be dropped from the course. This "quiz" is merely for attendance purposes.

Course Fees

None

Prerequisites and Registration Restrictions

Supplemental Resources

Click on Nursing Student Handbooks and then MSN (https://www.suu.edu/nursing/resources.html)

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.