MODULE 4:

Shaping the Learning Experience

Presented to

Dr. Eva Stephens

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

SCHOOL OF NURSING AT GALVESTON

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Course

GNRS 5322: Curriculum Design

By

Cathie Campbell
Meredith French
Sara Martin
Debra Mulkey-Mott
April 19, 2015

NURS 4320: Nursing Ethics and Health Policy

Table of Contents
Instructor/Faculty Information
Teaching philosophy statement
Purpose of the course
Course Description (limit to 40 words)
Course Objectives
Required Texts
Course Calendar
Course Requirements
Evaluation
Grading Procedures
Module Overviews

2-4
5
5
5
5
6
6
7
8
8
9-20

Instructor Information

Cathie Campbell DNP, GNP-BC

Undergraduate Nursing Director
Office: SON Room 4.111
Mail: 321 Cage St. Houston, TX 77020
Phone: (281) 733-4068
E-mail: ccampbell@university.edu
Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston 2015
Post Masters Gerontological Nurse Practitioner 2002
Masters of Science in Nursing University of Texas Health Science Center Houston 1995
Bachelors of Science in Nursing University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston 1989
Associates Degree in Nursing Louisiana State University-Alexandria 1985

Past experiences: Many years providing care to residents of long term and skilled facilities,
multiple years in Level I and II Trauma centers across the south.

Meredith French MSN, RN

Office: SON Room 4.112
Mail: 321 Cage St. Houston, TX 77020
Phone: (207) 449-2984
E-mail: mfrench@university.edu
Education: Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York
(2010), Masters of Science in Nursing Education, University of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas (2015)
Current work: Associate Professor, Volunteer with the American Red Cross, and a Clinical
Charge Nurse at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
Past experiences: Psychiatric nurse at The Acadia Hospital in Bangor, ME, and an inpatient
clinical nurse at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Sara Martin MSN, RN, CCRN

Office: SON Room 4.113
Mail: 321 Cage St. Houston, TX 77020
Phone: (832) 948-3300
E-mail: smartin@university.edu

Education: Bachelors of Science in Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston,

Texas, Masters of Science/PhD in progress University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
Current work: Pediatric Intensive Care/ Neonatal Intensive Care Transport Nurse, Texas
Childrens Hospital, Neonatal Research Nurse, University of Texas Medical School Houston,
Texas, Lab assistant Adult Health Assessment for the Bachelors of Science in Nursing at
University of Texas Medical Branch
Past experiences: Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Member of
the PICC/CENTRAL line team at Memorial Hermann Childrens Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Debra Mulkey-Mott BSN, RN, CCRN

Office: SON Room 4.114
Mail: 321 Cage St. Houston, TX 77020
Phone: (832) 725-5905
E-mail: dmulkey@university.edu
Education: BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (2003),
Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of
Nursing, Houston, Texas (2006), Masters of Science in Nursing Education, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (2015)
Current work: Associate Professor, Volunteer with the American Red Cross, Charge Nurse at
the John S. Dunn, Sr. Burn Center in Houston, Texas
Past experiences: Charge Nurse at the Dunn S. Dunn, Sr. Burn Center at Memorial Hermann
Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Advanced Burn Life Support Instructor, Guest Lecturer:
Burns at various undergraduate nursing programs in the Greater Houston area

Preferred Method of Contact: Email

Timeframe for Responding to Students: 24-48 hours
Technical
Support

Technical support is available 24/7:

Live Chat:
https://admin.instantservice.com/links//2100
0 E-mail:
IS56_21000@is.instantservice.com

Teaching Philosophy
The philosophy of teaching is to assist students to reach their fullest potential through the
learning process. This is done through a shared partnership between teacher and student with
mutual respect being at the basis. Both parties bring to a classroom a wealth of experiences
through diverse upbringings and life experiences, which can enhance the learning process. It is
the responsibility of the educator to nurture this learning environment by encouraging open
sharing of ideas and knowledge and welcoming each students participation. Out of this safe
environment, students will rise to the level of realistic expectations set by the educator. Due to
the belief that a students level of commitment is measured by an educators passion, a teachers
objectives are as follows: to provide the necessary resources for learning through current
evidenced based practice in all course content, to foster critical thinking skills, to provide
positive reinforcement and constructive feedback, and to personally demonstrate the highest
integrity for students to emulate. The ultimate outcome and reward for an educator is to help
develop a well-rounded student that transforms into an exceptional nurse that is full of
knowledge and compassion.

Purpose of the course

The purpose of the Nursing Ethics and Health Care Policy course is to provide students an
opportunity to assess legal and ethical concerns facing nurses and other health care providers in a
variety of health care settings. It focuses on the legal and ethical rights, responsibilities, and
requirements of the professional nurse in todays rapidly changing health care environment.
Emphasis is on early recognition and analysis of legal and ethical concepts as well as the
philosophies underlying nursing and health care and policy. The modules are an opportunity for
students to investigate current legal and ethical issues that influence professional nursing, health
care practice and health care policy within the current U.S. health care system. The students
will explore how personal ethics compare and contrast with professional ethics. It explores
ethical decision-makings concepts, values and theories in relationship to professional nursing and
how health care policies are shaped to meet the current health care needs of the public.

Course Description
This course provides comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical circumstances that impact
the professional nurse and the methods used to shape healthcare policy within the U. S. health
care system. This course includes in-class meetings M/W/F from 10am to 11am, an on-line
Discussion Board component, and individual and group work requirements.

Course Objectives
At the completion of this course the learner will be able to:
1. Improve ethical decision making.
2. Clarify personal and professional values and recognize their impact on ethical decision making
and professional nursing behavior.
3. Explore decision-making theories that incorporate legal concepts and professional ethics.
4. Discuss the legal, ethical and moral obligations of the nursing profession to at risk
populations and the role of health care policy.

5. Discuss legal and ethical concerns related to current U.S. health care and health care policy.
i.e. access to care, allocation of resources, and inequity in healthcare.
6. Discuss implications of the changing health environment on the role of the professional nurse
and the impact on health care policy in the current U.S. health care system.

Required Texts
Mason, D. J., & Leavitt, J. K. (2014). Policy and politics in nursing and healthcare (6thed.).
United States of America: Elsevier.
Butts, J. B. & Rich, K.L. (2015). Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into practice
(4thed.). United States of America: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Course Calendar
Assignments
Introduction to Class, Review Syllabus and
Course Requirements
Module 1:
Introduction: Healthcare Reform and the
Affordable Care Act
Groups Assigned to for Power Point
Presentation
Chapters 1&2 in Policy and Politics in Nursing
and Healthcare
Review Health Policy Websites 1-2
Post in Discussion Board (minimum one
individual posting and one response posting to
other students postings)
Chapter 21 in Policy and Politics in Nursing
and Healthcare
Chapter 32-Nurse Managed Health Centers
Chapter 48- Quality and Safety in Healthcare;
Policy issues
Review Health Policy Websites 3-5
Post in Discussion Board (minimum one
individual posting and one response posting to
other students postings)
HealthCare Reform Paper due via Drop Box
Group PowerPoint Presentation Slides Due via
Drop Box
In Class Group PowerPoint Presentations

Dates
January 6th to 9th

Module 2:
Introduction: Nursing Ethics and Ethical
Dilemmas

March 14th March 20th

January 11th-January 23rd

(School closed Monday January 18th for MLK
Holiday)

January 17th January 24th

January 24th February 12th

January 31st February 7th

February 14th
February 28th
February 29th March 4th

Chapters 1-3 & 5 Nursing Ethics: Across the

Curriculum and into Practice.
Chapters 7-9, 12 Nursing Ethics: Across the
Curriculum and into Practice
Post in Discussion Board (minimum one
individual posting and one response posting to
other students postings)
Groups Assigned for Ethical Debates
In Class Preparation Time for Ethical Debates
Ethical Debate Outlines Due to Professor
In Class Ethical Debates
Ethics Personal Reflection Paper Due
Ethics Debate Peer Review for each group
member, including self review
All Grades Due

March 21st -27th

March 21st 27th
March 23rd
March 28th April 1st
April 3rd
April 4th- 15th
April 17th
April 22nd

Course Requirements
This is a Senior Level Nursing Class with the following Prerequisites:
Introduction to Nursing (NURS 4301)
Community Nursing (NURS 4310)
Health Assessment (4412)
Pharmacology (4315)
Adult Nursing 1 (4305)
Adult Nursing 2 (4314)
Psychosocial Nursing (4317)
Pediatric Nursing (4318)
Nursing Research (4313)
Credit Allocation:
Three (3) Credit Hours
It is assumed that the learner is familiar with Internet techniques, such as navigating between
pages, following hyperlinks and closing browser windows. The Learners must have the
appropriate hardware and software in order to fully utilize the course features. Blackboard and
campus email will be used for outside of class time communication.

Evaluation
The final grade for the course will be determined as follows:
Assignment

Grade value

Module 1 Healthcare Reform Paper

30%

Module 1 Group Power Point Slide Presentation

20%

Module 2 Ethics Debate

25%

Module 2 Personal Reflections Ethics Issue Paper

15%

Discussion Board and Classroom Participation

10%

TOTAL

100%

Grading Procedures
Attendance
Attendance is an expectation. Students must contact the professor for approval if an absence is
needed. Attendance is critical in meeting the course objectives. Students who have more than
two absences without prior notice will receive an unsatisfactory and will be withdrawn from the
class.
Overall Participation
Participation in this course is expected. The student is required to attend all classroom activities
and participate in group discussions in the classroom and on the discussion board.
Class Conduct
All students will maintain respect and courtesy for their classmates and instructors. Cell phones
or other disruptive devices must be turned off and put away during class.
Assignments
Each student is responsible for submitting their assignments via email to the instructors by 23:59
on the deadline day. Discussion board posting requires a minimum of two references for each

posting. The discussion board is to promote learning and discussion among peers and the
instructors. Constructive feedback to one another is acceptable, but it must be done in a
respectful manner. Group work will require equal participation. A peer and self-evaluation form
must be turned into the instructors on the day of the group PowerPoint. Poor participation will
greatly affect ones individual grade in group work.

Module 1
NURS 4320 Health Care Policy and the Affordable Care Act
Introduction
The emerging healthcare system in the United States has been precipitated by changes in
healthcare policy. In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act was enacted. At that time 24.6
percent of Texas residents (or 6.2 million Texans) were uninsured and over 50 million Americans
were without healthcare or were considered underinsured. Over the next decade, the Affordable
Care Act will dramatically re-structure the American healthcare system. This module will
explore the history of healthcare reform and the specific ways that the Affordable Care Act
affects access, quality, and costs.
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1. Explore the key features of the Affordable Care Act (Foundational Knowledge)
a. Care
b. Coverage
c. Costs
d. New Patients Bill of Rights
2. Discuss the Triple Aim Goals of the Affordable Care Act (Foundational Knowledge)
3. Identify how changes in healthcare policy effect the uninsured and under insured in America,
including those in employee sponsored healthcare plans (Integration)

Required Readings:
Mason, D. J., & Leavitt, J. K. (2014). (6th Ed.). United States of America: Elsevier.
Chapter 1-A framework for action in policy and politics
Chapter 2-A historical perspective on Policy, Politics and Nursing
Chapter 21-Uninsured and Underinsured-On the cusp of Healthcare reform
Chapter 32-Nurse Managed Health Centers
Chapter 48- Quality and Safety in Healthcare; Policy issues
Websites
1) HHS.GOV/Healthcare-US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights
2) Kaiser Foundation. National Health InsuranceA Brief History of Reform Efforts in the US
(March 2009), available at: http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/national-health-insurance-aBrief-history-of/
3) Kaiser Foundation, Summary of New Health Reform Law (April 15, 2011), available at
http://kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-the-affordable-care-act/
4) Department of Health and Human Services, Whats Changing and When (2012), available at
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/index.html
5) Kaiser Foundation (2010). Explaining Health Care Reform: Questions about Health
Insurance Subsidies. http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/explaining-health-care-reformquestions-about-health/
Module 1: Learning activities
For this module there will be 2 learner activities and 1 Discussion Board assignment
a. Healthcare Reform Paper
b. Group Power Point Slide Presentation
c. Discussion Board Topics as posted by faculty (asynchronous)

Module 1: Overview
Health Care Reform Paper (see individual rubric)
Individual assignment
No more than 5 pages, excluding title page and references
page
Submitted to Assignment Drop box by Sunday 23:59
February 14, 2016
APA format
Power Point Slide Presentation (see individual rubric)
Healthcare Policy and ACA Assignments

Group I-Health care growth cost in the United States. This

group will discuss the factors that drive cost growth

Group II- Structure of the United States Health Care.

This group will discuss how did the system we have today
come to be, who pays for it etc.

Group III- Access to Health Care with ACA in the United

States. This group will discuss disparities and the profile
of the average uninsured person and the link between
insurance and access to health care.

Group IV- Health Care Delivery and Quality with the

ACA in the United States. This group will discuss the
ACAs impact on the quality outcomes, and delivery of
care.

Group V-Impact of Nursing and the Triple Aim of the

ACA. This group will discuss nursings impact on
improving the experience of care, improving the health of
populations, and reducing per capita costs of health care.
All Groups will post slide presentation on Discussion
board by February 25, 2016 for student review.
Each group member will discuss (on discussion board)
another groups posting with minimum of 2 peer reviewed
references.

This assignment will be presented in class the week of

February 29, 2016. Faculty will assign days randomly.
Weekly Discussion Board and Classroom Participation
Prepared for class discussion each day
Contributes significantly to the classroom discussion with
engaged thoughtful academic dialogue
Posts on Discussion Board in response to weekly topics
with well formulated peer reviewed responses
Uses excellent Discussion Board Etiquette with each
posting
Stimulates positive academic exchange with peers on
discussion board postings
Discussion Board Postings are posted no later than 23:59
on the weekly due date
APA Format

Define basic health care reform changes from the March 2010
Affordable Care Act (ACA)

10%

Describe how health care reform or the ACA will affect the
uninsured, underinsured and employee sponsored plans over the
next decade

30%

30%
Describe the ACA impact of the triple aim of simultaneously
improving the health of the population, enhancing the experience
and outcomes of the patient, and reducing per capita cost of care
for the benefit of communities
Describe the future of nursing with the ACA

20%

APA Format

10%

Health Care Reform Paper Grading Rubric

Students will discuss health care reform and its impact on vulnerable populations.

Power Point Rubric:

Healthcare Policy and the Affordable Care Act
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
10%
Minimum of 20 slides
Professional Presentation will be no more than 20 minutes, 5
minutes for question and answer. Each member will present their
own slides in the presentation. Remember Presentation Style
counts!

30%

Each group member responsible for 2 peer reviewed

references less than 5 years old.

20%

Groups will post their slide presentations in the Discussion Board

for review and discussion.

30%

Each individual Member will post in 2 other groups discussion

with 2 peer reviewed references
Each member of the group will complete Peer Review for each
group member (include yourself)
APA format

10%

MODULE 2
NURS 4320 Ethical Issues in Nursing
Introduction
Health professionals have the ethical obligation to serve others without self-interest. By doing
this the nurse demonstrates patient advocacy and practices good nursing ethics. Nurses have to
make life or death decisions, and it is important that nurses have a grounded understanding of
ethics (Ward, 2012).
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Describe the role of nurses in ethical decision-making.

Discuss moral, legal, and ethical concepts that affect nursing practice.
Evaluate legal principles that must be considered when making health care decisions.
Participate in ethical arguments for practicing upholding nursing practice.

Required Readings
Butts, J. B. & Rich, K.L. (2015). Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into practice.
(4thed.). United States of America: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Chapters:
Chapter 1 Introduction to Ethics
Chapter 3 Ethics in Professional Nursing Practice
Chapter 5 Infant and Child Nursing Ethics
Chapter 7 Adult Health Nursing Ethics
Chapter 8 Ethics and the Nursing Care of Elders
Chapter 9 Ethical Issues in End-of-Life Nursing Care
Chapter 12 Ethics in Organizations and Leadership
Appendix B ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses
Appendix C Patients Bill of Rights: American Hospital Association
Appendix D Patient Self Determination Act

Websites
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2015). Available at http://www.aacn.org/

American Nurses Association. (2015). Ethics. Available at http://www.nursingworld.org/ethics/

Fant, C. (2012). Nursetogether.com. Major Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing. Available at
http://www.nursetogether.com/ethical-dilemmas-in-nursing/

Module 2: Learning activities

For this module there will be 2 learner activities and 1 Discussion Board Activity
a. Formal Ethical Debate
b. Personal View of Ethical Issue Paper
c. Discussion Board Topics as posted by faculty (asynchronous)

Module2 Description

Classroom Ethical Debate (see individual rubric)

Group Assignment
Must support assigned side of the ethical issue with
references
Each member actively participates in answering debate
questions
Each side will have no more than 15 minutes to present
their case, with a 20 minute debate to ensue
Personal View of Ethical Issues Paper (see individual rubric)
Individual assignment
No more than 6 pages
APA Format
Weekly Discussion Board and Classroom Participation
Prepared for class discussion each day
Contributes significantly to the classroom discussion with
engaged thoughtful academic dialogue
Posts on Discussion Board in response to weekly topics
with well formulated peer reviewed responses
Uses excellent Discussion Board Etiquette with each
posting
Stimulates positive academic exchange with peers on
discussion board postings
Discussion Board Postings are posted no later than 23:59
on the weekly due date
APA Format Required with References

Ethical Debate:
The debate is to be based on assigned readings, classroom lectures, and outside research.
Students will be divided into groups and each group assigned one of the following ethical issues
in nursing:
1) Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life
2) Patient Freedom vs. Nursing Control
3) End of Life DNR/Withdrawal of Care Who decides?
4) Distribution of Resources

5) Empirical Knowledge vs. Personal Belief,

6) Treatment vs. Punishment of Psychiatric Patients who Commit Crimes
More information about the above topics can be found at http://www.nursetogether.com/ethicaldilemmas-in-nursing/
Each group will then be designated one of side of the issue that they must defend in a classroom
debate against another group, who will be defending the opposite side of the issue. Groups will
have in-class and out of class time to prepare for this assignment and the debates will occur
during the follow week. Each group will have 15 minutes to present their case and then a 20
minute debate session will ensue. On the day of their debate, each group will distribute to the
class a 1-2 page outline of their debate points to support their case. A reference sheet for topic
research will be required. Professional attire and self-presentation is mandatory.

Ethical Debate Rubric

Brief introduction of history of the debated issue

10%

Description of how the debated issue directly affects nurses and

the nursing profession; include at least 1 specific example and
outcomes of a case directly high-lighting the assigned issue

40%

Debate argument preparation to support the assigned side of the

ethical issue (as presented during the debate and on the 1-2 page
outline)

30%

Groups ability to refute the opposing sides points during the

debate

10%

APA Format of Supporting References for topic research

10%

Personal View of Ethics Paper

Each student will choose an ethical issue about which he or she feels strongly, and write a
personal reflection paper regarding this topic and how it will affect the students future nursing

practice. The chosen issue must be a different topic than the students assigned classroom debate
issue. At least 3 supporting references must be included.

Personal View of Ethics Paper Rubric

Explanation of personal beliefs regarding the ethical

issue, including why the student feels strongly about the
issue. Specific examples may include personal
experiences, values, belief systems, family history, etc.
Explanation of how this topic will affect students nursing
practice in the future

50%

Hypothesis of whether or not the student will be able to

separate his/her feelings so as to be able to care for a
patient who is on the opposite side of the ethical issues
Description of ways student might be able to cope with
his or her own feelings to be able to care for a patient who
is on the opposite side of the ethical issue

40%

APA Format with at least 3 supporting references

10%

References
Mason, D. J., & Leavitt, J. K. (2014). Policy and politics in nursing and healthcare (6th ed.).
United States of America: Elsevier.
Ward, J. (2012). Ethics in nursing: Issues nurses face. Retrieved from
http://www.nursetogether.com/ethics-in-nursing-issues-nurses-face/