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NURS 488 Capstone: Nurses Take Action for Health Equity

This capstone course, guided by a nursing perspective, is designed to incorporate learning obtained throughout the RN to BSN curriculum, including theories, evidence based practices, care across the lifespan, and principles of anti-racism, holism and global-local-community, to synthesize for health equity activism within healthcare settings. Utilizing Emancipatory Nursing and Social Medicine theoretical frameworks, students will analyze the social, economic, political, and historical influences that underpin health inequities within clinical practice. Particular focus will be on actions within nurses¿ scope of practice to address harm and inequity for patients and families and to promote health equity. Students will analyze select examples of activism and develop a plan for their own clinical health equity focused activist scholarship work. This course is part of a competency-based nursing curriculum leading to the baccalaureate of science degree in nursing.

Prerequisites

3 Undergraduate credits

Effective May 2, 2024 to present

Learning outcomes

General

  • Examine health inequities affecting patients and families through the lifespan as a basis for action planning
  • Analyze the history of activism and activist scholarship, guided by Emancipatory Nursing and Social Medicine theories, focused on health equity, anti-racism, holism and social justice, led by nurses and other healthcare professionals
  • Compare and contrast common theories, strategies, and interventions utilized in nursing and healthcare professional-led activist scholarship work in distinct healthcare contexts
  • Analyze the role of technologies and algorithms in healthcare to address inequities
  • Apply evidence to plan effective holistic nurse-driven activist strategies to advance health equity in a select healthcare setting