Nursing (PhD)

The Philosophy of Science and Foundations of Nursing Science course explores the meaning of truth, the meaning of evidence, and the meaning of life through praxis. It is the nurse scientist’s responsibility to view and analyze science from diverse perspectives related to their numerous nursing roles including clinician, advocate, innovator, and researcher and from the perspectives of the patient, family, caregiver, and society.

This course provides PhD nursing students with an historical and contemporary assessment of the central philosophical and theoretical issues of the nature of science, the patterns of knowing, and knowledge development, and how these tenets influence and are foundational to the philosophy of nursing science. In addition, this course focuses on the relationships between and among the philosophy of science, the philosophy of nursing science, and individual personal philosophy with the development of nursing knowledge and the philosophical and theoretical tenets involved in the discovery and verification of theory. Emphasis is on the process of analysis of diverse scientific approaches that have supported the development of nursing knowledge within the context of their philosophic traditions, and logical arguments presented for the pros and cons. Students will explore philosophical foundations of science and theory, and view these through the lens of health equity and ethics, as well as, evolving development of their phenomenon of interest.

Health Care Ethics is the field of applied ethics concerning moral decision making in the practice of health care and the specific development of applicable guidance. Through an overview of ethical theory and principles, this course will consider the broad leadership and policy implications of ethical decision making. This Health Care Ethics in Systems course will intentionally analyze the design of integrated health care ethics for both clinical and research aims in organizations at the community, regional and global level. Health equity, as a core value, will be intentionally addressed at all levels with dynamic integration into outcomes for individuals and organizations. Moral agency as a basis for strategic and transformational leadership will be an ethical focus in both decision making and systems analysis. The course is designed with regard to the effect of nursing science on health care systems. 1. Demonstrate proficient fluency in the major traditions, concepts and methods of health care ethics. 2. Critique global, national and regional health policies using theoretical foundations and health equity as a core value. 3. Critically analyze organizational policies and system behaviors using recognized standards of excellence (method for consultation, preventive ethics to address ethics quality gaps, and ethical leadership). 4. Design an organizational or system culture (ethics environment) that promotes moral agency and moral integrity. 5. Analyze leadership strategies and decision-making for the incorporation of organizational ethics in averting or addressing conflicts, crises and challenges in health care.

This is the first of two courses for the health ethics scholar. This course will focus on the ethical considerations in the context of healthcare organizations and the community. An integrated approach to learning will include both theoretical and experiential opportunities.

1. Analyze how the identified mission/vision/values impact healthcare within the organization and in the community. 2. Demonstrate the intersection of compliance and regulation within healthcare ethics. 3. Evaluate opportunities and context of organizational ethics in decision making involving communities and organizations.