Course Descriptions

Foundation Course
NURS 6000 Success Strategies in the Master of Science Program in Nursing Online Environment (1 sem. cr.)*
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. The course will also provide a foundation for the student’s academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. Course assignments focus on the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and the integration of professional practice with professional and academic excellence as they relate to practice in nursing.

*Note: Students who are graduates of Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are not required to repeat NURS 6000 as part of a certificate program.

Specialization Curriculum

Nursing Informatics Certificate (16 sem. cr.)
NURS 6400 Informatics in Nursing and Healthcare (4 sem. cr.)
This course establishes the foundational knowledge for understanding and practicing nursing informatics in healthcare settings. Core and supporting models and theories for nursing informatics and the sciences that support nursing informatics are studied. Consideration is given to the use of information technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality in patient-centered care, and concerns about protecting information and system integrity are addressed. Course assignments focus on nursing practice/healthcare applications.

NURS 6410 Information and Knowledge Management (4 sem. cr.)
This course examines database systems as the focus for studying concepts of data modeling, techniques of data definition, and data manipulation. Concepts of information and knowledge management are considered with emphasis on application to the practice setting.

NURS 6420 Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems (4 sem. cr.)
This course examines the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of electronic information systems in healthcare. Methods of systems design are compared, contrasted, and critiqued. Special attention will be given to workflow modeling in systems design. Emphasis is on application to practice settings.

NURS 6430 Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology (4 sem. cr.)
This course explores the theory and practice of how to manage health information technology projects. Students will learn how to plan, schedule, and control healthcare informatics projects with emphasis on application to practice settings. Project management software is introduced.