NRSE 6051 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology: Course Overview

NRSE 6051 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology is a critical course in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Walden University, designed to explore how technology is revolutionizing nursing practice and healthcare delivery. In this course, students will examine the integration of emerging technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, health information systems, and other digital tools, into nursing workflows to enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and increase healthcare efficiency.

This course is particularly valuable for nurse leaders, healthcare administrators, and clinical nurses who wish to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and leverage them to drive innovation and quality improvement in healthcare.

Course Overview of NRSE 6051 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology

NRSE 6051 focuses on understanding the transformative role of technology in healthcare settings and its impact on the nursing profession. The course will cover the adoption and implementation of various technologies, the challenges and opportunities these technologies present, and how technology can help address current healthcare challenges, such as patient safety, efficiency, accessibility, and quality of care.

Students will also explore how nurses, as innovators and leaders, can influence the effective integration of technology into practice, ensuring that it aligns with patient-centered care and healthcare policies.

Key Learning Outcomes and Focus Areas

Understanding Technology’s Role in Healthcare Delivery
- Students will explore how healthcare technology is being used to improve patient care, streamline clinical workflows, and increase efficiency in healthcare systems.
- The course will examine eHealth technologies, telehealth, and mobile health applications and how they are reshaping patient-provider interactions.
Health Information Systems (HIS) and Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
- Emphasis on the adoption and integration of electronic health records (EHRs) and health information systems (HIS) in nursing practice. Students will understand the role of EHRs in improving communication, reducing errors, and enhancing patient safety.
- Students will learn how to navigate HIS and optimize their use for decision-making, clinical documentation, and patient engagement.
Telehealth and Telemedicine
- Exploration of the growing role of telehealth in nursing, especially in remote care settings and rural areas. Students will examine how telemedicine, virtual consultations, and remote monitoring are transforming access to care and patient outcomes.
- The course will also discuss ethical issues, such as maintaining confidentiality and privacy in virtual care settings.
Technology in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- Technology’s role in improving patient safety and supporting quality improvement initiatives in healthcare organizations will be explored. Students will learn how to use data analytics, clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and real-time monitoring technologies to reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
Interoperability and Data Exchange
- Students will understand the importance of interoperability in healthcare systems and how different technologies can communicate with each other to provide comprehensive patient care.
- The course will cover data exchange standards, Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), and the impact of data sharing on healthcare delivery.
Nurses as Leaders in Technology Integration
- Students will explore the role of nurses as leaders in the integration and adoption of new technologies. The course will teach students how to guide their organizations through the implementation process of healthcare technology, including staff training, technology assessment, and policy development.