This course addresses the principles of knowledge synthesis as the basis for informing nursing theory and practice. Students broaden their understanding of different kinds of evidence while learning the skills of locating, coding, synthesizing, and applying evidence from research studies. Students learn to draw on Christian values and principles to critically reflect on the implications of evidence-based knowledge for theory and practice.

An entry-level course in understanding the philosophical foundations of nursing inquiry and evidence with a focus on qualitative methods. Students explore the inquiry process in the context of the following methods: phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, critical inquiry, narrative analysis, historical and philosophic inquiry. The processes of data collection, analysis, and interpretation are examined. Attention is given to Christian values and principles in relation to research ethics and the applicability of research findings to the various contexts of nursing practice.

This course addresses principles of nursing inquiry and evidence with a focus on quantitative design and statistical literacy. Students will broaden their understanding of quantitative research methods and enhance their ability to analyze quantitative data and interpret statistical results for answering research questions of relevance to nursing theory and practice.

A broad overview of the policy process and its application to health care. Reflecting on Canadian priorities, concerns, and obligations, health care issues are analyzed with a specific focus on policy, politics and influence. The roles of nursing and nurse leaders in health policy development, implementation, and advocacy for the health and social needs of the public are critically evaluated. A required on-site residency at the Laurentian Leadership Centre in Ottawa exposes students to the key people and process of health care policy at federal and international levels. International policy, through WHO and other agencies, is examined for its relationship to federal policy and for global perspectives on health and nursing.

This graduate course critically examines issues related to nursing knowledge and advanced professional practice. Topics may vary, depending on student interest and professor availability. Sample topics include: Issues in Nursing History and Issues in International Nursing.

An overview to the history, theory, research, ethics, and issues shaping nursing leadership in Canada and international health communities. Utilizing thoughtful Christian perspectives, students critically explore the history of leadership in health care, and the sociopolitical context in which it operates, and the attributes of morally good leaders, analyze current and future issues affecting health care leadership, and apply the role of nursing leadership to that context.

A practical focus on the competencies required to facilitate learning in nursing education. Students explore pedagogical concepts and techniques in classroom and clinical contexts including constructing syllabi, lesson plans, clinical learning experiences and evaluative measures, with attention to Christian perspectives.

An overview to the theory, research, and issues shaping nursing leadership in Canada and international health communities. Students will explore the history of leadership in health care, and the sociopolitical context in which it operates; analyze current and future issues affecting health care leadership, and apply the role of nursing leadership to that context. Nurses who bring disciplinary nursing knowledge about health promotion, patient responses to illness, interpersonal and inter-professional communication, population health, and the social contexts of health and illness together with emerging knowledge regarding health care organizations and leadership theory are in a unique position to provide highly effective leadership to today's changing, complex healthcare environments.

A practical focus on the competencies required for nursing leadership. Students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills necessary for today’s complex healthcare environments, which take into account Christian values and principles. Building on their existing practice expertise, students explore ways to innovatively incorporate emerging research, theory and practice concepts into a particular field of healthcare leadership practice, including (but not limited to) health care administration and operational management. Emphasis is placed on concepts such as values clarification, engagement and relationship building, patient advocacy, inter-professional communication and team building, quality improvement, and the ethics of leadership.