Master’s Degree in Nursing Services Management (Online)

Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the ability to carry out professional tasks relating to the management and leadership of

, as well as in fostering innovation within healthcare institutions.

2. Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team, in collaboration with other professionals in the

management team.

3. Be able to carry out activities tailored to each situation arising within the field of

management and leadership.

PREREQUISITES

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT

Pre-professional placements, with a final assessment of competencies.

External placements should facilitate the application, in real professional situations, of the

competencies, knowledge and skills acquired by the student. These will take place

within the administrative departments of the centres and organisations with which the University has

has established the relevant educational collaboration agreements

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1 to GC7.

Specific Competencies: SC1 to SC25.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate the ability to carry out professional tasks relating to nursing management and leadership, as well as to drive innovation within healthcare institutions.

2. Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team, in collaboration with other professionals within the management team.

3. Be able to carry out activities tailored to each situation arising in the field of management and leadership.

Course Content

Pre-professional placements, with a final assessment of competences

External placements should facilitate the application, in real professional situations, of the competences, knowledge and skills acquired by the student. They will take place within the management departments of the centres and organisations with which the University has established the relevant educational collaboration agreements.

Assessment system and criteria

To pass this module, a positive assessment is required from both the academic tutor and the collaborating tutor at the institution regarding the student’s performance during the external work placement:

• Qualitative and quantitative assessment by the tutor at the partner organisation (85 per cent): aspects such as punctuality, commitment, work ethic, relationships with colleagues, relationships with superiors, level of involvement, knowledge, aptitudes, skills and abilities will be taken into account.

• Assessment by the academic tutor of the placement report (15 per cent): this will assess the demonstration of learning and the competences acquired from the body of knowledge covered in the Master’s programme.

Objectives

..

Prerequisites

To have passed all modules.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: CG1, CG4.

Specific Competencies: CE3, CE15, CE26.

Learning Outcomes

1. To be able to summarise, in a written assignment, some of the challenges posed by the management of nursing services which require the constant updating of knowledge, integrating this knowledge on the basis of scientific evidence, presenting case studies that support the technique or procedure carried out and thereby justifying the proposed treatment.

2. To be able, in literature review assignments, to provide an up-to-date overview of the chosen topic, reviewing the literature to trace its development to the current state of the field, and to justify the current situation on the basis of scientifically verifiable facts.

3. Be able to present the proposed topic clearly and concisely in public, highlighting relevant conclusions.

4. Be able to present the work in writing, using scientific language appropriate to the chosen topic, as well as drafting the title, abstract and keywords in English for submission, in accordance with the publication guidelines of the journal, course or conference chosen for its dissemination.

Description of the content

The content of the Master’s Thesis will be based on the development of an original piece of work agreed upon with the Thesis Supervisor. This work must be ‘unpublished’ ‘shall not be of a purely bibliographic nature’; it shall be designed so that the time invested by the student corresponds to the ECTS credits and shall be distinct from any other work the student may have previously undertaken and which has already been academically assessed (Supervised Academic Projects, Reports, etc.). The thesis submitted must be defended before a university examination board in accordance with the assessment criteria outlined, and shall consist of a comprehensive project of a scientific nature.

This project must demonstrate that the student has acquired the general and specific competences described in the general report of this document. The minimum content to be covered in this project is as follows:

• Introduction

• Materials and methods

• Results

• Conclusions

• References

• Appendices

Training activities

Synchronous interactive lessons.

Completion of assignments or projects and problem-solving.

Online tutoring

Preparation of the Master’s Thesis

Public oral defence of the Master’s Thesis

Assessment system and criteria

Assessment through the public presentation and defence of the thesis before a qualified examination board: 15% will be allocated to participation in and performance during seminars and tutorials, 60% to the written thesis and 25% to the oral presentation of the thesis, in accordance with the designated presentation criteria.

The examination board will consist of three members, all of whom are PhD holders from the Master’s programme’s teaching staff or have experience in the field of nursing services management; one will act as chair of the board, another as secretary, and the third as a member. The student’s supervisor may not be a member of the examination board.

The overall mark will take into account, at a minimum, the scientific and technical quality of the Final Year Project submitted, and the quality of the material provided.

The assessment of the dissertation will include aspects such as:

• Achievement of the objectives initially set

• The student’s level of autonomy

• The student’s commitment to the Final Year Project

• Deductive reasoning

• Initiative and creativity

• Research skills

The Final Year Project (FYP) or Master’s Thesis (MT) must be an unpublished document, for which the student bears full responsibility as the sole author. The use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools in its preparation is restricted to auxiliary functions such as grammar checking, the generation of outlines or the search for general information. Any use of AI must be properly cited, specifying the tool used, its specific function and when it was applied. The use of AI to draft substantial content, carry out critical analysis or interpret results compromises the originality and authorship of the work.

Checks for plagiarism and/or the use of AI will be carried out using the tool provided on the virtual campus and will be assessed by the tutor to verify the integrity of the work submitted.

Objectives

1. To understand and recognise the importance of evidence-based nursing

2. To carry out a training needs assessment

3. To be able to design a training plan

4. To understand and integrate ICT into continuing professional development processes.

Knowledge will be assessed as set out in the ‘Assessment System’ section.

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC2, GC6.

Specific Competencies: CE24, CE25

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand the essential theoretical and practical aspects of Evidence-Based Nursing.

2. Be able to develop continuing professional development plans within their department.

3. Understand and be able to apply the most innovative technological tools in knowledge management.

Course Content

1. Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN). Foundations and principles. Methodology and tools. Application to daily practice. Clinical practice guidelines

2. Continuing professional development in healthcare institutions. Planning training in nursing departments. Management, evaluation and impact analysis. Funding for continuing professional development.

3. ICTs in knowledge management.

Training activities

Discussion forums

Individual assignments

Group assignments

Assessment system and criteria

1. Practical activities (case studies, problem-solving and challenges, project work, oral presentations, debates, etc.) (30%)

2. Portfolio (20%).

3. Final knowledge assessment (50%).

Objectives

1. To understand and identify the different leadership styles

2. To identify and apply competency-based management

3. To be able to calculate staffing requirements

4. To develop efficient nursing workforce management

5. To understand the key concepts of labour relations in the healthcare sector

6. Be able to implement negotiation techniques.

The knowledge acquired will be assessed as set out in the ‘Assessment methods’ section.

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6

Specific Competencies: CE6, CE7, CE8.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to manage and lead teams of people in the healthcare sector.

2. To develop the necessary managerial skills and tools for effective leadership.

3. Have an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals and legislation governing labour relations in the healthcare sector.

4. Be able to carry out the duties involved in managing nursing staff.

Course content

1. Leadership in nursing teams. Leadership styles. Management skills.

2. HR planning in nursing. Workforce management.

3. Skills and tools for people management. Motivation, recruitment, remuneration and incentives, career development.

4. Employment relations: Employment legislation. Recruitment. Occupational health and safety. Workplace health.

Training activities

1. Discussion forums

2. Individual activities

3. Group work

4. Synchronous sessions

Assessment system and criteria

1. Practical activities (case studies, problem-solving and challenges, project work, oral presentations, debates, etc.) (30%)

2. Portfolio (20%).

3. Final knowledge assessment (50%).

Objectives

1. To understand the basic concepts of research methodology

2. To carry out high-quality literature searches

3. To be able to identify qualitative and quantitative studies

4. To address research project designs

5. To understand potential sources of research funding

Knowledge will be assessed as set out in the ‘Assessment Methods’ section.

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC3, GC4.

Specific Competencies: CE3, CE4, CE23, CE24.

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand the fundamental concepts of research in nursing and health services.

2. Gain an in-depth understanding of the main quantitative analysis methods: descriptive studies and analytical studies.

3. Understand the key concepts of qualitative research.

4. To learn how to integrate research programmes into the management of nursing services.

5. Understand the main sources of funding for nursing research.

Course content

1. Nursing research. Fundamental concepts: the research question, research paradigm, literature review, variables.

2. Quantitative research design. Descriptive and analytical studies.

3. Qualitative research.

4. Applied statistics

5. Management of nursing research. Funding

Training activities

Virtual face-to-face sessions

Interactive lecture.

Simulation

Collaborative work

Individual and group tutorials

Literature review (study of recommended readings)

Assessment system and criteria

1. Practical activities (case studies, problem-solving and challenges, project work, oral presentations, debates, etc.) (30 per cent)

2. Portfolio (20 per cent).

3. Final knowledge assessment (50 per cent).

Objectives

1. To understand the different healthcare systems and funding systems

2. To identify and understand how the different levels of care operate

3. To understand and develop a budget cycle

4. To understand the financial structure of healthcare institutions

5. To identify health outcome measures

Knowledge will be assessed as set out in the section on assessment systems

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC3, GC6, GC7.

Specific Competencies: SC1, SC2, SC11.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify the main existing healthcare models and their key characteristics.

2. Understand the main organisational models for the provision of healthcare services.

3. Gain a deeper understanding of the different levels of care, as well as social and healthcare coordination, and the role of nursing within this.

4. Understand the main measures of healthcare outcomes and their implications for healthcare organisation.

5. Understand the economic and financial structure of a healthcare organisation.

6. Be able to carry out a complete budget cycle for a healthcare organisation.

Course content

Two modules:

Module 1: The healthcare system

1. Healthcare systems.

1.1. Main models of healthcare systems worldwide. Key characteristics. The Beveridge model, the Bismarck model. Other healthcare models.

1.2. The Spanish healthcare system. Basic legal framework. Main characteristics.

1.3. Main organisational models for healthcare service providers.

2. Social and healthcare integration.

2.1. Levels of care. Overview.

2.2. Social and healthcare coordination. The role of the liaison nurse.

Module 2: Health economics.

1. Economics in the healthcare sector.

1.1. Concept. Importance.

1.2. Health outcomes. Measuring health outcomes.

1.3. Economic evaluation in healthcare.

2. The economic and financial structure of a healthcare organisation.

2.1. Concept of the economic and financial structure.

2.2. The Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss Account. Interpretation and analysis

2.3. The operating account. Concept and preparation.

2.4. Economic and financial indicators and ratios. Concept, calculation and interpretation.

3. The budget cycle of a healthcare organisation.

3.1. Economic valuation of clinical activity.

3.2. Budget preparation.

Training activities

1. Participatory forums

2. Individual activities

3. Participatory activities

4. Critical reading

Assessment system and criteria

1. Practical activities (case studies, problem-solving and challenges, project work, oral presentations, debates, etc.) (30%)

2. Portfolio (20%).

3. Final knowledge assessment (50%).

Prerequisites

A diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6, GC7.

Specific Competencies: CE9, CE10, CE12, CE13, CE19, CE24.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to apply the principles of strategic planning for health services.

2. Understand and apply, where appropriate, the main models of care.

3. Understand the new roles in nursing practice.

4. To learn the principles and tools of efficient management.

5. Be able to successfully carry out managerial functions relating to the evaluation and monitoring of care provision.

Course content

1. Leadership and strategic planning in nursing.

2. Current models of nursing management. Patient-centred care. Self-care models. Case management nursing and models of care for chronic conditions. Alternatives to hospitalisation: ‘Home hospitalisation’. Day hospital. Care management and work organisation. Advanced practice nursing.

3. Clinical management tools. Clinical pathways. Process-based management.

4. Lean Healthcare Management. Efficiency in care management.

5. Evaluation and Monitoring of Nursing Services. Cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses.

Assessment system and criteria

1. Student participation in the various activities (10%)

2. Assessment of reports on various assignments, projects and case studies set for completion, applying the knowledge acquired in the different modules (20%).

3. Completion of online tests (10%)

4. In-person written examination covering, in a comprehensive manner, the skills acquired by the student (60%).

Objectives

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competences: GC1, GC2, GC6.

Specific Competences: CE20, CE21, CE22

Prerequisites

Hold a diploma or degree in nursing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to identify the key aspects of quality management in healthcare settings.

2. Demonstrate the ability to develop quality plans.

3. To learn about the main quality models in the healthcare sector.

4. To learn the essential elements of quality auditing in healthcare.

5. Be able to identify and reduce events that affect patient safety.

6. Understand the methodology for recording and reporting adverse events.

7. To learn how to foster a culture of patient safety within your organisation.

Course content

1. Quality in healthcare. History of quality. Fundamentals.

2. Main quality management models in healthcare centres. ISO. EFQM, Joint Commission. Certification and accreditation.

3. Planning, design and development of healthcare quality plans in nursing units.

4. Patient safety. General concepts. Risk management. Key risks in the nursing environment. Adverse events. Recording and reporting.

5. Developing a culture of patient safety. Tools for analysing adverse events. Improvement strategies.

Training activities

1. Student participation in the various activities (10%)

2. Assessment of reports on various assignments, projects and practical case studies set for completion, applying the knowledge acquired in the different subjects (20%).

3. Completion of online tests (10%)

4. In-person written examination covering, in a comprehensive manner, the skills acquired by the student (60%).

Prerequisites

A diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC3, GC6.

Specific Competencies: CE17, CE18, CE19.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to identify the key elements of new technologies applied to healthcare.

2. To develop innovation plans in nursing.

3. To learn how to extract information from information systems that is relevant to the management of nursing services.

4. Understand the implications of handling large volumes of data and its practical application.

5. Develop advanced clinical simulation plans within their services.

Course content

1. New Technologies in Nursing. Digital skills for healthcare leaders.

2. Information systems and patient classification. Analysis of nursing outcomes. Prediction and analysis. Precision in care.

3. The digital transformation of healthcare. Development of healthcare innovation plans.

4. Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Big Data and Machine Learning in healthcare.

5. Clinical simulation.

Assessment system and criteria

1. Student participation in the various activities (10%)

2. Assessment of reports on various assignments, projects and practical case studies set for completion, applying the knowledge acquired in the different modules (20%).

3. Completion of online tests (10%)

4. In-person written examination covering, in a comprehensive manner, the skills acquired by the student (60%).

Prerequisites

A diploma or degree in nursing.

Competencies

Core Competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5.

General Competencies: GC1, GC3, GC5, GC7.

Specific Competencies: CE14, CE15, CE16, CE17.

Learning Outcomes

1. To learn the basic principles of healthcare marketing.

2. Be able to develop a comprehensive healthcare marketing plan.

3. Develop the communication strategies required of a healthcare manager.

4. Be able to identify and utilise the benefits offered by mobile technologies in the management of nursing services.

Course description

1. Marketing in healthcare services. The role and objectives of marketing. The dimensions of healthcare marketing. Healthcare services. Marketing strategies. Structuring the healthcare service offering.

2. Internal marketing. The internal marketing mix in healthcare.

3. Communication and brand image.

4. mHealth. Mobile health and the connected patient. Health apps. The Liquid Hospital.

Assessment system and criteria

1. Student participation in the various activities (10%)

2. Assessment of reports on various assignments, projects and case studies set for completion, applying the knowledge acquired in the different modules (20%).

3. Completion of online tests (10%)

4. In-person written examination covering, in a comprehensive manner, the skills acquired by the student (60%).