NURS 721 is the DNP leadership, policy and ethics course at Liberty. Its written work is four short forums, an 8 to 10-page emotional intelligence paper, a 12 to 15-page leadership and change theory synthesis paper, and a group electronic presentation on a health policy with its topic proposal.
Liberty's catalog lists the course as NURS 721 Leadership, Policy and Ethics, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as NURS721.
What NURS 721 covers
The catalog description: This course will provide a study of principles and knowledge of organizational leadership and advanced communication abilities that support an improved quality of care delivery as well as improved outcomes. Consultative and leadership approaches that facilitate collaboration are explored. The advanced practice role of nursing as it pertains to policy development, championing change, and inspiring clinical innovation are examined. National and global policy issues are highlighted, with specific attention placed on the ethical aspects of health policy development.
The course studies organizational leadership and advanced communication that improve care quality and outcomes, consultative and collaborative leadership approaches, and the advanced practice nurse's role in policy development, championing change and clinical innovation, with attention to the ethics of health policy. The texts are Clawson, Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface, and Goudreau and Smolenski, Health Policy and Advanced Practice Nursing.
The two papers are the heaviest written work in the DNP core: 500 points between them, both requiring the Bible in addition to the course textbooks and a set number of outside references.
Textbook named in the published guide: Clawson, Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface (2012). Goudreau & Smolenski, Health Policy and Advanced Practice Nursing (2014). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
NURS 721 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Not set in the guide; a thread and at least 2 replies, graded on depth and breadth |
| 2 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 50 | Not set in the guide; a thread and at least 2 replies |
| 3 | Emotional Intelligence Paper | 200 | 8 to 10 pages |
| 4 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 50 | Not set in the guide; a thread and at least 2 replies |
| 5 | Leadership and Change Theory Synthesis Paper | 300 | 12 to 15 pages |
| 6 | Group Electronic Presentation Project Topic | 50 | Not set in the guide; a topic submission |
| 7 | Group Electronic Presentation Project | 250 | 15 to 20 minutes if streamed, or 30 slides |
| 8 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 50 | Not set in the guide; a thread and at least 2 replies |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A thread on the provided leadership prompt, graded on depth and breadth, with replies to at least two classmates. How to write NURS 721 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 2: Discussion Board Forum 2
The second forum on Clawson chapters 2 to 4, graded on depth and breadth, with replies to at least two classmates. How to write NURS 721 Week 2 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 3: Emotional Intelligence Paper
An 8 to 10-page research and reflective paper on emotional intelligence, with 6 to 8 references beyond the textbooks and the Bible. How to write NURS 721 Week 3 Emotional Intelligence Paper.
Week 4: Discussion Board Forum 3
The third forum on Clawson chapters 6 and 10, with replies to at least two classmates. How to write NURS 721 Week 4 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 5: Leadership and Change Theory Synthesis Paper
A 12 to 15-page research-based paper synthesizing leadership and change theory, with 10 to 12 references beyond the textbooks and the Bible. How to write NURS 721 Week 5 Leadership and Change Theory Synthesis Paper.
Week 6: Group Electronic Presentation Project Topic
The team's chosen contemporary health policy for the group presentation and how it affects nursing practice. How to write NURS 721 Week 6 Group Electronic Presentation Project Topic.
Week 7: Group Electronic Presentation Project
A team presentation on a contemporary health policy and its impact on nursing: 15 to 20 minutes streamed or 30 slides, with 12 to 15 peer-reviewed references. How to write NURS 721 Week 7 Group Electronic Presentation Project.
Week 8: Discussion Board Forum 4
The final forum, with replies to at least two classmates, in the last week of the course. How to write NURS 721 Week 8 Discussion Board Forum 4.
How NURS 721 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The synthesis paper is 300, the group presentation 250 plus 50 for its topic, the emotional intelligence paper 200, the four forums 50 each (200) and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Leadership and Change Theory Synthesis Paper | 300 |
| Group Electronic Presentation Project | 250 |
| Emotional Intelligence Paper | 200 |
| Discussion Board Forums (4) | 200 |
| Group Electronic Presentation Project Topic | 50 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 940 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach NURS 721
The synthesis paper (Week 5) needs 10 to 12 references beyond the textbooks and the Bible; start collecting leadership and change theory articles in Week 1, when Clawson's appendix of theories is assigned.
The group presentation needs 12 to 15 peer-reviewed references and a team process; agree on roles and a shared folder as soon as teams are formed.
Questions students ask
How long is the NURS 721 synthesis paper?
12 to 15 pages in current APA, with at least 10 to 12 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.
What is the NURS 721 group presentation?
A team electronic presentation on a contemporary health-related public or professional policy and its impact on nursing practice: 15 to 20 minutes if streamed or 30 slides, with 12 to 15 peer-reviewed references.
Working through NURS 721 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.