Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Health Equity Active Learning, and Synthesis) (HEALS) Learning Communities
The DNP HEALS Learning Communities (HEALS LCs) are small groups of graduate nursing students, facilitated by faculty mentors, that encourage the formation of professional role skills and peer mentor relationships. The purpose of the DNP LCs is to foster critical-thinking, encourage peer to peer teaching, discuss relevant advanced practice professional role and leadership behaviors, foster a sense of community, and encourage relationship development between students and faculty.
These HEALS LCs focus on ACCN ESSENTIALS: CORE COMPETENCIES FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING EDUCATION such as system-based practice, quality and safety, communication, professionalism, and interpersonal skills as well as other topics. Incoming DNPs students are divided into HEALS learning communities that embody the ten (10) NP programs specific values. LCs are longitudinal, with students continuing in these groups for the clinical years. The HEALS sessions are a requirement of the first-year content in the 3Ps. In this model, students lead interactive discussions with faculty mentors serving as facilitators.
The DNP HEALS Learning Community Values are:
- Integrity
- Justice
- Scholarship
- Humanism
- Wisdom
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Courage
- Leadership
- Professionalism
Case- Based Scenarios Included Topics:
- Ethics
- Cultural Intelligence
- Quality & Safety
- Health Justice & Social Determinants of Health
- Leadership
- Health Reform & Political Determinants of Health
- Advocacy
- Communication Skills
- Implicit Bias & Macroaggressions
- Scope of Practice Authority & Professional Issues
Taking part in these learning communities will provide great benefits including:
- Learning about the culture of the MSM community
- Building relationships with classmates
- Building relationships with faculty
- Broadening the learning experience
- Honing valuable career skills
- Tips on how to fully utilize and enjoy the educational experience