Notes

Course Overview

The extraordinary explosion of knowledge, expanding technologies, increasing diversity, and global health challenges produce a dynamic environment for nursing and amplify nursing’s critical contributions to health care. Master’s education prepares nurses for flexible leadership and critical action within complex, changing systems, including health, educational, and organizational systems. Master’s education equips nurses with valuable knowledge and skills to lead change, promote health, and elevate care in various roles and settings (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2011).

This is the perfect time to be embarking on a graduate degree in nursing. With the rapidly changing environment of health care delivery, honing your critical thinking skills, developing research and analysis skills, and deepening your understanding of key leadership and organizational concepts will support your growth as a nurse leader. Following successful completion of Walden University’s MSN program, you should have the skills and experiences necessary to fulfill a variety of management and nursing practice roles and to further your professional goals.
This first course in the MSN program, Foundations of Graduate Study, introduces those fundamental skills that will help you be successful as a graduate student. You will explore what it means to become a scholar-practitioner and begin developing the requisite knowledge to assume that role. You will also be introduced to the values and expectations associated with graduate study at Walden University. You are encouraged to reflect deeply on how these qualities align with your academic and professional goals. In this course, you will begin to develop the skills needed to achieve the desired outcomes of your graduate program.
Welcome to Foundations of Graduate Study!