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The Nurse as Health Policy Specialist.
The nursing profession has a growing role in the health policy arena.
The health policy program is a cross-disciplinary program that prepares students to assess the policy dimensions of issues in the clinical practice, teaching, and research environments within which they work and to translate nursing practice issues into policy issues.
Note:
UCSF School of Nursing also offers Doctoral (Ph.D.) Programs in Nursing,
and (for non-nurses) Doctoral (Ph.D.) Programs in Sociology.
In the UCSF School of Nursing Master of Science (M.S.) program, students may choose the Health Policy Nursing Specialty.
The Health Policy Nursing Programs Winter 2005 and Winter 2007 Newsletters are available at the links below:
The focus is on preparing students to identify, critically analyze and evaluate laws, regulations, and policies at the institutional, local, state, and national levels that impact their patients and the practice of nursing, and in developing knowledge of the history, structure, and process of health policymaking in the United States.
Public policies are the public actions that may be taken by policy makers at the federal, state and local levels. These actions can include budgetary changes, legislative changes, regulatory changes, and legal actions. Public policy work involves the process of public discourse, and requires a variety of skills and knowledge. Before nurses can advocate for public policy changes, they need a clear understanding of the current policies and how the health care system operates, including the financial incentives that influence health organizations.
The curriculum is designed to provide academic preparation in health policy. It builds upon core doctoral programs including nursing theory, research methods, policy and economics, and cultural competency, and focuses on health policy and ethics as applied to policy and clinical arenas.
Theory courses for the program focus on theories of the policy process, including theories from nursing, sociology, political science, and economics as they relate to nursing and health policy. The courses provide training in the policy making process not only in the U.S. but also in the international health care area.
Health policy is a multi-disciplinary area, where the expertise of nurses, sociologists, economists, political scientists, and health experts are utilized to exam issues of health care access, quality and costs.
Our innovative program is housed in the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the School of Nursing. The program involves faculty from other departments in the School of Nursing and the School of Medicine as well as from several research institutes and centers at UCSF utilizing a large multi-disciplinary faculty to develop a leading national program for the training of nurses in health policy.
Such programs include the Center on Social Disparities and Health, Institute for Health and Aging (School of Nursing), the Institute for Health Policy Studies (School of Medicine), the Center for Research and Innovation in Patient Care (School of Nursing), the Center for the Health Professions (School of Medicine), and the Center for Tobacco Research and Education (School of Medicine).
These programs and selected faculty serve to teach classes and to mentor students in research and provide residencies as part of their health policy training. This faculty, with large and successful research programs, also provides valuable research assistantships and employment for students during their educational programs.
The program prepares a strong cadre of nurse researchers who can step into positions of health policy leadership in legislative organizations, regulatory agencies, licensing bodies, and policy organizations. The goal is to contribute to and improve health policy to benefit patients, the public and the nursing profession. Additionally, graduates are prepared to assume academic and research positions where they can initiate and contribute to health services and policy studies.
As part of the training process, the specific objectives of the specialty in health policy are for students to:
Each doctoral student works with his or her advisor in developing an individualized plan for their doctoral work. Students take core methods and theory courses in the program and are given wide flexibility in developing health policy electives that meet their own interests.
Students are required to take at least one research rotation with a health policy faculty member during their program. Students will also be encouraged to collaborate with faculty members on research to gain experience in a variety of research methods and projects.
During the third year, doctoral nursing students may participate in an interdisciplinary health policy-training program at the Institute for Health Policy Studies. The seminars for this program are held one day a week and include a writing workshop where students present and critique their work in progress (articles, grant proposals, and other work).
The program also has a noon proseminar on a health policy issue. The health policy proseminar brings together doctoral and master's students in health policy with health policy faculty members and policy leaders on a weekly basis. The discussions focus on the leading health policy debates and faculty and students present their research.
UCSF offers a large number of health policy courses in a wide array of areas. Students can individually tailor their health policy interests and have a wide range of faculty to work with at the University. In addition, students on the UCSF campus can take courses at UC Berkeley offered in the School of Public Health, Medical Anthropology and Sociology and Business School. These larger University resources enable students to take courses depending on their specific research projects.
A Model Curriculum for the Nursing PhD Health Policy program is available showing course requirements, click the link below:
Coursework covers the policy process including the structure of health care systems, economics of health care, communications and leadership strategies in policy, policy analysis, cost analysis in health care, health policy research, and the ethical and social aspects of policymaking. Students may choose policy-relevant electives focused on particular issues, including aging and long term care policy, ethics, managed care and financing, tobacco control policy, children and adolescent policy, labor market issues, race, class and gender factors in health care, social policy, women's health, and many other areas. Core doctoral coursework is taken in addition to specialty courses in health policy.
Theories of the Policy Process focuses on learning and using theories of the policy process, including analyzing how health policy problems are constructed. Perspectives on agenda setting, media roles, advocacy, policy innovation, diffusion, and implementation are integrated with examples of policy problems.
Organizational Analysis of U.S. Healthcare examines formal organizational theory, structure, and processes of health care organizations. The focus is on how organizations function within the socioeconomic and political environment in the United States.
Policy Proseminars are designed to extend knowledge of the varied scope of health policy research and analysis. The series presents the policy research work of core and affiliated health policy faculty on the campus and offers the opportunity for students to become acquainted with the faculty in the program. The focus is on specific policy research, analysis and implementation strategies.
Research Rotations provide students the opportunity to learn hands-on policy and research analysis working with faculty on a policy or research project. Guided laboratory experience is designed to develop mastery in policy analysis or research.
Race/Class Factors in Health Care Delivery examines racial and class membership impact on access to health care services, variations in the quality of those services, and how professional and sub-professional roles in the health care system are organized along racial and class lines.
Health Policy I & II addresses models of health policy research with a focus on integrating health services research theory and methods. Health service research designs that focus on high priority national policy issues are examined, addressing key health policy research questions and assessing policy outcomes.
Health Care Economics and Policy provides a critical analysis of economic, sociological, and political factors that affect health care. It examines U.S. health policies that impact access, quality, costs, delivery systems, professional practices, and reform.
Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice explores selected ethical theories including social ethics related to health care and nursing practice within the institutional and broader health care policy context.
Communications and Policy Leadership focuses on developing students' skills in various types of policy-relevant communications and leadership across different policy venues.
Policy and Politics of Health examines health care policy and politics in terms of historical and contemporary issues related to access, quality, and cost. Organizational, financing, and labor market issues are included, along with strategies for social change.
Select Policy Electives
Perspectives on Social Policy and Health examines the impact of family and welfare policy on health status, health care access, and health outcomes. The course explores theories on the historical constructions of poverty and the poor and governmental policies affecting poor and working class employment, family supports, income subsidy, childcare, and access to health care. It examines the debates over universal access to health care and the impact of social constructions of poverty on the debate.
Social Policy and Aging provides a critical analysis of major social, economic, and political issues of growing old in America. It examines social policy in the public and private sectors including health, income, and social services and considers prospects for social change and political movements.
Tobacco Control Policy Issues focuses on issues and evolution of tobacco control policies in the U.S. and internationally. Lectures and readings in the history of tobacco control will prepare students to engage in weekly discussions and case studies of particular tobacco control policies, and to apply lessons from tobacco policy to other arenas.
Ethics & Policy in Genetics & Genomics explores ethics, philosophy, and social policy of genetics research, screening, and therapeutic interventions using case-based discussions. Social and health care implications related to the understanding of human nature, informed consent, insurance, employment, emotional impact, and predictive variability of genetic screening will be explored.
Basic Topics in Leadership in Health Care Systems examines basic topics in leadership in health care systems including management, human resources, financing and budgeting, and feedback and coaching.
Managing Change in Health Care Systems examines the principles of organizational change in health care systems. These include strategy, decision-making and conflict management, communications, and quality improvement and management.
Leadership Development & Self Renewal examines the principles of leadership and self-renewal including negotiating, motivating others, problem solving, managing diversity, improving care management, and developing skills and knowledge.
Information Technology and Organizational Change examines information technology (IT) in health care organizations, with a focus on electronic medical records. The course covers: the potential for IT to improve quality; the economics of IT; theories of diffusion of innovations; theories of the relationship between IT, and behavior, practice and organizational changes; the costs and benefits of IT in health care costs and benefits and quality improvement; and alternative policy approaches to hasten IT adoption in health care.
Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN
Professor and Director, Ph.D. in Nursing Health Policy Program,
Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
"My primary research interests focus on quality, access, utilization, and expenditures of nursing home care, home and community based care, and personal care services, as well as labor market and managed care issues."
Ruth Malone, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN
Associate Professor of Nursing and
Director, M.S. in Nursing Health Policy program,
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
"I am interested in how health policy problems and trends emerge, are defined, sustained, and changed, and, in particular, how industry and mass media figure in the construction of policy around health risk issues. My current projects involve exploring tobacco industry and media influences on tobacco use, policies, and perceptions, particularly among marginalized groups."
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Malone (left), Benner (center), Newcomer (right) |
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Patricia Benner, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN
Professor Emerita, former Thelma Shobe Endowed Chair in Ethics and Spirituality,
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Joint Appointment, Department of Physiological Nursing
"My research focus is in skill acquisition and clinical judgment in nursing practice, and articulating the knowledge and skill in practice in order to make it public, and visible. More recently I am working on End-of-life care issues occurring in critical care settings."
Robert Newcomer, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
"My work is directed to concerns of health care financing, quality assurance, and quality improvement—mostly in long term care or the interface between acute and long term care. This work has involved outcomes studies of disease management, disability prevention, and caregiver support interventions; and descriptive studies of state long term care delivery systems (including supportive housing). A growing area of my interest is in long term care labor supply, most particularly personal assistance providers. This work is reflected in the UCSF Center for PAS and in several grant proposals under review. Additionally, I continue to be interested in health outcomes studies. Much of this work has involved care coordination interventions. Recent endeavors have focused this work around palliative and end of life care."
Note: selected individual faculty biographies are available; see Faculty Profiles on our faculty page.
The Health Policy program has the assistance of the program advisory committee who provides consultation and promotion of the program. The members of the advisory committee are very enthusiastic about the program and actively participate in program promotion and student recruitment. Their contribution to the establishment and evolution of the program is invaluable. The following individuals serve on the advisory committee:
Toby Adelman, M.S., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: B.S. and M.S. in International/Cross-Cultural Nursing, UCSF.
Diploma from Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing, Boston
Background: Nurse Manger of the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) with the San Francisco Institute on Aging. Per diem charge nurse at the Smith Ranch Care Center in San Rafael. Associate Professor, University of Maine School of Nursing and surgical nurse in Jerusalem
Current interests: Patient access and outcomes for the aged and disabled living at home and in the community.
A Betty Irene Moore Fellow
Lisa Black, M.S., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: B.S.N. and Master's degree in Nursing, the University of Nevada, Reno
Background: Publishing and speaking internationally on the topic of health care workers occupationally infected with HIV and a dedicated website on the issue. Executive Director of the Nevada Nurses Association
Current interests: Patient perceptions of care delivered by HIV+ nurses and further exploration and understanding of the policy implications of HIV+ health care workers in direct care roles
Patricia "Trish" Brennan, M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. in critical care nursing, UCSF, B.S.N. Emory University
Background: Clinical research coordinator of the Islet Transplant Program at UCSF Medical Center; Transplant and critical care nursing and post-graduate fellow studying the Ireland health care system.
Current interests: Nursing Education
Ab Brody, B.A., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: B.A. in Biology, New York University. Completing M.S. degree as a geriatric nurse practitioner, UCSF
Background: Staff nurse in general medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. Past Senior Research Assistant for the John A. Harford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing in New York. Active student representative to the University for the UCSF School of Nursing
Current interests: Geriatric care
Juliet Chandler, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: M.S. in Nursing from UCSF. B.S. in Nursing and Psychobiology from UCLA and J.D. from Monterey College of Law.
Background: Served as a missionary/teacher in the Philippines, Thailand, and China. Has worked as a family nurse practitioner for the Monterey County Health Department for the past nine years.
Current interests: Health issues of migrant farm workers
Eric Collier, M.S., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: M.S. in Nursing, UCSF. B.S.N.., Loyola University, New Orleans. Diploma of Nursing, General Hospital School of Nursing, St. John's, Newfoundland
Background: Graduate student researcher, UCSF. Clinical experiences in the acute care sector. Per diem Administrative Nursing Supervisor, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, South San Francisco
Current interests: Staffing levels and other predictors related to quality of care in nursing facilities, supported by a five-year pre-doctoral fellowship from NIH/NINR
Amy Crickmer, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: B.A. from the University of Washington and a M.S. in nursing from San Jose State University
Background: Has served as a nursing clinical instructor and a coordinator for the Telephone Care Program at the Veteran's Administration Healthcare System in Palo Alto, CA.
Current interests: She is interested in the study of telephonic care as an adjunct to traditional healthcare delivery models
Mark C. Crider, M.S.N., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
"As health care around the world continues to evolve new policies are being explored and implemented to meet the complex health demands of a global society. The UCSF School of Nursing is providing the academic leadership to prepare nurses to be involved and provide leadership when policy decisions are needed. The diversity of experience and expertise among the faculty provides the health policy student with a broad perspective in policy research and application."
Education: B.S., nursing, Pennsylvania State University.
Master of Science in Nursing, Villanova University
Background: Nursing Degree Completion Director, Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Calif. Clinical and practical background as a staff nurse, lobbyist, private mental health practitioner, administrator and community educator. Coordinator of the nursing health policy programs and the HRSA training grant, UCSF
Current interests: Seeks to increase the role that nurses play in the development and implementation of health policy. Research focusing on professional nursing society and collective bargaining
Cristina Flores, M.S., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: Master's in Gerontology, San Francisco State University.
B.S. in nursing, California State Dominguez Hills
Background: Owner/Licensee/Administrator of Cristina's Care Homes. Staff nurse and home care nurse case manager. Associate Coordinator of the Long Term Care Administration Program in SFSU's Gerontology Program
Current interests: The impact of health policy on long-term care programs for the elderly
Mary Foley, M.S., R.N.
Fourth Year Student
"I have chosen to pursue my nursing studies at UCSF because it combines a well respected nursing program with expert faculty who are making 'real world' contributions. I want to learn about policy from people who are making it and shaping it, and UCSF has those people, as students and faculty!"
Education: Diploma, New England Deaconness Hospital School of Nursing. B.S.N., Boston University. Master's of Science, UCSF
Background: Associate Director in the Center for Research and Nursing Innovation at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Project Director for the Betty Moore CalNOC Nurse-Related Outcomes Measurement initiative. Regents Lecturer at UCSF and Visiting Assistant Professor in the master's entry program for nursing. Past president of the American Nurses Association. Employed for 19 years at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Director of Nursing and Safety Officer. Part-time clinical faculty member at San Francisco State University School of Nursing and was the faculty adviser for the student nurses association at the school
Current interests: Health care policy as it relates to improving the workplace, promoting safe care, and worker health and safety
Christina Foushee, M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. in nursing and health policy, UCSF, B.S.N. Eastern Kentucky University.
Background: Public health nurse in the International Medical Corps, Lukes, Albania, a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, as well as the Indian Summer Camp for Kids with Cancer. Clinical experience in med./surg., oncology, and neurology.
Current interests: Community Health Policy
Liana Hain, M.S., R.N., CCRN
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. in nursing UCSF, B.S.N. San Jose State University
Background: Professor in the nursing program at Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, and assistant clinical professor in the School of Nursing, UCSF. Assistant director/professor/curriculum chair/previous acting Dean of Evergreen Valley College nursing program and clinical nursing practice in critical care. Former president of the South Bay Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Current interests: Nursing Education
Amina Huda, M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: Diploma and B.S.N. in nursing education from Aga Khan University School of Nursing in Karachi Pakistan. M.S.N. in adult health nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina. Post master's geriatric nurse practitioner program, UCSF
Background: International nursing practice experience in Pakistan and the U.S.
Current interests: Frail elderly living in the home and community. Community and residential care health policy
Gina Intinarelli, M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. in nursing and health policy UCSF, B.S.N. SFSU, A.D.N. Pasco-Hernando Junior College, Florida
Background: clinical nurse coordinator, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UCSF Medical Center. Extensive experience in critical care nursing and a founding member of Nightingales: Nurses Smoke-Free Advocacy Group and Chair, World No Tobacco Day Planning Committee.
Current interests: Tobacco industry influence on public health and health policy
Ann Klobas, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: B.S.N. from the University of Illinois and an M.S. from UCSF.
Background: a nurse practitioner at the Veteran's health Services Mare Island in Vallejo and has served as a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner students.
Current interests: Policy and health care access for the elderly
Hyang Yuol Lee, M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. and B.S. in nursing from Seoul National University, Korea
Background: research in nursing management and health policy, serving as research assistant with the Health Policy and Management Department of Seoul National University. Surgical nursing experience at Seoul National University Hospital, Korea
Current interests: policies impacting the quality of care in nursing homes and home and community based programs
Susan McNiesh, M.S.N., R.N., C
Second Year Student
Education: M.S. in nursing San Jose State University, B.A. in sociology Montclair State University, A.S. in nursing, Cabrillo College, Calif.
Background: Adjunct faculty in nursing at San Jose State University, Cabrillo College, and Evergreen Valley College, teaching maternal and newborn health nursing.
Current interests: Nursing Education
Mary Nottingham, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: B.S.N. from Indiana Wesleyan University and M.S.N. from Indiana University
Background: She has worked as a clinical educator and has extensive pediatric experience
Current interests: Clinical knowledge development and judgment of newly graduated nurses
Nancy Oliva, M.H.A., M.P.A., M.S., R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: M.H.A. and M. P.A. University of Missouri, Columbia, M.S. in counseling psychology Dominican University of CA, B.A. in health science-community health education and B.S.N Creighton University
Background: manager of risk management and patient relations at Sutter Marin General Hospital, consultant to Partnership for the Public's Health Program of the Public Health Institute.
Current interests: residential and community health policy
Lori Rodriquez, M.A., M.S.N., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: B.S.N., M.A. in Education and Instructional Technology, and Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate from California State University San Jose. M.S.N. from UCSF
Background: Extensive background in both education and clinical practice. A lecturer and clinical instructor in nursing at San Jose State University. A frequent presenter, with several publications
Current interests: Health policy and nursing leadership development.
A Betty Irene Moore Fellow
Teresa Serratt, M.S.N., R.N., BC, CCRN
Second Year Student
Education: M.S.N. and B.S.N. University of Texas at Tyler
Background: Nursing executive and adjunct professor of nursing, and critical care nursing. Community service to hospice care and bioterrorism response and communication, and rural geriatric care.
Current interests: Nursing Administration and Health Policy
Caroline Stephens, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: B.S. in Biological Psychology from U.C. Davis and a B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania
Background: Owner and operator of Geropsychiatric nurse practitioner for assisted living, skilled nursing facility and homecare patients in the Central Valley
Current interests: Resource utilization and quality of care among cognitively impaired nursing home residents
Kathleen Sullivan, M.S.N, R.N.
Second Year Student
Education: B.S. in nursing from Mount St. Mary's College. M.S.N. from CSU Dominguez Hills
Background: Extensive experience in home. Vice President of Home Care Services at Marian Hospital Home Care & Hospice. A former Robert Wood Johnson Executive Fellow and current treasurer
Current interests: Chronic illness, long term care, and health policy related to the frail elderly, focusing on the evaluation of clinical and financial effectiveness of capitated long term care elder programs
Michelle Tellez, B.A., M.S., R.N.
Ph.D. Candidate
Education: B.A. in Political, Legal and Economic Analysis from Mills College. M.S. in Nursing Administration and minor in Education and Health Policy from UCSF
Background: Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Experience on the transplant unit at UCSF Medical Center. Extensive experience as a community educator in HIV and reproductive health
Current interests: Health policy and tobacco control
A Betty Irene Moore Fellow
Allison R. Webel, B.A., B.S.N., R.N.
Third Year Student
Education: B.S.N. and a B.A. in sociology from Ohio State University
Background: Creator and director of a peer led, interactive workshop for adolescent women addressing the positive and negative aspects of body image. Active in the local, state, and national student nurses association, serving a term as the national association vice president, as well as serving as a legislative intern with the Ohio House of Representatives and with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. AIDS work in Swaziland, Africa
Current interests: Access to health care resources
Marcia Wertz, M.S., R.N.
Third Year Student
Education: B.S.N., University of San Francisco. M.S. in nursing, clinical research management, UCSF
Background: Nurse Coordinator for the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, UCSF Department of Pediatrics. Extensive experience in pediatric nursing as both a researcher and clinician, and holds certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals
Current interests: Pediatric obesity and health policy
Cindy Wojtecki, M.S., R.N.
First Year Student
Education: B.S.N. State University of New York at Plattsburgh and a M.S. in nursing from Syracuse University
Background: Employee Education and Development Manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Syracuse and as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse. She also serves as a lecturer for ethics, legal and social issues in medicine, practice of medicine, with the Center for Bioethics and Humanities SUNY Upstate Medical University
Current interests: Ethics and research literacy in nursing
Take note that your application will be to the "Nursing Doctoral (PhD) Program, with your area of specialization/research interest as Health Policy, so your file will receive appropriate screening.
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