| Course | NURS 521 Nursing Issues, Informatics and Technology (NURS521) |
|---|---|
| Credit hours | 3 |
| Program | MSN |
| Length | 8 Module/Weeks, online |
| Weeks with written work | 5 of 8 |
| Samples on this site | 5 week sample papers |
| Sources | Liberty's 2026-2027 catalog and the published NURS 521 course guide |
| Updated | October 2026 |
What NURS 521 covers
The course is built on Nelson and Staggers' Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach, read in large blocks each week, with three open-book exams in Weeks 2, 5 and 8 that carry no written paper. Each forum asks for a 500-word thread in answer to a prompt and two replies of at least 250 words to classmates.
The written papers are the heart of the grade. The Week 3 position paper runs three to five pages with at least two scholarly sources. The informatics paper comes in two 200-point parts of five to eight pages each, with at least five scholarly sources: Part 1 assesses one of three critical situations and the role informatics plays in it, and Part 2 turns that assessment into a plan of action written as an implementation policy.
This course prepares students for the rapidly evolving world of health care by addressing topics affecting practice and issues facing future nurse leaders and educators. Changing reimbursement models and their effect on nursing practice will be discussed. Topics related to technology such as tele-health and nursing informatics will be examined. Quality improvement, patient safety, and other topics relevant to contemporary nursing will be explored.
NURS 521 week by week, with the sample for each
| Week | Written work in the course guide | Points | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Discussion Board 1: 500-word thread and two 250-word replies | 100 | Read the Week 1 sample |
| Week 2 | Exam 1 only; no paper due | No written paper this week | |
| Week 3 | Position Paper on health care and social media, 3 to 5 pages, 2+ scholarly sources | 100 | Read the Week 3 sample |
| Week 4 | Informatics Paper Part 1: assessment of a critical situation and the role of informatics, 5 to 8 pages, 5+ sources | 200 | Read the Week 4 sample |
| Week 5 | Exam 2 only; no paper due | No written paper this week | |
| Week 6 | Discussion Board 2: 500-word thread and two 250-word replies | 100 | Read the Week 6 sample |
| Week 7 | Informatics Paper Part 2: plan of action written as an implementation policy, 5 to 8 pages, 5+ sources | 200 | Read the Week 7 sample |
| Week 8 | Exam 3 only; no paper due | No written paper this week |
Where NURS 521 papers lose points
Papers lose points in NURS 521 when they describe technology in general terms instead of tying it to a specific workflow, patient risk or measurable outcome, and when the Part 2 policy does not grow out of the Part 1 assessment. Position papers lose points when they survey both sides without ever taking a position.
Using a NURS 521 sample well
Each sample shows the depth and structure a strong submission needs. Your course supplies its own forum prompts and its own three critical situations for the informatics paper, so answer those; use these pages to see how evidence, workflow and policy language fit together.
NURS 521 questions, answered
What textbook does NURS 521 use?
Nelson and Staggers' Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach, second edition, with large reading blocks every week and three open-book exams drawn from it.
How long is the NURS 521 informatics paper?
Each of its two parts runs five to eight pages, not counting the title and reference pages, with at least five scholarly sources, and each part is worth 200 points.
What is the NURS 521 position paper about?
It addresses health care and social media in three to five pages of current APA with at least two scholarly sources, and it must argue a clear position rather than only describe the issue.
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