[Susan Penner]

Does anyone in this forum teach health care economics or finance to undergrad or graduate nursing students?

[renerian]

I teach a portion of my orientation for new employee about health care billing/payment structure/capitation and such. ARe you trying to find out if nursing school captures that information? I would think the BSN program would. My BS did not teach that and thank goodness as I have been exposed to that type of information for about 13 years.

renerian

[Susan Penner]

That's an interesting perspective--I find that RN students are usually very interested in learning more about the economic/financial issues in health care, as they realize that the "flow of the money" impacts both on them and on their patients. However, it's helpful to see your view on this-thanks for your reply!

Originally Posted by renerian

I teach a portion of my orientation for new employee about health care billing/payment structure/capitation and such. ARe you trying to find out if nursing school captures that information? I would think the BSN program would. My BS did not teach that and thank goodness as I have been exposed to that type of information for about 13 years.

renerian

[renerian]

I think that in the past nurses have not needed to know such information but now it is a much different world. It is easy to go get a dressing off the central supply cart and not know/realize or change your care based on not only the best product, the ease of use but based on the total cost of the dressing not only during that one use but over the entire time you would need to use it.

renerian

[Susan Penner]

You make a really good point--I became an RN back in the days when costs were not taken into consideration. Also, when I've taught health care economics/financial management to RN-to-BSN or to MSN students, I focus on how they can use the concepts to prepare a business plan or program grant proposal to try to get the funding needed to improve patient care. I also focus on budgeting concepts as I believe budgeting gets overlooked in nursing management courses and is really important for any nurse taking on a management role.

Originally Posted by renerian

I think that in the past nurses have not needed to know such information but now it is a much different world. It is easy to go get a dressing off the central supply cart and not know/realize or change your care based on not only the best product, the ease of use but based on the total cost of the dressing not only during that one use but over the entire time you would need to use it.

renerian

[renerian]

I received no education that we are speaking of in nursing school. Sign of the times I guess. I know we are teaching our case managers about that and many are so uninterested in learning it. I was at first two but now it is second nature.

We have a nice conversation going on ay? LOL.

renerian

[VickyRN]

Nurse educators must be willing to train assertive nurses for not just bedside patient care (as important as that is) but for vital economic and political issues. To be a good patient advocate nowadays means one must have both business and political savvy. Until recently, most nursing school programs stayed away from economics and centered on patient care. The reality is that money dictates the environment and conditions under which we administer care. It is vitally important that nurses learn the mechanics of business.
In our ADN program, we have a Professional Issues course in which we discuss (among other things) the economics of health care.

[renerian]

I agree with you wholeheartidly. Many nurses have a hard time and struggle with dealing with money constraints.

renerian