91121 - Innovative Models of Caring and Ethics in Nursing (RN)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should have the knowledge and skills to create a professional environment that promotes excellence, an effective communication climate, decision making, responsibility and autonomy of health professionals.

Course contents

The evolution of organizations

• The evolution of healthcare systems
• From hierarchical structures to the "government of the unexpected"
• Weick: Sensemaking as knowledge and organization
• Weick: from vulnerability to organizational resilience
• Safety culture in healthcare

  Organizational innovation

• How to generate organizational innovation
• Types of organizational change
• Change management model
• Barriers to change and how to overcome them
• Continuous quality improvement
• Magnet hospital

  Nursing ethics

• Ethical and deontological values
• Relationship between person, illness, health institutions and carers
• Ability to make ethical judgement
• Assumption of responsibilities

  Nursing care models

• The new healthcare paradigms
• Organizational models implemented in Italy
• Emerging organizational models
• Nursing sensitive outcomes
• Missed nursing care
• Evaluation of workloads
• Staffing and calculation of staff needs

  Performance measurement

• Measurement, assessment and meritocracy
• Organization and management of personnel
• Advanced / specialist competences
• Enhancement of resources and job description
• User satisfaction
• The satisfaction of health professionals

  Leadership

• Leadership styles
• How to reward and take care
• Delegation
• Promotion of organizational health

  From working group to group work

• The different types of groups
• The goal of the group
• The climate of the group
• Manage work groups
• Strategies to encourage multi-professional integration processes

  Research applied to organisation

• Organizational research
• CERISMAS methodology
• Definition of indicators
• Nursing minimum data set
• Research tools for nursing
• Organizational and management interventions

Readings/Bibliography

• Calamandrei, C., Orlandi, C., & Aletto, L. (2015). Manuale di management per le professioni sanitarie. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Baraldi, S., Cicchetti, A., Cifalinò, A., & Mascia, D. (2015). Innovazione organizzativa e ruoli emergenti in sanità. Le sfide per i professionisti della salute. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Pennini, A. (2020). 10 brevi lezioni per manager in sanità: Essere, stare, sviluppare. Milano: FrancoAngeli.
• Fry, S. T., & Johnstone, M. J. (2004). Etica per la pratica infermieristica: una guida per prendere decisioni etiche. Rozzano (MI): Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

Discussion of a plan/program/project that demonstrates interpretation/reasoning and problem solving/decision-making skills with respect to the topics; oral test on the contents.


The evaluation of the plan/program/project will take into account the completeness and correctness of what is indicated, the use of scientific language and the possible presence of errors classifiable as "frequent", as discussed during the lessons.


The evaluation of the oral test will take into account the completeness and correctness of the contents and the use of scientific language, as well as the ability to determine the relationship between the different concepts.


The exam is considered passed if the tests of the remaining modules are also sufficient.




Grading of the final grade


Failure to apply the indicated Models/Methods, inadequate language, scarcity/absence of contents: insufficient
Mechanical application of the indicated Methods/Models, overall correct language, presence of the main contents → 18-19
Application of the Methods/Models with sufficient adaptation to the topic covered, expression in correct language, presence of contents, ability to determine the main relationships between the different concepts → 20-24
Application of the Methods/Models suitable for the topic covered, mastery of the specific terminology, presence of all the contents, ability to determine the relationship between the different concepts → 25-29
Adequate and exhaustive application of the Methods/Models with respect to the topic covered, originality of the topic, full mastery of the specific terminology, ability to argue, self-assessment and self-reflection, in-depth analysis of the contents and full ability to determine the relationship between the different concepts → 30-30L


The test will be carried out according to the indications contained in the University regulations (which you are invited to consult) and according to any other indications provided from time to time by the academic bodies.

Teaching tools

PC and video projector, teaching material

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Biagioli