Nursing Operations: Structure, Preparedness, and Community - Online Course

As part of the Director-Level Nurse Leadership Program, this course prepares nurse leaders to operate effectively across three realities that shape care delivery: organizational structure, emergency preparedness, and community health. Learners examine how authority and decision-making are influenced by structure, clarify leadership responsibilities during emergencies, and use community and population health data to guide decisions. The focus is on leading through complexity while maintaining safe, effective care.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

This course prepares nurse leaders to operate effectively across three realities that shape nursing outcomes: organizational structure, emergency preparedness leadership, and community health/policy influence. Learners will examine how structures affect authority and decision-making, clarify leadership responsibilities in preparedness and coordination, and use community data to understand disparities and guide priorities. The focus is practical and role-relevant for aspiring nurse directors who need to lead through complexity while protecting patient care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Organizational Structure and Leadership Implications
1. Differentiate major organizational structure types and their defining characteristics.
2. Analyze how organizational structure influences effectiveness, communication, and decision-making.
2. Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Leadership
1. Explain how nurse leaders use management systems (ICS/HICS) to coordinate response and maintain care continuity.
2. Describe key nurse leader responsibilities in disaster planning and readiness (including hazard vulnerability assessment).
3. Identify priority operational actions during a short-notice event to protect patients, staff, and operations.
3. Community Health, Health Disparities, and Policy Influence
1. Assess how key determinants of health contribute to health outcomes and health disparities.
2. Explain how epidemiologic and community data can inform leadership decisions about community health needs.
3. Identify ways nurse leaders can support community engagement and influence initiatives that affect population health.

CONTENT REVIEWERS

Kari Goerke, EdD, MS, RN, NEA-BC
Dr. Goerke holds a BS in Nursing, a Master’s in Nursing Administration, and an EdD in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Healthcare Administration. With over 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare, she has served as an educator, director, service line leader, and nurse executive. Her expertise includes organizational management, staff development, change management, clinical excellence, patient safety, and strategic planning. Dr. Goerke teaches graduate nursing students and directs the MS in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare program.

Jason King, DNP, RN, CENP, FAONL
Jason King, DNP, RN, CENP, FAONL is a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer. In healthcare for 21 years, Jason received his Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Indiana University School of Nursing. Receiving fourteen awards for nursing excellence since 2002, this year, Jason was inducted as a Fellow into the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Jason is an active participant in seven organizations/boards and has twice been published in Simulation Research.

AUTHORS BY SECTION

Organizational Structure and Leadership Implications
Sandra Swearingen, PhD, RN

Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Leadership
Kristin Madsen, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NEA-BC

Community Health, Health Disparities, and Policy Influence
Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, PhD, RN, FAAN