Authors

  1. Sebach, Aaron M. PhD, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FHM
  2. Dolan, Charles L. DHSc, MBA, CPHRM, CPHQ, PHR, FACHE

Article Content

Quality improvement (QI) is a fundamental curricular concept in DNP programs. Although textbooks have historically been used in nursing education, open educational resources (OERs) are now widely available and warrant consideration by nurse educators teaching QI courses. One such OER is a 13-course basic certificate in quality and safety offered by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) (http://www.ihi.org/education/IHIOpenSchool/Courses/Pages/OpenSchoolCertificates.). The certificate encompasses 5 primary concepts: improvement capability, patient safety, triple aim for populations, person- and family-centered care, and leadership. Institute for Healthcare Improvement courses may be accessed asynchronously by students after creating an account on the IHI website. Each course is approximately 75 to 90 minutes in duration, has established objectives, and offers a list of optional supplemental resources. To promote content application, nurse educators should integrate IHI certificate concepts into formative and summative course assessments such as discussion boards, root cause analyses, and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Doctor of Nursing Practice students have provided favorable reviews of the IHI certificate indicating that the content is engaging, practical, and applicable to their DNP project. Moreover, the IHI is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and by completing the certificate, students earn 17.75 continuing education credits.