Professional Leadership and Communication in Healthcare.
Professional Leadership and Communication in Healthcare.
One of the first courses you will take in your B.S. Nursing, B.S. Health Information Management, B.S. Health Services Coordination, or RN-to-M.S. Nursing program at WGU will be unlike any other you'll complete here — and for good reason!
Professional Leadership and Communication for Healthcare is about social support and self-reflection, about getting to know what kind of leader and communicator you are and learning how to use skills discussed in class to build success for yourself — in your healthcare career, as a WGU student, and in your life.
Emotional intelligence and communication skills are crucial for nurses and healthcare professionals. Medical errors are currently the third leading cause of death in the United States, and experts point to poor communication as the primary contributing factor. Crucial communication skills are not easily learned in isolation. That is why this highly rated, one-of-a-kind course is delivered as an instructor-led, group-based online course.
You will complete the Professional Leadership and Communication for Healthcare course within the first month of your first term at WGU. You will attend five (5) 2-hour live cohorts with other College of Health Professions students, led by a Course Instructor. Many cohort options across all seven days of the week are available, up to 90 days in advance. Please note that all live sessions are scheduled and conducted according to the Mountain Time Zone. There is flexibility in the group you choose. Your Enrollment Counselor or Program Mentor will help you find one that fits into your schedule.
Course at a glance:
- Attend 2-hour synchronous sessions on webcam in a Zoom room
- Complete a short pre-work module before each live session
- Submit tasks into WGU’s evaluation system, including a summative reflection paper where you will demonstrate a connection of your learning from the course and to your goals for the future
- Engage in peer reviews using GoReact video technology
- Complete the course in about one (1) month
- Earn two (2) CU's
What you will learn about:
- Working styles for yourself and others
- Interpersonal communication skills and theories
- Concepts and perspectives regarding emotional intelligence
- Leadership skills
- Critical thinking
- Introspection and tools for reflection
- Successful learning strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the course?
You will have access to the course when you enroll in your term and click the “start course” button.
What happens if I miss a live session?
Since attendance is a required component for passing this course, please make certain you can attend all LIVE sessions in the cohort you sign up to attend.
What is required to pass this course?
Attendance to all live sessions, completion of performance tasks, and submission of student-made videos for peer review will result in a pass for the course.
How much study time is needed for this course?
The pre-work and preparation for each live session typically requires 30–60 minutes.
What do I need to do to ensure that I am prepared for class?
You will need reliable high-speed internet and a computer equipped with a webcam. We encourage students to bring/keep a notebook/journal to each live session.
Live sessions? How does this course work?
You will register for the course and then attend live sessions on webcam with an instructor and about 20 of your WGU classmates. Before each session, you will complete a short module, introducing you to the curriculum and help you make the most out of class time. During class, you will participate in several interactive activities while learning about leadership, communication, and yourself in a dynamic and engaging way. You will get to know and make connections with other students. If learning independently is what you are used to, this is a rare experience to learn with and through other students as you look for a new direction in your learning and commit to your graduation goals.
Is it really on webcam?
Yes! It is easy to feel isolated as an online student — but it's harder to feel alone when you can see other students like you — face to face. Peer support is a critical element in learning. We know that learning is most effective if we can collaborate with others. Each live session provides students with an opportunity to engage, share perspectives, collaborate, and reflect. This often becomes the most important aspect of the course for students and can be a catalyst for future course engagement.