DBLA 800 : Business, Leadership, and Advocacy for Nurse Anesthesia

Course Description

This course integrates anesthesia business fundamentals, professional communication, organizational leadership development, and health policy advocacy skills essential for doctoral nurse anesthesia practice. Drawing from MTSA’s policy and advocacy framework (3Es: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity), EDAM-informed advocacy preparation, and anesthesia business training (contracts, reimbursement, productivity, staffing models, pro formas, and RFP strategy), students develop practical competence in the business realities of anesthesia care delivery. ‑Es: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity), EDAM-informed advocacy preparation, and anesthesia business training (contracts, reimbursement, productivity, staffing models, pro formas, and RFP strategy), students develop practical competence in the business realities of anesthesia care delivery. ‑E framework, a business-focused RFP/proposal simulation

Students also cultivate leadership behaviors required of practice doctorate graduates through structured self-assessment, systems thinking, interprofessional collaboration, governance and performance improvement content, change management, and managerial decision-making.

The course culminates in applied deliverables including an advocacy activity, policy analysis using the 3E framework, a business-focused RFP/proposal simulation, and integrative reflection on leadership identity and professional advocacy.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Student Learner Outcomes

Upon successful completion of DBLA 800, the learner will be able to:

1. Analyze anesthesia care delivery business practices (employment models, staffing, productivity, billing/reimbursement, budgeting, and pro forma concepts) and recommend operational improvements. (Standards 31, 32, 36, 38, 44, 49, 50)
2. Apply the 3‑E framework (effectiveness, efficiency, equity) to evaluate a healthcare policy issue relevant to nurse anesthesia and justify a position using evidence. (Standards 31, 34, 38, 41, 43, 44)
3. Plan and complete a nurse anesthesia advocacy activity with a legislator/decision-maker/stakeholder and reflect on professional impact. (Standards 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43)
4. Demonstrate leadership behaviors grounded in self-reflection, systems-thinking, and structured decision-making. (Standards 31, 32, 34, 44)
5. Lead collaboration and communication within teams using influence, persuasion, conflict navigation, and professional accountability principles. (Standards 26, 31, 32, 34, 37)
6. Evaluate governance and organizational performance systems (credentialing, peer review, just culture, performance improvement, risk management) and apply them to a nurse anesthesia scenario. (Standards 31, 32, 44, 49)
7. Construct and defend a basic RFP response strategy for anesthesia services that consider staffing, budget, compliance/legal constraints, and service-line sustainability. (Standards 31, 32, 38, 44, 50)
8. Translate quality/outcomes information into an improvement recommendation and describe dissemination steps appropriate for organizational stakeholders. (Standards 26, 31, 32, 44, 49)

Graduate Standards Achieved

Upon successful completion of DBLA 800, the learner will be able to demonstrate the following Communication, Leadership, and Professional Role Graduate Standards:

26: Utilize interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective interprofessional exchange of information and collaboration with other healthcare professionals

31: Integrate critical thinking and self-reflection in one’s approach to leadership

32: Provide leadership that facilitates intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration

34: Interact on a professional level with integrity

36: Function within legal and regulatory requirements

37: accept responsibility and accountability for one's practice

38: Understand the importance of providing cost-effective anesthesia services

40: Inform others of the role and practice of the CRNA

41: Evaluate how public policy impacts the financing and delivery of healthcare

43: Advocate for health policy change to advance the specialty of nurse anesthesia

44: Analyze strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of care

49: Use information/communication technologies and informatics processes to support and improve healthcare systems

50: Analyze business practices encountered in nurse anesthesia delivery settings