Core competencies for outcomes management in nursing.

Nurses have frequently assumed responsibility for the examination of outcomes within the health care system. As nurse case manager, outcomes manager, or care manager, these roles signify both a different way of doing business and a new set of expectations and competencies. The educational preparation for these roles varies dramatically. As outcomes measurement and management have become a critical arena for nursing leadership, a graduate-level course, Health Care Outcomes Measurement, was developed. Core competencies for outcomes measurement and management are presented in this one course, rather than as individual topics in established courses. In this manner, graduate students are exposed to the interdependent nature of care management and outcomes measurement while becoming knowledgeable consumers of outcome data. This article describes the need for course development and presents the objectives, content, and assignments for this course.