New elective course available for Spring
NUR 420/POS 420 The American Healthcare System is an elective offered in spring 2026 that explores the American healthcare system through an interdisciplinary nursing and political science lens, using current, no-cost Open Educational Resources to help you understand how healthcare works and how change happens within it.
Take a practical, big-picture look at the U.S. healthcare landscape, including the roles of key stakeholders, social determinants of health and consumer engagement. The course also examines cultural competence and inclusive care, compares international health systems for global insight and unpacks the financial, operational and innovation forces shaping modern healthcare.
Designed for a wide variety of students interested in patient care, policy, leadership or system improvement.
Instructor: Nora Bowne.
For more information, contact nora.bowne@maine.edu.