Nursing 740

NURS 740: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Patient/Client Sphere of Influence

Prerequisite:  NURS 710, NURS 712, NURS 713, NURS 716 and concurrent with NURS 741; or permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (3)

This course focuses on the patient/client with an emphasis on health promotion, protection and holistic care of adults and older adults.  

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Course focuses the patient/client with an emphasis on health promotion, protection and holistic care of adults and older adults. Provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and research findings to specific situations and issues. Advanced nursing practice roles of clinician, collaborator, and educator are emphasized with current evidence based research supporting the theories guiding advanced nursing practice with adult and older adults. Trends and issues addressing longevity, legalities, ethics, and culture are also emphasized.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Learning activities in this class may include but are not limited to:  lecture, faculty/student directed discussions and conferences, documented discussion of theoretical concepts, issues, and intervention for adult and older adult patients experiencing acute and chronic illnesses,, class participation, reading assignments, computer exercises, case studies and other written work. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used.  

Goals and Objectives of this Course

At the conclusion of this course the student will:  

       
1.    Employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to guide screening and diagnosis.
2.    Assess the effects of interactions among the individual, family, community, and social systems of health and illness.
3.    Design strategies, including advanced nursing theories, to meet the multifaceted needs of complex patients and groups of patients.
4.    Analyze current nursing research findings and related literature for application to advanced practice nursing with adults and older adults.
5.    Determine when evidence based guidelines, policies, procedures and plans of care need to be tailored to the individual.
6.    Provide leadership in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to implement outcomes-focused patient care programs meeting the clinical needs of patients, families, populations and communities.
7.    Design health information and patient education appropriate to the patient’s developmental level, health literacy level, learning needs, readiness to learn and cultural values and beliefs.
8.    Identify educational needs of  individuals, families, groups and communities to promote knowledge, understanding and optimal functioning across the wellness-illness continuum.

Assessment Measures

May include but are not limited to:  class participation, presentations, computer exercises, papers and other written work, quizzes, tests, analysis of cases and ethical issues.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

Approved: April 2010