Nursing 744

NURS 744: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Nurses and Nursing Practice  Sphere of Influence              

Prerequisite:  NURS 710, NURS 712, NURS 713, NURS 716 and concurrent with NURS 745; or permission of faculty

Credit Hours: (3)

Focuses on the practice and theoretical dimensions of adult and older adult advanced nursing practice. Content provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and research findings to clinical practice of both adults and older adults in diverse settings.   

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Course focuses on the practice and theoretical dimensions of adult and older adult nursing practice. Content provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and research findings to clinical practice of both adults and older adults with an emphasis on the issues related to health promotion, protection and restoration, advanced practice nursing management of both clients and families with selected complex holistic needs. An emphasis is on the roles of clinician, consultant, case manager and researcher.

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 application/discussion of theoretical concepts and issues and intervention strategies for both acute and chronic illnesses in the adult and older adult, 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 the course the student will be able to:  
          
1.    Identify the concepts of practice within the Standards of Adult and Gerontological Nursing  practice.
2.    Analyze current nursing research findings and related literature for application to advanced practice nursing with adults and older adults.
3.    Use/design methods and instruments to assess patterns related to nursing practice outcomes within and across units of care.
4.    Assess knowledge, skills, and practice competencies of nursing personnel to advance the practice of nursing
5.    Identify safety issues related to equipment.
6.    Substantiate desirable and undesirable patient outcomes linked to nursing practice.
7.    Identify facilitators and barriers to implementation of nursing practices that influence nurse-sensitive outcomes.
8.    Integrate holistic assessment strategies into the plan of care for the adult and older adult.
9.    Assess the effects of interactions among the individual, family, community, and social systems  on health and illness.
10.    Develop interventions that are age-specific.
11.    Develop educational interventions for staff and patients that are culturally sensitive in dealing with health promotion and disease prevention.
12.    Provide leadership for establishing, improving, and sustaining collaborative relationships to meet the health care needs of the adult and older adult client.
13.    Foster an interdisciplinary approach to quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research, and translation of research into practice.
14.    Analyze ethical dilemmas pertinent to the care of the adult and or older adult.

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