Nursing 745
NURS 745: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Nurses and Nursing Practice Sphere of Influence-Clinical
Prerequisite: NURS 710, NURS 712, NURS 713, NURS 716 and concurrent with NURS 744; or permission of faculty
Credit Hours: (3) Three hours clinical
Clinical course for NURS 744: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Nurses and Nursing Practice Sphere of Influence. Focuses on the nursing practice sphere with adults and older adults, and provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and research findings in clinical practice.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Provides the opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and research findings in clinical practice for both adults and older adults with an emphasis on clinical and ethical decision making and developing clinical competence required for certification. Within the practice sphere the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) advances nursing practice and improves nurse sensitive patient outcomes by updating and improving norms and standards of nursing care. The CNS provides leadership in the development of evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and best practice models and guidelines.
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, clinical performance evaluations by faculty/preceptor, documentation of best practices, 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. Assess adult and older adult clients in diverse settings.
2. Employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for screening and interventions.
3. Promote interventions supporting the psychosocial and spiritual needs of the client.
4. Provide leadership for collaborative, evidence based revision of diagnosis and plans of care, to improve patient outcomes.
5. Initiate consultation to obtain resources as necessary to facilitate progress toward achieving identified outcomes.
6. Develop age-specific clinical standards, policies and procedures as applicable to the adult and older adult.
7. Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse organizational cultures and populations including patients and providers
8. Design health information and patient education appropriate to the patient’s developmental level, health literacy, learning needs, cultural values, and readiness to learn.
9. Provide education to individuals, families, groups, and communities to promote knowledge, understanding and optimal functioning across the wellness-illness continuum.
10. Integrate evidence into the health, illness, and wellness management of patients, families, communities, and groups.
11. Foster an interdisciplinary approach to quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research, and translation of research into practice.
12. Promote a practice environment conducive to providing ethical care.
13. Utilize methods and patterns of effective intra-professional communication and consultation skills.
14. Use information technology appropriately to:
a. Collect appropriate and accurate data to generate evidence for nursing practice
b. Inform and guide the design of nursing care that will generate meaningful evidence for nursing practice
c. Analyze assessment data
d. Design evidence-based interventions
e. Examine patterns of behavior and outcomes
15. Utilize the Standards of Nursing Practice, Gerontological Nursing Practice, and the Code of Ethics to guide the care provided.
Assessment Measures:
May include but are not limited to: class participation, presentations, computer exercises, written work e.g., clinical logs and journals, quizzes, tests, and clinical evaluations by faculty/preceptors
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Approved: April 2010