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NURS 741

NURS 741: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Patient/Client Sphere of Influence -Clinical 

Prerequisite:   NURS 710, NURS 712, NURS 713, NURS 716 and concurrent with NURS 740; or permission of faculty

Credit Hours: (3) Three hours clinical

Clinical course for NURS 740:  Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist:  Patient/Client Sphere of Influence.  Focuses on the patient/client relationship with an emphasis on health promotion, protection and holistic care of adults and older adults in diverse settings.

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 in diverse clinical settings to specific situations and issues. Advanced nursing practice roles of clinician, collaborator, and educator are emphasized. Current evidence based research findings supporting the adult and older adult theoretical concepts are integrated into practice.

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, 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

1.    Conduct comprehensive, holistic wellness and illness assessments using known or innovative evidence-based techniques, tools, and direct and indirect methods.
2.    Prioritize differential diagnosis to reflect conditions most relevant to signs, symptoms and patterns amenable to CNS interventions.
3.    Integrate evidence based concepts in planning care for adults and older adults.
4.    Employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to guide screening and diagnosis with adult and older adulate clients in varied settings.
5.    Assess the effects of interactions among the individual, family, community, and social systems of health and illness.
6.    Design strategies, including advanced nursing theories, to meet the multifaceted needs of complex patients and groups of patients.
7.    Analyze current nursing research findings and related literature for application to advanced practice nursing with adults and older adults.
8.    Determine when evidence based guidelines, policies, procedures and plans of care need to be tailored to the individual patient/client.
9.    Provide direct care to selected patients based on the needs of the patient and the CNS’s specialty knowledge and skills.
10.    Communicate consultation findings to appropriate parties consistent with professional and institutional standards.
11.    Provide leadership in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to implement outcomes-focused patient care programs meeting the clinical needs of patients,, families, populations and communities.
12.    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.
13.    Coach Patients and families to help them navigate the healthcare system.
14.    Provide education to individuals, families, groups and communities to promote knowledge, understanding and optimal functioning across the wellness-illness continuum.
15.    Integrate evidence into the health, illness, and wellness management of patients, families, communities and groups.

Assessment Measures:

May include but are not limited to:  class participation, presentations and discussions on assigned topics, documentation of participation in activities of professional organizations, clinical simulations, computer exercises, case studies and other written work e.g., clinical logs and journals, quizzes, tests, and clinical evaluations by faculty/preceptors.  Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used.  

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

Approved: April 2010