Clinical Rotation Objectives

Students typically complete a minimum of 720 over three courses, which vary by specialty.

Clinical Management Courses and Objectives

Scope of Practice
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) work primarily with adult patients from 18 years old and up that tend to have life-threatening issues.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT COURSES (TOTAL OF 720 CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS)

NURS 615: Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Acute Illness I

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to develop theoretical and clinical competencies in the care of the acute and chronically ill adult across the adult-older adult age spectrum, including care of the frail older adult.  The course builds on concepts and skills derived from prerequisite courses and focuses on evidence-based clinical decision-making, to support diagnosis and management of the acute and chronically ill patient across the continuum of care, from illness to wellness.  The clinical portion of the course allows the students to apply theoretical, scientific, and evidence-based clinical knowledge in a supervised practicum to manage patients across the adult-older adult age spectrum, including the frail older adult.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 12 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: 

During this course, students will:

  1. Synthesize and apply clinical knowledge through quizzes, exams, small group discussions, case studies, and honing their clinical reasoning skills.
  2. Demonstrate their abilities in various activities including demonstrating fundamental procedural skills as well as applying knowledge utilizing a standardized patient.
  3. Apply knowledge through required supervised clinical hours and clinical documentation.

AGACNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES: 

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule (this may include evenings and/or weekends).
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients 18 years of age and younger. During this semester, no procedures may be performed by the student under any circumstances, as students do not receive training in procedures until the next course in the AGACNP curriculum. This is irrespective of a preceptor’s willingness to supervise the student in performing procedures.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students are NOT to care for any patients on a hospital unit on which they currently work or are employed.
  5. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  6. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES: 

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. In selected disease states:
    1. Obtain and document a health history and conduct either a comprehensive and systematic assessment or a system-focused symptom-specific assessment of health and illness in patients using a systematic evaluation and management process applied to patients with acute serious and critical illnesses, or acute exacerbations of chronic illness across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
    2. Incorporate both physiologically- and technologically-derived data to evaluate for physiologic instability and potentially life-threatening conditions in patients across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
    3. Synthesize data using evidenced-based clinical decision making methodologies to formulate a differential diagnosis and management plan, including the need for additional screening and diagnostic tests.
  2. Analyze the impact of acute and chronic illness on health promotion and protection from disease, considering patient developmental, age related, gender specific, and ethnic or cultural variations in order to perform a risk assessment and develop a health promotion plan.
  3. Apply and interpret commonly used screening and diagnostic tests, based on theoretical, scientific and evidence-based clinical knowledge to facilitate safe, effective, and quality care in patients across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
  4. Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with patients (individual, family, or group), considering cognitive, developmental, physical, mental, and behavioral health variations across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
  5. Apply educational interventions appropriate to the physiological and psychological status of the patient, considering the environment, available resources, and patient and family readiness to learn, health literacy and personal values.
  6. Compare and contrast the role of the acute care nurse practitioner with other healthcare professionals and develop effective inter-professional collaboration with other healthcare professionals to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

NURS 616: Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Acute Illness II

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to continue the acquisition of knowledge and skills begun in NURS 615, Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Acute Illness - I.  The focus is on further development advanced practice skills in the management of chronically and acutely ill patients.  Acquisition of collaborative management skills in the care of critically ill patients is also emphasized.  Applicable nutritional science concepts are explored.  Study of the psychological and biochemical alternation that occur during disease states and their effect on nutritional requirements and methods of providing nutrients is included.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 13 weeks of Summer (average is 14 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Students will synthesize and apply clinical knowledge through quizzes, exams, (low-medium-high) fidelity simulations, case studies, and honing their clinical reasoning skills
  2. Demonstrate their abilities in various activities including demonstrating fundamental procedural skills as well as applying knowledge utilizing a standardized patient
  3. Complete their required supervised clinical hours and clinical documentation.

AGACNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients 18 years of age and younger.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Summer Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students may perform only the following selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct supervision: ECG and CXR interpretation, percutaneous suturing, airway management, including orotracheal intubation, tube thoracostomy, lumbar puncture, and central venous (IJ, subclavian, femoral) and arterial (radial) cannulation. (No other procedures may be performed by the student under any circumstances. This is irrespective of a preceptor's willingness to supervise the student in performing other procedures.)
  5. Students are NOT to care for any patients on a hospital unit on which they currently work or are employed.
  6. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  7. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. In selected disease states:
    1. Obtain and document a health history and conduct either a comprehensive and systematic assessment or a system-focused or symptom-specific assessment of health and illness parameters in patients with acute, critical or chronic illness, adopting diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
    2. Prioritize the collection of both physiologically- and technologically-derived data to evaluate for physiologic instability and potentially life-threatening conditions in patients across the adult-older adult age spectrum, including the frail older adult.
    3. Synthesize data to formulate a differential diagnosis and comprehensive management plan, including the need for additional screening and diagnostic tests, considering patient developmental, age related and gender specific variations.
  2. Evaluate the impact of acute, critical and chronic illness on health promotion and protection from disease, identifying patient developmental, age related, gender specific and ethic or cultural variations.
  3. Design, implement and/or perform and evaluate therapeutic interventions based on theoretical, scientific and evidence-based clinical knowledge to facilitate safe, effective and quality care.
  4. Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with patients (individual, family or group), considering cognitive, developmental, physical, mental and behavioral health variations across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
  5. Demonstrate leadership by developing effective interprofessional collaboration with other healthcare professionals and others within the healthcare system to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
  6. Advocate for the patient (individual, family or group), assuring ethical and legal standards are maintained by determining the status of any durable power of attorney, health care proxy and/or advance directives documents in order to facilitate healthcare decision- making regarding treatment decisions, end-of-life care and organ/tissue donation.

NURS 617: AGACNP Clinical Residency

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prepares Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students to provide safe and effective patient care using evidence-based practice clinical decision-making.  APN students will be supervised in clinical learning environments and apply APN concepts, clinical knowledge, to patient care management specific to their APN specialty scope of practice. Students will function as a member of interdisciplinary patient care teams while developing clinical competency and practicing APN clinical skills.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 360 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 24 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Review components of APN patient care management in specialty-specific populations and clinical settings.
  2. Review evidence-based practice principles and effective clinical decision-making used for patient care.
  3. Discuss leadership skills and attributes used in effective interdisciplinary teams.
  4. Develop clinical competency specific to their APN specialty scope of practice.

AGACNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients 18 years of age and younger.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Fall Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students may perform only the following selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct supervision: ECG and CXR interpretation, percutaneous suturing, airway management, including orotracheal intubation, tube thoracostomy, lumbar puncture, and central venous (IJ, subclavian, femoral) and arterial (radial) cannulation. (No other procedures may be performed by the student under any circumstances. This is irrespective of a preceptor's willingness to supervise the student in performing other procedures.)
  5. Students are NOT to care for any patients on a hospital unit on which they currently work or are employed.
  6. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  7. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Use evidence-based practice clinical decision-making to manage patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate clinical competency in the care management of patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  3. Participate in clinical patient management leadership activities with a preceptor and an interdisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrate clinical knowledge required for safe and effective patient management within the APN specialty's scope of practice.

Scope of Practice
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide primary care to patients across the lifespan.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT COURSES (TOTAL OF 720 CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS)
FNP students are required to obtain 90 pediatric hours as part of the 720 hours.

NURS 620a: Introduction to Primary Care

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the basic concepts and knowledge needed to assess and manage acute and chronic stable health problems and preventive/wellness care of individuals across the lifespan, including special populations (pediatrics, pregnancy, and older adults) are covered in this course. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based, clinical decision-making based on the pathophysiology of the disease process; the use of diagnostic procedures as aids to clinical decision-making; and management of the clinical course of illness both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically. Multi-faceted outcome-based interventions will be discussed and evaluated including: culture and environment, ethics, family theory, complementary and alternative therapies, interdisciplinary approaches, and education and health promotion.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 12 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Gather a comprehensive or focused history, perform a physical examination, and develop a complete problem list (including differential diagnoses for the chief complaint) for acute and chronic stable health conditions. Complete thorough SOAP notes for comprehensive episodic visits for patients with acute and chronic stable health conditions and for comprehensive well visits.
  2. Develop a comprehensive plan for health maintenance.
  3. Verbally present patient cases to preceptor, faculty or peers.
  4. Propose appropriate diagnostic studies and treatment options, based on differential diagnoses.
  5. Provide peer review to fellow students on history-taking, reporting of physical exam findings, and the resulting clinical decision-making process during synchronous case discussions and individual oral case presentations.
  6. Successfully complete a clinical practicum experience applying didactic course content.

FNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are allowed to interview and examine patients across the lifespan.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students are NOT to care for any patients in the same department of a clinic or facility in which they currently work.
  5. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  6. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical clinical thinking and diagnostic skills in the management of selected acute and chronic health problems of individuals across the lifespan.
    1. Discuss the pertinent pathophysiology.
    2. Assess subjective and objective clinical data in the clinical presentation.
    3. Interpret clinical data in terms of differential diagnoses.
    4. Develop a plan for health management including diagnostic studies, treatment, medication management, consultation and referral to other providers, and patient education.
    5. Evaluate the efficacy of interventions and patient/client outcomes.
  2. Apply pertinent research findings to clinical practice.
  3. Incorporate theories, technologies, and methods that affect practice.
  4. Implement the use of nursing and medical diagnoses in clinical decision-making.
  5. Incorporate interdisciplinary collaboration, referral, networking, and resource use in providing culturally competent nurse practitioner care for individuals across the lifespan, their families, and communities.
  6. Critically evaluate and apply research findings pertinent to management of selected acute/chronic health conditions and preventive/wellness care.
  7. Apply peer review as a means of monitoring quality of practice.

NURS 620b: Advanced Primary Care

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The advanced concepts and knowledge needed to assess and manage acute and chronic health problems prevalent in individuals across the lifespan are covered in this course. It builds on the skills and knowledge developed in the first Primary Care Management Course (620A), health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based clinical decision make. A clinical practicum experience allows the student to apply didactic content.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 13 weeks of Spring (average is 14 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Gather a comprehensive or focused history, perform a physical examination, and develop a complete problem list (including differential diagnoses for the chief complaint) for complicated patients.
  2. Write comprehensive episodic visit notes, histories and physicals.
  3. Develop a comprehensive plan for health maintenance.
  4. Write prescriptions and orders (for preceptor signature).
  5. Present patients to preceptor verbally and propose appropriate diagnostic studies and treatment options.
  6. Perform selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct preceptor supervision.

FNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are allowed to interview and examine patients across the lifespan.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Summer Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students may perform only selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct supervision as taught at Clinical Immersion. (No other procedures may be performed by the student under any circumstances. This is irrespective of a preceptor's willingness to supervise the student in performing other procedures.)
  5. Students are NOT to care for any patients in the same department of a clinic or facility in which they currently work.
  6. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  7. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical clinical thinking and diagnostic skills in the management of selected acute and chronic health problems of individuals across the lifespan.
    1. Discuss the pertinent pathophysiology.
    2. Assess subjective and objective clinical data in the clinical presentation.
    3. Interpret clinical data in terms of differential diagnosis.
    4. Develop a plan for health management including diagnostic studies, treatment, medication management, consultation with and referral to other providers, and patient education.
    5. Evaluate the efficacy of interventions and patient/client outcomes.
  2. Apply pertinent evidence-based research findings to clinical practice.
  3. Incorporate family and other theories, technologies, and methods that affect practice.
  4. Implement the use of nursing and medical diagnoses in clinical decision-making.
  5. Incorporate interdisciplinary collaboration, referral, networking, and resource use in providing culturally competent nurse practitioner care for individuals across the lifespan, their families, and communities.
  6. Critically evaluate and apply research findings pertinent to management of selected acute and chronic health conditions.
  7. Apply peer review as a means of monitoring quality of practice.

NURS 620c: FNP Clinical Residency

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prepares Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students to provide safe and effective patient care using evidence-based practice clinical decision-making.  APN students will be supervised in clinical learning environments and apply APN concepts, clinical knowledge, to patient care management specific to their APN specialty scope of practice. Students will function as a member of interdisciplinary patient care teams while developing clinical competency and practicing APN clinical skills.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 360 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 24 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Review components of APN patient care management in specialty-specific populations and clinical settings.
  2. Review evidence-based practice principles and effective clinical decision-making used for patient care.
  3. Discuss leadership skills and attributes used in effective interdisciplinary teams.
  4. Develop clinical competency specific to their APN specialty scope of practice.

FNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are allowed to interview and examine patients across the lifespan.
  3. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Summer Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  4. Students may perform only selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct supervision as taught at Clinical Immersion. (No other procedures may be performed by the student under any circumstances. This is irrespective of a preceptor's willingness to supervise the student in performing other procedures.)
  5. Students are NOT to care for any patients in the same department of a clinic or facility in which they currently work.
  6. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  7. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Use evidence-based practice clinical decision-making to manage patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate clinical competency in the care management of patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  3. Participate in clinical patient management leadership activities with a preceptor and an interdisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrate clinical knowledge required for safe and effective patient management within the APN specialty's scope of practice.

Scope of Practice
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) may provide care only to patients 21 years of age and younger.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT COURSES (TOTAL OF 720 CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS)

NURS 642a: Care of the Well Child and Adolescent

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course focuses on the role of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in health detection, promotion and prevention in pediatric primary health care. Research and theory are used to identify strategies to provide primary care of the well child. This course is designed to develop theoretical and clinical competencies in the care of the well child and adolescent. The course builds on concepts and skills derived from prerequisite courses and focuses on developing advanced practice skills in comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and management strategies of the well child and adolescent. A clinical practicum experience allows the student to apply didactic content.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 12 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Learn the basic concepts and knowledge needed to assess and manage the well care of pediatric patients.
  2. Complete a clinical practicum experiences allowing the student to apply didactic content.
  3. Weekly seminars allow the student to synthesize content, explore role issues, and evaluate care strategies.

PNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients older than 21 years of age.
  3. Students will not manage high acuity, unstable pediatric patients that require the hospital setting for management.
  4. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  5. Students may perform selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct preceptor supervision. Students are restricted to only performing procedures that they have received theory content.
  6. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or pediatric clinic in which they currently work.
  7. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  8. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and demonstrate the role of the advanced practice nurse for pediatric nurse practitioners including core professional values and ethical/legal standards in the implementation of the PNP role.
  2. Apply theoretical concepts of health promotion with pediatric patients and families during growth and developmental transitions.
  3. Apply core concepts of genetics as applied for the detection of genetic anomalies and disorders.
  4. Apply theoretical concepts of immunization and nutrition in practice with pediatric populations.
  5. Apple theoretical concepts of preconceptual and prenatal roles of the PNP.
  6. Apply, integrate, and demonstrate concepts of well child care of newborns and infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and adolescents.
  7. Apply concepts of child abuse and neglect to clinical practice.
  8. Integrate research based anticipatory guidance into the care of pediatric populations and families.
  9. Integrate social, cultural, spiritual, and behavioral health concepts into the care of pediatric populations and families.

NURS 642b: Diagnosis and Management of Acute Conditions in Children and Adolescents

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The focus of this course is the role of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in health promotion, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses in pediatric primary health care practice. Research and theory are used to identify strategies integral to advanced nursing practice for the promotion of health and prevention of illness. Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses in children and adolescents will involve critical thinking processes required for assessment and development of differential diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 13 weeks of Spring (average is 14 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Diagnose and manage common illnesses and chronic conditions in children and adolescents.
  2. Develop differential diagnosis of common illnesses and chronic conditions in children and adolescents.
  3. Develop therapeutic interventions of common illnesses and chronic conditions in children and adolescents.

PNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients older than 21 years of age.
  3. Students will not manage high acuity, unstable pediatric patients that require the hospital setting for management.
  4. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  5. Students may perform selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct preceptor supervision. Students are restricted to only performing procedures that they have received theory content.
  6. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or pediatric clinic in which they currently work.
  7. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  8. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate integrated learning f course content and clinical experiences by applying knowledge of common acute illnesses and chronic conditions to diagnose and manage the care of pediatric and adolescent patients and their families as health status varies.
  2. Identify and integrate evidence-based findings into the assessment, diagnosis, and management of common pediatric and adolescent illnesses and chronic conditions.
  3. Integrate anticipatory guidance into the pediatric and adolescent treatment plans with respect to both primary and secondary prevention for patients and families.
  4. Integrate history and physical examination data with the knowledge of pathophysiology of common acute disease and chronic conditions to develop appropriate differential diagnoses, and initiate appropriate interventions including pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
  5. Demonstrate understanding and integration of cultural competence theory in caring for children, adolescents, and their families.

NURS 642c: PNP Clinical Residency

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prepares Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students to provide safe and effective patient care using evidence-based practice clinical decision-making.  APN students will be supervised in clinical learning environments and apply APN concepts, clinical knowledge, to patient care management specific to their APN specialty scope of practice. Students will function as a member of interdisciplinary patient care teams while developing clinical competency and practicing APN clinical skills.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 360 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 24 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES:

During this course, students will:

  1. Review components of APN patient care management in specialty-specific populations and clinical settings.
  2. Review evidence-based practice principles and effective clinical decision-making used for patient care.
  3. Discuss leadership skills and attributes used in effective interdisciplinary teams.
  4. Develop clinical competency specific to their APN specialty scope of practice.

PNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students are NOT allowed to interview, examine, or perform procedures on patients older than 21 years of age.
  3. Students will not manage high acuity, unstable pediatric patients that require the hospital setting for management.
  4. Students will not begin clinical hours until after Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  5. Students may perform selected diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures under direct preceptor supervision. Students are restricted to only performing procedures that they have received theory content.
  6. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or pediatric clinic in which they currently work.
  7. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  8. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Use evidence-based practice clinical decision-making to manage patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate clinical competency in the care management of patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  3. Participate in clinical patient management leadership activities with a preceptor and an interdisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrate clinical knowledge required for safe and effective patient management within the APN specialty's scope of practice.

Scope of Practice
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) may provide psychiatric-mental health care to patients across the lifespan.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT COURSES (TOTAL OF 720 CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS)

NURS 629a: Advanced Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing I

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is the first of three core courses that leads to eligibility for advanced practice and national certification as a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

  • Students will learn advanced mental health assessment across the lifespan
    • Advanced techniques in assessment, differential diagnosis, pharmacological, and therapeutic management of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders will be applied to the development of patient data bases.
  • Emphasis will be placed on bio-psycho-social and cultural mental health assessment and management utilizing appropriate research findings, while emphasizing health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment
  • The clinical practicum portion of the course requires the student to be supervised in assessing individuals across the lifespan for their short-term and long-term mental and emotional functioning, and in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological management.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 12 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: 

During this course, students will:

  1. Describe theoretical models useful in understanding basic personality development, emotions, and the etiology of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
  2. Identify legal and ethical issues in clinical practice and the NP-patient relationship and apply to decision-making.
  3. Identify effective communication techniques to facilitate therapeutic communication.
  4. Explain advanced practice nursing techniques of psychiatric assessment, lab ordering and review of laboratory findings for individuals across the lifespan. 
  5. Explain advanced practice nursing principles to assess risk factors, coping skills and support systems of individuals experiencing a psychiatric disorder or mental health condition.
  6. Explain psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions using the appropriate DSM-5 and ICD classifications in clinical practice.
  7. Apply advanced practice nursing principles to develop differential diagnoses and to describe appropriate diagnostic and treatment goals and interventions for individuals across the lifespan.
  8. Describe psychopharmacology and non-pharmacological management for psychopathology and symptom distress.
  9. Identify rating scales, assessment tools in psychiatric evaluation, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management outcomes.

PMHNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students will not begin clinical hours until after the Spring Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  3. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or practice in which they currently work.
  4. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  5. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the major theoretical models useful in understanding basic personality development, emotions, and the etiology of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
  2. Describe legal and ethical issues in clinical practice and the NP-patient relationship and apply them to decision-making.
  3. Describe barriers to effective communication and techniques to facilitate communication.
  4. Apply advanced practice nursing techniques of psychiatric assessment and laboratory findings to individuals across the lifespan.
  5. Apply advanced practice nursing principles to assess risk factors, coping skills, and support systems of individuals experiencing a psychiatric disorder or mental health condition.
  6. Describe psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions using the appropriate DSM-5 and ICD classifications in clinical practice.
  7. Apply advanced practice nursing principles to develop differential diagnoses and describe appropriate diagnostic and treatment goals and interventions for individuals across the lifespan.
  8. Apply psychopharmacology and non-pharmacological management for psychopathology and symptom distress.
  9. Analyze rating scales, assessment tools, and laboratory findings in psychiatric evaluation and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management outcomes.
  10. Provide psychoeducation and health promotion to individuals, families, and groups to promote knowledge, understanding, and effective management of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
  11. Implement psycho-educational and therapeutic interventions within a holistic and culturally competent approach.

NURS 629b: Advanced Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing II

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is the second of three core courses that leads to eligibility for advanced practice and national certification as a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). NURS 629B builds on the knowledge and clinical skills gained in NURS 629A, Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing I.

  • Students will expand upon and apply advanced mental health assessment skills across the lifespan.
  • Advanced techniques in assessment, differential diagnosis, pharmacological and non-pharmacologic therapeutic management of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders will be applied in greater depth for improved development of patient data bases.
  • Emphasis will be placed on expanding knowledge of bio-psycho-social and cultural mental health assessment and management utilizing appropriate research findings, while emphasizing health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic treatment across the life span.
  • The clinical practicum portion of the course requires the student to function with minimal supervision while working towards autonomous practice as a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with knowledge and abilities in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and capabilities to provide direct care to people across the lifespan whose behavior indicates psychiatric-mental health needs.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 180 hours over 13 weeks of Spring (average is 14 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: 

During this course, students will:

  1. Apply advanced practice nursing principles of assessment, diagnosis, planning, treatment implementation, evaluation, ethics, and legality for individuals experiencing symptomatology of schizophrenia and other psychoses.
  2. Apply advance practice nursing principles of assessment, diagnosis, planning, treatment implementation and evaluation of outcomes for individuals experiencing neurocognitive disorders.
  3. Apply advanced practice nursing principles of assessment, identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation outcomes for individuals experiencing a substance abuse disorder (including Opiate risks / withdrawal).
  4. Apply advanced practice nursing principles of assessment, identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation outcomes for individuals with eating disorders.
  5. Apply advanced practice nursing principles of assessment, identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation outcomes for individuals with sleep-wake disorders.
  6. Apply advanced practice nursing principles of assessment, identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation outcomes for individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
  7. Discuss SAMHSA initiatives of Integrated MH and Physical health care, Recovery Principles and how these are incorporated into PMH care.
  8. Discuss the integrated role of the PMHNP (psychiatric care + primary care and/or community settings).

PMHNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students will not begin clinical hours until after the Summer Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  3. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or practice in which they currently work.
  4. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  5. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Gain additional expertise and apply the major theoretical models useful in understanding basic personality development, emotions, and the etiology of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan in a selected clinical area. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)
  2. Integrate knowledge from the humanities and sciences within the context of nursing science.
  3. Use best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice.
  4. Evaluate the ethical consequences of decisions and apply ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to individuals, populations and systems of care. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)
  5. Critically analyze data and evidence for improving advanced nursing practice.
  6. Apply advanced nursing principles within an interprofessional collaborative setting to improve health outcomes for mental health conditions affecting individuals, families, groups and society as a whole. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)
  7. Provide psycho-education and health promotion to individuals, families and groups utilizing a holistic and culturally competent nursing process to promote knowledge, understanding and effective management of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)
  8. Apply advanced practice nursing principles utilizing the nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan and implement appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and evaluate treatment outcomes across the lifespan. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)  
  9. Incorporate integrative approaches to health and wellbeing in planning and implementation of treatment for patients with acute and chronic psychiatric diagnoses.
  10. Demonstrate advanced practice nursing principles in NP-patient therapeutic relationships and in communications with patients, caregivers, and families. (Continuation of 629A outcome.)
  11. Incorporate psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and psycho-educational approaches to plan and implement appropriate interventions for individuals and groups with acute and chronic psychiatric diagnoses across the lifespan.

NURS 629d: PMHNP Clinical Residency

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Prepares Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students to provide safe and effective patient care using evidence-based practice clinical decision-making.  APN students will be supervised in clinical learning environments and apply APN concepts, clinical knowledge, to patient care management specific to their APN specialty scope of practice. Students will function as a member of interdisciplinary patient care teams while developing clinical competency and practicing APN clinical skills.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 360 hours over 17 weeks of Spring (average is 24 hours per week).

PRECEPTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Supervise student in the clinical setting.
  2. Correspond with Clinical Supervising Faculty (CSF) throughout semester regarding student’s progress.
  3. Complete final student evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: 

During this course, students will:

  1. Review components of APN patient care management in specialty-specific populations and clinical settings.
  2. Review evidence-based practice principles and effective clinical decision-making used for patient care.
  3. Discuss leadership skills and attributes used in effective interdisciplinary teams.
  4. Develop clinical competency specific to their APN specialty scope of practice.

PMHNP STUDENT PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  1. Students schedule clinical time directly with the preceptor, consistent with the preceptor’s availability/schedule.
  2. Students will not begin clinical hours until after the Fall Clinical Immersion has been completed.
  3. Students are NOT to care for any patients in a department or practice in which they currently work.
  4. Students are responsible for assuring preceptor final evaluation is submitted.
  5. Students are responsible for completing Student Final Clinical Environment Evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Use evidence-based practice clinical decision-making to manage patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate clinical competency in the care management of patients in the APN specialty's scope of practice.
  3. Participate in clinical patient management leadership activities with a preceptor and an interdisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrate clinical knowledge required for safe and effective patient management within the APN specialty's scope of practice.

Clinical Handbook

Complete policies and procedures for all clinical rotations. Section 1 contains Preceptor information.

Clinical Evaluations

Evaluations will be conducted by the student’s assigned College of Nursing Clinical Supervising Faculty typically at midterm and end of the semester. A link for an online final evaluation will be sent to you from our clinical rotation database, Exxat.