APN Practicum: Adult/Older Adult Acute Care NP

Catalog description

This clinical practicum is designed to guide the student toward the development of scientific knowledge and advanced practice skills in the area of acute care nursing. The attainment of this advanced practice mastery involves the synthesis of concepts, knowledge and skills gained in the previous courses applied to the care of the acutely ill adult patient. Course content focuses primarily on the advanced practice of acute care nursing and guides the student toward an actualization of the role of the acute care practitioner. The student will care for the acute care patient from admission to the tertiary care center through discharge/rehabilitation when possible. Through the use of nursing frameworks, nursing diagnosis, the nursing process, application of advanced knowledge, and advanced practice skills, the student will develop strategies for the nursing management of the critically ill patient. Professional, legal, cultural and ethical implications are presented. The practicum offers the student opportunities to work with the interdisciplinary team and to develop skills necessary for advanced practice nursing, advanced management, and exploration of research in the area of acute care nursing. Clinical seminars will include discussion of concepts that have been introduced in previous courses and will be built upon with added depth. A grand rounds/case study approach will be utilized with cases cared for by students in the clinical arena. Other possible topics include: implementation of the advanced practice nursing role, social support, patient advocacy, vulnerable populations, cultural diversity, contracting, credentialing, privileging, etc. Seminars will also include identification of ethical issues in the students' practice, application of research findings, applying a Jesuit philosophy in the care of the acutely ill individual or family, and individual development of a philosophy of advanced practice nursing. Seminars will include student and faculty-led discussions.