Care of the Hospitalized Adult 2
This is the second course in a four-course Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners.
The certificate builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry-to-practice education and the acquisition of entry-to-practice competencies. The certificate will equip nurse practitioners with the knowledge and tools to confidently assess, diagnose and develop a treatment plan for the acutely ill adult patient, hospitalized with a broad range of conditions, and facilitate a foundation for advanced nursing care of the ill or critically ill patient.
This 9-week online course consists of 8 weeks of course material and one week for a final short answer exam. Participants will focus on developing diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic planning skills in the context of managing acute patient presentations in hospital settings in the following clinical areas: respirology, acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities, renal dysfunction (acute and chronic), gastrointestinal issues (GI bleeding, hepatic issues and severe nausea and vomiting), mental health and substance use.
An interactive and case-based approach is utilized to review acute clinical problems with an emphasis on diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic planning skills. Clinical experts will discuss the differential diagnosis, relevant pathophysiology, identification of assessment findings, the relevant diagnostic approach, the therapeutic plan of care, and the red flags that require intervention or consultation.
Prerequisites:
Currently registered as a Nurse Practitioner or a student in a nurse practitioner program.
Audience
Nurse Practitioners who wish to further develop their competency, knowledge, skill and clinical acumen in the care of clients with mental health and addictions issues. Course participants must hold current registration as a Nurse Practitioner in their jurisdiction or be a student in a nurse practitioner program.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of the 4-course certificate program, learners will be able to:
A. Articulate the role and competencies of a Nurse Practitioner working with hospitalized adult patients.
- Discuss key role and scope issues relevant to the NP role in hospitals.
- Identify accountabilities and necessary skills of NPs in the most responsible provider role.
- Demonstrate confidence to practice independently and collaboratively.
B. Display sound diagnostic reasoning skills by successfully developing a broad differential diagnosis & diagnostic and treatment plan for selected patient conditions.
C. State the clinical care requirements and management for a wide variety of acute clinical conditions in adult hospitalized patients including the ability to:
- Conduct the appropriate advanced health assessment strategy.
- Develop an appropriate differential diagnosis.
- Recognize red flags and how to triage patients who may require a higher level of care and/or patients that are rapidly deteriorating.
- Choose an appropriate diagnostic testing strategy.
- Identify a treatment strategy and an evaluation plan.
- Select appropriate technical interventions and treatments (if relevant).
- Describe indications for necessary consultations and referral.
- Identify accountabilities for communication at transitions in care and for safe discharge.
- Communicate relevant priorities for secondary prevention.
Course Format
This course is a fully online asynchronous course taught through the University of Toronto Learning Portal – Quercus. Each week, participants will view e-learning modules, review required readings and resources and actively engage with learning activities that will focus on the application of learning. Learning activities and assignments will provide an opportunity to apply learnings and receive feedback.
Participants can expect to allocate a minimum of 5-10 hours a week for completion of a weekly module and will need to allocate additional time for assignments. The time spent on any one module will vary from student to student based on your learning needs and style of learning.
Each week will consist of a recorded lecture by faculty who are expert clinicians in their field. Faculty will be available for questions through discussion board during the scheduled week for the module.
Each module focuses on one or more health systems or clinical themes, discussion of the appropriate health assessment, relevant differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, red flags, diagnostics and diagnostic sensitivity/specificity, therapeutic plan of care, selection of appropriate technical interventions and treatments, and indications for referral and/or consultation, considerations in transitions in care/discharge, and relevant role and scope issues.
Additional clinical resources will be provided such as clinical practice guidelines, relevant practice standards and clinical tools for practice.
Most weeks will include an application exercise such as a learning activity.
Care of the Hospitalized Adult 1
This is the first course in a four-course Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners. The certificate builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry-to-practice education and the acquisition […]
Care of the Hospitalized Adult 3
This is the third course in a 4-course Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners. The certificate builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry to practice education and […]
Care of the Hospitalized Adult 4
This is the fourth course in a four-course Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners. The certificate builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry to practice education and […]
| Description | Evaluative Components |
|---|---|
|
Week 1 & 2 |
Respirology Part 1 Learn the clinical care requirements to successfully manage a patient presenting with acute dyspnea and hypoxia in a hospitalized patient. |
|
Week 3 |
Respirology Part 2 Learn the clinical care requirements to successfully manage a patient presenting with COPD and asthma exacerbations and pulmonary edema. Includes section on CXR. |
|
Week 4 |
Acute Electrolyte Abnormalities Identify life threatening electrolyte disorders (hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia and hyperkalemia) and develop a differential diagnosis for common electrolyte disorders. Understand the management of acute and chronic, mild and severe electrolyte imbalance in a hospitalized patient. |
| Time | Description | Evaluative Components |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 5 |
Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease Learn the clinical care requirements for successfully managing and understanding chronic kidney disease in a hospitalized patient. |
|
|
Week 6 |
Gastroenterology Learn the clinical care requirements for successfully managing GI bleeding in a hospitalized patient. |
Live interactive learning session Case Study 2 due |
|
Week 7 |
Mental Health Learn to recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage mood disorders with a focus on major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation/intent, anxiety/severe agitation and acute psychosis in a hospitalized patient. |
Learning activity |
|
Week 8 |
Substance Use Disorders Recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage a patient presenting with substance-related and addictive disorders in a hospitalized patient. |
Learning Activity |
|
Week 9 |
Exam Week |
Final Exam |
Course Directors
Marnee Wilson
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, Centre for Professional Development, University of Toronto
Professional Practice Leader for Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Practitioner, Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital/Unity Health Toronto
Faculty
Shahnawaz Ali
Nurse Practitioner, Canadian Mental Health Association Peel, RAAM Clinic
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Alex Cressman
PGY6 General Internal Medicine Fellow
Division of General Internal Medicine
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Elizabeth Hendren
PGY6 Nephrology
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Cindy Pritchard
Nurse Practitioner, Psychosis Disorders/Prompt Clinic
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Kieran McIntyre
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Division of Respiratory Medicine
Alison Thomas
Nurse Practitioner, Hemodialysis, St. Michael’s Hospital/Unity Health Toronto
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Susan Chernenko
Associate Graduate Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Teaching Assistant
Sandra Tully, RN(EC), MAEd
Associate Graduate Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Susan Chernenko
Associate Graduate Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Registration Information
Fees
- Early Bird price (ends August 9, 2024)
- $870 + HST
- Regular price (starting August 10, 2024)
- $970 + HST
- U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*
- $825 + HST
- U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%**
- $825 + HST
- NPAO Member save 15%***
- $825 + HST
Site Groups
A group discount rate of 15% is available for site groups of three or more people. To book please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
Please Note
- Refund Policy – To withdraw from a course, send a written request to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by August 9, 2024. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administrative fee of $100 + tax. Alternatively, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 3 days prior to the course to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
- Registration Deadline: September 9, 2024.
- *U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
- **U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a current (at time of registration) faculty position, an adjunct appointment or a status appointment to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
- ***NPAO (Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario) members may register at the NPAO rate which is 15% off the regular rate. NOTE: All submissions will be checked and verified for current NPAO membership status using the registrant’s name.
- Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
- Course Cancellation Policy – The Centre for Professional Development reserves the right to cancel courses due to circumstances. The decision to cancel a course is normally made 15 days prior to the course. If you are enrolled in a course which is subsequently cancelled, you may apply your fee to another course, or receive a full refund. The Centre is not responsible for any travel or other expenses incurred by you.