Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners

Certificate Description
The Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired through entry to practice education and the acquisition of entry-to-practice competencies. The certificate program will equip Nurse Practitioners with the knowledge and tools to confidently assess 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. The program will consist of four courses offered by distance education through the University of Toronto Learning Portal. Each course will be 8 weeks in length (including a final week for evaluation). Learners may take the courses in any sequence and will earn a certificate by completing all four courses over a 2-year period. An interactive and case based approach will be utilized to review acute clinical problems with an emphasis on critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Clinical experts will discuss the differential diagnoses, relevant pathophysiology, the identification of assessment findings, the relevant diagnostic approach, the therapeutic plan of care, and the red flags that require intervention or consultation.
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:
1. Articulate the role and competencies of a Nurse Practitioner working with hospitalized adult patients.
2. Discuss key role and scope issues relevant to the NP role in hospitals.
3. Demonstrate confidence to practice independently and collaboratively.
B. State the clinical care requirements and management for a wide variety of acute clinical conditions in adult hospitalized patients including the ability to:
1. Conduct the appropriate advanced health assessment strategy.
2. Identify appropriate differential diagnoses for the presenting problem.
3. Recognize red flags and how to triage patients who may require a higher level of care and/or patients that are rapidly deteriorating.
4. Identify appropriate diagnostics tests.
5. Identify treatment strategies and an evaluation plan.
6. Select appropriate technical interventions and treatments, and therapeutic devices.
7. Describe indications for necessary consultations and referral.
8. Identify strategies for communication at transitions in care and for safe discharge.
9. Identify relevant priorities for secondary prevention.
Audience
Nurse Practitioners who wish to further develop their competency, knowledge, skill and clinical acumen in the care of acutely ill hospitalized adult patients. Course participants must hold current registration as a Nurse Practitioner in their province.
Certificate Criteria
Participants must successfully complete all 4 courses, normally over a 2-year period, to earn the Certificate in Hospital & Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners. The passing grade of 70% is set for each course. Courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development cannot be credited towards a degree program.
- Participants may take individual courses without completing the full certificate
- Courses may be taken in any order

Role of the Nurse Practitioner and Care of the Hospitalized Adult 1

This 8-week online course consists of 7 weeks of course material and one week for final evaluation. Participants will focus on the role of the nurse practitioner in acute care hospital settings and as most-responsible provider (MRP); essentials of diagnostic reasoning including 12-lead ECG and chest X-ray interpretation; antibiotic use and drug resistance: pain management; and cardiology.

Jan 16 – Mar 12, 2023

8 week online course

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Care of the Hospitalized Adult 2

This 8-week online course consists of 7 weeks of course material; and one week for 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.

Fall 2023

8 week online course

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Care of the Hospitalized Adult 3

This 8-week online course consists of 7 weeks of course material and one week for final evaluation. Participants will focus on the role of the nurse practitioner in acute care hospital settings and specifically address acute presentations in the following clinical areas: neurology, dermatology, wound care, care of complex and frail older adult, end of life care and MAID.

April 3 – May 28, 2023

8 week online course

Care of the Hospitalized Adult 4

This 8-week online course consists of 7 weeks of course material; and one week for final short answer exam. Participants will focus on the role of the nurse practitioner in acute care hospital settings in the context of managing acute presentations in the following clinical areas: hematology (transfusion medicine and coagulation issues, sepsis, gastrointestinal (surgical issues), management of acute allergic reactions, rheumatology, issues related to mobility, nutrition and swallowing.

Fall 2023

8 week online course

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Course Format

This certificate consists of 4 courses, each 8-weeks in duration and delivered through the University of Toronto’s learning management system (Quercus).
- Each week, participants will view e-learning modules, review required readings and resources, and actively engage with learning activities that will focus on application of learning. Learning activities and assignments will provide opportunity to apply learnings and receive feedback.
- Participants can expect to allocate a ~ 5-10 hours a week for completion of a weekly module and 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.
Course Directors:
Dawn Tymianski, NP-Adult, MN, MA, PhD, CNN(C) Chief Executive Officer, Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto Marnee Wilson NP-Adult, MScN, CDE Practice Leader for Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Practitioner, Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital President, Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

Registration Details

For: Course One: Role of the Nurse Practitioner and Care of the Hospitalized Adult I

Fees

Early Bird price (ends April 8, 2019)	$600 + HST
Regular price (starting April 9, 2019)	$670 + HST
U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*	$570 + HST
U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%***	$570 + HST
NPAO Member save 15%****	$570 + HST

Site Groups

A group discount rate is available for site groups of three or more people. For details please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

Please Note

Registration is limited.
Advanced registration is required. You must register by April 28, 2019. No on-site registration at the event.
*U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
***U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a current faculty position, a clinical instructor position, an adjunct appointment or a status appointment to the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
****NPAO discount is available to current NPAO members.
Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
Refund Policy – To withdraw from the course and receive a refund, your written request must be emailed to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by December 19, 2018. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administration fee of $100 + tax. As an alternative, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 7 days before the course.
Course Cancellation Policy – The university reserves the right to cancel courses due to unavailability of instructors, facilities or insufficient enrollment. Decisions on course cancellations are made at least 15 calendar days prior to the course starting date, so early registration is recommended. If you enroll in a course that is subsequently cancelled, you may transfer to another section of that course if an alternative is available; or you may receive a full refund of the fee and tax you paid to the University of Toronto. We are not responsible for travel arrangements, travel fees, or any expenses incurred by you.

Payment method options

Individuals

You have two payment options if you are an individual registering for this course:

Site Groups

If you are registering on behalf of a site group of three or more people and want to take advantage of the special discounted price please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

Credit Card:

You can register and pay online with a credit card.

Certified cheque or money order:

You can register and pay by mail.

Step 1:

Type your information onto the online form and then print the page (i.e. don’t click “Confirmation and Payment”. Don’t pay by online credit card).

Step 2:

Obtain a certified cheque or money order payable to “University of Toronto” for the registration fee plus 13% HST. No personal cheques. No debit cards.

Fees (including HST)

Early Bird price (ends April 8, 2019)	$678.00 incl HST
Regular price (starting April 9, 2019)	$757.10 incl HST
U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%**	$644.10 incl HST
U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%***	$644.10 incl HST
NPAO Members save 15%****	$644.10 incl HST

Step 3:

Mail the paper registration form with payment (no personal cheques, no cash, no credit cards, no debit cards) to:

Centre for Professional Development Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto Suite 130, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1P8

Step 4:

When we receive your registration form we will email a confirmation notice.

Contact Us

Email:	pd.nursing@utoronto.ca
Website:	bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/pd
Phone:	(416) 978-1784
Address:	Centre for Professional Development (PD) Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto 155 College Street Suite 130 Toronto, ON Canada M5T 1P8