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 of entry-to-practice competencies. It 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 8-week online course consists of 7 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 areas: Cardiology (arrhythmia identification, 12-lead ECG basics, acute heart failure and acute chest pain
presentations), Pharmacology (Thinking like a Hospital Pharmacist, antimicrobial stewardship and clinical pearls), Acute Pain Management, NP Leadership, Diagnostic Reasoning and issues related to NP roles in hospitals.
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 and 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 course through the University of Toronto Learning Portal – Quercus. Each week, participants will view an e-learning module, 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. Live sessions (also recorded) will be scheduled during the course to review key assignments.
Participants can expect to allocate a minimum of 5-10 hours a week for completion of a weekly module and allocate additional time for assignments. The time required will vary based on your learning needs and style of learning. Most weeks will include an application exercise such as a learning activity.
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 week 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.
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 […]
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 […]
| Time | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Week 1 |
Cardiac Rhythms and 12-lead ECG’s By the end of this module, participants will be able to gain expertise in identifying abnormal cardiac rhythms as well as identify a systematic approach to recognizing abnormalities on a 12-lead ECG. |
Online Learning Activity |
|
Week 2 |
Cardiology Part 1: Acute Chest Pain By the end of this module, participants will be able to state the clinical care requirements and successfully manage acute inflammatory syndromes (myocarditis, pericarditis), aortic dissection and also explore core foundational thinking skills: decision making, problem solving and critical thinking. |
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Week 3 |
Cardiology Part 2: Acute Heart Failure By the end of this module, participants will be able to state the clinical care requirements and management for clients with acute heart failure associated with pulmonary edema, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathies, endocarditis, cardiac tamponade and acute hypertensive crisis. |
Live case-based learning activity Case Study #1 due |
| Time | Description | Evaluative Components |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 4 & 5 |
Pharmacological Considerations, Antibiotic Use and Drug Resistance & Clinical Pearls By the end of this module, participants will be able to describe considerations for selection of empiric antimicrobial regimens, adverse effects of selected antimicrobials, common reasons for failure to response to antimicrobial treatment as well as common misuses of antimicrobials in practice. General considerations in pharmacological management will be explored, including the importance of accurate BPMH and medication reconciliation. |
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Week 6 |
Acute Pain By the end of this module, participants will be able to describe the management of acute pain (malignant and non-malignant) including adjunct medications, therapies and interventions for patients, including those with co-existing chronic/persistent pain. Participants will review the acute pain guidelines for the management of patients with substance use disorder. |
Online Learning Activity Case Study #2 |
|
Week 7 |
Role and Scope of the Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care + Diagnostic reasoning By the end of this module, participants will be able to identify the relationship among legislation, regulation, hospital policy and NP practice and how this helps determine the scope and key aspects of nurse practitioner practice in hospitals. Participants will identify common diagnostic and decision-making challenges as well as the strategies to overcome diagnostic challenges. The NP’s role in improving components of quality patient care will be reviewed. |
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Week 8 |
Exam Week |
Course Director
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
Jeremy Edwards
Division of Cardiology, St. Michael’s Hospital/Unity Health Toronto
Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Reem Haj
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Leader, St. Michael’s Hospital
Kaja Konieczny
Chief, Division of Cardiology & Staff Electrophysiologist, St. Michael’s Hospital/Unity Health Toronto
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Salima Ladak
Nurse Practitioner, Acute Pain Service, Toronto General Hospital,
University Health Network
Coordinator UHN APN Network
Clinical Scientist, TGH Research Institute
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Morgan Krauter
NP lead, Heart Failure Program, Royal Victoria Hospital Barrie
Registration Information
Fees
- Early Bird price (ends December 15, 2023)
- $845 + HST
- Regular price (starting December 16, 2023)
- $940 + HST
- U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*
- $800 + HST
- U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%**
- $800 + HST
- NPAO Member save 15%***
- $800 + 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 December 15, 2023. 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: January 15, 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.
Financial Assistance
OSAP for Micro-credentials
The Ontario Student Assistance Program now offers funding for micro-credentials (short training programs offered by post-secondary institutions), including a number of courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development. This funding initiative is part of Ontario’s micro-credentials strategy, helping learners access more opportunities to train or upskill for in-demand jobs through loans and grants.
OSAP for Micro-credentials is available for eligible students taking a ministry-approved micro-credential that is less than 12 weeks.
To be eligible for OSAP for Micro-credentials, a student must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected person; and, be a resident of Ontario.
Ontario residency requirements for the purposes of OSAP for Micro-credentials are consistent with Full-Time OSAP residency criteria.
Students may be ineligible for the following reasons:
- they do not meet the Ontario residency requirement
- their family income threshold is above the income threshold to qualify for funding (i.e., $80,000 for a family of one person; $100,000 for a family of two or more people)
- they are restricted from OSAP for Micro-credentials (e.g., have defaulted on a previous OSAP loan, they have a failed credit check on file, they have a bursary overpayment)
Step 1: Confirm that the University of Toronto micro-credential course you want to take is OSAP-approved.
Step 2: Log in to your OSAP account. If this is your first time applying, you will need to create an OSAP account.
Step 3: From the options listed, select and complete the OSAP for Micro-credentials Application. You can only receive OSAP for Micro-credentials funding for one course at a time.
Step 4: Once you have completed your application, you will receive communication through your OSAP account, which will guide you in completing a supplementary form on the Service Portal.
The form requires the following information:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Name of Program
- Program Study Period – start and end dates
This must be completed by the end of the study period.
Step 5: Your division will confirm the information that you have submitted is correct and confirm your registration status.
Step 6: The University Registrar’s Office will update the OSAP for Micro-credentials Application with the information provided by both you and your division and process your confirmation of enrolment.
Step 7: If you have not already done so, enrol and pay for the micro-credential course you would like to take.
Note: you must be registered in an OSAP approved micro-credential program before OSAP funding will be issued/released.