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 the acquisition of entry-to-practice competencies. The certificate 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.

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: neurology, diabetes, wound care, care of the hospitalized older adult, end of life care and MAID.

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. 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.
  • Identify appropriate differential diagnoses for the presenting problem.
  • Recognize red flags and how to triage patients who may require a higher level of care and/or patients that are rapidly deteriorating.
  • Identify appropriate diagnostics tests.
  • Identify treatment strategies and an evaluation plan.
  • Select appropriate technical interventions and treatments, and therapeutic devices.
  • Describe indications for necessary consultations and referral.
  • Identify strategies for communication at transitions in care and for safe discharge.
  • Identify relevant priorities for secondary prevention.

Registration Now Open

Registration closes April 1st, 2024

Course Format

This course is a fully online asynchronous course 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 application of learning. Learning activities and assignments will provide 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 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 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 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 […]

TimeDescriptionEvaluative Components

Week 1

Neurology 1

By the end of this module, participants will be able to recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage:

  • Headaches
  • Seizure and seizure disorders
  • Indications for and types of neuroimaging

Week 2

Care of the Older Hospitalized Adult

By the end of this module, participants will be able to recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage common hazards of hospitalization in older adults including:

  • Delirium
  • Functional decline
  • Medication side effects
  • Other iatrogenic events

LIVE case-based learning activity, April 10/11, 7pm EST

Week 3

Glycemic Management in the Hospitalized Patient with Diabetes

By the end of this module, participants will have reviewed the Canadian Diabetes Association guidelines (2018) for the management of hospitalized patients with diabetes with a focus on :

  • Blood glucose (BG) monitoring
  • Role of insulin in hospitalized patients
  • Role of oral anti-diabetic agents
  • Prevention and management of hypoglycemia
  • Recognition and management of ketoacidosis
  • Considerations for transition to home

Online learning activity

Week 4

Neurology 2

By the end of this module, participants will be able to recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage:

  • Stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic
  • Neurological deterioration and coma

Case study #1 due April 21

TimeEvaluative Components

Week 5

Management of Acute Wounds

Recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage:

  • Acquired pressure injuries
  • Surgical wounds

LIVE case-based learning activity May 12 at 7pm EST

Week 6

End of Life Care

Recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage patients presenting near the end of life, including:

  • Estimate life expectancy using validated tools
  • Discuss goals of care with clients and use of advance directives
  • Identify options for end-of-life care
  • Manage common symptoms near end of life

Case Study #2 Due May 12

Week 7

Medical Assistance in Dying

Recognize the clinical care requirements and successfully manage clients who are considering MAID, including being able to:

  • Reflect on personal attitudes and beliefs around assisted death
  • Appreciate issues related to conscientious objection and the requirement for an effective referral
  • Increase confidence in bringing up or discussing MAiD as an option
  • Understand the basic legal requirements for the process of assessment & provision
  • Discuss the eligibility criteria related to case studies
  • Complete an eligibility assessment document and clinical note
  • Observe a simulated MAiD provision
  • Describe federal and provincial reporting requirements

Discussion Board Reflection Exercise
Due Nov 19

Week 8

Exam Week

Short Answer Exam

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

Sheila Deans-Buchans

Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health

Willi Kirenko

Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Independent Consultant

Alina Mednikov

Nurse Practitioner Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation/Surgical Epilepsy, University Health Network
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Darcia Paul

Nurse Practitioner, Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Program
Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Janeth Velandia

Nurse Practitioner Wound Care Program, Unity Health
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Camilla Wong

Geriatrician, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto

Registration Information

Fees

$870 + HST
$970 + HST
$825 + HST
$825 + HST
$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 March 1, 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: April 1, 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. 

Contact Us

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