Professor: Department
Semester: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Credit or concurrent enrollment in NUR 323.

Catalog Description: Application of medical-surgical nursing strategies in the management of adults with acute and chronic illness, and the impact on their families.

This course is designed to meet the changing learning needs of today's student in medical-surgical nursing. It focuses on the application of therapeutic nursing strategies and interventions used to restore health to individuals who are experiencing acute and/or chronic or complex health problems. Previous health and physical assessment knowledge as well as therapeutic communication principles are utilized to analyze deviations from health with attention to the implications for the individual and family.

By the end of this course you will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to implement professional nursing roles in caring for patients in acute care settings.
2. Act as a patient advocate while caring for patients and teaching them about their illnesses and health care.
3. Integrate the scientific rationale for nursing strategies and interventions while caring for patients with acute care illnesses.
4. Assess patients with acute care illnesses to identify nursing needs to help patients recover.
5. Analyze assessment data in combination with evidence based literature to provide care for patients with comprehensive needs.
6. Plan interventions to meet the psychosocial needs of patients who are acutely ill.
7. Utilize excellent communication skills to develop trusting relationships with patients and families in the hospital setting.
8. Act as a professional nurse while using critical thinking and problem solving skills to determine the best plan of care for the patient.

The main focus of this course is the application of medical-surgical nursing strategies in the management of adults with chronic illness and the impact on their families. The practice of safe nursing, proficient performance of psychomotor skills is expected at all times in the clinical area.

The topics covered in the course include:

• High fidelity simulation learning activities during the semester
• Clinical preparation
• Drug Dose Calculation Test (mandate prior to administration of medication, grade of 85% or better)
• PDA technologies
• Daily care plans or concept mapping
• Critical reflective inquiry journals
• Weekly Journaling
• Research Discussions
• Return Demonstration in the laboratory setting
• Blog Project related to clinical specific issues
• Pre and Post conference group discussion
• Utilize online nursing videos
• At the end of the semester, skills will be evaluated with the use of high fidelity simulation.

This course is taught by multiple instructors, please refer to the URI Course Schedule.

This is a required nursing course that is taken, concurrently with NUR 323. This practicum course meets for one day/week in a hospital setting. It is a course which is necessary for development of the nursing management skills required in care of the hospitalized patient and their family.

• ---