158-003 – Practicum I
(75hrs, non-credit)
Advanced Assessment is the foundation of the Post Graduate Certificate in Remote Nursing Program. This practicum offers the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills of Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis in preparation for the pharmacology and therapeutics course. Students will work in a health centre with a preceptor to practice data collection and physical assessment with a view to diagnosis. Students will experience the reality of the expanded practice nurse as part of the interdisciplinary team providing care in geographical isolation. Individual learning needs of students will help direct practicum placements.
158-004 – Pharmacotherapeutics
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Advanced knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics is an essential component of education for Registered Nurses working in an expanded practice role in remote areas of Canada. This course presents the territorial/provincial and federal legislative parameters under which RNs select and dispense medications. The student will understand and apply pharmacological principles in the pharmacotherapeutic management of health concerns commonly encountered in primary care. Students use current clinical guidelines to assist in making rational drug choices within the parameters of the NWT Formulary and identify when the patient’s pharmacotherapeutic needs are beyond these parameters. The student will know when to contact a physician / nurse practitioner with the appropriate information to assist the clinician in prescribing medications that are not within the RN’s scope of practice. As the primary contact with the health care system, RNs in the expanded practice role in isolated communities have the responsibility to monitor patients’ responses to all drug therapy. Such monitoring is an important component of this course.
158-005 – Diagnosis and Therapeutics
(45hrs, 3 credits)
The focus of this course is the management of common and urgent/emergent health problems experienced by individuals throughout the lifespan. The responsibilities of the Registered Nurse working in the expanded practice role in meeting the specific health promotion, and screening and monitoring needs of individuals, families and communities are discussed. Students apply their knowledge of data collection, advanced health assessment, diagnosis and pharmacotherapeutics in the development of their plan of care. Critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills are facilitated through the use of cases studies appropriate to remote nursing. Current research and clinical practice guidelines are used as a framework for the management plan. Students are expected to consider the context of the individual, family and community when developing a plan of care. Consideration is given to the unique cultural and geographical aspects of the rural and northern environment in the clinical reasoning and decision-making process.
Scope of practice responsibilities and limitations are identified and the legal implications of delegation, consultation, and referral are discussed. The practical aspects of the RN role in expanded practice and in the health care system are an underlying theme throughout this course.
158-006 – Practicum II
(120hrs, non-credit)
In the final practicum students will work in a health centre to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired in previous coursework. Students have an opportunity to increase their confidence, competence and independence in data collection, physical assessment, diagnosis, and management of common health problems encountered in primary health care settings. Seminars may be offered to assist students with reflective practice on the integration of their knowledge, and their understanding of the role of the RN in expanded nursing practice in remote locations. Individual learning needs of students will help direct practicum placements.