Nursing (NURS) 522

Overview

In NURS 522, you will study these foundational components of nurse practitioner practice:

• the primary health care principle of Appropriate Technology
• the community development principle of Connective Processes, and
• the Nurse Practitioner Competency of Collaboration and Consultation

You will learn to provide primary health care related to sexual and reproductive health to adult patients. . Low-risk prenatal and postpartum care is covered. You will become proficient in wellness counseling related to sexual and reproductive health. You will also develop skill in the prevention and management of acute and chronic conditions related to preconception, perinatal care, sexual health and the various stages of reproductive life.  You will consider community implications and trends and issues related to the health of adult patients of all sexual and gender orientations and explore relevant evidence-based health care resources.

Additional materials provided with earlier courses will be accessed as appropriate.

Outline

NURS 522 consists of the following 6 units:

Unit 1: Nurse Practitioner Competency – Inclusiveness, Cultural Safety and Diversity
In Unit 1, students explore components of culturally sensitive care to diverse populations in the Canadian mosaic. Inclusiveness and cultural safety are studied in relation to the determinants of health, and in relation to specific populations and social context. Students will explore strategies to promote and practice cultural safety, sensitivity, inclusive health care to populations and individuals and suggest areas for research in nurse practitioner practice with diverse populations.

Unit 2: Perinatal Care
In Unit 2, students learn to identify and utilize preventative screening and risk identification for pregnant women. Students will focus on providing evidence-based prenatal care for low risk patients. They will learn to recognize acute illness in the pregnant woman, associated chronic conditions during pregnancy, urgent and emergent obstetrical emergencies and initiate appropriate interventions. Students also learn when to refer clients to other health professionals or other appropriate resources. Post-partum care is also reviewed including newborn assessment, breastfeeding issues, and other pregnancy related issues relevant to the family. Students are NOT expected to be able to attend normal deliveries by completing this course nor are they expected to attend deliveries in their practicum experience.

Unit 3: Reproductive Health for Men and Women
In this unit, students explore health issues specific to men, specific to women, and reproductive issues experienced by both genders. Students will learn to provide comprehensive assessment, diagnoses, treatment, counseling, and follow-up for these health concerns, explore when to refer to other professionals, and finally, how to document and monitor these conditions. Health promotion and disease and illness prevention is highlighted.

Unit 4: Issues in Women’s and Men’s health
In this unit, students learn about issues and trends that affect the health of women, men and sexual minorities and covers LGBT issues, domestic violence, rape, incest and sexual violence, eating disorders, mental health and addiction. The focus remains on cultural safety, inclusion and diversity with a framework of health promotion and illness prevention.

Learning outcomes

This course will address the reproductive and sexual health needs for clients across the life-span. Topics such as cultural safety, care of gender diverse clients, intimate partner violence and sexual assault are also discussed in this course.

Objectives

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Use critical thinking to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources to identify client needs and inform assessment and diagnosis.

Conduct an assessment that is relevant to the client’s presentation to inform diagnostic decisions.

Integrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to formulate differential and final diagnoses.

Use clinical reasoning to create a shared management plan based on diagnoses and the client’s preferences and goals.

Provide counselling interventions as indicated by the management plan

Apply harm-reduction strategies and culturally safe, evidence-informed practices to support clients and their families.

Identify and utilize evidence-based recommendations for health promotion, screening and management of reproductive-related health care issues.

Recognize obstetrical emergencies and articulate appropriate interventions.

Evaluation

The assessment structure for NURS 522 is based on the following course activities, with the percentage weighting of each activity as indicated. The final grade for the course is a composite mark based on performance on these course activities.

Problem-Based Learning (15%)

Students will participate in case study exercises in problem-based learning activities within each unit. Postings must include the use of quality academic resources such as original journal content, evidence based clinical practice guidelines and other documents that guide practice. The use of course textbooks alone does not constitute proper referencing for PBL postings.

Assignment 1: Written Case Study (25%)

In Assignment 1, students analyze a case study that presents a health concern of a female client appropriate for a nurse practitioner to assess, treat, and follow up.

Assignment 2: Live Presentation in Class Session (10%)

Students will present a case linked to a relevant course topic in a live session and respond to questions.

Exam 1 (25%)

The midterm examination consists of multiple choice questions on Units 1 and 2 and Unit 3 - Part 1.

Exam 2 (25%)

The final examination consists of multiple choice questions and tests content of Units 3 - Part 2 through 6, inclusive.

Materials

Digital course materials

Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:

Alexander, I., Fogel, C., Kostas-Polson, E.,  Cappiello, J., & Hubbard, H. (2023).Women's Health Care in Advanced Practice Nursing. 3^rd ed. Springer Publishing. ISBN-10 V 0826167217

Online Materials

• Introduction: Provides essential information about the course materials, the design of the course, and the procedures you should follow to complete the course successfully
• Schedule: Outlines the timing of course activities
• Units: Contains the 6 units that make up the course
• Assessment: Outlines the assignments/evaluation procedures of the course
• Reference: Listing of required readings and websites resources included in the units
• Clinical Practicum: Explains how to complete the clinical practicum requirements of the course

Technical Requirements

Computer System

In order to successfully complete this course, you must own or have ready access to certain computer hardware and software programs. For complete and up-to-date information on the minimum computer requirements required to complete the graduate nursing courses, visit the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies technical site.

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services