CNS Practice Across the Adult Age Spectrum
This course promotes in-depth exploration of significant clinical problems occurring in adult health patients from the vantage point of the advanced practice nurse prepared as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). This course will prepare the CNS student for expert clinical practice and the competencies to translate clinical expertise into quality, cost-effective outcomes for adult patients. A major focus of the course is to prepare CNS students to assume responsibility for coordination, management and assurance of safety and quality of care of adult patients across the three spheres of influence: patient/client, nurses and nursing practice, organization/system of adult health patients. Attention will be directed to identifying and analyzing selected problems, designing effective advanced nursing interventions and evaluating health care outcomes related to adult health patients. Special consideration with be given to the top Medicare diagnoses, National Patient Safety Goals, CMS core performance measures, and new models for healthcare delivery. Indications for leadership, collaboration and consultation with other health care professionals are emphasized to insure optimal clinical management and achievement of evidence-based outcomes for the hospitalized adult patient. Strategies for improving the quality of health care through patient safety interventions and strategies are incorporated into patient care protocols at the individual, group and system level. The subsequent APN practicum offers the student an opportunity to exercise critical judgment and implement theoretical knowledge in the coordinating and managing the care of adults experiencing acute and chronic health problems.