R.N. to B.S. /R.R.T. to B.S.

This course introduces the concept of the community as client and examines population-focused nursing. Topics include epidemiology, biostatistics, community assessment, cultural competency, vulnerable populations and environmental health. The course also examines the context of community and public health nursing through the exploration of the social and ecological determinants of health. Public health sources of information will be accessed to inform evidence-based practice and population health. The course includes an experiential component, with a focus on the assessment, planning, implementation and or evaluation of community/public health-focused nursing care.

The course will continue development of evidence-based practice skills in the already licensed healthcare professional. Students will develop or consolidate skills in evaluating and applying research to clinical practice. Topics include the research process, literature critique and principles of effective and efficient knowledge transfer into practice. Using project based learning, students will incorporate the clinical value compass and principles of quality improvement to address practice issues.

This course will focus on how health care delivery systems develop high reliability care systems that assure the safe and high quality delivery of patient care. The policy, regulatory and legal contexts for health care, including the Affordable care Act, are addressed with an emphasis on the critical role that nurses and respiratory therapists play.

The course examines classical and contemporary theories and models of leadership and management as deployed in the healthcare environment. Requirements for effective leadership and management at the levels of self, work unit and organization will be analyzed. Hallmarks of effective healthcare leadership and management will be explored through the use of case studies. In addition, students explore their own assumptions and values about personal leadership.

The capstone project demonstrates the students’ synthesis of learning from previous courses and consists of a 40-hour quality improvement project completed at the students’ place of employment. Students identify an area of interest with an opportunity for change in their practice setting. Students conduct an organizational assessment, complete a comprehensive literature review and develop a strategy for implementation of change. The project incorporates inter-professional collaboration and leadership, culminating in an oral and PowerPoint or poster presentation. This course requires a minimum of 40 hours of experiential time in the field. Students must meet with the RNBS or RTBS Program Coordinator at least one (1) month prior to the start of RNRT 486 to have their Capstone project approved.

Advanced Topics in Respiratory Therapy focuses on issues relevant to practicing respiratory therapists. Topics include anatomy and physiology of adult and pediatric populations, mechanics of breathing, ventilation and perfusion relationships, non-invasive and invasive ventilation relationships, acid-base regulation, hemodynamics, diagnostic studies and an understanding of cardiopulmonary disorders and pathophysiology of respiratory diseases. Mechanical ventilation in the critical care setting will also be discussed along with the pharmacological treatment of pulmonary disorders.