Critical Care Nursing (Clinical Nurse Specialist)

Do you want to pursue graduate education and develop advanced expertise with a specific focus in Critical Care Nursing practice? If so, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a major in Critical Care Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist will give you this education.  Two years critical care nursing experience (intensive / intermediate care units;  trauma / emergency room) is required.

This major pulls together the content from core courses in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics and health assessment as a foundation for advanced practice. The roles of the clinical nurse specialist in advanced practice are experienced through patient care management in inpatient facilities.

You will acquire advanced knowledge and clinical skills enabling you to provide quality comprehensive care to critically ill patients. Extensive course work and practicum will prepare you for many advance multifaceted practice roles; such as clinical nurse specialist, critical care case manager, clinical researcher, or critical care coordinator.

For further information, contact: Beverly H. Robinson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Program
UTHSCSA School of Nursing 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC # 7943, San Antonio, T X 78229-3900
(210) 567-5815
Website: www.nursing.uthscsa.edu

On-line application : http://studentservices.uthscsa.edu/publications/nursing.html

Graduates are eligible for national certification and recognition by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas as an Advanced Practice Nurse.

“Not an Official Publication of UTHSCSA”

Major Course Descriptions:

• NURS 6307 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Undergraduate health assessment course/comparable experience
  
  The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced practitioner utilizes comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan, to gather specific data relevant to common health problems, is demonstrated. Faculty and preceptors facilitate laboratory and clinical experiences which focus on assessment of clients and presentation of findings in a variety of settings. Major Courses



• NURS 5338 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
  This course focuses on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan. The relationship between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by disease will be explored. Particular attention will be given to etiology, pathogenesis, developmental and environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems that affect South Texas . Portions of this course will be delivered by distance technology. Independent completion of modules is required in this course. Major Courses



• NURS 6302 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: NURS 5338 or concurrent
  
  This course provides the advanced nurse practitioner students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents in the practice of primary health care. Principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be examined. The history of disease, pathophysiology, symptomatology and pharmacologic treatment of major health problems that affect South Texas will be explored. Potential reactions of various cultural groups to prescribed agents will be emphasized, including adherence, cost of drug, cultural values and beliefs, and individual responses to therapy. The roles of the physician and the nurse, relative to prescriptive authority, will be fully addressed. Major Courses



• NURS 6308 Mental Health Concepts for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 2 semester hours seminar; 1 semester hour practicum
  Clock Hour Allocation: 2 clock hours seminar; 3 clock hours practicum (45 clock hours practicum)
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
  This course emphasizes the development of advanced practice nursing skills in mental health. Individually supervised practice, analysis and evaluation of the interpersonal process with culturally diverse clients experiencing psychological stress and dysfunction across the lifespan is employed. An opportunity for students to use a holistic perspective to examine the etiology, meaning and consequences of human behavior is provided. Biological, cultural, psychological and social aspects of mental health and mental health care are considered. A special emphasis is placed on assessment and detection of actual and potential mental health problems, developmental assessment, crisis intervention, pharmacological management, other biological therapies and consultation/referral to other mental health professionals. Major Courses



• NURS 5311 Nursing Assessment of Populations
  Credit Hour Allocation: 2 semester hours seminar; 1 semester hour practicum
  Clock Hour Allocation: 2 clock hours seminar; 3 clock hours practicum (45 clock hours practicum)
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
  This course explores the acquisition of knowledge about a community of interest and its health problems. Communities of interest may include populations within organizations, neighborhoods or communities. Sources of both qualitative and quantitative information about selected populations and their health problems will be addressed. Students will be given an opportunity to gain experience in the identification of population characteristics, problem measurement and the identification of "communities of solution." For their clinical activities, students may choose population aggregates in a variety of settings compatible with their area of interest. Major Courses



• NURS 5601 Critical Care Nursing (Clinical Nurse Specialist) I: Health Management
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3.5 semester hours class; 2.5 semester hours clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation:3.5 clock hours (52.5 hours); 7.5 clock hours (112.5 clock hours practicum
  Prerequisites: NURS 6307 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan for APN; NURS 5338 Pathophysiology for APN; NURS 5306 Nursing Science I; NURS 6308 Mental Health Concepts for APN (or concurrent); NURS 6302 Pharmacotherapeutics for APN (or concurrent)
  
  This course addresses the unique and autonomous roles of the Critical Care Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist - as an Advanced Practice Nurse. The content focuses on human responses to health and illness, and identifying and modifying etiologies that interfere with health. Concepts covered include health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and management of symptoms and functional problems. Theories and current evidence-based interventions are explored for application to special populations. Developing a customized patient-based framework for Clinical Nurse Specialist practice in the contemporary health care system is emphasized. Major Courses



• NURS 5140 Critical Care Nursing (Clinical Nurse Specialist): Skills Competencies
  Credit Hour Allocation: 1 semester hour clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation: 3 clock hours clinical (45 hours practicum)
  Prerequisites: NURS 6307 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan for APN
  
  This course focuses on the skills and procedures that critical nurses use in the monitoring and management of critically ill patients. The content is designed to build on the student’s previous critical care experience and to enhance knowledge of new and current technology for optimal patient care. Skills and procedures are reviewed and students have the opportunity to demonstrate competency with these skills in a critical care setting or through laboratory simulated activities. Major Courses



• NURS 5602 Critical Care Nursing (Clinical Nurse Specialist) II: Diagnosis & Management
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours class; 3 semester hours clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation 3 clock hours class; 9 clock hours clinical (135 hours clinical practicum)
  Prerequisites: NURS 5226 Nurses Role in Financial Planning in HC; NURS 5339 Nursing Leadership & Policy; NURS 5307 Nursing Science II (or concurrent); NURS 5311 Nursing Assessment of Populations (or concurrent); NURS 5601 CCN I; NURS 5140 CCN: Skills Competencies
  
  This course builds on Critical Care Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist I - and is designed to transition the graduate nursing student into the Clinical Nurse Specialist role as a practitioner and provider of care. The focus of this critical care specialty is adults with life-threatening, critical illness or injury who require advanced technology and monitoring. Students have the opportunity to develop, apply and evaluate in-depth knowledge of pathophysiological processes and evidenced-based interventions for disease management. The focus of the theoretical and clinical of the course is on nursing and medical diagnosis and management, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments, and an interdisciplinary approach to critically ill patients. Clinical experiences include the implementation and evaluation of Clinical Nurse Specialist roles in tertiary and other settings that comprise the continuum of care for critically ill patients. Major Courses
  
  
• NURS 5502 Critical Care Nursing (Clinical Nurse Specialist) III: Role & Preceptorship
  Credit Hour Allocation: 1 semester hour class; 4 semester hours clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation 1 clock hour class; 12 clock hours clinical (180 clock hours practicum)
  Prerequisites: Completion of all major coursework
  
  This course is a synthesizing experience in the development and implementation of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role in a collaborative, interdisciplinary model. The focus of this course is ongoing clinical experiences and practice that integrate the theoretical and practical knowledge for the health and disease management of critically ill adult patients. Emphasis is on clinical decision making which incorporates nursing and medical diagnosis, disease management and treatment to include prescriptive practices. Major Courses