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Advanced Competence of Registered Nurses in Acute Nursing (4 cr)

Code: SH00CO16-3001

General information


Enrollment

13.11.2023 - 20.02.2024

Timing

06.05.2024 - 15.12.2024

Credits

4 op

Teaching languages

  • Finnish

Degree programmes

  • Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing

Teachers

  • Riikka Halmesmäki
  • Pasi Alanen
  • Tiina Koskela

Student groups

  • SH21S
  • MSH21S
  • RN21
    Degree Programme in Nursing, Nursing Branch, Registered Nurse, RN, (UAS)

Objective

1) Professionalism and ethics
The student
-functions in accordance with the values, ethical guidelines and principles of nursing care, and evaluates their implementation in daily nursing care.
- complies with current legislation and information guidance in his/ her work.
- has adopted the professional identity of a nurse and committed to the principles of a service profession.
- demonstrates ability to function in the role of an expert in nursing care and to accept responsibility for his/ her actions.
- demonstrates ability to assess and develop his/ her own skills.
- demonstrates ability to intervene in unprofessional conduct.
- recognizes their limits in coping, seeks support and uses different forms of support available.
- demonstrates knowledge of career opportunities for nurses.
- complies with occupational safety regulations.

2) Client-centered care
The student
- respects clients/patients and encounters them as experts of and actors in their own lives.
- demonstrates ability to encounter vulnerable patient groups in nursing care.
- demonstrates ability to encounter clients/patients from different cultures individually.

3) Communication and multi-professionalism
The student
- demonstrates knowledge of professional interaction in nursing care with clients/patients of different ages and backgrounds and their next-of-kin.
- demonstrates knowledge of independent communication and interaction in his or her native language, the second official language of Finland, and at least one foreign language.
- understands his or her own responsibilities and those of other professionals in health care and social welfare services, as well as the significance of controlled and flexible division of duties in the client’s /patient’s holistic care.
- demonstrates good work community skills when working in multidisciplinary teams, environments and networks.

4) Health promotion
The student
- demonstrates ability to apply current research data and other information from the field of health promotion to their work with client/patients.
- identifies risk factors of clients/patients and provides early support to those in need.
- plans and implements interventions promoting health and functional capacity of individuals and groups of clients/patients in multidisciplinary collaboration.
- recognizes existing and new threats to health and knows how to integrate them in the promotion of health of clients/patients.

5) Leadership and professional co-operation skills of the employee
The student
- demonstrates ability to prioritize the task flexibly.
- motivates members of their working community and is able to give and receive feedback.
- demonstrates ability to work according to the principles of cost-efficiency, sustainable development, taking into account the environment.
- demonstrates ability to guide fellow students and co-workers.
- demonstrates ability to develop and adapt his/her ways of working to changes in the health care and social welfare services.

6) Information technology and documentation
The student
- complies with the requirements and regulations governing data protection and information security in health care and social welfare services relating to the creation, use, storage and disposal of data.
- demonstrates knowledge of appropriate recording of the client’s /patient’s nursing care process, and is capable of evaluating whether data recorded in the patient data repository is up-to-date, correct and of good quality.
- documents the nursing care of clients/patients according to the nursing care process; assesses the client’s/patient’s need for interventions (care) in accordance with the Finnish Care Classification (FinCC), plans and implements interventions using the Finnish Classification of Nursing Interventions (FiCNI), evaluates nursing outcomes using the Finnish Classification of Nursing Outcomes (FiCNO), as well as produces a summary of the nursing care.
- demonstrates knowledge of information technology, electronic databases and reporting tools used in health care services.
- complies with netiquette, regulations and practices regarding emails, and assumes the role of a health care professional in social media.

7) Guidance and education competence and supporting self-care
The student
- assesses the needs, resources and responsibility of the client/patient in planning guidance and self-care.
- plans, implements and assesses individual and group guidance in cooperation with the patient/client, and other professionals.

Requirements for implementation of patient guidance
The student
- uses client/patient-centered education and guidance methods.
- demonstrates ability to evaluate guidance outcomes together with the client /patient, their next-of-kin and health care professionals.
- uses pedagogy and ethics in planning, implementation and evaluation of guidance supporting the client’s /patient’s self-care.
- encourages the client /patient and their next-of-kin to commit to the care.
- demonstrates knowledge of the clinical pathway of the client/patient and masters the basics of service guidance.

8) Clinical nursing
The student
- responds to the needs of the client/patient by planning, implementing and assessing appropriate individual nursing care in cooperation with the client/patient, their next-of-kin, and other professionals in health care and social welfare services.
- demonstrates ability to use diverse nursing care methods in psycho-social support of the client /patient.
- masters the knowledge and skills needed for key nursing interventions as a part of holistic
care of the client /patient.
- masters the knowledge and skills of key nursing diagnostics as a part of holistic
care of the client/patient.
- masters the principles of infection prevention and puts their knowledge into practice in the implementation of infection prevention.
- applies knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, applied pharmacology and medication to the planning, implementation and assessment of medication for treatment of different diseases.
- applies knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and applied pharmacology to the planning, implementation and assessment of safe medication of different client/patient groups.
- demonstrates knowledge of legislation governing medication and information guidance.
- applies nutrition and care recommendations for different age and target groups for prevention and treatment of national diseases.
- demonstrates knowledge of the principles of family work and is able to put them into practice.
- uses various methods to support the psycho-social and conviction needs of patients and their next-of-kin.

9) Evidence-based practice, utilization of research knowledge and decision-making
The student
- understands that the work of a nurse is evidence-based and commits to it.
- demonstrates ability to plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based nursing safely.
- participates in developing evidence-based practices in their own work.
- demonstrates ability to search information in major databases of health sciences and to read scientific publications critically.
- demonstrates ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions.
- demonstrates ability to exploit scientific data in clinical decision-making.

10) Entrepreneurship and development
The student
- understands the idea of entrepreneurship and commits to it in his or her work.
- has the basic qualities required for an independent entrepreneur in the sector.
- masters the principles of cost consciousness in nursing and works cost-efficiently.
- reflecting with his or her work community, he or she is able to identify practices to be developed and aspects that need to be changed in their own work.
- demonstrates ability to participate in development, innovation and research processes as a team member.

11) Quality management
The student
- evaluates the quality of nursing care in order to develop the client’s /patient’s care, and their own practices.
- participates in quality management as a member of the work community.
- understands the impact of his/ her own activity on the quality of the organization.
- understands the use of patient safety reports as a part of quality control of the organization.

12) Service system of health care and social welfare services
The student
- understands how health care and social welfare services are produced and organized, and how they are controlled and monitored in Finland.
- understands the roles of different action and service units as part of the care and service chain.
- understands his/ her personal role in promoting the organization’s reputation, brand and image, as well as in creating a positive service experience for the client.
- demonstrates competence in using digital services as a part of holistic care of the client/ patient.
- demonstrates ability to function in changing environments and to provide service guidance.

13) Patient and client safety
The student
- demonstrates knowledge of key factors regarding patient and client safety.
- promotes patient safety and prevents patient safety incidents in every phase of the nursing process of the patient.
- communicates clearly to ensure patient safety.
- takes immediate situation-specific action in a hazardous situation.
- recognizes potential patient safety incidents and reports them.
- understands how a report on patient safety incident is handled.

Content

ACUTE CARE
Contents:
Clinical competence:
The Registered Nurse
-is responsible for the patient's / client's physical, mental, spiritual and social safety.
-monitors the patient's condition, symptoms and effectiveness of treatment in the treatment of the most common diseases and draws the necessary conclusions.
- studies, evaluates and maintains basic organ functions: respiration, blood circulation and level of consciousness.
- works aseptically.
- masters key diagnostic and treatment procedures and the correct and safe use of the tools and equipment required for them.
- utilizes diagnostic results in treatment and treatment monitoring.
- supports the well-being and resilience of the patient and their next-of-skin.
- prevents and identifies situations that threaten the mental health of the patient / client and assists him / her with nursing if necessary.
- relieves patients' / clients' pain and suffering in various situations, including at the end of life.
- provides first aid in different care and operating environments, manages the patient's basic resuscitation (PPE + D) and participates in resuscitation in the tasks within his/her competence.
- operates in accordance with the guidelines in the event of disturbances under normal conditions and in health care in exceptional circumstances.
- manages the use of aids in a patient-safe and ergonomic manner.
- in addition, the nurse should manage the assessment of the need for overall care.

Pharmacotherapy expertise:
The Registered Nurse
- can carry out the pharmacotherapy safely in accordance with the doctor's instructions and monitor the effects and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy.
- masters the calculation of drugs required for the implementation of pharmacotherapy and the key clinical pharmacology knowledge on which pharmacology is based in the care of people of different ages.
- masters different drug administration routes (p.o., i.v., i.m., s.c., i.o., CVK, venous port, etc.).
- masters the procedures related to the preparation of fluid therapy and intravenous drug therapy and blood transfusion, the preparation of the patient for these treatments and patient monitoring during and after fluid therapy and transfusion.
- is able to cannulate a peripheral vein and perform fluid therapy.
- is able to provide intravenous fluid and medication.
- guides the patient / client in matters related to medication in order to promote the patient's state of health and commitment to treatment.
- identifies risk areas related to the medication process and uses the information gathered on medication deviations to develop the medication process.

EMERGENCY CARE AND NURSING

-nursing of a patient with acute chest pain (STEMI, NSTEMI, ACS, etc.)
-nursing of a PCI patient, assistance with a pacemaker
-nursing of aortic dissection and aneurysm patient, nursing of cardiac tamponade
-nursing of a patient with arrhythmia (medication, external pacing, cardioversion)
-nursing care for a patient with difficulty breathing (e.g. worsening asthma, COPD, pulmonary edema)
-nursing of a neurological patient (eg AVH, epilepsy)
-nursing work for a trauma patient at the site and at the emergency department
-trauma resuscitation, trauma patient support, prevention of hypothermia
-trauma alert at the emergency department
-acute nursing of a shock patient
-acute nursing of a patient with abdominal pain
-acute care work in a diabetic patient (ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, etc.)
-acute nursing in an intoxication patient
-pediatric patient in acute care work
-elderly person in acute care work (e.g. decrease in general condition)
-acute confusion and its causes
-a drowned, hypothermic patient in an emergency room
-psychiatric problems in acute care work
-substance abuse, violence and aggressive patient care in acute care
-nursing of a raped patient
-mental first aid
-social emergencies as a challenge in acute care work
-multi-patient response, major accident: operating principles (chemical accident)
-acute care work for a pandemic patient
- patient safety (for near misses)
-registration in the emergency room and emergency department
-situational awareness, emotional intelligence, CRM
- various measures in acute care work and working in them
-plastering

INTENSIVE CARE
-monitoring and treatment of acute breathing- and circulation deficiency in intensive care treatment of a resuscitated patient.
-treatment of a neurological patient in intensive care treatment of a neurosurgical patient who has sustained brain trauma.
-nutrition and fluid care of an intensive care patient, as well as monitoring and care of electrolyte disturbances.
-pain treatment and sedation
-digestive system problems in intensive care (massive hemorrhage, the care of an open abdomen)
-acute kidney damage and dialysis care
-intensive care of a poisoned patient
-intensive care of a patient with burn injuries
-intensive care of a brain-dead donor
-prevention and treatment of infections
-intensive care of an infected patient in ICU (sepsis, pneumonia, pandemic)
-intensive care of a cardiac patient in intensive care
-the coping and well-being of the staff in acute nursing
-acute critical disease from the perspective of the patient and the next-of-kin
-ethical challenges in intensive care nursing

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1-2
The student
-has a narrow surface understanding of the role of nursing scientific knowledge in clinical decision-making.
-uses nursing scientific concepts in a limited way, without an understanding of their meaning or connection to the practice of nursing.
-information seeking skills are limited and he/she does not know how to seek information in the most important health science databases.
-the learning assignments are lacking in relation to the instructions, with limited use of sources and considerable errors in the referencing system.
-work is unplanned and of poor quality.
The student is passive in seminars, with little or no contribution.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3-4
The student
-understands the role of nursing scientific knowledge and uses contemporary nursing scientific sources in decision-making.
-uses nursing scientific concepts and understands their meaning to the practice of nursing.
-knows how to seek information in the most important health science databases.
-follows instructions given on learning assignments and, when writing references, observes the Seinäjoki UAS guidelines on written assignments.
-works in a deliberate, mostly self-directed manner and in a responsible, planned way.
-prepares for and uses visual aids in presentations of learning assignments.
- prepares for and provides peer feedback in a constructive way.
- actively takes part in seminar discussions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5
The student
-demonstrates interest in and understands the role of nursing scientific knowledge and applies contemporary nursing scientific sources in decision-making.
- uses nursing scientific concepts extensively, analytically and critically.
-knows how to seek information in the most important health science databases.
-applies the information extensively and critically.
-follows instructions given on learning assignments and, when writing references, observes the Seinäjoki UAS guidelines on written assignments.
-works in a deliberate, self-directed, responsible and planned manner.
-carefully prepares for presentations of learning assignments, uses visual aids and distictive and creative solutions.
-actively takes part in seminar discussions and widens the perspective on the concept under discussion.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Failed = 0
The student demonstrates no understanding of the role of nursing scientific knowledge in decision-making. He/she does not know nursing scientific concepts, their meaning or connection to the practice of nursing. He/she does not know how to seek information in the most important health science databases. The learning assignments are lacking in relation to the instructions, with major errors in the referencing system. Student's work is unplanned and of poor quality. The presentations on learning assignments are inadequate or the student fails to deliver the presentations.When giving feedback to peers, it becomes apparent that he/she has a limited understanding of the concept of peer feedback, or he/she completely fails to give feedback. The student is passive in seminars, with little or no contribution.
Patient safety is compromised.

Qualifications

Registed Nurse`s Competence in Basics of Clinical Nursing
Registered Nurse`s Evidence Based Clinical Competence Modules 1-3
Registered Nurse's Safe Medication and Fluid therapy Skills
At least 150 ECTS in basic studies

Further information

Study methods
Contact teaching, seminar teaching, laboratories, simulations, independent study, drug calculations

Course evaluation

Written exams
Numerical evaluation of a clinical training period
Written assignment in internship (to be assessed)