NURS
451-3, Health Assessment and RN First Call, is designed to provide necessary knowledge and skills for nurses
requiring RN First Call Certification. It is an invaluable course for
registered nurses working, or planning to work, in small rural hospitals,
diagnostic and treatment centres, or as nurses in rural community settings.
Rural Nursing Certificate and BScN Completion Options
NURS 451-3 can be taken on its own for RN First Call
certification, or it can be combined as one of seven courses to complete the Rural
Nursing Certificate (total of 30 credits). The Rural Nursing Certificate,
offered by the UNBC School of Nursing, provides nurses working in rural
settings with knowledge and skills for greater competency in generalist
practice. All courses are offered by distance with some requiring an on-site
workshop and/or practicum component. Students wishing to complete the UNBC
Post-Diploma BScN degree may do so by completing 15 credit hours of specified
course work in addition to the Rural Nursing Certificate.
For more information regarding the Rural Nursing Certificate
and/or the Post-Diploma BScN Degree, please contact us. (See information in
panel to the right.)
Course Description
This course provides students with the
knowledge and skills needed to extend their ability to conduct a thorough health
assessment for diverse client populations throughout the lifespan.
The competencies required for RN First Call, a certified practice category as
defined by CRNBC, will be incorporated making students who successfully
complete the course and examination eligible to apply to CRNBC for RN First
Call Certification. Students conduct age appropriate comprehensive health
histories and physical examinations, identify health concerns and risks, taking
into account culture, ethnicity and health beliefs in order to make informed
clinical judgments. The diagnosis and treatment of minor acute illnesses using
Schedule 1 medications, as determined by the CRNBC approved Decision Support
Tools, are addressed. An extended skills-building workshop is included. This
course is restricted to registered nurses.
Course Goal
Students
will be able to competently perform thorough, holistic health assessments of
diverse clients across the lifespan using a body systems approach, and to
accurately diagnose and treat the specific common and predictable health
conditions addressed within the scope of the CRNBC approved RN First Call
Decision Support Tools.
Course
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the
learner will be able to:
Undertake a thorough health assessment
through history taking and interview techniques that respect the person,
developmental stage, culture and environment;
Complete a comprehensive physical
examination of the adult, child, elderly person;
Utilize clinical practice support
tools;
Safely and appropriately utilize the
CRNBC RN First Call Decision Support Tools;
Apply clinical judgment using
evidence-based clinical knowledge from multiple sources;
Undertake client consultation and
appropriate, timely referral to other health care professionals; and,
Document and communicate nursing
assessments and clinical judgment for patient records, legal purposes, and for
other health care providers.
Course Delivery
This is an
on-line course delivered by distance over a thirteen-week period culminating in
a face-to-face practice workshop and examination.
