Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

1. Distinguish between normal and abnormal findings, subjectively and objectively;
2. Gather a focused and complete history;
3. Perform a focused and complete physical exam;
4. Work toward establishing differential diagnoses, selecting the most likely diagnosis;
5. Document a health history and exam;
6. Become adept at using equipment such as an otoscope & ophthalmoscope, speculum, tuning fork, reflex hammer and eye chart.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role and legal scope of a Family Nurse Practitioner in the management of the care for male and female patients in primary care settings.
2. Implement concepts of diagnostic reasoning as a framework for practice as a FNP.
3. Apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacologic and non- pharmacologic therapies into the evaluation and management of male and female patients with acute and chronic disease in the primary care setting.
4. Synthesize age, gender, family history, and risk factors for health promotion, prevention and anticipatory guidance for male and female patients and families.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role and legal scope of a Family Nurse Practitioner in the management of the care for pediatric patients.
2. Implement concepts of diagnostic reasoning as a framework for practice as a FNP.
3. Apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies into the evaluation and management of pediatric patients with acute and chronic disease in the primary care setting.

The student will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies and evidence based diagnostic reasoning in the evaluation and management of patients with simple, complex, and chronic diseases/illnesses in the primary care setting.Applies the same in care of the well adult.
2. Demonstrate ability to perform comprehensive assessments and differential diagnoses with the development of management plans for individuals across the lifespan in the primary care settings
3. Implement strategies to maximize partnerships with patients; promotes adherence of care plans
4. Demonstrate understanding of medical-legal-ethical issues as they apply to prescribing and developing safe & comprehensive plans of care
5. Provide culturally competent, family centered care.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role and legal scope of a FNP/AGNP in the management of the care for adult/geriatric patients in primary care and other settings.
2. Implement concepts of diagnostic reasoning as a process for practice as a FNP/AGNP.
3. Appliy knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies into the evaluation and management of adult/geriatric patients with acute and chronic disease in primary care and other settings.
4. Synthesize age, gender, family history, and risk factors for health promotion, prevention and anticipatory guidance for adult/geriatric patients and their families.
5. Utilizes role and scope as a team member and leader in intra and multi-disciplinary teams in the care planning for patient/family with chronic and complex health issues across health care settings.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role and legal scope of a FNP/AGNP in the management of the care for adolescent/adult/geriatric patients in primary care settings.
2. Implement concepts of diagnostic reasoning as a framework for practice as a FNP/AGNP.
3. Apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies into the evaluation and management of adolescent and adult patients with acute and chronic problems in the primary care setting.
4. Synthesize age, gender, family history, and risk factors for health promotion, prevention and anticipatory guidance for adult patients and their families.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competence in assessment and formulation of differential diagnosis for pediatric patients in the primary care setting.
2. Synthesize findings from the patient history and exam to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for the most likely diagnosis.
3. Document the clinical history, exam findings and treatment plan using the SOAP format, using appropriate coding and billing.
4. Demonstrate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic prescribing specific to pediatric patients with consideration of cost, allergies, weight and patient/family preferences.

The student will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology into the evaluation and management of the client with commonly seen acute, complex, and chronic health problems.
2. Perform focused history/data collection, physical assessment, and use of diagnostic tools in the care of the client with acute, complex, and chronic health problems in the primary care setting.
3. Develop and perform diagnostic and treatment plans including differential diagnoses with pertinent positives and negatives to support/refute each differential, development of appropriate plans of care including sound communication, education, collaboration, diagnostics, treatments, follow-up, referral if needed, and red flags that necessitate emergency care for clients with acute, complex, and chronic health problems in primary care.
4. Implement effective strategies needed by the adult/geriatric/family nurse practitioner to maximize client adherence to a plan of care.
5. Demonstrate a philosophy of practice that respects client responsibility in health care choices.
6. Articulate a sound basis for evaluation and management of clients in primary care through case discussion with faculty and preceptors.
7. Demonstrate legally acceptable prescription writing in the implementation of prescriptive authority including the ability to articulate a sound basis for selection of therapeutic agents and management of side effects.
8. Demonstrate familiarity with the laws of prescriptive authority in the state where the student is gaining clinical experience.
9. Increase and improve skills in decision making regarding additional diagnostic testing and instrumentation, as well as ordering, obtaining and analyzing laboratory and diagnostic tests.
10. Apply newly learned information and skills of the advanced nurse practitioner within a clinical practice setting that allows for interaction with the patient experiencing acute and complex health problems.

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competence in assessment and formulation of differential diagnosis for adults and elders with chronic and complex health issues in primary care and other settings.
2. Synthesize findings from the patient history and exam to develop a comprehensive treatment plans for the most likely diagnosis/health issue.
3. Document the clinical history, exam findings, and treatment plan using the SOAP format, using appropriate coding and billing.
4. Demonstrate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic prescribing specific t adult patients, with consideration of cost, BEERS criteria, and comfortability.
5. Implement strategies to maximize patient and family education about chronic conditions, and end of like health issues, and consider palliative/end of life care.