CRITICAL CARE NURSING

Certificate Program

Breyer State University

Instructor: David A. Dutcher, BSN, RN, MSN, DC

INTRODUCTION

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Certificate Program in Critical Care Nursing, a series of Graduate level courses. I am pleased to mentor you through these courses. Believe me, they are not only informative but also exciting. As you are aware, there is a shortage of nurses nationally. And Critical Care nurses are in great demand. These courses will allow you, the professional nurse, to position yourself in the most prestigious and highest paying discipline in nursing.

In order to be in demand in nursing, it is imperative that nurses at all levels realize they must acquire proficiency in specialty areas. Skills needed are basic knowledge of all aspects of emergency and critical care medicine, Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Telemetry, PICU and NICU, and the ability to function independently and professionally in one or several of these specialty areas.

The future of Critical Care Nursing is taking a turn to the wholly computerized unit. This involves computerized charting, patient assessment, care planning; every aspect of patient care. The future Critical Care Nurse must be able to understand the complex issues of medical intervention and treatment and apply advanced nursing care across the gamut of acute care services. The future Critical Care Nurse must be able to understand the complex nature of such issues as family interaction and ethics. These skills are not acquired easily or quickly.

I know you will enjoy the challenge of these courses. After all, there is nothing to rival trench medicine.

Courses in the Certificate Program:

Access course number link to view syllabi

1). GCNC 415 - Critical Care Nursing I                - 4 semester hours
2). GCNC 445 - Critical Care Nursing II               - 4 semester hours
3). GCNC 485 - Advanced Critical Care Nursing - 4 semester hours

TEXTBOOKS: There are several textbooks for this certificate program.

Course 1:

Book 1: Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nursing by Joann Alspach (Editor), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Aacn American Association of Critical-C, Thomas Eoyang (Editor): ISBN: 072165147X.

Book 2: Practical Guide to the Care of the Critically Ill Patient by Joseph Varon ISBN: 0801681065.

Course 2:

Book 1: Manual of Critical Care Nursing: Nursing Interventions and Collaborative Management by Pamela L., RN Swearingen (Editor), Janet Hicks, RN Keen (Editor): ISBN: 0323009980.

Book 2: Handbook of Hemodynamic Monitoring
by Gloria Obdlouk Darovic, Cory M. Franklin, Gloria Oblouk Darovic, Gloria Cbdlouk Darovic ISBN: 0721673708.

Book 3: The Guide to EKG Interpretation (White Coat Pocket Guide Series) by John A. Brose (Editor), John C. Auseon, Daniel Waksman, Michael J. Jarosick

Course 3:

Book 1: (From NRS 532) The Guide to EKG Interpretation (White Coat Pocket Guide Series) by John A. Brose (Editor), John C. Auseon, Daniel Waksman, Michael J. Jarosick

Book 2: AACN Handbook of Critical Care Nursing by Marianne Chulay, Cathie Guzzetta, Barbara Dossey ISBN: 0838503462

Book 3: AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care by Debra J., Rn, Msn, Cs, Ccrn Lynn-McHale (Editor), Karen K., Rn, Mn, Ccrn Carlson (Editor), Aacn American Association of Critical-C: ISBN: 0721682685.

Book 4: Critical Care Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams
by Donna Prentice, Thomas S. Ahrens ISBN: 083851474X.

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EXAMINATIONS: Please see individual classrooms for exams

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for these courses. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classrooms for these courses have a “chat” room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: David A. Dutcher, BSN, RN, DC, currently teaches courses at Breyer State University. He is currently finishing his Masters of Science in Nursing Education. Additionally, he teaches two certificate courses through Canyon College-Online: Musculoskeletal Complaints – Rapid Assessment and Correctional Nursing. He holds a degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and, soon, will have a Masters of Science – Nursing Education. He has owned and operated his own Chiropractic clinic, managed all aspects of a professional clinic and managed staff of eight. Dr. Dutcher lives in Northwest Washington State and Vancouver, BC, Canada with his lovely wife, April. I have also published a children's book called "Feebie Brainiac and the Lysis Virus."

Tuition and Fees: See the tuition and fee schedule for Certificate Programs here.

Frequently Asked Questions: See our FAQS on Certificate Programs here.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this certificate program, you may contact Breyer State at admassistant@breyerstate.com