Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, in partnership with Cross Country Healthcare, has launched two new continuing education certificate courses designed to train health care professionals and caregivers on compassionate care of persons with dementia and nurses caring for patients in telemetry/progressive care units.
“Compassionate Care of Older Adults at Risk for or Experiencing Dementia,” is a fully online, self-paced, on-demand six-week program for certified nursing assistants, home health aides, patient care assistants and caregivers. The 20-hour course certificate program integrates the “The Six Cs of Caring,” in all its components so that participants gain an understanding and the true meaning of caring as well as new skills to apply – when caring for individuals at risk for and/or experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).
“Telemetry/Progressive Care,” is a fully online, self-paced, on-demand 10-week course designed for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses, and is open to the general public. This 35-hour course is a virtual learning certificate program that will increase the understanding and clinical judgment of nurses when caring for patients with health conditions that require them to be admitted to the telemetry/step down/progressive care units. The caring science principles of competence, compassion, comportment, confidence conscience and commitment are woven throughout the video and written content of each module.
Upon completion of the Compassionate Care of Older Adults at Risk for or Experiencing Dementia program, participants will develop new skills to differentiate between the basic disease process and more commonly seen symptoms of ADRD and evaluate risk factors for ADRD. Participants also will learn to choose caring language that promotes positive attitudes toward aging and older adults and those with dementia and develop effective communication techniques and interventions. In addition, participants will learn how to implement dementia-friendly ways to assist individuals with completing their daily living activities and identify the best resources in community care.
Upon successful completion of the Telemetry/Progressive Care program, participants will know how to use electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify underlying cardiac conditions including cardiac rhythms and dysrhythmias, health blocks and pacemaker rhythms. They also will be able to use ECG to identify different types of myocardial infarction and determine and/or carry out appropriate treatments for these cardiovascular conditions including drug therapy. Participants will learn to apply the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and neuropharmacology for selected cardiovascular conditions.
