Introduction to Critical Care

The critical care units, which are also referred to as intensive care units, are high-stress, fast-paced environments capable of providing care to meet the needs of patients with various critical illnesses requiring advanced support and specialized services. Critical care nurses provide the specialized care for these patients and require advance theoretical knowledge, clinical judgement, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The Introduction to Critical Care program is an introductory course where nursing professionals will learn evidence informed nursing interventions, high-level clinical judgement and professional practice skills required to care for patient in the critical care area. The program provides an overview of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurology, endocrine, renal, gastrointestinal, hematology, immunology, and multisystem problems through independent self-study modules and interactive simulation activities. Through the program, the participants will increase their confidence to provide care to patients in the critical care areas while staying up to date on trends and technology in this practice area.

Program Objectives:

At the completion of the program, the participant will be able to:

1. Assess, analyze and monitor data for patients with complex, multi-system problems in order to anticipate early deterioration in patient’s condition, establish priorities and to plan interventions.
2. Plan and implement specialized nursing interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes in potential or actual critical illness and end-of-life situations.
3. Evaluate the nursing interventions and adapt plan of care based on the response of the critically ill patient.

Learners who complete all requirements will receive a Certificate of Participation. Requirements to receive the certificate includes the completion of 7 online self-directed modules and an in-person simulation.

Modules:

1. Cardiovascular Critical Care Essentials
2. Respiratory Critical Care Essentials
3. Neurologic Critical Care Essentials
4. Gastrointestinal Critical Care Essentials
5. Essentials of Caring for Renal Disorders
6. Endocrine and Hematological Critical Care Essentials
7. Multisystem Critical Care Essentials

Learners will be allowed to register for the Critical Care Simulation in advance however,  all 7 modules and quizzes must be completed 2 weeks prior to the selected simulation date.