CENURS 7100 - Ontario University Consortium RN Prescribing Education Program

Course Description

The Ontario University Consortium RN Prescribing Program is tailored to meet the educational criteria necessary for registered nurses (RNs) to safely prescribe selected medications authorized by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The RN prescribing curriculum covers topics that align with the medications authorized by the CNO:

Immunization: Any vaccines for prevention of bacterial and viral disease

Contraception: Any hormonal contraceptives for systemic use (oral and injectable) Any intravaginal contraceptives

*Excludes intra-uterine devices/contraceptives and contraceptive implants

Travel health: For Malaria prevention, any of the following: Aminoquinolines Biguanides Methanolquinolines Doxycycline.

For the prevention and/or treatment of traveller’s diarrhea, any of the following: Norfloxacin Ciprofloxacin Levofloxacin Azithromycin Rifaximin

Topical wound care: A combination of all three medications for cracked nipple care: Betamethasone 0.1% Mupirocin 2% ointment Miconazole powder to a final concentration of 2%

Metronidazole for topical use for symptom management of odorous wounds Any antibiotics for topical use

Smoking cessation: Bupropion hydrochloride Varenicline tartrate

Anesthetics: Any anesthetics used topically for pain relief related to immunization and/or topical wound care

Allergic reaction: Epinephrine for anaphylaxis

Over-the-counter medication: Any drug or substance that may lawfully be purchased or acquired without a prescription and is available for self-selection in a pharmacy.

In addition to the topics listed above, there is additional required content related to:  

• Roles and responsibilities of the prescribing RN
• Foundations of Pharmacology
• RN Prescribing Patient History Taking
• Prescription Writing (Template & PPT)
• Navigation of RX Files, Ontario Drug Benefit, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), Interm Federal Health Program (IFHP)

Course Outline

This course is divided into 8 modules.  Each module is mapped to CNO competencies.

Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities in RN Prescribing

This module introduces the roles and responsibilities associated with the scope of practice for registered nurses in the General Class. The course emphasizes the therapeutic care of clients using a prescribing framework within the context of discipline standards, guidelines, and competencies. 

Module 2: General Principles of Pharmacokinetics

This module on pharmacological principles encourages learners to use an evidence-informed approach to understanding and synthesizing foundational pharmacological principles as they relate to drug therapy. Learners will apply evidence-informed knowledge regarding factors that impact drug therapy as they relate to medication prescribing.

Module 3: Topical Wound Care

This module encourages learners to use an evidence-informed approach to assess and treat (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) various wounds. Learners will apply evidenced-based knowledge regarding factors that impact wound management and the indication for medications and advanced dressings.

Module 4: Immunization and Anaphylaxis

This module will integrate knowledge of vaccine development, indications, funded schedules, and age to determine initial eligibility. Competency will be demonstrated in assessing whether past clinical history and current clinical status will impact vaccine eligibility. Students will be able to recommend and prescribe appropriate immunization(s), and work with the patient and family to discuss concerns about immunization and side effects and intervene should an anaphylactic event occur.

Module 5: Contraception

This module will assist learners to use an evidence-informed approach in choosing appropriate pharmacological treatments for clients seeking contraception for pregnancy prevention. By the end of these modules learners will be able to assess clients for the indications and contraindications for initiating contraception and differentiate between therapeutic uses for systemic versus intravaginal contraception.

Module 6: Travel Health

This module will provide a review of the epidemiology, transmission of, and natural history of traveller's diarrhea and malaria and prepare registered nurses (RNs) to optimally support travellers to identify their individual risk for traveller’s diarrhea malaria and to implement appropriate prevention and treatment strategies for traveller’s diarrhea. In addition, this module will prepare RNs to synthesize multiple elements of patient information with consideration of patient values and preferences to select appropriate therapeutic choices that best meet the patient’s needs, write a legal prescription, and document the encounter.

Module 7: Smoking Cessation

This module will examine the role of pharmacologic aids such as Varenicline and Bupropion in supporting clients with smoking cessation goals and will integrate core knowledge and skills in the safety prescribing, management, and evaluation of clients prescribed pharmacologic smoking cessation aids.

Module 8: Over the Counter (OTC) Medication

This module on over-the-counter medication recommendation encourages learners to use an evidence-informed approach to assess and treat various health conditions. Learners will apply evidence-based knowledge to develop the skills to safely, effectively, and ethically assess, diagnose, and recommend over-the-counter medications.

Learner Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, learns will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the legislated scope of practice for RN prescribing and the professional
   accountability associated with prescribing and communicating a diagnosis,
2. Conduct the appropriate assessments of the patient and the appropriate diagnosis and appropriate pharmacological
   options within the legal scope of practice based on patient health information,
3. Demonstrated understanding of principles and best practices when prescribing, including knowledge of drug
   interactions, safety risks, and mitigation strategies/
4. Communicate relevant findings and diagnoses to clients and provide education about prescribed
   medications and follow up
5. Write an accurate prescription following all legal requirements of the CNO

* See Course Syllabus in Brightspace

This program is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario and is only open to RN’s who are registered with the CNO and are “Entitled to practice with no restrictions.”   

Learners who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Windsor and their names and registration number will be sent to the College of Nurses of Ontario.

After confirmation the CNO will add “Authorized to Prescribe Medications Specified in Regulation” to your practice information

This online asynchronous/synchronous program includes:

• Self-paced weekly modules
• Weekly assignments
• Weekly virtual interactive case studies with a moderator
• Written final exam (must achieve 70%)
• Clinical virtual exam (only those successful in achieving 70% on exam can take clinical exam)

Notes

10 weeks - asynchronous online material (with weekly virtual Moderator Question & Answer Period)

2 weeks – Written Exam and Virtual Clinical Experience

An optional Moderator Question and Answer period will be held weekly on Thursday’s from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.  Learners will also have the opportunity to contact moderators throughout the course with questions.

Following the completion of the online modules, there will be an additional 2-week timeframe in which the final exam and virtual clinical exam will take place.

Learners must activate their UWinID before classes begin. It is expected that learners will begin classwork during week 1 and will continue to stay active in the program, reviewing materials weekly.  If instructors notice that you are not active in the course (in Brightspace), you will be dropped from the class.  If there are extenuating circumstances, we encourage you to reach out to the instructor to discuss your options.

Technical Requirements (for online courses): 

• Learners will require access to a computer with high-speed internet access.
• Class is delivered online through the Brightspace Learning Management System (for class materials and assignments) and Microsoft Teams for class meetings.

Brightspace and Microsoft Teams Requirements:

• A link will be provided through email prior to the first day of class so that you will have access to all course resources and streaming functions.
• Once you register for this class you will be issued a UWinID. Please activate your UWinID as soon as possible. Document your UWinID and password as you will need it to access Brightspace and Teams. If you have any issues, please contact nursingce@uwindsor.ca.
• Visit this site for Brightspace technical requirements.