Stroke Certificate Program
Currently Enrolled Students
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Description of Program
The ever-changing field of health care continually affords new opportunities for clinical practice, expanding to include inpatient and outpatient client management. Primary and secondary management of patients with a risk for stroke has become a cardinal area of concern for health providers as they seek to improve patient outcomes. The potential benefits of improving stroke management include decreased number of hospitalizations, better utilization of health care resources, higher percentage of patients maintained within the desired goal, improved patient education and compliance with therapy, and cost effectiveness of care.
Who Should Enroll in this Program
The Stroke certificate program is designed for English-speaking nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members who have or are seeking responsibility for the management of stroke. This interactive Internet program provides 40 hours of continuing education credits on the acute and rehabilitative management of stroke. The program will focus on physiology and pathophysiology, assessment of risk factors, and management of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. A review of principles of adult education and the program requirements for a certified stroke center will be discussed. The content has been reviewed by local and national experts.
Program Curriculum
Instruction will include the following content:
- Structure and function of the central nervous system
- Primary and secondary prevention of stroke
- Assessment and diagnostic test pertinent to the management of stroke
- Emergent management of patient with an ischemic stroke
- Emergent management of patient with a hemoragic stroke
- Rehabilitation focus following a stroke
- Primary stroke certification
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this continuing education program is to provide an opportunity for physicians, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge and expertise in managing patients, develop treatment plans based on evidence based recommendations, and reduce the risk of complications associated with stroke. At the conclusion of the program the participant will be able to:
- Review the physiology and pathophysiology of the neurologic system.
- Discuss the pertinent clinical assessment and laboratory monitoring related to management of stroke.
- Identify the key points of primary prevention of stroke.
- Discuss the emergent management of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
- Formulate effective strategies for rehabilitation following a stroke.
- Identify the characteristics of a stroke center certification.
- Apply principles of teaching/learning for educating patient and families on stroke and stroke prevention.
Successful completion of this program does not indicate expertise in the field of stroke. Clinical experience, demonstrated positive patient outcomes, and good clinical judgment coupled with the core understanding of neurovascular content is necessary to attain competency in the management of patients. Information regarding a national certification exam (cardiovascular) can be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The website is http://nursecredentialing.org. The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses is in the process of offering a certification in stroke. For current information, consult the website http://www.aann.org
Course Schedule
This 6 week course is offered two times a year.
Offering dates for 2013: January 28 (registration deadline January 11) and September 16 (registration deadline August 30).
We reserve the right to cancel any offering if there is insufficient enrollment. Registrants will be notified well in advance if this occurs.
For more information, call toll free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or e-mail Sharri Herriott at usi1nhpcert@usi.edu.
Enrollment Cost
$500
Fee includes Internet instruction, handouts, and a comprehensive exam.
Refunds are available prior to the start of the program, less an
administrative fee and the cost of received course materials.
The textbook is not included in the cost of the program.
Refund Policy
A $25 administrative fee will be charged prior to the start date of the course if
the registration fee has been paid.
On
or after the start date of the class there will be no refund.
To Register
Call toll free 1-877-USI-HLTH
(1-877-874-4584)
Instruction Methods
A combination of delivery methods are used to facilitate learner and faculty communication including:
Internet
Provides on-line instructor-prepared materials and course assignments. Internet resources are used as an integral part of the instruction.
Computer Conferencing
Allows learners to interact with faculty and other course participants.
Electronic Mail
Allows learners to freely interact on an individual or group level with other learners and faculty.
We recommend that you do not use your work e-mail address for taking this course. Many businesses, especially government agencies, utilize security firewalls. Communication from the instructor, the University, or other students may not get through and you will not see the message. We also do not recommend you use AOL, for similar reasons. AOL accounts include spam prevention-type filters and our communication with you may be filtered-out. We recommend you obtain a separate e-mail account for your course work. Yahoo.com and MSN.com offer free e-mail accounts.
Telephone Consultation
Faculty will be available by telephone to assist learners.
Computer Requirements and Suggestions
If using a personal computer, it is recommended that the computer have Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, or Mac OS X. For compatibility, you will want to have access to Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, or Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac, or Office 2008 for Mac. In some cases, Office Live may be sufficient. For some course content, you may also need Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and/or Windows Media Player (Flip4Mac WMV Components for QuickTime). Additionally, a broadband Internet connection would be very beneficial; AOL is not recommended. Lastly, if your course uses the Blackboard e-Learning platform, you may wish to verify that you have a compatible web browser.
If your computer is more than 6 years old or does not meet the requirements for running one the above versions of Microsoft Office (Windows system requirements / Mac system requirements), you may want to consider purchasing a new computer.
Faculty
- Diana Everley, BSN, CNRN-BC
- M. Jane Swartz, APRN, MSN
Delivery of Program Content
The program has 5 modules. Each module includes reading assignments, study questions, case studies, and test questions. Learners interact with practitioners and faculty who are expert in the area of stroke therapy. A comprehensive examination will be administered at the end of the six-week program.
Why Enroll in an Interactive Internet Program?
The convenience of on-line instruction allows the participant to "attend" class at any hour or day of the week during the 6 week period. Participants will learn from experts in the area of stroke management and have the opportunity to network with other course participants from across the country. Internet instruction provides an opportunity for personal interaction with course faculty while providing the comfort of learning in your own home or office.
Continuing Education Credits
A Continuing Education Certificate will be awarded following successful completion of study guide questions, an online comprehensive examination (with a passing score of 70% or higher), and submission of a course evaluation. Certificates will be mailed approximately 30 days after the completion of the course.
Nurses will receive 40 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
California nurses will receive 40 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #13378.
