MASTER OF NURSING-NURSE PRACTITIONER (MN-NP)

• UBC works closely with other Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs and BC-wide health authorities to coordinate provincial placements to meet students' needs and program-specific requirements. Responsibility for placement equity, keeping current information, and networking is shared amongst health authorities and educational institutions.
• Using the Health Sciences Practice Network (HSPnet), NP preceptorship experiences are projected and requested 6 to 8 months prior to courses starting. This process captures data about requested and confirmed placements, student numbers, health authority destinations, and expected timelines. It serves as an administrative management tool for site-specific orientation and confidentiality requirements.

• Because all student placements require faculty approval and completed Health Authority processes the MN-NP Faculty Team determines site assignments.
• Course leaders are key contacts for placement issues or concerns.

• Your placement experiences could involve physician and/or nurse practitioners in settings such as family practice, specialty clinics, acute care, and outreach.
• Your preparation to access sites and schedules must include access to your own transportation and anticipating shift and weekend work. 
• After receiving a preceptorship assignment, you are responsible for contacting your preceptor/site to coordinate scheduling arrangements, including any site and course leader updates with any changes in your schedule or absences.
• Because preceptors role are mentors, students are encouraged to be proactive in communicating your learning needs and goals.

Clinical Skills

• Using a systematic and holistic approach to conduct appropriate history
• Performs physical examination of systems pertinent to the problems identified
• Interprets findings from the physical exam and are able to distinguish between normal, normal variant, and pathological.
• Begins to formulate differential diagnoses of the health concerns and rationale
• Considers diagnostic tests appropriate for the differential diagnosis.
• Identifies health risks, counsels and educates patients regarding preventative treatment for potential and actual problems
• Begins to formulate and implement a plan for care and follow-up
• Performs clinical skills and activities with care, judgment, and mastery

Professional and Academic Behaviours

• Begins to evaluate research and evidence-based guidelines for applying to primary care management of health and illness conditions across the lifespan.
• Records accurately and legibly
• Conveys the role of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) to other professionals, staff, and patients and begins to demonstrate implementation of the role.
• Communicates respectfully with patients and their families and establish effective working relationships with peers, preceptors, faculty, and allied health workers; demonstrate team work.
• Establishes a therapeutic relationship with patients and families.
• Presents cases in a concise, logical, accurate, and organized manner
• Accepts responsibility for personal learning. Shows self-assessment abilities, awareness of limitations of own knowledge, and responds constructively to feedback.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability in all aspects of clinical practice including attendance and punctuality.

For NURS 570, expectations for this evaluation period include

• 80% of the time, the history should be complete
• 80-90% of the time, the physical examination should be correctly and completely performed.
• 20% of the time, the student will be independent in the formulation of diagnoses and management plans
• For acute and chronic health problems including the diagnostic work-up and ordering of appropriate tests.

Clinical Skills

• Conducts a complete screening of physical exam, utilizing a systematic holistic approach for the collection of pertinent physiological, psychological, and social data.
• Assesses acute episodic complaints and perform a focused history and exam based on the presenting complaint or concern.
• Interprets findings from the physical examination identifying normal and abnormal findings.
• Demonstrates increasing independence in formulating the differential diagnoses for the problem(s) and identify, with appropriate rationale, the most likely diagnosis.
• Demonstrates increasing independence in ordering appropriate diagnostic tests.
• Shows increasing competence in managing acute minor problems and begin to manage chronic conditions of individuals and families across the life span.
• Begins to select appropriate pharmacological therapies for patients.
• Implements suitable health and illness/injury prevention strategies that include patient teaching, appropriate referrals, and utilization of community resources.
• Begins to manage mental health concerns of individuals and families in the community.
• Refers to specialists appropriately.
• Practices according to evidence-based guidelines.

Professional and Academic Behaviours

• Charts accurately and legibly using problem-oriented format.
• Communicates respectfully with patients and their families and establish effective relationships with peers, preceptors, faculty, and allied health workers; demonstrate teamwork.
• Establishes a therapeutic relationship with patients and families.
• Presents assessment, diagnosis, and plans to preceptor and site visitor in a logical, concise fashion.
• Makes decisions collaboratively with preceptors as appropriate; recognizes and practices within one's abilities and scope of practice and responds constructively to feedback.
• Implements research and evidence-based guidelines in the management of patient care.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability in all aspects of clinical practice including attendance and punctuality; and identify personal learning needs and take steps to meet them.

For NURS 571, expectations for this evaluation period include

• 90-95% of the time, the student should be able to elicit a complete history and relevant history of present illness.
• 90-95% of the time, the student should be able to perform a complete exam and relevant exam ofHPI.
• 60% of the time, the student will be independent in the formulation of diagnoses for acute and chronic health problems including the diagnostic work-up and ordering of appropriate tests.
• 40% of the time, the student will be independent in the formulation of management plans.

Clinical Skills

• Conducts a thorough history that includes physiological, psychological, and social data.
• Performs a physical exam appropriate to the presenting complaint.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests correctly.
• Develops an accurate differential diagnosis list and choose the most appropriate diagnosis.
• With increasing autonomy, manages the care of acute minor illnesses and injuries, common chronic illnesses, pre and post-natal and well child care, and family planning.
• Provides and includes patient education regarding the expected course of acute or chronic illnesses in the treatment plan.
• Provides psychosocial care, counseling as appropriate, consultation and/or referral for the problems beyond the scope of practice, and address health promotion and illness/injury prevention/
• Plans for appropriate follow-up care.

Professional and Academic Behaviours

• Records accurately and legibly using problem-oriented recording, including updating the list of health concerns.
• Communicates respectfully with patients and their families and establish effective relationships with peers, preceptors, faculty, and allied health workers; demonstrate teamwork.
• Establishes a therapeutic relationship with patients and families.
• Interprets the Nurse Practitioner role to patients, other health professionals, and staff.
• Makes and implements decisions with increasing independence and consultation with preceptor.
• Accepts responsibility for own learning; demonstrate self-assessment abilities, show awareness of limitations, and respond constructively to feedback.
• Implements research and evidence-based guidelines as appropriate for the management of patient care.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability in all aspects of clinical practice including attendance and punctuality.

For NURS 572, expectations for this evaluation include

• 90-100% of the time, the student should be able to elicit a complete history and relevant history of present illness.
• 90-100% of the time, the student should be able to perform a complete physical examination and a relevant examination based on the HPI.
• 80% of the time, student will be independent in the formulation of diagnoses for acute and chronic health problems including the diagnostic work-up and ordering of appropriate tests.
• 70% of the time, the student will be independent in the formulation of management plans.

In this final clinical course, the Nurse Practitioner student will consolidate the prior learning experiences. The focus of the practicum is on integration of knowledge and skills. By the end of this experience the student will be able to function safely and competently as a beginning family nurse practitioner

Clinical Skills

• Establishes a therapeutic relationship with clients and families across the life span.
• Conducts a comprehensive assessment of health status that includes physical examination, history, screening, and the use of diagnostic procedures.
• Formulates differential diagnoses considering data gathered in the health assessment process and incorporating community factors and individual and family dynamics.
• Selects the most appropriate diagnoses including client priorities.
• Plans for appropriate follow-up care.
• Collaborates with other health care professionals.
• Assists clients to promote health and manage illness by providing anticipatory guidance, counselling, teaching, and support as well as referral to the appropriate resources.
• Evaluates outcomes of treatment.
• Demonstrates cultural safety in providing care.

Professional and Academic Skills

• Records accurately and legibly using problem-oriented recording, including updating the problem list.
• Communicates effectively with preceptor, allied health professionals, staff, patients and families.
• Demonstrates the ability to critically self-evaluate and respond constructively to feedback.
• Demonstrates use of evidence-based guidelines and research in practice and ability to critically evaluate scientific literature.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability in all aspects of clinical practice including attendance and punctuality.

For Consolidated Practicum, expectations for this evaluation include

• 95-100% of the time, the student should be able to elicit a complete history and relevant history of present illness.
• 95-100% of the time, the student should be able to perform a complete physical examination and a relevant examination based on the HPI.
• 90-95% of the time, student will be independent in the formulation of diagnoses for acute and chronic health problems including the diagnostic work-up and ordering of appropriate tests.

The project may take the form of program or policy development, a presentation to a target group or professional conference, the design of innovative techniques for the delivery of patient care, a paper for publication, or a collaborative interdisciplinary effort that affects practice. Other possibilities will be considered on an individual basis.

Consider an area that you would like to develop. Conduct a brief literature review to see what has been done in the area or what is lacking. You may wish to consult with faculty or practicing NP's as you develop the topic.

• Submit, to your Chair, a written proposal which describes your proposed project.
• The proposal must be accepted by the committee (see "Committee Membership for the Project" for more information about the committee).
• The proposal summarizes the rationale for the project, the scope of the project and the evaluation process.
• Once the proposal has been approved, present the Chair and committee member with a complete copy.

You require a minimum of two committee members. The Chair of your committee must be a faculty member at the rank of lecturer, instructor, or any of the professorial ranks. The second committee member may be drawn from adjunct professors. Committee membership should be determined in consultation with your Chair.

• Discuss the topic of the Project with potential committee members
• Select appropriate committee members (see qualifications above). It is essential to select the Chair first; the Chair's guidance will be useful in determining the other committee members.
• Meet with the committee members to verify the choice of project and to agree on the following- approach to the project, a tentative timetable, frequency of contact with the Chair and committee member.
• Present a proposal to the Chair and committee member for approval.
• Submit materials for review and allow adequate turnaround time.
• To expedite the process, depending on the work plan approved by the committee, students will normally work most closely with the Chair until portions of the project are ready to be reviewed by the other committee member.
• Provide frequent progress reports to your Chair.
• Present the project, in the form agreed upon, to the Chair and committee member.
• Know the School's deadlines for submission of approved culminating projects.

• Work with the student to identify an appropriate committee member for the topic of the project.
• Submit information about the committee membership to the Graduate Records Office.
• Oversee all aspects of the project including planning, work and submission process.
• Provide feedback on all submitted materials.
• Guide the student through the process, seeking input from the other committee member particularly when modifications are required.
• Consult with the Coordinator of the NP program if concerns arise.
• Determine, in consultation with the committee, when the project has been completed.
• When the project is been completed and approved, inform the SON Graduate Records Office in writing that the student has passed.
• Consult with the committee member to determine a grade for the project. Submit the grade in writing to the Graduate Records Office.

• Consult with the student and Chair, as required.
• Provide feedback to submitted work in a timely fashion.
• Approve the proposal and final project in consultation with the Chair.
• Consult with the Chair to determine an appropriate grade.

• A critical literature review of the topic will be presented to the committee. The literature review must show the need for the particular project.
• A project will be designed that integrates theory with practice and is evidence based.
• Concepts and principles from the foundational core courses in the NP program will be evident in the design of the project.
• The project will be implemented (e.g. a paper for publication will be written and ready for submission, a program for change in an aspect of NP practice will be developed).
• The Chair (committee) will review the project for evidence of accomplishment and scholarly work- (e.g. If the project is a video, the supervisor will watch it, if it is a presentation, the supervisor or delegate will attend the presentation).
• The student will critically evaluate the process - both development and outcomes of the project.
• The committee members determine and submit the mark for the project.
• The School of Nursing follows the Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association (APA), 6th Edition.
• All projects must be formatted in compliance with these publication guidelines.
• For more information please visit the UBC Library "How to Cite"