May 14 and 28, June 11, 2008 in Chapel Hill, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Greenville, Hickory, Sylva, Wilmington, Wilson

An Enhanced Nurse Training Program Course

• Overview
• Objectives
• Format
• Prerequisites and Course Requirements
• Expectations of Students
• Credit
• Cosponsors
• Application and Registration
• Public Health Competencies

Overview

During this course, nurses will learn to gather data for the health history and physical assessment of clients with and/or at risk for, STDs. Additionally, students will be given didactic information about individual STDs, their signs and symptoms, and how to follow a prescribed protocol to assess and treat patients with STDs.

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Objectives

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Perform and document an STD assessment.
• Identify and treat specified STDs by standardized protocols and standing orders.
• Develop a working knowledge of specimen collection and laboratory procedures as they relate to STD assessment and treatment.
• Provide STD patient education, risk reduction counseling and follow-up for STDs utilizing a client-centered approach.
• Integrate STD risk assessment into the patient assessment process.

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Format

The course consists of three videoclasses. The didactic portion of the course will be followed by a clinical practicum, which will be performed at the student’s own health department under the supervision of a clinical advisor. Note: Those who take this course immediately following Physical Assessment of Adults may perform a combined practicum. This option is offered once a year in the spring.

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Prerequisites and Course Requirements

Prerequisites: Physical Assessment of Adults and Prevention Counseling and Testing (or similar CDC-approved course; for more information contact the North Carolina AIDS Training Network at 919-469-5701).

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Expectations of Students

• Attend all didactic sessions.
• Pass a written final exam with a score of at least 80%.
• Successfully complete the course clinical practicum within six months.
• Achieve a score of at least 80% on a final clinical evaluation.

Students will be allowed only one extension on the clinical practicum. Failure to complete the practicum within one year will result in the student having to take the challenge exam in order to continue the practicum.

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Credit

A certificate of contact hours will be provided for each participant upon completion of the clinical practicum.

Continuing education credit will be provided through Public Health Nursing and Professional Development (PHNPD) in the Local Technical Assistance and Training Branch of the Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services. PHNPD is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

The Office of Public Health Nursing and Professional Development qualifies as an acceptable provider of continuing education as defined by the NC Board of Nursing for the Continuing Competence process for RN license renewal.

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Cosponsors

• Office of Public Health Nursing and Professional Development and the HIV/STD
  Prevention and Care Branch, Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• The North Carolina Institute for Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  

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Public Health Competencies

The core competencies represent a set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for the broad practice of public health. They transcend the boundaries of the specific disciplines within public health and help to unify the profession. This course addresses the competencies listed below. Click on a competency number to view the full text.

Essential Services: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8

More information on the public health competencies.

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Application and Registration

Fees: 

• $200 for the course
• $100 for the challenge

To register, you must submit BOTH a course registration and an Application for PHN Enrollment in the Enhanced Nurse Training Program in order to verify that you have completed the necessary prerequisites. The application must be signed by the student and her/his supervisor. To receive an original application form, send e-mail to oce@unc.edu or call 919-966-4032. Or you may view the form online, then print it out and complete it. Send the application to the Office of Continuing Education at the address below.

• View and Print Application (required step)
• Register for course online
• Register for challenge online

For more information about the course or the challenge process, contact Tavie Flanagan, at 919-966-9135 or tavflan@email.unc.edu.

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