Office of Continuing Education

Online Course
January 4 - March 1, 2010

An Enhanced Nurse Training Program Course

• Overview
• Goals
• Audience
• Prerequisites
• Format
• Dates and Location
• Module Content
• System Requirements
• Online Skills Test
• Credits
• Fees
• Registration and Additional Requirements
• More information

Overview

The purpose of this online course is to provide a standardized STD Nurse Clinician Training curriculum for local health department nurses.  This course will prepare public health nurses to implement a comprehensive STD screening and management program to reach patients who are at high risk for STDs in their local communities. The major emphasis is implementation of treatment protocols under standing orders. Common STD's and their sequelae are identified.

In this course, nurses will learn to gather data from the STD history and physical assessment of clinic patients to:

1. perform a STD assessment, and
2. implement standing orders for treatment of STDs.

The unique aspect of this course is the knowledge base provided through the six week web course followed by a six-month STD clinical practicum with a preceptor at the local health department.

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Goals

To expand the knowledge and increase the competencies of the PHN in order to participate as a STD Nurse Clinician in the care of clients with STDs and meet the certification requirements to direct bill Medicaid for their services.

To improve health education, screening and referral activities in the community and thereby increase early detection and treatment of STDs among the high-risk groups.

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Audience

The curriculum is designed for registered nurses who are currently working or who are preparing to work in STD clinics at local health departments.

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Prerequisites

1. Introduction to Principles and Practices of Public Health Nursing OR minimum nursing education including a BSN.
2. HIV Prevention Counseling Training (call 919-469-5701) or a CDC approved counseling and testing training program.
3. Physical Assessment of Adults Course and/or Child Health Training Program.

For information on how to register for the course and the additional requirements for acceptance into the course, please review the Registration and Additional Requirements section below.

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Format

This completely online course offers you the opportunity to learn at your own pace without having to travel to an off-site location in pursuit of quality training. To allow adequate time for completion, you will be given a period of two months to complete this course.

A variety of methods and media are used in the course, such as synchronized audio/slide presentations, video, handouts and activities. The course instructor will be available to grade assignments and answer questions during the two months the course is available.

For more information about the course's technical requirements, please review the System Requirements section below. Technical support will also be provided to students during the course.

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Dates and Location

The course will run from January 4 to March 1, 2010 and is completely online (there are no face-to-face sessions or meetings). Although you are allowed two months to complete the course, the course is completely self-paced so you are free to work ahead on your own. It is estimated that the course will take you approximately 35 hours to complete. An orientation conference call/webinar will be scheduled with registered students prior to the first week of the course to provide an overview and demo of the online course.

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Module Content

Modules include:  Programmatic and Legal Issues in STDs, Basic Physical Assessment, Viral Infections, Bacterial/Fungal Infections, Syphilis, and Genital Dermatology.

HIV counseling and testing is NOT offered in the context of this course.  This training must be completed prior to completion of the STD Nurse Clinician's Training clinical practicum.  You can get information on HIV courses offered in your area by contacting Diane Matthewson at diane.matthewson@ncmail.net or 704-302-4552.

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System Requirements

In order to successfully complete the course, the computer equipment used should meet the following minimum hardware and software requirements:

• 266 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or better 128 MB or more of RAM
• 200 MB free on the hard disk
• 16-bit or better sound card and speakers
• 15-inch color monitor or larger
• 65,000-color or better video display card
• Windows XP or 2000
• Netscape Navigator 7.0 or later OR Internet Explorer 6.0 or later (free)
• Apple Quicktime 7.0 (free)
• Adobe Reader 8.0 or later (free)
• Adobe Flash Player 9.0 or later (free)
• 56.6 K Modem or LAN connection to the Internet

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Online Skills Test

To make sure you have the minimum system requirements for completing the course, complete the online skills test.

Credits

Nursing contact hours have been applied for.

Fees

Application and registration fee for this course is $200.

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Registration and Additional Requirements

1. 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 on the application.
2. Nurses must have a preceptor for the clinical practicum selected and approved before the start of the web portion of the course. Acceptable preceptors include: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, or PHNs who have been rostered as a STD Nurse Clinician for at least one year.
3. You will be contacted about your acceptance and how to proceed with the course after your materials have been received.
   

Click here to view and print application (required step)

Click here to register for the course or call 919-966-4032

Click here to register for challenge online or call 919-966-4032

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For more information

Additional information about registration, confirmation of receipt of registration, or issues regarding payment should be directed to the Program Manager, Melanie Green at msgreen@email.unc.edu.

Additional information about course content and practicum requirements should be directed to the Course Director and Instructor, Tavie Flanagan, at tavflan@email.unc.edu.

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