Course description
NURS8115 Basic Cardiac Arrhythmias
Description: This course is available in-class or through Distance Education. It provides an introduction to basic arrhythmias covering topics such as cardiac physiology and lead placement. Students will learn to identify normal sinus rhythm, mechanisms and treatment of common arrhythmias, pacemaker rhythms and life threatening arrhythmias. Nursing and Physician interventions for common arrhythmias will also be discussed.
Hours: 21
Credits: 2
NURS8150 Coronary Care Nursing
Description: Admission: Current Certificate of Registration - RN. Anatomy and physiology are studied in detail with emphasis on myocardial contraction, electrophysiology, control mechanisms of the heart and cardiac output. Topics will include the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction and associated implications, hypertension and heart failure, as well as cardiomyopathies and traumatic injury of the heart. Each of these units will include a discussion of pathological processes, diagnostic tools and assessment, medical treatment and nursing management.
Hours: 36
Credits: 3
NURS8160 12 Lead ECG Interpretation
Description: Admission: RN, RPN, EMCA, ECG Technicians. (The pre-requisite of NURS8115 is not required for EMCA.) Enhance your assessment skills by learning to read ECGs. This course will introduce you to the basic principles of the 12 Lead ECG. Time will also be spent on recognizing ischemia and myocardial infarctions on the electrocardiogram.
Hours: 21
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites: NURS8115
NURS8170 Hemodynamic Monitoring
Description: Admission: Current Certificate of Registration - RN.
This current comprehensive seminar focuses on key aspects and principles of hemodynamic monitoring. The cardiovascular system will be reviewed. Hemodynamic monitoring equipment, interpretation of normal and abnormal waveforms, and troubleshooting will be addressed. Assessment, application and pharmacologic agents will be explored in connection with the clinical nursing management of a client being monitored using invasive techniques.
Hours: 12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites: NURS8115
NURS8180 Advanced Cardiac Arrhythmia
Description: Admission: RN, EMCA. So, you have been working with monitored clients and feel comfortable with the basic arrhythmias you see on a daily basis. Often you find yourself being puzzled by a complex rhythm strip or have heard about less common arrhythmias and want to find out more about them. If so, this is the course for you. Topics include: mechanisms of arrhythmias, aberrancy vs. ectopy, how certain cardiac drugs and eletroytes affect the ECG, rhythms involving accessory pathways, i.e. WPW or Lown-Ganong-Levine, differentiating narrows vs. wide complex tachycardias. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of these arrhythmias will be discussed. Finally, this course will review methods of cardiac pacing, discuss cardioversion vs. defibrillation and review principles of internal cardiac defibrillators (ICD).
Hours: 21
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites: 60143300 or NURS8115
NURS8190 Clinical Practicum - Cardiac Care
Description: Cardiac Care is a fascinating area in which to work. The theory that you have learned in the prerequisite courses will merge together in this practicum. The clinical area in which the student is placed is negotiated by the student and the co-ordinator and should meet the student's individual learning needs. The areas that might be considered include a CCU,CVICU, Cardiac Step Down Unit, Echo Lab, Cath Lab, Stress Lab, clinics or the Operating Room. The student will develop his/her own objectives and the placement should facilitate the meeting of these objectives. Attendance at seminars and workshops may be eligible for inclusion toward the required number of hours if the student has accumulated the equivalent of two years of full-time work in a cardiology environment. A Health History Form and Workplace Safety Form must be completed prior to beginning the clinical experience. A criminal record check may be required. NOTE: All theory components must be completed prior to acceptance into the clinical. Discussion with the Program Co-ordinator is mandatory prior to registering for the clinical placement.
Hours: 33
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites: NURS8115, NURS8150, NURS8160, NURS8170, NURS8180, NURS8605
NURS8605 Emergency Drugs
Description: Admission: Current Certificate of RN, RPN, or EMCA. Convulsions! Cardiac-Respiratory Arrest! Hyperthermia! Overdose! Shock! Congestive Heart Failure! Remember the last time a client experienced these and other emergencies in front of you? Did you know why the drugs were ordered? Did you know what effects to look for? This course will help you update your knowledge and skills in the administration of the more commonly used emergency drugs. Drug interactions, compatabilities and relevant interventions will be reviewed. Learn to reduce your stress level in a crisis situation by knowing these drugs and how to administer them.
Hours: 21
Credits: 2
