UC Irvine Extension Launches New Continuing Education & Specialty Courses for Nursing Sciences

IRVINE, Calif., June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- University of California, Irvine Extension today announced a new set of summer courses for nurses (minimum RN requirement) with varying levels of degrees and experiences seeking to gain specialized knowledge or earn continuing education contact hours. The University of California approved courses cover evidence-based practice (EBP), aesthetic nursing and nurse educator preparation. All courses are taught by highly-qualified nurses from UCI's Program in Nursing Science which was recently named to the top ten programs in the Western US, out of 200 four-year nursing programs.

The demand for skilled nurses continues to grow at nearly 20 percent through 2022, according to The United States Department of Labor. This rapid growth necessitates a prepared workforce possessing specialized training and informed on emerging treatments and methods. UCI Extension is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing* to award continuing education units for successful completion of the courses.

"The nursing field is seeing tremendous growth both in the demand for skilled, knowledgeable practitioners and through an increased emphasis on specializations," said Stephane Muller, director of business programs for UCI Extension. "The new nursing science courses offered by UCI Extension are designed to provide nurses with professional development opportunities in order to gain relevant skills that will enhance their careers."

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
EBP fosters clinical inquiry and leverages best evidence to make nursing more efficient while improving patient care. The online course "Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice" explores how EBP and research impacts effective practice management and promotes positive patient outcomes, identifying clinical practice issues and formulating clinical questions using the PICO (patient/problem, intervention, comparison/control, and outcomes) format. Hospitals often encourage coursework in EBP to enhance clinical excellence in preparation for organizational magnet recognition. Designed for clinical nurses at all levels of education (Associate Degree, BSN, MSN) this course earns participants 36 contact hours and runs from July 6 to Sept. 13.

Aesthetic Nursing 
"Neurotoxins: Essentials for Aesthetic Practice" examines the application of theoretical concepts and the skills necessary for using neurotoxin treatment in aesthetic practice. The course emphasizes the analysis, synthesis and application of neurotoxin data including the indications, contraindications, safety, mechanism of action, and preparation of neurotoxins as related to the role of the aesthetic practitioner. Offered online, this course earns 10 contact hours and is ideal for registered nurses, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, advance practice registered nurses, and physicians. The course runs from July 27 to Aug. 16.

Nurse Educator Training
Two courses are offered in the area of nurse educator training for clinical nurses with advanced degrees and several years of experience in a healthcare environment. This is a particularly high-growth area due to the increased demand for skilled educators to train future nurses. Both courses count toward eligibility requirements for the National League for Nursing's (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential. "Nurse Educator: Teaching and Learning" (30 contact hours) examines the principles underlying adult learning as applied to teaching in a variety of academic and clinical settings. This online course looks at trends and issues that impact the role of the educator including legal, ethical, and regulatory issues. This course runs from July 6 to Aug. 10.

"Nurse Educator: Design and Process of Curriculum Development" (30 contact hours) is taught on-campus, and explores best practices in adult learning, performance-based curriculum models and instructional design.  Participants will gain experience in planning student-centered learning activities that are engaging and effective in achieving desired student performance. The use of distance technologies, case-based teaching, clinical teaching, and the role of a clinical instructor will also be examined. This course is from Aug. 3 to Sept. 13.

The new nursing sciences courses are open for registration. For course information or to register, visit the Nursing Science courses on UCI Extension's  website, or call (949) 824-9796.

About UC Irvine Extension: University of California, Irvine Extension is the continuing education arm of UC Irvine, serving adult students online, at the UC Irvine campus, and at employer sites nationally and worldwide. Since 1962, UC Irvine Extension has offered open enrollment learning opportunities to the Orange County community, providing open access to the resources of the university, through Certificate and Specialized Studies programs (http://unex.uci.edu/) and free, open educational resources (http://ocw.uci.edu/). Connect with UC Irvine Extension on the institution's social media channels. 

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities, it's Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.

* California Board of Registered Nursing provider BRN #CEP93

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SOURCE UC Irvine Extension

Related Links

http://www.extension.uci.edu

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