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UHM Nursing faculty develop COVID-19 training for nurses

During spring break, four faculty at UH Manoa School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene (NAWSON) developed a 3-hour training program “Nursing During Pandemics – COVID-19” for nursing students and frontline nurses addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that is unfolding in Hawaii, the U.S. and around the world. The program is comprised of four course modules and provides an overview of COVID-19 with a focus on nursing care, public health responses, and ethical challenges to assist nurses providing care in hospitals and communities. Licensed nurses may earn continuing nursing education credits for the program.

nursing student in simulation lab

The program provides the basic knowledge and skills required to: engage in epidemic and pandemic prevention, detection, response & recovery; work within the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Incident Command System; assure individual safety and well-being while providing care in healthcare and community settings; provide nursing care during epidemics and pandemics; understand crisis standards of care; use legal and ethical principles to guide care; and assure personal and family preparedness.

Nursing faculty were the first to receive the training and provided feedback in the development of the course modules. The training has now been refined and is in the process of being delivered to students. Priority has been given to nursing students who will be volunteering at major hospitals and state agencies to support the Hawaii COVID-19 response effort.  A version of this training has been adapted specifically for dental hygiene students.

Dr. Kristine Qureshi, PhD, RN, CEN, PHNA-BC, FAAN, associate dean of research and global health & professor, Dr. Lorrie Wong, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, director, UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center & associate professor, Dr. Gary Glauberman, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, NHDP-BC, advanced population health nursing program director & assistant professor, and Dr. Michele Lani Bray, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, instructor – leaders in global health nursing, disaster management, public health, acute care, and simulation education – drew on their expertise areas to create the course.

“In times of crisis, nurses are always on the frontlines delivering care to the sick and wounded,” said Qureshi. “One of the main motivators for the creation of this teaching tool is to ensure that our students and nurses are prepared and competent to navigate this new reality with COVID-19. Our nursing faculty are so dedicated and committed to delivering high-quality education – they worked tirelessly to quickly develop this COVID-19 course.”

“Caring for patients during their greatest time of need is why many nurses became nurses,” said Wong. “It is why nurses report to work amidst a pandemic. It is why our nursing students want to volunteer to support the healthcare response to COVID-19. It is our duty as educators to ensure that our students and frontline nurses are ready to face this new, ever-changing environment.”

Training adapted for working nurses to meet demand

In response to the demand from nurses working throughout the state who have requested to take the program, NAWSON has adapted the training for working nurses and will offer continuing education nursing credits from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing (HSCN). The program is free and will be delivered online via UH Manoa Outreach College. Nurses and other healthcare workers may take the program in its entirety or by individual course modules. For more information and to register to take the course visit http://go.hawaii.edu/AgG.

The Hawaii State Center for Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is jointly provided with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing as an enduring activity.

The Hawaii State Center for Nursing designates these four course modules for a maximum of 2.75 contact hours. This on-demand internet activity is approved through April 11, 2021. To receive credit for this activity, participants must complete 100% of the activity, complete a post-test and score 70% or higher, and complete an evaluation form.

Key takeaways are understanding the critical roles of nurses during pandemic responses and working safely in environments with constrained resources and altered standards of care.

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