Neuroscience Critical Care

Program Overview

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This 5-week program, taught by neuroscience and critical care experts, equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based care for patients with acute neurological conditions in critical care settings. The curriculum covers neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and management of various neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Through lectures, seminars, and hands-on learning, participants gain real-world experience and prepare for careers in critical care nursing, neuroscience nursing, and neurocritical care.

Program Outline

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Outline:

This course, delivered by neuroscience and critical care experts, aims to develop the knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate and provide effective evidence-based care for patients post neurological trauma and those with acute and neurological disease within intensive care environments.

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Course Duration:

5 weeks (non-consecutive)

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Course Schedule:

• Term 3: May: Thursday 9 and 23 May 2024, June: Thursday 6 and 20 June 2024, Jul: Thursday 4 July 2024
• Timetable: 9:00am to 5:00pm

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Modules:

• Neurophysiology and anatomy: This module will explore the basic principles of neurophysiology and anatomy relevant to critical care.
• Neuropharmacology: This module will examine the pharmacology of drugs used in the management of neurological conditions in the critical care setting.
• Traumatic brain injury and management of raised Intracranial Pressure: This module will focus on the pathophysiology, management, and complications of traumatic brain injury and raised intracranial pressure.
• Multimodal monitoring: This module will cover the principles and applications of multimodal monitoring in neurocritical care.
• Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: This module will discuss the pathophysiology, management, and complications of subarachnoid haemorrhage.
• Intracerebral Haemorrhage: This module will explore the pathophysiology, management, and complications of intracerebral haemorrhage.
• Brain Tumours: This module will focus on the management of brain tumours in the critical care setting.
• Status Epilepticus: This module will discuss the definition, diagnosis, management, and complications of status epilepticus.
• Central nervous system infections: This module will cover the management of central nervous system infections in the critical care setting.
• Spinal cord injury: This module will discuss the pathophysiology, management, and rehabilitation of spinal cord injury.
• Stroke: This module will focus on the management of stroke in the critical care setting.
• Gullain Barre Syndrome: This module will discuss the pathophysiology, management, and complications of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• Myasthenia Gravis: This module will cover the management of Myasthenia Gravis in the critical care setting.
• Brain stem testing and organ donation: This module will discuss the role of brainstem testing in the diagnosis of brain death and the process of organ donation.
• Service user perspective: This module will provide insights into the experiences of patients with neurological conditions and their families.
• Psychosocial care and rehabilitation: This module will focus on the importance of psychosocial care and rehabilitation for patients with neurological conditions.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Reflective essay: Students will write a 2500-word essay on a patient case, critically evaluating evidence-based care and proposing improvements to practice.
• Competency book: Students will be assessed on their clinical competencies in the care of critically ill neurological patients.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Skill stations
• Tutorials
• Student-directed learning
• Structured group work

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Faculty:

The course is taught by neurointensivists and experts in neurocritical care.

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Unique Approach:

The course is delivered in collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust and taught on-site at the Adult Critical Care Unit (ACCU), providing students with real-world experience and interaction with leading clinicians.

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Careers:

This course prepares graduates for careers in:

• Critical care nursing
• Neuroscience nursing
• Neurocritical care

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Other:

• This course is worth 15 credits towards eligible programs.
• It is designed for registered nurses working in critical care settings who care for patients with neurotrauma or acute neurological disease.
• Participants should have completed a post-registration specialist intensive care nursing program.

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Conclusion:

This program provides nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based care for patients with acute neurological conditions in critical care settings. It offers a comprehensive curriculum taught by experts and provides valuable opportunities for hands-on learning.