Communication and Clinical Skills in Psychiatric Wards and Hospitals

Target Population: Psychiatric nurse practitioners preparing for certification to become charge nurses Objectives: The course enhances management skills required for a Charge Nurse Certification in Psychiatric wards and hospitals which include the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of unstable patients, CPR using various airway and oxygen adjuncts, identification of methods for airway control and optimum ventilation and the optimal management of the ventilated patient. Likewise, communication skills such as dealing with a patient trying to commit suicide, dealing with manic or borderline patients are trained. In addition, extreme cases like fire in the ward with patients that are sedated or tied to the beds, managing a team during a tumultuous shift are practiced and discussed. Course Description: Cases are presented in small group teaching stations using task trainers, full-body patient simulators and simulated patients.  Training culminates in simulations using advanced audio-visual equipment to create realistic nursing environments.