NONPF 39th Annual Meeting
Abstract
Case Studies have traditionally been used as homework assignments at all levels of clinical nursing education. The students would typically work up the assigned case studies as small group projects. Just the thought of working in a group could cause nightmares to some; What if I get partnered with a group member that is not my kind? What if the other students do not do their part well? What if the partners live too far from me and we can’t get together in a timely manner and we miss the due date as a result? So on and so forth. These are just some of the examples of problems encountered with group case studies. This caveat served as an inspiration behind the idea of generating an ideal case for each student which is maximally simulated and could instigate an extreme interest and learning among the students. Perhaps, a bit labor intensive for the Professor, however this innovative exercise made the students enjoy the learning experience while managing their simulated cases. The benefits certainly outweighed the risks of the work involved. As a part of this multistep assignment, Acute Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN students were each assigned a case; the process involved back and forth emails between the professor and each student. At first, each student received an email with the history of present illness (HPI) of a case. The students were to review the HPI and add any additional questions they had for the case including history and pertinent examination, labs, diagnostic tests to order. The document was emailed back and forth between the student and the professor until the case was diagnosed. The students then came up with an evidence based plan of care for the assigned case and presented to the class. The activity generated tremendous interest and learning among students. Amazingly, the students wanted to this assignment in the following semester. It was a win-win situation for all.
