Incorporating Interprofessional Education (IPE) in an Online FNP Program: Phase 1

First semester FNP students and third year pharmacy students completed a pre-survey of their knowledge and understanding of IPE as part of an ongoing Interprofessional Education (IPE) initiative. The students were randomly assigned to a group and will have multiple online interactions and discussions with each other during their course of study.   They were given an opportunity to meet face to face with the students in their group.   Students introduced themselves and described some of their work experiences in health care.  They also shared why they wanted to study to become either a FNP or pharmacist.  After these preliminary questions were answered, students answered questions about what they thought FNPs and pharmacists contributed to the health care team and which job responsibility of a FNP or pharmacist other health care professionals may not know.

 An IPE course and discussion forum were created in the university’s learning management system.   Students were required to post responses to the following questions.  “What was the most important thing you learned from the interaction?” and “What was the most surprising thing you learned as the result of your conversation?” 

 Responses to these questions ranged from commenting on the value of interprofessional education and collaboration - to noting similarities in reasons professions were chosen - to discussion about online education and testing - to observations about the roles of nurses (RNs) - to surprise at the differences in scopes of FNP practice in different states.  Additionally, there were some comments that were not completely accurate.

 A description of these findings will be presented.  The analyses of the results will provider nurse practitioner faculty an assessment tool to determine the knowledge of first semester FNP students about their future role and scope of practice.  Faculty will then have opportunities to correct any misinformation that may have either been given by the FNP students or misinterpreted by the pharmacy students.