The Successful Incorporation of Anatomy into the On-Line Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

The role of the Adult and Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) is rapidly evolving and expanding as critical care physician numbers decrease and residency and fellowship hours are decreased. In acute care settings, advanced practice nurses are performing an increasing number of invasive procedures which necessitates a solid understanding of anatomy. As many ACNP programs evolve to an online format, how can anatomy best be incorporated into the curriculum?

Gross anatomy with dissection and embryology are at a minimum taught in all US medical schools. This university is unique among ACNP programs in that it has required Anatomy as a core curriculum requirement since its inception. With the transition to an online curriculum, the university was faced with the challenge of how to best incorporate a virtual dissector into the traditional anatomy course which had relied on prosected cadavers.

The Nursing School partnered with the Medical School to utilize the Online Dissector. Originally the Online Dissector was designed as a tool for medical students to assist them as they conduct their first cadaveric dissection. The Online Dissector provides the AG-ACNP student with the opportunity to observe a complete dissection online which is fully narrated.

Students then spend synchronous class time reviewing anatomy as it relates to clinical practice. Particular focus is placed on clinical scenarios relevant to the ACNP. Review of CT scans and ultrasonography aid in testing the student’s comprehension and ability to identify particular structures. Interactive flash cards and still images from the Online Dissector are reviewed during each session.

Anatomy should be considered an essential component of any healthcare curriculum. As schools of advanced practice nursing move to an on-line format, finding relevant means by which to incorporate anatomy becomes increasingly challenging. The addition of a virtual dissector and other high fidelity imaging to enhance the learners experience is essential.