Complex Care Training Program

Program Overview

Through online modules and an on-site skills intensive, participants enhance their knowledge, skills, and confidence in complex care nursing, preparing them for fulfilling careers in continuous skilled nursing or private duty nursing. The program offers a $3,000 stipend upon completion and provides ongoing support to participants throughout their learning journey.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Complex Care Training Program aims to empower nurses who are currently working in continuous skilled nursing/private duty nursing or who are eager to embark on this specialized path. The program is designed to enhance their skills, competencies, and confidence in this critical field, ensuring that patients and families in need of this care receive it.

Objectives:

• Enhance participants' knowledge and understanding of complex care foundations, conditions, interventions, and care.
• Equip participants with the necessary skills and competencies to provide compassionate and expert care for patients with complex medical needs in various settings.
• Build participants' confidence in managing the unique challenges associated with complex care nursing.
• Prepare participants for successful careers in continuous skilled nursing/private duty nursing.

Outline:

Program Content:

The program consists of two components:

Online Modules:

Participants will complete 12 self-paced online modules, each taking approximately 3 hours to complete. These modules cover a wide range of topics related to complex care, including:

• Complex care foundations
• Common complex medical conditions
• Nursing interventions for complex care patients
• Care coordination and collaboration
• Ethical and legal considerations in complex care
• Communication and advocacy skills

On-Site Skills Intensive:

Following the online modules, participants will attend a required weekend skills intensive held at the MGH Institute of Health Professions' Charlestown campus. During this intensive, participants will:

• Learn and practice nursing skills commonly performed in the care of patients with complex conditions.
• Participate in interactive workshops and simulations.
• Network with other complex care nurses and faculty.

Course Schedule:

The program is offered in four groups, with each group following the same schedule:

• Welcome Zoom Sessions: Two sessions will be held for each group before the online modules begin.
These sessions are recorded for those who cannot attend live.
• Online Modules: The 12 online modules are open for completion over a specific period, with a recommended pace of one module per week.
• Optional Zoom Drop-Ins: Two optional Zoom drop-in sessions are offered per week during the online modules.
• On-Site Skills Intensive: A weekend skills intensive is held at the end of the online modules.
• Participants will learn about the different types of complex care patients and the challenges they face.

Module 3: Nursing Interventions for Complex Care Patients

• This module focuses on the nursing interventions commonly used in the care of complex care patients.
• Participants will learn about medication management, wound care, nutritional support, pain management, and other essential interventions.

Module 4: Care Coordination and Collaboration

• This module emphasizes the importance of care coordination and collaboration in complex care.

Module 5: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Complex Care

• This module explores the ethical and legal considerations specific to complex care nursing.
• Participants will learn how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
• Participants will learn about pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management techniques.

Module 8: Nutrition and Hydration

• This module explores the nutritional and hydration needs of complex care patients.
• Participants will learn about different feeding methods, nutritional assessment, and strategies for ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration.

Module 9: Respiratory Care

• This module covers the respiratory care needs of complex care patients.
• Participants will learn about different types of wounds, wound assessment, and wound management techniques.

Module 11: Psychosocial Considerations

• This module explores the psychosocial needs of complex care patients and their families.

Assessment:

The program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate participants' learning and skills development:

• Module Quizzes: Each online module includes a pre-quiz and a post-quiz to assess participants' understanding of the material.
• Skills Demonstrations: During the on-site skills intensive, participants will demonstrate their proficiency in performing various nursing skills.
• Case Studies: Participants will work through case studies that reflect real-world complex care scenarios.
• Feedback and Evaluation: Program staff will provide ongoing feedback and evaluation to participants throughout the program.

Teaching:

The program employs a blended learning approach, combining online modules with an on-site skills intensive.

• Online Modules: The online modules utilize a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, videos, case studies, and interactive exercises.
• On-Site Skills Intensive: The skills intensive includes hands-on skills practice, interactive workshops, and simulations.
• Faculty: The program faculty consists of experienced complex care nurses and educators with expertise in various areas of complex care.

Careers:

The program prepares participants for fulfilling careers in continuous skilled nursing/private duty nursing. Graduates can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Home care agencies
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Rehabilitation centers
• Participants will receive a $3,000 stipend upon program completion.
• Continuing education credits will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the program.
• Nursing students who have completed their RN or LPN program and are waiting to take the NCLEX may participate in the program.
• Program staff provides comprehensive support to participants throughout their learning journey.
• Nurses may have current, past, or no prior experience with continuous skilled nursing services or complex care.

For nurses who are not looking to commit to a full course and skills intensive:

• Completion of a survey allows nurses to opt into receiving learning content from up to six learning modules free of charge.
• The survey link is provided in the program description.
• Complete the application form: https://www.mghihp.edu/apply-now
• Contact the program coordinator: complexcare@mghihp.edu