Citation

Bayley E, Kelly LE. J. Emerg. Nurs. 2005; 31(1): 23-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jen.2004.07.071

PMID

15682120

Abstract

As faculty for a university that prepares advanced practice nurses, we recognized the need for greater knowledge of injury prevention among our students. Combining our expertise in pediatrics, emergency care, and curriculum development, we created a 3-credit elective course to provide graduate students with a comprehensive perspective on injury. Risk factors for and mechanisms of injury are addressed from a developmental perspective, prenatal through adolescence. Haddon's Model of Injury Control guides analysis and evaluation of specific measures advanced practice nurses may implement to reduce injury morbidity and mortality. Central concepts of education, environment, enforcement, and economics are applied to prevention strategies. Student assignments involve extensive use of the internet to gather epidemiologic data and resources for prevention strategies. Videos, research reports, and curricula provided by governmental, professional, and consumer organizations, for example, the ENA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Trauma Society, and the National Safe Kids Campaign, actively engage students in learning. Students write an injury prevention article for a lay publication and develop an injury prevention project for a specific population that they then implement in the community. The course has been offered 4 times in various formats, including 3 hours weekly over a semester, twice weekly for a 6-week summer session, and monthly all day. Enrollment has included 35 graduate nursing, school nurse, and health education students. Consistent positive student evaluations indicated increased awareness of risk factors for injury, greater knowledge of injury prevention strategies, and improved capacity for leading efforts to reduce injuries in their communities. This course could easily be replicated in other colleges and universities. Social work, physical therapy, sports medicine, and education majors are among others who would benefit.