title: The critical-care nurse practitioner curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania: update and revision.
abstract: This paper describes the philosophical, conceptual, and programmatic characteristics of the Adult Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (CCNP) Program, which began at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. It outlines the rationale and strategies for curriculum revisions during the 3rd year of program implementation. The basic content and sequencing of courses in the program did not change. Curricular revision in theoretical and field work courses consisted of modifying the approach to teaching with emphasis on critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical decision making. Finally, it discusses the future challenges for educating CCNPs, with an emphasis on market demands and research challenges.
authors.affiliation: Adult Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6096, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care; D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*