Strategy Submission

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students need to be proficient in assessment of patients and identification and management of the most common primary care acute and chronic disease processes. Competency based education requires demonstration of student ability to practice independently, managing previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients within the full spectrum of health care services. Structured SOAP note assignments that require FNP students to address the most common primary care diagnoses were created for each of their practicum courses. FNP student’s initial practicum and SOAP notes focus on health promotion/disease prevention. The second practicum and SOAP notes focuses on clinical management of the young family (including women’s health), while the third practicum and SOAP notes focus on clinical management of the aging family. The final clinical synthesis and SOAP notes focus on the culmination of all other clinical experiences, including complex, co-morbid conditions and collaborative needs of the patient. Instructors, all seasoned nurse practitioners, provide feedback to ensure continued improvement in clinical application of evidence-based practice.