AACN launches new full-course or stand-alone critical care orientation online course
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) announced the release of a new version of its online orientation course for progressive and critical care nurses, with a variety of options to support individual learning needs.
Essentials of Critical Care Orientation 4.0 (ECCO) is now available in full-course format or stand-alone modules for nurses who work in intensive or progressive care. Full courses are designed for nurses new to or transitioning from other areas of the hospital into intensive or progressive care, while modular courses focus on specific content to refresh or broaden a nurse’s skill set.
The updated course provides the latest evidence-based nursing knowledge and best practices for nurses working with acutely or critically ill patients with complex and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. More than 300 nursing experts reviewed the content to ensure an up-to-date and evidence-based experience.
An award-winning online education program, ECCO offers two learner pathways:
· Intensive care unit with 18 lesson modules that offer up to 75.45 continuing education (CE) contact hours.
· Progressive care unit with 17 lesson modules that offer up to 67.72 CE contact hours.
In addition, each module can now be completed individually, with CE hours awarded at the assignment level upon successful completion of each exam with a passing score of 80percent or above.
Stand-alone specialty module courses, including cardiac surgery and sepsis, provide additional options for individuals or organizations.
“Nurses new to acute, progressive and critical care come with different experiences, knowledge, skills and attitudes. ECCO’s modular design makes it easy to tailor the course, with just-in-time flexibility and convenience,” said Julie Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, AACN clinical practice specialist.
All options feature evidence-based learning with real-world patient scenarios and virtual simulations that mimic the practice environment, while decision-making exercises enhance content retention. Body system-specific content is complemented by global content on professional nursing practice that is relevant to all patient types.
The course includes extensive medical illustrations, infographics, and simulated diagnostic tools and medical equipment.
Since its initial launch in 2002, ECCO has been used at more than 1,100 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States and Canada as an integral part of their critical care orientation or to supplement classroom-based education. Over 92,000 nurses have successfully completed the program.
Institutional purchasers receive access to additional resources and support for hospital educators and nurse preceptors implementing the program.
ECCO is part of AACN’s extensive library of e-learning courses, delivering standard-setting education and expertise that nurses and healthcare organizations can trust.
More information about the course is at www.aacn.org/eccoorientation.https://www.aacn.org/newsroom/aacn-updates-critical-care-orientation-course.
