Clinical Nursing Skills

About our authors Laura Gonzalez, PhD, APRN, CNE, CHSE- A, ANEF, FAAN, is Vice President for Clinical Learning Resources at Sentinel U®. She has over 20 years of experience in academia, teaching both graduate and undergraduate nursing students. In her current position, Dr. Gonzalez focuses on product innovation and forecasting future trends, ensuring that Sentinel U remains at the forefront of simulation education technology. She is an Advanced Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, a Fellow of the Academy of Nurse Educators and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She is the recipient of the prestigious Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award (SoTL) from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Gonzalez is such a staunch supporter of simulation that she has focused her professional nursing and academic career on advancing the science of nursing education through the use of simulation and innovative technologies and its impact on learner outcomes. Her specific body of work has resulted in more than 20 data-based manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Along with Dr. Aebersold, she is one of the authors of Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills, 9th Edition, a publication of Pearson Education. As a seasoned nurse educator with experience teaching across live, hybrid, online and synchronous modalities, Dr. Gonzalez’s expertise extends well beyond the classroom and simulation center and into the laboratory. She is privileged to have been on a team of scientists to receive two patents in augmented reality: System for Detecting Sterile Field Events and Related Methods and a Physical-Virtual Patient Bed System. Dr. Gonzalez began her studies at Hunter College in NYC, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dr. Gonzalez holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida. While working as a nursing instructor at the University of South Florida, she received her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Florida. Michelle Aebersold, PhD, RN, CHSE, FAAN, is a clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and a clinical associate professor in the School of Information. She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Aebersold is an XR Faculty Innovator in Residence through the University of Michigan XR Initiative. Dr. Aebersold’s leadership experience includes roles in the practice environments, including oversight of nursing intensive care units, acute care units and outpatient specialty clinics. Dr. Aebersold also developed the simulation program for the UM School of Nursing and oversaw the development of the 13,000 square foot simulation center, which opened in 2015. Dr. Aebersold has been teaching since 2006. She teaches in the areas of leadership, analytics, quality and safety in the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral nursing courses. She often oversees doctoral students for their scholarly projects and participates on dissertation committees. Dr. Aebersold has extensive experience in using a variety of simulation learning methods, including mannequin-based simulation, virtual and augmented realities and virtual gaming. She has developed numerous case studies, simulations and skill-based resources for use in the undergraduate nursing programs. Dr. Aebersold has numerous publications, presents on a variety of topics, and is often an invited speaker at international, regional and local conferences. She consults with nursing schools around improving their simulation programs, developing virtual educational assets and other projects. Along with Dr. Gonzalez, Dr. Aebersold is one of the authors of Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills, 9th Edition, a publication of Pearson Education.

Module 0 How/Why
Module 1 Introductions and Initial Assessment

Each and Every Time
General Survey and Mental Status Assessment
Assessing Temperature
Assessing Pulse (Apical and Peripheral)
Assessing Respirations
Assessing Blood Pressure
Assessing Pulse Oximetry


Module 2 Physical Assessment

Head and Neck
Ears and Hearing
Eyes and Vision
Nose and Sinuses
Mouth and Throat
Cranial Nerves
Respiratory System
Cardiovascular System
Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System
Genitourinary System
Integumentary System
Musculoskeletal System
Neurologic Function
Height, Weight, and Growth Measurements
Abuse: Newborn, Infant, Child, Adult, Older Adult
Pain: Newborn, Infant, Child, Adult, Older Adult


Module 3 Safety

Applying Fall Prevention Strategies
Applying Seizure Precautions
Applying Antiembolism Stockings
Applying Compression Devices
Applying Restraints and Alternatives


Module 4 Infection Control

Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
Establishing a Sterile Field
Establishing Contact Precautions


Module 5 Respiratory Care

Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow
Using an Incentive Spirometer
Using Oxygen Delivery Systems
Using CPAP/BiPAP Systems
Providing Oral Care (child, adult, able, unconscious)
Inserting a Nasopharyngeal Airway (Newborn, Infant, Child, Adult)
Suctioning a Nasopharyngeal Airway (Newborn, Infant, Child, Adult)
Inserting an Oropharyngeal Airway
Performing Endotracheal Tube Care
Suctioning a Tracheostomy or Endotracheal Tube
Performing Tracheostomy Care


Module 6 Elimination

Measuring Intake and Output
Using a Bladder Scanner
Assisting with Toileting (bedpan, urinal)
Caring for the Perineal-Genital Area
Assisting with a Sitz Bath
Providing Indwelling Urinary Catheter Care
Providing Bladder Irrigation
Applying Urinary External Devices
Applying Urinary Pouching Systems
Obtaining Urine Specimens: Routine and 24-Hour
Obtaining Urine Specimens: Culture & Sensitivity
Irrigating a Colostomy
Removing a Fecal Impaction
Flushing/Maintaining/Removing a Nasogastric Tube


Module 7 Wound Care and Dressings

Assessing Tissue Integrity
Caring for a Surgical Wound
Irrigating a Wound
Changing a Dressing
Changing a Venous Ulcer Dressing
Applying an Abdominal Binder
Obtaining a Wound Drainage Specimen
Preventing and Caring for Pressure Injuries


Module 8 Nutrition

Assessing Nutrition Status
Administering Feedings: Nasoenteric/Jejunostomy with a Small Bore Tube
Administering Feedings: Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy
Providing Eating Assistance


Module 9 Medication Administration

Providing Safe Medication Administration
Preparing and Administering Medications
Calculating Dosages
Administering Subcutaneous Injections
Administering Intramuscular Injections (with Z-track)
Administering Intradermal Injections
Administering Insulin (syringe, pen, or pump)
Administering Oral Medications
Administering Sublingual Medications
Administering Medications via Inhalers
Administering Medications via Enteral Tubes
Applying Transdermal Patch Medications
Applying Topical Medications
Administering Eye Medications
Administering Ear Medications
Administering Intranasal Medications
Administering Rectal Medications
Administering Intravaginal Medications
Administering Enema and Retention Enemas


Module 10 Infusions

Initiating, Maintaining, and Regulating an Infusion
Managing Infusion Pumps
Discontinuing Infusions
Administering Medications (IV Push)
Administering Medications (Secondary Set)
Administering Parenteral Nutrition


Module 11 Vascular Access Devices

Maintaining Centrally-Inserted Venous Access Devices
Maintaining Peripherally-Inserted Central Catheters
Maintaining Implanted Venous Ports


Module 12 Heat and Cold

Applying Heat Therapy
Applying Cold Therapy


Module 13 Mobility and Mechanics

Using Body Mechanics
Ambulating a Patient
Positioning Patient in Bed
Moving Patient Up in Bed
Assisting Patient to Side of Bed (Dangling)
Transferring Patient from Bed to Chair
Transferring Patient Between Bed and Stretcher
Logrolling Patient in Bed
Turning Patient in Bed
Caring for Patient in Traction
Performing Initial Cast Care
Performing Ongoing Cast Care
Applying an Elastic Bandage