Nursing students participate in virtual interprofessional education event

The Augusta University College of Nursing (CON) recently participated in a virtual Interprofessional Education (IPE) event hosted by the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Pharmacy. Participants of this annual event include 3^rd year pharmacy students from UGA, 2^nd year medicine students from the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), graduate level social work students (East Carolina & UGA), and senior nurse practitioner students (CON).

Fall Interprofessional Day builds relationships between 300 students from four professions as they meet and gain understanding of the other professional roles prior to interacting with other healthcare professionals during rotations throughout Georgia. Students collaborated in the management of a virtual patient as they transitioned through the medical system.

Each year, the case encompasses contemporary community issues associated with the keynote speaker’s subject matter. This year’s case study was inspired by the speech of the keynote speaker who presented on the opioid crisis in Georgia. The students then broke off into interdisciplinary groups where they worked on the case study.

Team members can learn the strengths of each profession and increase their own clinical knowledge. “IPE is hard to coordinate, so the fact that this group does it so well is extremely positive. Their work has been presented and acclaimed on the national level, and nursing faculty member Dr. James Brinson is very involved,” said CON Dean, Beth NeSmith, PhD.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care concentration coordinator, James Brinson, DNP, represented the college again this year. As a faculty member for the Doctor of Nursing Practice department, Brinson understands the importance of interprofessional experience for students going into advanced practice.

An in-person IPE event is scheduled for the Spring on the UGA campus.