While on LinkedIn one day I came across a certification course from Harvard Medical School: Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19. I decided to take this course and with the help of this course, I was able to gain knowledge and understanding on how I can best support COVID-19 patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation. Although this course aims to prepare licensed non-ICU hospital clinicians to support critical care respiratory therapists as well as physicians and nurses caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation, I believe student nurses can benefit from it also. Here are some of the things I learned:
- Principles and functions of mechanical ventilation
- Ventilator settings and adjustments
- Ventilating patients with Acute respiratory disorder and obstructive lung disease
- Evaluating patients for extubating readiness and conducting the extubating procedure
Here is how you can access the course:
- Click on this link https://www.edx.org/course/mechanical-ventilation-for-covid-19.
- Click on the enroll button to register
- Begin course!
There are also free online certifications and resources you can take advantage of while studying remotely and they include: The AACN (American Association of Critical Care Nurses) is providing a free course on ventilator resources! Create an account with www.aacn.org
- Search for “COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources.”
- Once searched, below you will see “Access Course Now.”
- When prompted sign in.
The American Red Cross offers a Psychological First Aid course for free to educate on how we can show support for others and ourselves during times of stress https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/coronavirus-information/psychological-first-aid-online-course I hope you will be able to take advantage of some of these courses and move your career forward in this pandemic! By, Jennifer Asante – Healthcare & Wellness Advisory Senior Advisory Board Member
