Physician Assistant Program at Bethel Successfully Launches Student-Developed Curriculum

Three Bethel students in the physician assistant program developed a curriculum for nurses on opium use disorder care through the Steve Rummler Hope Network. Bethel students Jess Rombocos GS’23, Caitlin Crowley GS’23, and Casey Palmer GS’23 worked on the curriculum under the supervision of faculty from the psychology and nursing departments. The curriculum was developed for nurses pursuing continuing education units and has also been added to Bethel's nursing program on addiction.

Together, Bethel University and the Steve Rummler HOPE Network presents comprehensive curriculum regarding Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) for nurses and nursing students. The three-hour course provides an in-depth education into the identification, assessment, management, and support of patients with OUD. This is a fully on-demand curriculum, designed to be completed at a participant’s own pace. In addition to the video content, participants will engage with the material using case studies and assessments based upon individual modules. These modules include OUD introduction, pathophysiology and medical assisted treatments, medical interventions, harm reduction, and naloxone training application.

One of the students involved, Crowley, is hopeful that the information presented in the curriculum will transform the way healthcare professionals interact and treat people impacted by addictions. “Our understanding of neurobiology and physiology is constantly evolving, therefore we have an obligation to remain curious,” Crowley says. Supervising faculty members Mary Michener and Julie De Haan both expressed their appreciation for the hard work that was put in by the students. According to Michener, program director of addiction studies certificate, the curriculum fills as significant gap in addiction education.

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