This UIC RN to BSN Professor Helps Nurses Reduce Burnout and Improve Care

UIC’s online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is for registered nurses looking to increase their clinical expertise and take on more advanced roles in healthcare. This flexible, online program prepares nurses with the knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes, hone leadership abilities, and advance their professional careers.

One of the program’s dedicated instructors is Christina Ritter, DNP, CPNP. Having practiced as a pediatric nurse practitioner for almost two decades and as an educator at UIC for over a decade, Dr. Ritter brings a passion for teaching and patient care to each class she instructs. In this spotlight, she shares how her course, NURS 212: Health Assessment and Communication, teaches nurses efficient communication strategies and detailed assessment skills, in hopes of improving time management and avoidance of  nursing burnout

Can you provide an overview of your background and experience in the field of nursing?

I began my nursing career as an RN in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where I worked as a bedside nurse for four years. After completing my Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) degree at UIC, I worked in the Emergency Room until I transitioned to a private pediatrician’s office. During this time working in an outpatient setting, I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.  Recently I moved to a larger pediatric practice in Troy, Michigan, where I continue to work as a nurse practitioner. With nearly 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of precepting many nurses and nurse practitioners throughout my career. I am also deeply involved in the quality programs at my practice, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care.

I was drawn to UIC’s online RN to BSN program because I believe strongly in elevating nurses’ education. I understand the benefits and challenges of online learning and want to be part of that journey, helping nurses looking to advance their careers. After earning my DNP, the highest level of nursing education in the clinical realm, I felt compelled to help associate’s degree nurses elevate themselves to the BSN degree. This program offers an opportunity to support and guide nurses in advancing their education and, ultimately, their careers. I’ve been teaching at UIC since 2013.It has been rewarding to contribute to the ongoing professional development of fellow nurses.

Essential Skills Covered in NURS 212: Health Assessment and Communication

The course I teach, NURS 212, is very practical and directly relates to what nurses do in their day-to-day routines, particularly around communication, health literacy, patient centered care and assessment. We cover key concepts such as effective communication, the barriers that can impede it, and a detailed, head-to-toe physical examination.

One of the key skills students will gain is communicating effectively with patients to gather the necessary information to deliver quality care. I want students to learn how to work efficiently and effectively, reducing their time spent on repetitive tasks and helping to prevent nursing burnout, something that’s common in busy hospital settings. By mastering these skills, nurses will not only provide better care but also have more time to focus on the aspects of nursing that drew them to the profession in the first place: caring for their patients.

Creating Engaging Online Learning Experiences

In my course, we engage through several weekly activities, including discussion boards. These forums allow students to read, comment, and critically review their classmates’ work, which helps reinforce learning and fosters a sense of community. We also have dedicated forums where students can talk, vent, or share relevant nursing-related experiences, creating a space for both academic and personal connections.

To enhance the learning experience, I incorporate highly detailed videos for each body system. These videos feature real people demonstrating how to perform nursing assessments. Students read the material and then watch the videos showcasing the assessment techniques. Afterward, students must complete their own head-to-toe assessment on video. This hands-on approach helps students practice their skills in a way that mirrors real-world clinical settings.

How Communication Skills and Efficient Assessments Help Prevent Nursing Burnout

One of the biggest challenges nurses face today is time. Caring for patients is inherently complex, and to truly provide quality care, nurses need to balance completing their tasks efficiently with spending meaningful, face-to-face time with their patients. The issue is that without effective communication skills in nursing and the ability to quickly and accurately perform assessments, nurses can become bogged down with routine tasks and miss opportunities for more direct patient care.

In my course, I focus on improving patient communication skills. I also emphasize how to perform comprehensive assessments to save time and allow nurses to connect with their patients on a deeper level. The hope is that by mastering these skills, nurses will have more time to focus on holistic patient care, which improves patient outcomes, enhances job satisfaction, and helps prevent nursing burnout.

How UIC’s RN to BSN Program Prepares Nurses for Advanced Roles in Healthcare

The RN to BSN program at UIC provides a strong foundation for nurses, holding them to a high standard through integrating evidence-based practice, research, and critical thinking. These are essential skills for nurses who want to advance in their careers and take on more complex roles in healthcare.

A key component of my course is the focus on both verbal and nonverbal communication. Several assignments in the course ask students evaluate a mock nurse-patient interaction and critique the nurse’s communication techniques. This allows students to identify both the challenges in the interaction and the successful communication strategies used. By practicing these skills, students can better connect with patients and improve their overall effectiveness in the clinical setting.

Additionally, having a strong foundation in communication and assessment skills helps ensure they can make the most of the limited time they have with patients. By mastering these fundamental skills, nurses are better prepared to take on leadership roles and contribute to a more comprehensive, patient-centered approach in healthcare.

Advice for Prospective Students Considering UIC’s Online RN to BSN Program

Learning is a lifelong process. The more we learn and strengthen our foundation, the more confident we become in our practice. The online RN to BSN program at UIC is designed to reinforce that foundation, with faculty support and expertise to help students meet their goals. Nursing is not just a job; it’s a career that becomes a part of who you are. While it can be both fulfilling and demanding, staying focused on why you entered the profession in the first place is crucial.

Nurses often don’t see the full impact they have on their patients’ lives, but the work we do is significant. Whether or not we realize it, we’re making a difference every day. By advancing your education and broadening your skills, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of nursing while continuing to provide the high-quality care your patients deserve.

The Rewarding Impact of Teaching: Helping Nurses Grow

My favorite part of teaching is reading the feedback from students at the end of the course, where they reflect on what they’ve learned and enjoyed about the class. Many students are already experienced nurses, so they come in with a solid understanding of the basics. But when they share how learning some of the deeper concepts and new approaches have broadened their thinking, it’s like a light bulb goes off for them. They come into the class thinking, “I already know how to use a stethoscope,” but by the end, they’ve learned to approach their routines in a new way that enhances their practice. It’s rewarding to hear that they’ve made changes to their day-to-day nursing based on what they’ve learned.