Full course description
$25
Self-Paced
1 CE Hour
Course Overview
Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by ICU patients—yet managing it effectively remains a challenge. In this online course, you’ll explore ICU-specific pain pharmacology and discover practical strategies to assess and manage pain in critically ill patients.
Through real-world case studies and expert instruction from Creighton University faculty, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make timely, evidence-based decisions in high-acuity settings.
Who Should Enroll
This noncredit course is ideal for registered pharmacists, PharmD graduates preparing for the workforce or residency, post-graduate residency candidates, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians working in critical care setting or healthcare professionals seeking CE or skill refinement.
Course Instructor
Stacey Dull, PharmD, BCPS
Associate Professor, Creighton University
Experienced clinical pharmacy educator specializing in acute care and interprofessional practice.
What You’ll Learn
By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Identify preferred tools for pain assessment in verbal and nonverbal ICU patients
- Design safe, effective opioid and non-opioid regimens, including dose considerations
- Evaluate contraindications and side effects of pain therapies in critically ill adults
- Integrate multimodal strategies for improved outcomes and reduced opioid use
FAQ
What are the benefits of completing this course?
Uncontrolled pain in the ICU can lead to lasting physical and psychological harm. As a healthcare professional, you play a critical role in alleviating suffering and improving care. This course empowers you to implement evidence-based pain management strategies that align with your patients’ needs, while earning CEUs. This module is part of the Advanced Critical Care Therapeutics Certificate. It can be taken individually or stacked with other modules to earn the certificate.
How long does it take to complete?
Modules are self-paced and designed for flexible learning. Most take 1-2 hours to complete.
How is the course structured?
This course is 100% online and self-paced. You can start anytime and progress on your own schedule—ideal for working professionals. The course includes video lessons, real-world case studies, downloadable tools and interactive activities to guide your decision-making process.
Can I earn Continuing Education Credits?
Yes, you need to complete the entire program to receive credit. To receive credit, you will need to receive 75% on the quiz and case study at the end of the module. Upon successful completion of the module, and completion of the evaluation, a certificate will be available for you to print. You will have three attempts to complete each quiz.
Category 1 Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA accepts AMA category 1 credit for the PRA from organizations accredited by ACCME.
Nursing CE Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education designates this activity for 1.0 contact hours for nurses. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pharmacy Credit Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education (HSCE) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This enduring material, Acute Pain Management in the ICU is accredited for 1.0 hour(s) for completion of all CE sessions. Term of approval is from this date on September 15, 2025 until September 15, 2028. Acute Pain Management in the ICU is a knowledge-based CE activity.
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education (HSCE) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Do you offer tuition assistance?
We do not offer tuition assistance for lifelong learning courses or certificates. However, Creighton alumni, faculty, staff and eligible partner employees, along with their spouses and dependents, may qualify for a 15% discount. One discount per offering. Other restrictions may apply. Learn more.