Advanced practice clinicians now have the ability to apply for prescriptive authority in all states*. With the advent of health reform and the spotlight on primary care, APCs will play a significant role in handling the increased number of patients accessing the health care system. It is essential to be up-to-date on the latest pharmaceuticals available for a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including therapeutic effects, monitoring patient response, and managing side effects. Achieving prescriptive authority also significantly improves marketability in this changing economic and health care environment.

Now in its 18th year, "Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians," continues to be the "go-to" course for clinicians seeking or renewing prescriptive authority. Many who have taken the course also return periodically to update their knowledge on pharmaceuticals. Our Principal Instructors, Alan Agins, PhD and Jody Agins, MSN, RNP, FNP/GNP-BC, WCC, have designed a comprehensive pharmacology course which addresses the pharmacology of current medications as well as clinical application in the primary care setting. Additional clinician faculty members enhance learning through specialty application and case study discussions.

Highlights of these courses include

• A dynamic Preconference on Pediatric Pharmacology, focusing on medications and prescribing regimens specific to the specialty of caring for children.
• Experienced and knowledgeable clinical faculty with a relaxed and entertaining teaching style.
• Case-based and interactive discussion to help you apply the content to clinical problems you face daily in your practice.
• Daily registration for those with selective needs for renewing prescriptive authority or updating current knowledge in pharmacology.
• California BRN Schedule II Controlled Substances educational requirements are included in the San Francisco and Las Vegas courses.

* States' requirements for prescriptive authority vary. Please contact your State Board of Nursing regarding educational requirements.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:

• Explain the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a variety of drugs used to treat primary care conditions.
• Discuss pharmaceutical options and develop a therapeutic regimen that maximizes effectiveness while minimizing adverse reactions.
• Evaluate the response of the patient to the drugs and devices and implement appropriate action.
• Demonstrate clinical application of the pharmacology content through case study discussion.
• Provide appropriate patient education regarding drug therapy for a given disease state.
• Discuss the pharmacology of select dietary supplements and nutrients.
• Recognize the professional and legal aspects of prescribing and furnishing drugs.

Who Should Attend?

• Nurse Practitioners
• Certified Nurse-Midwives
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Physician Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Nurse Educators
• Physicians
• Pharmacists

…and anyone else interested in a comprehensive primary care pharmacology update.

Dr. Alan P. Agins earned a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Rhode Island. He has held faculty appointments at Brown Medical School, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy and University of Virginia School of Nursing. During his tenure at Brown, he received the "Dean's Teaching Excellence Award" over five consecutive years for his outstanding pharmacology lectures. Dr. Agins has also taught graduate & post-graduate pharmacology courses at a number of nursing schools around the country including Penn State, Idaho State, Radford, University of West Virginia and University of Arizona.

As founder and president of PRN Associates, Dr. Agins has lectured nationally to more than 70,000 advanced practice clinicians and allied health professionals over the past 18 years. He is a regularly invited speaker at annual conferences for a number of national, regional and state nursing organizations. Dr. Agins has authored 3 books, writes pharmacology-related articles and continuing education monographs, presents weekly live CE webinars for pharmacists through RxSchool (AMN Healthcare) and writes a monthly e- Newsletter for Lexi-Comp. He is currently developing educational videos on a variety of pharmacology topics for online CE which promises to be unique in format as well as entertaining.

Jody F. Agins, MSN, RNP, FNP/GNP-BC, WCC, PLNC received an ADN from Kansas City Kansas Community College, BSN from Webster University and an MSN/Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Kansas. She has held faculty appointments at the University of Kansas, Truman State University and Arizona State University.

Mrs. Agins is board certified by the ANCC in Family Practice and Gerontology and wound care certified through WCEI. She currently works full time as a nurse practitioner for Evercare (United Healthcare), maintains a part-time private practice, consults for a Tucson-based Hospice company, is President of Seminars for Healthcare Education, Inc, and is an invited speaker by a number of national, regional and local organizations. Mrs. Agins is also a clinical preceptor for Family and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner students for University of Phoenix, University of Arizona and Arizona State University and is currently on the editorial board for Clinician Review.

The "take-home-message" that Dr. Agins and Mrs. Agins attempt to instill is to adopt a profound respect for, but also cautious attitude about drugs - what they can do… and what their limitations are. After many years "on the road" and every conceivable pharmacology question from their audiences, they maintain their great sense of humor and wit, as well as a unique talent for breathing life into dry or difficult subject matter. Their goal is to make this course memorable, informative and enjoyable… essentially the very best pharmacology CE experience for everyone who attends.

Additional Faculty

A Certificate of Attendance will be available online after you complete the course requirements, enabling you to register your credit with the appropriate licensing boards or associations. To apply for credit not listed below, use the procedure established by the specific organization.

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 ANCC/9 CA BRN contact hours
Pharmacology Course: 45 ANCC/54 CA BRN contact hours
Contemporary Forums is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Contemporary Forums is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #04516.
(CA BRN contact hour = 50 minutes)

Approved for 45 contact hours (includes 4.25 contact hours – ethical, fiscal and legal CE; No Category A – Ohio Nursing Law and Rules) by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91), an accredited approver of continuing nursing education by the ANCC. ONA #APN-03-07-R11

The Pediatric Pharmacology Preconference is approved for a maximum of 7.5 NAPNAP contact hours of which a maximum of 7.5 contain pharmacology (Rx) content per the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Continuing Education Guidelines. Contemporary Forums, NAPNAP Approved Provider, Agency #12.

Physicians
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 credits
Pharmacology Course: 45 credits
Contemporary Forums is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Contemporary Forums designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 52.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (7.5 Pediatric Pharmacology, 45 Pharmacology Course). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse-Midwives
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 hours
Pharmacology Course: 45 hours
The Continuing Education Committee of the American College of Nurse-Midwives grants reciprocity status to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) for Category 1 offerings, providing the program is relevant to nurse-midwifery. Nurse-Midwives may report up to the listed hours of credit.

Physician Assistants
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 hours
Pharmacology Course: 45 hours
The American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts Category 1 CME approval from organizations accredited by the ACCME to grant Category 1 hours toward the Physician's Recognition Award. PAs may report up to the listed hours of credit.

Pharmacology Credit for Prescriptive Authority
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 hours
Pharmacology Course: 45 hours
Because states' requirements vary, contact your Board of Nursing for more information.

Pharmacists
Pediatric Pharmacology: 7.5 hours/.75 CEUs
Pharmacology Course: 45 hours/4.5 CEUs available
Contemporary Forums is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Statements of Credit and the process for obtaining them will be available online after the completion of the conference. This conference has multiple ACPE Universal Activity Numbers which will be provided on the schedule you receive when you print your Statement of Credit. This conference is a knowledge-based CPE activity.

Companies and organizations interested in exhibiting professionally relevant products and services can contact the Exhibitor Information Line at (925) 361-4807 email exhibits@cforums.com or visit http://www.ContemporaryForums.com/exhibitors.html for additional information.

Course Location

San Francisco… There is so much to see and do! Explore Fisherman’s Wharf with the frenetic energy of fishing boats, street performers and artists.  Pier 39 is an extravaganza of shops and restaurants, where you’ll be amazed at the antics of hundreds of sea lions frolicking in the sun.  From here you can hop on a cable car and take in sweeping views of the bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

You won’t want to miss Golden Gate Park and its gems, the de Young Museum, a state-of-the-art facility that integrates art, architecture and the natural landscape, and the brand new California Academy of Sciences, an intriguing combination of aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and rain forest – all under one roof! Spend some time in Chinatown where fish markets, tea and herb shops, and exotic produce stalls spill onto the street, or North Beach, the Italian quarter, where you can join locals at an outdoor café for espresso and pastry or wander in and out of the tempting delis, bakeries and pasta houses.  Your trip to San Francisco would not be complete without a shopping spree and this city offers many opportunities for that!  From the delightful boutiques of Union and Chestnut Streets to the designer shops on Union Square, you will not be disappointed.

Take in a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park, home of the 2010 World Series Champions! With its breathtaking views and classic design, AT&T Park was chosen as the 2008 Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily as part of the inaugural Sports Business Awards program.

San Francisco has a love affair with food and you will find a wide range of cuisines, pricing, and restaurant styles.  After dinner, head to trendy SoMa, the “see and be seen” club scene, or head back to North Beach and take in Beach Blanket Babylon, the quirky, entertaining and riotously funny musical revue.

Conference headquarters will be the dramatic Hyatt Regency San Francisco, one of the city's most distinctive landmarks with its impressive 20-story garden atrium lobby and a view from every room. Located in the Embarcadero Center, the hotel is surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants and is within walking distance of many attractions. TheCalifornia Street cable car line and Embarcadero BART station are steps from the lobby, giving you easy access to numerous points of interest in the area.

Plan to extend your stay and drive north for wine-tasting in the world famous Napa and Sonoma Valley vineyards, or south down the rugged California coast to Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur for spectacular ocean views. For more information aboutSan Francisco and the surrounding areas, visit www.sfvisitor.org.

Hotel Accommodations

Special group rates are in effect for participants and their guests, based on room availability.

You must make your reservation early and before the "hotel room block release date" listed for each hotel. Rooms may sell out before this date so be sure to make your reservation now. After the release date, rooms and group rates may no longer be available so call the hotel for availability. Rates are per room and subject to prevailing state and local taxes.

For room reservations, call the hotel and inform them that you are attending the Contemporary Forums' Pharmacology Course. Request a confirmation number and written confirmation of your reservation.

Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111

Hotel room release date: August 17, 2012

Rates: $219 single/double occupancy

Reserve your hotel room online here.

For room reservations call (800) 233-1234. For additional hotel information, call Hyatt Regency San Francisco at (415) 788-1234.

Travel Discounts

Contemporary Forums has a special discount agreement with United Airlines unavailable to the general public. To obtain these special conference fares call the Special Meeting Desk at (800) 521-4041, Account Code 510CW. Ticketing and payment can be done directly by you or through your travel agent. To ensure the best flights and times, since seats are limited, make your reservations early. Fares are guaranteed at the time of the ticket purchase.

Hertz is the official car rental agency for the conference. Special rates will be in effect throughout the conference as well as one week before and after. For special rates, call HERTZ at (800) 654-2240 and refer to Contemporary Forums plus the conference discount code CV #03000259.

Registration Information

Registrations must include full tuition payment to be accepted. Registrations faxed without payment will not be processed. Conference communications are sent via email. When registering please provide attendee's best email address as some emails are filtered and blocked. Since conference registration and hotel rooms are limited, early registration is advised.

Out of consideration to registrants, children of any age and spouses may not attend the sessions.

*Postmarked or phone/fax/online registration and fees received on/before August 13.

**Pharmacology Course Daily Registration is Available
1 day $195 4 days $580
2 days $325 5 days $700
3 days $450
Your tuition includes Program Syllabus, lunch on Tuesday and Certificate of Attendance. Registrations may not be shared.

California NPs & CNMs
Content to meet the requirements of the California Board of Registered Nursing to furnish Schedule II medications will be presented on Friday, September 14 in San Francisco. California NPs and CNMs who already have a furnishing number may register for Friday only in San Francisco and will receive a Schedule II certificate.

Method of Tuition Payment
Make payment by check (payable to Contemporary Forums and enclose with Registration Form), Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Purchase Order. A $30 fee is charged for any returned check. Personal checks are NOT accepted at the conference. Purchase Orders must be received with registration by the conference date and include the P.O. number, invoice address, tuition, approval signature, contact name, email address and phone number.

Tax Deductibility
Expenses of training, tuition, travel, lodging and meals to maintain or improve professional skills may be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Consult your tax advisor.

Cancellations
Cancellations may be made by phone or in writing. Cancellations received on/before 30 days prior to the start of the Course receive a full tuition refund. Cancellations received after that date are assessed a $50 processing fee. No refunds for cancellations received after the conference begins or for "no shows." If this meeting is cancelled for any reason, including labor strikes or acts of God, liability is limited to a full refund of registration fees.

Program Changes
Contemporary Forums reserves the right to make necessary changes in speakers, topics or schedule. The most current program can be found on our website.

Questions?
Contact Contemporary Forums at (800) 377-7707, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) or email info@cforums.com.

If you require special arrangements at this conference, call (800) 377-7707, at least 30 days prior to the conference.

"This is the seventh time I have attended this conference! It meets my CE needs related to updating my practice and also meets ALL of my CE requirements for three certi? cations (Family, Psych, Acute Care). The format is relaxed and professional. I love it."

- Joe Taylor, PhD, NP • Prentiss, MS

"Alan and Jody Agins are awesome! Their presentations are timely, detailed and so very pertinent and useful in today’s changing clinical environment."

- Maria Zurinsky, RN, FNP • Houston, TX

"This conference was very helpful in updating my pharmacology knowledge and skills. Dr. and Mrs. Agins are brilliant and dynamic speakers."

- Madelyn Balicas, MSN, ANP-BC • Yonkers, NY

"This is the second Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians Course I’ve attended and it is better than the ? rst! I am looking forward to the next."

- Mary Frodermann, MSN • Myrtle Point, OR

"I have attended a number of Alan Agins’ pharmacology courses and ? nd that he is always current, an engaging speaker, and has the gift to teach complex concepts in an understandable and memorable way, whether you are a novice or seasoned nurse practitioner."

- Michelle Porthouse, MS, NP • Fredericksburg, VA

"The wealth of knowledge and experience that Jody and Alan Agins bring to the lectures enhance the learning experience."

- Julie Yoon, MSN, CRNP • Philadelphia, PA

"Excellent conference. Presented new information and reviewed essential medication information as well. Super speakers. Well-organized. Would recommend to all health care providers."

- Marybeth Goldbach, MSN, BC-CRNP • Moon Township, PA

"After attending the 2010 conference, I sent an email to all 60 members of my team encouraging them to attend the 2011 conference."

- Carolyn Penharlow, MSN, FNP • Reston, VA