Course Descriptions
Course Title: Nursing 1A/B – Fundamentals of Nursing
Level: 1 A and B Clock Hours: Theory: 183 (134/49) Clinical: 226 (149/77) Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course provides and introduction to nursing and roles of the nurse. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality care. The theoretical foundation for basic assessment and nursing skills is presented and the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate these skills in a Skills Lab and Clinical setting. An introduction to the nursing process provides the student with a beginning framework for decision making. The course has 2 parts, N1A and N1B.
Nursing 1 A focuses on nursing care associated with patient hygiene, safety, body positioning, physical assessment, vital signs, diagnostic tests, asepsis/infection control, nutrition, oxygenation and gerontology.
Nursing 1B focused on nursing care associated with bowel/bladder elimination, musculoskeletal injury, surgery, cancer, loss, and death and dying.
Course Title: Anatomy and Physiology
Level: 1 A Clock Hours: Theory: 100 Clinical: 0 Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course focuses on basic anatomy and physiology as the theory basis for structures and processes related to health and disease. This course uses the body systems approach and the basic levels of organization found within the human body to study the effects of disease on each body system and on the body as a whole.
Course Title: Pharmacology
Level: 1 A Clock Hours: Theory: 67 Clinical: 0 Prerequisites: None
Course Description
The course provides a review of basic mathematical concepts, focusing on the ratio: proportion method of dosage calculation for safe medication administration. Introductory principles of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, common adverse/side effects, and contraindications will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on drug classifications and nursing care related to the safe administration of medications to patients across the lifespan.
Course Title: Professions and Vocations - 1
Level: 1B Clock Hours: Theory: 30 Clinical: 0 Prerequisites: None
Course Description
The personal and professional qualities needed by the practical nursing student are studied as well as the ethical, legal, and moral responsibilities. Integrated within this course of study are basic communication skills. The instruction is designed to acquaint the student with the role of the practical nurse as a member of the health care team providing nursing care to culturally diverse s. Clinical decision making is introduced as a concept.
Course Title: Nursing 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing
Level: 2 Clock Hours: Theory: 280 Clinical: 420 Prerequisites: Level 1 courses
Course Description
This course focuses on the nursing care of adult/older adult patients with common medical/surgical/mental health problems using the Body System approach as the framework. Emphasis is placed on physiological disorders and psychological and emotional stressors that require management in an acute and/or long-term care facility. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe patient care in acute and long-term care settings. Parenteral medication administration concepts and skills, patient care management principles and professional/therapeutic communication will be developed throughout the course.
Course Title: Nursing 3 – Maternal Child and Pediatric Nursing
Level: 3 Clock Hours: Theory: 84 Clinical: 126 Prerequisites: Level 1 and Level 2 courses
Course Description
This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to maternity and pediatric nursing, highlighting the ways in which infants and children differ from adults. Emphasis is placed on normal pregnancies, growth and development and common pediatric disorders. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and to provide safe patient care to childbearing women and children in selected settings.
Course Title: Professions and Vocations - 2
Level: 3 Clock Hours: Theory: 14 Clinical: 0 Prerequisites: Level 1 and 2 courses.
Course Description
This course includes information on employment and educational opportunities available to the practical nurse. Work skills such as procuring, retaining, and terminating employment are discussed, as well as application for state licensing and NCLEX-PN examination.