Practical Nursing - Course Descriptions
Academic Life Skills PRC 1000 18 hours
Academic Life Skills is designed to provide the foundation needed for success in school while preparing for certification or licensure in the chosen healthcare field. Topics of instruction include time management, resource management, study techniques, test taking skills, communication, cultural diversity, ethics and professionalism.
Introduction to Nursing PRC 1350 42 hours
This course focuses on the use of nursing related concepts by practical nurses as providers of care and members of the discipline in collaboration with health team members. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of learning, teamwork, communication in nursing, human development, 10professionalism, health promotion, nursing ethics and law, and changing health care delivery systems.
Fundamentals of Nursing PRC 1050 162 hours
Fundamentals of Nursing course is an introduction to nursing care. Topics include utilizing the nursing process, performing assessment/data collection, and providing patient education. Principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment/data collection are taught. Special topics covering the care of the geriatric patient, the dying patient, the pre/post-operative patient, and the management of pain are included in the course. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills, demonstrating professionalism by maintaining confidentiality, recognizing legal/ethical responsibilities, acting as a patient advocate, maintaining positive patient/colleague relationships, and by implementing appropriate standards of care.
Clinical I Basic Nursing PRC 1060 48 hours
Clinical I- Basic Nursing focuses on providing comfort and assistance in performing activities of daily living for patients with common non-complicated disorders. Data collection skills will be practiced. The student will assist the client and significant others during the normal expected stages of growth and development. Experiences will be provided that will give the student opportunities to reduce the patient’s potential for developing complications or health problems related to treatments, procedures or existing conditions. Students will identify patient problems, identify appropriate interventions and evaluate nursing care to patients in extended care facilities.
Pharmacology and Intravenous Therapy Skills PRC 1070 108 hours
Pharmacology and Intravenous Therapy Skills course provides instruction in basic pharmacology that is needed for safe and effective medication administration. Skills include medication administration as well as IV therapy. Fluid and electrolyte balance will be included. Content includes components of medication preparation and administration including the essential knowledge needed to adequately contribute to the assessment and evaluation of the effects of medication on clients throughout the lifespan.
Medical Surgical Nursing I PRC 1220 96 hours
Medical Surgical Nursing I course builds on concepts from previous courses; this course focuses on health management, maintenance and prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole and deviations from the normal state of health. The administration of patient care includes using the nursing process, performing focused assessments, using critical thinking, and assisting with patient education. The systems included are integumentary, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiac, vascular, urinary, and sensory. The concepts of patient care; treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy are included within each system. Content is presented from a patient-centered approach based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Patient care includes consideration of physiological, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Consideration is also given to the impact of health issues; the potential physical and mental adjustments as well as diversional and rehabilitative activities.
Clinical II - Medical Surgical Nursing (Part I) PRC 1230 204 hours
Clinical II focuses on the utilization of the nursing process in caring for acute care patients. The emphasis will be on prioritization, decision making, time management and critical thinking appropriate to the LPN’s scope of practice. As the student progresses, more complex patient situations will be presented, and they will begin to function in a role independent of the instructor. Rotations includes nursing care for patients with medical surgical problems, home health needs, geriatric nursing needs and conditions that requires visits to the medical office.
Maternal Newborn Nursing PRC 1130 32 hours
Maternal and newborn nursing includes 30 hours theory with 2 hours of simulation designed to familiarize the student with the holistic approach to care for the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum client and the neonate. The normal processes of conception, fetal development, labor and delivery, postpartum period and family involvement are included.
Pediatric Nursing PRC 1120 30 hours
Pediatric nursing includes 30 hours where students learn to relate normal growth and development along with the physical, emotional and social needs of the pediatric client; apply fundamental nursing skills and principles in the care of the pediatric client and family; and describe various pediatric disorders.
Mental Health Nursing PRC 1150 36 hours
Mental health nursing includes 24 hours of theory and 12 hours of simulation/lab with focus on the role of the practical nurse. The content includes the universal concepts needed to care for clients 12experiencing common mental health alterations, mental health issues, and client care needs that frequently challenge the geriatric client.
Medical Surgical Nursing II PRC 1240 92 hours
Medical Surgical Nursing II course builds on concepts from previous courses. This course focuses on health management, maintenance and prevention of illness; care for the individual as a whole; and deviations from the normal state of health. Administering patient care includes use of the nursing process while performing focused assessments, using sound judgment, and providing patient education. The systems included are hematology, immunology, neurology, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive, as well as oncology nursing. The concepts of patient care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy are included within each system. Content is presented from a patient-centered approach based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Patient care involves consideration of physiological, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs within a cultural framework. Consideration is also given to the impact of health issues: the potential physical and mental adjustments required, as well as any necessary diversional or rehabilitative activities.
Clinical III-Medical Surgical Nursing (Part II) PRC 1250 216 hours
Clinical III- is a continuation of the utilization of the nursing process in caring for acute care patients. The student will care for multiple patients during this clinical rotation. The emphasis will be on prioritization, decision making, time management and critical thinking appropriate to the LPN’s scope of practice. As the student progresses, more complex patient situations will be presented, and they will begin to function in a role more independent of the instructor.
Transition to Practice PRC 1260 60 hours
Transition to Practice course is designed to provide concepts to be discussed in relation to the transition from student to Licensed Practical Nurse. Beginning organization and management skills are included. The student will participate in job readiness skills.
Clinical IV - Transition to Practice PRC 1380 96 hours
Clinical IV-Transition to Practice skills are enhanced as the student functions in the role of team leader. The course will prepare the student to independently assume the role of the LPN in professional practice; a preceptor rotation assists in the completion of this transition.