Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Practical nursing education is a dynamic and interactive process that is successful when the curriculum progresses from simple to complex concepts.

2022 - 2023 Curriculum

Modules

Hours

Course

I - 16 weeks

 
 
 

416

Total curriculum hours: Academic/Lab: 326; Clinical 90

II - 17 weeks

 
 
 

497

Curriculum total: 177 Academic; 320 Clinical

III - 7 weeks

 
 
 

60

Concepts in Practical Nursing: NUR-301

  • Family Centered Care
  • Nursing Leadership and Management
  • Personal and Professional Adjustments III
 

190

Module totals: Academic 60; Clinical 190

Program: 40 weeks

 

1103

Total: 1147

Curriculum totals: Academic: 563; Clinical 540

Other required Student Support activities: 44

2022-2023 Course Descriptions:

Module I - 16 weeks

SCI 101-001 Nursing Science 65 Hours

This course provides an introduction to the normal structure and basic function of the body systems in health as a basis for understanding the pathophysiology of illness and prescribed therapy for medical-surgical conditions, disease processes, and common nursing care interventions. Principles of microbiology are also included.

NUR 101-001 Fundamentals of Nursing 166 hours

This course is designed to provide a foundation for all succeeding nursing courses. The focus is on identifying universal self-care needs and the nurse’s role in assisting the client to meet these needs during health as well as illness. Emphasis is placed on the unique needs of the individual older adult and on adaptation of nursing care to meet these needs. Discussion of normal is emphasized as a means of comprehending the abnormal. Skills and concepts are reinforced in the Fundamentals Lab. The nursing process is introduced as a foundation for clinical practice. This course is offered concurrently with Clinical #1.

SC 102-001 Introduction to Nutrition 15 Hours

This course provides an introduction to the principles of basic nutritional needs of the body in health  and illness, and the relationship of food to good health. It provides a study of the nutrients, sources and functions; basic food requirements, considerations across the lifespan; and, methods of food preparation.. Emphasis is placed on application of basic principles to diet therapy.

NUR 102-001 Introduction to Pharmacology 40 Hours

The pharmacology course is designed to prepare the student practical nurse to safely and accurately carry out the responsibilities of medication administration and to provide information relative to drug classification, action, effects, and appropriate nursing interventions. Content includes a review of basic mathematical skills, an introduction to the systems of measurements, common abbreviations, and the formulae for solving dosage problems.

NUR 103-001 Personal-Professional Adjustments I 20 Hours

This course is the first of three courses designed to help the learner adjust to the role of student practical nurse, and the professional responsibilities of a licensed nurse. Content in the first course focuses on: test taking and studying techniques; professional communication, and the development of critical thinking and clinical judgment skills. The role of the practical nurse in various health care settings is explored, and the student is introduced to evidence-based practice and nursing research.

PSY 102-001 Growth and Development I 20 Hours

This is the first of two courses designed to introduce the student to the human life cycle. This course focuses on the nature of human growth and development from the beginning of life through the school aged child. The course explores factors impacting quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors in the age groups discussed.

NUR 104-001 Clinical Practice I 90 hours

This clinical practicum is designed to give the student supervised practical experience in providing safe, basic client care in stable healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on assisting the student to apply knowledge from concurrent courses in science, fundamentals of nursing, and nutrition. Successful completion of Clinical #1 requires successful completion of the Fundamentals of Nursing course.

 Module II - 17 weeks

NUR 201-001 Medical-Surgical Nursing I 83 Hours

This is the first of two courses designed to assist the student to develop an understanding of basic medical and surgical health deviations, therapeutic management, and nursing interventions that facilitate the client's ability to meet self-care needs. Emphasis is placed on the use of the nursing process to plan and implement care across the lifespan.

NUR 203-001 Personal & Professional Adjustments II 12 Hours

This is the second course designed to help the student adjust to the role of the student practical nurse and to prepare the student to assume the role of a licensed practical nurse. Emphasis is placed on professional issues of practice. Content focuses on legal and ethical aspects of practice, standards of care and professional responsibilities.

NUR 202-001 Medical-Surgical Nursing II 62 Hours

The is the second of two courses designed to assist the student develop an understanding of basic medical and surgical health deviations, therapeutic management, and nursing interventions that facilitate the client's ability to meet self-care needs. Emphasis is placed on the use of the nursing process to plan and implement care across the lifespan.

PSY 202-001 Growth and Development II 20 Hours

This is the second of two courses designed to introduce the student to the human life cycle. The focus of the content is on the nature of human growth and development from adolescence through old age. This includes the concepts of loss and grief. The emphasis is on normal physical and psychosocial developmental stages. Various developmental theories are applied to each of these maturation phases.

NUR 204-001 Clinical practice II 180 hours

This clinical practicum runs concurrently with Medical Surgical Nursing I & II, and is designed to assist the student to apply knowledge from nursing and science courses to the care of clients across the lifespan. Experiences occur in a variety of healthcare settings and assist students in meeting the established learning outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the development of clinical judgment in assessment, planning, and provision of nursing care. Successful completion of Clinical # 2 requires successful completion of Med Surg I and II.

Module III - 7 weeks

NUR 301-001 Concepts in Practical Nursing 60 hours

This is the final nursing course and culminates in a comprehensive understanding of the role of the practical nurse for the student. It focuses on family centered care by providing the theoretical knowledge to care for the pre- and postpartum family. Concepts of leadership and management are discussed to assist the novice nurse to integrate previously learned knowledge, attitudes and skills in the management of client care. Leadership processes and related skills are introduced to allow the nurse to effectively guide care and achieve client outcomes. This course also prepares the student to assume the role of a licensed practical nurse. Emphasis is placed on transition from student to graduate and preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Content focuses on role responsibilities, management of patient care issues and job search techniques. The concurrent clinical course provides opportunities to apply theory in the clinical settings.

NUR 304-001 Clinical practice III 130 hours

This is the third and final clinical practicum. Students have the opportunity to practice in a variety of clinical settings that allow them to synthesize learning from all academic and clinical courses to achieve all clinical objectives and end of program student learning outcomes. Emphasis is on the care of the postpartum family, medication administration, and charge nurse responsibilities. Successful completion of Clinical # 3 requires successful completion of the Concepts in Practical Nursing course.