Nursing

In this course, the student examines the concepts which form the health-illness framework of the nursing program. Professional standards are introduced. The nursing process is utilized as the basis for all nursing practice throughout the life cycle. Emphasis is placed upon acquiring a body of knowledge that will permit individualization of nursing care, based on evidence-based practice and scientific rationales from the biological and behavioral sciences, and the liberal arts. The major focus will be care of clients with alterations in mobility, skin integrity, and alterations in cellular functioning. Laboratory practice provides the opportunity to develop beginning skills in both technical and interpersonal aspects of nursing. This course includes fundamental concepts upon which subsequent courses will build.

NU 202 will prepare the second-year student to care for clients with complex psychosocial and medical-surgical needs. The nursing process will be applied to clients throughout the life span who are experiencing alteration in the following systems: metabolic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, sensory, neurological, and burns. New pediatric content is presented. In addition, pediatric disorders that the student was introduced to earlier in the program, are now discussed in more depth. There is a great deal of emphasis on clinical application of classroom theory and critical thinking. This is done through case studies, clinical vignettes, and discussion of situations encountered in the clinical setting. Clinical experiences will provide the student opportunity to increase their proficiency in caring for clients with complex health needs. Students will explore the professional and personal adjustments required for transition to the graduate nurse role. Students are expected to independently review theory from NU 101, NU 102, and NU 201 throughout this course.

This foundational nursing course introduces students to the history of the nursing profession and examines the current issues facing the practice of nursing and healthcare. Concepts discussed include but are not limited to the nursing process, safety, the role of the licensed practical nurse, evidence-based practice, communication skills and ethical and legal responsibilities of the nurse. During the course students are introduced to the importance of the application of critical thinking and clinical judgement skills for safe patient care. The course is complemented by a structured supervised laboratory setting where students apply concepts learned in theory and demonstrate the psychomotor skills needed to care for patients in the clinical setting. Clinical experiences will be completed in either long- term or sub-acute health care settings.  

This course is the second in a two-course series using a systems approach as it relates to various medical surgical disease processes. Specific body systems and the disease processes associated  will be covered in the areas of etiology, diagnosis, signs, and symptoms, treatment, and nursing considerations. Emphasis will be on prioritization, decision making, time management and critical thinking appropriate to the LPN’s scope of practice. The role transition from student to entry level licensed practical nurse as an integral member of the healthcare team is also included. Concepts related to scope of practice, legal issues, licensure, leadership and management principles, employment, and career development are explored. Skills needed for entry into the workforce such as resume writing and interviewing skills are reviewed to prepare students for their graduate role. Students will have the ability to apply theoretical concepts of the course to implement safe patient care throughout the clinical portion of the course.