Anatomy & Physiology — 138 Classroom Hours
The Anatomy and Physiology course is designed to improve student’s ability to identify and describe human body structures and to further define their understanding of the major organ systems of the human body and their role in maintaining homeostasis.

Fundamentals of Nursing — 138 Classroom Hours

Fundamentals of Nursing Care is a course which provides the student with basic nursing skills and knowledge, combined with information necessary to understand the history of nursing, the role of the Licensed Practical Nurse, and general trends and health concepts.

The emphasis is on the role of the LPN in meeting the needs of the hospitalized and long term care patient and establishing an effective therapeutic relationship. Fundamentals of Nursing focus is on theory in a classroom setting, and skills in a laboratory setting. This will prepare the student for practice in their clinical experience rotations. Anatomy and Physiology is taught concurrently with Fundamentals to ensure that the student will be able to apply physical science concepts that relate to a holistic approach to health care provision.

Concepts include: nursing history, nursing process, data collection, asepsis, therapeutic communication, vital signs, hygiene, body mechanics, wound care, sterile technique, pain, personal and environmental health, safety, infection control, emergency care, and basic nursing skills for each body system.

Geriatrics — 30 Clinical Hours

This Geriatrics course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to recognize and approach common problems in older adults in inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in the nursing home. This course begins with an overview of the aging population and age-related disorders and is integrated into fundamentals of nursing and social sciences. The adjustment of the older adult to degenerative changes, nursing home placement, and alternatives to placement in long term care facilities are discussed. Concepts relevant to pathophysiology, psychosocial development, and ethical/legal responsibilities are emphasized. The student practical nurse is taught to use the nursing process to respond to biological, psychological, and sociological needs of the healthy older adult. This course is intended to help nursing students understand the critical issues of aging, and the importance of team-based health care for geriatric patients in long term care facilities.

Nutrition — 30 Classroom Hours

Nutrition provides students with the basic knowledge and understanding of food composition and utilization in the body. Students will learn to interpret diet orders and daily nutrient requirements for optimal patient health with regard to the patient’s nutrient needs.

Pharmacology Math — 60 Classroom Hours

Pharmacology Math provides students with the knowledge and skills to calculate, prepare, and safely administer medications to clients via multiple routes. Safe administration of medication includes the knowledge of general principles of pharmacology, ability to use a Drug/Medication Guide, as well as knowledge and application of the Rights of Medication Administration.

Students will be given three attempts to pass their Pharmacology Math written exam with a score of 100%. If unable to do so, the student will be deemed unsuccessful in this course and the program.

A Medication Administration Competency exam will be given at the end of this course. Students will be given 3 attempts to successfully demonstrate administration of injection and oral medications in the specified time frame without error. If unable to do so, the student will be deemed unsuccessful in this course and the program.

Maternity — 30 Classroom Hours

Maternal Nursing is designed to familiarize the student with the holistic approach to care for the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum client and the neonate. The focus of this course includes the processes of conception, fetal development, labor and delivery, care during the postpartum period, and newborn care. Further emphasis is placed on assessment and nursing care for abnormal maternal and infant condition. Related pharmacology is also presented.

Mental Health — 30 Classroom Hours

The Mental Health Nursing course is designed to develop a working knowledge of mental health theories, personality development, coping and communication styles, psychiatric diagnoses and nursing actions.

Pediatrics — 30 Classroom Hours

Pediatric Nursing is designed to familiarize the student with the holistic approach to care for the pediatric client. This course focuses on the care of children from birth through adolescence. The effects of acute and chronic illness on growth and development are studied. Education of the client and family on health promotion, disease prevention, and safety issues are addressed. Ethical issues are discussed regarding the relationship to health care decisions in the family.

Growth & Development — 30 Classroom Hours

Growth and Development is designed to familiarize the student with the holistic approach to care for the client throughout all stages of the life cycle. This course focuses on the family unit as well as appropriate care throughout all stages of development infancy to through older adult and death. The effects of acute and chronic illness on growth and development are studied. Education of the client and family on health promotion, disease prevention, and safety issues are addressed.

Medical Surgical Nursing/Pharmacology — 195 Classroom Hours

Medical Surgical Nursing examines the healthcare processes of patients experiencing altered physiological and psychological states. This class consists of nursing theory lectures, implementation of nursing concepts in a clinical setting.

• Clinical practice is an integral component of this course, so that students may apply what they learn in class. Clinical experiences build on concepts of patient care learned in the previous semester.

• Successful completion of Human Anatomy and Physiology, as well as

  Fundamentals of Nursing, Geriatrics, Nutrition, Pharm Math, Maternity,

  Pediatric Nursing, Mental Health, and Growth and Development are

  required prior to taking this course, as these are the foundations on which

  application of advanced nursing is based.

This course provides students with the knowledge to discuss the uses, general drug actions, contraindications, precautions, interactions, and adverse reactions associated with the administration of specific medications. Students will learn to identify pre-administration and ongoing assessment activities the nurse should perform on the patient taking a medication. Students will identify ways to promote an optimal response to therapy, how to manage common adverse reactions, and important points to keep in mind when educating patients about the use of specific drugs.

Transition to Practice is a course that seeks to prepare the student nurse for successful entry and longevity in the health care field. This time is used to study and prepare for the upcoming NCLEX-PN.