ReGistered Nursing

This course is designed to assist the student in the transition from licensed practical nurse to registered nurse. Students will be  introduced to the history of nursing, the standards, and the State Nurse Practice Act. The student integrates the nursing process into this  expanded role. The concepts of critical thinking, nursing process, therapeutic interventions, communication, teaching-learning,  accountability and leadership are examined within the roles and responsibilities of the registered nurse. Laboratory and clinical experiences provide the student with opportunities to review and demonstrate competence in previously  learned skills, as well as to expand assessment, IV therapy and other skills to assist clients to reach optimum self-care. The importance  of recognition of cultural differences and nutrition is stressed throughout the course as well as the student’s philosophy of nursing. An  overview of fluids and electrolytes is included as a component of the IV therapy skills acquisition. 

Through the use of the nursing process, students utilize a model of psycho-dynamics in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of mental health. Therapeutic communication is included with appropriate clinical experiences.

Nursing of Adults I combines theory and clinical to prepare the student to apply physiological, biological and sociological principles in  conjunction with the nursing process to meet selected adult client needs. Topics for study are patient and family teaching, pain care,  visual and auditory problems, integumentary problems, problems with oxygenation, hematologic problems and cardiovascular  problems. Pharmacology and nutrition involving these patient problems are addressed. Nursing care of individuals with these problems  is the focus of this course. 

Nursing of Adults II combines theory and clinical to prepare the student to apply physiological, biological and sociological principles in  conjunction with the nursing process to meet selected adult client needs. Pharmacology and nutrition concerning the following patient  problems are interwoven throughout the course. Topics for study are reproductive problems,sexually transmitted diseases, problems  with the urinary system, endocrine problems, reproductive problems, breast disorders, sexually transmitted diseases,genetics, altered  immune responses, and transplantation. Nursing care of individuals with these problems is the focus of this course. 

Nursing of Adults III combines the theory and clinical to prepare the student to apply physiological, biological and sociological principles  in conjunction with the nursing process to meet selected adult client needs. Pharmacology and nutrition concerning the following  patient problems are interwoven throughout the course. Topics for study are cardiovascular system problems, hematologic problems,  critical care nursing, complementary and alternative therapies, nursing management of shock, systemic inflammatory response  syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and emergency and disaster  nursing. Management of the nursing care of individuals with these problems is the focus of this course. 

Nursing takes place in a variety of settings and the RN must realize that the surroundings of the patient may not be brick and mortar.  One of those settings may be the community. The community at large could be the nurse’s patient, or it could be the environment of the  patient. This course focuses on practice areas within the community caring for individuals, families and groups. Topics for study include  the history of public and community health nursing, health promotion and disease prevention, ethical issues, cultural influences,  environmental health, government and economic influences, epidemiology, community assessment and evaluation, case management, disaster management, outbreak investigation, family nursing, vulnerable populations, faith community nursing, hospice nursing, school  nursing and occupational nursing. This course focuses on the skills needed to successfully lead and manage people. Topics for study are the leadership/management role,  legal and ethical issues, making decisions, solving problems, organizational structures, costs and budgeting, staffing and scheduling,  hiring, developing and evaluating staff, planning and goal setting, leading change, building teams, managing quality and risk, managing  conflict and delegation.  

Concentrating on women of childbearing age, pregnant women and infants, this course provides an introduction to the health needs of  women and children and to the delivery of services designed to meet these needs. The course aims to provide students with a  comprehensive knowledge base of programs addressing the health and welfare of women and children and establishes the foundation  for maternal and child health practice. Critical areas in maternal and infant health are examined from several perspectives. Students  learn the biological, social, political and economic context within which maternal and infant health problems arise. The student will  develop specific cognitive and psychomotor competencies which will be demonstrated in an effective performance in the clinical area.  Pharmacology used throughout the pregnancy, delivery and post-partum for both mother and baby is addressed. Nutrition for mother  and baby is also reviewed. 

The purpose of this theoretical and clinical course is to explore childhood diseases and childcare from infancy through adolescence. The  focus is on the care of the well and ill child utilizing the nursing process. The effects of acute and chronic illness on growth and  development are studied in the acute and community care setting. Education of the child and family on health promotion, disease  prevention, and safety issues are addressed. Ethical issues are discussed regarding the relationship to the child and family, including  issues such as child abuse, informed consent, and the impact of diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs on health care decisions in the  family. Pharmacology and nutrition, both for the well child and the ill child, are addressed. Critical thinking and problem solving,  communication, cultural diversity, growth and development, assessment, and legal and ethical concerns are six themes interwoven  throughout course content and incorporated by the nursing process. 

Critical thinking and problem- solving models are presented and contrasted in the relationship to the Nursing Process. This course  provides the student with a comprehensive outline review of the essential content areas tested on the NCLEX-RN exam, including :  critical areas such as management, delegation, leadership, decision-making, pharmacology, and emergency care. This course  incorporates the concepts related to health problems commonly encountered in medical- surgical, obstetrical, and pediatric nursing. It  has a strong focus on important concepts related to working with healthy individuals, such as growth and development, life-style  management, nutrition, and health screenings. The four categories of client needs are appraised, along with the Integrated Processes  involving; nursing process, caring, communication and documentation, and teaching and learning.  RN Program Exit Exam -The Program Exit Exam is a component of Course RN900 Critical thinking & NCLEX PREP. In order pass RN900,  the student must obtain a score of 900 or higher on the Exit Exam. Students will be allowed to take the Exit Exam for a second and third  time at their own expense of $200.00,if they do not obtain a score of 900 or higher on their first attempt. If the student does not successfully pass the RN Program Exit Exam, by the third attempt, the student will fail the course.