Practical Nursing (PN) Courses

• •  

  • Code

  • Course

  • Credits

• • PNU 145

  • Fundamentals of Nursing I

  • 5
  This course focuses on the fundamental concepts necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care for a diverse patient population with well-defined healthcare concerns, with an introduction to the legal and ethical responsibilities of the Practical Nurse. The course presents critical thinking as applied to nursing: including the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients, families, other support persons, and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, information technology and, basic math calculations for medications are also introduced. Selected nursing skills are taught in the laboratory with opportunities to apply fundamental concepts to basic nursing skills and clinical practice.
  
  • Co-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU 101 Growth & Development
  • PNU 131- Nutrition
  • PNU 141 Microbiology
  • PNU 111 Human Behavior
  • Co-requisites with a required grade of “C” (73%) or better:
  • HSC 149 Applied A&P for Healthcare Professionals
  • MAT 103 College Algebra
• • PNU 146

  • Fundamentals of Nursing II

  • 5
  This course builds upon the concepts, knowledge, and skills introduced in PNU 145 (Fundamentals I). The focus is on the fundamental concepts necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care for a diverse patient population with well-defined health care concerns, focusing on the aging adult patient. This course continues to identify the role of the practical nurse in applying basic nursing principles and critical thinking/ clinical reasoning both in the classroom and clinical settings. Program concepts such as evidenced-based care, teamwork and collaboration, and informatics and technology are also discussed. Emphasis will be placed on nursing responsibilities in the preparation and safe administration of medications as well as on documentation. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in a variety of clinical settings.
  
  Pre-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU-145
  Co-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU 101 Growth & Development
  • PNU 131- Nutrition
  • PNU 141 Microbiology
  • PNU 111 Human Behavior
  Co-requisites with a required grade of “C” (73%) or better:
  • HSC 149 Applied A&P for Healthcare Professionals
  • MAT 103 College Algebra
• • PNU 153

  • Concepts of Adult Health Nursing I

  • 8
  This course incorporates and expands on the concepts introduced in PNU-145 & PNU-146 and provides for the knowledge and application of basic nursing theory, communication, collaboration, and clinical reasoning necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care for diverse adult patients experiencing various medical/surgical and mental health issues. Pharmacology is integrated throughout the concepts with emphasis on safe administration of medication. The course incorporates the legal and ethical responsibilities of the Practical Nurse in the care of adult patients with common health problems. Concepts of leadership and management are introduced. Select advanced nursing skills are taught in the laboratory with the application of knowledge and skills in a variety of clinical settings.
  
  Pre-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU-145
  • PNU-146
• • PNU 154

  • Concepts of Adult Health Nursing II

  • 8
  This course is a continuation of Concepts of Adult Health Nursing I, and provides broader knowledge and application of basic nursing theory, communication, collaboration, and the clinical reasoning/ judgment necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care for diverse adult patients experiencing various medical/surgical issues. Pharmacology is integrated throughout the concepts. The course incorporates legal and ethical responsibilities of the Practical Nurse in the care of diverse adult patients with common health problems. Concepts of leadership and management are expanded upon, with a focus on team leading. Application of knowledge and skills are evaluated on a higher level, including the ability to care for a multiple (2) patient assignment. Synthesis of clinical reasoning and practical skills occurs in a variety of clinical settings with continued emphasis on safe administration of medication. Course content also includes health promotion strategies.
  
  Pre-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU-145
  • PNU-146
  • PNU-153
• • PNU 157

  • Practical Nursing across the Continuum

  • 7
  This course incorporates and builds on previously-learned concepts for the knowledge and application of basic nursing theory, communication, collaboration, and clinical judgment necessary for safe patient-centered nursing care to diverse families, across the life span (with a focus on childbearing families, children and elder care). The course also applies mental health nursing to the care of the family and introduces concepts of community nursing. Also included are legal and ethical responsibilities of the Practical Nurse in the care of patients across the lifespan. The student will learn to effectively apply strategies in preparation for entry level practice, including a review for the NCLEX-PN® as well as current trends in nursing. Synthesis of clinical judgement and practical skills will occur in a variety of clinical settings.
  
  Pre-requisites with a required grade of “C+” (77%) or better:
  • PNU-145
  • PNU-146
  • PNU-153
  • PNU-154