Course Descriptions
N100 Professional Nursing Communication 3 units
(2.5 units theory/0.5 units lab/clinical)
Professional Nursing Communication and Nursing 100, takes the student through a variety of essential components for developing professional communication skills. The learning process is the first element introduced, and assists the student to identify their learning style and needs as well as the styles of others. This will prepare them to attend to their own learning, and to function in their role as a teacher for health care consumers. The student will also explore concepts of communication in situations of learning, with faculty, peers, clients, and other health care providers.
Professional role relationships are explored, with emphasis on the critical role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary treatment team approach to providing care.
Practical components of professional health care communication are opportunities to learn and apply medical terminology, and the essential ability to read and interpret patient information within the health care system.
The components, skills, and influencing factors of therapeutic communication in professional practice are learned, and how these become important aspects of the nursing process.
Critical thinking skills are enhanced through integration of therapeutic communication with patient education, and assisting patients through the problem solving process.
N101 Introduction to Professional Nursing 3 units
(2.5 units theory/0.5 units lab/clinical)
Introduction to Professional Nursing, Nursing 101, introduces students to the foundational components of professional nursing practice. Essential to this development is an understanding of the environment of health care today, which is covered through discussion of health care structure and organization, as well as the specific organization of nursing practice within that environment.
Discussion of professional nursing practice incorporates history, professional standards and organizations, scope and settings of practice, and educational requirements. Included in this discussion are the responsibilities, accountability, and legal standards established to provide safe practice to the care of health care consumers.
An essential foundation for nursing practice is the ability to apply critical thinking skills to the central curriculum focus of the nursing process as a concept of organizing and providing patient care. These two elements are given particular emphasis in order to provide students with a strong basis of providing competent patient care with the outcome of becoming a beginning practitioner.
The remaining section of the course introduces students to concepts of health, illness, prevention, and acquiring assessment skills as the first essential step of the process.
N102 Introduction to Common Nursing Practice Strategies 7 units
(4.5 units theory/2.5 units lab/clinical)
This course focuses on using critical thinking as a foundation for the nursing process. Through the establishment of a therapeutic nurse-client relationship, the student becomes proficient in nursing assessment and physical examination of the individual. Utilizing critical thinking skills, the student analyzes data and implements professional nursing practice strategies to develop a plan of care based on individual patient needs and priorities. Evaluation activities encompass desired patient outcomes, as well as student self-evaluation of progress in the course. Included is nursing process in the perioperative period.
N103 Introduction to Pharmacological Concepts 3 units
(2.75 units theory/.25 units lab-clinical)
This course is designed to provide students with a foundation of pharmacological concepts important to the safe administration of drug therapy as a part of patient care. This course emphasizes the mechanism of drug action, the subsequent effects of pharmacotherapy on the body, the nurse’s responsibility for safe administration of drugs, and observations of the effects on the client. Drug administration is taught as an application of the nursing process in order to emphasize the degree of critical thinking and professional nurse accountability associated with drug therapy. In addition, major classifications of drugs are addressed. A series of competency-based skill labs are designed to enable students to master essential aspects of medications. *
* The following N200's level courses can be taken in any order.
N201 Nursing Practice Strategies with Adults I 7 units
(3.5 units theory/ 3.5 units clinical)
This course focuses on nursing care of the adult client experiencing acute and chronic health alterations in acute care settings. Utilizing the nursing process as a unifying framework, students establish relationships with clients purposefully focused to making health care choices. In collaboration with other health care disciplines, the student shares accountability for activities directed at attainment of negotiated goals. This course emphasizes the nursing care of clients experiencing health alterations of: cardiovascular, respiratory, reticuloendothelial, hepatic, and immune disorders.
N202 Nursing Practice Strategies with Adults II 7 units
(3.5 units theory/ 3.5 units clinical)
This course focuses on nursing care of the adult client experiencing acute and chronic health alterations in acute care settings. Utilizing the nursing process as a unifying framework, students establish relationships with clients purposefully focused to making health care choices. In collaboration with other health care disciplines, the student shares accountability for activities directed at attainment of negotiated goals. This course emphasizes the nursing care of clients experiencing health alterations of: nervous/sensory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, endocrine/metabolic, and reproductive systems.
N203 Nursing Practice Strategies with Older Adults 7 units
(3.5 units theory/3.5 units clinical)
This course focuses on the nursing care of the older adult with an emphasis on a holistic approach to promoting wellness. The nursing process is directed toward maximizing the quality of life of the older adult in a variety of settings. Students are guided to greater levels of understanding of their attitudes and perceptions of the dimensions of aging.
*The following N300's level courses can be taken in any order.
N300 Maternal Child Nursing 8 units
(4.5 units theory/3.5 units clinical)
This course encompasses nursing care and the growth and development of children and families. Emphasis is placed on the promotion of health in nursing care. Focus is on the needs of the young families in various life stages, perinatal through adolescence. The impact of acute and chronic diseases is explored from a holistic perspective utilizing a family centered approach. Students provide collaborative nursing care in both community and acute care settings. Additionally students will explore culturally appropriate nursing strategies to influence health.
N303 Mental Health Nursing 8 units
(4.5 units theory/3.5 units clinical)
This course focuses on analyzing the relationship between the nurse and the psychiatric patient, as well as disorders identified by the American Psychiatric Association, by examining communication techniques, integrating developmental theories, and identifying behavioral patterns. The nursing process is used to interpret feelings, cultivate individual strength, co-create coping abilities, and instill faith and hope. The impact of the psychiatric illness on the family is explored from a holistic perspective. Through the art and science of nursing, the student and the patient gain a higher degree of harmony and health potential. The clinical practicum is offered in an acute psychiatric facility and in community settings.
N304 Complex Health Nursing 8 units
(4.5 units theory/3.5 units clinical)
The Complex Health Nursing course focuses on nursing care of seriously ill clients and families in the acute/critical care settings. Evolving from observer to participant, students implement the nursing process with an emphasis on assessment techniques, priority setting, and collaboration with other health care providers and families. The autonomous scope of nursing practice in both settings is compared and contrasted.
N400 Professional Role Transition 7 units
(2 units theory/5 units clinical)
This final course in the program facilitates a transition into the professional nursing role. Through precepted clinical experiences, students are paired with RN preceptors gradually increasing responsibility, and accountability for nursing care for groups of patients. Nursing conceptual frameworks supportive of new graduates’ transition to the workforce will be examined. Theory related to patient care management, nursing leadership principles, and care delivery to groups of patients will be presented. Collaboration and professional communication will be emphasized.
N401 Preparing for Professional Practice 2 units
This course prepares the student to take the NCLEX exam through a variety individual and group strategies.
Anatomy and Physiology I and II 4 credits each
Study of the structure and function of human cells, tissue, organs, and systems. Clinical applications of anatomy and physiology will also be considered. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week for two terms
General Microbiology 4 credits
The study of fundamental characteristics of bacteria and related microorganisms, including taxonomy, physiology, and distribution. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period weekly.
Nutrition 3 credits
An introduction to the science of nutrition. Consideration is given to nutrients, their composition, functions, and sources. Human physiology, including digestion, metabolism, and excretion is covered, along with special nutritional needs throughout the life cycle. Integrated with this basic information are special topics pertaining to diets, organic foods, preservatives, pesticides, world hunger, and other current concerns.
Introduction to Logic 3 credits
An introduction to critical thinking, induction, deduction, and contemporary symbolic logic including argument symbolization, proof construction, and truth tables.
Human Growth & Development 3 credits
Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development is studied throughout the life span. Major theories of development are discussed. Applications and examples are presented from applied contexts. Special needs of individuals at various stages throughout the life span are addressed.
Diversity in Health and Illness 3 credits
This course will examine the impact of culture on health care services and delivery in the United States. The influence of cultural difference on patient/provider interactions will be considered within the cultural competency model. The context of health and illness for groups including African-American, Asian-Americans, and Latin-Americans will be included.
Repeat Nursing Courses
Repeating a course is defined as full participation in all class and clinical activities as outlined in the class/clinical attendance policies. Course specific evaluative methods (exams, papers, clinical evaluations, nursing care plans, etc.) will be required. A grade and credits are awarded and a transcript will be generated. Payment of full tuition and related fees is required.
A repeat course grade is the prevailing grade for the progression decisions.
Definition of Failure
A student is considered failed when any one of the following conditions has been met:
- less than a “C” in an affiliate college course
- less than a 76 percent in a nursing course
- “fail” rating in clinical
- WF (Withdraw Failure) grade
- termination for violation of the “Student Performance and Behavior Expectations Policy”.
- termination for violation of the “Drug and Alcohol Policy”