Practical Nursing Fundamentals

Catalog description

This course introduces the student to the role, responsibilities and scope of practice for the practical nurse. It explores the foundations of practical nursing based on the program's conceptual framework of person, health, environment and nursing. The nature of a professional relationship with its boundaries between nurse and client is also explored. Cultural, developmental, spiritual and end of life aspects of care, legal and ethical issues, and concepts of communication including documentation will be introduced within the framework of the nursing process. The principles of critical thinking are introduced. Nutritional concepts will be discussed as they relate to wellness. Basic nursing skills including vital signs, pain concepts and evaluation, and data collection to contribute to the client assessment will be reviewed and practiced in the laboratory. Review of basic skills such as safety using restraints, and body mechanics, are reviewed as well as infection control practices. Math review is included in the course as independent study.