Practical Nurse Bridge Course

Catalog description

Designed to bridge previously gained healthcare knowledge, skills, and abilities of the military Veteran student and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) seeking to refresh knowledge in the role of the practical nurse. Course includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences for practical nursing including concepts and theories related to care of geriatric, adult, pediatric, and childbearing clients. Areas of didactic and clinical focus include: role of the practical nurse collaborating with other members of the healthcare team; concepts of health promotion and disease/illness prevention; therapeutic communication techniques; nutritional concepts; medication administration to include pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications, nursing considerations in medication administration, and dosage calculation; documentation and concepts related to information technology. Emphasis in clinical practicum is on nursing care of pediatric and child-bearing families, and older adult residents of long term care facilities with selected alterations in health; concepts of delegation, prioritization and management of care for the practical nurse is integrated.