About the SCTC Practical Nursing Program:
- 52-week program
- Consists of four levels
- Must pass each level with a 75% before you can go to the next level.
- Classes are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Clinical days are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Must be 18 years of age to enter the program.
- You will get directions sent to you about registering with ATI before you come to take the TEAS exam after your application has been received at the LPN office.
- TEAS exam consists of math, reading, English and science.
- We have a standard uniform that you will be required to wear at clinical. On class days you may wear scrubs. You will be fitted with your uniform after you have been accepted. Shoes are standard tennis shoes or nurses’ shoes. No crocks or open toed shoes.
Courses
Level I courses provide students with the beginning knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe nursing care, an understanding of body structure and function, basic nutrition and mathematics necessary for the safe administration of medications.
Fundamentals of Nursing: This course introduces the student to the discipline of nursing and traces the history of practical nursing. Ethical-legal aspects are discussed. Basic principles of infection control, which are necessary to provide safe nursing care, are explained. Basic skills of communication with patients, family and members of the healthcare team and planning nursing care are emphasized. Students are introduced to basic data collection and fundamental nursing skills. Emphasis is placed on basic comfort measures to provide quality, compassionate patient care. Roles of the members of the healthcare team will be discussed. A skill lab will provide the students an opportunity to learn, and practice needed nursing skills. The clinical practicum is designed to introduce the student to the hospital setting, to develop effective communication techniques and to begin to understand the process of delivering safe, compassionate nursing care.
Body and Function: This course stresses a systematic review of normal anatomy and physiology of the human body. Normal body function is discussed along with what the body does to maintain homeostasis. Introduction to the basic sciences of chemistry and microbiology relative to nursing will be reviewed. A review of each body system will discuss the anatomical parts, microscopic structure, processes, and functions.
Nutrition: This course introduces the student to nutrition throughout the life cycle. The connection between nutrition and health will be stressed. The course addresses the basic principles of nutritional sciences. The nursing process will be utilized to determine nutritional health and needs to assist the development of plans of care relative to nutrition. Clinical nutrition relative to specific diseases/conditions will be discussed.
Math for Meds This course will review basic math skills. Introduction of mathematical principles of medication administration will be covered. Course content will also include preparation and administration methods, documentation procedures and types of medication. Safety and infection control standards will be emphasized. Opportunities are provided in the classroom/laboratory and clinical areas to develop competency in the administration of medications.
Level II courses provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to identify and meet basic health care needs of the developing family. Students are introduced to beginning medical-surgical nursing as conditions of the male and female reproductive systems are introduced. Students learn major drug classifications and related pharmacological information.
Maternal Child: This course focuses on the needs of the individual from conception through the developing family. A comprehensive opportunity of family-centered care, wellness, health promotion, illness prevention, and women's health issues are presented. Male and female reproductive changes are incorporated in this section. Reproductive system assessment and illnesses are also reviewed. Selected pregnancy and newborn complications are discussed to include medication and therapeutic interventions. Clinical practicum is designed to provide the student with opportunities to observe various aspects of care while meeting the needs of women during the prenatal period. Emphasis will be placed on normal growth and development from infancy through adolescence. Theories of development will address psychosocial, cognitive, and moral issues. Special emphasis will be placed on safety and comfort. The nursing process will be utilized to determine pediatric health and to assist with the development of plans of care. Selected pediatric diseases are discussed to include medication and therapeutic interventions. Opportunities are provided in classroom, lab, and clinical areas to develop competency in the performance of nursing skills.
Pharmacology: This course builds on the theory presented in the Fundamentals of Nursing course. Students continue to utilize basic skills as a foundation to understanding and meeting the needs of the patient. Emphasis is placed on nursing measures necessary to provide quality, compassionate and safe patient care. Students will identify the relationships among the nursing process, critical thinking, the problem-solving process and the decision –making process. This course is designed to present an overview of the role of the nurse administering drug therapy. Hospital policies along with federal and state laws for administering medications will be presented. The students will develop a theoretical knowledge base of major drug classifications and pharmacological principles of pharmacokinetics, drug action and side effects.
Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing: This course builds on the theory presented in the Fundamentals of Nursing course. Students continue to utilize basic skills as a foundation to understanding and meeting the needs of the patient. Emphasis is placed on nursing measures necessary to provide quality, compassionate and safe patient care. Students will identify the relationships among the nursing process, critical thinking, the problem-solving process and the decision –making process. This course is designed to present an overview of the role of the nurse administering drug therapy. Hospital policies along with federal and state laws for administering medications will be presented. The students will develop a theoretical knowledge base of major drug classifications and pharmacological principles of pharmacokinetics, drug action and side effects.
Level III courses build on Medical-Surgical Nursing I content as students gain knowledge and skills necessary to care for patients with conditions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, integumentary, sensory, neural and neurologic systems. IV Certification Course is offered at this level.
Medical Surgical Nursing I: This course builds on the theory presented in the Fundamentals of Nursing course. Students continue to utilize basic skills as a foundation to understanding and meeting the needs of the patient. Emphasis is placed on comfort measures necessary to provide quality, compassionate patient care and safe medication administration. An emphasis on geriatric consideration is placed on disease process and nursing care. Common diagnostic procedures, medications and therapeutic measures related to acute and chronic illness will be included. The clinical experience provides the student the opportunity to develop care planning skills, linking nursing theory to practice. Medication administration is stressed on the clinical unit. Introduction to IV therapy within the scope of practice will be discussed.
Personal and Vocational Relationships: This course will prepare the student for transition from student to graduate. A review of the Evolution of Nursing and Ethical and Legal Issues of the times will be identified as well as cultural aspects of care will be presented. Skills needed for resume writing, job interviewing, and career opportunities will be discussed.
Level IV courses build on Medical Surgical Nursing I content as students have an opportunity to explore more advanced concepts of medical-surgical nursing and to care for patients with conditions of the gastrointestinal, musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine and renal systems, and to learn basic leadership principles. Clinical experiences focus on learning the skills students need to transition from student to newly licensed, practical nurse.
Medical Surgical Nursing II: This course builds on all previous courses focusing on utilizing and improving clinical skills and the nursing process. Students will use previously learned knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care to patients and families. The clinical experience is designed to promote independence and organization through multiple patient assignments. The following areas will be covered during this course:
- Care for Adults with Endocrine Disorders
- Care for Adults with Disruption of the Urinary System and Renal Disease
- Care for Adults with Immune system disorders
- Care for Adults with Sensory disorders
- Care for Adults with medical-surgical and mental health disorders
Leadership: This course explores the concept of leadership in the role of the PN. Components of the health care delivery system and the Nurse Practice Act are defined. Emphasis is placed on peer relationships, delegation, dealing with change, motivation, and team building.
Professionalism, Mental Health Concepts and Nutrition are integrated throughout the nursing courses. Drug calculation tests will be administered prior to medication administration on the clinical unit.
CLINICAL
Practical Nursing students will have a variety of clinical opportunities in settings that will enhance the material presented in theory.
Level I Students will be placed in facilities with older adult populations. These facilities will allow the students an opportunity to use the skills they are taught in Fundamentals of Nursing. Older adult residents present with various needs of nursing care. Students will be responsible for taking vital signs, assessments, bed baths, bed making, communication skills and dressing changes to provide a strong foundation for their next levels.
Level II Students will be placed at acute care facilities for their Maternal Child Nursing experience. Students will be able to care for the mother and child on the OB floor. They will also have an opportunity to care for women with gynecologic problems. Students will complete pediatric experiences in a variety of settings to provide the students with a well-rounded pediatric experience. Students will continue learning Med-Surg framework, visit schools and Outpatient Observation sites.
Level III Students will be placed at acute care facilities on a medical surgical floor. The Medical Surgical floors are very busy units and will afford the students many opportunities to enhance their skills. Long-term care facilities, schools, and various Outpatient sites will be used for clinical and observation experiences.
Level IV Students will have clinical rotations at a variety of settings to enhance their clinical experience.
All the facilities listed have agreed to provide clinical experiences for the Practical Nursing program. After meeting with the nursing directors of these facilities, the utilized facilities are assigned based on the units which would provide the best opportunities for the students to build their skills.
LEVEL I & II CLINICAL OBJECTIVES
At completion of Level I and Level II, the Practical Nursing student will be able to:
- Use the foundation of nursing knowledge, provide nursing care and perform physical assessment of clients across the lifespan.
- Provide basic emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual support to clients across the lifespan.
- Function as a team member within health care system, assist with coordination and delivery of care and seek guidance when necessary.
- Demonstrate effective time management while working in a neat, organized manner.
- Exhibit professional conduct, appearance, and ethical behavior when providing nursing care.
- Seek out learning experiences.
- Demonstrate effective and professional communication to clients across the lifespan and members of the healthcare team.
- Perform nursing care regarding the principles of infection control.
- Perform nursing care regarding patient rights.
- Integrate theory content of maternal health and correlate to clinical rotations of gynecological and obstetrics patients.
- Integrate theory content of pediatrics and correlate to pediatric clinical rotations.
- Using the nursing process, present a preventative health teaching/learning plan for pre-school children.
- Identify the developmental stages of the client according to Eric Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development.
- Identify the needs, emotions, and social drives of clients according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- Illustrate use of relevant technology for client care and documentation.
LEVEL III & IV CLINICAL OBJECTIVES
The student will continue to meet all objectives listed within Level I & II.
- The student will provide total proficient nursing care to assigned patients while demonstrating understanding of the physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs of each individual patient.
- The student will promote health and healing in all aspects of nursing care.
- The student will be able to produce and implement nursing care plans for assigned
clients based on the nursing process.
- The student will be able to produce a clinical pathway which is thorough, complete, and comprehensive.
- The student will safely administer prescribed medications to an assigned group of patients with 100% accuracy.
- The student will demonstrate professional behavior in their responsibility for self and
learning, in appearance and demeanor, in attendance, punctuality and preparation, in
communication with clients, peers, instructors, and clinical staff and in the execution of nursing care.
- The student will function as a member of a healthcare team with the ability to make effective adaptations and apply changes to patient situations.
- The student will function as an effective member of a healthcare team demonstrating flexibility and professionalism.
- The student will function as an effective member of a healthcare team demonstrating the ability to provide compassionate and safe health education to clients of all ages.
- The student will demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
- The student will identify legal parameters of practice based on the Nurse Practice Act.
- The student will seek new experiences and procedures to increase knowledge base.