SEMESTER 1
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY BIO 1502
Anatomy and Physiology I examines the normal structure and function of a human adult. Students learn about the human body, the levels of organization within the body and the inter-related and interdependence of body systems. The concepts of metabolism, fundamental physiological needs and homeostasis are introduced. All knowledge is then applied to the study of the integumentary, skeletal, muscle and nervous systems. Learner preparation and learning activities are designed to promote critical thinking.
NURSING COMMUNICATIONS COMM 1501
This course provides students with the research, writing and presentation skills needed to be successful in the Practical Nursing program. Students have an in-depth opportunity to learn the principles of effective writing, research skills and effective oral presentations. Students develop their communication skills through research, reading, writing and practical applications.
DEVELOPMENT OF SELF I NURS 1520
This course is an introduction to nursing as a culture of caring. Beginning with a focus on self and then on others, students learn the meaning of lived caring experiences. Students explore ways of knowing and critical thinking as aspects of caring. The College of Nurses standards are introduced as tools for safe practice. As students relate to the experience of becoming a professional, they are also introduced to the evolution of nursing and health care.
HEALTH & HEALING I NURS 1521
Students explore aspects of health and healing in the context of social and cultural diversity, values, beliefs, lifestyle choices, the environment, growth and development. The focus is on the
maintenance and promotion of personal, individual and family health and healing.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE I NURS 1522
Professional Practice I provides the student with a beginning opportunity to examine the scope of nursing practice and the professional expectations that guide nursing practice. The student will examine universal practicum concepts that are essential for the provision of safe, effective nursing care. These concepts apply to all nurses, in every practice setting. The student will also examine relevant nursing and health science theory related to selected basic human needs. Cooperative learning approaches utilized in the classroom promote critical thinking and communication skills, while providing the student with the opportunity to develop effective partnerships within a group.
Practical Nursing – Program Guide 2010-2011 Page 57 PRACTICE LAB I
NURS 1523
Practice Lab I provides the student with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to competently perform basic psychomotor skills. The student learns and practices these skills within the simulated practicum environment of the Health Care Learning Centre. With each skill-set the student integrates relevant nursing and health related theory including the knowledge of
professional standards. Learning activities are designed to facilitate the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Cooperative learning approaches utilized in the lab provide the student with the opportunity to enhance communication skills while developing effective partnerships within a group.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE LAB THEORY NURS 1526
Professional Practice Lab Theory provides the student with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge necessary to competently perform basic psychomotor skills. The student will examine universal practice concepts that are essential for the provision of safe, effective nursing care. These concepts apply to all nurses, in every practice setting. The student will also examine relevant nursing and health science theory related to selected basic human needs. The student will practice these skills within the simulated practicum environment of the Health Care Learning Centre in Practice Lab I. Learning activities are designed to facilitate the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Cooperative learning approaches are utilized to provide the student with the opportunity to enhance communication skills while developing effective partnerships within a group. Professional Practice Lab Theory provides the student with a beginning opportunity to examine the scope of nursing practice and the professional expectations that guide nursing practice.
MEDICATION MATHEMATICS MATH 1502
This course assists practical nursing students to accurately calculate and problem solve situation sin nursing requiring the use of mathematics. The focus is on calculation of drug dosages and
intravenous solution rates, as well as temperature and body weight conversations. Students will also learn conversions within the metric and household systems of measurement.
SEMESTER 2
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II BIO 2502
Anatomy & Physiology II continues to examine the normal structure and function of the human adult. Students relate to the knowledge gained in Anatomy & Physiology I as they study the endocrine, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. The concepts of water- electrolyte- and acid-base balance are re-examined as students build on the foundation established in Anatomy & Physiology I. Learner preparation and learning activities are used to promote critical thinking.
PHARMACOLOGY NURS 2520
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of pharmacology. Students learn the legal and professional responsibilities of the practical nurse in the administration of medications. The focus will be on learning key elements about common drug classifications and then applying that knowledge when administering specific medications.
Practical Nursing – Program Guide 2010-2011 Page 58 HEALTH & HEALING II
NURS 2521
This course focuses on gerontology and builds on the concepts studied in Health and Healing I. Students learn about aging and the many concepts associated with it. They apply what they learn in a classroom setting to their nursing professional practice. The first part of this course emphasizes the healthy older adult. The second part focuses on the frail older adult. Throughout this semester students are placed in practicum settings that are specific to this group. This course provides an opportunity to explore various means of health promotion and dealing with health challenges in groups of older adults that are experiencing life transitions.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II NURS 2522
The student will interact with individuals and families experiencing life transitions and health challenges in nursing practice setting(s) to promote health and healing. The student will apply the theories and concepts examined and explored in the co-requisite Health and Healing and other courses. The students will learn and practice healing actions.
PRACTICE LAB II NURS 2523
Practice Lab II provides the student with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to competently perform advanced psychomotor skills. The student learns and practices these skills within the simulated practicum environment of the Health Care Learning Centre. With each skill-set the student integrates relevant nursing and health related theory including the
knowledge of professional standards. Learning activities are designed to facilitate the development of critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills. Cooperative learning approaches utilized in the lab provide the student with the opportunity to enhance communication skills while developing effective partnerships within a group. Practice Lab II builds on the foundation
established in Practice Lab I.
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY PSYC 1000
This course introduces students to the vocabulary and principles of psychology. Students are
encouraged to develop an understanding of the basic principles of human behaviour and gain insight into how and why people think, learn and behave. Other topics include research methods,
physiology, perception, learning, memory, motivation, consciousness and social psychology.
SEMESTER 3
HEALTH ASSESSMENT HASS 3500
Health Assessment 3500 is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to competently perform a comprehensive health assessment for adults and older adults. Each body system is assessed using inspection, palpation, and auscultation as appropriate. The student will learn to conduct a health history interview, perform a physical examination and identify common
abnormal findings in the context of the role of the practical nurse. Learning activities will include simulation, lecture, case studies, group discussions and an opportunity to apply health assessment skills during lab practice.
Practical Nursing – Program Guide 2010-2011 Page 59 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I
PATH 3503
This course will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of pathophysiology and related disease processes. The underlying concepts of homeostasis, cellular changes, inflammation, infection, healing and abnormal immune responses will be examined. The basic concepts of fluid, electrolyte and acid- base balance will be analyzed and how imbalances can promote disorder in the body. Common diagnosing testing will be examined and how they are utilized in the process of diagnosing disease and prognostic outcomes. Specific diseases and disorders will be discussed to apply the concepts learned and how they affect the structure and functioning of the human body. Basic treatment modalities will be reviewed as a foundation of learning to be expanded upon in the practicum experience.
DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN PSYC 2500
This course is a comprehensive study of human development across the lifespan from a developmental psychology perspective. Students will examine developmental processes and milestones of the
individual from conception through late adulthood with particular emphasis on behavioural and cognitive development. Students will be introduced to the major psychological theories and
controversies in the field of human development. In addition, they will be required to study a specific topic in depth and present their findings to their classmates. The study of human development across the lifespan allows students the opportunity to gain insight into their own developmental processes and milestones. They will learn how to assess “who they are”, “how they have come to be this way” and what “their future holds for them”. Moreover, students in the health and community services area will gain valuable information that they can apply to their client populations.
HEALTH & HEALING ACUTE NURS 3519
This course will focus on common health challenges related to acute illness and the surgical experiences that face individuals and families. Students learn about selected acute illnesses and surgical occurrences to become knowledgeable about nursing interventions and healing practices related to these situations. Health promotion and health teaching are an integral part of the course.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ACUTE NURS 3523
Students interact with individuals and families experiencing life transitions and acute health challenges in nursing practice setting(s), in order to promote health and healing. These practice settings comprise acute surgery with a focus on orthopaedic, gynaecologic, abdominal, and urologic surgeries. Students apply the theories and concepts examined and explored in the co-requisite course as well as other courses. Students also learn and practise healing nursing actions.
HEALTH & HEALING – MENTAL HEALTH NURS 3520
This course will focus on common mental health challenges that affect individuals, families and groups, using a bio-psychosocial model. Using a variety of methods, including small group work, the student will examine these challenges across several dimensions of health care. The student will reflect on the holistic nature of caring for the mental health of clients in a multicultural society.
Practical Nursing – Program Guide 2010-2011 Page 60 NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE – MENTAL HEALTH
NURS 3524
This course provides students with an opportunity to interact with individuals, and groups experiencing mental health challenges in a nursing practice and community setting(s) to promote health and healing. The student will apply the theories and concepts examined and explored in the co-requisite course HEALTH & HEALING – MENTAL HEALTH as well as other courses. The student will learn and practice healing actions in a mental health setting.
SEMESTER 4
DEVELOPMENT OF SELF II NURS 4520
This course will build on the concepts introduced in Development of Self I and will focus on more advanced aspects that influence the professional practice of nursing. The student will explore the health care environment in which nursing is practiced. Professional issues will be examined including professional organizations, standards of practice, role of CNO in protecting the public, nurse as a change agent, conflict management, and leadership skills for the practical nurse.
PATHYOPHYSIOLOGY II PATH 4503
This course will study advanced concepts of pathophysiology and related disease processes. Using a body system approach and building of the concepts discussed in Pathophysiology I the student will continue to explore the pathology of a variety of disorders. With each unit diagnostic testing common to the system will be examined and their role in diagnosis and prognostic outcomes. Specific diseases and disorders will be discussed to apply learned concepts and how they affect the structure of the function of the human body. Basic treatment modalities will be reviewed as a foundation of learning to be expanded upon in the practicum experience.
HEALTH & HEALING CHRONIC NURS 4518
This course focuses on the knowledge and practice of nursing as it supports and enhances healing processes. An emphasis will be placed on individuals and families experiencing chronic health and terminal care challenges. As students’ understanding of the human experience of health and illness increases, a variety of holistic caring actions is developed.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CHRONIC NURS 4523
The student will interact with individuals and families experiencing life transitions associated with chronicity and aging. They will promote health and healing in the client with co-morbid, health challenges in a variety of nursing practice settings. The student will apply theories and concepts, examined and explored in the co-requisites (Health and Healing) and apply previous and new learned practice healing actions.
Practical Nursing – Program Guide 2010-2011 Page 61 HEALTH & HEALING – FAMILY HEALTH
NURS 4519
In this course, the student will focus on the role of a practical nurse in facilitating the health and healing of maternal-child and paediatric populations in a variety of settings including community settings. The role of the practical nurse in community settings will also be addressed. Using a collaborative process, the student will engage in discussion of client, family situations and family health. The learning activities will provide the student with the opportunity to examine current health challenges, community issues and trends facing the child-bearing/child-rearing population as well as community settings and the impact of the social determinants of health.
NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE – FAMILY HEALTH NURS 4524
The student will interact with individuals and families experiencing life transitions and common health challenges. nursing practice and community setting(s) in order to promote health and healing. The student will apply the theories and concepts examined and explored in HEALTH & HEALING – FAMILY HEALTH, as well as other courses. The student will learn and practise healing actions in community practice settings.
SEMESTER 5
CONSOLIDATION NURS 5502
This eight-week practicum helps students make the transition to entry-level practical nursing positions. Opportunities are provided for synthesis and consolidation of previous learning. Students work with a preceptor to develop independent, collaborative and leadership aspects of the practical nurse’s role. As well, students consolidate nursing skills and work independently when caring for individuals, families and groups.
CONSOLIDATION SEMINAR NURS 5508
This eight-week practicum experience assists Practical Nursing students in making the transition from the student role to that of an entry level practical nurse. Opportunities are provided for
synthesis and consolidation for previous learning. The student works with a preceptor to develop the independent, collaborative and leadership aspects of the responsibilities of the practical nurse. The focus will be to consolidate nursing skills and to function independently when caring for individuals, families and groups.