This course will cover concepts related to the role of the professional nurse as a nurse leader, member of the profession, provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, and member of the health care team. Trends and issues will be reviewed that impact nursing health care today and healthcare in the future. Topics include knowledge, critical thinking, clinical judgment, leadership skills, and professional values within a legal and ethical framework. This course will also examine legal and ethical concepts as they apply to professional nursing practice. Standards of care in the context of the Nursing Practice Act will serve as the framework for discussion. Analysis of case issues will be utilized as the forum for legal and ethical decision-making process. This course will also discuss management and leadership principles that apply to the role of the professional nurse.

Development of professional nursing competencies in the care of diverse patients throughout the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on psychomotor skills and clinical reasoning. Performance of nursing procedures related to: clinical judgment, comfort, elimination, fluid and electrolytes, nutrition, gas exchange, safety, functional ability, immunity, metabolism, mobility, and tissue integrity. This course includes health assessment and medication administration will be evaluated.

This course is a nursing- related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized nursing theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by a clinical professional. Student will identify the knowledge and skills required to transition from the role of vocational nurse to the role of professional registered nursing in several of the acute care hospital units. A comprehensive assessment of the Pediatric patient in the community will be completed. All co-requisites courses must be passed concurrently in order for the student to progress to the next level of nursing course.

This course introduces major theories and concepts necessary to provide holistic nursing care over the lifespan from diverse cultures with selected physiological disorders. These theories and concepts are introduced using a wellness-illness continuum and serve as a basis for critical thinking and use of the nursing process in the care of the pregnant patient and their family, care of the newborn, and care of the pediatric patient. Concepts such as health, culture, environment, aging, nutrition, and the professional nursing role in direct patient care and in collaboration with other health care providers are addressed. Students are provided the opportunity to master nursing technologies in a variety of laboratory and clinical situations.