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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
VN 100 - Introduction
to Client Centered care I-A
Term I-A is designed to proved the student with an orientation
to the institute and an introduction to the role of
the student nurse in the lvn profession. It includes
a discussion of all the policies and procedures applicable
to the program. As a fundamental course Term I-A is
intended to initiate an understanding of basic nursing
skills and concepts required to assist a client in meeting
their health care needs. Concepts and skills included
are growth and development, effective communication,
interpersonal skills, physical assessment, documentation,
safety, emergency procedures, infection control, and
death and dying. Medical terminology, Orem's self-care
theory and the nursing process are also introduced.
An active skills lab component is integrated within
the term. Term I-A provides the framework for development
of the initial skills required for all subsequent specialty
areas of clinical nursing.
VN 105 - Introduction
to Client Centered Care I-B
Term I-B continues the fundamental concepts upon which
subsequent courses in the program build. Beginning concepts
of the nursing care of the surgical client (pre and
post operative), anatomy and physiology, nutrition and
pharmacology are started. Applications of pharmacology
including principles of medication actions and interactions
both therapeutic and adverse and the basis for the study
of individual medication are incorporated. Calculation
of medication dosages, preparation, administration and
storage is also emphasized. An active skills lab component
is integrated within the term.
VN 200A - Life Cycles/Integumentary
System
Life cycles of the middle adult will introduce the student
to the developmental tasks associated with the adult
ages 35-65. Physical, social, and emotional characteristics
will be identified. The integumentary system will introduce
the student to the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary
system. The student will also be introduced to the etiology
of common integumentary disorders/diseases, and the
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. Related
pharmacological agents and nutritional needs are discussed.
Assessment, emergency treatment and the complications
of major burns are also identified. The unit emphasizes
the nursing interventions and the psychosocial aspects
for the care of the client with an integumentary disorder.
Selected clinical experiences will allow the student
to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 200B - Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system introduces the student to
the anatomy and physiology of the muscles, bones and
related structures. The student will also be introduced
to the etiology of common musculoskeletal disorders/diseases,
and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Related pharmacological agents, nutritional needs and
changes with aging are discussed. The unit emphasizes
the nursing interventions and the psychosocial aspects
for the care of the client with a musculoskeletal
disorder. Selected clinical experiences will allow
the student to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 200C - Respiratory
System
The respiratory system introduces the student to the
anatomy and physiology of the upper and lower respiratory
system. The student will also be introduced to the etiology
of common respiratory disorders/diseases, and the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of disease. Related pharmacological
agents, oxygen precautions/interventions and nutritional
needs are discussed. The unit emphasizes the nursing
interventions and the psychosocial aspects for the care
of the client with a respiratory disorder. Selected
clinical experiences will allow the student to practice
appropriate nursing skills.
VN 200D - Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system introduces the student to
the anatomy and physiology of the heart and gives a
detailed description of the blood and how it circulates
through the body. The differences between veins
and arteries, blood and lymph, angina
and MI are delineated. The student will also be
introduced to the etiology of common cardiovascular
disorders/diseases, and the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of disease.
Related pharmacological agents and nutritional needs
are discussed. The unit emphasizes the nursing interventions
and the psychosocial aspects for the care of
the client with a cardiovascular disorder. Selected
clinical experiences will allow the student to practice
appropriate nursing skills.
VN 200E - Gastrointestinal
System
The gastrointestinal system introduces the
student to the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal
system, accessory organs and a description of the process
of digestion. The student will also be introduced
to the etiology of common gastrointestinal disorders/diseases,
and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Related pharmacological agents and nutritional needs
are discussed. The unit emphasizes the nursing interventions
and the psychosocial aspects for the care of the client
with a gastrointestinal disorder. Selected clinical
experiences will allow the student to practice appropriate
lvn skills.
VN 300A - Endocrine System
The endocrine system introduces the student
to the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system
including how hormones work on a negative feedback system
and are specific to target cells/organs. The student
will also be introduced to the etiology of common endocrine
disorders/diseases, and the diagnosis, treatment
and prevention of disease. Related pharmacological agents
and nutritional needs are discussed. The unit emphasizes
the lvn interventions and the psychosocial aspects for
the care of the client with an endocrine disorder. Additional
emphasis is placed on the care of the diabetic client,
administration of insulin and signs of diabetic complications.
Selected clinical experiences will allow the student
to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 300B - Reproductive
System
The reproductive system introduces the student
to the anatomy and physiology of the male and female
reproductive systems. The student will also be introduced
to the etiology of common reproductive disorders/diseases,
and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Related pharmacological agents and nutritional needs
are discussed. Also discussed are hormonal changes,
changes with aging, and birth control methods. The unit
emphasizes the nursing interventions and the psychosocial
aspects for the care of the client with a reproductive
disorder. Selected clinical experiences will allow the
student to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 300C - Urinary System
The urinary system introduces the student to the anatomy
and physiology of the urinary system including, the
process of urine formation, fluid and electrolyte control,
acid-base balance, excretion of waste products, blood
pressure regulation, red blood cell production and regulation
of calcium-phosphate metabolism. The student will also
be introduced to the etiology of common urinary disorders/diseases,
and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Related pharmacological agents, nutritional needs and
changes with aging are discussed. The unit emphasizes
the nursing interventions and the psychosocial aspects
for the care of the client with a urinary disorder.
Additional emphasis is placed on the care of a renal
failure client and the client receiving dialysis.
Selected clinical experiences will allow the student
to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 300D - Immunology
The immunology unit introduces the student to the main
functions of immune system: to protect the
body against invading organisms, to maintain homeostasis
by removing damaged cells from the system and the serve
as a surveillance network for recognizing and guarding
against the development and growth of abnormal cells.
The student will be introduced to the types of immunity
and the mechanisms of the immune response. The etiology
of common immune disorders/diseases, and the
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease are also
introduced. Related pharmacological agents, nutritional
needs and changes with aging are discussed. The unit
emphasizes the nursing interventions and the psychosocial
aspects for the care of the client with an immune disorder.
Selected clinical experiences will allow the student
to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 300E - Oncology
The oncology unit introduces the student to
the care of the client with cancer. The student
will be introduced to the etiology of common cancers,
the prevention and detection of cancer, the
pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Related pharmacological agents and nutritional needs
are discussed. The unit emphasizes the nursing interventions
and the psychosocial aspects for the care of the client
with cancer. Selected clinical experiences will
allow the student to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 300F - Leadership/Supervision
The leadership/supervision unit will introduce
the student to styles of leadership, approaches to nursing
care, characteristics to effective leadership,
developing leadership skills, the role of the
LVN, assertive behavior, communication
skills, mental mechanisms, and goal achievement.
VN 400A - Obstetrics
The obstetrics unit explains the physiology of conception
and describes the anatomical and physiology changes
that take place during pregnancy, labor
and delivery, and the postpartum period.
Appropriate diagnostic and nutritional requirements
are discussed. The unit includes fetal development,
complications of pregnancy, newborn assessment and disorders
of the newborn. Special emphasis is placed on the effects
of drugs and alcohol usage during pregnancy.
Nursing interventions and the psychosocial aspects regarding
the care of the client during pregnancy,
labor and delivery, and the postpartum period are discussed.
Selected clinical experiences will allow the student
to practice appropriate nursing skills.
VN 400B - Life Cycles/Pediatrics
The pediatric unit approaches the care of the
client based on growth and development theory.
Principles of growth and development from infancy
to adolescence will be discussed. Unit content
will include signs and symptoms of child abuse,
common childhood diseases for each system, common
pediatric procedures, related pharmacology,
immunizations, nutritional needs,
accident prevention, and nursing interventions.
Special emphasis is placed on the impact illness has
on the child as well as the family. Selected
clinical experiences will allow the student to practice
appropriate nursing skills.
VN 400C
- Neurosensory System
The neurosensory system introduces the student
to the anatomy and physiology of the neuron,
the brain, the cranial nerves, the
eye and the ear. The student will
also be introduced to the etiology of common neurosensory
disorders/diseases, and the diagnosis, treatment
and prevention of disease. Related pharmacological agents
and nutritional needs are discussed. The unit emphasizes
the nursing interventions and the psychosocial aspects
for the care of the client with a neurosensory
disorder. Special emphasis is placed on the
neurologic assessment and measurements. Selected
clinical experiences will allow the student to practice
appropriate nursing skills.
VN 400D - Nursing Specialties/Rehabilitation
This unit will describe factors that influence an individual's
response to change and stress. The effective use
of defense mechanisms is identified. The student
is expected to utilize effective therapeutic communication
skills and assist the client throughout the rehabilitation
process. Basic factors effecting mental health,
mental health deficits, additive personalities,
alcoholism, and chemical abuse are described. Related
pharmacological agents and nutritional
needs are discussed. Selected clinical experiences
will allow the student to practice appropriate nursing
skills.
VN 400E - Senior Practicum
The senior practicum explores ethical and legal
aspects, negligence, malpractice, informed consent,
the Nurse Practice Act and its mandates. Home
health, death and dying, hospice,
disaster nursing and the role of the health
care team are included. Incorporated is the role transition
of the student nurse to vocational nurse.
Organizations relevant to the lvn are discussed. Selected
clinical experiences will allow the student to practice
appropriate nursing skills.