SY 2015-2016
Practical Nursing I Course Syllabus
COURSE TITLE:
Practical Nursing I 888000
PREREQUISITE
Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences,
Competitive Application Process
DESCRIPTION:
Practical Nursing I is the first year of a two-year program. After successful
completion of PN I students are expected to register to take the Certified
Nursing Assistant exam. A CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) is an entrylevel position in the expanding health field. The Virginia Board of Nursing
approves the program. After successful completion of PN II (the second year
of the program), the student can take the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a
Practical Nurse.
Rising juniors and seniors are eligible, as well as a limited number of qualified
adults who meet admission criteria. Admission criteria include satisfactory
scores on the entrance test, attendance, counselor and teacher
recommendations and high school grades. Emphasis is placed on reading,
science, and math. A 2.5 GPA is recommended. Chemistry is required.
Class topics include Fundamentals of Nursing, Nursing Skills, Geriatric Nursing,
Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition/ Growth and Development, and
Administration of Medications. 40 hours of clinical experience in geriatrics is
provided.
MAIN TOPICS:
See below
CREDIT INFO:
3
Unit
Fundamentals of Nursing
Nursing Skills
Geriatric Nursing
Anatomy & Physiology
Nutrition/Growth and Development
Administration of Medications
Total
Clinical Hours
40
40
Theory Hours
75
110
44
90
36
70
425
Fundamentals of Nursing
This unit is designed to teach and apply the fundamentals of nursing, which include
nursing concepts, communication, nursing process, legal, ethical and professional
responsibilities to clinical practice, wellness/illness concepts and identifying client
needs.
Nursing Skills
This unit is designed to assist the student in mastering basic nursing skills to safely
care for the client and family. Included are both classroom and laboratory instruction.
Geriatric Nursing-Clinical Hours
This unit is designed to provide the student with comprehensive knowledge and
application of nursing care for the geriatric client. Grief, death and dying concepts will
be incorporated into the total client care and 40 hours of a clinical experience will be
used to apply this knowledge.
Anatomy and Physiology
This unit is designed to present the structure and function of the human body
beginning with the cell, tissues, organs and systems. It will include normal structure
and function. This unit supplies the student with a knowledge base that is essential in
nursing.
Nutrition, Growth and Development
This unit is designed to assist the student in learning the concepts of nutrition. The
factors that influence diets and food habits are presented. It also includes a study of
the nutrients, their sources and functions, basic requirements for each age group, and
a brief introduction to diet therapy. It will serve as a basis for the application of diet
therapy for specific clients. Normal growth and development, milestones and tasks for
each age group will be examined.
Administration of Medications
This unit includes a brief introduction to pharmacology, drug names, and drug
standards and controls. Mathematics and measurements as related to drug
administration are covered as well as various factors involved in the actual
administration of drugs. Nursing implications and responsibilities are stressed
throughout. General classifications of medications are included, with mention made
of various drugs listed under each classification. Fluid and electrolyte balances related
to medication will be studied.