NURSING III
COURSE PHILOSOPHY AND INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS
Philosophy: This course is a continuation of Nursing II and will include an in-depth study of the
concepts of illness and nursing care for patients throughout the life span with integumentary system,
urinary system, reproductive system, and sensory system disorders with integration of
pharmacological, nutritional, critical thinking and communication theories. The theory components of
this course will be the medical surgical arena and the pharmacological arena. Using critical thinking
skills students will utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout
the life span. Nursing care in acute, subacute or convalescent stages of illness with integration of
pharmacological, nutritional, pediatric and communication theories will be discussed. The medical
surgical theory component of this course assists the student to have a basic understanding of the
pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, signs and symptoms, and medical and nursing care of patients
with distinct diseases of the body systems. The pharmacological theory component assists the student
to have an understanding of medications used to treat medical-surgical disorders of patients of all ages
with distinct diseases of the body systems and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether an
expected or unexpected effect has occurred. Each unit uses the nursing process to assist the student in
understanding his/her role in assessing needs, planning and implementing nursing care for patients
with specific illnesses. Using critical thinking skills students will utilize nursing process to learn the
holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life span.
The practical, clinical component has an emphasis on the patients of all ages with various medicalsurgical diagnoses and will include an increase in patient assignment load to develop time management
skills to assist the student in the transition from student role to Licensed Practical Nurse role. The
clinical component is designed to assist the student in applying medical and surgical care and
pharmacological principles learned in the classroom and laboratory setting to actual patients in
healthcare settings; and to assist the student in transition from student to graduate, recognizing the
resultant changes in responsibility to self, clients and other heathcare team members. This component
of the course is designed to assist the student in applying principles from the theory components and
laboratory setting to actual patients in healthcare settings. Nursing care is delivered with focus on
specific standards of care for the diagnosis of the patient. Procedures learned during prior clinical
assignments will continue to be performed with emphasis on adaptations necessary for the patient.
Students will be performing total patient care including medication administration on their assigned
patients. The student is responsible for correlating theory to clinical practice by integrating critical
thinking to give safe, skillful, holistic patient care to patients throughout the life span.
Upon successful completion of theory components, students will do a clinical preceptorship by
working closely with the licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) in a medical surgical
area where they are seeking employment. This preceptor rotation should strengthen the student’s
ability to function as a practical nurse and understand the role as a member of the healthcare team.
Students will continue to deliver individualized nursing care by working with the licensed practical
nurse (LPN) in the area in which they are seeking employment.
Students will be writing their own learning objectives to direct their learning experiences. Specific
paperwork and information regarding preceptorship rotations will be given at a later date.
Prerequisite: LPN 2210
This course is a practical, clinical component with an emphasis on total patient care.
Instructor Objectives: The instructor’s teaching techniques should ensure that the students are able
to:
 Have a background knowledge concerning disease conditions which affect the human body.
 Apply the knowledge acquired to demonstrate appropriate techniques in providing
individualized nursing care to the patient in health and illness in culturally diverse populations.




























Identify signs and symptoms in relation to specific condition and order.
Demonstrate the techniques of assessment that are important in assisting the physician in the
diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
Differentiate between an expected and unexpected situation and outcome.
Have a tool to use in the prevention of certain disease or the aggravation of an existing
condition.
Understand where answers may be found for things which he/she does not know.
Build a foundation for future education in special fields of nursing care.
Differentiate between nursing responsibilities and other health care discipline responsibilities.
Plan and use nursing care plans or care maps/clinical pathways to facilitate patient care.
Discuss measures to demonstrate compassion and patience in nursing care.
List measures necessary to keep the patient safe.
Recognize the limitations of the practical nurse in performing certain functions.
Utilize critical thinking skills when safely performing nursing activities related to assessing,
diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the patient’s response to particular disease
processes
Describe the licensed practical nurse’s Professional/legal/Ethical responsibilities related to
patients on the illness/wellness continuum. Discuss and practice the licensed practical nurse’s
Professional, Legal, & Ethical responsibilities in delivering care to patients including the
delegation of tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel
Develop an awareness of the practical nurse’s role in caring for patients with medical surgical
conditions while applying theoretical knowledge as it relates to health and illness in culturally
diverse populations.
Describe the effects and major factors associated with different ages throughout the lifespan as
it relates medical surgical nursing.
Utilize communication & delegation skills as appropriate to the practical nursing scope of
practice. Utilize effective communication skills when interacting with the patient, family,
nursing team members and medical staff.
Utilize a holistic approach when performing nursing responsibilities r/t medical surgical
nursing.
Use continual assessment skills to detect any signs of medical distress and report appropriately.
Be aware of the importance and legalities related to all components of the medical record,
documentation, transcription, and interdepartmental ordering.
Make rounds with physicians to improve assessment skills, identify patient needs and set
priorities.
Assist in planning care for a group of patients by setting long term/short term goals, and
planning discharge.
Learn the necessity for continuity of care on a twenty four hour basis.
Increase proficiency in educational and technical skills.
Develop an awareness of the transition from student nurse to licensed nurse.
Discuss career opportunities for the LPN.
Explain the difference between leadership and management.
Additional objectives specific to the preceptorship portion of Clinical IV will be given at a later
date.
Course Teaching Requirements: The following should be followed by all instructors teaching this
course (online and in the traditional setting).
 It is not necessary to cover all chapters in the book. However, the following chapters must be
covered by all instructors: chapters 46, 39, patient44, 42.
 The instructor may use any appropriate teaching method. This includes but is not limited to:
lecture, computer assisted programs, role-playing, simulations, etc.
 The medical surgical content will be calculated using 2/3 of grade from daily course work and
exams and 1/3 of grade from the final exam. The final exam for the theory components must
have a comprehensive component, must count for at least 1/3 of the theory component grade and
must be proctored.
 The pharmacology content will be calculated using 2/3 of grade from daily course work and
exams and 1/3 of grade from the final exam. The final exam for the theory components must
have a comprehensive component, must count for at least 1/3 of the theory component grade and
must be proctored.
 The clinical component will have a comprehensive exam and must count for 1/3 of the final
clinical component grade.
 For the final course grade: 1/3 of the grade will come from pharmacology content grade; 1/3
from medical surgical content grade and 1/3 from clinical component grade.
 Students must pass each component of the course to advance in the program.
 The instructor will be with the students at the assigned clinical facility.
 The instructor will follow all of the policies for the clinical instructor.
Assessment Responsibilities: Instructors teaching this course will be expected to participate in
assessment activities as dictated by the division. You will be given further information/instructions by
the lead instructor. .
Advanced Technology and Allied Health Division Contact Information:
Division Director: Keith McClanahan, 501-882-8811, mkmcclanahan@asub.edu
Lead Instructor: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, gburton@searcy.asub.edu