NURSING I
COURSE PHILOSOPHY AND INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS
Philosophy: This course is prepared to instruct the student in the nursing management of
patients throughout the life span. The theory components of this course will be the medical
surgical arena and the pharmacological arena and are arranged according to the body systems
most closely associated with the symptoms and specific diseases with integration of
pharmacological, nutritional, critical thinking and communication theories. The units in the
theory components include an introduction to medical surgical nursing, the surgical patient,
emergency nursing, and disorders of the immune system, hematologic system, endocrine system
and respiratory system. Nursing process is better enhanced by correlating assessment, planning,
and intervention of the necessary skills, and understanding how nutrition and pharmacological
aspects enhance the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life span. 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 and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether an expected or unexpected effect
has occurred. Each unit of the theory components use 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 the nursing
process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life span.
The practical, clinical component of this course has an emphasis on medical and surgical
problems for patients throughout the life span including care of the obstetrical patient and
pediatric patient. As the student progresses through the clinical areas, patient assignments will
pertain to the body system being studied in theory portion of the course and the Nursing of
Mother & Infant theory course. Nursing care is delivered with focus on specific standards of
care for the diagnosis of the patient. Procedures learned in Clinical Nursing I will continue to be
performed with emphasis on adaptations necessary for the individual client. Students will be
administering medications to their assigned patients after check off with the instructor. The
student is responsible for correlating theory to clinical practice by integrating critical thinking to
give safe, skillful, holistic patient care. This course is a pre-requisite for all subsequent courses.
Prerequisite: LPN 1002 Clinical Nursing I
Instructor Objectives: The instructor’s teaching techniques should ensure that the students are
able to:
 Assign each client to an appropriate place on the wellness-illness continuum, recognizing
the nature of that position.
 Define and correctly uses terminology relating to medical surgical nursing.
 Build a foundation for:
o a.
Future education in special fields of nursing care
o b.
Prevention of certain disorders or the aggravation of an existing condition
o c.
Research of appropriate resources
 Have a knowledge base concerning disease conditions which affect the human body
throughout the lifespan.
 Discuss the symptomatology, treatment and nursing care of commonly occurring medical
surgical conditions.
 Identify major medications to treat specific disease process and abnormal body responses.
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Apply knowledge of disease process and medication regimens as it relates to health and
illness in culturally diverse populations.
Utilize mathematical principles related to the care of the medical surgical patient to
include equivalencies and dosage calculation.
Use continual assessment to detect any signs of medical distress, and reports
appropriately.
Utilize critical thinking skills and the steps of nursing process to identify signs and
symptoms, interpret diagnostic studies and state interdisciplinary management of
particular disease processes of the body systems covered in this course to provide
individualized nursing care in the clinical setting.
Define and discuss routine preoperative and postoperative procedures. Recognize major
complications that may occur postoperatively.
Differentiate between nursing responsibilities and other health care discipline
responsibilities, recognizing the limitations of the practical nurse and delegating
appropriately within the scope of practice recognizing the limitations of the practical
nurse in performing certain functions. Describe the licensed practical nurse’s
Professional/legal/Ethical responsibilities as it relates to the clinical setting.
Demonstrate and utilize a holistic approach to aspects of medical –surgical nursing as
related to disease processes.
Acknowledge and demonstrate the importance of client safety in relation to specific
disorders, differentiating between an expected and unexpected situation or outcome.
Integrate first semester knowledge and experiences with medical surgical information to
better enhance critical thinking and the nursing process in client care.
Document correctly nursing assessments and care
Communicate effectively with clients, family and healthcare team members.
Assist with the care of the woman presenting to the facility in labor and continuing the
care through the delivery process.
Care for the postpartum woman focusing on meeting overt physical and emotional needs,
and performing postpartum teaching.
Assist with the care of a woman experiencing complex pregnancy needs.
Assist with the care of a normal newborn in the newborn nursery.
Assist with the care of a newborn with a disorder in the newborn nursery.
Care for a pediatric client performing basic nursing procedures and safety practices
appropriate to pediatric nursing considering the client's age, growth and development
stage.
Care for a pediatric client with common pediatric disorders outlining symptoms,
treatment and nursing care for the client considering the client's age, growth and
development stage.
Develop individualized plans of nursing care with consideration of theoretical knowledge
as it relates to health and illness in culturally diverse populations.
Correctly state and demonstrate the following regarding medication administration:
o a.
generic/trade names
o b.
purpose of medication
o c.
side effects
o d.
nursing assessment(s) prior to and after administration
o e.
safety protocols related to medication administration (to include
the 6 rights).
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 14, 32, 33, 52, 47, 37, 43
 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
Program Director: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, gburton@searcy.asub.edu
Lead Instructor: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, gburton@searcy.asub.edu