LPN to RN Bridge

This course, provides the student with a basic understanding of microbiology through the study of the microscopic world, organisms and pathogens, specifically bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoan, and helminthes. In addition, this course provides the student with a basic understanding of the effects of the pathogen on normal human tissue including the most common diseases caused by the specific pathogen and the usual signs and symptoms produced in the host. The characteristics of the microorganisms and the etiology and control of infections are also presented.

This course is designed to expand the student’s abilities in written communications. Principles of composition are developed through writing and revising various types of communications. Emphasis is placed on construction and composition, including word usage, grammar, and sentence analysis.

This course was developed to help candidates prepare to take the NCLEX-RN examination. The course provides both comprehensive content review and NCLEX questions for practice. This course reviews the standard curriculum for the nursing programs including universal principles of nursing care management, maternal child and pediatric nursing, psychiatric and mental health nursing, as well as pharmacology, adult health and critical care. It includes a review of the structure and scoring of the NCLEX-RN, as well as suggestions for preparation and test taking strategies. Students will be provided the opportunity to assess the level of preparedness for the national examination. The current test plan for the NCLEX-Registered Nurse exam will guide the presentation of specific course content. An assessment of individual strength and weaknesses of nursing knowledge through diagnostic tools can be constructed and a plan for areas of needed growth can be formulated.

Human growth and development addresses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors associated with supporting and promoting optimal growth and development from conception to death. The course explores the different stages of human life- prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood- and the biological, psychological and social changes occurring in individuals during them. Topics include: human needs across the ages, stages of childhood, the impact of family and societal crisis on the development of the individual, the normal developmental crisis of aging, puberty, career decisions, marriage, parenthood, loss and death as well as others. The course provides the student with a basic understanding of the person as a biological, psychological, and sociological being. It is imperative that professionals in the medical occupations understand the concepts of development throughout the life span. Application of the principles of safe and effective care is guided by the understanding of normal and expected development milestones at different stages throughout the person’s life. There will be an emphasis on understanding people at various ages of development in order to be more patient with them and to interact with them more effectively. The course is especially well suited for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the helping, healthcare, and education professions.

This course will assist the student in developing an understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to alterations and nursing needs of older adults. This course prepares the student with the knowledge of basic client needs and provides opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills required to administer nursing care to older adults in a variety of environments. The nursing process provides the basic organizational framework for determining the client’s needs and providing the appropriate nursing care. In addition to health promotion and maintenance and provision of a safe effective care environment, the course content includes the discussion of alterations in health, both physical and psychosocial health, of the older adult. Students will care for clients in both medical surgical units in both acute and long term care as available.

This course is the first course in the serious of three medical-surgical nursing courses. This course utilizes the application of the nursing process to care for adults experiencing medical-surgical conditions in the health care illness continuum This course will provide the nursing student with a basic understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to alterations in homeostasis and oxygenation. This course covers physiology and basic pathophysiology, causes of illness, care of the surgical client and disorders of the respiratory, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. The role of the Associate Degree Nurse in preventative health measures, health promotion, referral to community health resources, patient/family education, therapeutic and rehabilitative aspects will be presented. Discussion/projects for ethical issues and critical thinking are incorporated in the course. The nursing process provides the basic organizational framework for determining the client's needs and providing the appropriate nursing care. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to apply theory in the medical-surgical units of acute care hospitals.

This course, as the second medical/surgical course and the first Level II nursing course, will provide the nursing student with an understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to alterations in homeostasis including but not limited to client needs for ingestion, digestion, absorption, metabolism, elimination, fluid balance, hormonal secretion and renal system impairment. The role of the Associate Degree Nurse in preventative health measures, health promotion, referral to community health resources, patient/family education, therapeutic and rehabilitative aspects will be presented. Discussion/projects for ethical issues and critical thinking are incorporated in the course. The nursing process provides the basic organizational framework for determining the client's needs and providing the appropriate nursing care. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to apply theory in the medical-surgical units of acute care hospitals.

This course in women’s health nursing will provide the nursing student with a basic understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to women’s health nursing care. The course provides a foundation of nursing knowledge in the care of women in all phases of the perinatal period. Course content will incorporate the growth and development of the fetus and the needs of the mother for health teaching and nutritional care during the entire childbearing experience. Emphasis is placed on the nursing aspects of care for the mother and her infant within the family context. Health problems, ethical and contemporary issues related to pregnancy and selected high-risk situations will be addressed. Maternal-infant interaction and family bonding will be emphasized. Continuity of care is stressed as the mother and child return to the home and the community.

This course in pediatric nursing will provide the nursing student with a basic understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to nursing care of the pediatric child and their family. Child health nursing focuses on assessment and management of well, acutely and chronically ill, and special needs children and their families. The effect the child's illness has on the family is emphasized. In addition to health promotion and maintenance and a safe effective care environment, the course content includes the discussion of alterations in health across the lifespan including human growth and development, family dynamics, and psychosocial and physiological aspects of the family. Principles of nutrition, pharmacology, and ethics are reinforced and expanded.

This course, as the third medical/surgical course, will provide the nursing student with an understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to select sensory alterations, neurological impairments, immune, reproductive and malignant disorders. The role of the nurse in environmental emergencies and disaster preparedness will also be discussed as well as, the role of the nurse in preventative health measures, health promotion, referral to community health resources, patient/family education, therapeutic and rehabilitative aspects. Discussion/projects for ethical issues and critical thinking are incorporated in the course. The nursing process provides the basic organizational framework for determining the client's needs and providing the appropriate nursing care. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to apply theory in the medical-surgical units of acute care hospitals.

This course provides the student with knowledge, skills and experiences related to Psychiatric-Mental health nursing, as an opportunity to apply previously learned behavioral and scientific concepts. This course will provide the nursing student an understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to alterations in physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the person. This course provides students with didactic and clinical learning experiences utilizing the nursing process as a means of providing care to individuals, families and groups experiencing maladaptative alterations in mental health. Psychopathology of mental disorders is reviewed. Application of the nursing process within a multidisciplinary team approach is highlighted. Emphasis is on the therapeutic use of self with individuals, families, and groups in an acute psychiatric care setting. The course prepares students to communicate professionally in the health care environment. It exposes students to maladaptive behaviors as they relate to safe, competent nursing skills. A holistic approach, which combines medical nursing and mental health nursing, will enable students to develop roles as a communicator in the therapeutic nurse-client relationship, advocator of client’s rights and caregiver.

This course in community nursing provides the nursing students with an understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to the role of the nurse within the community setting. Emphasis is placed on increasing the students’ self-awareness, communicating effectively, and meeting the community health needs of families and groups. Students conduct in-depth community and family health assessments employing basic epidemiological principles and data collection strategies. The nursing process is utilized by students engaging in health promotion and maintenance strategies in a variety of community health settings. Principles, theories and concepts of community health nursing are utilized to generate an understanding of the roles and functions of community health nurses. This course is designed to encourage the critical thinking and knowledge to perform competently in community health nursing.

The course introduces complex health problems associated with critical care to the student. The course offers a continuing learning experience designed to further the students’ ability in the application of the nursing process. The emphasis is placed on the assessment and care of clients with complex, life-threatening illnesses. Building on nursing concepts and sciences, students examine the pathophysiological changes involved with but not limited to hemodynamic monitoring, congestive heart failure, cardiac surgery, shock, respiratory failure and increased intracranial pressure and triage in the intensive care unit, emergency department or operating room. The course will also address ethical, moral, and legal issues as well as specific considerations for various procedures and specialty services encountered in the critical environment. The role of the nurse as a caregiver and as a member of the health care team is emphasized. This course will provide the student with basic knowledge and clinical skills necessary to function independently in an entry level critical care nursing position.

This course will provide the nursing student with a basic understanding of the study of nursing through the discussion of the institution’s nursing philosophy and core characteristics of caring empathy, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication, acceptance of diversity, interpreter and provider of learning and lifelong learning as they relate to the role of the nurse as leader and as a professional team member. An exploration of leadership and management theories and principles and their application to the nursing practice in the provision of health care is presented. Student development in the roles of problem solver, change agent and leader are emphasized. Competencies necessary to succeed in a nursing leadership role in complex organizations are analyzed and applied to clinical scenarios. Students utilize self-reflection to assess their own leadership potential and apply concepts through discussions and class assignments. A preceptorship enables them to observe a nurse in an established leadership role and participate in a performance improvement project. In addition to health promotion and maintenance and provision of a safe effective care environment, the course content includes the discussion of moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding the profession of nursing, the person, family, and community and the transition from student to professional nurse.

This course is the first in a sequence of two courses that will provide the nursing student with a basic understanding of the study of pharmacology from a nursing perspective. Furthermore, the course is an introduction to pharmacology in the practice of nursing that incorporates the legal, cultural, psychological, professional, and ethical aspects of medication administration to clients across the lifespan. Nursing process guidelines and client education programs will be delineated and integrated throughout the course. Specific content will include, but may not be limited to, drug calculations, classifications, dosages, legal aspects of administration and preparation, uses, actions, and side effects of selected drugs in each classification, and client teaching including self-administration of medications. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized.

Continuing from Pharmacology I, this course expands a student’s knowledge of how drugs interact with several major body systems, including the cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine and reproductive systems. This course continues to provide the theoretical background that enables students to provide safe and effective nursing care related to administration of medications to persons throughout the lifespan. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions using current, reliable sources of information, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of drug therapy, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding safe and effective use of drugs, intervening to increase therapeutic benefits and reduce potential negative effects, and communicating appropriately with other health professionals regarding drug therapy.

Students will explore basic psychological principles and will learn terminology and concepts that psychologists use to explain behavior and mental processes. This course applies the study of psychology to real-life situations such as work, school, relationships, and personal well-being.