Medical Learning Center LPN Program

LPN - PROGRAM:

PRACTICAL NURSE TRAINING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In a period of 12 months (1400 hours of instruction) students will learn, practical nursing skills through independent and web enhanced study, lectures, demonstrations, and return demonstrations. Students will learn and acquire nursing skills and practice these skills in a nursing lab under the guidance and direction of a Registered Nurse Instructor. Hands on experience in a clinical setting will take place in local area hospitals,long- term care facilities, and clinical settings. To continue and graduate from the practical nurse program, the student must complete all the required courses in nursing with a grade of “C” or better.

 

COURSES OF STUDY:
 

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Anatomy & Physiology I
• Anatomy & Physiology II
• Introduction to Principles/Practices of Nursing (Nursing Skills)
• Integrating Pharmacology & Gerontology in each applicable concept:

          • Medical/Surgical Nursing I

          • Medical/Surgical Nursing II

          • Mental Health Nursing

          • Maternity Nursing

          • Pediatric Nursing

          • Professional Development

          • NCLEX-PN Review

 

                                                        COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

 

Fundamentals of Nursing: The course focus is a review of nursing history and the moral and legal responsibilities of the practical nurse. The disciplines in nursing, theories in nursing concepts, nursing practices, and systems of health care delivery in nursing will be studied and analyzed as it relates to current issues in healthcare. This course will provide an overview of the Philosophy of Nursing and Objectives of the Nursing Education Program in the Medical Learning Center.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:
   

• Describe an understanding of the evolution of nursing from the days of Florence Nightingale to the 21st century. 
• Identify the positive and negative aspects of the evolution of the nursing profession and discuss opinions in the classroom setting.
• State the Medical Learning Center's Philosophy of Nursing.

 

Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2: This course introduces the student to essential basic information from the sciences of Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Chemistry. This scientific framework will allow the student to understand how the human body attempts to compensate in the presence of disease and will foster development of skills of observation necessary to report and monitor symptoms that result from illness.

Objectives: After the completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• Identify and use appropriately basic medical terminology.
• Discuss specific disease processes as they relate to a body system anatomy and physiology.
• Discuss fluid electrolytes and acid base balance as it relates to specific diseases.
• Discuss health and disease prevention through understanding the body systems:
  Integumentary (skin), musculoskeletal, nervous, sensory, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, digestive, and reproductive systems.

Introduction to Principles & Practices of Nursing:                                                                                      Students acquire basic knowledge and skills to meet the needs of individuals across the life span. The student practical nurse will be introduced to the healthcare system where she/he will learn the principles of the nursing process and be able to combine both theory and practice in the delivery of patient care across the healthcare continuum. The student practical nurse will also acquire the knowledge and apply the key principles learned in providing effective nursing care in health and illness. Satisfactory completion of the course, both theory and clinical lab demonstration of required skills in the skills Inventory List qualifies the student to begin Clinical Rotation at the assigned clinical sites.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• State the essential elements that are central to successful roles and functions as a professional practical nurse.
• Demonstrate principles and practices of behavioral competencies in communications, documentation, patient teaching, critical thinking, nursing process, and critical pathways.
• Discuss principles and practice of clinical competencies in laboratory and diagnostic studies, nutrition, infection control, endocrine, fluid & electrolytes, IV infusions and arterial blood gases.
• Discuss principles and practices of core issues of stress, pain management, rehabilitation, aging, sexuality, culture, spirituality and death and dying.
• Describe how a graduate practical nurse will provide care across the life span applying the 3 levels of prevention: primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

Medical/Surgical Nursing I & II (Integrating Pharmacology & Gerontology):                                                     The course prepares practical nursing students to care for adult clients with medical or surgical disorders or diseases. The student is presented with the patho-physiology of common diseases of the adult, including those relating to aging patients. Emphasis is placed on providing care within the framework of the nursing process. The presentation diseases is organized according to the body systems and physiological needs which includes pharmacological agents used in treatment.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• Discuss the pathophysiology of common disorders and diseases; explain risk factors and causes; review diagnostic tests and medical management of the disorders with emphasis on the role nurses play in the plan of care.
• Apply the nursing process to nursing diagnosis with suggestions of intervention, and evaluation of data to determine the effectiveness of care.

Mental Health Nursing (Integrating Pharmacology & Gerontology):                                                                The course presents mental health disorders within a systematic organizational framework using the nursing process. The teaching - learning process will reflect that the practice of mental health nursing is in direct response to the social, cultural, environmental and biological components of mental illness.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• Discuss the cause of common mental disorders and the role of the nurse in the plan of care.
• Using the nursing process, demonstrate effective communication skills and application of cultural considerations.
• Discuss medications including actions, dosages and side effects.
• Discuss age-related changes and care of the older patients with mental disorders and diseases.

Maternity Nursing (Integrating Pharmacology & Gerontology):                                                                       The course prepares practical nursing students to care for women of childbearing age, in the prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum stages. Review of the basic concepts of reproduction from conception through the birthing process. The course includes: assessment of the newborn and a study of both normal and high-risk pregnancies. Application of the nursing process in caring for women in the childbearing age, from the prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum stages will be the focus of this course.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• Demonstrate care for the client who needs maternal healthcare before, during and after delivery.
• Demontrate how to perform a nursing assessment of the newborn.
• Create a care plan for both a high risk and uncomplicated obstetrical patients.
• Discuss how emotions and culture may influence the birthing process.
• Discuss the older women in pregnancy including age-related changes and medications that might be prescribed.

Pediatric Nursing (Integrating Pharmacology):
The course prepares the student practical nurse to care for the child from birth to 18 years of age. Course study focuses on both the normal growth and development, acute or chronic illness.

Objectives: After completion of the course, the student practical nurse will:

• Discuss the normal growth and development of pediatric clients from birth to 18 years of age considering physical, psychological, social and emotional factors.
• Talk about the age specific care needs of pediatric clients and develop a care plan using the nursing process to meet these care needs.
• Discuss medications including actions, dosages and side effects.
• Understanding the signs of abuse and ways to prevent abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

Professional Development:                                                                                                                                 The student practical nurse will demonstrate an understanding of the definition of health and homeostasis and how adoption of these principles is important in developing oneself to a successful and satisfying career of nursing. Principles of effective communication, how to apply for a job, prepare for a job, prepare for a job interview, and goal setting, are only some of the key points the student will learn from this course. Reality situations in the workplace will be role played and discussed in the classroom setting.

Objectives: After completion of the course the student practical nurse will:

• Demonstrate and articulate steps and resources to use when looking for a job, how to arrange and prepare for a job interview, and complete a job application form, and develop a resume.
• Role Plays difficult and conflict situations and demonstrate coping strategies learned from the course in conflict resolution, and dealing with stressful situations.
• List four reasons a state board of nursing could revoke a nursing license.
• Discuss regulations of the state board of nursing for practical nurses.

NCLEX-PN Review Description:                                                                                                                           This review course is based on the content of NCSBN (National Council for State Board of Nursing) NCLEX-PIN Test Plan and is organized into four major client needs categories such as: Safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, physiology integrity. Students will recognize the nursing process as a scientific approach to client care that includes data collection, planning, implementation and evaluation. Students will recognize the vocational nurse role in providing support and compassion to help achieve desired therapeutic outcomes. Recognize the importance of verbal and nonverbal interactions with clients, families, significant others and member of the healthcare team.

 

Objectives: At the completion of this review course the student will be able to answer questions on the following topics in the NCLEX-PN exam:

Safe and Effective Care Environment:

*         Coordinated Care                                      12-18 % 
*         Safety and Infection Control                         8-14 % 
Health Promotion and Maintenance

Psychological Integrity

Physiological Intergrity

*         Basic Care & Comfort                                 11-17 % 

*         Pharmacological Therapies                           9-15 % 

*         Reduction of Risk Potentioal                         10-16 % 

*         Physiological Adaptation                              11-17 %         

 

PROGRAM GOALS:

• Provide didactic & clinical training to individuals who demonstrate the desire & commitment to enter the health care field as a practical nurse.
• Prepare students in the program to be able to function as direct caregivers under the supervision of licensed health care professional upon completion of the program.
• Assist graduates in review process for the National Council Licensing Exam NCLEX-PN.

GRADUATION:
Upon completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded. Graduation from the program enables the graduate to apply and take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

GRADUATE PRACTICAL NURSE GOALS:
As an entry-level practitioner, the graduate practical nurse will be able to assume the role of a care provider prepared to practice in various health care settings where policies and procedures are specified and guidance is available. The graduate practical nurse will be practicing under the supervision of a licensed health care professional.                 

Apply the nursing process in health promotion restoring and maintaining the client’s health as will as provide compassionate care to the dying.                                                                                                                        Complete the application to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-PN).

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

A practical nurse has job opportunities in various health care settings such as:

• HOSPITALS
• NURSING HOMES
• PHYSICIANS' CLINICS 
• HEALTH CARE CENTERS
• HOME HEALTH
• PRIVATE DUTY

CLASS/CLINICAL SCHEDULE:
Daytime Class:   Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.    ( Duration one year)
Evening Class:   Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.   ( Duration one year)
Weekend Class: Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to  3 p.m.     ( Duration twenty two months )

Clincal day       : Mondays & Tuesdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Clinical evening: Mondays & Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

 

FOR MORE DETAIL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM, CLASS SCHEDULE , COST AND START DATES PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL.