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Practical Nursing — New Britain

LPN101 — Diploma Program

CIP Code: 51.3901

SOC Code: 29-2061

Day and Evening Programs

Total Semester Credit Hours 61.0
Instructional Hours 1591
Weeks to Complete — Day Approximately 52 weeks (including holidays and scheduled breaks)
Weeks to Complete — Evening Approximately 92 weeks (including holidays and scheduled breaks)

Program Objective

The Practical Nursing program prepares the individuals to become entry-level Practical Nurses. Practical Nurses provide nursing to clients of all ages with common health problems in a variety of health care settings under the direction of a Registered Nurse; participate in the nursing process to promote, maintain, and restore health or administer care to dying patients; practice within the legal and ethical framework of the nursing profession; and function as a member of the health care team in a variety of health care environments. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the State of Connecticut, Practical Nursing Licensing exam. The classrooms and labs are equipped with the necessary medical equipment and materials essential for training Practical Nurses. Major equipment includes Anatomical Manikins, VitalSim, Wheelchair, Stethoscopes, Electronic Thermometers, Personal Computers and pumps. Students will be required to complete out-of-class assignments in each course in this program.

Courses

Lecture Hours 116
Lab / Shop Hours 40
Total Hours 156
Total Credits 6.5
Prerequisites None

Course Description

Fundamentals of Nursing is designed to provide the student with the nursing skills, techniques, attitudes and behaviors, which are necessary for the provision of safe, effective, ethical and efficient nursing care. In order to acquire the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary, the student will be provided with study skills and strategies to maximize their learning potential. Due to the advent of the computerized medical record, the student will also learn computer skills applied to the nursing field and nursing education. By tracing the evolution of nursing, with particular emphases placed on Practical Nursing, the student will learn how to assist each individual patient to return to an optimum level of functioning on the wellness/illness continuum. By coordinating, classroom theory with laboratory and clinical practice, the student will be afforded the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in a logical and systematic manner. Basic mathematical concepts are reviewed using self-tutorial assignment(s). Simple conversions among systems of measurement will also be integrated into classroom theory, laboratory and clinical practice.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 180
Total Credits 6.5
Prerequisites

Successfully attain competence in designated lab skills prior to practicing skills in the clinical area.

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Nursing I. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade. The student is provided the opportunity to care for clients in a long-term care setting.
Lecture Hours 70
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 70
Total Credits 3.0
Prerequisites None

Course Description

This course begins with a focus on basic medical terminology and includes a brief review of the basic components of speech and writing. In this section of the course, emphasis is placed on interpreting and comprehending the specialized vocabulary of the health care field. In addition, this course encompasses aspects of anatomy, physiology, chemistry and microbiology. It will relate to how the parts of the body influence each other and contribute to effective overall functioning in maintaining homeostasis.
Lecture Hours 30
Lab / Shop Hours 30
Total Hours 60
Total Credits 2.5
Prerequisites PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This course is designed to expand on the knowledge base acquired in Nursing I – Fundamentals of Nursing. The emphasis will be on increasingly complex nursing procedures and techniques. Critical Thinking Skills and the Nursing Process will be utilized by the student to assist the client to obtain an optimum level of functioning on the Wellness/Illness continuum.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 185
Total Credits 6.5
Prerequisites

PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Human Growth and Development. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course.
Lecture Hours 50
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 50
Total Credits 2.0
Prerequisites PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I. The primary focus encompasses anatomy and physiology of the remaining systems and nutrition. This course also relates how the parts of the body influence each other and contribute to effective overall functioning in maintaining homeostasis.
Lecture Hours 35
Lab / Shop Hours 10
Total Hours 45
Total Credits 2.0
Prerequisites PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to various medication classification systems, and numerous medications’ effect on the human organism. This course also includes a comprehensive review of mathematical functions as they relate to dosage calculations. The student will be required to take a Dosage Calculations exam. This course also includes medication administration and requires the student to demonstrate competence in medication administration skills in the laboratory setting. Principles of Pharmacology acquaints the student with the basic classification systems for medications as well as the general action, use, side effects and nursing implications common to each classification system.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 27
Total Credits 0.5
Prerequisites

PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Human Growth and Development. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course. The student will have the opportunity to observe/interact with the well-child in the pre-school setting.
Lecture Hours 30
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 30
Total Credits 1.0
Prerequisites PN103A , PN105A , PN109A

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the biological, social and psychosocial processes that contribute to human growth and development across the lifespan. Areas covered include theories of development, learning and personality. Also included will be concepts of sociology, culture, status, role and identity. Areas of care for the older adult include physical and psychosocial changes, strengths and limitations which occur as part of the aging process. The role of the nurse in preventative and restorative care throughout the life span is emphasized.
Lecture Hours 45
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 45
Total Credits 2.0
Prerequisites PN103A, PN105A, PN109A, PN115A, PN117A, PN121A, PN122A, PN125A

Course Description

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of care for the client with Mental Health needs throughout the life span. This course will focus on current theories, treatment modalities, pharmacology and therapeutic communication. Emphasis will be placed on developing an understanding of the manifestations of a variety of mental health disorders. The nursing process will be utilized to respond to various ethical, legal, emotional and behavioral issues.
Lecture Hours 45
Lab / Shop Hours 3
Total Hours 48
Total Credits 2.0
Prerequisites

PN103A , PN105A , PN109A , PN115A , PN117A , PN121A , PN122A , PN125A

Course Description

This course covers the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, and prevention of complications for the mother, fetus and newborn infant and changes related to the family unit. Health problems that complicate pregnancy are discussed including those related to the mother and the infant. Pharmacology pertaining to Maternal Child Health is also discussed. The nursing process is applied to provide effective client care. Strong emphasis is placed on the nurse’s role as teacher in health promotion.
Lecture Hours 81
Lab / Shop Hours 10
Total Hours 91
Total Credits 4.0
Prerequisites PN103A, PN105A , PN109A , PN115A , PN117A , PN121A , PN122A , PN125A

Course Description

The systems approach to this course is designed to provide the student with a broad base of knowledge of selected diseases and disorders which effect individuals as they move along the wellness/illness continuum. Emphasis will be placed on using the nursing process to meet the unique needs of each patient and family and/or support system during disruptions of health with the goal of returning the individual to an optimal level of wellness or to support them through the experience of death. Included will be basic pathophysiology within selected biological system disorders: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, and Upper Gastrointestinal. Fluid, Electrolytes and Shock will also be covered. Emphasis will also be placed on appropriate methods of health maintenance where applicable, diet therapy, and the use of medications for the restoration and maintenance of health.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 216
Total Credits 7.5
Prerequisites

PN103A , PN105A, PN109A, PN115A, PN117A, PN121A, PN122A, PN125A

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Nursing V – Nursing Across the Lifespan I. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course. Depending on scheduling, the student’s participation in the medication administration competencies may occur in this course. This Clinical experience will provide the student with the opportunity to care for clients in a sub-acute clinical environment.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 18
Total Credits 0.5
Prerequisites

PN103A, PN105A, PN109A, PN115A, PN117A, PN121A, PN122A, PN125A, PN130A, PN131A, PN132A, PN134A

Course Description

This clinical experience is a component of Nursing IV – Mental Health Nursing. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course. Clinical experiences will provide the student with the opportunity to utilize therapeutic communication skills while interacting with adults within the mental health setting including an inpatient psychiatric unit. (18 clinical hours)
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 18
Total Credits 0.5
Prerequisites

PN103A, PN105A, PN109A, PN115A, PN117A, PN121A, PN122A, PN125A, PN130A, PN131A, PN132A, PN134A

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Nursing III – Concepts of Maternal Child. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course. The student will have the opportunity to observe / interact with clients in a maternity setting. (18 clinical hours)
Lecture Hours 143
Lab / Shop Hours 11
Total Hours 154
Total Credits 7.0
Prerequisites PN103A,PN105A,PN109A,PN115A,PN117A,PN121A,PN122A,PN125A,PN130A,PN131A,PN132A,PN134A

Course Description

This course is a continuation of Nursing V – Nursing Across the Lifespan I. The systems approach continues with this course and is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge base of selected diseases and disorders affecting individuals of all ages as they move along the wellness/illness continuum. Emphasis will be placed on using the nursing process to meet the unique needs of each patient and family and/or support systems during disruption of health with the goal of returning the individual to an optimal level of wellness or to support them through the experience of death. Included will be a unit on the ill-child and basic pathophysiology within selected biological systems’ disorders: Lower Gastrointestinal, Neurological, Integumentary, Genitourinary Reproductive, Sensory, Cancer, Hemopoetic, and Musculoskeletal. Infectious diseases will also be covered. Emphasis will also be placed on the appropriate methods of health maintenance and where applicable, diet therapy and the use of medications for the restoration of health.
Lecture Hours 0
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 162
Total Credits 5.5
Prerequisites

PN103A, PN105A, PN109A, PN115A, PN117A, PN121A, PN122A, PN125A, PN130A, PN131A, PN132A, PN134A

Course Description

This Clinical Experience is a component of Nursing VI – Nursing Across Lifespan II. Clinical competencies must be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this course. Depending on scheduling, the student’s participation in the medication administration competencies may occur in this course. This Clinical experience will provide the student with the opportunity to care for clients of all ages in a sub-acute clinical environment. (162 clinical hours)
Lecture Hours 36
Lab / Shop Hours 0
Total Hours 36
Total Credits 1.5
Prerequisites PN103A , PN105A, PN109A , PN115A , PN117A , PN121A , PN122A , PN125A , PN130A , PN131A , PN132A , PN134A

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare the student for the role transition to Licensed Practical Nurse. Emphasis will be placed on preparation for the NCLEX-PN including review of content material in conjunction with test-taking skills and practice tests. Professional topics include the responsibility of licensure, the necessity of continuing education and the involvement in nursing organizations. State Board of Examiners for Nursing White Papers, various letters, Practical Nursing’s Standards of Nursing Practice will also be discussed. A session on Disaster Nursing and the Licensed Practical Nurse’s role along with Bioterrorism issues will be in included. In order to pass this course, a passing grade must be achieved on the Exit Exam.

Notes:

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) . . . . 91.5 semester credits

Mode of Delivery: Residential, Blended Learning or Online are the methods we may use to deliver content in each course. The Residential courses are offered on ground at the campus. Blended courses are offered by delivering a fraction of the course in an online format as well as traditional face to face method. Online courses are delivered 100% online. The Blended delivery and online delivery plan will implement distance education activities into each course in the program of study. The use of simulations, case studies, assessments and multimedia will be used to enhance the students understanding of the learning objectives outlined in the course syllabus.

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