PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM
1196 Clock Hours
Practical nurses are essential to the healthcare profession, serving as vital links between physicians, registered nurses, and patients. Practical nurses function as members of the client care team in planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care. The practical nurse engages in a multitude of tasks including the following: assisting the client to learn appropriate self-care techniques; observing, recording, and reporting to appropriate supervisory personnel the client’s general physical and mental condition and any signs and symptoms that may be indicative of change; administering medications; performing wound care; and, preparing patients for operative procedures and other treatments.
The knowledge and skills taught in the program prepare the graduate for entry-level employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon successful completion of the program curriculum and after satisfaction of all other graduation requirements, the student will be awarded a Diploma as a Practical Nurse.
The normal completion time, in months, for the day session is twelve (12) months. For the evening session, the normal completion time is eighteen (18) months. Lecture class size is limited to thirty (30) students for a student/teacher ratio of 1:30. Lab and clinical student/teacher ratios are limited to 1:10.
All graduates must take and pass the National Council of Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to obtain licensure in their respective state.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of the Practical Nurse Program, the graduate will be able to:
- Practice nursing safely using a holistic human needs framework.
- Communicate effectively with clients, families and members of the healthcare team.
- Implement caring behaviors in variety of settings using the nursing process.
- Adhere to the legal and ethical standards of practice.
- Use critical thinking in the decision making process.
- Demonstrate responsibility for continuing professional and personal development.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
| Course Abbreviation | Course Number | Course Name | Clock Hours |
| TERM | 100 | Medical Terminology | 26 – Lecture |
| ANAT | 101 | Anatomy & Physiology | 104 – Lecture |
| NUTR | 100 | Nutrition | 52 – Lecture |
| ETHS | 100 | Ethics | 52 – Lecture |
| COMM | 100 | Communication | 26 – Lecture |
| NURS | 101 | Introduction To Nursing | 78 – Lecture
78 – Lab |
| PHAR | 101 | Pharmacology | 104 – Lecture |
| MEDS | 100 | Medication Administration | 26 – Lecture
26 – Lab |
| NURS | 102 | Medical Surgical Nursing I | 78 – Lecture
78 – Clinical |
| NURS | 103 | Medical Surgical Nursing II | 78 – Lecture
78 – Clinical |
| NURS | 104 | Maternal Child Nursing | 39 – Lecture
39 – Clinical |
| NURS | 105 | Pediatric Nursing | 39 – Lecture
39 – Clinical |
| NURS | 106 | Mental Health Nursing | 39 – Lecture
39 – Clinical |
| NURS | 107 | Community Health Nursing | 13 – Lecture
13 – Lecture |
| COMP | 110 | Comprehensive Review Synthesis | 52 – Lecture
|
TOTAL HOURS |
1196 |
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Special Note: To ensure adequate exposure to NCLEX-PN focused learning and current evidence-based practices, UTI uses the ATI PN NCLEX preparation study modules. The various modules are integrated into the syllabi for the program to reinforce the training UTI faculty provide and to provide continuous exposure to and practice on NCLEX-type questions. Students are required to complete these modules as part of their final course grades. Failure to do so may result in a student’s failing the course. At the end of every practice and/or proctored assessment, each student will undergo a focused review exercise as outlined in the syllabus.
TERM 100 Medical Terminology: 26 Hours
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to acquaint the student with medical terminology used by healthcare organizations and to acquire vocabulary to which nursing concepts will be applied. Students will learn the appropriate use of medical terminology when speaking, writing, educating, using medications, performing treatments and interacting with clients and interdisciplinary teams throughout healthcare continuum Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is the organizing framework.
ANAT 101 Anatomy and Physiology: 104 Hours
Prerequisite: TERM 100
This course is designed to provide the student with the basic understanding of the structure and function of the human body. The student will be educated on the relationship between cells, tissues, organs, and how they work in unison with one another from the simple to the more complex. Body systems are reviewed and interrelationships presented with a problem-focused learning approach. The course will also offer an introduction to the normal function and structure of the human body including an understanding of the relationship of the different body systems in maintaining homeostasis. Anatomy Physiology is the second course within the first tier of the organizing framework, which further integrates Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Medical Terminology concepts will be incorporated to demonstrate the correlation between the two courses.
NUTR 100 Nutrition: 52 Hours
Prerequisite: ANAT 101
This course is designed to educate the student about the value of good nutrition as it influences health and wellness. Essential nutrients that help the body grow and repair itself with the introduction of the food pyramid and its significance in health prevention and maintenance throughout the life cycle are also incorporated in this course. Additionally, the inclusion of cultural diversity diets in meeting nutritional needs in the United States is explored. Nutrition is the third course within the first tier of the organizing framework. Students will learn the relationship between Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology as it relates to meeting the basic physiological needs of the human body.
ETHS 100 Ethics and Legal Implications: 52 Hours
Prerequisite: NUTR 100
This course is designed to assist the student in transitioning to the role of the professional, practical nurse. The student will be introduced to their professional roles as it relates to the legal and ethical issues influencing practice in healthcare delivery system today. The student will learn their responsibility in providing Client-Centered-Care, Team work and Collaboration, Evidence-based Practice, and Safety within the scope of the professional licensed practical nurse. Moral and sound judgment and careful documentation are the keys to protecting themselves and clients from adverse outcomes. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) laws, client confidentiality, and the professional agencies and organizations which govern the practice of nursing are discussed. Additionally, the stages of death and dying, delegation, prioritization, handling infectious diseases, safe use of equipment and disaster and emergency responses are taught. The students have successfully completed the foundation of the first tier of the organization framework and are prepared to advance to tier two of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
COMM 100 Communication: 26 Hours
Prerequisite: ETHS 100
This course is designed to provide the student with the fundamental basic of understanding verbal and non-verbal therapeutic communication skills. Students will identify basic concepts of communication and how to correlate terms with meanings. The student will learn techniques of interviewing, effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration with members of the healthcare team, clients, families, and individuals from diverse populations. The importance of written communication will also be incorporated. Communication is the second course within the second tier of the organizing framework. Utilizing all of the skills, knowledge, and abilities learned in courses one (1) through six (4), students will now learn effective communication techniques. These communication strategies will assist clients in the healthcare arena meet their needs of affection, feelings of belonging and meaningful relationships with themselves and others according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
NURS 101 Introduction to Nursing: 156 Hours
Prerequisite: COMM 100
This course introduces students to the theoretical and therapeutic aspects of the art and science of nursing. The basic human needs across the lifespan according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs will be continually threaded throughout this course. The concepts and fundamental skills used by the practical nurse will be presented and evaluated. Structured laboratory activities and clinical experiences will be used to enable students to apply their knowledge about humans, environment, and health as related to their caregiving role. Students will render safe and therapeutic care to residents in sub-acute and long-term care settings. The nursing process is utilized as the foundation of all nursing interventions and approaches in identifying patient problems and meeting patient needs. The principles, techniques, and skills of therapeutic communication are explored further as they relate to nurse-patient relationships. Students are introduced to several concepts important for infection prevention and control measures. Introduction to Nursing is the third course within the second tier of the organizing framework. At the completion of this course, students will have effectively mastered knowledge and skills from previous five (5) taught courses using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
PHAR 101 Pharmacology: 104 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 101
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their origin, nature, properties and effect on living organisms. This course is designed to instruct the student in the study of medications, classifications/categories and federal organizations that regulate their use and discontinuation, including controlled, prescription and over the counter medications are considered. The specific drug uses, doses, adverse reactions, contraindications, precautions, and interactions. Pharmacology is the fourth course within the second tier of the organizing framework utilizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It forms the basis of teaching students on providing safety and comfort to clients while administering medications within the healthcare environment.
MEDS 100 Medication Administration: 52 Hours
Prerequisite: PHAR 101
This course is designed to provide the student with the principles of medication administration will be taught. The theoretical and practical applications of administering medication safely while learning the principles of calculation, conversions and the corresponding nursing implications. The student will participate in the administration of topical, oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and sublingual medications in the skills lab. Using critical thinking, students will apply the concepts, principles, and practices needed to prevent medication errors. Additionally, they will learn how to read the medication record and when to notify the advanced healthcare providers should they patients experience any difficulty. Medication Administration is the fifth and final course within the second tier of the organizing framework utilizing Maslow’s Hierarch of Needs. Concepts previously learned in Pharmacology, Introduction to Nursing, Communication, Ethics, Nutrition, A&P, and Medical Terminology will all be integrated throughout this course.
NURS 102 Medical-Surgical Nursing I: 156 Hours
Prerequisite: MEDS 100
This course is designed to use the application of the nursing process to care for the adult client experiencing medical/surgical conditions in the health-illness continuum. It will assist the student with developing skills that will promote their understanding of needs of clients and families with acute and chronic illnesses. Students will focus on the nursing needs of clients whose condition require adaptation to limitations and interruptions in daily living as well as with family unit and their return to the community. Critical thinking is used within the framework of the nursing process. Clinical experiences will be provided in acute, sub-acute, long-term care and outpatient agencies. Medical Surgical 1 is the first course in tier three (3) of the organization framework. This course builds on the previous knowledge and experiences taught in Medical Terminology through Introduction to Nursing. Pain management and end of life care will be incorporated to enable the student to manage the care of the client in crisis situations. This course will focus on factors that contribute to illness and the evidence-based measures to be taken that will assist the client to acquire safe quality clinical outcomes. Client-Centered Care, Teamwork, Collaboration, Quality Improvement, Safety and the usefulness of information technology will be emphasized. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is the framework that will be used to care for clients with alteration in fluids and electrolytes, nutrition, elimination, oxygenation and psychosocial needs.
NURS 103 Gerontology / Medical-Surgical Nursing II: 156 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 102
This course is a continuation of Medical Surgical I, in providing care to diverse population of aging clients experiencing complex health alterations. Emphases will focus on factors that contribute to illness of the aging client and the disease-specific evidence-based measures to be taken that will assist the aging client to acquire safe quality clinical outcomes. Additionally, psychosocial and economic realities of the aging client will be discussed. A focus on disease-specific interventions is taught to promote safe, quality, cost-efficient care. Client-Centered Care, Teamwork, Collaboration, Quality Improvement, Safety and the usefulness of information technology will continue to be emphasized. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is the framework that will be used for interventions implementation of conditions that are common of the aging including; signs and symptoms, diagnostics test, medical/surgical treatment, nutritional needs, pharmacological therapy, and prognosis. Clinical experiences include the student interfacing with the aging clients in their home, acute and long-term care facilities and community-based agencies.
NURS 104 Maternal / Newborn Nursing: 78 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 103
This course is designed to introduce the student to maternal/newborn nursing. Studies of biological, psychological and sociological concepts applicable to basic needs of the family including childbearing and neonatal care will be discussed. Topics include physiological changes related to pregnancy, fetal development and nursing g care of the family during labor and delivery and puerperium. The student will learn about conception, prenatal care, fetal development, labor, birth, post-partum and newborn care. Also; high-risk pregnancies, complications during delivery and high-risk newborns are studied. Holistic health in caring for mothers and children, the promotion and maintenance of holistic health, and wellness is emphasized. Sexually transmitted diseases, social, cultural and economic implications for the expected family will be discussed. Clinical experiences include students caring for mothers and newborns in acute care and community-based facilities. Maternal Newborn Nursing is the third course within tier three of the organizing framework utilizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Using all of the knowledge obtained from Medical Terminology through Medical Surgical Nursing II will help the student understand and provide care to this unique population group of mother and child.
NURS 105 Pediatric Nursing: 78 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 104
This course is designed to provide the student with understanding how to care for pediatric patients and explore health-related conditions of children from infancy through adolescence. The focus is on the care of the well and ill child utilizing the nursing process. The principles of safety and use of security devices, disease and accident prevention, pediatric admission and discharges, signs of respiratory distress, child abuse, immunizations, bonding and parenting role will be discussed. Also, end of life care, pain management and growth and development of children is emphasized. Pharmacology and Pediatric medication calculations will be integrated throughout the course. Clinical experiences with families and children will be provided in a variety of settings. Pediatric Nursing is the fourth (4) course in tier three of the organization framework. It incorporates knowledge and skills from all previously taught courses from Medical Terminology through Maternal Child Nursing using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
NURS 106 Mental Health Nursing: 78 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 105
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of mental health and mental illness. The student will learn the principles and theories of positive mental health and human behaviors. Nursing interventions in the most common psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities are covered. Included is an in-depth review of antidepressants and other psychotherapies related medications, the understanding of self and others, emotional responses and coping mechanisms are explored. Additive illnesses, their resulting behaviors, and societal implications are discussed. Interpersonal relationships and therapeutic communication will serve as core concepts in this course. Clinical experience in acute, long-term care and community-based psychiatric care facilities will be provided. This is the first course of tier four of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs using the Nursing Process. Students have successfully completed the previous three tiers and are prepared to meet the challenges of helping clients respond to their self-esteem needs throughout the healthcare continuum.
NURS 107 Community Health Nursing: 26 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 106
This course will provide students with experiences in community health settings where they visit and provide care to patients including, but not limited to clinics, outpatient facilities, hospices, home care agencies, AA/NA, and other community settings. The student will become familiar with community resources available to patients such as: social, economic and spiritual organizations. This is the second course within tier four of the organization framework. It incorporates the knowledge obtained from courses one through 12 utilizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
COMP 110 Comprehensive Review / NCLEX Preparation: 52 Hours
Prerequisite: NURS 107
This course is designed for students to evaluate all aspects of the Nursing Program and to
Participate in a comprehensive review of all courses in preparation for the NCLEX-PN Examination and entry level practice as Licensed Practical Nurses. They will practice all nursing skills and memorize normal and abnormal vital sign parameters and laboratory values to identify patients in crisis. Students will integrate all clinical and didactic skills previously taught, incorporate critical thinking exercises and take the exit examination at the conclusion of this course. Comprehensive Review/NCLEX preparation is the final course within UTI curriculum following Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with the ultimate goal of students’ passing the NCLEX on their first attempt, thereby meeting Maslow’s Self – Actualization Goal in Nursing.