Practical Nursing Program Code 315431

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

Licensed Practical Nurse: administers care to individuals whose conditions are relatively stable; administers care to the acutely ill under the direct supervision of an RN or MD; teaches basic hygiene, nutrition, and aspects of good health; administers first aid; and assists with health assessment and basic health teaching in a variety of settings under the supervision of an RN or MD.

Health Insurance Claims Approver: processes insurance claims on a computer terminal.

Program Outcomes

. Adhere to standards of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of the licensed practical nurse.
. Use effective communications skills recognizing lifespan considerations.
. Assist with health assessment of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan.
. Participate in clinical decision-making within the LPN scope of practice.
. Provide safe caring interventions with diverse populations across the lifespan.
. Use principles of teaching and learning processes to reinforce teaching plans recognizing lifespan considerations.
. Work cooperatively with others to provide holistic care.
. Under supervision, manage and direct care within and across health care setting according to established protocols.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Attend mandatory orientation.
. Complete physical examination within three months before entering program and maintain current immunization information.
. Complete an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements. Recommend taking between program orientation and program start.
. All students must successfully complete a DHS approved Nursing Assistant course prior to program entry.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Clinical Experience

Students will be required to purchase a uniform, pay for liability insurance, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances, and participate in p.m. clinicals.

Accreditation

The Practical Nursing program is accredited by:
Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Dept of Regulation & Licensing
1400 East Washington Street
PO Box 8935
Madison WI 53708-8935
(608) 266-2112

Board/Certification Examinations

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN Examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical (LPN).

Flexible Learning Option

A part-time program format is available. This option is scheduled over six semesters including two summer semesters. Each semester has four to six credits. For details, please refer to the part time Practical Nursing brochure.

Requirements for Program Application

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. As a requirement for program application, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer)assessment with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary within the last three years. Academic Skills Assessment program benchmarks of Reading Comprehension: 78; Arithmetic: 80; Sentence Skills: 90 must be met prior to submitting an application. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation may be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Curriculum

The Practical Nursing Technical Diploma is a three-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 30 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than a "C" is acceptable in the nursing or natural science courses marked with an asterisk. A student must repeat the particular course with "C" or better final grade to continue in or graduate from this program. If the course is sequential, the successful retake must occur before continuing the sequence.
. Individuals with criminal records may be ineligible for licensure. Individuals with abuse records may be ineligible for employment in nursing homes.
. It is suggested that a Medical Terminology course (10-501-101) be taken prior to entering the program.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

31-543-301 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS ...focuses on basic nursing concepts that the beginning nurse will need to provide care to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Current and historical issues impacting nursing will be explored within the scope of nursing practice. The nursing process will be introduced as a framework for organizing the care of patients with alterations in cognition, elimination, comfort, grief/loss, mobility, integument, and fluid/electrolyte balance. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Practical Nursing Program; Corequisites: 31-806-312, Anatomy/Structure Function; 31-543-302, Nursing Skills; 31-543-303, Nursing Pharmacology; 31-543-304, Nursing: Introduction to Clinical Practice)

31-543-302 NURSING SKILLS ...focuses on development of clinical skills and physical assessment across the lifespan. Content includes mathematic calculations and conversions related to clinical skills, blood pressure assessment, aseptic technique, wound care, oxygen administration, tracheostomy care, suctioning, management of enteral tubes, basic medication administration, glucose testing, enemas, ostomy care, and catheterization. In addition, the course includes techniques related to obtaining a health history and basic physical assessment skills using a body systems approach. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Practical Nursing Program; Corequisites: 31-806-312, Anatomy/Structure Function; 31-543-301, Nursing Fundamentals; 31-543-303, Nursing Pharmacology; 31-543-304, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice)

31-543-303 NURSING PHARMACOLOGY ...this course introduces the principles of pharmacology, including drug classifications and their effects on the body. Emphasis is on the use of the components of the nursing process when administering medications. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Practical Nursing Program; Corequisites: 31-806-312, Anatomy/Structure Function; 31-543-301, Nursing Fundamentals; 31-543-302, Nursing Skills; 31-543-304, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice)

31-543-304 NSG: INTRO TO CLINICAL PRACTICE ...this introductory clinical course emphasizes basic nursing skills and application of the nursing process in meeting the needs of diverse clients across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on performing basic nursing skills, the formation of nurse-client relationships, communication, data collection, documentation, and medication administration. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Practical Nursing Program; Corequisites: 31-806-312, Anatomy/Structure Function; 31-543-301, Nursing Fundamentals; 31-543-302, Nursing Skills; 31-543-303, Nursing Pharmacology)

31-543-305 NURSING HEALTH ALTERATIONS ... this course elaborates upon the basic concepts of health and illness as presented in Nursing Fundamentals. It applies theories of nursing in the care of clients through the lifespan, utilizing problem solving and critical thinking. This course will provide an opportunity to study conditions affecting different body systems and apply therapeutic nursing interventions. It will also introduce concepts of leadership, team building, and scope of practice. (Prerequisite: Completion of 1st semester courses; Corequisite: 31-543-308, Nursing: Intro to Clinical Management)

31-543-306 NURSING HEALTH PROMOTION ...this course focuses on topics related to health promotion for individuals and families throughout the lifespan. We will cover nursing care of the developing family, which includes reproductive issues, pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, the newborn, and the child. Recognizing the spectrum of healthy families we will discern patterns associated with adaptive and maladaptive behaviors applying mental health principles. An emphasis is placed on teaching and supporting healthy lifestyle choices for individuals of all ages. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, empowerment, and risk reduction practices are highlighted. Study of the family will cover dynamics, functions, discipline styles, and stages of development. (Prerequisite: Completion of 1st semester courses; Corequisite: 31-543-307, Nursing: Clinical Care Across Lifespan)

31-543-307 NSG:CLIN CARE ACROSS LIFESPAN ...this clinical experience applies nursing concepts and therapeutic interventions to clients across the lifespan. It also provides an introduction to concepts of teaching and learning. Extended care to include the family is emphasized. (Prerequisite: Completion of 1st semester courses; Corequisite: 31-543-306, Nursing Health Promotion)

31-543-308 NSG: INTRO CLINICAL CARE MGT ...this clinical experience applies nursing concepts and therapeutic nursing interventions to groups of clients across the lifespan. It also provides an introduction to leadership, management, and team building. (Prerequisite: Completion of 1st semester courses; Corequisite: 31-543-305, Nursing Health Alterations)

31-806-312 ANATOMY/STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ...human body systems, structural formation.

10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. 3 cr.

10-809-188 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY ...defines human development; examines theories; heredity and environmental effects; prenatal development and birth; evaluates biosocial, cognitive psychosocial development through the life span; aging, death, and dying. 3 cr.

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.