Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2007 

Practical Nursing

3 Semester Program (Full-time)

6 Semester Program (Part-time and Outreach)

Coordinator and Instructor: Lewis
Instructors: Eddington,  Madsen, Mapes, Neitzel-Jones, Pearce, Smith
Adjunct Faculty:  Mansfield

See Faculty Information    
See Program Information   
See Practical Nursing Courses    

One Advanced Technical Certificate is available (via full-time or part-time scheduling). Graduates of this program who are Licensed Practical Nurses are eligible to apply to the Associate of Science Degree in Registered Nursing program. Also see Business Technology for the Associate of Applied Science degree. 

This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX – PN). Graduates will provide care that requires practical nursing skill and knowledge. In health care facilities, they will:

1. Provide bedside care.
2. Provide intravenous therapy, draw blood, assess vital signs, change dressings, administer most prescribed medications, and assist patients with personal care.
3. Assist physicians and registered nurses in implementing plans of care for patients.

Some graduates may work in specialized units, perform special nursing procedures, and operate sophisticated equipment.

For Program Information Packets, use this link, where there are descriptions of each program in general, course descriptions, lists of course sequences, and the cost of books, tools, uniforms, fees, and other expenses.

The Practical Nursing Program provides classroom, laboratory, and student nurse practicum instruction which prepares graduates for entry into practical nursing.

Program Prerequisites::

BI 170		Introduction to Computers		3 cr
	OR
CIS 101, 101L	Introduction to Computers		3 cr

HO 106		Medical Terminology			2 cr
	OR
HCA/HE 210	Medical Terminology and Communication	2 cr

HO 111		Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology	4 cr
	OR
BIOL 301, 301L and BIOL 302, 302L
		Anatomy and Physiology, and Labs	8 cr

NTD 340 	Nutrition				3 cr
	OR
PNUR 124	Nutrition and Diet Therapy for the
		  Practical Nurse			2 cr

PSYC 101	Introduction to General Psychology	3 cr

			PREREQUISITES TOTAL:	 14 or 18 cr

Required Courses:

PNUR 110, 110L  Basic Foundations of Nursing, and Lab 4 cr
PNUR 113        Medication Administration
                  for Practical Nursing               1 cr
PNUR 114        Clinical Foundations of Nursing I     3 cr
PNUR 115        Professional Development Seminar      1 cr
PNUR 117        Geriatric Nursing                     2 cr
PNUR 121        Clinical Foundations of Nursing II    2 cr
PNUR 122        Pediatric Nursing                     3 cr
PNUR 123        Drug Therapy for the Practical Nurse  3 cr
PNUR 131        Clinical Foundations of Nursing III   4 cr
PNUR 133,133L   Intravenous Therapy for the
                  Practical Nurse, and Lab            2 cr
PNUR 135        Introduction to Community Nursing     1 cr
PNUR 136        Maternal and Newborn Nursing          3 cr
PNUR 137        Clinical Foundations of Nursing IV    1 cr
PNUR 140        Management for the Practical Nurse    2 cr
PNUR 141, 141L  Medical Surgical Nursing, and Lab     7 cr

						   TOTAL:  53 cr (minimum)

Every student is required to earn a grade of “C-” or better in every course to progress through the program and to be eligible for a certificate.

Outreach Program--Part-time
8 Semester (Part-Time) Program

The Outreach-Part-time Practical Nursing Program provides classroom, laboratory, and student nurse practicum instruction which prepares graduates for entry into practical nursing. See the curriculum listed above.

Courses  

PNUR 110 Basic Foundations of Nursing 3 credits. A study of the principles of disease transmission; therapeutic communication; patient teaching, medication administration, the nursing process and basic clinical skills which provide the foundation for nursing practice. F

PNUR 110L Basic Foundations of Nursing Lab 1 credit.  Practical application of the nursing process and basic clinical skills which provide the foundation for nursing practice.  COREQ: PNUR 110.  F

PNUR 113 Medication Administration for Practical Nursing 1 credit. The basics of safe medication administration, including math calculations and proper procedures, are taught. The medication examination included in this class must be successfully passed before the student Practical Nurse is allowed to enter actual clinical settings. COREQ: PNUR 110. F

PNUR 114 Clinical Foundations of Nursing I 3 credits. Through hands on clinical experience in a variety of settings the student nurse will be exposed to the skills basic to nursing practice. S

PNUR 115 Professional Development Seminar 1 credit. Professional development for students entering the Practical Nursing program will be presented. Seminar topics will include issues in Practical Nursing, study strategies, professional organizations, and other topics of interest to increase professionalism. F

PNUR 117 Geriatric Nursing 2 credits.  A study of normal and abnormal aging in the older adult. F

PNUR 121 Clinical Foundations of Nursing II 3 credits. Introduction to the basic physical and emotional needs of clients (children and adults) in a variety of health care facilities. Students can apply the nursing process in patient situations, beginning with basic nursing care and moving to more complex patient situations. This includes nursing care and application of drug therapy. S

PNUR 122 Pediatric Nursing 3 credits. The disorders of childhood and the principles of pediatric nursing will be presented. Normal growth and development of the child will be incorporated throughout. F

PNUR 123 Drug Therapy for the Practical Nurse 3 credits. The study of drugs and their actions as related to patient care in nursing practice. F

PNUR 124 Nutrition and Diet Therapy for the Practical Nurse 2 credits. The principles of basic nutrition and the application of diet therapy for the ill patient. D

PNUR 131 Clinical Foundations of Nursing III 4 credits. The theory and principles of the nursing care of the critically ill in real situations. Su

PNUR 133 Intravenous Therapy for the Practical Nurse 1 credit. Study of principles and practice of intravenous therapy for the Practical Nurse. Subjects include fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, paranteral solutions, infection control relating to IV therapy, central venous access, intravenous nutritional support, and clinical skills relating to intravenous therapy. S

PNUR 133L Intravenous Therapy Lab for the Practical Nurse 1 credit. In the clinical lab setting, practice of intravenous therapy skills for the Practical Nurse.  S

PNUR 135 Introduction to Community Nursing 1 credit. Advanced training for the Practical Nurse in the community setting is offered. Emphasis is on collaboration with other disciplines and members of the health care team. Further development of skills in sound judgment, effective communication, and assessment in the community setting is included. Documentation and legal/ethical considerations of community nursing are presented. F

PNUR 136 Maternal and Newborn Nursing 3 credits. The theory and principles of the nursing care of the pregnant client and the newborn. S

PNUR 137 Clinical Foundations of Nursing IV 1 credit. Through hands-on clinical experience in a variety of settings, the advanced student nurse will identify, perform, and model skills basic to nursing practice. S

PNUR 140 Management for the Practical Nurse 2 credits. Provides a beginning knowledge of first-level management skills for the role of Charge Nurse in long-term care facilities.  This course meets the criteria set forth by the Board of Nursing for the LPN Charge Nurse course. Su

PNUR 141 Medical Surgical Nursing 6 credits. Introduction to various disease processes and how they affect the adult client. The theory and principles of the nursing care for the ill adult patient are presented. COREQ: PNUR 141L. S

PNUR 141L Medical Surgical Nursing Lab 1 credit. Clinical application of nursing interventions and procedures learned in Medical Surgical Nursing. COREQ: PNUR 141 S

PNUR 198 Special Topics 1-8 credits. This course is designed to address the specific needs of individuals. It will enable the students to upgrade their technical skills through part-time enrollment in units of instruction that are currently available through the program's full-time pre-employment curriculum. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

Outreach Courses

PNUR 118 Outreach Clinical Foundations I 2 credits. Through hands-on clinical experience in a variety of settings the student nurse will be exposed to skills basic to the nursing practice. D

PNUR 128 Outreach Clinical Foundations II 2 credits. Introduction to the basic physical and emotional needs of clients (children and adults) in a variety of health care facilities. Students can apply the nursing process in patient situations, beginning with the basic nursing care and moving to more complex patient situations. This includes nursing care and application of drug therapy. D

PNUR 138 Outreach Clinical Foundations III 2 credits. Caring for patients in the actual clinical setting, applying the nursing process in a variety of healthcare settings. D

PNUR 148 Outreach Clinical Foundations IV 2 credits. The theory, principles, and practice of nursing care of the critically ill in real situations. D

PNUR 158 Outreach Clinical Foundations V 2 credits. The theory and principles of the nursing care in community setting and in clinical situations. D