Practical Nursing

Presented by Southeast Regional College in Partnership with SIAST

Location:	Cowessess
Length of Course:	2 years - Year 1: 36 weeks - Year 2: 29 weeks
Start Date:	Pre Nursing Classes – September 22, 2008 Semester 1 – October 6, 2008 Semester 2 – February 23, 2008 Semester 3 – October 5, 2009 Semester 4 – January 25, 2009
Tuition:	Year 1 - $6500.00* Year 2 - $6500.00*
Books & Materials:	Year 1 – $1785.00* Year 2 - $1205.00*
Program Prerequisites:	-  Grade 12 (minimum average of 65%) -  Must have ELA A30, ELA B30, any 30 Level Math; one of Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Physics 30; and one of Social Studies 30, History 30 or Native Studies 30. -  Must have a current Standard First Aide certificate. -  Must have a current CPR Heart Saver Level C 'AED'. -  Must have a criminal records check -  Must complete Supplemental Health and Immunization Record. -  Applicants must have an interview prior to acceptance.
Special Admission:	-  Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for this program, may be admitted through special admissions. -  Please read insert on Special Admissions for details specific to the Practical Nursing Program.

(Information indicated with an * is subject to change)

Practical Nursing is a certificate program. It provides Knowledge and skill development in providing professional nursing care independently or as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team.

You will learn how to:

• Provide professional nursing care to individuals within the context of families and communities.
• Apply then knowledge you derive from the nursing arts and the physiological, psychological, sociological and cultural sciences which are common to all nurses.
• Practice in accordance with the standards of practice and guidelines established by the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN).

Southeast College will be offering two weeks of Pre Nursing classes at no cost to the students. These classes may consist of information on study skills, time management, essay writing, exam writing skills. These classes are meant to enhance the student's skills prior to beginning the Practical Nursing program but are not mandatory.

You will study the human body, how it is constructed and how it functions to maintain homeostasis. You will focus on the interaction between the structures of the body cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. The course content includes levels of organization of the human body, cells tissues, integument and the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

You will study the development of basic nursing competencies that support health promotion and illness prevention. Your clinical experience will focus on developing your understanding of the concerns of older adults and the support they require in order to remain independent members of their communities.

You will explore the concept of self in relation to others. You will develop basic therapeutic communications skills. Through reflection and understanding your nature, you will experience awareness, personal growth and development of critical thinking skills. You will also explore verbal, nonverbal, written and technological communication.

Within a caring holistic context, you will be introduced to the concept of health as it applies to yourself and others. You will explore the concept of primary healthy care. You will discuss health services delivery and determinants. You will examine health promotion activities and explore community resources.

Your studies will focus on the concepts of holistic nursing care related to specific health challenges of the older adult. You will discuss the concepts related to growth and development of the adult and older adult, and examine the concept of polypharmacy in the older adult. You will also discuss the introductory concepts of microbiology and selected specific microorganisms. You will explore the chain of infection and learn about emerging infections in Canadian communities.

You will explore the basic concepts of sociology. These include culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, race and ethnicity.

You will have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in holistic nursing care of individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living in the context of partnership with the client. Please read enclosed insert on practicum details contained in this package.

You will study the human body, how it is constructed and how it functions to maintain homeostasis. The course builds on the information you learned in APHY 162. You will focus on the study of systems involved with integration, control, absorptions, excretion and reproduction.

You will focus on developing and applying nursing competencies associated with rehabilitative and supportive care of the adult. Your experiential learning will emphasize caring for individuals with chronic health challenges.

You will focus on therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on caring, advocacy and diversity. You will explore trends and issues in nursing. You will discuss the scope of professional practice for the practical nurse.

You will focus on rehabilitative and supportive care within an interdisciplinary team. You will explore palliative and rehabilitative nursing with an emphasis on valuing client self-determination, ecologic approaches, and holistic wellness. You will also examine mental health nursing and explore the mental health services available in Saskatchewan. In addition, you will build upon your basic reporting and recording skills.

Your studies will focus on the concepts of holistic nursing care related to specific health challenges of the adult. Using the primary health care approach, you will explore chronic health challenges specific to various body systems.

You will study the basic concepts of pharmacology and related nursing responsibilities in the context of patient safety. Your studies will focus on drug classifications, drug preparations, drug actions and interactions, and the channels of drug administration. You will receive information about Canadian drug laws, use and availability. You will study selected drug classifications in depth. You will also receive information about researching drugs.

Your studies will focus on the administration of medication throughout the life span in the context of systems and patient safety. The course content includes aspects of the metric system essential for the calculation of drug dosages for adults and children. You will explore the principles concerning safe administration of medications, learn how to prepare and safely administer medications via the enteral, percutaneous, and parenteral routes, learn how to assess for signs and symptoms of adverse reactions and the action to take to protect the client.

You will have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in holistic nursing care of individuals requiring rehabilitative and/or supportive nursing care with the client as a partner. Please read enclosed insert on practicum details contained in this package.

You will focus on developing and applying nursing competencies associated with curative and restorative care across the lifespan. You will develop the beginning competencies necessary to assist childbearing families and children achieve health. Your experiential learning will emphasize caring for individuals with acute health challenges.

You will reflect upon the professional roles, responsibilities and relationships of the practical nurse, within the context of your own evolving nursing experience and your role as a team member.

You will focus on fundamental nursing concepts related to the curative and restorative care of children and adolescents. You will discuss family-centered perinatal nursing and the new family. You will also discuss growth and development from infancy to adolescence. You will explore the concepts of teaching and learning, and client education.

Your studies will focus on the structure, functions and roles of the institution of the family. The course content includes tracing the stages of the developing family and some of the issues that disrupt the family unit.

The course provides opportunities for you to integrate theory and practice in holistic nursing care of individuals requiring curative and restorative nursing care and to concentrate on the transition from the role of student to graduate practical nurse. You will be introduced to the leadership role in the health care system and the concept of patient safety from a systems approach. You will explore interdisciplinary cooperation in more detail. Your studies will also focus on intravenous therapy (specifically the administration of intravenous medications), the use of intermittent-access devices, and the initiation of intravenous lines.

You will further explore the concepts of sociology by focusing on respectful interactions when caring for clients of all cultures. Emphasis will be given to providing culturally respectful care to clients of Aboriginal ancestry across the lifespan. Diversity within the Aboriginal culture will be explored.