Vocational Nursing Program

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of anatomical terminology, organ systems, and physiological processes essential for nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on integrating anatomical knowledge with physiological principles to support health assessment and patient care decisions. Through lectures and discussions, students explore topics such as body structures, tissue types, organ systems, and homeostasis mechanisms. This foundational knowledge forms the basis for advanced nursing courses and clinical applications in subsequent terms.

This course provides an introduction to basic principles of nutrition as it relates to health promotion, disease prevention, and nutritional support throughout the life cycle. Weight management and physical fitness are also considered. Students explore current nutritional therapy, the interactions between nutrition and medications and the role of nutrition in the treatment of selected diseases.

Fundamentals of Nursing introduces students to the nursing concepts related to providing basic care to clients and their families. Principles of data collection as a part of the client assessment are emphasized. Students focus on the use of the nursing process to provide care for clients with basic health alterations. Students describe how to use appropriate terminology to document care provided. The course emphasizes methods of insuring the safety of clients, while intervening to meet needs related to rest and sleep, pain and comfort, mobility, nutrition, elimination, hygiene, and care of the clients’ environment. Clients’ psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs, as well as ethical and legal implications, are integrated into the plan of care. Principles of drug administration, including dosage calculation and administration of solutions are introduced. Students also study the nursing responsibilities used during the admission, transfer and discharge of clients. First aid principles are discussed.

Fundamentals of Nursing Lab emphasizes the development of nursing care skills associated with the care of clients with basic health alterations in the laboratory setting. Students will demonstrate beginning level competence in selected skills.

Fundamentals of Nursing-Clinical provides the opportunity for students to safely care for clients with basic health care needs. Students use the nursing process to provide and evaluate nursing care for clients and their families. Students demonstrate critical thinking skills in selected client situations. Students implement clinical skills learned in the Fundamentals Lab as the opportunity arises. Students use therapeutic communication skills when caring for clients and working with members of the health care team to deliver care.

Pharmacology I introduces students to the principles of pharmacology, the legal aspects of medication administration and the role of the VN in administration of medications as part of the nursing process. Principles of client teaching required to support safe and effective medication administration are considered. Students identify medications often used in the care of clients with alterations of health related to the integumentary, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems.

Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing introduces students to the care of clients moving through various life stages, with alterations of health, commonly seen in clients with alterations in the integumentary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. This course also studies the various stages of care for the surgical client. The course addresses the physical and psychosocial care needs of clients and/or their significant others, such as commonly seen treatments, strategies to reduce risk, and health teaching. Students increase their ability to use clinical reasoning and the nursing process to provide safe, effective care for clients with these conditions. Students will demonstrate beginning level competencies in the monitoring of intravenous therapy.

Medical Surgical I Clinical provides students with clinical experience in caring for adult patients as part of their medical-surgical nursing education. Under the supervision of clinical instructors and registered nurses, students apply theoretical knowledge from VN020 to patient care scenarios in clinical settings. This course focuses on developing clinical skills such as medication administration, patient assessment, therapeutic communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through direct patient care experiences, students refine their clinical judgment and critical thinking skills essential for nursing practice.

Pharmacology II continues the study of the medication’s actions and adverse reactions as they related the nursing care of clients with alterations in urinary, sensory, cardiac, respiratory, blood and lymphatics, endocrine, reproductive, and neurological systems in a variety of clinical situations. Students will continue to consider safety, legal and ethical aspects and client educational needs when administering medications emphasized in this course.

Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing continues to support the development of students’ ability to provide nursing care for clients with alterations of health, including cardiac, blood and lymphatics, endocrine, urinary systems and fluid and electrolytes. The course addresses the physical, cultural, spiritual and psychosocial care needs of the clients and/or their significant others, appropriate treatments, risk-reduction strategies and the need for health teaching. Students will continue to increase their ability to use clinical reasoning and the nursing process to provide safe, effective care for clients. Students will also describe the facilitation of care of clients in various healthcare settings.

Intermediate Medical-Surgical Clinical provides students with advanced clinical experiences in medical-surgical nursing. Under the supervision of clinical instructors and registered nurses, students apply theoretical knowledge from VOCN300 to patient care in acute and chronic care settings. This course focuses on developing proficiency in nursing assessment, complex nursing interventions, patient education, and care coordination. Through hands-on clinical practice, students further refine their clinical judgment, prioritization skills, and ability to manage multiple patient care responsibilities.

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing supports the continued development of students’ ability to care for clients with acute alterations of health, including immunology, oncology, sensory, reproductive, and neurological systems. The course addresses the physical, cultural, spiritual and psycho-social nursing care needed by these clients and/or their significant others, appropriate treatment with nursing care that may be employed, strategies to reduce health risks, and their need for health teaching. Students continue to increase their ability to use clinical reasoning and the nursing process in acute clinical situations to provide safe, effective care for clients. Students will also explore care of clients in various healthcare settings.

Advanced Medical Surgical Clinical provides students with advanced clinical experiences in medical-surgical nursing practice. Under the guidance of clinical instructors and registered nurses, students apply theoretical knowledge from VOCN400 to complex patient care scenarios in clinical settings. This course emphasizes the application of critical thinking, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practice principles in managing patient care. Students further develop skills in nursing assessment, therapeutic interventions, patient advocacy, and healthcare team collaboration as well as leadership and supervision. This Clinical Practice prepares students for the challenges and responsibilities of professional nursing practice and facilitates their transition to the role of a competent vocational nurse.

This course provides vocational nursing students with a comprehensive understanding of human growth, development, and aging across the lifespan. Students will explore various stages of development, including infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood. They will examine physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional changes that occur at each stage, as well as common health issues and interventions.

Maternal Child Nursing prepares students to safely care for mothers throughout the stages of pregnancy and labor and delivery, as well as the newborn.  Students are also assigned to care for pediatric patients of various ages and in a variety of clinical settings.  Students will use the nursing process and clinical reasoning to participate in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care to mothers, children, and their significant others. The care will focus on health promotion and reduction of risks to mothers and children. Students will use knowledge and skills learned in previous classes related medication administration, data collection for a focused assessment, communication, and health teaching. 

Maternal-Child Nursing Lab provides students with hands-on practice in essential maternal and child health nursing skills. Under the guidance of instructors, students develop proficiency in performing assessments, providing care, and implementing therapeutic interventions for pregnant women, newborns, and children. Lab activities include simulated scenarios, skills demonstrations, and practice with equipment used in maternity and pediatric care.

Maternal-Child Nursing focuses on the nursing care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as the care of newborns and children. This course emphasizes the physiological and psychosocial aspects of maternity and pediatric nursing care. Topics include prenatal care, labor and delivery, newborn assessment and care, growth and development milestones, common pediatric illnesses, and family-centered care. Through theoretical instruction, case studies, and discussion, students learn evidence-based nursing interventions, health promotion strategies, and cultural considerations relevant to maternal and child health.

This capstone course provides vocational nursing students with the opportunity to integrate and apply their knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences acquired throughout the nursing program. Students will participate in a comprehensive clinical rotation, where they will provide complex nursing care to a diverse patient population under the supervision of the clinical instructor or preceptor.

Concept Mastery - NCLEX Preparation focuses on preparing students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This course reviews essential nursing concepts and principles across major nursing content areas, including medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, pharmacology, and mental health nursing. Through comprehensive review sessions, practice exams, and test-taking strategies, students strengthen their knowledge base and critical thinking skills required to pass the NCLEX-PN exam.