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Nursing Course Descriptions

NURS 100: Home Health Aide to Certified Nursing Assistant

Credits: 2.0

Prepare current licensed Home Health Aides to safely and competently provide basic technical and personal care skills; identify mental health, social service, and cognitive needs of all populations; and render restorative care, while encouraging client independence while following all infection control, safety, and emergency procedures according to WA State Administrative Code. Successful completion will allow the student to take the WA State NAC exam. Current HHA license in WA State and AHA BLS card. Proof of TB testing, along with proof of current COVID and flu vaccinations. Permission code required. Previously AHE 160.  Prerequisite(s): Current valid HCA license in Washington state.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Measure, record, and report vital signs, height/weight, and client observations. 
  2. Explain the role and scope of practice of the NAC in WA State.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of body mechanics.
  4. Explain developmental tasks through the life span and how care delivery needs to be adjusted for safety including lighting, comfort (warmth), quiet, and ventilation.
  5. Demonstrate ability to read, write, understand, and speak English and understand medical terminology used in facilities.
  6. Demonstrate the use and care of prosthetic devices.
  7. Describe the Workers' Right to Know Law and the Uniform Disciplinary Act.
  8. Participate in proficient care delivery at a facility under the supervision of a licensed clinical instructor. 

NURS 101: Certified Nursing Assistant: Basic Patient Care

Credits: 3.0

Introduction to the functional and legal role of nursing assistants on the health care team. Synchronized online lectures and discussions will prepare the student for their laboratory and clinical experience. Upon successful completion of concurrent NURS 101, 102, and 103 the student will be able to test for Washington State Nursing Assistant Certification. NURS 101 and NURS 102 were previously AHE 162. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AHE 115 or current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification. Corequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment NURS 102and NURS 103.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the nursing assistant's legal scope of practice and function on the health care team.
  2. List communication techniques available for various clinical and patient situations to avoid barriers.
  3. Employ medical terminology and abbreviations appropriately.
  4. Explain how culture and religion influence health and illness. 
  5. Summarize Maslow's theory of basic needs as it applies to the individual client.

NURS 102: Certified Nursing Assistant: Basic Skills Lab

Credits: 2.0

Introduction to the basic Certified Nursing Assistant skills needed to perform safe, competent care to vulnerable populations. On-campus lab sessions provide training for students to practice skills in a safe environment. NURS 101 and NURS 102 were previously AHE 162. Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in NURS 101and NURS 103.Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AHE 115 or current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Perform accurate measuring, recording, and sharing of client data. 
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in all skills needed for client care, as listed in the current Washington Nursing Assistant Candidate Handbook.
  3. Apply Maslow's theory of basic needs to provide care. 
  4. Evaluate and critique classmates' skill performance in a supportive manner. 
  5. Integrate constructive feedback from instructors and classmates to improve lab skills.
  6. Complete a simulated clinical experience in the on-campus lab. 
  7. Discuss various ways to approach the delivery of care that keep Patient and Resident Rights at the forefront.

NURS 103: Certified Nursing Assistant: Clinical Externship

Credits: 2.0

Practical experience in all client care skills and the functional role of the nursing assistant in the workplace. Students will be placed at a pre-approved clinical site and practice under the supervision of the clinical instructor and the facility's staff. Registration permitted first seven weeks (six in the summer) as space is available. Previously AHE 164. Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in NURS 101and NURS 102.Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AHE 115 or current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Participate as a member of the healthcare team to plan and deliver direct client care.
  2. Under the supervision of the clinical instructor, or facility staff perform all patient care skills as per the current WA State Candidate Handbook.
  3. Evaluate care delivered through journal assignments.
  4. Report abnormal findings to nursing staff and clinical instructors promptly.

NURS 104: Acute Care Nursing Assistant

Credits: 2.0

Fundamentals of care for the hospitalized patient will be explored. Care differences between medical, surgical, and critical care patients across the lifespan will be discussed and new clinical skills presented. NURS 104 and NURS 105 were previously AHE 130. Prerequisite(s): Completion of NURS 101, NURS 102, NURS 103, or valid CNA licensure in Washington state; AHE 110 or BIOL& 241 and BIOL& 242;AHE 115, AHE 116 andHCA 104;a current AHA BLS cardcan be substituted for AHE 115. Corequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment inNURS 105 andNURS 106.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Define terms related to communicable diseases.
  2. Identify selected types of microorganisms, common methods of isolation, and principles of infection control such as patient isolation.
  3. Describe the principles of specimen collection and processing, transport media, and storage of supplies.
  4. Perform point of care testing, including blood glucose monitoring, urine dipstick, and stool guaiac.
  5. Describe and demonstrate the principles of wound care, including wound drains.
  6. Describe the purposes for urinary catheterization and demonstrate the involved procedures.
  7. Describe the purpose of bladder ultrasound and demonstrate the correct procedure in simulated exercises.
  8. Describe the purpose of supplementary oxygen and discuss the involved procedures of equipment monitoring, care, and patient teaching.
  9. Describe the purpose of tube feeding and bowel management.
  10. Demonstrate competency in assisting with intravenous lines.

NURS 105: Acute Care Nursing Assistant: Lab

Credits: 1.0

The course teaches the lab component of NURS 104. Focus in the skills laboratory on advanced skills including infection control, asepsis and sterile techniques, specimen collection, wound care, and point-of-care testing. NURS 104 and NURS 105 were previously AHE 130. Prerequisite(s): Completion of NURS 101, NURS 102, NURS 103, or valid CNA licensure in Washington state.In addition, AHE 110 or BIOL& 241 and BIOL& 242, AHE 115, 116 & HCA 104;a current AHA BLS cardcan be substituted for AHE 115. Corequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in NURS 104 and NURS 106

Course Level Objectives

  1. Practice correct usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and handwashing during simulation of care for various types of patient isolation.
  2. Demonstrate simulated safe and accurate specimen collection, processing, and transportation, along with supply storage.
  3. Perform point-of-care testing, including blood glucose monitoring, urine dipstick, and stool guaiac.
  4. Demonstrate wound care, bladder ultrasound, surgical drain, and tube feeding management during simulated exercises.
  5. Manage supplementary oxygen and discuss involved safety practices, procedures of equipment monitoring, and protection of equipment.
  6. Practice interaction skills and patient teaching with people who have various communication barriers while in a simulated setting.

NURS 106: Acute Care Nursing Assistant Externship

Credits: 1.0

Practical experience in an acute care setting, using advanced skills, learned in the lab. Function as an integral part of the healthcare team. Students will be supervised by the clinical instructor and the facility's staff. Registration permitted first seven weeks (six in the summer) as space is available. Previously AHE 131. Prerequisite(s): Completion of NURS 101, NURS 102, NURS 103, or valid CNA licensure in Washington state. NURS 101 and NURS 102 were previously AHE 162. NURS 103 was previously AHE 164. In addition, AHE 110 or Anatomy & Physiology I and II, AHE 115, 116 & HCA 104, if the student has a current AHA BLS card AHE 115 can be substituted. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 105 & NURS 106. COVID vaccination maybe required, FLU and TB required for all clinical sites.  Corequisite(s): NURS 104 and 105

Course Level Objectives

  1. Plan and deliver competent and safe patient care in conjunction with the facility's staff.
  2. Apply all principles and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory.
  3. Demonstrate clinical competence while providing patient care under the supervision of the clinical instructor or the facility's staff.

NURS 115: Nursing Foundations: CD

Credits: 4.0

Introduction to fundamentals of nursing care. Provides theoretical background and introduces nursing process. Emphasis on cultural awareness and critical thinking in nursing care. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing (PN) program. Corequisite(s): NURS 114 and NURS 118.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team.
  2. Describe the principles for documentation of health assessment and nursing care.
  3. Identify communication skills necessary to provide safe, culturally-competent care.
  4. Identify the elements of the nursing process which are used to facilitate person-centered care.
  5. Discuss how evidence-based resources are identified and used in nursing practice.
  6. Explain how nursing theory guides practice.
  7. Discuss the legal and ethical standards for the practical nursing role.
  8. List health disparities that impact health and safety for vulnerable patient populations.

NURS 117: Nursing Foundations Clinical and Lab

Credits: 4.0

Introduction to fundamentals of nursing care and clinical skills in lab and clinical settings. Provides theoretical background and introduces the nursing process. Emphasis on communication, cultural awareness, and critical thinking in nursing care. Prerequisite(s): Admissionto the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team. 
  2. Demonstrate understanding of documentation of assessment findings and nursing care. 
  3. Identify and explore communication skills that demonstrate safe, culturally-competent care. 
  4. Identify elements of the nursing process which are used to facilitate person-centered care. 
  5. Exhibit beginning clinical reasoning skills.
  6. Demonstrate competence with beginning-level nursing skills.
  7. Discuss how evidence-based resources are identified and used in nursing practice. 
  8. Consider how learning experiences facilitate personal growth and strengthen critical thinking ability. 
  9. Discuss the legal and ethical standards for the practical nursing role. 
  10. Identify health disparities that impact health and safety for patients. 

NURS 120: Medical Surgical Nursing I: CD

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on care of adults throughout the health-illness continuum. Reviews health promotion, altered functioning related to disease states, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, nursing process, communication, and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): Admissionto the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate beginning knowledge of professional collaboration with members of the healthcare team.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the principles for documentation of pertinent assessment findings and nursing care.
  3. Describe therapeutic communication techniques used with patients and families that provide for safe, culturally-competent care.
  4. Display beginning proficiency with the nursing process to facilitate person-centered care.
  5. Demonstrate beginning understanding of evidence-based resources and their use in nursing practice.
  6. Express understanding of the legal and ethical standards for the practical nursing role.
  7. Explain how health disparities impact vulnerable patient populations.

NURS 122: Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical and Lab I

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on care of adults in lab and clinical settings. Reviews health promotion, altered functioning related to disease states, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, communication, nursing process and skills, and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): Admissionto the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Communicate with other health care team members in both oral and written formats to provide for continuity of care.
  2. Document pertinent assessment findings and nursing care at a beginning level.
  3. Demonstrate growth in communication skills to provide safe, culturally competent-care to patients.
  4. Use the nursing process at a beginning level to individualize patient interventions to provide person-centered care.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of assessment findings, pathophysiology, and medical/nursing management when performing and documenting nursing care.
  6. Exhibit basic clinical reasoning skills.
  7. Demonstrate competence with beginning-level nursing skills.
  8. Consider social and cultural differences when providing nursing care.
  9. Describe how evidence-based resources are identified and utilized by a nurse to provide patient care and education.
  10. Express how learning experiences facilitate personal growth and strengthen critical thinking ability.
  11. Display understanding of the legal and ethical considerations of the practical nursing role.
  12. Recognize how health disparities impact the social determinants of health.

NURS 144: Medical Surgical Nursing II

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on increasingly complex care of adults throughout the health-illness continuum. Reviews health promotion, altered functioning related to disease states, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, communication, nursing process, and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify effective techniques for collaboration with the healthcare team.
  2. Demonstrat understanding of the principles for documentation of pertinent assessment findings and nursing care.
  3. Outline communication skills used with patients and families to provide for safe, culturally-competent care.
  4. Display growing proficiency in using the nursing process to facilitate person-centered care.
  5. Demonstrate how evidence-based resources are used in nursing practice.
  6. Demonstrate understanding of the legal and ethical standards for the practical nursing role.
  7. Provide examples of how health disparities impact patients.

NURS 145: Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical and Lab II

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on increasingly complex care of adults in lab and clinical settings. Reviews health promotion, altered functioning related to disease states, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, communication, nursing process and skills, and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Provide effective communication to the healthcare team in both oral and written formats to provide for continuity of care.
  2. Organize and communicate pertinent patient assessment data and nursing care information to team members and patients.
  3. Engage in communication that promotes culturally-competent care and patient and family involvement.
  4. Use the nursing process to implement a person centered plan of care for adults.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of pathophysiology and medical/nursing management to determine and document individualized interventions for care.
  6. Exhibit increasing proficiency with clinical reasoning skills
  7. Demonstrate competence with intermediate-level nursing skills.
  8. Explain how social and cultural differences can affect nursing care.
  9. Utilize information technology to provide evidence-based nursing care.
  10. Identify learning experiences that facilitate personal growth and strengthen critical thinking ability.
  11. Consider knowledge of the legal and ethical principles for the practical nursing role when caring for the patient and family.
  12. Use knowledge of how health disparities impact the social determinants of health for patients and families

NURS 148: Nursing Care of Families

Credits: 3.0

Introduces concepts related to normal child growth and development, social and cultural awareness, and family centered care of children experiencing health alterations as well as physiologic and psychosocial changes surrounding normal pregnancy, uncomplicated birth, and the newborn period. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Examine how members of the healthcare team collaborate to provide care to children and families.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the documentation of pertinent assessment findings and nursing care for families and children.
  3. Determine appropriate therapeutic and developmentally-appropropriate communication to provide culturally-competent care.
  4. Display proficiency in the nursing process in providing family-centered care.
  5. Utilize information technology to plan evidence-based nursing care for childbearing families and children.
  6. Articulate the legal and ethical principles for the practical nursing role in caring for the pediatric patient and childbearing families.
  7. Examine how health disparities impact vulnerable patient populations.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare provider responsibilities as mandatory reporters.

NURS 149: Community Nursing Clinical and Lab

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on application of nursing process and delivery of nursing care to pregnant and laboring patients, children and their families in a lab or clinical setting. Emphasis on normal growth and development, social and cultural awareness, and family centered care. Reviews health promotion, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, communication, and nursing process and skills. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Communicate pertinent patient data and nursing care information for children and families to the healthcare team.
  2. Promote therapeutic and developmentally appropriate communication that involves children and family to provide culturally-competent, individualized care.
  3. Display proficiency in the nursing process in providing individualized family-centered care.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of normal physiology, pathophysiology and medical/nursing management to determine and document individualized interventions for care.
  5. Exhibit increasing proficiency with clinical reasoning skills.
  6. Demonstrate competence with intermediate-level nursing skills.
  7. Incorporate social and cultural differences when delivering nursing care.
  8. Utilize information technology to provide evidence based nursing care for childbearing families and children.
  9. Interpret how learning experiences facilitate personal growth and strengthen critical thinking ability.
  10. Apply knowledge of the legal and ethical principles for the practical nursing role in caring for children and families.
  11. Determine how health disparities impact vulnerable patient populations.
  12. Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare provider responsibilities as mandatory reporters.

NURS 153: Mental Health Nursing

Credits: 3.0

Introduces concepts relating to emotional, mental, and behavioral health and disorders. Emphasis on legal and ethical issues, social and cultural awareness, and safe patient and family centered care. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate understanding of how members of the healthcare team collaborate to provide care to patients with mental health concerns.
  2. Promote therapeutic, culturaly-competent communication that involves patients, families, and caregivers in care.
  3. Integrate strategic communication techniques which promote safe, therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and caregivers to provide person-centered care.
  4. Display proficiency in the nursing process in planning person-centered care for patients with mental health concerns.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of safety practices and care guidelines for patients with mental health concerns.
  6. Utilize information technology to plan evidence-based nursing care for patients with mental health concerns.
  7. Apply knowledge of the legal and ethical principles for the practical nursing role in caring for patients with mental health concerns.
  8. Integrate knowledge of how health disparities impact vulnerable patient populations.
  9. Demonstrate knowledge of health care provider responsibilities as mandatory reporters.

NURS 154: Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical and Lab III

Credits: 4.0

Focuses on complex care of adults in lab and clinical settings. Examines health promotion, altered functioning related to mental and physical disease states, integration of pathophysiology and pharmacologic principles, clinical judgment, communication, nursing process and skills, safe individualized care, and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Communicate effectively to the healthcare team in both oral and written formats to provide for continuity of care.
  2. Display effective communication and organizational skillsto provide pertinent patient data and nursing care information to healthcare team members and patients.
  3. Engage in therapeutic, culturally-competent communication that promotes patient and family involvement in care.
  4. Develop strategic communication techniques which promote safe, therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and caregivers to provide person-centered care.
  5. Use the nursing process to implement a person-centered plan of care for adults with medical surgical and mental health disorders.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of pathophysiology and medical/nursing management to develop and document individualized interventions for care.
  7. Exhibit proficiency with clinical reasoning skills.
  8. Demonstrate competence with advanced-level nursing skills.
  9. Incorporate social and cultural differences when delivering nursing care.
  10. Utilize information technology effectively to provide evidence-based nursing care.
  11. Reflect on learning experiences to facilitate personal growth and strengthen critical thinking ability.
  12. Apply knowledge of the legal and ethical principles for the practical nursing role in caring for the patients, families, and caregivers.
  13. Provide examples of how health disparities impact discharge, transfer and care management resources for patients and families.

NURS 155: Special Topics in Nursing

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

Workshops with special focus on topics of current interest in the healthcare field. Topics will vary each quarter.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explore current topics of interest in nursing.

NURS 160: Transition to Practice

Credits: 3.0

Emphasis on the knowledge and skills needed to transition to professional nursing practice. Prepares students for the practical nursing role and licensure examination. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Evaluate effectiveness of professional collaboration and communication with healthcare team members in delegating and prioritizing care.
  2. Explain how techniques of therapeutic and culturally-competent communication affect person-centered care.
  3. Assess knowledge of safe, evidence-based nursing care by applying clinical judgment and the nursing process to plan and evaluate care for diverse clients.
  4. Analyze how quality-improvement practices, healthcare informatics, and scholarship activities enhance patient care.
  5. Evaluate the application of ethical and legal principles of the nursing profession on the delivery of nursing care.

NURS 161: Medical Surgical Nursing Preceptorship

Credits: 4.0

Clinical externship course combines the concepts and skills learned throughout the practical nursing program. Emphasizes leadership skill development, independence, time management, and mastery of the nursing process to manage patient care. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Integrate effective professional collaboration and communication with healthcare team members in delegating and prioritizing care.
  2. Employ therapeutic and culturally-competent communication to provide person-centered care to patients, families and communities.
  3. Apply sound clinical judgment and the nursing process to provide safe, evidence-based nursing care to multiple patients.
  4. Integrate quality improvement, healthcare informatics and scholarship activities to enhance patient care within a healthcare facility.
  5. Demonstrate caring and integrity by understanding and upholding ethical and legal principles of the nursing profession in the practical nursing role.

NURS 198: Individual Project In Nursing

Credits: 5.0

Individual projects in nursing. By arrangement and permission of a nursing faculty advisor.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explore current topics of interest in nursing.

NURS 210: Transition to Practice

Credits: 3.0

Explores origins and history of nursing and the process of professional development. Emphasis on legal and ethical aspects of health care and skills needed to transition to practice. Prepares students for the job market and licensure examination. This course is to be taken in the final quarter of the program. Permit code required. Prerequisite(s): NURS 151 and NURS 152. Corequisite(s): NURS 220.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the role of the practical nurse as a member of the healthcare team.
  2. Discuss ethical, legal, political, cultural, and philosophical aspects of nursing practice.
  3. Apply scientific and nursing knowledge and critical thinking skills via the comprehensive exam.
  4. Demonstrate effective communication skills with peers and instructors.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of collaboration.
  6. Describe the nurse's responsibility for professional development and career advancement through continuing education, degree progression, and technical literacy.

NURS 220: Medical Surgical Nursing Preceptorship

Credits: 3.0

Clinical externship course combines the concepts and skills learned throughout the practical nursing program. Emphasizes leadership skill development, independence, time management, and mastery of the nursing process to manage care for clients in skilled nursing facilities. Permit code required. S/U grade only. Prerequisite(s): NURS 151 and NURS 152. Corequisite(s): NURS 210.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Use critical thinking and organizational skills to make staff assignments and manage care on a nursing unit in a skilled nursing facility.
  2. Communicate effectively with clients and families.
  3. Communicate to the healthcare team in both oral and written formats incorporating professional communication skills, medical terminology, and legal principles.
  4. Apply the nursing process to plan, prioritize, and deliver care to a group of clients on a nursing unit in a skilled nursing facility.
  5. Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure that client care is delivered safely, correctly, and in a timely manner.
  6. Integrate communication skills and nursing strategies that are consistent with the cultural, socioeconomic, and spiritual influences on the staff, clients, and families.
  7. Display sensitivity for cultural and social differences, privacy, and confidentiality when planning and providing care.

NURS 255: Special Topics in Nursing

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

Advanced workshops with special focus on topics of current interest in the healthcare field. Topics will vary each quarter.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explore current topics of interest in nursing.
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