Practical Nurse: PSW Pathway

This course introduces the sciences of anatomy and physiology of the body systems. The progression of study of the body systems is from simple to complex (e.g. chemical level to cellular level, tissue level to system level).

This course is designed to provide an overview of health care ethical and legal framework. Students will gain an insight into the ethical and legal responsibilities of a healthcare provider. The course prepares students for the ethical and legal realities they will face in their health care practice. It enables students to act in accordance with code of ethics and legal requirements as per the scope of practice.

This course introduces students to the key concepts, principles, and values and beliefs of client-focused care (also known as client-centred, patient-focused or patient-centred care). Students will recognize the purposes of client-focused care in the health care system and critical role of practical nurses in the implementation of health care practices that are focused on the needs and personal preferences of each individual client. Students will understand the importance of promoting client self-care and healthy living, effective therapeutic communication, and critical thinking in client-focused care. This course enables students to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to really engage with clients from their standpoint and develop continuous, uninterrupted, and meaningful relationships with clients. Application of the nursing process is examined, which allows students to further develop skills of critical thinking and clinical judgment, care planning, and safety in practice.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1121A
• ETHI1058A

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of mental health concepts, how mental health affects people, and common mental health disorders. Students will explore the role of a mental health care provider as a practical nurse or personal support worker in supporting individuals and families experiencing alterations in mental health and social well-being. The application of the nursing process for clients experiencing mental health challenges is examined. The promotion of mental health through therapeutic treatment modalities and communication is emphasized.

Building on the previous knowledge and skills introduced in the Basic Adult Health Assessment course, students will learn to conduct an advanced physical assessment of all body systems on an adult using appropriate equipment and safety measures. The performance of adult physical assessment skills learned in this course is based on the scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and current competency profiles as outlined by the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1128A

This theory course is designed to provide students with the knowledge of basic nursing care required to provide safe, holistic care to a client necessary to meet the requirements for the activities of daily living. 
 

Prerequisites:

• SECU1089

This course will provide students with the opportunity to integrate and apply at a beginning level their learned fundamental medical surgical knowledge and skills in the clinical setting. Students will be able to apply critical thinking and clinical judgment in providing safe and holistic care to meet the specific needs of clients in the clinical environment.
 

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1073E
• NCSI1122A
• NCSI1123B
• NCSI1128A

This course is designed to acquaint students with principles of medication administration. Students will learn how to provide safe, competent and comprehensive nursing care pertaining to medication administration. They will develop knowledge and skills in assessing the right medication for clients, processing medication orders, preparing medication, calculating medication dosage, monitoring drug effectiveness, and administering medication according to the practical nurse scope of practice. Application of the nursing process, and critical thinking and clinical judgment to medication administration will be emphasized.

Prerequisites:

• PHMC1018
• NCSI1061G
• NCSI1038I

This course introduces concepts of community health nursing and provides students with the basic knowledge and skills to address the health needs of a client in a community setting. Emphasis is on health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management in community settings. Students will learn how to apply their previously learned knowledge and skills such as adult health assessment, the nursing process, and critical thinking and clinical judgement to nursing care in a community setting.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1063H
• HCSS1040E

This clinical practice course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply their learned community nursing knowledge and skills. Students will explore family centered care in both health care agencies and community settings. Students will gain experience addressing the health needs of a client in a community setting.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1065G

This course is designed to enable students to integrate and apply at a basic level the theoretical nursing concepts and skills learned in the classroom and lab to the clinical setting. This experience will facilitate an awareness of the individual as a caring member of the health care team. Students will be able to apply the nursing process and critical thinking in the clinical environment.

Prerequisites:

• ANAT1024C
• NCSI1060G
• SECU1089
• SECU1221G

This clinical practice course provides students with an opportunity to apply their previously learned theory, concepts and skills to clients with mental health disorders. Students will demonstrate caring, competency, connectedness, health promotion, critical thinking, problem solving and professionalism as they plan and implement care for clients (individuals, families and groups) in a mental health setting. They will also apply the nursing process to the care of mental health clients.

Prerequisites:

• PSYC1071D

This practicum course provides opportunities for students to integrate, consolidate, and expand concepts and skills from previous learning, and to advance their professional nursing practice. Students will be able to apply the entry-level practical nurse competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses to provide safe, client-centred and evidence-based nursing care. They will be able to function as a health care team member, independent of assistance from classmates or instructors and to apply the principles of nursing care in a variety of clinical settings. During the practicum, students will assess and meet clients’ needs according to ethical, legal, and safety principles. They will be able to use clinical judgment and decision-making skills in assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting nursing care.

This course is designed to allow students to integrate and apply the theoretical concepts and skills learned, at an intermediate level, in acute medical / surgical environments according to ethical, legal, and safety principles.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1125B
• NCSI1038I
• PATH1036C

This clinical course is designed to enable students to integrate and apply the theoretical concepts and skills learned, at an advanced level, in acute medical/surgical environments according to ethical, legal, and safety principles. During the practicum, students will be able to apply the nursing process and critical thinking and clinical judgment in nursing practice.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1085G
• NCSI1127B
• NCSI1063H

This course is designed to provide an overview to the profession of nursing. Students will explore the meaning of nursing care, the role of the health care professional as a practical nurse or a personal support worker, and the scope of practice in the Canadian healthcare delivery system. Students will develop an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and core competencies to function within the role requirements as described by their program and prospective employers.

Building on the knowledge and skills covered in the basic nursing care, this course reinforces core skills and introduces students to the beginning medical surgical nursing concepts and skills including principles of surgical asepsis. Students will learn the skills required to provide care specific to individual patients/clients. Skill areas such as vital signs, O2 saturation and pain, IV assessment (discontinue an IV), surgical asepsis, sterile gloving, wound management, oxygen therapy, orthopedic care, application of bandages and binders, anti-embolism stockings (TEDs), hot/cold application, bowel elimination, specimen collection, bladder elimination, tube feedings, care of surgical client, documentation and reporting, and post-mortem care will be covered. 

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1073E
• NCSI1123B

This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to apply at a beginning level their learned fundamental medical surgical nursing knowledge and skills including principles of surgical asepsis in a simulated lab. 
 

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1073E
• NCSI1122A

Building on the knowledge and skills covered in beginning medical surgical nursing, this course reinforces core skills and introduces students to intermediate nursing concepts and skills related to client care in a medical or surgical unit. Students will learn medical surgical concepts and skills such as how to assess and maintain surgical drainage tubes, oxygen therapy, peripheral infusion therapy, feeding, nasogastric tubes, blood transfusions, Foley catheterization, fluid and electrolytes imbalances, and eye and ear irrigation. Documenting care and reporting abnormal findings will also be emphasized.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1061G

This course provides an opportunity for students to apply learned intermediate medical surgical nursing concepts in a simulated lab. Students will be able to apply skills in admission, discharge and transfer of clients, airway management, oxygen therapy, peripheral infusion therapy, complex wound management, nasogastric (NG) and special drains and tubes, Foley catheterization, fluid and electrolytes imbalances, blood transfusions, and eye and ear irrigation. Principles of surgical asepsis are also applied. Documenting care provided and reporting abnormal findings are emphasized.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1124A

Building on intermediate medical surgical nursing concepts and skills, this course reinforces core skills and introduces students to advanced medical surgical nursing concepts and skills related to client care in a medical or surgical unit. These include IV therapy (peripheral sites), central venous access devices (CVAD), total parenteral nutrition (TPN), special lines (hypodermoclysis), tracheostomy care, chest tubes, cardiac rhythm interpretation, phlebotomy (venipuncture), and emergency nursing. Critical thinking and clinical judgment will be emphasized.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1085G

This course provides an opportunity for students to apply learned advanced medical surgical nursing knowledge and skills in a simulated lab. Students will apply the skills in IV therapy (peripheral sites), central venous access devices (CVAD), total parenteral nutrition (TPN), special lines (hypodermoclysis), tracheostomy care, chest tubes, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and phlebotomy (venipuncture). Students will also apply principles of surgical asepsis, and critical thinking and clinical judgment. 

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1126A

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of common health alterations across the lifespan.  It includes an introduction to various health assessments, basic assessment techniques, components of health interview and guidelines to performing a head-to-toe assessment and general physical examination. Students will focus on holistic health assessment.

Prerequisites:

• ANAT1024C
• NCSI1073E

Building on previous pathophysiologic concepts, this course examines complex disorders and diseases of selected human body systems in relation to diagnostic procedures and advanced nursing care. Students will be expected to review anatomy and physiology and medical terminology as it pertains to each related body system. Advanced nursing skills such as emergency nursing are also discussed in this course. Application of the nursing process, and clinical judgment and critical thinking to the care of clients is emphasized.

Prerequisites:

• PATH1036C
• NCSI1038I

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts in maternal, newborn and pediatric nursing care. These include prenatal and postpartum care, complications of pregnancy, newborn care, human growth and development, pediatric care, and common pediatric alterations. Anatomy and physiology review, medical terminology, critical thinking, safety precautions and interventions, and application of the nursing process are integrated throughout this course. Students will develop an understanding of the practical nurse’s role in caring for maternal, newborn and pediatric clients.

Prerequisites:

• PSYC1078B

This clinical course provides students with an opportunity to apply their learned maternal, newborn and pediatric nursing skills and knowledge in a supported supervised clinical setting. Clinical experiences emphasize the safe, caring, competent performance of nursing practice, communication, and professionalism in a variety of maternal-child settings. Students will apply the nursing process and critical thinking/clinical judgment in caring for the maternal, newborn and pediatric clients and meeting physiological, psychosocial, cultural and developmental needs of the clients.

Prerequisites:

• NCSI1130A

This course provides students with opportunities to consolidate their skills and knowledge and prepare for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). The CPNRE entry-to-practice examination is a competency-based examination. Success on the CPNRE depends on the student’s overall knowledge and understanding of practical nursing principles and the program content, and ability to apply this knowledge. Students will explore effective ways to prepare for the examination through tips for writing the CPNRE, a comprehensive review of professional practice standards, nursing theory, as well as an understanding of how to interpret and answer examination questions.

This course introduces students to the study of diseases and disorders in the body. It explores a common systematic approach (step by step) for distinguishing between diseases and disorders and provides a fundamental framework which supports further studies in pathophysiology.

Prerequisites:

• ANAT1024C

Building on the systematic approach introduced in the pathophysiology foundations course, this course further examines the common diseases and disorders of body systems in relation to etiology, pathology, diagnostic treatment and nursing interventions.

Prerequisites:

• PATH1034

This introductory class is designed to acquaint students with the actions / effects of drugs on the body. The pharmacological classifications of drugs and their use in the treatment of various disease states will also be studied. An emphasis is placed on learning brand and generic drug names used in common medical conditions. Common drug dosages and side effects are included.

Prerequisites:

• ANAT1024C

This course explores the wellness-illness continuum as it relates to mental and behavioural health. Students will gain a better understanding of the causes, characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of the most common psychological disorders in youth and adult populations. Emphasis will be placed on care of clients with mental and behavioural health alterations, therapeutic approaches to care, and use of the nursing process in restoring mental and behavioural health.

Prerequisites:

• MENT1012A

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of theories and principles of growth and development throughout the human lifespan. These theories and principles act as a guide for health care professionals to integrate into their health care or clinical practice. Physiological, psychosocial, and cognitive concepts of growth and development are presented throughout the course and provide students a foundation to build upon throughout their career as a nurse or a personal support worker. It also explores the basics of nutrition on human growth and development, and types of food and diets to meet client’s specific nutritional needs. Students will understand human growth and development and learn how to use the Canada food guidelines.

This course introduces effective body mechanics and safe transferring and positioning skills which assist to reduce the risk of personal musculo-skeletal injury.

A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.