Practical Nursing

This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and your Practical Nursing Program. As with all new things, there will be some challenges and excitement; this course covers student success skills where you’ll learn effective study habits (specifically improving reading skills) based on your own personal learning style. Life skills exercises are also integral to the course, teaching accountability, teamwork, self-awareness and building an understanding of the impact you have on others. In addition, you will be taught how to effectively navigate and learn within the program’s hybrid model using the online learning platform (Moodle).

This course will cover body systems and sense organs. Teaching about each system will include: an overview of that system’s general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies including lab and diagnostic tests, signs and symptoms and prognosis of those pathologies. This course also explores various health promotion strategies that work towards optimal function of these system.

This course includes all the certification workshops that you will be required to complete related to the essential industry-related training and certifications that are mandatory before you may begin your Practice Education. Among these are the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Red Cross Workplace SFA/CPR-HCP-AED, FOODSAFE Level 1, Provincial Violence Prevention Certification.

This theory course provides an introduction to the profession of Practical Nursing. Legislation that informs PN practice within British Columbia will be introduced. The history of nursing and specifically, the evolution of Practical Nursing within the Canadian Health Care system will be discussed. The philosophy and foundational concepts of the Provincial Practical Nursing Program are explored.

This course provides you with the foundational knowledge for caring and professional communication in nursing. It uses an experiential and self-reflective approach to develop self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills in the context of safe, competent, and collaborative nursing practice. Communication theory, the nurse-client relationship, therapeutic communication, cross-cultural communication, and effective teamwork will be covered.

Health promotion by definition includes: health enhancement, health protection, disease prevention, health restoration/recovery, care, and support. Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions. (WHO, 2010). This course introduces you to the concepts of health promotion, discusses the determinants of health, health inequities and develops a beginning knowledge of normal growth and development.

This introductory course examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision-making. Various routes of medication administration are introduced and complementary, Indigenous, alternative remedies, and polypharmacy across the lifespan are also explored.

This introductory course provides you with the foundations of disease and illness across the lifespan. You will gain an understanding of pathophysiological alterations of body systems. Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan with an emphasis on interventions and treatment is also discussed. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as the incorporation of evidenced informed practice.

This course emphasizes the art and science of nursing, focusing on the development of basic nursing care and assessment. You will apply nursing knowledge through the practice of clinical decision making, nursing assessment skills, and nursing interventions aimed at the promotion of health, independence, and comfort. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences will assist you to integrate theory from other Level One courses.

This first clinical experience provides you with an opportunity to integrate theory from Level One coursework into practice. You will gain experience in various settings with a focus on the healthy client. Learning the role of the Practical Nurse, personal care skills, organization of care, focused assessment, beginning medication administration and professional communication are emphasized in this course. Prior to going out on your first consolidated practice experience, you will participate in a simulated lab where you will sharpen your critical thinking and decision making skills in a controlled environment.

This course examines the legislation influencing PN practice with clients experiencing chronic illness and those in residential care settings. Specific professional issues such as responsibility, accountability, ethical practice, and leadership relevant to the PN role in residential care will be explored. Critical thinking and decision making specific to the care of the chronically ill and inter-professional practice will also be addressed.

This course provides you with an opportunity to develop professional communication skills with the older adult, and clients requiring end of life care. Interprofessional communication is further developed.

This course focuses on health promotion as it relates to the aging process. Health promotion activities are aimed at supporting clients in maintaining their health. The concepts of health promotion, physical and mental wellness, normal aging changes and continued independence are examined.

This course builds on Pharmacology 1 to increase your understanding of pharmacotherapeutics prescribed for illness across the lifespan.

This course will increase you understanding of pathophysiology as it relates to the aging process and selected chronic illness. The main focus of this course is on the care of the older adult experiencing a health challenge. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as evidence informed research and practice.

This practical course builds on the foundation of Level One and emphasizes the development of clinical decision making, nursing assessments, and interventions to promote the health of older adults. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences will help you to integrate theory from Level One and Level Two courses to provide safe, competent, and ethical nursing care with older adults.

This clinical experience provides you with the opportunity to integrate theory from Level One and Two courses into practice. You will practice with aging clients and/or those with chronic illness in residential care settings. Medication administration, nursing care, organization, comprehensive health assessment, wound care and introduction to leadership are emphasized in this course.

This course is offered in combined online and classroom delivery format. Students learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. Students are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter and interview skills.

This course integrates the concepts from previous professional practice courses and introduces you to practice in the community. The role of the Practical Nurse as leader is emphasized in interactions with clients, families and other health care providers.

This course focuses on specific professional communication skills used with clients and
care providers across the lifespan requiring care in the community.”

This course is focused on health promotion as it relates to the continuum of care across the lifespan. Health promotion in the context of mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities and Maternal /Child health is highlighted. Normal growth and development from conception to middle adulthood is addressed.

This course focuses on the continuum of care and the development of knowledge related to health challenges managed in the community setting. Pathophysiology and nursing management of clients requiring home health care, rehabilitation, and supportive services such as community living and disabilities will be explored. Cultural diversity in healing approaches will be explored as well as the incorporation of evidence-informed research and practice.

This practical course builds on the theory and practice from Level One and Level Two. Through classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences, you will continue to develop and practice comprehensive nursing assessment, planning and develop knowledge and interventions for clients experiencing multiple health challenges.

This clinical experience will introduce you to community practice and an opportunity to apply and adapt knowledge gained in Level One, Two, and Three within a continuum of care for clients across the lifespan. You may gain experience through simulation and in a variety of community and residential care agencies and settings.

This course is intended to prepare you for the role of the Practical Nurse in managing clients with acute presentation of illness. Legislation influencing PN practice, specific professional practice issues and ethical practice pertinent to PN practice in acute care environments will be explored. Practice issues that occur across the lifespan will be considered. Collaborative practice with other health care team members and specifically the working partnership with RN’s in the acute care setting will be explored.

The focus of this course will be on the advancement of professional communication within the acute care setting across the lifespan. The practice of collaboration with health care team members and clients will be further developed.

This course focuses on health promotion for the client experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic illness or an acute episode of illness. Relevant health promoting strategies during hospitalization may improve or help maintain their health status after discharge. You will focus on preparing clients for discharge, through teaching and learning of health promoting strategies.

This course will increase your understanding of pathophysiology as it relates to acute disease and illness for clients across the lifespan. The focus is on the care of the client experiencing acute illness including, nursing interventions and treatment options. Acute disease and illness often occur in individuals with existing chronic illnesses – the implications of these complexities will be addressed. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as evidenced informed research and practice.

This practical course emphasizes the development of nursing skills aimed at promoting health and healing with individuals experiencing acute health challenges across the lifespan. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and integrated practice experiences will help you build on theory and practice from Levels One, Two, and Three to integrate new knowledge and skills relevant to the acute care setting.

This clinical experience provides you with the opportunity to integrate theory from all levels into the role of the Practical Nurse in the acute care setting and other clinical areas as appropriate. You will focus on clients with exacerbations of chronic illness and/or acute illness across the lifespan and will consolidate knowledge and skills such as post-operative care, surgical wound management, IV therapy, focused assessment, and clinical decision-making in acute care settings.

This course is designed to prepare you for your final Preceptorship and final practice experience, taking the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN), previously the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE). A combination of faculty-led simulation experiences and self-directed learning will provide you with increased competence and confidence in your final practice experience. You will be introduced to the REx-PN and have the opportunity to practice exam-taking strategies and complete a number of online predictor tests.

This final practice experience provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate integration and consolidation of knowledge, skills and abilities within the realities of the workplace, and become practice ready. This faculty monitored experience may occur through a variety of practice experience models, including the preceptorship model, under the immediate supervision of a single, fully qualified and experienced LPN or RN or RPN.