SEMESTER 1:

1. ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR NURSING.

Course Description:

Apply communication principles that transfer to real-world nursing situations to meet the needs of the nursing profession and therapeutic communication. Develop the essential reading, writing, aural, oral, critical thinking and reflective practice skills necessary to be an effective communicator in the nursing field. Conduct, evaluate, and use research from appropriate sources relevant to the nursing profession.

2. MATH FOR PRACTICAL NURSING.

Course Description:

Review fundamental mathematical skills required for entry into the Practical Nursing Program. Learn foundational pharmacological knowledge and apply mathematical skills. Perform calculations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios and proportions. Solve problems accurately. Examine the Apothecary, Household and S.I. Metric Systems of Measurement. Practice numerical skills in class and with home assignments. Accurately interpret and solve word problems relating to healthcare.

3. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1

Course Description:

Explore the nature and history of nursing as a profession and the legislative, regulatory and professional frameworks that govern and inform its practice. Examine the role of the nurse within the interprofessional health care team and factors affecting team effectiveness. Analyse the role of research, ethics, quality improvement, and client safety in nursing practice.

4. PN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY

This course will introduce learners to basic human anatomy and physiology by exploring the human body systems at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels from a nursing perspective. Understanding human anatomy and physiology will facilitate accurate and comprehensive nursing assessments and provide the foundation for future learning of pathophysiology.

5. HEALTH, HEALING AND THE NURSING PROCESS 1.

Course Description:

Explore the fundamental concepts of health and illness while engaging with clients to identify their health needs, strengths, and goals. Examine the implications of the social determinants of health on individuals, families, and communities. Understand the various theories of growth and development across the lifespan while identifying anticipated transitions, health promotion strategies, and relevant nursing considerations. Emphasis will be placed on the culture and diversity of Canada, while maintaining current knowledge about trends and issues that impact the client, the RPN, the healthcare team and the delivery of health services. Application of foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills and problem-solving will be demonstrated using collaborative case analysis. Application of the nursing process using Gordon's framework will also be utilised.

6. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE READINESS

Course Description:

This course introduces the student, in a classroom and simulation setting, to selected fundamental nursing skills. Some of the skills learned include hand hygiene, medical asepsis, personal protective equipment, body mechanics, vital signs, therapeutic communication, critical thinking, documentation, and activities of daily living. This class is meant to be interactive and thought-provoking. This course will develop the skills, knowledge and values fundamental to professional nursing practice within an interprofessional collaborative team. Through practical experience and reflective practice, students develop the skills to help themselves face the challenges of being a student and future nurse.

7. PN PRACTICUM LAB 1.

Course Description:

Apply theory and skills to assessment and nursing care of clients in simulated lab settings with faculty assistance. Develop critical thinking and clinical decision making in assessment, nursing care and documentation. Establish therapeutic relationships with clients and practice fundamental nursing skills. Take the client's history and perform a physical evaluation. Complete accurate medication dosage calculations.

8. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1.

Course Description:

In this course, you will learn the foundational knowledge and skills needed to care for clients within a Senior Health Population. You will develop competence in various assessments and nursing skills. You will learn how to collaborate with clients to support them with their activities of daily living while developing therapeutic nurse-client relationships. You will be introduced and supported in developing skills to meet core competencies outlined by the College of Nurses (CNOs'), which include: Professional Practice, Ethical Practice, Legal Practice, Foundations of Practice and Collaborative Practice.

SEMESTER 2:

1. INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING PN

Course Description:

This course will prepare the healthcare student for the development of a professional therapeutic relationship, advocacy and professional practice skills that are ethical, equitable, non-judgmental, respectful, and trauma-informed violence informed by the values, beliefs, and cultural practices, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Through independent and classroom study, discussion and self-reflection, the healthcare student will practice reflexivity by exploring personal bias, social discrimination, racism, stereotypes and how these assumptions and colonisation contribute to the harm of clients, families, communities and populations. The healthcare students' ability to provide strengths-based, culturally safe Indigenous health care that is determined by the client, family or community will be developed through knowledge and insight gained by learning about Indigenous culture, history, traditions, and Western versus Indigenous worldviews. By the end of In this course, the healthcare student will: possess foundational knowledge, be able to provide culturally safe care, engage in lifelong learning, and cultural humility, and use their voice to influence policy and healthcare change that addresses inequities in health care outcomes of Indigenous Peoples.

2. HEALTH, HEALING AND THE NURSING PROCESS 2.

Course Description:

Through lectures and small group tutorials, students will explore a variety of health conditions following various body systems. Students will use the application of critical reasoning and critical inquiry to plan safe and quality care for clients by considering physical, social, emotional and psychological health. Application of foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills and problem-solving will be demonstrated using collaborative case analysis. Application of the nursing process using Gordon's framework will also be utilised.

3. PHARMACOLOGY AND MATH PART 1.

Course Description:

This course will prepare students with fundamental pharmacological knowledge and mathematical skills to accurately and safely administer medication and parenteral therapies according to CNO standards and current legislation. The study of select medication groups related to chronic health (sem 2) challenges will be completed using the nursing process and evidence-informed decision-making. The role and accountability of the practical nurse in all aspects of safe administration of pharmacological and parenteral therapies will be emphasised.

4. INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Course Description:

Explore the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour, including the concepts of normality and abnormality. Investigate the biological basis of human experience, sensation and perception, learning and memory, and the nature of consciousness. Examine social psychology, personality theories, health and stress, and various psychological disorders, including their etiology and treatments.

5. PRACTICUM LAB 2

Course Description:

Apply theory and skills in assessment and nursing care of medical clients in simulated lab settings with faculty assistance. Apply critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in assessment, nursing care and documentation. Demonstrate medical nursing skills with a focus on client safety. Accurately calculate medication dosage and IV therapy administration.

6. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2

Course Description:

Assess clients, plan and provide care as a member of the interprofessional health care team (IPHCT), with a focus on medication administration. Transfer and consolidate knowledge and skills from the previous semester and apply skills learned and practised in Practicum 2 Lab.

SEMESTER 3:

1. HEALTH, HEALING AND THE NURSING PROCESS 3.

Course Description:

Through lectures and small group tutorials, students will explore a variety of health conditions following various body systems. Students will use the application of critical reasoning and critical inquiry to plan safe and quality care for clients by considering physical, social, emotional and psychological health. Application of foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills and problem-solving will be demonstrated using collaborative case analysis. Application of the nursing process using Gordon's framework will also be utilised.

2. PHARMACOLOGY AND MATH PART 2

Course Description:

This course will prepare students with fundamental pharmacological knowledge and mathematical skills to accurately and safely administer medication and parenteral therapies according to CNO standards and current legislation. The study of select medication groups related to chronic health (sem 2) challenges will be completed using the nursing process and evidence informed decision making. The role and accountability of the practical nurse in all aspects of the safe administration of pharmacological and Parenteral therapies will be emphasised.

3. GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE 1

Course Description:

This course represents your first requirement to complete a General Education elective. General education courses are intended to broaden your educational experience, and help you to develop new perspectives on your life and career. These courses must focus on content that is separate from your core area of study, and must reflect at least one of the five themes of general education as defined by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, Understanding Science and Technology.

4. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Course Description:

Explore the nature of society and how it influences individual and social behavior behavior. Examine the historical roots and key theoretical perspectives in Sociology and the Contemporary Relevance of the Sociological Imagination. Develop an appreciation of thinking sociologically as applied to a range of social issues and social problems, including: culture, socialization, social inequality, education, families, and crime and deviance.

5. PRACTICUM LAB 3

Course Description:

Apply theory and skills in assessment and nursing care of surgical client’s in simulated lab settings. Apply critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in pre-operative and post-operative evaluation, nursing care, documentation and collaboration with the interprofessional health care team (IPHCT). Demonstrate competent performance of surgical nursing.

6. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3

Course Description:

Assess clients, plan and provide nursing care in acute surgical/medical areas as a member of the interprofessional health care team (IPHCT). Apply skills learned and practised in the Practicum 3 Lab, transfer knowledge and consolidate skills from previous semesters.

SEMSESTER 4:

1. HEALTH, HEALING AND THE NURSING PROCESS 4.

Course Description:

Through lectures and small group tutorials, students will explore a variety of health conditions in special patient populations. Students will use the application of critical reasoning and critical inquiry to plan safe and quality care for clients by considering physical, social, emotional and psychological health. Application of foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills and problem-solving will be demonstrated using collaborative case analysis. Application of the nursing process using Gordon's framework will also be utilised.

2. ENTRY TO PRACTICE READINESS

Course Description:

In this course, students will integrate and apply their health assessment and clinical nursing skills in preparation for professional nursing practice. Through experiential learning, students will have the opportunity to enhance their communication, collaboration, critical thinking, clinical judgement, and decision-making skills through simulated group experiences. Students will be allowed to demonstrate safe and effective nursing practice before entering their final professional practice placement.

3. PRACTICUM LAB 4

Course Description:

This course is designed to support clinical practice, assisting students with application of knowledge and skills in a simulated lab environment before performing in a workplace setting.

4. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PREGRADUATE EXPERIENCE

Course Description:

Assume the responsibilities of a beginning practitioner, according to the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario, within an interprofessional health care team (IPHCT) in a preceptored experience.