Practical Nursing

This course introduces the sciences of anatomy and physiology and the basic structure, functions and assessment of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory gastrointestinal, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and nervous systems as well as the sensory organs. Integration of systems and maintenance of homeostasis within the body will also be discussed.

This course prepares the student to work with persons experiencing Alzheimer Disease or other dementias in facility and/or community settings. The student will develop an understanding of dementia and the impact on both the individual and families. Strategies based on the philosophy of providing person-centred care to persons as well as support to family caregivers will be explored. The course will be delivered through completion of the provincial standard Dementia: Understanding the Journey Course. The student must attend all sessions and complete the final project of the course to meet the requirements.

Upon completion, the student will acquire an understanding of the physical, cognitive, psychosocial processes of growth and development, including developmental tasks across the lifespan.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to perform basic nursing skills that are commonly required in the care of clients. These skills are required in acute, long term and community settings. In addition to classroom theory, the student will have an opportunity to practice and perform skills in the demonstration lab. The student must be successful in both the theory and all lab components of this course. Students will demonstrate professional conduct competencies at all times in the lab setting.

Upon completion of this course the learner will utilize Orem's theory to have an understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of their role and scope of practice in the Canadian healthcare delivery system. This course will also explore concepts of global health. The learner will be able to employ therapeutic communication skills to a diverse community.

Interprofessional communication skills provide the framework to effectively deliver respectful care in nursing. This course is designed to enable the student to establish and maintain professional therapeutic relationships with individuals and groups. The learners will develop their skill in applying therapeutic communication principles.

Upon completion the student will be able to provide basic care to a stable client using the nursing process. The student will function as a member of the Health Care Team while providing a safe environment utilizing the principles of infection control. The student will function within the legal and ethical parameters of their role.

Upon completion of this course the learner will have the ability to perform the skills required in the care of clients in acute/long term care facilities and community care. In conjunction with classroom theory, the learner will have the opportunity to practice and perform skills in the demonstration lab and various clinical settings. The learner must be successful in both the theory and all lab components of this course. Learners will demonstrate professional conduct competencies at all times in the lab setting.

This course teaches, in a simulated setting, the basic concepts of pharmacological theory and the skills necessary to safely administer medications, and provides awareness of responsibilities and legal implications. Students will not be permitted to use calculators in this course.

This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop health assessment skills. It includes an introduction to a health assessment, components of health interview and guidelines to performing a head-to-toe physical examination. It also encompasses a review of anatomy as it pertains to the physical examination.

Upon completion of this course the learner will have an understanding of common disorders affecting the body systems and the care required while employing Orem’s self care deficit theory of nursing.

This course describes the concepts of oncology nursing and the role of the Practical Nurse in assisting the client and family to deal with loss and death. Students will also develop an understanding of the concepts related to palliative care based on Cancer Care Nova Scotia Palliative Care Front-line Education.

This course provides the learner with an introduction to the role of the Practical Nurse in maternal and child care, emphasizing evidenced based practice. The learner will be able to explore the concept of family development employing Orem’s theory of self-care. The learner will develop an understanding of families as social systems within a community.

This course is designed to prepare the learner with an understanding of the factors that affect health and wellness both on an individual and community level. The learner will examine risk factors to health, safety issues and the effect of stress and adaptation. The learner will explore the role of the Practical Nurse in community health.

This course will provide the learner with the opportunity to explore various types of mental health issues, abuse, crisis, and related challenging behaviours. The course is designed to allow the learner to explore the role of the Practical Nurse in supporting individuals and families experiencing alterations in mental health and social well-being. The course will include a community based applied learning project.

This course provides selected supervised learning experiences allowing the learner the opportunity to apply the nursing process and health promotion strategies. The learner will use clinical judgment for decision making when providing care to clients with alterations in health.

This course provides selected, supervised learning experiences allowing the student the opportunity to apply the nursing process and health promotion strategies. The student will perform health assessments and nursing skills for clients with alterations in health.

This course provides the student with the opportunity to apply the nursing process and health promotion strategies during a preceptored experience. The student will perform health assessments and nursing skills for clients with alterations in health.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be familiar with concepts related to the professional role of the practical nurse. This will include, but is not limited to, an understanding of accountability, leadership, administration, research and evidenced-based practice. The students will also have an opportunity to review and debate current issues in health care. The students will complete a week of license preparation at the end of this course.

This course provides the student with the opportunity to become familiar with the role of the Practical Nurse in family-centred and community nursing care using Orem’s theory of self care. The outcomes for this course can be met through a combination of clinical experience, guest lecturers, and student presentations.

This course provides the learner with the opportunity to apply the nursing process during the administration of medications in the clinical setting. Students will not be permitted to use calculators in this course.

The clinical experience is a time for students to integrate their knowledge, skills, ability and judgment in the provision of nursing care. Using Orem’s theory of self-care, the student will demonstrate safe, ethical and competent practice to clients and families requiring increasingly complex care.

This course provides the learner with opportunities to continue to explore types of mental health issues, abuse, crisis, and related challenging behaviours and to apply the nursing process in alterations in mental health by completing a 30 hour preceptor clinical experience with a mental health focus.

The clinical experience is a time for learners to consolidate their skills and knowledge. This will be a time in which the learner can actively apply the NSCC conceptual framework and learned skills. It will be a transitional period where the learner will gradually move into the role of a beginning practitioner.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with the opportunity to integrate the skills and competencies required for safe clinical practice. The learner will participate in Lab demonstrations and simulated learning while applying clinical judgement and critical thinking skills.

This course offers students an introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) 1988 and WHMIS 2015. Course material provides basic knowledge in WHMIS principles that establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of particular controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of this course, students will attain basic WHMIS certification.

This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.