Practical Nurse

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of 12 body systems. Students also learn various health promotion strategies that assist in maintaining optimal function of these body systems. Healthcare terminology is introduced in this course.

This theory course provides an introduction to the profession of Practical Nursing and the legislation that informs PN practice within British Columbia. Course topics include the history of nursing and specifically the evolution of Practical Nursing within the Canadian health care system. This course also explores the philosophy and foundational concepts of the Provincial Practical Nursing Program.

This course provides learners with the foundational knowledge for caring and professional communication in nursing. An experiential and self-reflective approach is used to develop self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills in the context of safe, competent and collaborative nursing practice. Topics include communication theory, the nurse-client relationship, therapeutic communication, cross-cultural communication and effective teamwork.

This introductory course provides learners with the foundations of disease and illness across the lifespan. Students will gain an understanding of pathophysiological alterations of body systems, as well as nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan (with an emphasis on interventions and treatment). Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored, as well as the incorporation of evidenced-informed practice.

This course develops a beginning knowledge of normal growth and development, and introduces the concepts of health promotion, health inequities and the determinants of health. Topics include disease prevention, health enhancement, health protection, health restoration/recovery care and support.

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 course emphasizes the art and science of nursing, focusing on the development of basic nursing care and assessment. Learners 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. A variety of approaches (e.g., simulation) is used to assist learners to integrate theory from other Level 1 courses.

The first practice experience provides learners with an opportunity to integrate theory from Level 1 coursework into practice. Learners gain experience in various settings with a focus on the healthy client. This practice experience emphasizes the role of the Practical Nurse, personal care skills, organization of care, focused assessment, beginning medication administration and professional communication.

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 clients with the chronic health challenges and inter-professional practice will also be addressed.

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

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

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

This course builds on Pharmacology I to increase learners’ understanding of pharmacotherapeutics prescribed for illnesses clients experience across the lifespan. Topics include drug classifications and links with common diseases/illness based on a body system approach and drug resistance.

This course builds on the foundation of Level I and emphasizes the development of clinical decision making, nursing assessments and interventions to promote the health of older adults. A variety of approaches (e.g. simulation) helps learners to integrate theory from Level I and II courses to provide safe, competent and ethical nursing care with older adults.

This practice experience provides learners with the opportunity to integrate theory from Level I and II courses into practice. Learners 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 integrates the concepts from previous professional practice courses and introduces learners to practice in the community. The role of the Practical Nurse as leader is emphasized in interactions with clients and their families as well as 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 focuses on the continuum of care and the development of knowledge related to health challenges managed in the community setting. Pathophysiology and nursing care of clients requiring home health care, rehabilitation and supportive services in the community are explored. As well, cultural diversity in healing approaches are explored along with the incorporation of evidence informed research and practice.

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 builds on the theory and practice from Level I and II. Through a variety of approaches (e.g. simulation), learners will continue to develop knowledge and practice of comprehensive nursing assessment, planning for and interventions with clients experiencing multiple health challenges in a variety of settings.

This practice experience will introduce learners to community care settings and an opportunity to apply and adapt knowledge gained in Levels I, II and III within a continuum of care for clients across the lifespan. Learners may gain experience through simulation and in a variety of settings with a focus on concepts outlined in Integrated Nursing Practice III.

This course prepares learners for the role of the Practical Nurse in caring for 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 are explored. Practice issues that occur across the lifespan areconsidered. Collaborative practice with other health care team members and specifically the working partnership with RNs in the acute care setting are examined.

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

This course focuses on pathophysiology as it relates to acute disease and illness of clients across the lifespan, specifically the care of the client experiencing acute illness including nursing interventions and treatment options. Implications of the acute exacerbation of chronic illness are addressed. Cultural diversity in healing practices are explored as well as evidenced informed research and practice.

This course focuses on health promotion in the context of caring for clients experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic illness or an acute episode of illness. It also examines health promoting strategies during hospitalization to improve or help maintain clients’ health status after discharge occurs. Topics also include how to prepare clients for discharge from care through teaching and learning of health promoting strategies.

This course emphasizes the development of nursing skills aimed at promoting health and healing with individuals experiencing acute health challenges across the lifespan.  A variety of approaches (e.g. simulation) helps   learners build on theory and practice from Levels I, II and III to integrate new knowledge and skills relevant to the acute care setting.

This practice experience provides learners with the opportunity to integrate theory from all courses into the role of the Practical Nurse in the acute care setting and other practice areas as appropriate. Learners 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, intravenous therapy, focused assessment and clinical decision-making in acute care settings.

Transition to Preceptorship prepares the learner for the final practice experience. Simulation experiences and self-directed learning provides the learner with increased competence and confidence in their final practice experience.

This final practice experience provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate integration and consolidation of knowledge, skills and abilities within the realities of the workplace and become practice ready. This 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, RN or RPN and/or within the context of a collaborative learning environment as a participating team member.