LPN to AAS Course Descriptions

SEMESTER I - Spring

NURS 200 - LPN to RN Role Transition
Prepares the advanced placement student to enter the Nursing Program through orientation to the program, review of the nursing process and exploration of the role change from practical to professional nursing. Introduction to selected concepts related to the role of the Associate Degree nurse as a provider of care, teacher, manager, client advocate and member of the profession. Emphasis placed on critical thinking in providing and managing comprehensive care in a variety of health care settings with clients across the lifespan. Course is designed to assist the Licensed Practical Nurse with the transition into the practice of professional nursing. Prerequisites: All general education and program prerequisites. Credit: 1 credit hour = classroom instruction (15 contact hours)

NURS 206/206L Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing I (and lab)
Role of the registered professional nurse as care provider, teacher, manager, professional and advocate in meeting the nursing care needs of adults across the life span experiencing illness to wellness. The clinical lab provides opportunity for the student to utilize the nursing process and integrate previous learning to assist the patient and family in achieving optimal functioning in the various health care settings. Corequisites: NURS 206 and NURS 288. Credit: 5 credit hours = 3 lecture (45 contact hours) and 2 lab (90 contact hours).

NURS 288 Health and Physical Assessment for Nursing [AAS Program only]
Development of the knowledge necessary for completing health assessment across the life span. History taking, physical assessment skills, and principles of health promotion are utilized to develop appropriate interventions designed to assist clients with health promotion and life style changes. Prerequisites: All general education and prerequisites. Corequisite: NURS 206 and 200. Credit: 2 credit hour = 2 lecture (30 contact hours).

SEMESTER II - Summer

NURS 211/211L Nursing Care of the Psychiatric Client (and lab)
Develops concepts of psychosocial integrity and emphasizes the function and responsibility of nursing in promoting and maintaining mental health of individuals and families. This course emphasizes communication and caring through the application of the therapeutic relationship and nursing process in the care and treatment of common clinical conditions/disorders. In the clinical lab students will develop proficiency in working with psychiatric clients in various settings in the community. Prerequisites: NURS 200 and NURS 288. Corequisite: NURS 211. Credit: 5 credit hours = 3 lecture (45 contact hours) and 2 lab (90 contact hours).

NURS 217 Leadership for Professional Nursing Practice [AAS Program only]
Socializes the student into the graduate registered nurse role. The focus is on the exploration and analysis of contemporary nursing practice, current trends and issues impacting nursing care delivery. Advanced leadership and management concepts are discussed as part of the nursing role. Prerequisites: All general education and prerequisites, and NURS 200. Co-requisites: None. Credit: 2 credit hours = lecture (30 contact hours).

SEMESTER III - Fall:

NURS 210 Nursing Care of Complex Obstetrical and Pediatric Clients (3) [AAS Program only]
Prepares the professional nurse to comprehend and apply advanced concepts in care of the high-risk child bearing family and for children with complex health problems from birth through adolescence. Emphasizes special needs and complications during the perinatal experience and altered functioning, special needs, and disease processes manifested in children. The nursing process is used as a framework to attain optimal levels of maternal-newborn and pediatric health and wellness. Legal and ethical accountability are integrated throughout the course. Critical thinking skills are utilized throughout. Prerequisites: All general education and prerequisites, NURS 288 and 200. Corequisite: NURS 210L. Credit: 3 lecture (45 contact hours)

NURS 210L Nursing Care of Complex Obstetrical and Pediatric Clients Lab
Prepares the professional nurse to comprehend and apply advanced concepts in the care of the high-risk child bearing family and for children with complex health problems from birth through adolescence. Emphasizes special needs and complications during the prenatal experience and altered functioning, special needs and disease process manifested in children. The nursing process is used as a framework to attain optimal levels of maternal-newborn and pediatric health and wellness. Legal and ethical accountability and critical thinking skills are integrated throughout the course. Theoretical content is applied in acute care and community clinical
settings. Prerequisites: NURS 200 and NURS 288. Corequisite: NURS 210. Credit: 2 lab (90 contact hours).

NURS 216 Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II
[AAS Program only] Continues to focus on the role of the registered professional nurse as care provider, teacher, manager, professional, and advocate in meeting the complex medical and surgical health care needs of adult clients. Utilizing the nursing process, the student is expected to integrate previous learning to assist the patient and family in achieving optimal functioning in various Prerequisites: All general education and prerequisites, NURS 206, NURS 288, and NURS 200. Corequisite: NURS 216L. Credit: 2 lecture (30 contact hours)

NURS 216L Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II Lab
Continues to focus on the role of the registered professional nurse as care provider, teacher, manager, professional, and advocate in meeting the complex medical and surgical health care needs of adult clients. Utilizing the nursing process, the student is expected to integrate previous learning to assist the patient and family in achieving optimal functioning in various complex health care situations and settings. In addition to inpatient acute care patient units the student will rotate through the critical care areas of the health care facility. Prerequisites: NURS 206, NURS 206L, NURS 288, and NURS 200.
Corequisite: NURS 216. Credit: 2 lab (90 contact hours).

NURS 289 Capstone: Comprehensive Nursing Internship
Facilitates transition from student to graduate nurse through application of nursing principles and skills in an area of health care delivery. Critical thinking, life long learning, nursing process, caring, collaboration, and health teaching and promotion are emphasized. Prerequisites: All prerequisites for the AAS program, NURS 200, NURS 206, NURS 288, NURS 211, NURS 217. Corequisites: NURS 210 and NURS 216.
Credit: 1clinical (45 contact hours)

Contact Genell Stites, LPN - AAS Program Director, at (970) 248-1828 or
gstites@mesastate.edu to schedule an advising appointment

GENERAL INFORMATION
Kelly Losher
Administrative Assistant
Department of Health Sciences
Mesa State College
klosher@mesastate.edu
Phone (970) 248-1721
Fax (970) 248-1133

Revised: 9/18/2008