Nursing: Practical Nursing, CAS

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(This program may be offered at Lincoln County Campus dependent upon sufficient enrollment and resources.)

The focus of the practical nursing curriculum is to provide education leading to basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological, and sociological sciences and of nursing procedures. This program uses standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill, injured, and infirm, in the maintenance of health, in action to safeguard life and health, and in the administration of medications and treatments. Upon completing of this program, students will:

Implement health promotion and disease prevention that is cost effective, comprehensive and coordinated;
Engage patient and families as partners in evidenced-based, ethical care, while respecting individual preference;
Integrate current research findings, expert opinion, clinical reasoning, and patient preferences in implementing a plan of care;
Demonstrate cooperation, coordination, and communication among team members, patients, and community populations to improve quality and enhance patient safety;
Recognize and assist in ongoing assessment of patient and systems with the goal of providing the highest level of patient care and outcomes;
Participate in utilization of technology as a member of the care team, to gather data, manage information, and improve communication to support clinical decisions;
Recognize basic safety principles and utilizes safety enhancing technology to reduce risk of harm to self and others.

Required Prerequisites (Any Semester)

BIOH 104NL - Basic Human Biology with Lab Credit(s): 4
M 120 - Mathematics with Health Care Applications Credit(s): 3 *
PSYX 100A - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 4
WRIT 101W - College Writing I Credit(s): 3 *

First Semester Total: 14

Second Semester (Spring)

NRSG 130 - Fundamentals of Nursing Credit(s): 3 *
NRSG 131 - Fundamentals of Nursing Laboratory Credit(s): 3 *
NRSG 135 - Pharmacology for Practical Nurses Credit(s): 3 *
NRSG 136 - Pharmacology for Practical Nurses Laboratory Credit(s): 1 *
NRSG 152 - Gerontology and Community Nursing Credit(s): 2 *
NRSG 153 - Gerontology and Community Nursing Clinical Credit(s): 2 *

Second Semester Total: 14

Third Semester (Summer)

NRSG 140 - Adult Health Nursing Credit(s): 4 *
NRSG 141 - Adult Health Nursing Clinical Credit(s): 2 *
NRSG 142 - Nursing Care of Women and Children Credit(s): 3 *
NRSG 143 - Nursing Care of Women and Children Clinical Credit(s): 1 *
NRSG 148 - Leadership Issues for Practical Nurses Credit(s): 2 *
NRSG 149 - Leadership Issues for Practical Nurses Clinical Credit(s): 1 *

Third Semester Total: 13

Total Credits: 41

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Admission Guidelines

Applications for formal acceptance into the practical nursing program are accepted once a year. Applications are available at http://www.fvcc.edu/nursing. In order to be considered for acceptance into the practical nursing program, the student must have:
- Completed or be currently enrolled in and complete all of the following required prerequisite courses with a grade of “C”or higher (“C-” will not be accepted) BIOH 104 , M 120 , PSYX 100 , and WRIT 101 ;
- Selective GPA of at least 2.50 (out of 4.0 scale) in the prerequisite courses;
- Completion of the human biology course must be within five years of admission date. Individuals may request evaluation by the nursing program director for a possible exception;
- Must be in certificate status at FVCC with all records required on file;
- Signed application and $20.00 non-refundable processing fee receipt; and
- Once offered placement, students must provide proof of current personal health insurance policy (FVCC Student Health Center does not meet this requirement.), complete a background check, and provide proof of immunizations required to finalize the acceptance process. Please see Nursing Program Information Packet at www.fvcc.edu/nursing for more information.

Program Information

This is a demanding program. Individuals will be required to actively participate in and subscribe to the legal and ethical tenets of the discipline while enrolled as a student and as a graduate.
Once a student has applied and been accepted into the practical nursing program, each course can only be attempted once and must be passed with a grade of at least a “C+” for the student to continue in the program.
The practical nursing program is approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing’s Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). After passing the test, the Montana Board of Nursing grants licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Montana.

Opportunities After Graduation

There is an immediate need for practical nurses in a variety of health care facilities in the Flathead Valley. Employment includes clinics, dialysis centers, and long term care.

Nursing Program Director:

Myrna Ridenour, MSN, RN
BC 102-A
(406) 756-3997
mridenour@fvcc.edu

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact the FVCC Student Support Center or a Faculty Advisor.

Student Support Center Advisor	Faculty Advisor	Faculty Advisor
Karrie Bolivar	Erika DeCree, B.S., R.N.	Sarah Wangerin, B.S.N., R.N.
LRC 129	BC 102-C	BC 102-D
(406) 756-3880	(406) 756-3628	(406) 756-3943
kbolivar@fvcc.edu	edecree@fvcc.edu	swangerin@fvcc.edu

Facutly Advisor	Faculty Advisor - LCC
Liisa Lommatsch	Jan Ivers
BC 102	Lincoln County Campus
(406) 756-6154	(406) 293-2721
llommatsch@fvcc.ede	jivers@fvcc.edu

For general information, contact:

Cathy Fabel, Nursing Program Assistant
BC 102
(406) 756-3385
cfabel@fvcc.edu