| Program
Description
The Practical Nursing program combines classroom instruction and
extensive clinical experience to prepare graduates to take the State
Board of Examination for licensure as Practical Nurses. A variety
of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are
integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Clinical
training is conducted at affiliated hospitals and health care facilities
to provide the student nurse with actual experience in general medical
nursing and in specialty nursing procedures such as obstetrics,
medical, geriatrics, surgery, pediatrics, and recovery room. The
student’s clinical experiences are closely supervised by Valdosta
Tech’s instructional staff.
The Practical Nursing program at Valdosta Technical College is
designed to produce a graduate who is: (1) competent in the general
areas of communications, math, and interpersonal relations, (2)
competent in anatomy and physiology, (3) competent in drug calculation
and administration of medication, (4) competent in nutrition and
diet therapy, (5) competent in patient care related to wellness
and prevention of disease in the following areas: fundamental skills,
medical-surgical, maternal-child, mental health, leadership, and
geriatrics, (6) aware of and practices good safety habits (7) understands
of the role of nursing ethics in the overall health care environment
(8) competent in employability skills which foster working attitudes
and working habits that enable the graduate to perform as a good
employee, (9) aware of the need for further education so that graduates
will pursue their own continuing education as a lifelong endeavor,
and (10) willing to integrate core threads in the areas of physical,
psychosocial, and spiritual needs in order to provide holistic care.
Prior to beginning the clinical phase of training, all Practical
Nursing students must submit dental and medical records RPR blood
test, a tuberculin skin test, and other medical information.
In compliance with OSHA standards, Valdosta Tech requires that
each student receive the HB vaccination series or sign a waiver
declining the vaccination. This series must be completed prior to
clinical experience or externship experience.
Admission is competitive and based on a point system that considers
admission placement scores, course academic and work ethic grades,
NET test score, autobiography, and submission of personal references.
Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Practical
Nursing program.
DTAE
Program Resources
Program Requirements
Applicants must meet general admissions requirements, and must also:
- Present official documentation of an acceptable accredited high
school diploma, GED, or acceptable college credit.
- Present acceptable COMPASS/ASSET scores taken within the last
five years, or SAT, ACT or CPE scores taken within the last seven
years.
Technical Standards for Practical Nursing
CLINCAL REQUIREMENTS:
Working Environment: May possibly receive cuts and infections from sharp instruments and infections from contaminated equipment and personnel. May be exposed to communicable diseases. HBV vaccination is strongly recommended prior to clinical. May possibly incur strains due to handling heavy equipment and patients. A physical and other medical information is required prior to clinical.
OSHA Risk Factor – Category A: A chance of exposure to blood and other body fluids is high. The course exposes the student to noxious smells, either toxic or non-toxic, to toxic fumes, gases, vapors, mists & liquids or to latex which could, depending on the chemical, cause general or localized disabling conditions as a result of inhalation, ingestion, or action on the skin.
Essential Requirements for Nursing : All candidates and students in the nursing program must meet intellectual, physical, and social core performance standards necessary to provide safe patient care in an independent manner. The areas below include examples of necessary activities and skills but are not all inclusive.
1)Critical Thinking : Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Examples include identification of cause/effect relationships in clinical situations, development of care plans, transferring knowledge from one situation to another, evaluate outcomes, problem solving, prioritizing, using short and long term memory.
2)Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. Examples include establishing rapport with patients/clients, families, and colleagues, and respect of cultural diversity.
3)Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for verbal and written interaction with others. Examples include explanation of treatment procedures, initiation of health teaching, documentation and interpretation of nursing actions and patient/client responses, and written and oral reports to other health care professionals.
4)Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces. Examples include moving around in a patient’s room; lifting up to 50 pounds; carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds; pushing or pulling carts weighing up to 50 pounds; standing and maintaining balance for long periods; twisting, bending, stooping; moving quickly in response to possible emergencies; dexterity and repetitive movements will be required.
5)Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care. Examples include calibration and use of equipment, positioning of dependent adult patients/clients, grasping and manipulation of small objects/instruments, using a computer keyboard, and writing with a pen.
6)Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient for monitoring and assessing health needs. Examples include hearing monitors and pump alarms, emergency signals fire alarms, auscultatory sounds and cries for help.
7)Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Examples include observation of patient/client responses such as respiratory rate and depth, skin color, and other physical signs; visualization of monitors, watches with second hands, medication labels and vials, and increments on a medication syringe; visualization of objects from twenty inches to twenty feet away; use of depth perception and peripheral vision; distinguishing colors; and reading written documents.
8)Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. Examples include performance of palpation, functions of physical examination (such as discrimination of pulses and detection of temperature), and functions related to therapeutic intervention (such as insertion of a catheter).
9)Emotional: Emotional stability sufficient to tolerate rapidly changing conditions and environmental stress. Examples include establishment of therapeutic interpersonal boundaries, providing patients/clients with emotional support, adapting to changing conditions in the work environment and stress, dealing with unexpected or unpredictable events, maintaining focus on a task, performing multiple tasks concurrently, and being able to handle strong emotions.
10)Social Core Performance: The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions. Professional demeanor and behaviors are to be displayed at all times. Prior felony convictions may affect a student’s ability to participate in the clinical portion of the program and in board certification. All students with a criminal conviction must make an appointment with the program coordinator to discuss their eligibility to participate in the program prior to applying for admission to the program.
Curriculum
Credits required for graduation: 97
» * The student's actual curriculum may vary somewhat
from the outline above.
Core courses must be completed with a 2.5 GPA or above before acceptance
into the program.
This program is approved by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed
Practical Nurses.
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