Practical Nursing - MB

This first of a two session course introduces students to the study of anatomy from the microscopic level of cells to the macroscopic level of organ systems. Two unifying themes are central to this course: complementary of body structure and functions, and homeostasis. Through instructor-led presentations, critical thinking exercises and lab demonstrations, students analyze how organized anatomical structures of specific size, shape or location serve unique and special functions, how cells work to coordinate organ functions, and how the interaction between structure and function is achieved and maintained through homeostasis.

Content includes cell structure and function, organs and organ systems, basic anatomy terminology as well as structure and function of body systems such as integumentary, musculoskeletal, haematopoietic, respiratory, circulatory, and special senses system.

Knowledge gained from this course will assist learners in understanding the level of organization and normal functioning of human body. It will help them recognize the connectedness of human structures and functions as components of the basic structures of the client’s system proposed by the Neuman model. It will be used as the morphological setting upon which clinical knowledge and practice will be built. In addition, this anatomy course will provide learners an opportunity to acquire and hone new vocabulary and professional skills that will be used throughout their LPN careers.

This course explores the principles of communication and interpersonal relationships and their application to the nurse/client relationship. Students are introduced to the factors that promote or inhibit therapeutic relationships. They learn to develop strategies and skills needed to structure nurse/client relationships, to formally document and report care provided to clients, and to collaborate with other members of the health care team. They apply these strategies and skills to communicate effectively with clients, families and colleagues in normal or conflict situations. Emphasis is placed on initiating and ending a nurse client relationship, on health teaching, on using documentation tools, on using the Neuman model when communicating with clients experiencing sensory and cognitive impairments, and with psychologically distressed and behaviourally challenged clients.

This course provides practical foundations for health assessment and physical examination. Through class instruction, case studies and laboratory practice, learners develop skills to perform health and physical assessment using the Neumann model. Critical thinking skills are applied to differentiate normal from abnormal findings as learners begin to apply the nursing process. Emphasis is placed on interviewing techniques, data collection, communication, relational practice, collaboration with client and family, cultural and psychosocial considerations and health promotion.

Knowledge gained from this course will be distilled throughout the program and reinforced during practica to support learner’s ability to perform sound assessment as a source of subjective and objective data that will be integrated in the nursing process to design nursing prevention interventions.

This course is designed to inform students about the knowledge, skills, behaviours and expectation that are required to succeed in this Practical Nursing diploma program. Through campus site visits, laboratory and classroom tours, students are introduced to the infrastructure, systems and resources available to support academic success. Class discussions and interactions provide information about the functioning do’s and don’ts about the program. Emphasis will be placed on program goals, description, objectives, expected outcomes, policies and procedures. Students' responsibilities towards themselves, the instruction/laboratory sites and the practicum sites will be included. Time management, organizational skills, study tips, and reading and writing skills will be covered as well. The knowledge gained from this course will allow students to have a comprehensive orientation to the program and the opportunity to successfully plan for the weeks to come.

This course provides a basic understanding about the principles of nutrition and their application in the maintenance and promotion of health and wellness. After setting the knowledge grounds in a social context, course content will cover food guides, components of diet, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals before addressing some lifespan and wellness concerns. Emphasis is placed on the sources, types, functions and recommended intake of macro and micro nutrients. Through critical thinking exercises and lab practice, students develop the ability to use assessment tools and CDI framework based on the Neuman Model to determine and report nutritional status of client across the lifespan.

Knowledge gained from this course will be integrated with knowledge previously gained in session I to enable students to establish the interdependence between health and nutrients, and to differentiate their importance according to age groups. This knowledge will enhance students’ capacity to collaborate with the health care team when teaching clients, doing dietician referrals  and providing holistic care to clients in various settings. In addition, this nutrition course will provide students an opportunity to acquire and hone new vocabulary and professional skills that will be used throughout their LPN careers.

This second part of a two-session course introduces students to the study of anatomy from the microscopic level of cells to the macroscopic level of organ systems. Two unifying themes are central to this course: complementary body structure and functions and homeostasis. Through instructor lead presentations, critical thinking and lab demonstrations, students analyze how organized anatomical structures of specific size, shape or location serve unique and special functions, how cells work to coordinate organ functions and how the interaction of structure and function is achieved and maintained by homeostasis. Course content covers basic anatomy terminology and structure and function of body systems including endocrine, nervous, urinary, reproductive, lymphatic, immune and digestive systems. Knowledge gained in this course will assist students in understanding the level of organization and normal functioning of human body. It will help them recognize the connectedness of human structures and functions as components of the basic structures of the client’s system proposed by the Neuman model. It will be harnessed as the morphological setting upon which clinical knowledge and practice will be built. In addition, this course provides students an opportunity to increase their vocabulary and professional skills that will be used throughout their LPN careers.

In this course, students are introduced to knowledge, behavior, skills and techniques required to develop psychomotor competencies to provide holistic care to clients in chronic and acute care settings. Emphasis will be placed on safe techniques, LPN roles, responsibilities, communication, collaboration and ethical behavior. Through lab activities, simulations, group work and critical thinking activities, students will integrate various sources of knowledge in order to demonstrate accurate and safe nursing skills.The knowledge gained in this course will assist students in the application of competencies that will be used to implement nursing prevention interventions in the provision of holistic care to adult clients in various settings using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model.

This first part of a two-session course explores acute and chronic illness in human adults and the pathophysiological alterations that are associated with the disease process. Through instructor lead presentations, critical thinking exercises, lab practice and demonstrations, students will analyze the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic and screening tests, clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of altered functions of selected body systems. Emphasis is placed on patient safety with a greater awareness on collaborative care, accountable practice, illness prevention, health and wellness promotion. Content is presented from a patient-centered approach based on the Neuman model and includes pathophysiology of diseases and nursing care of clients with illneses related to alterations of the immune, sensory, integumentary and musculoskeletal systems. Alterations in body fluids and nursing care during pre-operation, peri-operation and post operation periods are also covered. The knowledge and skills acquired from this course will be integrated with skills and knowledge acquired earlier in the program to help students demonstrate comprehensive use of the nursing process and application of the CDI framework based on the Neuman model when providing holistic care to medical/surgical clients in acute care or community settings.

This course will introduce students to the concepts and principles related to pharmacology. It will help them develop the body of knowledge required to safely administer non-parenteral medications. Topics will cover the concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, rules for safe medication preparation and administration, medication class, interaction, compatibilities, therapeutic and adverse effects and idiosyncrasies. Emphasis will be placed on accurate calculations, client’s health variables, environmental stressors, client’s need for and response to medication as well as the legal and professional aspects of pharmacotherapy. Through critical thinking exercises and lab simulations, students will use the nursing process to safely administer medications that affect certain body systems (integumentary, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, circulatory, and special senses).

This two-week practicum will offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical nursing knowledge and psychomotor skills to clinical practice while providing safe and competent care to older adults and their families in a long term care settings, using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model. Under clinical supervision, students will demonstrate the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate holistic care. Emphasis will be placed on scope of practice, LPN roles in continuing care, establishing a therapeutic relationship with clients, health assessment, pertinent documentation, safe medication administration, activity of daily living, application of the nursing process and reflective practice as well as collaboration with client, families and the health care team.

This course introduces students to the basic concepts, theories and mechanisms involved in the process of human development from infancy to death. Through class interactions, critical thinking exercises and group work, students will examine the many changes that individuals undergo during the course of growth and development and the factors that may interfere with these changes at specific stages of life. Emphasis is placed on developmental process associated with three major domains of human growth across the lifespan: physiological, psychosocial and cognitive domains. Topics covered include theories of development, factors influencing development, stages, early/ middle childhood, and adolescence as well as young, middle and late adulthood. The experience of death, dying and bereavement throughout the lifespan will also be covered. Learning needs and health promotion strategies to facilitate optimum development are weaved throughout the content. The knowledge gained in this course will help students appreciate the complexity and specificity of human needs and the importance to integrate multiple perspectives in order to capture the wholeness of a client. This will reinforce students' understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental stages and the factors that influence those needs. It will enhance their capacity to relate growth and developmental processes to the application of holistic nursing care to clients across the lifespan.

In this course, students are introduced to more advanced knowledge, behaviour, skills and techniques required to develop psychomotor competencies that will be used to provide holistic care to clients in chronic and acute settings. Emphasis will be placed on safe techniques, LPN roles, responsibilities, communication, collaboration, ethical behaviour and accountable practice. Through lab activities, simulations, group work and critical thinking activities, students will integrate various sources of knowledge in order to demonstrate accurate and safe nursing skills. The knowledge acuired in this course will assist students in the application of new and consolidation of previous competencies that will be used to implement nursing prevention interventions in the provision of holistic care to adult clients using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of microbiology. Through class discussions and lab exercises, students analyze concepts such as microbial structure, growth and reproduction while drawing relationships to health-related topics such as microbial infection transmission. Emphasis is placed on LPN roles, responsibilities, infection, prevention and control as well as health and wellness promotion. Content includes pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms, characteristics of bacteria, virus and fungi and their roles in the transmission of diseases, microbial infection throughout the lifespan, public health and hospital related microbial infections, and infection control measures. The knowledge gained in this course will enable students to reinforce their understanding of micro-organism-linked diseases in terms of transmission, control and prevention and the implications for LPN practice. This understanding will enhance their capacity to implement and evaluate infection control measures in hospitals, home and community settings. In addition, this microbiology course will provide students an opportunity to acquire and hone new vocabulary that will be used throughout their LPN careers.

This second of a two-session course explores the pathophysiological alterations that are associated with the disease process. Through instructor lead presentations, critical thinking exercises and lab demonstrations, students will analyze the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic and screening tests, clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of altered functions of body systems. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, collaborative care, accountability of practice, illness prevention and health and wellness promotion while providing care to clients during pre-operation, peri-operation and post operation periods. Content is presented from a patient-centered approach based on the Neuman model and includes pathophysiology of diseases, nursing care of clients with illnesses related to alterations of the digestive, haematopoietic, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and nervous systems. The knowledge and skills gained from this course will be integrated to skills and knowledge acquired earlier in the program to help students demonstrate comprehensive use of the nursing process and application of CDI framework based on the Neuman model to provide holistic care to medical/surgical clients in acute care or community settings.

This course will further students’ knowledge about the principles of pharmacology and enhance their ability to apply the nursing process to administer non-parenteral and parenteral drugs. Emphasis will be placed on accurate calculations, prevention of medication errors and health promotion. Through critical thinking exercises and lab simulations, students will have the opportunity to refine their assessment, evaluation and teaching skills when administering medications that affect different body systems (endocrine, nervous, reproductive, urinary, lymphatic, immune and digestive). The knowledge gained in this course will assist students in applying the CDI framework based on Neuman model to develop nursing prevention interventions that maximize therapeutic effects, minimize adverse effects and promote client safety, comfort, wellness and positive patient outcomes.

This three-week practicum will offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical nursing knowledge and psychomotor skills to clinical practice while providing safe and competent care to adults and their families in medical, long term care or community settings using the Neuman model. Under clinical supervision, students will demonstrate the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate holistic care to two to three adult clients. Emphasis will be placed on scope of practice, LPN roles in medical units, establishing therapeutic relationships with clients, health assessments, pertinent documentation, safe medication administration, and application of the nursing process and accountable practice as well as collaboration with clients, families and the health care team.

This course examines the concepts, principles, organization and nursing interventions central to Community Health. It uses the Manitoba Primary Health Care policy framework and CLPNM requirements for Community Health and Occupational Health to shape students’ understanding about health problems that affect groups and communities. Theoretical content includes primary care, population health, communicable and infectious diseases, emergency planning, occupational health and disaster management. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, illness prevention, health education, health maintenance, LPN roles and professional collaboration with various community stakeholders. Through the analysis of case scenarios and lab practice, students will establish the relationships between determinants of health. They will reflect on access to and use of community resources in the delivery of care to clients, family and groups, as well. The knowledge and skills gained in this course will enable students to develop, implement and evaluate client and family centered prevention interventions within the legal scope of practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse and using CDI framework based on the Neuman model

This course explores the principles, concepts, skills and DSM-IV criteria applicable to nursing management of mental disorders in clients throughout the lifespan. Through class discussions, group work and laboratory practice, students will reinforce their critical thinking abilities in analyzing clients’ needs while refining their assessment skills by using several assessment tools and guidelines. Emphasis is placed on individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges and the roles and responsibilities of LPN as a member of the health care team. Content includes mental health concepts, legal and ethical aspects of care, communication and interpersonal skills, risk factors, assessment, signs, symptoms, prevention, community resources, treatment modalities and health promotion. The knowledge gained from this course will be integrated with previous clinical and theoretical knowledge in order to reinforce students’ capacity to apply new concepts and clinical skills when providing holistic mental health care to families and clients challenged by mental illness throughout the life span, in a variety of settings, within the legal scope of practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse and using CDI framework based on the Neuman model. This knowledge will further be used to develop client centered nursing prevention interventions that restore mental health, prevent mental illness and lead to positive health outcomes in individuals and families faced with mental health alterations.

This course explores the physiological and psychological transformations that occur during pregnancy. It focuses on the mother and newborn’s health needs as well as common childbearing health problems and their nursing management. Content includes anatomy and physiology related to pregnancy, signs and symptoms of pregnancy, prenatal, intra-partum and postpartum care, birthing process, pregnancy complications, pharmacology, nutrition, inter-professional collaboration, community resources, teaching and health promotion. Through critical thinking exercises, case scenarios and lab practice, students will develop acuity in judgement to identify developmental needs and early signs of complications as well as skills to perform holistic assessments and provide care to pregnant, labouring, postpartum and newborn clients. Students will combine knowledge gained in previous courses with this course in order to apply the nursing process in the provision of holistic care to mother and their new born using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model.

This three-week practicum will offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical nursing knowledge and psychomotor skills to clinical practice while providing safe and competent preoperative and post operative care to three adults and their families in acute surgery settings using the Neuman model. Under clinical supervision, students will demonstrate the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate holistic care. Emphasis will be placed on scope of practice, LPN roles in continuing care, establishing therapeutic relationships with clients, health assessment, pertinent documentation, safe medication administration, application of the nursing process and accountable practice as well as collaboration with clients, families and health care teams.

This course offers an introduction to the theories and principles of leadership applicable to the nurse leader at the bedside, within health organizations and in the profession. Through class presentations, group discussions and critical thinking exercises, students will develop strategies and skills that foster leadership in nursing practice. Emphasis will be placed on leadership attributes, skills, organizational structure, decision making models, conflict resolution, coordination, change management and the nurse’s roles as leader influencing clinical decision, patient outcomes and health policies. The knowledge gained in this course will help students analyze the enactment of nursing leadership in practice while they undergo role transition from student to professional. This knowledge will be used to comprehend how leadership can contribute to quality of care, facilitate socio-professional integration of LPNs in the health care system, and enhance the role of LPNs as agents of positive change in a mutating health care system.

This course explores sociological theories and concepts as they relate to health, illness and nursing practice. Through class discussions and group work, students will be introduced to major sociological perspectives that have helped shaped health care policies and nursing practice. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of sociology in building nursing knowledge and skills, as well as personal and social responses to health and illness. Content covers the experience and meanings of health and illness, the role of family and religion in health and illness, health inequality, social exclusion and health disadvantages, and sociological perspectives on death and dying. Knowledge gained from this course will increase students’ perspectives on clients’ needs by establishing coherent links between health, illness and the client’s social capital, and by reinforcing the integration of health determinants in their nursing practice. This knowledge will allow more comprehensive and realistic assessments and prevention interventions. By fostering questioning and reflection on social aspects of health and illness, this course promotes reflective practice and meta-cognition when delivering holistic care to clients in various settings, using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model.

This course explores significant core concepts of emergency nursing and the legal and ethical issues involved in the practice of emergency nursing. Students will reinforce their assessment skills, technical skills, and clinical judgement though class presentations, critical thinking exercises, case studies, interactive videos and laboratory practice. They will also develop the capacity to participate in the provision of care in emergency situations across the lifespan using the CDI framework based on the Neuman model. Emphasis is placed on time management, priority settings, critical thinking, problem solving, clinical judgement, communication, documentation, client and family response to emergency situations and the roles of LPNs working in collaboration with the emergency health team, the client and the family. Content includes the triage process, systematic and accurate assessment and selected emergencies related to various body systems. Abuse, neglect and mental health emergencies are also addressed. The knowledge acquired in this course will be combined with knowledge and practical experience gained in previous sessions in order to enhance students’ abilities to address complex health problems in an emergency situations while mastering the nursing process, solving problems and making decision based on sound clinical judgement. This will support LPN professional capacity building in emergency nursing care.

This three-week mental heath practicum will offer students the opportunity to translate theoretical nursing knowledge and psychomotor skills to clinical practice while working with two to three clients and families in hospital, community and school settings using the Neuman model. The focus will be on the development of CLPNM competencies required for the practice of mental health nursing with emphasis on relationships with clients, families and the mental health care team. Other topics include accountability of practice, LPN scope of practice and roles in mental health settings. Under clinical supervision, students will demonstrate the ability to apply the nursing process in planning, delivering and evaluating holistic care provided to clients and families challenged by mental health problems. The knowledge gained from this practicum will increase students’ mastering of CDI framework when assessing clients’ health needs. In addition, this practical knowledge will continue to increase students’ confidence in their abilities to perform assessments and apply the nursing process and the Neuman model in the organization, delivery and evaluation of nursing prevention interventions while fostering collaboration with the health care team.

This nine-week consolidated practicum will provide final year students with hands-on clinical experiences. The focus will be on the transition from learning to the professional practice. During this last practicum, students work as preceptees and assume the same workload as an LPN. They will practice in collaboration with and under the guidance of a preceptor who will support their integration into the organization, the practice settings and the profession. Theoretical and practical knowledge gained throughout the program will be converged towards consolidation of mastered skills. This knowledge will further be translated into safe and accountable nursing practice delivered in community or hospital settings within interdisciplinary and collaborative contexts.