Nursing Philosophy
The Nursing program is an integral unit of the College of International Skills and Health Care. As such, the nursing program reflects the philosophy, mission, and goals of the College of International Skills and Health Care. The School offers a practical nursing program designed to meet the needs of students to fulfill the role of practical nursing.
Purpose of the Practical Nursing Program
It is the purpose of the practical nursing program to provide nursing students with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills required for safe effective practice as licensed practical nurses. The curriculum is structured from simple to complex using a nursing process framework and focuses on health promotion and maintenance throughout the life span.
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Upon successful completion of the certificate program for practical nurses, the graduate will be able to:
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Communicate effectively with clients and health team members to assist in assessing client needs with respect for physical, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual dimensions.
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Assist in planning client care, identifying client needs and nursing measures necessary to promote, maintain or restore a state of health.
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Provide safe and efficient basic care to clients with common, acute and/or chronic recurring physiological conditions, by carrying out nursing measures identified in the client’s plan of care.
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Provide assistance in evaluating the client’s response to nursing care.
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Demonstrate respect for clients’ values, dignity, and personal rights.
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Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior and dress.
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Practice within the accepted professional, ethical and legal framework for licensed practical nurses.
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Brief Course Outline:-IVQ Diploma in Health Care Outline /Geriatric Nursing (duration 4-5 months)
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This program, Nursing Assistant, is presented in a modular format, and aims to equip candidates with the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes which will allow them to perform the duties of their occupation effectively. This program is taught with a combination of lecture, practical exercises in the training laboratory and work experience. The graduates gain a diploma when they satisfy the rigorous internal and external assessments.
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Nature of Work
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Healthcare Assistants work under the supervision of Enroll Assistant Nurses, Registered Nurses and Medical staff to provide patient care, includes assisting with patient care, planning and assessments, recording vital signs, height, weight, urinary intake and output, collection and testing of specimens, making record of and reporting patients’ condition and treatments. The Healthcare Assistant helps patients with nutritional needs - checks and delivers food trays suitable for the patient’s dietary needs, assists with feeding the patient as necessary. The Healthcare Assistant assists patients with their mobility - turning and positioning, performing a range of motion exercises, transfers patients to and from wheelchairs and beds and assists with ambulation. The Healthcare Assistant also performs bed baths, provides dental care including cleaning dentures and teeth, makes beds and takes action to prevent bed sores.
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In addition, the Healthcare Assistant assists patients with many tasks that they cannot do for themselves while they are in private homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or long-term care facilities. The Healthcare Assistant can also be called a Hospital Attendant, Certified Nurse Assistant, Clinical Support Associate and Nurse’s Aide, among others depending on the nature of the facility.
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Instructional Units
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Unit1 Developing own knowledge and practice in care settings
Unit2 Rights, responsibilities and protection in Care setting
Unit 3 Communicating with and completing records for individuals in care setting
Unit 4 Understanding health and Safety in care setting
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Admission to the Healthcare /Practical Nursing Program
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Entry Requirements
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Applicants must provide evidence of academic preparation and demonstrate an ability to progress within the curriculum. For entrance into the practical nursing program, the following requirements must be met:
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Candidates for this training course must be at least 17 years old
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Has two (2) CXC subjects or the equivalent or
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Certificate of competence in an Allied Health Care program
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Pass the diagnostic test provided at the school
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Physical Requirements
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To be successful in the nursing curriculum and in the role of a practical nurse, the above physical requirements are necessary for the student to possess in order to perform the following list of competencies, with the appropriate educational instruction. These include, but are not limited to:
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Assist clients with meals.
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Move, position clients in bed.
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Assist clients to walk with and without mechanical devices.
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Lift, transfer, and transport clients using wheelchairs and stretchers.
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Administer medications.
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Provide direct client care and assist with activities of daily living.
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Respond to emergencies.
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Supervising nurse aides in the nursing home setting.
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Have emotional stability and the ability to accept responsibility and accountability.
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Oral and written ability with accuracy, clarity and efficiency.
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Ability to learn, problem solve, and reach judgments.
Every effort will be made to ensure the safety of both students and patients during clinical rotations. With this in mind, if you have any known allergies or chemical sensitivities, you must notify your instructor immediately. Great effort to prevent exposure to an allergen or chemical irritant will be made; however, the college and its staff cannot guarantee that students working on clinical assignments at off school locations will not be exposed to those allergens or irritants. Students should be proactive in determining whether or not allergens or chemical irritants may be present at a particular site.
Courses with Theory and Laboratory/Clinical Components
The theory and laboratory/clinical components of a course are considered to be interdependent.
Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance in the laboratory/clinical setting as well as in the classroom in order to progress in the program. If a student receives a failing grade in either component, the grade for the class will be “C-” or less and the entire class must be repeated before the student will be allowed to progress.
Laboratory/Clinical performance is graded on a pass/fail basis. Lab and clinical grades are based on specific behavioral objectives for each course. In order to pass the lab and clinical portion of a class, the student must earn a grade of “satisfactory/competent” on the final clinical evaluation tool and skill check offs.
Awards for successful performance are:
60 – 79 Pass
80 – 89 Merit
90 – 100 Distinction
The College of International Skills and Health Care recommends the following letter grades and percentage equivalents:
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A = 90 -100%
A- = 85 – 89%
B+ = 80 – 84%
B = 75 – 79 %
Credit hours are calculated on the basis of 15 hours theory equal 1 credit hour and 40 hours practical equal 1 credit hour.
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B- = 70 – 74%
C+ = 65 – 69%
C = 60 – 64%
D = 50 – 59%
E = 0 - 49%
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Portfolio
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All student nurses are required to complete a portfolio which is 20% of their final grade. The portfolio will consist of internal examinations completed throughout the course, graded research work completed and any other written material received by the student nurses by the health care facilitator.
Written Assignments
All written assignments must be typed and must demonstrate college level spelling and grammar. An instructor may elect to decrease the grade on an assignment if it is not in accordance with college standards. Assignments must be turned in on the stated due date. Assignments turned in late will have points deducted.
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