Program Codes:
CPN
Certificate
Practical Nursing involves the performance of selected nursing acts in the care of the ill, injured, and infirmed clients across the life span. The performance of selected nursing acts is performed under the supervision of a professional nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist, which do not require the specialized skill, judgment, or knowledge required in professional nursing.
The practical nurse is prepared to function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, skills, understandings, and past experiences in nursing situations. The practical nurse participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care in settings where nursing takes place.
The practical nurse administers medications, carries out therapeutic treatments, administers immunizations, performs skin testing, performs venipuncture, and administers approved intravenous fluids, and takes verbal orders from the physician. The practical nurse also participates in the development, revision and implementation of policies and procedures designed to ensure comfort and safety of patients in collaboration of other health care personnel.
A practical nurse shall adhere to the Standards of Nursing Conduct. The practical nurse will not undertake a specific practice unless the practical nurse has the necessary knowledge preparation, experience, and competence to properly execute the practice. While providing nursing care, the practical nurse will respect the individual’s right to freedom from psychological and physical abuse, will safeguard the patient from incompetent, abusive, or illegal practices. The practical nurse will safeguard the patient’s dignity, right to privacy and the confidentiality of patient information.
Grading and Attendance
In order to be promoted at the end of each term a student must have a grade of 83% in all courses in the program and obtain a passing grade in all clinical rotations
Additional program policies are addressed in the Nursing Student Handbook which is distributed to the students on admission. Standardized testing is scheduled across the curriculum. A level two or three score demonstrates mastery.
Advanced Placement and Transfer
Transfer students from other practical nursing programs will be accepted into the second or third semester and must complete at least two semesters of the program. Transfer students must meet all the regular admission requirements plus have successfully completed the first term of an approved program of practical nursing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and a letter grade of C or higher in each course. To transfer into the Mercyhurst North East Practical Nursing Program an official transcript and a letter of recommendation from the program Director must be submitted.
The applicant shall be accepted as a transfer student only if the practical nursing faculty believes such a decision is educationally sound for the applicant. Students currently enrolled at Mercyhurst may apply for admission. Students transferring internally must meet the admission requirements to the program and must have a GPA of 2.0 and a grade of C or higher in all previous courses.
Requirements for Admissions
Requirements for admission include a G.E.D. or high school graduate. High school graduates must have a minimum of 16 units, including 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 2 units of Mathematics, and 2 units of Science. The university will administer the TEAS test to evaluate reading comprehension, writing, science, and math skills. A personal interview will be scheduled once an applicant has submitted all necessary credentials and has been determined a candidate. Acceptance into the practical nursing program is conditional until receipt and review of required physical examination records, criminal record check, child abuse clearance, Act 73, and drug test.
Upon completion of the practical nursing program graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination PN (NCLEX-PN) for Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Graduates are prepared to work in various health care settings such as acute care hospitals, long-term care centers, physician offices, and home health. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing will not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act as identified in the Act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64) known as the “Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.”
This course introduces the student to care across the life span and along the health-illness continuum through understanding of the etiology of illness, the body's response to illness, and common methods of disease prevention. The focus of the course is on understanding the nursing process as it relates to acquiring skills to meet simple nursing needs of adult clients. Students learn to apply knowledge of asepsis and universal precautions, body mechanics basic nutrition and diet therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, documentation basic assessment skills, and CPR. Basic psychological and social concepts as well as fundamental concepts of ethics and legal responsibilities involved in nursing are introduced. Interpersonal relationships and communication kills are stressed along with aspects of personal and vocational growth. The current health care delivery system as it relates to values, influences, changes, and challenges in the areas of personal and community health is discussed, along with the role of the practical nurse in the delivery of care.
This course introduces the student to the nursing clinical environment of long-term patient care. The focus of the course is on understanding the nursing process as it relates to acquiring skills to meet simple nursing needs of adult clients. Students learn to apply knowledge of asepsis and universal precautions, body mechanics basic nutrition and diet therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, documentation and basic assessment skills.
This course introduces students to basic pharmacology, drug calculations, and medication administration. General characteristics of major classifications of medications are discussed. Specific information regarding action, dosage, side effects, adverse reactions, and on contraindications of selected medications within each classification is addressed.
This course is an introduction to anatomy, physiology, and normal nutrition utilizing the body systems approach with the interrelationship between the body systems emphasized. Basic concepts of chemistry and physics are reviewed. Knowledge of the normal structural and functional units of the body serves as the basis for the application of principles in providing safe, effective nursing care.
This course is the second clinical course designed to introduce students to those skills needed to provide nursing care to adult clients with moderately complex nursing needs. Clinical experience will be in acute care settings, long term care settings, rehabilitation, and community-based programs.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course focuses on the nursing process as it relates to medication therapy. General characteristics of major classification of medications are discussed. Specific information regarding action, dosage, side effects, adverse reactions, and on contraindications of selected medications within each classification is addressed.
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Content related to diet modifications, drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in the course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course introduces students to the care required by adult clients with more complex medical-surgical conditions. Psychosocial and developmental needs of adult clients are discussed. Students apply the nursing process in caring for patients with diseases of the respiratory, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems. Content related to diet modifications, drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in this course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included. Principles of Oncology, Geriatrics, and rehabilitation are presented. This course also introduces students to nursingcare of adult clients with moderately complex nursing needs related to mental health, elimination, selected emergencies, perioperative care, and death and dying.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course is designed to provide the student with various leadership roles available for practical nurses. Emphasis is placed on developing the practical nursing roles of leader, communicator, collaborator, and life-long learner as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Evidence-based nursing practices and their impact on client care outcomes are stressed.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course introduces the student to the concept of family-centered care and the specialized healthcare needs of the childbearing family. Students will be introduced to focused perinatal,
newborn, and pediatric nursing care with sensitivity to the cultural and ethical needs of diverse populations. The concepts and principles of normal growth and development for the neonate
to adolescent are explored and include the physical, emotional, psychosexual, mental, and social development.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110, NURS 113
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with more complex medical and surgical diseases and disorders including adults with mental health conditions. Clinical experience will be in acute care settings and mental health services.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with diseases of the musculoskeletal, neurological and integumentary systems. Mental health conditions are discussed. Content related to diet modifications drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in the
course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included. Theory and clinical experience will be discussed in the
application of nursing care to adult clients, including the geriatric client, progressing from the simple to the more complex medical and surgical diseases and disorders of the various body systems. Integrated into this course are dietary modifications and the medications used in treating the various conditions.
NURS 113
This course is the final clinical course which focuses on advanced medical surgical nursing. Acute care, long term care and community programs are utilized to provide student with a diverse
clinical experience. Students will be partnered with a Licensed Practical Nurse preceptor in the long-term care, acute care, or community environment.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110, NURS 113
This course introduces the student to care across the life span and along the health-illness continuum through understanding of the etiology of illness, the body's response to illness, and common methods of disease prevention. The focus of the course is on understanding the nursing process as it relates to acquiring skills to meet simple nursing needs of adult clients. Students learn to apply knowledge of asepsis and universal precautions, body mechanics basic nutrition and diet therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, documentation basic assessment skills, and CPR. Basic psychological and social concepts as well as fundamental concepts of ethics and legal responsibilities involved in nursing are introduced. Interpersonal relationships and communication kills are stressed along with aspects of personal and vocational growth. The current health care delivery system as it relates to values, influences, changes, and challenges in the areas of personal and community health is discussed, along with the role of the practical nurse in the delivery of care.
This course introduces the student to the nursing clinical environment of long-term patient care. The focus of the course is on understanding the nursing process as it relates to acquiring skills to meet simple nursing needs of adult clients. Students learn to apply knowledge of asepsis and universal precautions, body mechanics basic nutrition and diet therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, documentation and basic assessment skills.
This course introduces students to basic pharmacology, drug calculations, and medication administration. General characteristics of major classifications of medications are discussed. Specific information regarding action, dosage, side effects, adverse reactions, and on contraindications of selected medications within each classification is addressed.
This course is an introduction to anatomy, physiology, and normal nutrition utilizing the body systems approach with the interrelationship between the body systems emphasized. Basic concepts of chemistry and physics are reviewed. Knowledge of the normal structural and functional units of the body serves as the basis for the application of principles in providing safe, effective nursing care.
This course is the second clinical course designed to introduce students to those skills needed to provide nursing care to adult clients with moderately complex nursing needs. Clinical experience will be in acute care settings, long term care settings, rehabilitation, and community-based programs.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course introduces students to the care required by adult clients with more complex medical-surgical conditions. Psychosocial and developmental needs of adult clients are discussed. Students apply the nursing process in caring for patients with diseases of the respiratory, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems. Content related to diet modifications, drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in this course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included. Principles of Oncology, Geriatrics, and rehabilitation are presented. This course also introduces students to nursingcare of adult clients with moderately complex nursing needs related to mental health, elimination, selected emergencies, perioperative care, and death and dying.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course is designed to provide the student with various leadership roles available for practical nurses. Emphasis is placed on developing the practical nursing roles of leader, communicator, collaborator, and life-long learner as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Evidence-based nursing practices and their impact on client care outcomes are stressed.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course focuses on the nursing process as it relates to medication therapy. General characteristics of major classification of medications are discussed. Specific information regarding action, dosage, side effects, adverse reactions, and on contraindications of selected medications within each classification is addressed.
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Content related to diet modifications, drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in the course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with more complex medical and surgical diseases and disorders including adults with mental health conditions. Clinical experience will be in acute care settings and mental health services.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110
This course introduces the student to the concept of family-centered care and the specialized healthcare needs of the childbearing family. Students will be introduced to focused perinatal,
newborn, and pediatric nursing care with sensitivity to the cultural and ethical needs of diverse populations. The concepts and principles of normal growth and development for the neonate
to adolescent are explored and include the physical, emotional, psychosexual, mental, and social development.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110, NURS 113
This course is a continuation of nursing care for adults with diseases of the musculoskeletal, neurological and integumentary systems. Mental health conditions are discussed. Content related to diet modifications drug therapy, and disease management for these specific diseases is integrated. Information about health care agencies that focus on various conditions discussed in the
course, as well as related information on disease prevention, health screenings, health promotion, and patient education is included. Theory and clinical experience will be discussed in the
application of nursing care to adult clients, including the geriatric client, progressing from the simple to the more complex medical and surgical diseases and disorders of the various body systems. Integrated into this course are dietary modifications and the medications used in treating the various conditions.
NURS 113
This course is the final clinical course which focuses on advanced medical surgical nursing. Acute care, long term care and community programs are utilized to provide student with a diverse
clinical experience. Students will be partnered with a Licensed Practical Nurse preceptor in the long-term care, acute care, or community environment.
NURS 103, NURS 105, NURS 106, NURS 107, NURS 110, NURS 113