I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Clinical Reasoning & Skills in Professional Nursing Lecture

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NURS 2518

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is designed to build on concepts, clinical reasoning and skills attained in a Practical Nursing curriculum. Role differences between the LPN and RN, including scope of practice, advanced communications skills, critical thinking and nursing judgment, educator role, and nursing leadership and management skills are integrated. This course focuses on application of clinical reasoning and psychomotor skills through quizzes, worksheets, exams, videos, and audio PowerPoints.  The theoretical concepts taught in this course will be applied in NURS 2519. 

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

7. Other Prerequisites
Admission to AD Nursing Program.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Ridgewater College, NURS 2020 Transition from Practice to Nursing Education, 1 credit
Ridgewater College, NURS 2010 Assessment in Professional Practice, 1 credit
Ridgewater College, NURS 2030 Transition from Practice to Nursing Practicum, 1 credit

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Associate of Science, Nursing

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Apply knowledge of holistic health assessment integrating cultural diversity and client education across the lifespan. (QSEN Competencies: Patient Centered Care);
• Demonstrate critical thinking and nursing judgment substantiated with evidence in the application of the nursing process and performance of professional nursing skills. (QSEN Competencies: Evidence Based Practice; Safety);
• Apply concepts of quality and safety of professional nursing skills. (QSEN Competencies: Quality Improvement; Safety);
• Compare and contrast the role and scope of practice of the professional nurse (RN) to that of the practical nurse (LPN) and its role in nursing practice regulation and public safety. (QSEN Competencies: Evidence Based Practice; Safety);
• Demonstrate theoretical and research-based knowledge and science of professional nursing skills. (QSEN Competencies: Evidence Based Practice).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. LPN to RN Role Transition
2. Scope of Practice
3. Head-to-Toe Assessment
4. Medication Administration
5. Documentation Skills
6. IV Therapy
7. Newborn Assessment, Cares & Feeding
8. Central Line Dressing Change
9. Central Line IV Medication Administration
10. Blood Product Administration
11. Delegation & Supervision
12. Wound Care/Skin Assessment
13. Tracheostomy & Chest Tube Management
14. Nasogastric Intubation, Enteral feedings & TPN