NS-117 Fundamentals of Nursing

This course is an overview of the fundamental principles and practices of nursing. It includes legal, ethical, and cultural/spiritual considerations, current best practice guidelines, and therapeutic communication.  Emphasis is placed upon the performance of those skills needed to meet basic functional needs and hygiene. Preparation of these skills is performed intensely in the nursing skills laboratory utilizing patient simulation scenarios. Selected focused assessment and patient care skills are developed. Essential concepts include asepsis, safety, infection control, quality improvement, and the therapeutic nutritional effects on clients across the lifespan. In this course students are introduced to the clinical setting and elements of data collection.  The core competencies of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and the application of the nursing process are used as the foundation for critical thinking.  Key principles include prioritization, communication, providing patient education, and facilitating continuity of care following discharge.  The concept of cultural competence is introduced through an exploration of culture, religion, and spiritual influences related to health and illness, and nursing care of dying or bereaved clients.  Students receive course completion certificate for NYS Infection Control.

Credits

7

Corequisite

NS-106