Vocational Nursing (VNRS)

VNRS 150
Fundamentals of Nursing
3 Units (AA/AS)
54 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 150

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 151L and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

This course presents the evolution of nursing through history until the present time, defines the paradigm of health and illness, explores the issues of culture and ethnicity, and examines the nurse-client relationship. The course presents a wide variety of basic nursing procedures used in the practice of vocational nursing, including how to do the procedure, as well as why and when these procedures should be done. The course presents special tools of nursing: the nursing diagnosis and the nursing process, which are used to provide individualized care to clients.

VNRS 151L
Fundamentals of Nursing Lab
3 Units (AA/AS)
162 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 151L

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 150.

Clinical application of theoretical concepts of basic nursing functions. Offered for Pass/No Pass grading only.

VNRS 152
Pharmacology I
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 152

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100.

A beginning course in pharmacology. Elementary use of drug formulas, conversions, and dosage forms. Interpreting medical orders, and reading drug labels by learning common abbreviations; calculating I.V. flow rates is also included.

VNRS 153
Introductory Nutrition for the Vocational Nurse
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 153

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

This course introduces the fundamentals of nutrition to the nursing student by discussing the relationship of food and health and the body's utilization of the six essential nutrients. Content also includes the five basic food groups, the food guide pyramid, and how to define and achieve a well-balanced diet. This course establishes the foundation needed for further study of nutrition in VNRS 163.

VNRS 154
Body Structure Function for the Vocational Nurse I
1.5 Units (AA/AS)
27 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 154

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100.

Strongly recommended: ENGL 101.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 150, VNRS 151L, VNRS 152, VNRS 153, VNRS 155.

Vocational nursing students will explore the basic facts of human anatomy and the principles of physiology with selected clinical examples.

VNRS 155
Social Psychology for the Vocational Nurse
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 155

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): NRS 100.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 150, VNRS 151L, VNRS 152.

This course introduces basic concepts of psychology while helping students relate them to their patient and themselves. It includes information about personality development, wellness, and personal care, assertiveness, job-related communication, cultural and spiritual differences, employability skills, the role of the LVN, general legal aspects and nursing ethics.

VNRS 160
Medical - Surgical Nursing I
3 Units (AA/AS)
54 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 160

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 150 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 161L.

This course presents the theory and principles of nursing care for clients with illness and/or injury of the musculosketal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems. The course presents the principles and skills needed to perform a beginning level assessment of clients with alterations of these systems, within the scope of practice of the LVN. The course presents the application of the nursing process to the planning and care of these clients.

VNRS 161L
Medical - Surgical Nursing I Lab
3 Units (AA/AS)
162 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 161L

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 151L and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 160.

Clinical application of theoretical concepts of nursing care for clients with illness and/or injury of the musculoskeletal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems. Offered for Pass/No Pass grading Only.

VNRS 162
Pharmacology II
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 162

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 152.

Fundamental principles of drug action, the application of specific drugs in the treatment of disease, and the appropriate nursing actions to maximize the desired outcome of therapy.

VNRS 163
Diet Therapy for the Vocational Nurse
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 163

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 153 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.

This course presents nutritional needs across the lifespan, including the nutritional needs of healthy adults and the needs of people with certain illnesses, as well as nutritional needs related to pregnancy and lactation. Content includes nutritional assessment and planning and the use of therapeutic diets in the treatment of certain illnesses. This course builds on the fundamentals of nutrition presented in VNRS 153.

VNRS 164
Body Structure and Function for the Vocational Nurse II
1.5 Units (AA/AS)
27 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 164

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 154 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing Program.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 160.

A continuation of body structure and function for the vocational nurse with clinical case studies.

VNRS 165
Adult Growth and Development for the Vocational Nurse
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 165

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 150 and current admission into the Vocational Nursing Program.

Theoretical principles of growth and development. Nursing assessment and promotion of health of the adult from early childhood through death.

VNRS 170
Medical-Surgical Nursing II
7 Units (AA/AS)
126 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 170

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160, VNRS 161L, VNRS 162, VNRS 163, VNRS 164.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 171L.

Provides advanced vocational nursing students with the theoretical foundation needed to perform skills and procedures related to the care of the adult medical-surgical patient in the VNRS 171L rotation. By consistently emphasizing the nursing process and rationale, the approach to each body system includes basic assessment or data collection, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. Basic nursing skills are reinforced while advanced nursing skills include those related to the following body systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, lymphatic, immune, neurologic, sensory, endocrine, and genitourinary. This course also includes a short discussion on cancer.

VNRS 171L
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Lab
7 Units (AA/AS)
378 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 171L

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 170 and VNRS 183.

Clinical application of theoretical concepts of medical-surgical nursing of clients with alterations of respiration, circulation, blood and immune system, endocrine, special senses, neurological and genitourinary conditions. Offered for Pass/No Pass grading only.

VNRS 172
Advanced Pharmacology
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 172

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 162.

Fundamental principles of drug action and the application of specific drugs for the treatment of patients with alterations of respiration, renal system, circulation, the blood, endocrine function, neurological function, vision, and hearing.

VNRS 173
Psychology for Vocational Nurses
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 173

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160.

Co-Requisite(s): VNRS 172.

Mental health care for patients and their families who are experiencing the pain of mental disorders. Teaches the nurse to plan and deliver care and provide health teaching so that effective self-care is possible when discharge occurs.

VNRS 180
Pediatric Nursing
3.5 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours, 90 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 180

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160, VNRS 161L, VNRS 162, VNRS 163, and VNRS 164; VNRS 181 or concurrent enrollment.

This course covers normal and abnormal conditions of the child from infancy through adolescence. It includes pediatric nursing experience in a local hospital, day care center, and/or clinic.

VNRS 181
Growth and Development: Infancy-Adolescence
1 Unit (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours
Equivalent to: NRS 181

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160.

Basic knowledge of child development and guidelines for use in primary health care settings.

VNRS 182
Obstetrical-Gynecological Nursing
4 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours, 108 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 182

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160, VNRS 161L, VNRS 162, VNRS 163, VNRS 164, VNRS 165.

This course teaches nursing students the theory needed to perform skills and procedures for the obstetrical/gynecological patient and newborn in a clinical setting. By emphasizing the nursing process and rationale, the format with each disease or disorder of the obstetrical/gynecological patient includes assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation. Basic nursing skills are reinforced. Advanced skills include those related to prenatal, labor, delivery, post-natal care and gynecological diseases and disorders, as well as administration of medications.

VNRS 183
Leadership in Nursing
3 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
Equivalent to: NRS 183

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): VNRS 160; VNRS 161L; VNRS 170 or concurrent enrollment; VNRS 171L or concurrent enrollment.

Teaches advanced nursing students in the theory needed to perform skills and procedures used by nursing team leaders in a clinical setting.