VNRS 151L: Fundamentals of Nursing Lab

• demonstrate knowledge of applying theory to practice in a hospital setting with direct patient contact
• demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of safe nursing practice
• demonstrate the ability to meet basic client needs
• demonstrate the ability to perform specialized nursing skills
• demonstrate the ability to accurately document the care given
• demonstrate the ability to utilize the nursing process in a hospital setting with direct patient contact
• demonstrate the ability to perform safe, ethical and legal principles of basic nursing in compliance with the Citrus College VN handbook and the California Vocational Nurse Practice Act

1. Perform direct client care in a healthcare setting
   1. Apply general principles of:
      1. universal precautions
      2. body mechanics
      3. aseptic technique
      4. safety
   2. Meet client basic needs related to:
      1. nutrition
      2. hygiene
      3. elimination
      4. comfort
      5. transfer/movement
      6. bathing
   3. Perform general nursing skills:
      1. obtain vital signs/pain assessment/obtaining O2 saturation
      2. collect specimens
      3. measure intake and output
      4. weigh clients
      5. assist with ambulation
      6. bed making
      7. infection control measures
   4. Perform treatments:
      1. administer oxygen
         1. Discuss the BVNPT regulations regarding respiratory care practices for the VN.
      2. give enemas
      3. perform range of motion exercises
      4. change dressings
      5. heat and cold treatments
      6. anti-embolic devices 
2. Use cognitive skills to provide client care
   1. Collect data from a head-to-toe assessment
   2. Collect data from a focused assessment
   3. Document nursing care provided
   4. Collaborate on the components of a nursing care plan

The first 4 weeks (92 hours) are spent in the on-campus Skills Lab performing skills competencies and using simulated situations. The remainder of the hours are spent in a community-based healthcare facility providing direct client care.

Students will perform the following tasks and procedures:

1. Foundation skills
   1. Medical asepsis
   2. Infection control
   3. Body mechanics
   4. Safety
   5. Restraints
2. Personal Care Skills
   1. Client hygiene
   2. Adult feeding and nutrition
   3. Bed making
   4. Elimination
3. Activity and rest
   1. Transfer of client, e.g. bed-to-chair, etc.
   2. Ambulation
   3. Moving and positioning in bed
   4. Range of motion
4. Procedures 
   1. Specimen collection
   2. Assessments and procedures
   3. Enemas
   4. Isolation techniques
   5. Oxygen administration based on BVNPT regulations regarding respiratory care practices for the VN.
   6. Wound care
   7. Heat and cold treatments
   8. Anti-embolic devices  
5. Data collection, recording skills, care planning
   1. Physical assessment
   2. Vital signs with pain & oxygen saturation
   3. Intake and output, computing and recording
   4. Documentation
   5. Admissions/discharge/transfer
   6. The nursing process and nursing diagnosis