Vocational Nursing education online
PEDIATRICS – The Child Grows
1. Recognize at least four historical developments that have affected the care of children
2. Identify factors that influence growth and development
1. Explain normal physical development
2. List and discuss the six stages of psycho-sexual development according to Sigmund Freud
3. Describe Erickson’s theory of psycho-social development
4. Identify and describe the four stages of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
5. Name one contribution from each of the following researchers: Arnold Gesell, Carl Jung, John Bowlby, Bruno Bettelheim, Abraham Maslow, Lawrence Kohlberg
1. Explain the primary purpose of the family in society
2. Name and discuss the two traditional and three non-traditional family structures
3. Describe how parents influence the psychological and emotional health of a child
4. List four categories of cultural attitudes which influence planning of care for the child
1. Discuss different behaviors that may offer the nurse a clue that there may be a problem of addiction in the child’s family
2. Identify behavioral signs that may indicate physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse
3. Describe ways that the nurse can help family caregivers of an abused child have more realistic expectations for the child
4. Define and explain Munchausen syndrome by proxy
5. Discuss ways that family caregiver can plan after school care for latchkey children
6. Describe the effects of homelessness on the heath care of children
1. Explain why the nurse who cares for children must understand growth and development
2. Explain the family caregivers’ role in preparing the child for hospitalization
3. State why treatments are performed in a treatment room rather than in the child’s room
4. Recognize safety measures applicable to children
5. Contrast the differences in technique for administrating medications between the 9 month and the 18 year old
6. Calculate pediatric medications using various methods (BSA ; mg/kg)
7. Describe therapeutic use of play
8. Discuss fears that children may have about surgery and how the nurse can help relieve them
9. Describe methods of teaching that can be used to prepare the child for surgery
10. Identify physical characteristics that may indicate pain
11. Identify and explain the unique characteristics of community-based nursing
12. Identify community settings where children are cared for
13. Using a West nomogram, calculate the BSA of a child when given height and weight
14. Calculate the appropriate dosage for a child if usual adult dose is given
1. State the average weight and length of a newborn
2. Recognize the growth and development skills of the newborn
1. Describe six normal neonate reflexes
2. Identify the nutritional needs of the newborn
1. State the ages the infant fontanels normally close
2. Discuss infant acquisition of normal developmental milestones
3. State the age that the infant becomes aware of him or herself as an individual
4. State one useful purpose of games such as “peek-a-boo.”
5. Name the age that fear of strangers usually appears
6. Discuss the usual progression of the infant diet
7. State at which age immunizations usually begin and the schedule for the immunization program
8. Discuss healthy child rearing patterns for the infant’s first year
9. Discuss parental behaviors that affect psycho-social development of the infant
10. Discuss infant safety practices the nurse can teach family caregivers
1. Describe the toddler in the transitional period from infancy into early childhood
2. Describe physical growth that occurs during toddler-hood
3. Discuss reasons why eating problems frequently appear during this time period
4. Discuss why accident prevention is a primary concern when caring for a toddler
5. Describe the elements in timing of the beginning of toilet training
6. State when complete bowel and bladder control might be achieved
7. State at which age a child should be taught tooth brushing, and explain why this is the appropriate age
8. Discuss temper tantrums during the toddler age, including causes and suggestions for handling
9. Discuss the type of play common in toddlers and toys appropriate for this age group
1. Describe the growth rate of the preschool child
2. Discuss preschool nutritional needs, including daily minimum, appetite variations, and suggested snacks, as well as the effects of TV commercials and other influences
3. Outline gross and fine motor development of a preschooler
4. State recommended health maintenance schedule for this age
5. Discuss social characteristics of the preschooler, and state the ages at which these might occur
6. Describe the characteristic language skills in the 3, 4, or 5 year old
7. Describe the characteristics of dreams, nightmares, and imaginary playmates
8. List six types of play in which preschoolers engage and discuss each
9. State the role of discipline for the preschooler, as well as the caregiver’s behavior and its effect on the child and on the caregiver
1. Describe the dramatic changes that occur in the 6-10 year old group
2. Discuss the growth patterns of school age girls and boys
3. List three factors that contribute to obesity in school age children
4. Describe the state of the health of the average school age child
5. Describe the psycho-social characteristics of the 6- to7- year old
6. Discuss the importance of groups of gangs in the 7- to 8- year old
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
1. Outline the historical progress of mental health care
2. Recognize current issues in the ethical and legal aspects of mental health nursing
1. Define terms related to commitment and psychiatric holds
2. Describe the mental health continuum
3. Define characteristics of people who are mentally healthy and those who are mentally ill
4. Describe the parts of the personality according to Freud
5. Discuss Erikson’s stages of psycho-social development
6. List the psycho-social changes at the different stages
7. Apply the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs to life span development and the hospitalized patient
8. Specify the standards for psychiatric and mental health nursing established by the ANA
1. Recognize basic components of the communication process
2. Select three helpful phrases for good communication
3. Choose three phrases that might close off effective communication
4. Identify barriers to communication
5. Identify key elements that constitute therapeutic communication
6. Identify transcultural issues as they relate to mental health nursing
1. Describe the components of the psycho-social assessment
2. Specify the four major components of the nursing process used as a standard in psychiatric (psychosocial) nursing
1. Differentiate between normal and abnormal psycho-social responses to acute, terminal, and chronic illness
2. State three characteristics of near-death experiences
3. Name three behaviors seen in patients in the recovery phase of cardiac illness
4. State common family responses to acute illness of a family member
5. Identify nursing actions necessary in care of patients being transferred from ICU/CCU
6. Explain the concept of loss on the grief reaction
7. Identify the needs of the grieving client and family
8. Describe techniques in assisting the dying client to say “good-bye”
1. Identify the classifications of psychotropics
2. Recognize the signs and symptoms that may be relieved by psychotropic medications
1. Specify theories of causation for eating disorders
2. Recognize signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
3. Indicate nursing diagnosis appropriate for eating disorders
4. Recognize which nursing interventions are appropriate when working with a client who is anorexic or bulimic
1. Define key terms related to hallucinogens, cannabis and deliriants
2. Name three types of addictions
3. Describe two disorders associated with drug addictions
4. Discuss why nurses are at an increased risk to develop chemical dependency
5. Explain the concept of intervention as a relation to alcoholism
6. Indicate which treatments for alcoholism are currently available
7. Choose the correct pharmacological agent for use in alcohol withdrawal
8. Describe what is meant by enabling behavior
9. Recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse/overdose of, and withdrawal from, amphetamines, cocaine, heroine, stimulants
1. Identify five mental challenges of the older adult
2. Identify some possible reasons for homelessness
3. Identify nursing care for people who are homeless
4. Differentiate among different kinds of abuse
5. Identify characteristics of an abuser
6. Identify nursing care to help survivors of abuse
1.
Course Objectives
MATERNAL INFANT NURSING
1. Identify the various structures of the female reproductive system
2. Identify the internal and external organs of the male reproductive system
3. Explain the primary function of each structure and how it relates to reproduction
4. Identify the phases of the menstrual cycle
5. List the functions of hormones
1. Describe the process of fertilization and implantation
2. Describe the growth of ovum and development of fetus
3. Define the genetic material of the human cell
4. Explain the purpose and function of the amniotic sac, amniotic fluid and the placenta
5. Describe the process of transmission of genetic traits
6. Trace the blood flow through fetal circulation
7. Trace the development of fetus from first to tenth lunar month
8. Discuss fetal monitoring
1. Distinguish between the three classifications of signs and symptoms of pregnancy
2. Identify the physiological changes of pregnancy and how they affect all the body systems
3. Explain the cause of common discomforts of pregnancy and suggested treatments
4. Identify normal laboratory values of common prenatal tests
5. Explain physiological and psychological factors related to intimate relationships during pregnancy
6. Describe common antepartal tests and the nursing and client teaching responsibilities
7. Explain the nutritional needs of a female of childbearing age
8. Describe nursing care and client teaching to promote successful breastfeeding
1. List the main causes of bleeding during pregnancy
2. Describe supportive care for women experiencing bleeding in pregnancy
3. Describe the symptoms, prevention and treatment of the more common complications in pregnancy
4. Discuss the dangers of pregnancy-induced hypertension to mother and her baby
5. Describe the nursing management of client with diabetes, heart disease, and infections
6. Discuss Rh & ABO incompatibilities and associated nursing responsibilities
7. Define the types of abortions and their management
8. Identify factors that classify a woman as a high-risk pregnancy
1. Define true labor
2. Explain how the stages of labor may differ between a primigravida and a multipara
3. Explain the birth process in terms of presentation, position, and station
4. Explain the effect of uterine contractions on the cervix
5. Define four stages of labor
6. Explain the purpose of analgesia and anesthesia in labor/delivery.
7. Name the advantages of using regional rather than general anesthesia
8. Describe appropriate nursing care of the intrapartum family
1. Differentiate among preterm, post term, precipitous, and prolonged labor
2. Describe preterm labor and its treatment
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of labor emergencies and the appropriate nursing measures
4. List several causes of uterine dysfunction and identify the main cause
5. Differentiate between forceps and vacuum delivery
6. Define the term cesarean section and describe the nursing involved
1. Describe and discuss the importance of the immediate care of the newborn
2. List the important considerations which determine nursing intervention immediately after delivery and during neonate period
3. Describe and discuss care of newborn in the delivery room
4. List normal physical characteristics of the full-term newborn
5. Describe care of the newborn in the nursery
6. Identify normal reflexes found in neonate
7. List the important components of discharge teaching and home care
8. Discuss ways to promote family bonding in the NICU
1. Identify normal physiological changes in the postpartum period
2. Describe taking-in, taking-hold, and letting go behavior in a new mother
3. Describe nursing care and client teaching needed to promote successful infant feeding
4. State the complications that may occur in the postpartum client
5. State measures of self care for the post partum client
I. Disorders of the Newborn
1. Describe community resources available to support families experiencing fetal death or birth defects
2. Describe procedures for administering CPR to infants in an emergency
3. Describe the physical and developmental traits of the premature infant
4. Describe the basic function of the neonatal intensive care unit
5. Discuss special nursing care and procedures performed in the neonatal ICU
J. Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Disease
1. List major methods of contraception and the advantages and disadvantages of each
2. List the different types of birth control and their effectiveness
3. Identify the mother at risk of developing postpartum infection.
Often students talk about what they will do when they no longer have to show up for lecture or clinical. Frequently they state that they will sleep till noon, and go have some fun. Several graduates say that taking a break will give them the opportunity to refresh their spirits and revitalize themselves. Despite thinking they know what they are going to do once graduated, many graduate VN students find themselves momentarily lost. What do with all my free time? The majority of students return quickly to the work force taking whatever job they can find so they can fill their gas tanks and replenish their empty checking accounts. Often students take a trip or short vacation before they settle into the largest task of all… Reviewing and preparing to take the NCLEX licensing exam. Some schools provide NCLEX review, and those that are not offered this prep class scurry to attend 3-7 day NCLEX review classes.
The very best advice for any new graduate is to take a break from the books for at least a one week. Set your goal to take the NCLEX within 8 weeks of graduation. Statistics have shown that those who test within the first few months of graduation do much better on state board .
Once rested, quickly open the review book and start pounding away at the review questions. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay. The rational is given in the back and many students learn quickly from the review questions. Be strategic in your study plan. Study those topics (systems) that you hate. Remember when you like a topic (system) most likely you are already proficient in that area. Don’t waste your time going over material that you feel comfortable with. Remember not to spend countless hours at this. Set a timer for 45 minutes and when it rings, pull yourself away and go do something else and then return to task and reset for timer for another 45 minutes.
It is also important for new graduates to complete an IV therapy certification course. Those VN graduates that are hopeful to work in acute areas of the hospital need to complete a basic arrhythmia course, Advance cardiac life support (ACLS) as well as Pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Many states offer an opportunity to work with an interim permit, which will allow the new VN graduate to function as a vocational nurse pending state licensure.
Many new graduates are anxious to continue on with their education and seek educational counseling to prepare themselves for entering an RN program. There are many online programs now available for those that are self motivated and indepenedent knowlege seekers. These programs pave the way to complete higher degrees such as RN, BSN, MSN, NP, and CNS.
Of course for the majority of graduate nurses the next few months will be spent returning to past lives, reuniting with family and friends. The biggest adjustment of course will be once they land a postition, to be able to multi-task and complete assignments timely, and be willing to ask questions of their mentors. It is vital the newly licensed nurse accept that there is a new learning curve and only with time on the job will they gain a sence of confidence.
Welcome everyone!
This website has been designed for those VN students who have reached senior status in the VN program. It will be an area in which students can communicate with each other. The site will also be utilized by VN instructors when there is a need to communicate with students as well as using it as a blog setting for class projects. Welcome and enjoy this space that has been developed especially for you!
