Curriculum Plan/Nontraditional Tract
The Practical Nursing program combines theory instruction with clinical experiences. The program, which is two semesters and one summer term, is accredited by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. Upon completion, the student may apply for eligibility to take the NCLEX licensing examination.
(Year 1)Semester I.
LPN 1101-1 credit hour: Vocational, Legal and Ethical Concepts (16 lecture clock hours)
This course includes personal development, ethical, legal and social responsibilities with the client, family, and members of the health care team. Communication skills, vocational responsibilities of the practical nurse, nursing organizations, state and national health resources, and delegation as it relates to the role of the practical nurse are also included in the course.
LPN 1112-12 credit hours: Basic Nursing Principles and Skills I. (216 lecture clock hours)
This course content includes fundamental principles, skills, and attitudes needed to give nursing care and prevent spread of disease. Common procedures used in the care of the sick and development of the ability to adapt them to various situations with skill and comfort for the client, first aid, CPR, and medical terminology are also included.Development of awareness to report and record observations of the client are part of the course theory.The course also includes the study of growth and development throughout the lifespan.Also included is the study of culture and ethnicity as related to the provision of culturally sensitive care.
LPN 1502-1 credit hours: Nursing of the Geriatric Client I.(21 lecture clock hours)
The course content includes the normal aging process, characteristics of aging and special problems of the geriatric client.Also included in the course of study is end-of-life care issues, environments of care, common medical diagnosis, restorative care, and pharmacology and its significance for the older adult.The management role of the practical nurse to include delegation is also included.
(Year 1) Semester II.
LPN 1102- 2 credit hours: Basic Nursing Principles and Skills II. (98 lab clock hours)
A continuation of LPN 1112-12. Clinical Lab.
LPN 1601-1 credit hour: Nursing of The Geriatric Client II.(48 lab clock hours)
A continuation of LPN 1102-2. Clinical Lab.
LPN 1204-4 credit hours: Pharmacology (79 lecture clock hours)
The course content includes a brief history of drugs, methods of administration, drugs commonly used in the treatment of illness, and such information as usual dosages, expected actions, side effects, contraindications, and points of observation following the administration of drugs. Formulas for conversions of measures from apothecary to the metric system, as well as formulas for calculations of dosages for adults, infants and children, are included.Performance of intravenous infusion therapy and introduction of a peripheral intravenous device on the adult client are included in the content.
LPN 1804-2 credit hours: Nursing of Mothers and Infants I. (35 lecture clock hours)
The course content includes the principles and practices of nursing care during prenatal, labor, delivery, post-partum, and neonatal periods. The content includes modern maternity nursing with emphasis on normal obstetrics. Specific content includes history and trends in family-centered childbearing, prenatal care and adaptations to pregnancy, and the nurse's role in reproductive health and nursing care during labor and birth to include care of the newborn.
LPN 1800-1 credit hour: Nursing of Mothers ans Infants II. (48 lab hours)
A continuation of LPN 1804-2. Clinical Lab.
LPN 1901-1 credit hour: Mental Health Nursing I.(21 lecture clock hours)
The course content includes an introduction of common conditions of mental illness, prevention of such conditions, and care of clients suffering from abnormal mental and emotional responses. Mental hygiene aspects are integrated throughout the course.
(Year 1) Summer Term
LPN 2000-1 credit hour: Mental Health Nursing II. (24 lab clock hours)
A continuation of LPN 1901-1. Clinical Lab.
LPN 1403-2 credit hours: Nursing of Children I. (40 lecture clock hours)
This course is an introduction to the nursing of children. The course content includes the principles of growth and development, nursing the infant through adolescence, the behavior of well and sick children and client and family teaching. Common diseases of the child and adolescent also are covered.
LPN 1401-1 credit hour: Nursing of Children II. (48 lab hours)
A continuation of LPN 1403-2. Clinical Lab.
(Year 2)Semester I.
LPN 1608-8 credit hours: Nursing of Adults I. (133 lecture clock hours)
The course content includes information about common conditions of illness and nursing care of clients in acute, subacute and convalescent stages of illness of both short and long term duration. The course content includes the study of common conditions of the medical surgical client using a body systems approach of study.Included in each system’s study are:the cultural influences on nursing, nutritional needs of the client, pharmacological issues, and special needs of the older adult.The course also includes the study of infectious disease, and bioterrorism disease issues in today’s society.
LPN 1704-4 credit hours: Nursing of Adults II. (186 lab hours)
A continuation of LPN 1608-8. Clinical Lab.
Semester II.
LPN 1808-8 credit hours: Nursing of Adults III. (334 lab clock hours)
A continuation of LPN 1608-8. Clinical Lab.
Summer Term Includes:
LPN 2102- 2 credit hours: Nursing Process/Course Review (35 lecture clock hours)
The course content provides the student with a review of the nursing process, in preparation for the actual practice of nursing. The course content provides the student with insight into development of a study plan for the NCLEX exam. Also included is a pharmacology review and NLN exam. The role of the practical nurse in delegation of client care is reviewed. Additional content provides the student with information and explanation of the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act and the licensure application process.
596 Theory hours
786 Clinical hours
Special Consideration:Prerequisites for Nontraditional Tract include the following:
College Level A&P I. & II. 4 hour credit courses with lab.(8 hour total)
College Level Nutrition (3 hour) credit course.
All courses listed above must be from an accredited college or university within the last five (5) years. A grade of “C” or above is required for credit to be received.