STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Explain, at the basic level, safe, quality, patient-centered nursing care considering research, evidence, and patient preferences as the basis for the care of adults with common health alterations requiring various medical/surgical interventions.

 2. Use critical thinking and clinical judgment, at a basic level, to make patient-centered care decisions.

 3. Identify performance improvement/quality improvement activities used to improve care for adult patients experiencing common health alterations requiring medical/surgical interventions.

 4. Describe how to incorporate the Practical Nurse's role in collaboration with healthcare team members, the patient, and the patient's support persons to facilitate effective patient care for adult patients experiencing common health alterations requiring medical/surgical interventions.

 5. Describe how to use information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision of patient care.

 6. Explain ways to manage care for adult patients experiencing common health alterations requiring medical/surgical interventions through the process of planning, organizing, and directing.

 7. Explain the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse incorporating professional, legal, and ethical guidelines when caring for adult patients experiencing common health alterations requiring medical/surgical interventions.

 8. Explain a culture of caring and how to provide support, compassion, and culturally-competent, holistic care for adult patients experiencing common health alterations requiring medical/surgical interventions.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Care of patients with health alterations related to:

 a. Musculoskeletal system

 b. Integumentary system

 c. Cardiovascular system

 d. Respiratory system

 e. Shock syndromes

 f. Infection and inflammation

 g. Fluid & electrolyte imbalance

 h. Diabetes mellitus

 

 II. Major program concepts, as related to identified health alterations, including:

 a.Safe, quality, patient-centered care

 b.Research and evidence-based care

 c.Culture of caring

 c.Critical thinking and clinical judgement

 d.Performance improvement/quality improvement

 e.Collaboration/teamwork

 f.Information technology/patient technology

 g.The role and scope of practice for Practical Nursing in the larger context of Nursing Practice

 

 III. Practice concepts of practical nursing including:

 a.Teaching and learning

 b.Identification of community resources

 c.Health maintenance and promotion

 d.Pain management

 

 III. Care of patients requiring surgical intervention in any of these health alterations.