This information sheet addresses the most commonly asked questions about the program.
WHEN DOES THE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM BEGIN?
Classes begin approximately the third week in August-first week in September and continue to June 1st.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM AND WHAT ARE THE HOURS?
The full-time Practical Nursing Program is about 9 ½ months long. It consists of both classroom/lab time and clinical time. Classroom/lab time is Mon-Fri from APPROXIMATELY 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with occasionally late lab sessions. Clinical hours vary according to facility and rotation. Clinical may be scheduled on day, evening or night shifts. Both 8 and 12 hour shifts may be scheduled. Some clinical may be held on Saturday & Sunday.
WHERE IS THE CLINICAL PORTION HELD?
Clinical rotations vary between local nursing homes and hospitals. At this time, we use facilities in Montrose, Eckert, Olathe, Delta and occasionally Grand Junction. If necessary, students may be rotated through ALL sites, regardless of where they live. A reliable vehicle and flexibility to travel is a MUST.
CAN I WORK WHILE I AM IN THE PROGRAM?
Students in the full-time program are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED from working due to the intensity and pace of the program. After putting an eight-hour day in classes, students can anticipate a MINIMUM of 3 hours homework each evening and 8-12 hours homework over the weekend.
Students in the 4-semester track MAY find it possible to work but must take care that it doesn't interfere with their classes and studying.
IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
Yes, there is aid available for qualified students. Our financial aid officer can assist you. You should apply as soon as possible to maximize your chances of assistance.
TELL ME ABOUT THE 4 SEMESTER TRACK!
We offer a four-semester track option. This track is designed for the student that needs a slower pace or that has too many commitments to devote full time to the program. These students will spread the class content over four semesters instead of two semesters.
The student's daily schedule will vary and a specific calendar is available at the beginning of each school year.
In the 4-semester track, it will take two academic years to complete the program. See program outline on page 9.
CAN ANY CREDITS I EARN APPLY TOWARD MY BECOMING AN RN?
Yes! Colorado has a state wide articulation plan where LPN's can get credit for 1 year's equivalent of NURSING classes toward their associate degree in nursing. Every college in Colorado has agreed to this plan but each college has its particular guidelines and prerequisites. For an overall picture, refer to the Colorado Articulation Model Flyer. You need to contact the college of your choice for specifics on admission.
ARE GRADUATES EVER DENIED LICENSURE BY THE BOARD OF NURSING?
Yes. The Colorado Board of Nursing reviews all applicants seeking licensure in nursing. The Board may deny licensure for a number of reasons. The most frequent reasons for denial of licensure relate to individuals who have a criminal record or who have been in trouble with the Board of Nursing previously.
Applicants, who have concerns related to their status in relationship to possible licensure denial by the Board of Nursing, should contact the Board at (303) 894-2430 prior to admission to the Practical Nursing Program.
WHO CAN ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?
Questions about the Practical Nursing Program should be addressed to Jody Roeber, Nursing Coordinator. She is available Monday thru Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 874-6515.
Jody Roeber, RN, MSN
Nursing Coordinator
Delta-Montrose Technical College
1765 U.S. Highway 50
Delta, CO 81416
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM OUTLINE
2 SEMESTER TRACK
(Proposed curriculum and credit hours are subject to change)
Mandatory Prerequisites
ENG 121 English Composition 3 Credits
HPR 108 Dietary Nutrition 1 Credit
BIO 106 Human Anatomy & Physiology OR 4 Credits
BIO 201 & 202 (4 credits each class)
FIRST SEMESTER CREDITS
NUR 101 Pharmacology Calculations 1.0
NUR 102 Alterations in Adult Health I 4.0
NUR 103 Basic Health Assessment for the Practical Nurse 1.0
NUR 105 Practical Nursing Arts & Skills 6.5
NUR 110 Basic Pharmacology for the Practical Nurse 3.0
NUR 116 Basic Concepts of Gerontological Nursing 1.0
NUR 131 Clinical I: Application of Practical Nursing Arts & Skills 4.5
NUR 178 NUR SEM: Expanded Clinical I Appl of Arts & Skills 1.5
NUR 179 NUR SEM: Expansion of Basic Concepts in Nursing 1.0
Total Credits 23.5
SECOND SEMESTER
NUR 104 Alterations in Adult Health II 5.0
NUR 111 Socialization into Practical Nursing 1.0
NUR 113 Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing 2.0
NUR 114 Basic Concepts of Nursing of Children 2.0
NUR 115 Basic Concepts in Mental Health & Illness 1.0
NUR 132 Clinical II: Application of Alterations in Adult Health 3.0
NUR 133 Clinical III Application of Basic Concepts of
Maternal-Newborn & Pediatric Nursing 1.5
NUR 134 Clinical IV: Advanced Application in Adult Health 4.5
NUR 180 NUR SEM: Expanded Pharmacology Concepts 1.0
NUR 175 Special Topics: IV Therapy for the Practical Nurse 2.0
Total Credits 23.0
OPTIONAL:
NUR 185 REVIEW OF NURSING CONCEPTS 1-4
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM OUTLINE
4 SEMESTER TRACK
(Proposed curriculum and credit hours are subject to change)
Mandatory Prerequisites
ENG 121 English Composition 3 Credits
HPR 108 Dietary Nutrition 1 Credit
BIO 106 Human Anatomy & Physiology OR 4 Credits
BIO 201 & 202 (4 credits each class)
FIRST SEMESTER - Level 1 CREDITS
NUR 101 Pharmacology Calculations 1.0
NUR 110 Basic Pharmacology for the Practical Nurse 3.0
NUR 116 Basic Concepts of Gerontological Nursing 1.0
NUR 179 NUR SEM: Expansion of Basic Concepts in Nursing 1.0
Total Credits 6.0
SECOND SEMESTER - Level 1
NUR 111 Socialization into Practical Nursing 1.0
NUR 113 Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing 2.0
NUR 114 Basic Concepts of Nursing of Children 2.0
NUR 115 Basic Concepts in Mental Health & Illness 1.0
NUR 180 NUR SEM: Expanded Pharmacology Concepts 1.0
Total Credits 7.0
THIRD SEMESTER - Level 2
NUR 102 Alterations in Adult Health I 4.0
NUR 103 Basic Health Assessment for the Practical Nurse 1.0
NUR 105 Practical Nursing Arts & Skills 6.5
NUR 131 Clinical I Application of Practical Nursing Arts & Skills 4.5
NUR 178 NUR SEM: Expanded Clinical I Appl. of Arts & Skills 1.5
Total Credits 17.5
FOURTH SEMESTER - Level 2
NUR 104 Alterations in Adult Health II 5.0
NUR 132 Clinical II: Application of Alterations in Adult Health 3.0
NUR 133 Clinical III Application of Basic Concepts of
Maternal-Newborn & Pediatric Nursing 1.5
NUR 134 Clinical IV: Advanced Application in Adult Health 4.5
NUR 175 Special Topics: IV Therapy for the Practical Nurse 2.0
Total Credits 16
OPTIONAL:
NUR 185 REVIEW OF NURSING CONCEPTS 1-4
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
(Proposed curriculum and credit hours are subject to change)
NUR 101 Pharmacology Calculations 1 Credit Hour
Introduces the nursing student to the concepts and techniques of dosage calculations and medication administration by a variety of routes. Learners will apply basic math concepts to complex conversion of dosages between and among various systems of weights and volumes. Learners will apply critical thinking skills to the calculation and administration of medications by oral and parenteral (including intravenous) routes of administration.
NUR 102 Alterations in Adult Health I 4 Credit Hours
Introduces the Practical Nurse to basic concepts necessary for assessing and meeting nursing care needs of the adult and older individual. The course focuses on the concepts of acute and chronic illness, pain management, fluid and electrolyte balance, perioperative care, oncology, death and dying, infection and inflammation, and shock syndromes. Common disorders of the musculoskeletal, integumentary, respiratory and reproductive systems are presented. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts and legal and ethical implications are integrated throughout.
NUR 103 Basic Health Assessment for the Practical Nurse 1 Credit hour
Provides a foundation in assessment and related therapeutic communication and teaching skills within the legal role of the Practical Nurse. Information is presented to assist the learner in obtaining a health history and in performing a basic assessment on adults and older adults with predictable outcomes. Health maintenance and health promotion concepts are incorporated throughout the course. Relevant mental health, psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts are integrated. Learning theory regarding teaching and learning concepts are presented.
NUR 104 Alterations in Adult Health II 5 Credit Hours
Continues the concepts introduced in Alterations in Adult Health I. It introduces the learner to basic concepts necessary for assessing and meeting nursing care needs of the adult and older individual. The course focuses on the common disorders of the neurological, cardiovascular, blood, lymphatic, immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal and urinary systems and the special senses. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts are integrated throughout.
NUR 105 Practical Nursing Arts and Skills 6.5 Credit Hours
Introduces the Practical Nursing learner to the principles of basic procedures necessary in caring for clients across the lifespan with stable and predictable outcomes in selected health care settings. Emphasis is placed on use of the nursing process in providing care. Opportunities are provided in the classroom and laboratory to develop competence in the performance of nursing skills. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts are integrated throughout. Content regarding multidisciplinary relationships, historical perspectives, and
health care delivery systems is presented. (1 or more credits may be given for students completing a Community College of Colorado approved CNA program.)
NUR 111 Socialization into Practical Nursing 1 Credit Hour
Introduces roles and responsibilities of the graduate Practical Nurse as defined by established standards, including the Colorado Nurse Practice Act. Emphasis is placed on accountability, delegation as defined in the Colorado Nurse Practice Act, 12-38-132 , Delegation of Nursing Tasks, and perspectives in health care. Career and job readiness skills are developed.
NUR 110 Basic Pharmacology for the Practical Nurse 3 Credit Hours
Introduces the basic concepts of pharmacology related to the actions, therapeutic and adverse effects, interactions of drugs, drug classifications, and the basic pharmacology of commonly used medications. Emphasis is placed on nursing considerations and client education. Learners will apply knowledge gained in selected clinical settings in caring for clients across the lifespan.
NUR 180 NUR SEM: Expanded Pharmacology Concepts 1 Credit Hours
This course will explore in more depth, the concepts of Pharmacology. Must have successfully completed NUR 110 before taking this course..
NUR 113 Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing 2 Credit Hours
Introduces the study of families experiencing childbirth. The focus is on normal pregnancy and the physiological and psychological changes during this time including the care of the normal newborn. Selected common complications are discussed. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts are integrated throughout. The nursing process is used as a framework to assist the learner in understanding basic maternal/newborn needs and nursing care within the role of the practical nurse.
NUR 114 Basic Concepts of Nursing of Children 2 Credit Hours
Provides the learner with a basic understanding of the care of both the well and sick child within the role of the Practical Nurse. Emphasis is placed on the normal growth and development from infancy to adolescence. Nursing care of common childhood conditions is discussed. Theory is related to the nursing care of the well child, the sick child in various settings, the child with special needs, and the impact of pediatric care on the family. Relevant psychosocial, ethno cultural and family concepts are integrated throughout.
NUR 115 Basic Concepts in Mental Health and Illness 1 Credit Hour
Introduces the learner to basic concepts of mental health and illness. The course focuses on clients throughout the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on mental health concepts, selected common psychiatric disorders, treatment modalities and related nursing care. This course is designed to assist the Practical Nurse in caring for clients with varied psychosocial and ethno cultural backgrounds.
NUR 116 Basic Concepts of Gerontological Nursing 1 Credit Hour
Nursing introduces the learner to basic knowledge of normal aging, disorders related to aging and nursing care of the older individual within the role of the Practical Nurse. Concepts regarding legal and ethical factors affecting the older individual are presented. Relevant psychosocial and ethno cultural concepts are integrated throughout.
NUR 179 Nursing Seminar: Expansion of Basic Concepts in Nursing
1 Credit Hour
This course is designed to expand on basic concepts of nursing and to assist entry level nursing students to be successful students and to expand upon nursing roles and responsibilities. This course will explore in more depth learning skills for critical thinking, medical terminology, techniques of therapeutic communication, nursing process, writing nursing care plans, culture, and spirituality.
NUR 131 Clinical I Application of Practical Nursing Arts & Skills 4.5 Credit Hours
Introduces the learner to the health care environment as a foundation course. Enables the learner to begin to apply the nursing process in assessing and meeting the needs of the client within the role of the Practical Nurse. Emphasis is placed on the application of communication skills, basic and advancing nursing procedures, assessment and documentation of care in selected health care settings.
NUR 178 NUR SEM: Expanded Clinical I - Application of Practical Nursing
Arts & Skills
1.5 Credit Hours
Continuance of NUR 131.
NUR 132 Clinical II Application of Alterations in Adult Health 3 Credit Hours
Enables the student to develop skills in applying the nursing process in delivery of increasingly complex nursing care. The course is intended to prepare the learner for the entry role of the Practical Nurse in assessing and meeting the needs of adults and older individuals in selected health care settings.
NUR 133 Clinical III Application of basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn & Pediatric Nursing 1.5 Credit Hour
Introduces the learner to the childbearing, newborn, and pediatric client as a foundation course. Provides an opportunity for the learner to apply the principles learned in Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing and in Basic Concepts of Nursing of Children.
NUR 134 Clinical IV Advanced Application in Adult Health 4.5 Credit Hours
Provides the learner with the opportunity to enhance the application and integration of nursing theory with multiple clients. The focus is on the scope of practice for the Practical Nurse and the transition from the role of learner to graduate Practical Nurse. Emphasis is on the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and ethno cultural needs of multiple clients in selected care settings.
NUR 175 Special Topics: IV Therapy for the Practical Nurse 2 Credit Hours
Provides practical nursing students with an opportunity for expanded nursing roles by learning appropriate procedures for intravenous therapy and venous blood withdrawal. The course includes lecture, laboratory practice and clinical experience. The student will be prepared for IV certification under the State Board of Nursing Chapter IX rules.
OPTIONAL:
NUR 185 REVIEW OF NURSING CONCEPTS 1-4 Credit Hours
This course is designed to meet the needs of the returning or transfer student. May include
theory, lab, and/or clinical components. Students must have completed applicable theory
courses within the past five years with a grade of C or better and clinical courses within the past three years with a C or better.
Prerequisite courses available through DMTC:
BIO 106 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 Credit Hours
Focuses on basic knowledge of body structures and function, and provides a foundation for understanding deviations from normal and disease conditions. This course is designed for individuals interested in health care and is directly applicable to the Practical Nursing Program, Paramedic Program and the Medical Office Technology program.
HPR 108 Dietary Nutrition 1 Credit Hour
Studies the basic principles in clinical practice involved in the assistance of health care. The course will cover factors which influence the nutritional status of individuals, methods of nutritional assessment and support, and diet modification for specific disease states.
