Nursing

Associate in Nursing Degree

Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate

The Nursing program at DACC affords students the opportunity to become a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse and members of a respected and rewarding profession by offering classroom and clinical education courses in nursing.  Nursing is a dynamic and exciting discipline offering the rewarding experiences of helping others achieve their health care goals by providing professional nursing care, patient teaching, effective communication, and management of patient care. 

Upon acceptance into the nursing program, and successful completion of all prerequisite and nursing courses, the new graduate will be prepared as an entry-level generalist in Licensed Practical Nursing or Registered Nursing. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN licensure exams and become licensed Practical Nurses or Registered Nurses anywhere in the United States. Students should note, however, that program completion does not in and of itself guarantee licensure, which is a function of the various state boards of nursing, nor does it guarantee employment.

The DACC nursing program philosophy embraces the concepts of caring, health, and wellness. Faculty assist adult learners with achievement of their maximum educational potential through exposure to a variety of teaching and evaluation methods. Special emphasis is placed upon the nursing process, critical-thinking, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, safety, professionalism, nursing informatics, and the evolving teaching-learning process.

Accreditation/Approval1

The DACC Nursing program is approved for operation by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Board directly: 

New Mexico Board of Nursing
6301 Indian School Road NE, Suite 710
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: (505) 841-8340

1

Please refer to the DACC Nursing program website for more information regarding the accreditation and/or approval status of the Nursing program.

Categories of Essential Functions

In order to participate in the Nursing Program, the student must be capable of performing the following:

Observation

  • Visually discriminate incremental readings on various medical equipment
  • Visually discriminate between different colored objects
  • Discriminate between various auditory stimuli

Communication

  • Communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal and written formats
  • Read and interpret the English language without assistance
  • Communicate effectively via electronic means, including computers and “smart” devices

Motor

  • Stand for long periods of time
  • Lift 50 pounds
  • Perform patient care procedures with manual dexterity

Intellectual

  • Collect, interpret, and integrate information

Special Admission Criteria

As a professional educational program, the Nursing Program is a limited-entry program. To be considered for admission, students are required to successfully complete:

  1. all prerequisites,
  2. the designated entrance exam, and
  3. submit all materials required for the student selection process (complete application package).

Information on requirements, transfers, and deadlines for applications are available on the Nursing program website, or by calling (575) 527-7735 or 575-874-7786

Prior to the first day of classes, each student must submit documentation of the following: current immunizations, TB test, American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers, background clearance for Healthcare Providers and drug screening. Additional information regarding specific requirements is available from the Nursing Program office.

Nursing Program Prerequisites

Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, students must be admitted to DACC. Students are also responsible for understanding all of the information in the related-requirement science courses of Anatomy and Physiology I and II, regardless of when these courses were taken. In the event that they were taken more than seven years prior to admission to the Nursing program, these courses must be repeated for credit.

Security Background Check

Prospective students are required to complete and pass a security background check in order to take clinical courses. Past criminal violations may prevent a student from completing the degree and gaining a nursing license or employment in the field.

Requirements to Remain in the Nursing Program

In order to remain in the program, students must receive a C or better in each technical course attempted.

Course Fees

In addition to tuition, a fee of $250 is charged for each of the following courses:

Prefix Title Credits
NURS 136Foundations of Nursing Practice6
NURS 147Adult Health I6
NURS 201Special Topics3
NURS 226Adult Health II6

Nursing - Associate in Nursing

Licensed Practical Nurse - Certificate

NURS 130. Foundations of Pharmacology

5 Credits (5)

This course provides the nursing student with an introduction to the foundations of pharmacology including: science of drug action, principles of medication administration, accurate calculation of drug doses, medication therapy across the lifespan, application of medications to treat health alterations, normal and adverse responses by the client to medication therapy, medication safety, medication regulation, national patient safety goals, and appropriate nursing interventions to achieve the desired goals of medication therapy. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognize personally held values and demonstrate assessment of the values held by diverse patients, as well as their preferences and expressed needs related to pharmacological therapy as measured by: a. Recognize the influence of values, preferences, and expressed needs on the administration of pharmacotherapeutics to populations across the lifespan; b. Explain the nurse’s professional role related to pharmacotherapeutics in diverse populations across the lifespan
  2. Communicate with other members of the healthcare team to establish a plan to meet the needs of individuals, including commonly related to adverse or side effects of pharmacological therapy throughout the lifespan as measured by: a. Identify methods for communication with the health care team related to pharmacotherapeutics; b. Explain how members of the health care team collaborate in the delivery of pharmacotherapeutics
  3. Compare an individualized patient care plan utilizing an evidence-based approach for patient(s) across the lifespan to outcomes related to the administration of pharmacological therapy as measured by as measured by: a. Apply evidence-based information to the administration of pharmacotherapeutics
  4. Demonstrate adherence to policies, procedures, and standards of care for the administration of pharmacological therapy in healthcare delivery systems as measured by: a. Give examples of policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected medication administration topics
  5. Apply strategies to reduce the risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care as measured by: a. Give examples of policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected medication administration topics; b. Give examples of common classes of drugs that are used in health care and their related pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics
  6. Utilize varied communication technologies, electronic healthcare databases, and electronic health records to plan nursing care for the administration of pharmacological therapy across the lifespan as measured by: a. Discuss available technology for delivery of nursing care related to pharmacotherapeutics

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NURS 134. Foundation of Nursing Skills and Assessment

3 Credits (1+6P)

This course provides nursing students with introductory nursing knowledge related to performance of nursing skills and assessment including: techniques of fundamental nursing care, basic and intermediate nursing skills, and foundational physical assessment techniques associated with care across the lifespan. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe personally held values, attitudes, and beliefs related to health and wellness as measured by: a. Describe modifications to nursing care based on client cultural and religious influences; b. Demonstrate physical assessment skills for clients across the lifespan utilizing appropriate equipment and techniques.
  2. Describe scopes of practice, roles and values of health care team members as measured by: Identify independent and collaborative nursing interventions.
  3. Describe an evidence-based practice approach to provision of patient care and professional nursing practice across the lifespan as measured by: a. Demonstrate safe performance of basic nursing procedures; b. Identify quality sources of information to verify skills and interventions are based on evidence.
  4. Identify policies, procedures, and standards of care related to the provision of professional nursing care as measured by: Identify need/situation where reporting of incident/event/irregular occurrence/variance is appropriate.
  5. Describe strategies that reduce the risk of harm to self and others as measured by: a. Identify methods utilized to provide safe and effective care; b. Identify and document changes in patient status.
  6. Identify essential information that must be available in a common database to support patient care across the lifespan as measured by: a. Select standard technology utilized to provide basic care to clients across the lifespan; b. Identify approved abbreviations and standard terminology for documenting care.

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NURS 136. Foundations of Nursing Practice

6 Credits (4+6P)

This course will introduce the nursing student to foundational theoretical concepts of professional nursing practice, the nursing process, and foundational nursing skills. It includes developmental concepts related to clients across the lifespan. Clinical experiences in the simulation lab, long-term care, the community, and rehabilitation settings will provide the student with the opportunity to apply learned skills to provide total care to meet needs of one adult client and to develop care planning skills related to actual problems. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe personally held values, attitudes, and beliefs related to health and wellness as measured by: a. Identify personal values, beliefs, and attitudes about health and wellness; b. Define health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention; c. Describe the basic principles of the teaching/learning process.
  2. Describe scopes of practice, roles and values of health care team members as measured by: a. Describe roles/responsibilities, scope of practice and values of health care team members; b. Identify principles of delegation to other members of the healthcare team.
  3. Describe an evidence-based practice approach to provision of patient care and professional nursing practice across the lifespan as measured by: a. Describe EBP to include components of research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient/family values; b. Describe standards and regulations that apply to nursing and ethical practice.
  4. Identify policies, procedures, and standards of care related to the provision of professional nursing care as measured by: Identify sources of information regarding national standards or policies regarding patient care across the lifespan.
  5. Describe strategies that reduce the risk of harm to self and others as measured by: a. Define patient safety and quality of care; b. Describe methods to identify, report variances, and reduce risk of harm in provision of professional nursing care.
  6. Identify essential information that must be available in a common database to support patient care across the lifespan as measured by: a. Identify quality sources of information and communication techniques designed to mitigate error and protect confidentiality of protected health information across the lifespan.

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NURS 137. Care of Geriatric Patient

3 Credits (3)

This course will introduce the nursing student to foundational concepts of age-appropriate/specific care of the older adult who represents the largest population of individuals placing demands on the healthcare system. It includes basic and complex concepts and issues related to care of the older client across the care continuum, provision of cost-effective care in a resource sparse environment. Students must be admitted into the nursing program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NURS majors. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only. May be repeated up to 3 credits.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognize personally held values and demonstrate assessment of the values held by older adults related to chronic illness and age-related changes, as well as their preferences and expressed needs as measured by: a. Give examples of cultural, religious, socioeconomic, environmental, and internal influences on the health and illness of an older adult; b. Select health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to care of older adults; c. Relate own beliefs and attitudes related to aging that might impact ability to provide care to the older adult.
  2. Communicate with other members of the healthcare team to establish a plan to meet the needs of older adults with commonly occurring chronic illness or age-related changes as measured by: a. Locate care delivery settings and sources for referral and coordination of healthcare needs for older adults.
  3. Compare an individualized patient care plan utilizing an evidence-based approach for older adults to outcomes related to the administration of pharmacological therapy as measured by as measured by: a. Describe sources of information regarding evidenced-based protocols for care of older adults; b. Use principles of ethical practice in delivery of care to the older adult.
  4. Demonstrate adherence to policies, procedures, and standards of care related to the provision of professional nursing care of older adults with chronic diseases as measured by: a. Give examples of healthcare policies and national standards of care related to the provision of care to older adults.
  5. Apply strategies to reduce the risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care pertinent to the provision of care to older adults: a. Recognize potential and actual safety issues that are pertinent to the provision of care to older adults; b. Apply nursing interventions that reduce risk of harm to older adults.
  6. Utilize varied communication technologies, electronic healthcare databases, and electronic health records to plan nursing care to support care of older adults as measured by: a. Discuss issues with use of technology related to the care of older adults; b. Discuss essential information that needs to be in a common database relevant to care of the older adult.

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NURS 147. Adult Health I

6 Credits (4+6P)

This course focuses on application of the nursing process and theoretical concepts of care for adults with commonly occurring health problems. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to continue development of: prioritization skills, proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of total nursing care to meet needs of one adult client. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course.

Learning Outcomes
  2. Recognize personally held values and demonstrate assessment of the values held by diverse patients, as well as their preferences and expressed needs related to health and wellness as measured by: a. Give examples of how personal values, values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the involvement of patients in their care related to selected course topics for adult clients with chronic and acute illness; b. Select health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to selected course topics for adult clients; c. Relate the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, attributes, and clinical management of chronic disease to selected course topics for adult clients.
  4. Communicate with other members of the healthcare team to establish a plan to meet the needs of individuals, including commonly occurring chronic and acute health care problems throughout the lifespan as measured by: a. Locate significant information to report to other disciplines; b. Select resources for continuity of patient care related to selected topics; c. Apply the principles of delegation to selected course topics.
  6. Compare an individualized patient care plan utilizing an evidence-based approach for patient(s) across the lifespan to outcomes for the patient(s) as measured by: a. Implement individualized patient care utilizing an evidence-based approach related to selected course topics; b. Use principles of ethical practice in the delivery of nursing care for patients with chronic or acute illness.
  8. Demonstrate adherence to policies, procedures, and standards of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems as measured by: a. Give examples of policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected course topics.
  10. Apply strategies to reduce the risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care as measured by: a. Identify variations in physiologic integrity related to selected course topics; b. Apply nursing interventions to reduce risk of harm related to selected course topics.
  12. Utilize varied communication technologies, electronic healthcare databases, and electronic health records to plan nursing care for patients with chronic illnesses across the lifespan as measured by: a. Discuss available technology for delivery of nursing care related to selected topics.

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NURS 149. Mental Health Nursing

4 Credits (3+1P)

This course will allow the nursing student to develop skills necessary to provide nursing care for clients with mental health problems in various health care settings including: common mental health disorders, psychosocial dysfunction, psychosocial safety/substance abuse issues, violence, suicide, restraints, developmental age related pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, cultural/religious considerations, grief/loss, promotion of mental health, and therapeutic communication. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to develop ability to develop: proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of total nursing care to meet needs of one client across the life span with acute/chronic mental health needs. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program in order to enroll in the course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognize personally held values and demonstrate assessment of the values held by diverse patients, as well as their preferences and expressed needs related to health and wellness as measured by: a. Give examples of how personal values, values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the involvement of patients in their health care related to selected mental illness topics across the lifespan; b. Select health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to selected course topics; c. Relate the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, attributes, and clinical management related to selected mental illness topics across the lifespan.
  2. Communicate with other members of the healthcare team to establish a plan to meet the needs of individuals, including commonly occurring chronic and acute health care problems throughout the lifespan as measured by: a. Locate significant information to report to other disciplines; b. Select resources that provide continuity of care related to selected course topics; c. Apply the principles of delegation to selected course topics.
  3. Compare an individualized patient care plan utilizing an evidence-based approach for patient(s) across the lifespan to outcomes for the patient(s) as measured by: a. Implement individualized patient care utilizing an evidence-based approach for patients with chronic or acute mental illness; b. Describe the principles of ethical practice in the delivery of nursing care for patients with chronic or acute mental illness.
  4. Demonstrate adherence to policies, procedures, and standards of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems as measured by: a. Give examples of policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected course topics.
  5. Apply strategies to reduce the risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care as measured by: a. Identify variations in psychosocial integrity related to selected course topics; b. Apply nursing interventions to reduce risk of harm related to selected course topics.
  6. Utilize varied communication technologies, electronic healthcare databases, and electronic health records to plan nursing care for patients with chronic illnesses across the lifespan as measured by: a. Discuss available technology for delivery of nursing care related to selected mental health topics.

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NURS 201. Special Topics

3 Credits (3)

Specific topics NCLEX course will help prepare students for the predictability exam and NCLEXRN. This course assists students in being emotionally, didactically and technically prepared to take both examinations. Students will review how to prepare to take this examination though a series of sample tests, quizzes and group discussions. A variety of core content subject matter will be covered to allow the student to be prepared to take the comprehensive examinations. At the conclusion of this course, the student will take a comprehensive predictability exam. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Utilize diverse patients’ values, preferences, and expressed needs to drive development of the plan of care for acute and chronically ill patients through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by: a. Integrate the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, and attributes of health, wellness, chronic, and acute disease into the clinical management of patients across the lifespan; b. Evaluate how values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the health, wellness, and illness of patients across the lifespan.
  2. Evaluate ability to function within own scope of practice as a member of the healthcare team to deliver care to individuals and families across the lifespan with complex health alterations through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by: a. Evaluate ability to apply the principles of delegation and prioritize care in patient-based scenarios across the lifespan; b. Evaluate ability to select appropriate resources for continuity of patient care across the lifespan.
  3. Demonstrate the use of evidence-based approaches for the delivery and evaluation of care to patients across the lifespan through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by: a. Evaluate ability to apply evidence-based approaches to the provision of patient care across the lifespan.
  4. Formulate a plan of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems using policies, procedures and standards of care through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by a. Evaluate ability to formulate a plan of care for provision of care in patient-based scenarios utilizing policies, procedures, and standards of care.
  5. Interpret effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by: a. Evaluate ability to effectively utilize strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures.
  6. Utilize information management tools to monitor outcomes of care processes and deliver nursing care to patients with chronic or acute illness across the lifespan through application to NCLEX style questions as measured by: a. Evaluate ability to utilize information management tools to monitor outcomes of care processes and deliver nursing care to patients with chronic or acute illness across the lifespan.

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NURS 224. Maternal Child Nursing

6 Credits (5+1P)

This course provides the intermediate nursing student with an in-depth review of care of the childbearing woman, family structures and roles, and nursing care of the child from birth through adolescence. Emphasis includes the care of pre-partum, intra-partum and postpartum clients, the neonate and health deviations in pediatric clients. Clinical experiences in the simulation lab, the community, and acute care settings will provide the student with the opportunity to apply learned skills to provide total care to meet needs of up to two adult, neonatal, or pediatric clients and to apply care planning skills related to actual, psychosocial and potential problems. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Utilize diverse patients’ values, preferences, and expressed needs to drive development of the plan of care for the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatric client (newborn-18) as measured by: a. Determine how values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the involvement of patients in their health care related to selected course topics for maternal/child clients; b. Choose health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to selected course topics for maternal/child clients; c. Apply the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, attributes, and clinical management related to selected maternal/child and pediatrics topics.
  2. Evaluate ability to function within own scope of practice as a member of the healthcare team to deliver care to individuals and families across the lifespan with complex health alterations as it relates to the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatrics as measured by: a. Choose resources for continuity of patient care related to selected topics; b. Apply the principles of delegation to selected course topics; c. Give examples of significant information to report to other disciplines.
  3. Demonstrate the use of evidence-based approaches for the delivery and evaluation of care to patients across the lifespan as it relates to the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatric client (newborn-18) as measured by: a. Implement individualized patient care utilizing an evidence-based approach related to selected course topics; b. Use the principles of ethical practice in the delivery of nursing care for maternal/child patients.
  4. Formulate a plan of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems using policies, procedures and standards of care as it relates to the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatric client (newborn-18) as measured by: a. Apply policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected course topics for maternal/child clients.
  5. Interpret effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures as it relates to the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatric client (newborn-18) as measured by: a. Interpret variations in psychosocial integrity related to selected course topics for maternal/child clients; b. Apply nursing interventions reduce risk of harm to self and others related to selected course topics.
  6. Utilize information management tools to monitor outcomes of care processes and deliver nursing care to patients with chronic or acute illness across the lifespan as it relates to the child bearing woman (19-65 years) and pediatric client (newborn-18) as measured by: a. Choose available technology for delivery of nursing care related to selected maternal/child clients.

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NURS 226. Adult Health II

6 Credits (4+6P)

This course focuses on application of nursing process and theoretical concepts of care for adults with complex health alterations. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to apply: prioritization skills, maintain proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, and care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of nursing care to meet needs of three adult clients. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Utilize diverse patients’ values, preferences, and expressed needs to drive development of the plan of care for the adult client with acute illness as measured by: a. Determine how personal values, values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the involvement of patients in their care related to selected course topics for adult clients with acute illness; b. Choose health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to selected course topics for adult clients; c. Apply the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, attributes, and clinical management of acute disease to selected course topics for adult clients.
  2. Evaluate ability to function within own scope of practice as a member of the healthcare team to adult clients with acute illness as measured by: a. Choose resources for continuity of patient care related to selected topics; b. Apply the principles of delegation to selected course topics; c. Give examples of significant information to report to other disciplines.
  3. Demonstrate the use of evidence-based approaches for the delivery and evaluation of care to patients across the lifespan as it relates to adult clients with acute illness as measured by: a. Implement individualized patient care utilizing an evidence-based approach related to selected course topics; b. Use principles of ethical practice in the delivery of nursing care for adult patients with acute illness.
  4. Formulate a plan of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems using policies, procedures and standards of care as it relates to adult clients with acute illness as measured by: a. Apply policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected course topics.
  5. Interpret effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures as it relates to adult clients with acute illness as measured by: a. Interpret variations in physiologic integrity related to selected course topics; b. Apply nursing interventions to reduce risk of harm to self and others related to selected course topics.
  6. Utilize information management tools to monitor outcomes of care processes and deliver nursing care to adult clients with acute illness as measured by: a. Discuss available technology for delivery of nursing care related to selected topics.

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NURS 235. Nursing Leadership and Management

1 Credit (1)

This course introduces the intermediate nursing student to professional practice principles of nursing leadership and management including: health policy and politics, fiscal management & budgeting, conflict management, decision making, interdisciplinary practice, working with teams, roles in disaster planning and management, application of standards of care to risk management, organization of care delivery, health care systems, processes, and practice environments. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only. May be repeated up to 1 credit.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Utilize diverse patients’ values, preferences, and expressed needs to drive development of the plan of care for acute and chronically ill patients as measured by: a. Discuss how personal values impacts the delivery of care to clients across the lifespan.
  2. Evaluate ability to function within own scope of practice as a member of the healthcare team to deliver care to individuals and families across the lifespan with complex health alterations as measured by: a. Employ the principles of delegation to the assignment of nursing team duties and patient room assignments; b. Analyze effective communication with health care team members; c. Apply effective communication strategies in common nursing activities; d. Discuss methods to resolve conflict.
  3. Demonstrate the use of evidence-based approaches for the delivery and evaluation of care to patients across the lifespan as measured by: a. Analyze personal values that influence approaches to ethical issues and decision-making; b. Describe ways in which nursing research can be used to guide nursing practice.
  4. Formulate a plan of care for the provision of care in healthcare delivery systems using policies, procedures and standards of care as measured by: a. Discuss the use of key indicators to measure performance; b. Recognize tools and processes for continuous quality improvement.
  5. Interpret effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures as measured by: a. Discuss ways to improve care while reducing costs; b. Incorporate an understanding of legal risks into the practice of professional nursing and recognize how to minimize risk.
  6. Utilize information management tools to monitor outcomes of care processes and deliver nursing care to patients with chronic or acute illness across the lifespan as measured by: a. Discuss the necessity of using recognized taxonomies and standardized nursing languages in nursing documentation.

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NURS 236. Nursing Preceptorship - Adult Health III

6 Credits (3+9P)

This course is the final course involving care of the patient with acute or chronic illness. It focuses on care of patients with complex or multi-system problems allowing the graduating nursing student to discuss and apply all the skills learned in previous nursing courses. After successfully passing the HESI exam, students have clinical practice with preceptor in various health care settings. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to: organize care of a group of clients, maintain proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborate with clients, families, peers and health care team members, and support care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of nursing care to meet needs of the preceptors group of clients. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program and have successfully completed all level 1, 2 and 3 nursing courses may enroll in this course. Clinical may include inpatient or outpatient care, days, evenings, nights, or weekend experiences. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Integrate the values, preferences, attitudes, and expressed needs of the acutely ill patient into the plan of care related to the care of the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Analyze how personal values, values of patients, families, and medical personnel impacts the involvement of patients in their care related to selected course topics for adult clients with complex care issues; b. Evaluate health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies related to selected course topics for adult clients; c. Integrate the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, and attributes of complex acute diseases into the clinical management of these disease related to selected course topics for adult clients.
  2. Integrate the contributions of other members of the healthcare team into the delivery of nursing care for individuals across the lifespan with complex or multi-system health alterations related to the care of the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Use resources for continuity of patient care related to selected topics; b. Report significant information to other disciplines.
  3. Discriminate between valid and invalid reasons for modifying evidence-based clinical practice based on clinical expertise or patient/family preferences in the creation of a plan of care for delivery and evaluation of care for patients across the lifespan related to the care of the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Implement individualized patient care utilizing an evidence-based approach related to selected course topics for multiple clients; b. Practice ethically in the delivery of nursing care for adult patients with complex care issues.
  4. Evaluate the use of policies, procedures and standards of care in healthcare delivery systems and adapt the care as appropriate related to the care of the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Formulate a plan of care for the provision of care to complex patients in healthcare delivery systems using policies, procedures, and standards of care related to selected course topics.
  5. Interpret and analyze effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others while providing professional nursing care, creating a structure for implementation of evidence- based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures in the care of the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Interpret variations in physiologic integrity related to selected course topics; b. Integrate nursing interventions to reduce risk of harm related to selected course topics including evidence-based practice, national patient safety goals, and core measures.
  6. Integrate use of appropriate technology and information management tools to support safe delivery of care to the adult client with complex health deviations as measured by: a. Choose available technology for delivery of nursing care related to selected topics.

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Name: Nicole Gonzales, Nursing Advisor, Espina Campus or Kelly Briarton, Nursing Advisor, Sunland Park Center

Office Location: DAHL 190E Espina, or DASP 104A Sunland Park Center

Phone: (575) 528-7249 Espina, 575-874-7786

Email:  NGonzales@dacc.nmsu.edu; KBriarton@dacc.nmsu.edu

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Name: Monica Bustamantes, Nursing Admin

Office Location: DAHL 190 Espina Campus

Phone: (575) 527-7735

Email: MBustamantes@dacc.nmsu.edu

Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/academics/programs/nursing/index.html