Practical Nursing

Courses

Practical Nursing-2024/2025

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

Group 1
ANAT-1005Anatomy & Physiology 14
This course is the first of a two part course incorporating introductory aspects of anatomy and physiology, emphasizing normal structure and function and the recognition of various homeostatic imbalances. The hierarchical organization of the human body, the intimate relationship between structure and function, and the impact of development, maturation and aging on the body are emphasized.
MATH-2001Math for Medications1
This course reviews basic mathematical skills foundational for the safe administration of medications. Students will learn how to calculate dosages accurately and how to verify their work in order to foster the development of safe practice. Through this course, critical thinking skills are applied to real-life patient care situations to emphasize the importance of accurate reading of doctor's orders and medication administration records, dosage calculation and the avoidance of medication errors.
NRSG-1011Health & Transitions 15
This course provides an introduction to the caring curriculum and the profession of nursing including nursing organizations, self regulations and nurses' work. Meanings of health and family are examined from a personal as well as family perspective. The normal changes experienced by the older adult are explored. The healthy childbearing family is examined. Concepts and processes of research are introduced with application to clinical practice.
NRSG-1013Laboratory Practice 12
This lab course provides the opportunity to learn assessment techniques and practice clinical skills in a simulated setting in preparation for clinical practice. Skills taught are correlated to nursing theory. Students will learn the principles and knowledge underlying nursing techniques in order to develop safe and effective practice styles when planning and carrying out care. Collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and relevant health teaching will be emphasized.
NRSG-1014Professional Nursing Practice 16.75
This course provides students opportunities to begin the practice of nursing. Students will use various learning approaches to plan care and develop therapeutic relationships with simulated patients. Students will be introduced to professional practice using critical thinking as it relates to data gathering and assessment for various patients. Seminar classes will prepare the student for future clinical practice and provide opportunities to work from a praxis perspective. There will be one rotation (12 weeks) of professional practice experience.
PSYC-1044Personal & Working Relationship3
This course is designed for students to understand the principles and dynamics of personal and working relationships. Emphasis will be on perception of self, attitude and interpersonal problems. The principles introduced from this course will be used in various teaching methods to give students the opportunity to reflect on the processes relevant to their normal personal and professional relationships.
WRIT-1048Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences3
This course will introduce health sciences students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.


Group 2
TAKE NRSG-1012 OR NRSG-5036
NRSG-1012Self & Others3
The course focuses on understanding intrapersonal and interpersonal experiences. Students explore their personal beliefs, values, feelings and thoughts about self and self as part of a family and culture. They will also explore the course of the helping relationship, and learn about others to enable healthy and healing relationships. The course will enhance interpersonal communication as the learner becomes more aware of self behaviour and its effects on relationships and communication with others.
NRSG-5036Relational Practice PN3
The course helps Practical Nursing students strengthen their relational practice in the context of Canadian nursing and health care. Through nursing knowledge, this course will focus on understanding the relationships of practicing nurses with clients, other healthcare providers, and the self. Students will explore how personal beliefs and experiences impact their practice and interactions with clients. In contrast, students will also explore how nursing impacts the self through the concepts of self-care, reflection, and conflict management. To gain an appreciation for Canadian culture, students will also be introduced to nursing ethics, seminal Canadian health policy, safety standards for the clinical setting, and the values embedded in Canadian society.

Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

Group 1
ANAT-1012Anatomy & Physiology 23
A continuation of the first course, ANAT1012 continues the study of the structure and function of the human body as an integrated whole. Together with ANAT1005, this course provides a solid foundation to study biological processes and build upon for subsequent study of pathophysiology and nursing care practices.
NRSG-1018Professional Nursing Practice 29.75
This course provides opportunities for students to synthesize concepts from theory courses into praxis across community, agency, and hospital settings while supporting individuals and families at various stages of health and illness. Relational practice and nursing care will be implemented with a focus on health promotion and caring for the client. Students will also work to synthesize concepts learned in high-fidelity simulated laboratory experiences.
NUTR-3001Nutrition for Life3
This introductory course provides a functional approach to the North American diet by linking nutrients consumed to their benefits/risks on the human body. It includes the nutrients needed for health and wellness, how various lifestyles affect nutritional needs and dietary habits. Current issues in nutrition and disease prevention strategies are also addressed. Cultural perspective on food as related to health and illness is integrated throughout the course.


Group 2
TAKE NRSG-1017 OR NRSG-5022
NRSG-1017Laboratory Practice 22
A continuation from Level I, this course allows students to develop dexterity and skill in more complex nursing techniques. Students will learn the principles and knowledge underlying these nursing skills in order to develop safe, effective practice when planning and carrying out the care. Collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and relevant health teaching approaches will be emphasized.
NRSG-5022Lab Practice Health Assessment PN3
This course provides practical nursing stream students with opportunities to integrate and apply their health assessment clinical skills in a lab setting in preparation for professional nursing practice in Ontario. While planning and performing nursing skills and techniques, students engage in active listening and articulate the principles and knowledge underlying nursing skills/practice in order to provide care that is client centred, evidence-informed and respects the client's spiritual and cultural beliefs. Collaboration, critical inquiry, problem solving, risk management, best practice guidelines, and relevant health teaching will be emphasized from a quality improvement focus.

Level 2 - Add'l Req
Take 1 of the following groups:

Group 1
NRSG-1015Health & Transitions 25
This course has a focus on normal developmental transitions, chronic pain, loss, grief, end of life care, and holistic care. Specific Standards of Practice from the College of Nurses (Medications, Consent, Legal/Ethical, Quality Assurance) are introduced and factors that affect the quality of work life are addressed. The impact of chronic illnesses/disabilities throughout the life span will be discussed as well as research as it applies throughout the life span.
PHRM-3004Pharmacology3
The study of drugs and their action in the human body and related nursing practice is emphasized. Key drugs or prototypes within each drug classification are identified and studied. As well, the course will focus on essential assessments, nursing interventions, specific age-related considerations and patient education for each of these drug classifications. Exercises in critical thinking in relation to use in specific health conditions will be emphasized.


Group 2
NRSG-1015Health & Transitions 25
This course has a focus on normal developmental transitions, chronic pain, loss, grief, end of life care, and holistic care. Specific Standards of Practice from the College of Nurses (Medications, Consent, Legal/Ethical, Quality Assurance) are introduced and factors that affect the quality of work life are addressed. The impact of chronic illnesses/disabilities throughout the life span will be discussed as well as research as it applies throughout the life span.
PHRM-5002Pharmacology PN3
This course focuses on essential assessment, nursing interventions, specific age-related considerations and client education for each drug classification. An emphasis is placed on the study of drugs and their action in the human body related to the nursing practice with a focus on Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) roles/responsibilities and safe medication administration. Key drugs or prototypes within each drug classification are identified. Students have opportunities to develop critical thinking and critical thinking skills in relation to drug therapy in certain health conditions.


Group 3
NRSG-5019Health & Transitions PN5
This course enables Practical Nursing stream students to explore the concepts of health, health promotion, transitions, and the social determinants of health for individuals, families, groups, and communities in Canadian healthcare contexts. The impact of health transitions, chronic health challenges, and end-of-life care throughout the life span are explored through health promotion, health equity, and strengths-based lenses. The ways in which nurses can support individuals and families during health-illness transitions are discussed. Basic concepts of nursing research are introduced.
PHRM-5002Pharmacology PN3
This course focuses on essential assessment, nursing interventions, specific age-related considerations and client education for each drug classification. An emphasis is placed on the study of drugs and their action in the human body related to the nursing practice with a focus on Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) roles/responsibilities and safe medication administration. Key drugs or prototypes within each drug classification are identified. Students have opportunities to develop critical thinking and critical thinking skills in relation to drug therapy in certain health conditions.

Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
NRSG-3011Healing & Episodic Health Challenges 14
This course focuses on experiences with health and healing during episodic health challenges with individuals and families. Learners will discuss basic concepts of healing and illness, the impact of surgical interventions, and mental health concepts. Relational practice, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, health teaching and health promotion will be emphasized as students learn about caring modalities.
NRSG-3012Professional Nursing Practice 36.75
Professional Nursing Practice 3 (NRSG 3012) brings concepts from all courses developing praxis in caring relationships with people experiencing more complex episodic health challenges. Students care for individuals/families in a variety of acute care and community settings and during transition from hospital to home. Clinical judgment and decision-making skills are refined in implementing, evaluating and documenting nursing care. This course has a specific praxis focus in mental health and child health.
NRSG-1016Health Promotion3
This is an introductory course to provide students with beginning knowledge, skills and caring attitudes that will enable health promotion with individuals, families and communities. The development of effective strategies for client education is emphasized.

Level 4
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take the following Mandatory Course:

Group 1
NRSG-3015Professional Nursing Practice 412
Professional Nursing Practice 4 (NRSG3015) is designed to enable students to continue to develop the practice of nursing. It brings together concepts from all courses to praxis while students develop caring relationships with people experiencing more complex episodic health challenges. Students care for individuals/families in a variety of acute care and rehabilitation settings. Clinical judgement and decision-making skills are refined in planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting nursing care.


Group 2
TAKE NRSG-3014 OR NRSG-5017
NRSG-3014Nursing Issues2
This course examines professional nursing from a broader perspective. It examines current issues challenging the health care system, policy development, trends, and the reform to the delivery of health care in Canada. Legal and ethical concepts are addressed as well as the role and influence of the practical nurse with regard to health care policy, political process, leadership, and creating change in order to foster client and societal health.
NRSG-5017Nursing in Ontario PN3
This course introduces Practical Nurse students to professional nursing practice in Ontario and Canada by providing opportunities for students to explore the legal and ethical foundations of the nursing profession [with a focus on Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) roles/responsibilities], current issues/trends in health care, and health care delivery reform in Ontario and Canada. The roles and influences of the RPN with regard to health care policy, political process, leadership, and creating change in order to foster client and societal health are addressed.


Group 3
TAKE NRSG-3013 OR NRSG-5020
NRSG-3013Healing & Episodic Health Challenges 26
This course focuses on experiences with health and healing during episodic health challenges with individuals and families. Learners will discuss clients' experiences with a variety of health disorders and the complement of therapies used in the healing relationship. Collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, health teaching and health promotion will be emphasized as students learn about caring modalities.
NRSG-5020Healing & Episodic Health PN5
This course provides opportunities for Practical Nursing stream students to explore episodic and complex health concepts across the lifespan. Utilizing evidence-informed practices, students continue to develop their understanding of individual's and families' experience during illness experiences to promote client's health and healing and to advocate for those experiencing health challenges. Collaborative practice, critical thinking, clinical judgment, health literacy, and safety principles will be emphasized as students learn about caring modalities during health challenges across the lifespan.

Level 5
Take 1 of the following groups:

Group 1
NRSG-5008Professional Practice 515.75
Professional Nursing Practice 5 is designed to assist students to make the transition to the role of a beginning practitioner. There are opportunities to consolidate and integrate theory and practice in a praxis setting with a nurse preceptor. Previous learning will be enhanced and proficiency within a practice setting will be developed. Clinical competency and decision making skills will be strengthened as students prepare to assume an increased level of responsibility.


Group 2
NRSG-1054Practical Nursing Clinical7.5
Professional Nursing Practice is designed to enable the students to continue to develop in the practice of nursing. the concepts from all courses will be brought together into praxis while developing caring relationships with people across the lifespan experiencing complex health challenges. Students will care for clients in the community and in mental health settings. Clinical judgment and decision-making skills are refined in implementing, evaluating nursing care. Please contact ce@fanshawec.ca.
NRSG-1055Practical Nurse Clinical8.25
Practice Nurse Clinical NRSG-1055 is a continuation of the clinical practice that was began in Practical Nursing Clinical NRSG-1054. This course will provide clinical praxis experience to those students who have demonstrated sufficient clinical experience in their original educational certificate program or for students who have not demonstrated current nursing practice. There will be an opportunity to consolidate and integrate theory and practice in a single setting with a nursing preceptor. Previous learning will be enhanced and proficiency within a practice setting will be developed. Clinical competency and decision making skills will be strengthened in a new area of practice.

Gen Ed - Electives
Take 3 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Level 4

Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 27 credits in this
program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency
requirement and graduate from this program

Contact/Questions