Practical Nursing Handbook

PN Adjunct Instructors: Patricia Roysden FNP Instructor Nicole Britt RN Instructor Debor ah Hall Turne r, RN Instru ctor Sheil a Floyd, RN Clinic al Instru ctor IMPORTANT NUMBERS Tennessee College of Applied Technology (931) 484-7502 Administration: Cliff Wightman, President ....................................... (931) 444-1315 Stacy Johnson.......................................................... (931) 444-1288 Front Office Staff: Danielle Sutton, Finance and H.R. Coordinator ..........(931) 484-7504 Darlene Henson Front Office ......................................(931)444-1304 Cynthia Pulido, Front Office...................................... (931) 484-7503 Student Services: Jena Demars SS Coordinator ...................................(931) 444-1286 Tammy McCloud......................................................(931) 444-1342 Cindy Lowe ............................................................. (931) 787-1136 Practical Nursing Department: Dana Ragle MSN/Ed, MBA, RN, PN Coordinator,...(931) 444-1328 Megan Inman RN .................................................... (931) 444-1343 Elaine Potter, RN......................................................(931)444-1343 INTRODUCTION The Practical Nursing Program is operated through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Crossville. The Practical NursingCoordinator is an employee of the TCAT at Crossville. The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is a Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution and is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON). It is the intent of this handbook to inform students of their responsibilities and to provide information to insure successful completion ofthe practical nursing program. The rules and guidelines contained herein apply equally to all students. The rules in this handbook do not represent the whole of the center’s policies. Additional policies are located in the TCAT Catalog, student handbook, Clinical Affiliations, and in other publications available in the center’s administrative offices. PROGRAM PURPOSE • To prepare qualified men and women for the vocation of practical nursing as active members of the health team concerned with the careof the sick and their rehabilitation, the prevention of illness, and the promotion of wellness. • To provide educational opportunities to assist the learner to acquire knowledge, gain understanding and develop skills essential to rendersafe, effective bedside nursing care, while enabling the learner to become progressively self-directed and self-disciplined. • To prepare a person to assume his/her role as a licensed practicalnurse and to function under the guidelines defined in the Nurse Practice Acts regardless of age, sex, religion, color, race, national origin, or handicap, sexual preference or veteran status. • To provide area hospitals and other health care facilities with qualifiedindividuals to meet a definite nursing need. DEFINITION Practical Nursing is defined by the Nurse Practice Act of 1967 (Tennessee Senate Bill 375) as follows: “The practice of practical nursing means the performance for compensation of selected acts required in the nursing care ofthe ill, injured, or infirmed and/or carrying out medical orders prescribed by a licensed physician or dentist or a professional registered nurse. The licensed practical nurse shall have preparation in an understanding of nursing, but shall not be required to have the same degree of education and preparation as required of a registered nurse.” This law was effective September 1, 1967. MISSION The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crossville serve as the premier suppliers of workforce development throughout the State of Tennessee. The colleges fulfill their mission by: • Providing competency-based training through superior quality, traditional and distance learning instruction that qualify completersfor employment and job advancement. • Contributing to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers; • Ensuring that programs and services are economical and accessible to all residents of Tennessee; and • Building relationships of trust with community, business, and industry leaders to supply highly skilled workers in areas of need. Revised: August 21, 2013 Directors’ Meeting; Approved: September 20, 2013,TBR Quarterly Board Meeting; Accepted by TCAT-Crossville PN Program October, 2013, PN Advisory Board Meeting. PUBLIC LAW 93-380 PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT Tennessee College of Applied Technology adheres to the guidelines developed by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regarding theprivacy rights of parents and students. Access to official records is provided tostudents and parents of dependent students as it relates to them, but limits dissemination of personal identifiable information without the student’s consent. POLICY ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Each Tennessee College of Applied Technology is dedicated to the ideals, principles, and policies of Title VI of the civil Rights Act of 1964. Each offers equal opportunity for admission into the educational programs and employment to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age so long as the student has an employment objective and can benefit from the instruction. PHILOSOPHY We Believe that: The practical nurse is an integral practitioner of the health care team whorenders nursing within a legally defined role. Practical Nursing is a vital part of nursing. The practical nurse possesses the basic skills and understanding necessary to safely care for persons in situations relatively free from scientific complexity and to assist the registered nurse, doctor or dentist in more complex situations. Practical Nurse education prepares persons for gainful employment regardless of age, sex, religion, color, race, national origin, or handicap. Practical nursing is a formal, planned program of instruction which preparesthe motivated person to assume his/her own role as a licensed practical nurse, conscious of the need for continued professional growth. This is achieved through the selected learning experiences progressing from the simple to the complex, correlating theory with practice under the guidance of a qualified faculty. The education of practical nurses shall be in an organized approved program with planned learning experiences in a logical sequence. The curriculum shall include both theory and supervised clinical experience that will enable the learners to obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to function within the scope of practical nursing. The broad areas of learning shall include, but not be all inclusive: Vocational relationships, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and diet therapy, nursing principles and skills, basic pharmacology and administration of medicines, medical and surgical nursing, common emergencies, obstetrics and pediatrics, Gerontological nursing, psychiatric nursing and mental health concepts. A local advisory committee will be involved in the practical nursing educationalprogram. Evaluations of the students and the program will be provided. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Based on the philosophy, our goal is to provide a practical nurse educationprogram which will prepare qualified candidates to become competent job entry level practical nurses. Upon successful completion of the course of study the graduate will be ableto: • Recognize the individuality and confidentiality of the patient. • Provide nursing care in a safe and organized manner. • Identify and fulfill the functions of the practical nurse as a member ofthe health care team. • Demonstrate sound technical skills reflecting current nursing standards necessary for a beginning practitioner of practical nursing • Participate in the promotion of health to the individual, the family, andthe community. • Identify the significance of physical, psychosocial, and culturalinfluences on health. • Identify and implement basic scientific principles which form abackground for reporting. • Demonstrate competency in theory and clinical performance, leading toeligibility for graduation and state board examination. • Recognize the need for personal growth and continuingeducation.