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PRE-NURSING

101:

A WORKSHOP ON HOW TO SURVIVE PRE-REQUISITE COURSES

Presented by, Jennifer Draper, Advisor Student Success Center

OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP


This workshop will provide information on the importance of pre-requisites and their relevance in Nursing school and in the Nursing profession.

DEFINITION OF PREREQUISITES
Prerequisite, is a course that is required prior to taking an advanced course.

Before being admitted to a nursing program, students are usually required to take a series of prerequisites that can include biology, chemistry, anatomy, mathematics and English classes. Prerequisites give prospective nursing students a strong foundation in the life sciences. It also allows students the chance to decide if they are suited to the nursing profession before they apply for admission to the degree program. Prerequisites are meant to prepare you for the rigors of nursing school. The grades that you get in them will help determine whether you're accepted to an RN program.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSE

Provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members.

Record patients' medical histories and symptoms,


Starting, maintaining, and discontinuing intravenous (IV) lines for fluid, medication, blood, and blood products Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions. Consulting with physicians and other healthcare clinicians. Some RNs provide direction to licensed practical nurses and nursing aides regarding patient care

REQUIRED NURSING PREREQUISITE COURSES


According to The Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program the following courses are required as a part of your admission criteria.

College Composition I Mathematics for Allied Health Health Science I: Anatomy & Physiology I

Health Science II: Anatomy & Physiology II


College Success Skills

Developmental Psychology
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Introduction to Computer Applications Principles of Sociology

ENGLISH COMMUNICATION

An introductory writing course is usually required to develop written communication skills because writing is a key component in many nursing courses. The benefits of enhanced critical reading and writing abilities also transfer into other coursework, both in general education and in nursing, both theoretical and clinical. The goals of the course include changing the way students read and write, making them more critical, deliberative, and self-aware in both activities, and fostering confidence in their ability to tackle complex texts and ideas and to write masterfully. All of this should equip them to be more effective advocates for and teachers of their patients and to be respected professionals positively influencing patients, the public and the healing professions. The critical thinking skills and the enhanced powers of expression gained by wrestling with complex texts and by having to write clearly and carefully.

The curriculum is designed to provide a solid intellectual training for nursing school and to provide the foundation for lifelong learning.

MATHEMATICS FOR ALLIED HEALTH

Students obtaining their nursing degree are required to be proficient in math to ensure safe administration of medications and intravenous fluids to patients.

All medical dosages require several different mathematical calculations and can include using basic math, fractions, ratios and several different measurement systems. These calculations are used by nurses on a daily basis.
In nursing school, a student nurse typically encounters math tests in fundamentals of nursing and some other courses. Knowing how to solve nursing-based math problems is important for various reasons, with the most important being patient safety.

COMMON SCENARIOS WHEN NURSES USE MATH

Injectable or oral dosages: are commonly administered through a syringe in fluid or liquid, and are also typically calculated in milligrams or milliliters. Intravenous Dosages and Fluids: are administered electronically or manually in patients. These require calculating flow rates, duration, drip rates, and volume of dosage. Patients are sometimes prescribed intravenous fluids, which must be administered by a nurse. In the absence of an infusion pump, the nurse must be able to calculate the flow rate for the fluids and set the flow rate accordingly. Pediatric Medication: Children receive medication based on how much they weigh. Because of this, a nurse must know how to calculate the amount of medication Prescription Order: Medication prescriptions are written in a particular order. Nursing math problems expose the nursing student to this format, so that he/she can read and interpret prescriptions correctly. Conversions: Medication may be prescribed in one unit of measure and be available in another unit of measure. The nurse should be able to convert measurements from one form to another in order to give the medication at the right dosage.

HEALTH SCIENCE I & II: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I & II

In this course series you can expect to learn essential principles such as function of all body systems, to include the muscular, cardiovascular, circulatory and nervous systems. Other topics are cell chemistry, tissue studies and body regulation processes, like metabolism.
The Anatomy Portion: Covers the basics of human anatomy, and the bodys other major life-sustaining systems. The Physiology Portion: Covers further into the body, and studies how each part works. The course focuses on small details such as how a nerve receives an impulse from a sensory organ. This course is important when studying pathophysiology topics in nursing school in which you will learn how the human body reacts to different types of disease, what medications are needed to treat disease, and how the body heals from disease.

Anatomy and physiology courses may be fun and interesting to learn, but they are also necessary for a student interested in a career in the health field especially nursing.

COLLEGE SUCCESS SKILLS


Through this course, students

Learn about the University Develop strategies that enhance important skills such as critical thinking, writing, test-taking, career exploration, and time management Understand faculty expectations for the classroom, various learning and teaching styles, and University policies and procedures pertaining to students Build collaborative learning skills and form a strong peer network by participating in group discussions, presentations, and activities designed to foster greater self-confidence, academic success, appreciation of diversity, civility, and retention

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

This unit of study introduces the student to human behavior and development across the lifespan and provides a basis for understanding psychological concepts relevant to nursing practice.
Lifespan development assumes the human organism is in a state of constant development: psychological, social and biologically, and that understanding development within each of these realms can enable an educated response to challenges that arise across the lifespan. The major theories of human development are covered and the practical implications of those theories for working with people at different stages of life are discussed. There is a strong emphasis on the critical thinking skills required to evaluate and utilize developmental theories and perspectives.

HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE

The aim of these courses is to provide perspectives and intellectual skills necessary to comprehend and think critically about our situation in the world as human beings.

In particular, the courses provide the basic means to appreciate and evaluate the ongoing efforts of humans to explain, translate, and transform their diverse experiences of the world through such media as language, literature, philosophical systems, images, sounds, and performances. These courses introduce students to the historical development and fundamental intellectual and ethical issues associated with the arts and humanities and may also investigate the complex relations between artistic and humanistic expression and other facets of society and culture.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS


Computers are everywhere in healthcare.

In most hospitals today, nurses, and other clinicians use a computer to record patient information they have collected in the course of providing care. Nurses must also know how to interpret the electronic health record (EHR) or electronic medication record (EMR) use the computer to find the information they need to evaluate the patients health status and needs, review orders and diagnostic results, scan the findings and determine what care to provide. In your ITE 115 course you will cover computer concepts and internet skills and uses a software suite which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to demonstrate skills required for computer literacy

BIOLOGY
Why is Biology Important in Nursing?

Biology is the foundation for life Nurses must learn to make the connection between biology to understand disease so that they can learn to protect the lives of their patients.

disease, illnesses, and the human body to restore the balance in the body so that patients can regain their good health and independence.

Nurses usually require that patients complete a survey on their medical history that includes information about their family history as well. They must first identify genetic factors that may affect their patients to provide effective patient care.

They also use biology to determine the course of disease and illnesses in the future.
It is the responsibility of nursing professionals to determine what changes they need to make to the patients care plan to ensure that these patients receive the proper care needed.

CHEMISTRY
Why is Chemistry Important in Nursing?

Nurses use chemistry on the job to understand the science behind the many processes that happen in the human body. Nurses use chemistry to understand the processes that take place at the cellular level. For example, nurses need to know how oxygen travels from the lungs to the locations where it is needed so that they can determine treatments for patients.

Another example of how nurses use chemistry takes place when they must determine the bloods pH to determine if it is basic or acidic before determining a course of treatment. In certain situations, a single chemical may not be enough for patient treatment so nurses must know how to mix various solutions and compounds to help the patient remain healthy and alive.

Nurses use chemistry to help them understand various solutions, properties, and compounds and the useful advantages of using them to care for their patients.

HOW TO SURVIVE PREREQUISITE COURSES???

Acknowledge It takes an incredible amount of time and dedication to become a Nurse. It will not always be easy but well but with your hard work and determination the rewards of helping people will be worth it.

Realistic Be realistic with making your course schedule. Do not register for too many courses if you have other commitments such as job, family or church ect. Remember: Please consider all other obligations when enrolling in courses, proper time management is important to being successful in your classes.

HOW TO SURVIVE PREREQUISITE COURSES???

Planning and Organizing Utilize the syllabus, and course calendar and get organized. You cant pass a test, if you dont know when its scheduled. Use binders and color coded notes to sort your information. Dedicate at least TWO to FOUR HOURS PER HOUR IN CLASS

to study. See example:


ENG 111 3 credit hours X 3 = 6 hours per week study time

BIO 141 4 credit hours


ITE 115 3 credit hour

X 4 = 16 hours per week study time


X 3 = 6 hours per week study time

SDV 100 1 credit hour X 2 = 2 hour per week study time Total Study Time Per Week = 30 hours per week

Ask for help early Utilize tutoring services, meet with faculty during their office hours, and schedule appointment with your advisor to ensure you are on track to apply to the ADN program.

IN ORDER TO SUCCEED,
WE MUST FIRST BELIEVE THAT WE CAN.

YOUR FUTURE

IN NURSING STARTS NOW!!

QUESTIONS

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