Course Descriptions

NRA 101 - Nursing Assistant

2 Credits, 2 Contact Hours
2 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to nursing assisting. Includes body systems and common diseases, basic nursing assisting skills, providing client care, providing restorative care, providing long-term care, home health care, and certification requirements.

Prerequisite(s): Within the last two years: REA 091  with a C or better or an appropriate score on the College Reading Assessment test.
Corequisite(s): NRA 101LC , NRA 101LS  
Information: Students must obtain consent from the Nursing Department before enrolling in this course.
  

1. Demonstrate the ability to function as a member of the health team within the health care facility and/or community.
2. Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior that maintains resident’s rights.
3. Assist in identifying the mental health and social service needs of residents.
4. Demonstrates effective communication.
5. Maintain a safe environment for the resident and others.
6. Demonstrate general principles of infection control.
7. Provide basic emergency care.
8. Apply the principles of basic nutrition to resident care.
9. Provide the resident with personal care and grooming.
10. Measure vital signs.
11. Demonstrate safe transfers, positioning, and turning of residents using effective body mechanics.
12. Care for cognitively impaired residents.
13. Identify the function, structure and common health problems and normal aging changes of each body system.
14. Provide for comfort and rest.
15. Assist with diagnostic tests.
16. Provide care for the peri-operative resident and/or resident with special needs.
17. Assist in the admission/transfer/discharge of the resident.
18. Provide care for residents and family when death is imminent.

1. Introduction to Nursing Assisting
   1. Introduction to nursing assisting
   2. Legal considerations
   3. Ethical considerations
   4. Introduction to the patient/resident’s bill of rights
   5. Infection control
   6. Introduction to communication skills
   7. Introduction of proper body mechanics
   8. Introduction to safety in the nursing facility 
2. Body Systems and Common Diseases
   1. Overview
   2. The skin
   3. The skeletal system
   4. The muscular system
   5. The nervous system
   6. The circulatory system
   7. The respiratory system
   8. The digestive system
   9. The urinary system
   10. The reproductive system
   11. The endocrine system
   12. The sensory system
3. Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
   1. Introduction to taking vital signs
   2. Obtaining height and weight measurements
   3. Assisting in the admission and discharge of a patient/resident
   4. Observation
   5. Procedure for making beds and keeping patient/resident area safe
   6. Positioning the patient/resident
4. Providing Client Care
   1. Maintaining patient/resident independence, dignity and self respect
   2. Maintaining hygiene
   3. Introduction to care of a pressure ulcer
   4. Assisting the patient/resident with dressing
   5. Introduction to nutrition
   6. Introduction to elimination
   7. Caring for the terminally ill
   8. Assisting with peri-operative care
   9. Providing post-mortem care

V.   Providing Restorative Care

      A.  Introduction to principles of rehabilitation

      B.  The musculoskeletal system

      C.  Complications of immobility

      D.  Proper use and application of protective/restraining devices

      E.  Activities of daily living and restorative activities

      F.  Proper use and care of other assistive devices

      G.  Proper use and application of hot and cold compresses, bandages and binders

VI. Providing Long-Term Care

1. Review of body systems
2. Psychosocial needs of the resident
3. Caring for the confused resident
4. Introduction to disease associated with the elderly
5. Care of the resident with seizures

VII. Home Health Care

1. Introduction to home health nursing
2. Legal and ethical issues
3. Promoting independence of the home care client
4. Introduction to family care

VIII. Care Preparation/Certification Requirements

1. Applying for and interviewing for a job
2. Work ethics
3. Certification information
4. Career ladders and goals

NRA 101LC - Nursing Assistant Clinical

1 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
0 lecture periods 3 lab periods

Clinical Lab for NRA 101 .

Prerequisite(s): Within the last two years: REA 091  with a C or better or an appropriate score on the College Reading Assessment test.
Corequisite(s): NRA 101 , NRA 101LS  
  

1. Demonstrate the ability to function as a member of the health team within the health care facility and/or community.
2. Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior that maintains resident’s rights.
3. Assist in identifying the mental health and social service needs of residents.
4. Demonstrates effective communication.
5. Maintain a safe environment for the resident and others.
6. Demonstrate general principles of infection control.
7. Provide basic emergency care.
8. Apply the principles of basic nutrition to resident care.
9. Provide the resident with personal care and grooming.
10. Measure vital signs.
11. Demonstrate safe transfers, positioning, and turning of residents using effective body mechanics.
12. Care for cognitively impaired residents.
13. Identify the function, structure and common health problems and normal aging changes of each body system.
14. Provide for comfort and rest.
15. Assist with diagnostic tests.
16. Provide care for the peri-operative resident and/or resident with special needs.
17. Assist in the admission/transfer/discharge of the resident.
18. Provide care for residents and family when death is imminent.

1. Introduction to Nursing Assisting
   1. Introduction to nursing assisting
   2. Legal considerations
   3. Ethical considerations
   4. Introduction to the patient/resident’s bill of rights
   5. Infection control
   6. Introduction to communication skills
   7. Introduction of proper body mechanics
   8. Introduction to safety in the nursing facility 
2. Body Systems and Common Diseases
   1. Overview
   2. The skin
   3. The skeletal system
   4. The muscular system
   5. The nervous system
   6. The circulatory system
   7. The respiratory system
   8. The digestive system
   9. The urinary system
   10. The reproductive system
   11. The endocrine system
   12. The sensory system
3. Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
   1. Introduction to taking vital signs
   2. Obtaining height and weight measurements
   3. Assisting in the admission and discharge of a patient/resident
   4. Observation
   5. Procedure for making beds and keeping patient/resident area safe
   6. Positioning the patient/resident
4. Providing Client Care
   1. Maintaining patient/resident independence, dignity and self respect
   2. Maintaining hygiene
   3. Introduction to care of a pressure ulcer
   4. Assisting the patient/resident with dressing
   5. Introduction to nutrition
   6. Introduction to elimination
   7. Caring for the terminally ill
   8. Assisting with peri-operative care
   9. Providing post-mortem care

V.   Providing Restorative Care

      A.  Introduction to principles of rehabilitation

      B.  The musculoskeletal system

      C.  Complications of immobility

      D.  Proper use and application of protective/restraining devices

      E.  Activities of daily living and restorative activities

      F.  Proper use and care of other assistive devices

      G.  Proper use and application of hot and cold compresses, bandages and binders

VI. Providing Long-Term Care

1. Review of body systems
2. Psychosocial needs of the resident
3. Caring for the confused resident
4. Introduction to disease associated with the elderly
5. Care of the resident with seizures

VII. Home Health Care

1. Introduction to home health nursing
2. Legal and ethical issues
3. Promoting independence of the home care client
4. Introduction to family care

VIII. Care Preparation/Certification Requirements

1. Applying for and interviewing for a job
2. Work ethics
3. Certification information
4. Career ladders and goals

NRA 101LS - Nursing Assistant Skills

1 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
0 lecture periods 3 lab periods

Skills Lab for NRA 101 .

Prerequisite(s): Within the last two years: REA 091  with a C or better or an appropriate score on the College Reading Assessment test.
Corequisite(s): NRA 101 , NRA 101LC  
  

1. Demonstrate the ability to function as a member of the health team within the health care facility and/or community.
2. Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior that maintains resident’s rights.
3. Assist in identifying the mental health and social service needs of residents.
4. Demonstrates effective communication.
5. Maintain a safe environment for the resident and others.
6. Demonstrate general principles of infection control.
7. Provide basic emergency care.
8. Apply the principles of basic nutrition to resident care.
9. Provide the resident with personal care and grooming.
10. Measure vital signs.
11. Demonstrate safe transfers, positioning, and turning of residents using effective body mechanics.
12. Care for cognitively impaired residents.
13. Identify the function, structure and common health problems and normal aging changes of each body system.
14. Provide for comfort and rest.
15. Assist with diagnostic tests.
16. Provide care for the peri-operative resident and/or resident with special needs.
17. Assist in the admission/transfer/discharge of the resident.
18. Provide care for residents and family when death is imminent.

1. Introduction to Nursing Assisting
   1. Introduction to nursing assisting
   2. Legal considerations
   3. Ethical considerations
   4. Introduction to the patient/resident’s bill of rights
   5. Infection control
   6. Introduction to communication skills
   7. Introduction of proper body mechanics
   8. Introduction to safety in the nursing facility 
2. Body Systems and Common Diseases
   1. Overview
   2. The skin
   3. The skeletal system
   4. The muscular system
   5. The nervous system
   6. The circulatory system
   7. The respiratory system
   8. The digestive system
   9. The urinary system
   10. The reproductive system
   11. The endocrine system
   12. The sensory system
3. Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
   1. Introduction to taking vital signs
   2. Obtaining height and weight measurements
   3. Assisting in the admission and discharge of a patient/resident
   4. Observation
   5. Procedure for making beds and keeping patient/resident area safe
   6. Positioning the patient/resident
4. Providing Client Care
   1. Maintaining patient/resident independence, dignity and self respect
   2. Maintaining hygiene
   3. Introduction to care of a pressure ulcer
   4. Assisting the patient/resident with dressing
   5. Introduction to nutrition
   6. Introduction to elimination
   7. Caring for the terminally ill
   8. Assisting with peri-operative care
   9. Providing post-mortem care

V.   Providing Restorative Care

      A.  Introduction to principles of rehabilitation

      B.  The musculoskeletal system

      C.  Complications of immobility

      D.  Proper use and application of protective/restraining devices

      E.  Activities of daily living and restorative activities

      F.  Proper use and care of other assistive devices

      G.  Proper use and application of hot and cold compresses, bandages and binders

VI. Providing Long-Term Care

1. Review of body systems
2. Psychosocial needs of the resident
3. Caring for the confused resident
4. Introduction to disease associated with the elderly
5. Care of the resident with seizures

VII. Home Health Care

1. Introduction to home health nursing
2. Legal and ethical issues
3. Promoting independence of the home care client
4. Introduction to family care

VIII. Care Preparation/Certification Requirements

1. Applying for and interviewing for a job
2. Work ethics
3. Certification information
4. Career ladders and goals

NRA 104 - Caregiver

3.75 Credits, 4.5 Contact Hours
3.5 1

Introduction to caregiving. Includes body systems and common diseases, basic caregiving skills, providing client care, home care, providing restorative care, home health care food prep, and certification requirements.

Prerequisite(s): WritePlacer 4; Reading 227; Arithmetic 200
Information: This is a lecture and laboratory training course combined. The student must meet specific clinical requirements for safety. This is a requirement of the healthcare industry. Students must have their American Heart Association CPR and First Aid certification; as well as a Food Handler certification to apply.
 

1. Define and describe what a caregiver is and the different types
2. Discuss the legality of Caregiving.
3. Demonstrate understanding of communication with patient, family and healthcare personnel
4. Discuss caring for patient at home including food prep & storage, meal planning, home maintenance
5. Discussing patient care including emergency care and care for the Alzheimer’s Patient 

1. Introduction to Foundation of Caregiving
   1. Introduction to caregiving
   2. Legal consideration
      1. HIPAA
      2. Patient Rights
      3. Mandatory reporting
   3. Ethical considerations
   4. Infection control
   5. Introduction to communication skills
      1. Components of effective communication
      2. Styles and techniques of communication
      3. Barriers in effective communication
         1.  Culture
         2.        Language
         3.         Physical and mental disabilities
2. Introduction of proper body mechanics
3. Service plans. Developing, using,and maintaining resident service plans
4. Infection Control
   1. Common types of infectious diseases
   2. Preventing infections
   3. Controlling infection
5. Nutrition and food preparation
   1. Basic Nutrition
   2. Menu planning and posting
   3. Procuring, handling and storing food safety
   4. Special diet      
6. Providing Restorative Care
   1. Introduction to principles of rehabilitation
   2. The musculoskeletal system
   3. Complications of immobility
   4. Proper use and application of protective/restraining devices
   5. Activities of daily living and restorative activities
   6. Proper use and care of other assistive devices
   7. Proper use and application of hot and cold compresses, bandages and binders
7. Providing Assisted Living Care and Home Care
   1. Review of body systems
   2. Psychosocial needs of the resident
   3. Caring for the confused resident
   4. Introduction to disease associated with the elderly
   5. Care of the resident with seizures
8. Fire, safety, and emergency procedures
   1. Emergency planning
   2. Medical emergencies
9. Care of the cognitively impaired resident

1. anticipating and addressing the needs and behaviors of residents with dementia and ‘
2. Alzheimer’s
3. B. Understanding the developmental tasks associated with aging process     

1. Medication management

1. Determining whether a resident needs assistance with medication administration
2. Assisting a resident to self-administer medication
3. Observing, documenting and reporting changes in resident condition before and after medication is administered
4. Knowing the five rights of medication administration

1. Care Preparation/Certification Requirements

1. Applying for and interviewing for a job
2. Work ethics
3. Certification information
4. Career ladders and goals