Nursing

This course defines the role of the Community Health Worker (CHW). Students will explain strategies for personal safety in relations to home visits. Students will also gain an understanding of value of self-care and personal wellness. Students will also become familiar with the health-related needs of their communities and cultural considerations. Students will learn about their role as a liaison, connecting clients and appropriate community resources.

This course will introduce concepts of verbal and non-verbal communication required for the Community Health Worker (CHW) to effectively interact with clients, their families and healthcare providers of all backgrounds. Students apply skills such as active listening and motivational interviewing. This course also focuses on the CHW's role as a teacher to increase the capability of the community and the client to access the health care and social services systems. Course materials will emphasis empowering clients to become self-sufficient in achieving personal health goals within the role of the CHW.

This course focuses on the legal and ethical dimensions of the Community Health Worker's (CHW) role. Included are boundaries of the CHW position, agency policies, confidentiality, liability, mandatory reporting, and cultural issues that can influence legal and ethical responsibilities. This course also focuses on the importance and ability of the CHW to gather, document and report client visits and other activities. The emphasis is on appropriate, accurate and clear documentation considering legal and agency requirements.

This course focuses on the role of the Community Health Worker (CHW) in health promotion and disease prevention/management including cultural navigation, social determinants of health, connections to resources and supporting clients and families.

Students will complete three different practical experiences (field exploration, field experience, field application). Students will also discuss issues relevant to the career of Community Health Workers in the online classroom. The student is expected to complete a total of 200 hours at their approved internship site.

Human Lactation I, is the first of two lactation courses available at NDSCS. This online course introduces students to the history and science of lactation. It will cover topics such as the anatomy of the breast, production of human milk, milk composition, and nutritional and pharmacological components that affect maternal and infant health. Students will develop assessment techniques as well as communication and counseling skills through assignments utilizing case studies, visual resources and guest presentations. Lactation I will provide students with a foundation of evidence-based knowledge and skills to protect, support and promote breastfeeding across families and communities. The lactation education provided in this course and Lactation II will meet the didactic requirements for individuals who are preparing to sit for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) exam. 
Individuals that are interested in pursuing a career as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant have 5 years to complete the required clinical pathway hours along with the 95 hours of lactation-specific education. Once these requirements are met candidates will be eligible to apply for the certification exam.

Human Lactation 2 is the second of two lactation courses offered at NDSCS. This 3-credit, online semester course provides students with entry-level skills to protect, support and promote lactation care. Building on the foundational content of Human Lactation l, this course addresses more complex and specialized topics, including poor weight gain and growth, breastfeeding challenges for premature or medically complex infants, complications associated with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care, and breastfeeding multiples. Students will also explore ethical considerations in lactation practice, critically evaluate current research, and develop advocacy skills to support policies that protect and promote lactation in public settings and the workplace. Through case studies, visual learning resources and guest speaker's students will strengthen assessment techniques and develop effective communication and counseling skills essential for providing compassionate, evidence-based lactation support. Together, Human Lactation 1 and Human Lactation 2 meet the 95 hours of didactic education required for individuals preparing to sit for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certification exam.

Human Lactation Clinical may be taken in 1-6 credit increments. This clinical experience provides students with practical, hands-on training and is a required component, along with Human Lactation 1 and Human Lactation 2, to meet the 95 hours of didactic education required for individuals preparing to sit for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners 
{IBLCE) certification exam. Human Lactation 1 is a prerequisite for the Human Lactation Clinical experience. 
Building on the foundational content of Human Lactation 1, this clinical experience strengthens the advanced skills required of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants to manage the complex and specialized lactation needs of many families. Clinical experiences may include but is not limited to working with infants experiencing poor weight gain and growth, supporting breastfeeding for premature or medically complex infants, managing complications associated with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit {NICU) care, and assisting families breastfeeding multiples. Students will further develop documentation, communication, and counseling skills while exploring ethical considerations in lactation practice. They will also critically evaluate current research and build advocacy skills to support policies that protect and promote lactation in public settings and the workplace.

The course offers high quality training for those entering the CNA field or using the CNA course as a pathway to a nursing or other Allied Health career. Emphasis is placed on working with clients in the long-term care setting. This course is a blend of both didactic and laboratory instruction. This class focuses on the hands-on skills required of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Topics include such things as: Personal Hygiene and cares, including handwashing, bathing, bedmaking and assisting with ADL's (Activities of Daily Living), body mechanics, including transferring and mobility, measuring vital signs, assist with nutritional intake. This class is presented in a face-to-face and an asynchronous hybrid format. Upon completion of this course both the didactic and the laboratory portion a student is eligible to complete the certified nurse assistant examination which consists of a written test and skills demonstrations. (F, S)

This course is the first in the nursing curriculum. It includes an introduction to trends in nursing today. An emphasis is placed on the role and responsibility of the individual practical nurse as a person in today¿s society and as a professional in the delivery of health care. An introduction to the mission and conceptual framework of the North Dakota State College of Science Nursing Program is included. Nursing principles are taught in the lecture setting. Class discussion begins with basic nursing care and progresses to introduce various disease processes in the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and culturally diverse adult client. Emphasis is placed on the care of the client in the long-term or transitional care setting. Course content will incorporate the nursing process concepts of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Incorporation of the nursing process will aide in student learning to provide safe and effective care within the clinical setting.  Communication techniques, physical assessment, and complex nursing procedures are discussed in lecture, with demonstration/application in the laboratory. The class consists of both scheduled didactic and laboratory sessions to provide students with practical hands-on learning experiences. (F, S)

This clinical course focuses on communication techniques, physical assessment, and complex nursing procedures which are demonstrated, evaluated, and applied in the clinical setting. Nursing process concepts are utilized to provide safe and effective nursing care by helping each client adapt to his/her environment.  Emphasis is placed on the disease process, assessments, and interventions utilizing the nursing process.  Nursing care of the client in the long-term or transitional care setting are the focus of this clinical experience. (F, S)

This course develops the skills necessary to provide basic safety and infection control in a supervised clinical setting. Using the nursing process, data collection skills are used to obtain basic adult health assessment information that is reflected in the client's plan of care. The student will demonstrate written, verbal and therapeutic communication to deliver client-centered care that respects client differences, values, preferences and needs. Corequisites: NURS 115 and NURS 116. (F) (S)

The clinical course will include student experiences within the Mental Health and/or Preventative Community Health clinical setting. The clinical settings will provide students with client-care opportunities with in -patient acute and chronic mental health concerns across the life span. Using the nursing process, opportunities are provided for the student to provide care to culturally diverse individuals with emphasis on stressors that may interrupt the physiological and psychosocial integrity of individuals and families. The student will utilize teaching/learning principles to promote health promotion and disease prevention for clients/families and communities. Corequisites: NURS117, NURS 201, NURS 202 and NURS 203. {F)

This course builds on prior learning to gain knowledge of disease processes of the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and culturally diverse adult client. It prepares the student to recognize the symptomatology of major disease processes and changes in the health status of the client within their environment. It will provide knowledge in the methodology of diagnostic testing, medical-surgical interventions along with aspects of nutritional and pharmacological roles in the delivery of nursing care to the client. The emphasis will be placed on nursing care and utilizing the nursing process. Assessment will follow the system utilizing Maslow¿s Hierarchy of Needs and Erickson¿s Developmental Stages to determine plan of care. Application of the teaching-learning process will be emphasized. Problem-solving skills will be utilized in the identification of environmental risks in planning care of the adult client. Using the nursing process as a framework, students explore the collaborative role of the nurse with the adult client, families, and other members of the health care delivery system. (F)

This course provides supervised clinical experience in which the student applies theories in the care of the biopsychosocial, spiritual and culturally diverse maternal, pediatric and adult clients at various developmental levels. The student will utilize nursing process concepts in providing holistic care to the acutely and chronically ill stable patient/client. Students assess developmental and biopsychosocial, spiritual and culturally diverse needs of the clients and family on the health/illness continuum to assist the client in setting goals to adapt to their environment and plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care to meet those goals under the direction of the registered nurse. The student will apply the teaching/learning process in the education of the client and family. Emphasis is placed on the role and responsibility of the practical nurse in the acute care settings including medical surgical nursing, pediatric and maternal nursing. This clinical will also include a leadership rotation at the end of the program. (F)

This course will build on prior learning to gain knowledge of nursing care in specialty nursing areas such as mental health, pediatrics and the childbearing family. Various concepts of the nursing process will be utilized to facilitate the patient¿s/client¿s adaptation.  Assessment will follow the systems approach utilizing developmental stages to determine the nursing care of the biopsychosocial spiritual, culturally diverse patient/ client and family within the health-illness continuum. The teaching-learning process will be utilized to provide the patient/client with the knowledge to prevent, maintain, and restore health status to assist them attain a safe, and therapeutic environment. Using the nursing process concepts as a framework, the students explore the collaborative role of nursing with the client, family and other members of the health care delivery system. (F)

Concepts that continue to build on evidence-based clinical judgement and skills in clinical management for the level and scope of registered nursing practice are included in the course curriculum. The course will provide a continuation of biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences, including disease process concepts in the health illness continuum. Nutrition and pharmacology are included to plan, implement and evaluate the delivery of complex client-centered care that supports client differences, values and preferences. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first two semesters of the Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a "C" in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum or successful admission to the LPN to RN ASN program. Corequisites: NURS 202 and NURS 203 or NURS 262. (F)

This course allows the student to use the nursing process to assess, plan, manage and evaluate the provision of professional nursing care including the acute, unstable client in multiple settings. It places emphasis on the use of critical reasoning and skills necessary to collect and interpret data, and use knowledge synthesized from the bio-psychosocial and physiological sciences to evaluate nursing care. Students will explore the interdisciplinary, collaborative role of the nurse to demonstrate technical and interpersonal skills in the management of health promotion and maintenance for the individual and families. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first two semesters of the Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a "C" in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum or successful admission to the LPN to RN ASN program. Corequisites: NURS 201 and NURS 203 or NURS 262. (F)

This course focuses on the role and scope of practice of the registered nurse in the care of childbearing families and the developing child. Content and learning objectives are designed to utilize critical reasoning and skills necessary to collect and interpret data, use knowledge synthesized from psychosocial and physiological sciences to evaluate nursing care. The student will explore the nurse¿s responsibilities in the provisions of holistic, safe, competent nursing care for the child bearing process and selected study of diseases/disorders affecting women, children and families. Students will explore the inter-disciplinary, collaborative role of the nurse to demonstrate technical and interpersonal skills in the management of health promotion and maintenance of culturally diverse clients including women, infants and children. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first three semesters of the Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a ¿C¿ in each course that applies the nursing curriculum. Corequisites: NURS 205, NURS 206, NURS 207 and NURS 208. (S)

This course focuses on the care of culturally diverse individuals and families experiencing life-threatening, critical events. Advanced medical-surgical concepts and skills will be presented to care for the critical, unstable client in multiple acute care settings. Ethical concepts will be explored in relation to critical events and end of life care. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first three semesters of the Associate in Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a "C" in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum or satisfactory completion of the first semester of the Associate in Science in Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a ¿C¿ in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum. Corequisites: NURS 204, NURS 206, NURS 207 or NURS 263. (S)

This clinical course provides students opportunities to deliver evidence-based care, including application of evidence-based practice in managing acute clinical problems for clients experiencing life-threatening, critical events. The student functions effectively as an interdisciplinary team member exercising goal-setting strategies and problem-solving techniques in the application and management of care that respects client differences, values, preferences and expressed needs, based on scientific evidence. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first three semesters of the Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a "C" in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum or the first semester of the Associate in Science in Nursing curriculum with a minimum of ¿C¿ in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum. Corequisites: NURS 204, NURS 205, NURS 207 or NURS 263. (S)

Comprised of lecture and clinical practice, this course is designed to assist students to develop and apply the knowledge and skills essential to lead and manage nursing care in a dynamic health care system. Areas presented and explored will include leading and managing concepts; including interdisciplinary teamwork and delegation and supervision of other members of the health care team, evidence-based practice, quality improvement processes, initiation and management of change, budget and resource allocation and professional preparedness and responsibility. The student will collaborate using critical reasoning to make informed nursing clinical judgments, effectively define problems, gather and evaluate information, and determine measures to provide optimal health for clients. A preceptorship clinical experience will be assigned by the student's advisor in collaboration with the student in a health care facility. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the first three semesters of the Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing curriculum with a minimum of a "C" in each course that applies to the nursing curriculum. Corequisites: NURS 204, NURS 205, NURS 206 and NURS 208. (S)

An introduction to drug legislation, sources, forms, major classifications, actions, side effects and nursing assessments and nursing interventions of selected medications. It prepares the student to begin a systematic and continuing study of drug therapy associated with common health problems and provides necessary information for safe administration of medications to the biopsychosocial, spiritual and culturally diverse client.(F, S)

This course is an introduction to the leadership responsibilities of the practical nurse in the long-term care setting and/or clinic.  The concepts necessary for effective management are presented in lecture and applied in the various clinical settings. Student learning is facilitated through assignments related to leadership concepts. F,S

Designed for an LPN to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to perform selected components in the management of intravenous therapy (IV). This course will discuss the application of advanced IV therapy including types of IV devices, various types of IV therapy, complications of IV therapy, venipuncture techniques along with safe administration  of intravenous fluids and medications. The course meets the requirements for the North Dakota Board of Nursing IV therapy rules and regulations for the LPN. Course will consist of 30 hours of theory and 4 hours supervised lab/clinical experience. Attendance is mandatory to complete the class. (F, S, Su)

This course focuses on the application and integration of nursing concepts, assessment skills, and interventions necessary to provide safe and effective holistic nursing care. Internships will occur in a variety of settings with a focus on clinical decision-making and the development of the professional nursing role. Internships will occur with a nurse preceptor in a variety of clinical settings. Students enrolled in this course must be participating in a nurse internship with a qualified healthcare facility. (F, S, Su)

This course is designed for the student who has already successfully completed a basic nutrition course at another college, but still needs to have the introduction to diet therapy component that NDSCS includes in Nutr 240. Therefore, this one credit course is the final credit of Nutr 240 at NDSCS, which is chapters 16-25 in the current textbook.

This course introduces the field of Surgical Technology. Topics include surgical team members and roles, related healthcare facility departments and agencies, professional management, physical environment, equipment, and needs of the patient. In addition, legal, ethical, and moral issues and risk management will be covered.

This course will introduce the classification and use of surgical instruments and basic surgical supplies. The process of decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization of instruments will also be covered.

This laboratory course provides hands-on practice in the identification, classification, and safe handling of surgical instruments and basic surgical supplies. Students will apply foundational principles of instrument setup, inspection, and care.

This introductory clinical course provides students with foundational experience in the perioperative environment. Under direct supervision, students begin applying basic surgical technology skills in affiliated healthcare facilities. Emphasis is placed on sterile technique, instrumentation identification, patient safety, and teamwork within the surgical team. Students observe and assist in routine procedures while developing confidence and professionalism.

Introduces knowledge and techniques essential to the surgical technologist in preparation of the patient for surgical procedures. Emphasizes asepsis and sterile technique, surgical attire, scrubbing, gowning and gloving self and others, creating a sterile field, counting, specimen care and handling, and wound management, including sutures. Basic surgical supplies, dressings, drains/catheters, and syringes and needles will be reviewed.

This course discusses related anatomy and procedures about minimally invasive applications, general, obstetric/gynecologic, otorhinolaryngologic, oral/maxillofacial, plastic/reconstructive, genitourinary, orthopedic, cardiothoracic, peripheral vascular, neurologic, and ophthalmic surgeries. In addition, the related pathophysiology to surgical interventions will be discussed.

This intermediate clinical course builds on skills acquired in Clinical Practice I. Students participate more actively in surgical procedures, demonstrating proficiency in preparing the sterile field, passing instruments, and anticipating the needs of the surgical team. Exposure to a variety of surgical specialties enhances students' adaptability and clinical judgment. Emphasis is placed on refining technical skills, maintaining aseptic technique, and improving communication in the operating room.

Provides an overview of topics that include anesthesia, pharmacology and PACU. In addition, Disaster Preparedness and Response will be reviewed.

This advanced clinical course prepares students for entry-level employment as surgical technologists. Students function as integral members of the surgical team, demonstrating independence and competence in all phases of perioperative care. Clinical rotations include complex procedures across multiple specialties. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, efficiency, and professional behavior. Students are evaluated on readiness for certification and employment.

This course serves as a comprehensive review to prepare the student for the national certification exam by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Upon passing the exam, the student will earn the credentials of Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C).