La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-933

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024

Section XLVII-933 - Curriculum

A. The curriculum shall include instruction in the following basic arts and sciences.

1. Body Structure and Function- providing an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and deviations from the normal.

2. Introduction to Microbiology- providing a basic understanding of microbes including their role in health and illness, modes of transmission, reproduction, and methods of control or destruction, with an instructional focus on concepts essential for the safe performance of nursing procedures and for the prevention of illness and/or the transfer of disease to others.

3. Introduction to Practical Nursing- providing instruction and guidance in the identification and personal development of those qualities and personal characteristics needed to practice practical nursing safely, effectively, and with compassion, including increased and ongoing development of self awareness, sound judgment, prudence, ethical thinking and behaviors, problem solving and critical thinking abilities. This course also provides instruction in the history, trends and the evolution of practical nursing, information related to practical nursing organizations, and an introduction to the laws and rules governing practical nursing practice in Louisiana (the Revised Statutes, Title 37, Chapter 11, Subpart II, Practical Nurses and LAC 46:XLVII, Nurses, Subpart 1, Practical Nurses).

4. Personal, Family and Community Health- providing concepts of personal and family growth and development and an understanding of the unique manner in which people build and define relationships, families, and communities. Instruction is designed to assist the student to identify and respect the unique abilities and qualities of people as they participate and function in society. The student is made aware of the rights of clients to make their own health care decisions and the student learns how to support client decisions through the utilization of local, state and national health resources. Students are guided in coursework designed to increase awareness of and respect for variations in cultural, religious, spiritual, educational, and socio-economic histories and experiences. The student begins to understand how these variations impact health, illness and client participation in the health care delivery system.

5. Nutrition and Diet Therapy- describing concepts of proper nutrition for all age groups and addressing diet modifications for therapeutic purposes.

6. Pharmacology- presenting concepts relating to drug classification, action, dosage, dosage calculation, intended effects, side effects and adverse effects, as well as concepts relating to teaching clients, family, and others about the effects of medications. Instruction provides an opportunity for the development of competence in skills needed in the preparation, administration, documentation, and safe storage of medications.

7. Principles and Practices of Nursing- presenting the application of concepts which will provide basic principles of nursing care and correlated experiences to develop competency in medical-surgical nursing, geriatric nursing, obstetrical nursing, pediatric nursing and mental health nursing. Clinical experience shall include, but not be limited to, the performance of basic and advanced nursing skills, general health and physical assessment, critical thinking and clinical problem solving, medication administration, IV therapy, patient education, health screening, health promotion, health restoration and maintenance, supervision and management, safety and infection control, communication and documentation, and working as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team.

8. Career Readiness- presenting information relating to all aspects of gaining and maintaining a license to practice practical nursing, the nurse's personal accountability to maintain and continue to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to practice safely, the qualities employers seek and the non-nursing employment skills, abilities, and personal characteristics needed to secure and maintain employment as a practical nurse. The student also develops a deeper understanding of the laws and rules governing practice, including R.S. 37, Chapter 11, Part II and LAC 46:XLVII, Subpart 1.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-933

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, LR 3:196 (April 1977), amended LR 8:65 (February 1982), LR 10:339 (April 1984), LR 10:915 (November 1984), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, LR 18:1127 (October 1992), repromulgated LR 18:1260 (November 1992), amended LR 33:1868 (September 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:969 and 37:976.