Nursing

NURS 151: Body Systems Survey for Health Professions

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours. (1230.20)

This basic anatomy and physiology course is intended for students who are preparing for a career in health professions. The content is presented from simple to complex, beginning with cellular functioning and progressing through the various organ systems. Students learn how an organ is anatomically designed to perform a specific physiological task and how each organ system plays a role in maintaining homeostasis.

NURS 155: Basic Medical Terminology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours. (1230.20)

A study of the origin, correct spelling, pronunciation, meaning, and correct usage of common medical terms and their application to clinical records and reports. Emphasis is on the roots, prefixes, suffixes, medical abbreviations, symbols, and terms commonly used in medical records.

NURS 160: Certified Nursing Assistant

Units: 6.5
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 100; American Heart Association HealthCare Provider CPR Card (Valid SSN, MCC Physical and TB clearance must be submitted on the first day of class).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4 hours, laboratory 7.50 hours. (1230.30)

This course covers basic nursing skills, including fundamentals of nursing, nutrition, gerontology, and home nursing. It is a prerequisite for MiraCosta's Licensed Vocational Nursing program and has been approved by the State of California Public Health Department for the Certified Nursing Assistant certification. Upon successful completion of the course, students may seek employment in long-term and skilled nursing facilities, acute care, and in-home care.

NURS 163: Home Health Aide

Units: 2
Prerequisites: Current California Certified Nursing Assistant certificate; and current physical and TB test (done within a year) on MiraCosta physical form; and current American Heart Association Basic Healthcare Provider CPR card.
Lecture 1.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1230.80)

This 48-hour course is designed for the certified nursing assistant to meet the state requirement of 40 hours to obtain a Home Health Aide Certificate. Topics include the role of the home health aide, federal and state requirements for the home health aide, interpretation of medical and social needs of people being served, personal care services, nutrition and cleaning, and care tasks in the home.

NURS 166: American Medical Corps Transition to Vocational Nurse

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces American Military Medical Corps members to therapeutic communication, medical/surgical nursing, basic nursing skills, basic pharmacology, and the nursing process. Topics include adult growth and development, gerontology, obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, and hematology. The course integrates related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and psychosocial considerations of patients with their respective units.

NURS 170: Licensed Vocational Nursing I

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 160 or a current California CNA license; and PHAR 100; and NURS 151 or BIO 210 or BIO 220; and admission to the LVN program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course will introduce the beginning vocational nursing student to therapeutic communication, the nursing profession, basic nursing skills, basic pharmacology, and the nursing process.

NURS 171: Licensed Vocational Nursing II

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 170.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces the vocational nursing student to nutrition, medication administration, gerontology, adult growth and development, the diabetic patient, and the integumentary system. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial, and nutrition considerations of the patients will be integrated with each unit.

NURS 172: Licensed Vocational Nursing III

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 171.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces the vocational nursing student to peri-operative and medical-surgical nursing, the genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems and communicable diseases. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, psycho-social, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations of the above patients will be integrated with each unit.

NURS 173: Licensed Vocational Nursing IV

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 172.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces the vocational nursing student to the nursing care of the neurological, endocrine, oncology, orthopedic, and rehabilitation patient as well as the patient with a hematological and lymphatic disease. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, psycho-social, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations of the above patients will be integrated with each unit.

NURS 180: Fundamentals of Nursing

Units: 4
Prerequisites: BIO 210; BIO 220; BIO 230; ENGL 100; and admission to the RN program (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1230.10)

This entry-level nursing course introduces students to the core concepts, principles, and clinical skills common to all areas and levels of the nursing practice. It integrates nursing knowledge and skill, care attributes, and ethical conduct to present the nursing process as foundational to the nursing practice. Course content emphasizes the delivery of nursing care based on a hierarchy of universal human needs and the relationship between need fulfillment and patient integrity. This course provides the platform upon which all subsequent nursing courses build. Its integration of clinical experiences may include acute, long-term, and perioperative/ambulatory care settings as well as college nursing laboratory simulations. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 181: Medical Surgical Nursing I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: NURS 180 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1230.10)

This course introduces the basic concepts required to care for adult patients with stable and/or less complex medical-surgical health problems, and it emphasizes problems experienced by older adults. The course stresses management of unmet needs and the nursing process as organizing frameworks for providing nursing care. Clinical simulations and experiences provide students opportunities to integrate and apply theoretical concepts and clinical skills in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing lab settings. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 182: Maternal-Child Nursing

Units: 5
Prerequisites: NURS 181 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1230.10)

This course relates the nursing process to the needs of maternity and pediatric patients and their families. Students adapt previously learned skills and knowledge to the observation and direct care of normal- and high-risk populations. They apply theory, simulations, and clinical experiences to the clinical practice, decision making, and prioritization of care that are unique to these specialties. The integration of students' clinical experiences may include acute, chronic, long-term, and clinic/ambulatory care settings as well as college nursing skills laboratory simulations. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 183: Medical Surgical Nursing II

Units: 4
Prerequisites: NURS 181 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1230.10)

This course continues the study of caring for adult patients with unmet medical needs. It emphasizes perioperative health care needs across the adult life span and respective nursing interventions. Students build on skills gained from the previous semester in the application of the nursing process. Clinical simulations and experiences provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts, improve clinical judgment, and broaden clinical skills in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing lab care settings. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 274: Licensed Vocational Nursing V

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 173.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces the advanced vocational nursing student to the nursing care of patients with circulatory and respiratory diseases and disorders, as well as home health/hospice and leadership. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychosocial, and nutrition considerations of the above patients will be integrated with each unit. Leadership, supervision skills, and interpersonal relationships are also included.

NURS 275: Licensed Vocational Nursing VI

Units: 7.5
Prerequisites: NURS 274.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4.50 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces the advanced vocational nursing student to the nursing care of obstetric, gynecologic, pediatric, and mentally ill patients, as well as growth and development of the child and adolescent. The related anatomy, pathophysiology, psycho-social, pharmacology, and nutrition considerations of the above patients will be integrated with each unit. Professional adjustment is included to prepare the nursing student for employment.

NURS 280: Transition from LVN to RN

Units: 2
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the LVN to RN program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours. (1230.00)

This course facilitates the transition of the LVN student into the RN curriculum. It introduces the philosophy and conceptual framework of the program and the roles of the registered nurse. The course content focuses on competencies expected of the graduate ADN (Associate Degree Nurse), critical thinking skills, role development, clinical skills, and the nursing process.

NURS 281: Medical Surgical Nursing III

Units: 6.5
Prerequisites: NURS 280 (LVN to RN) or NURS 183 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 10.50 hours. (1230.00)

This course continues the study of caring for adult patients with unmet medical needs. It examines the effect of complex and chronic health problems on the physiologic and psychosocial integrity of the adult and elderly patient. Students build on skills gained from the previous semester in the application of the nursing process as well as the perioperative health care needs across the adult life span and respective nursing interventions. Clinical simulations and experiences provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts, improve clinical judgment, and broaden clinical skills in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing lab settings. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 282: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Units: 3.5
Prerequisites: NURS 280 (LVN to RN) or NURS 183 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 4.50 hours. (1230.00)

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of nursing as related to mental health and illness. It examines how mental healthcare problems impact client integrity in various healthcare settings, and it emphasizes how therapeutic communication establishes and maintains effective nurse-client relationships. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 283: Medical Surgical Nursing IV

Units: 6
Prerequisites: NURS 281 and NURS 282.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 9 hours. (1230.00)

This course focuses on the theory and practice of nursing necessary to assist the acute and critically ill across the lifespan in achieving client integrity. It emphasizes refining use of the nursing process to provide nursing care for individuals with complex and acute health problems. The clinical experience affords students the opportunity to apply advanced theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and psychomotor skills in a practical situation. Non-clinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 284: Contemporary Nursing Practice and Leadership

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: NURS 281 and NURS 282
Corequisite: NURS 284L
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1.50 hours. (1230.00)

This course facilitates the student's transition to entry-level registered nursing practice. It presents management and leadership concepts that are applicable to a variety of health care settings. Topics include transitioning from student to registered nurse, decision-making, organization, values clarification, resource allocation, and health care trends. Integrated clinical experiences and simulations may occur in acute, long-term, perioperative/ambulatory, and/or college nursing laboratory care settings. Nonclinical activities in this course may be presented in an online format.

NURS 284L: Preceptorship Lab

Units: 2
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 6 hours. (1230.10)

This clinical preceptorship for NURS 284 facilitates the successful transition from student-nurse to entry-level graduate RN. It enables the student to apply the nursing process to multiple patient assignments using prioritization, delegation, and supervision as well as essential nursing skills. Each student works with his/her preceptor for 96 hours utilizing a variable time schedule.

NURS 288: Nurse Externship

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: RS 183 (Generic RN) or Nursing 280 (LVN-RN Bridge).
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Nursing Program.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 12 hours. (1230.00)

This course provides registered nursing (RN) students an opportunity to obtain clinical experience in the application of all previously learned knowledge and skills. Students work collaboratively with a faculty mentor, RN supervisor, and members the health care team to meet job-oriented learning objectives. Under an RN's supervision, students are provided opportunities to increase their nursing judgment and enhance their nursing skills as preparation for their role as professional graduate nurses. Students may receive G.I. bill benefits for this course.

NURS 290: Critical Care

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1.50 hours. (1230.00)

This course introduces students to critical care concepts and care of patients experiencing cardiopulmonary disorders. It discusses the relationship of pathophysiology to clinical manifestations that patients experience and the interventions the registered nurse needs to implement to improve patient outcomes. Topics include rhythm and 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis and treatment, cardiovascular medications used to maintain hemodynamic stability and perfusion, maintenance of artificial airways, and mechanical ventilation.

NURS 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

NURS 296: Topics in Nursing

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours. (1230.00)

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Nursing that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

NURS 299: Occupational Cooperative Work Experience

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

Cooperative Work Experience is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.