Nursing

What is Nursing?11-7-14 Lightner Ashley Engle Rachel NURS

Students in the Nursing program explore a variety of health professions to develop an awareness of job opportunities in the field. They develop the skills needed to perform effectively in entry-level positions and to receive a good foundation for continued study. Nursing students learn patient care, first aid, and laboratory skills, and receive simulated work experiences. Some of the skills gained include: assisting residents with physical exams; demonstrating laboratory skills; assisting with patient care in the office, hospital and long-term care settings. Special emphasis is placed on professionalism; communication; instrument and equipment identification; telephone training; correspondence and record keeping; basic nursing procedures; infection control; standard precautions; sterilization; and OSHA standards. Students are also given instruction in the sciences related to this field including medical terminology, basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and laboratory techniques. This program will provide students with the opportunity to learn how to function as a member of a healthcare team; this includes clinical experience with residents through affiliation with Bethany Village Retirement Center as well as opportunities to job shadow in various settings. Further, this program provides an excellent base for college-bound students pursuing health, medical or dental related careers. Additional opportunities include dual enrollment, articulation and advanced standing with Harrisburg Area Community College. Multiple certification opportunities also exist for Direct Care certification through the Department of Public Welfare.
 
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Program Objectives

  1. Complete PA Department of Education Program of Study (POS)
  2. Complete NOCTI Competencies
  3. Obtain Industry Certifications:
    • CPR/FA
    • PA Nurse Aide
    • Direct Care Worker
    • Career Safe
  4. Industry Visit (Level 1)
  5. Post-Secondary Visit (Level 2)
  6. Industry Visit in Assisted Living setting (Level 3)
  7. Complete Clinical Experience (Bethany Village, Level 3)
  8. Employability Skills Training

For more information on the certification and curriculum items listed, please refer to the "Industry Certification" and "Task List" links to the left.

Level 1

  • Safety/Infection Control/HIPAA
  • Vital Signs/Height and Weight
  • Basic Structure/Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities
  • Integumentary System
  • Skeletal System
  • Muscular System
  • Bed Making
  • Positioning, Turning, and Moving
  • Positioning for Exams
  • Range of Motion
  • Business and Accounting Skills

Medical Terminology - Dean Vaugn 350

Level 2

  • Safety/Infection Control/HIPAA
  • Nervous System
  • Respiratory System
  • Ambulatory/Assistive Devices
  • Digestive System
  • Law and Ethics
  • Urinary System
  • Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy
  • Circulatory and Lymph Systems
  • Professionalism
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Endocrine System
  • Special Senses
  • Nutrition
  • Reproductive System
  • Cultural Diversity/Communication
  • Medical Abbreviations

Level 3

PA Nurse Aide Certification (NATCEP)

  • PA NATCEP Curriculum (See state website for a complete list of objectives)
  • 167 Clocked Hours
  • In-facility Testing for NA Certification

CPR and First Aid Certification (ASHI)

  • POS TASKS: 500s: 501-505 EMERGENCY CARE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
  • Career Safe OSHA Certification

BIO 105

  • BIO 105: Medical Terminology course

Opportunities:

  • Mock Interview with Human Resource Personnel (after clinical experience; offers potential for employment opportunities)

 


   

Is it for You?

Students interested in the Nursing program should enjoy engaging directly and personally with others; reading, science, and mathematics; and working in a challenging and continuously-changing field. Health and Medical Assistants may work alone or as members of a team under the direct supervision of a nurse, physician, or other health professionals. They usually work indoors in well lighted, well ventilated, and sanitary surroundings. The standard workweek for nursing varies greatly dependent upon the office or institution in which you work; since health care must be provided twenty-four hours a day, work schedules may include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Professionals in this field possess the following qualities:

  • Good general health
  • Good personal hygiene
  • The ability to get along with others/self control
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Good communication skills
  • Good attendance
  • Strong reading, science and math skills
  • Good problem solving skills
  • Good adaptability to change
  • Ability to receive and follow through on instructions
  • A strong sense of commitment, integrity, and empathy

For more information on this program's objectives, please visit the "Task List" link to the left.

 

 

What's Next?

 

Employment Options

 

While there are positions in this field that require additional education, students can also go straight to work after graduation! Here are just some of the career opportunities available:

 

Nursing Assistants ($27,650)

Physical Therapists' Assistants ($44,050)

Home Health Aides ($20,610)

Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians ($50,920)

*Salaries listed are PA state averages taken from www.onetonline.com and are accurate as of June 2017. Some careers may require additional study.

 

Post-Secondary Studies

 

Students who do want to continue their education in this field have a variety of institutions and majors to choose from. Here is just a sampling:

 

HACC: Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technician, Nursing

Penn College: Nursing, Health Information Technology, Emergency Medical Technician

YTI: Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Health Information Technology

*Some careers may require additional study.

 

 

Whether it's right to work or off to college, students graduating from the Nursing program at CPAVTS can be assured that they have opportunities unlimited!