ASSOCIATEOFAPPLIEDSCIENCE(LPNTORN)AND(PARAMEDICTORN)
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing outcomes are based on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing minimum competencies. These outcomes should be lifelong goals for becoming a more proficient and safe associate degree nurse.
Outcome 1: The student will demonstrate fundamental nursing skills in the clinical and laboratory
setting:
• Develop practice skills using critical thinking skill in simulated patient care situations. • Demonstrate expertise in fundamental nursing skills in the laboratory and clinical setting.
Outcome 2: The student will demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills in simulated
medical surgical patient care situations:
• Demonstrate proficiency in head-to-toe assessments.
• Recognize deviations from normal health including specialty areas of pregnancy, the newborn, the pediatric patient, the critically ill patient, the psychiatric patient, and the geriatric patient.
Outcome 3: The student will use the nursing process format to stimulate critical thinking, problem
solving, and decision making in applying fundamental principles to nursing skills and procedures:
• Demonstrate knowledge of scientific principles based on nursing theory in providing patient care.
• Possess complex skills and knowledge in assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care through the formation of nursing care plans.
Outcome 4: The student will demonstrate the ability to identify human response to physical, emotional,
intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions:
• Application of nursing theory with emphasis on emotional-intellectual-social-spiritual responses in the clinical setting.
• Integration of principles and practices of psychiatric-mental health nursing in the clinical setting.
Outcome 5: The student will demonstrate critical thinking skills in making decisions concerning patient
care in the clinical setting:
• Demonstrate knowledge of scientific principles and theories in nursing in providing nursing care. • Function effectively as a member of the health care team.
Outcome 6: The student will use the nursing process, including specific nursing diagnoses in relation
to patients and families both in a clinical setting and in a health promotion and maintenance setting: • Develop and manage the nursing care plan.
• Teach necessary information for health promotion and maintenance.
Outcome 7: The student will demonstrate the ability to delegate nursing tasks to appropriate health
care workers in the clinical setting:
• Possess knowledge of tasks that may be delegated within compliance with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act.
• Demonstrate delegation of nursing care to both licensed and unlicensed personnel within the framework of the job description and the organizational policies and procedures
Outcome 8: The student will demonstrate the ability to function in the leadership role by using
curricular concepts of theory and by:
• Demonstrate leadership skills in the management of licensed personnel within the framework of the job description and the organizational policies and procedures.
• Be aware of the constantly changing nature of nursing and therefore, the need for continuing education.
PRACTICALNURSINGPROGRAM
The Practical Nursing Outcomes are based on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing minimum competencies for LPN’s. These outcomes should be lifelong goals for becoming a more proficient and safe practical nurse.
Outcome 1: Students will provide for the emotional, physical, and spiritual comfort of patients.
Provided that the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should: • Demonstrate kindness, rapport, and empathy in giving patient care.
• Develop an understanding of the holistic approach to health care, which emphasizes the uniqueness of man and the need to meet human needs of the body, mind, and spirit.
Outcome 2: Students will be proficient in observing, recording, and reporting the status of the patient’s condition to the appropriate person. Provided that the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Develop an understanding of the normal structure and function of the human body. • Become proficient in performing thorough head-to-toe assessments.
• Use effective communication skills while working with patients, families, staff and peers.
• Recognize deviations from normal health, including specialty areas such as pregnancy, the newborn, the pediatric patient, the critically ill, and the geriatric patient.
• Possess the necessary skills to monitor vital signs and other measurements of the patient’s condition.
Outcome 3: Students will perform nursing procedures for which they have the necessary degree of
skill and judgment. Provided that the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Demonstrates knowledge of scientific principles in providing patient care.
• Possess the necessary skills to perform treatments, such as dressing changes, applying bandages, etc., and administer medication safely.
• Provide for basic human needs and activities of daily living which include hygiene, assisting with elimination needs, providing proper nutrition, monitoring fluids and electrolytes, maintaining or improving mobility, etc.
Outcome 4: Students will assist with the rehabilitation of patients according to the patient’s care plan. Provided that the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Participate in the nursing process by assisting the Registered Nurse in assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care through the formulation of nursing care plans.
• Function effectively as a member of the health care team.
Outcome 5: Students will familiarize themselves with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act. Provided that
the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Arkansas. • Exhibit ethical behavior in working with patients and in vocational relationships. • Be aware of the scope of practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse.
Outcome 6: Students will assume responsibility and accountability for all actions taken in carrying out
nursing activities. Provided that the student meets all attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Develop an understanding of the principles of autonomy, advocacy, confidentiality, patient rights, and informed consent, among others.
• Develop an understanding of the legal principles of assault, battery, negligence, malpractice, slander, libel, among others.
Outcome 7: Students will recognize the need for continuing education to update and improve nursing skills. Provided that the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Develop practical and specific knowledge, skills, and competencies to enter and advance in the nursing profession.
• Develop those occupational competencies consistent with their interests, aptitudes, and ability in the nursing profession.
• Become involved in a professional organization, such as ALPNA and/or NAPNES.
• Be aware of the constantly changing, and increasingly technological nature of the nursing profession, and therefore, the need to update skills periodically.
Outcome 8: Students will recognize the need for delegation. Provided that the student meets the
attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• Demonstrate delegation of nursing care to the unlicensed personnel within the framework of the job description and the organizational policies and procedures.
• Possess knowledge of tasks that may be delegated within compliance with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act.
MEDICATIONADMINISTRATIONPROGRAM
The Medication Administration Program outcomes are based on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Minimum Standards. These outcomes should be lifelong goals for becoming a more proficient and safe MA-C.
Outcome 1: The student will demonstrate fundamental medication assistant skills in the laboratory and
clinical setting. Provided the student meets attendance and academic requirements they should:
• Develop an understanding of the different documents, medication names, abbreviations and tasks to be handled.
• Identify common methods of medication administration.
• Become proficient in the measurement of medications and the forms in which medication is manufactured.
• Recognize conditions necessitating the disposal of medications.
• State the types of information that should be known before medication administration.
Outcome 2: Students will be proficient in performance of safety checks, identification of patients and
basic steps of medication preparation. Provided the student meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• List the three safety checks of medication administration. • Identify the six rights of medication administration.
• Describe the basic steps of medication preparation prior to administration.
Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate knowledge of medication safety. Provided the student meets
attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• State information needed prior to medication administration. • Identify common causes of medication errors.
• State steps taken when a medication error occurs.
Outcome 4: Students will be proficient in communication and documentation. Provided the student
meets attendance and academic requirements, they should:
• State when the nurse needs to be notified of patient changes. • Perform different vital signs.
• State documentation requirements.
Outcome 5: Students will have knowledge of the body systems and the effect of medication on the body. Provided the student meets attendance and academic requirement they should:
• List body systems affected by medication administration. • State common effects of medication on the body.
• Identify factors affecting how the body uses medication. • Identify different classifications of medications.
• Identify resource materials and professions used to clarify medication questions.
Outcome 6: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and legal issues of medication
administration. Provided the student meets attendance and academic requirements they should: • List the tasks a MA-C can and cannot accept.
• Recognize what should be reported to the nurse. • Identify delegated tasks that should not be accepted.
• List reasons the MA-C can be disciplined by the State Board. • State the difference in assignments and delegation.
• Describe the responsibilities to the patient.
• Discuss types of abuse and other legal problems that can occur.
• Understand the importance of the rights of medication administration and safety checks.
Outcome 7: Students will recognize the need for continuing education to update and improve
medication administration skills. Provided the student meets attendance and academic requirements they should:
• Identify continuing education requirements.