Program Information

Mission

Bay Area College of Nursing will offer a Vocational Nursing Program to provide a learning environment that promotes the development of the individual’s intellect, nursing skills, and social values. By application of this process the student is prepared to pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The program is also designed to support the community health care structure and to stimulate continual growth of each student.

Philosophy

 The Bay Area College of Nursing Vocational Nursing Program’s philosophy is congruent and consistent with its mission to provide educational excellence for healthcare professionals. To this end, it is the goal of the VN program to educate or develop quality vocational nurses who possess the knowledge and the skills required for safe and effective client practice. The faculty set forth the following beliefs:

 

• Man

The faculty believes that man is unique and is a part of a family, a culture, and a community. Maslow states that human existence is based on needs that arise in hierarchical order: The first and foundation level is the basic physiological needs; the second is safety and security; the third is love and belonging; the fourth level is self-esteem; the fifth level is self-actualization. Based upon Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human needs, this humanistic theory focuses upon the whole person including the qualities that make people distinctive and how these qualities develop. This hierarchy of human needs allows the nurse to explore the client on the health-illness continuum beginning with basic concepts and building upon these to explore various normal and abnormal human conditions and related nursing care. The way or method such needs are met is unique to the individual.

 

• Health and Illness

Health and illness are parts of a dynamic continuum that result from either the balance or the imbalance of man’s physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual components.

 

• Society

Man is a community of diverse cultures. While all cultures share common needs, the way in those needs are met are unique to the individual culture.

 

• Education

Education is the responsibility shared by the faculty and student to reach the desired goal.  Education is not fully realized without an interaction between faculty and the student. With that interaction, it is the responsibility of the faculty to provide accurate nursing knowledge according to the current professional practice. On the other hand, it is the role of the student to receive that information, absorb the knowledge, and internalize the practice so the information becomes a part of them. Nursing is an art and a science requiring scientific principles, technical skills, and empathetic care.  This education should incorporate moral, ethical, and legal principles to prepare the student to assume personal accountability for his/her professional behavior.

 

• Nursing

The Vocational Nursing program will provide activities by which changes in knowledge, attitude, and skills occur resulting in measurable behavior. The internal environment and the external environment are intended to stimulate intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, and self-direction. Since each client is a unique part of a family, culture, and community, it is essential that the nurse adapt care to meet these varied needs which include physical, emotional, social, economic, spiritual, and intellectual components.  The rights and dignity of each client are respected.

 

The vocational nurse is an important member of the health care team who, under the direct supervision of a physician or registered nurse, provides patient-centered nursing care.  This Vocational Nursing Program is committed to the educational standards of excellence that will ensure marketable skills for the graduate and will permit advancement in the nursing profession.

 Course Description:

A 1588.5-hour comprehensive theory and clinical training program requiring three (3) terms of academic work and clinical experience which meets the Basic Curriculum guidelines set forth in Section 2533, Rules and Regulations of the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician. Upon completion, student will receive a certificate.

The Vocational Nursing Program shall include, but is not limited to, theory and correlated clinical experience that develops the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to care for clients of all ages in current health care settings. The curriculum content is taught in a sequence that results in the student’s progressive mastery of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Instruction is in English Language only. The total hours for the program are as follows: theory portion = 576 hours; laboratory time = 235.5 hours; clinical portion = 777 hours; prerequisite: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology = 54 hours.

 Course Prerequisites:

I.                    Admission Requirements:

1. Completely filled out Bay Area College of Nursing application form.
2. Submit an original high school certificate or original transcript indicating that the student graduated from high school or its equivalent.  A signed statement or attestation by the student is acceptable documentation. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English and be officially certified.
3. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Educational Credential Service for 12^th grade equivalency.
4. Complete Anatomy and Physiology course of at least 3 semester units with a grade of C or higher. This course may be taken at Bay Area College of Nursing or at a community college.
5. Complete WBST with a score of 12^th grade or higher in English and a score of 12^th grade or higher in Mathematics. Complete Scholastic Level Exam with a score of 14 or higher.  Test scores must be within 1 year prior to the date of admission.
6. Personal interview.
7. Current and valid C.P.R. certificate.
8. Physical examination by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.
9. TB clearance; hepatitis B vaccination or at least 1^st injection of the series of 3; MMR or titer verifying immunity to measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella; varicella immunization or immunity verification by titer and current flu vaccine.
10. Tetanus within past 5 years

11. Personal malpractice insurance.

12. Must be at least 17 years of age by the time the program begins.

13. Have no convictions in any court of law of a crime other than minor traffic violations

14. Laptop once admitted into the program.

15. Clinical Paraphernalia once admitted into the program.

 

II    Selection Procedure

 

1. The application for B.A.C.N. should be filled out  when all admission requirements have been met.
2. Applicant’s name will be placed on the eligibility list in the order of date and time received. The application fee is due at this time.
3. Applicant shall be competitively screened for the open slots based on qualifications, quota and requirements for admission. The final phase of the selection process will be an interview with the prospective students.
4. Enrollment must be completed within seven (7)  business day from acceptance in the program. Failure to do so will disqualify the applicant from admission.
5. When class size has been filled, the next two applicants will be identified as “alternates”. Alternates will attend classes through the Fundamentals period (first 3 weeks of program). The alternate at the top of the list at the time of an opening will be allowed to replace any student who leaves the program during this time. If an alternate does not replace a student, he/she will be guaranteed admission to the next class. The alternate who becomes a student in the next class is not required to attend a class days already completed; however,  attendance is encouraged to refresh skills.

 

 

Program Courses:

 

		Course Title	Course Description
AP	100	ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 100	A 54 hour theory course which helps prepare a student to   function at a competent level in a healthcare environment and gain better   understanding of the structure and function of the human body.  54   hours.
NUT	100	NUTRITION 100	This course is to introduce the students to fundamental   concepts and principles of nutrition by exploring current nutrition issues of   relevance in their lives. It is a study of the basic biological concepts of   the human diet: energy sources, vitamins, minerals and other essential molecules,   and how dietary needs reflect physiological conditions ranging from aging to   exercise to disease. 42.5 hours.
PSY	100	PSYCHOLOGY 100	This course is an introduction   to basic concepts of mental health. The student will begin by exploring the   mental health continuum, along with the defining characteristics of mental   health and mental illness. The student will be introduced to the care of the   patient with a psychiatric disorder by exploring the axes of mental illness   as defined by DSM-IV-TR and the major mental disorders. The student will be   introduced to the care of the patient with an addictive personality by   exploring the two traits characteristic of an addictive personality and the   three stages of dependence. 26 hours.
GRD	100	GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT 100	This course examines stages of life span development,   beginning with the family and its patterns, functions, and stresses. Emphasis   is on normal growth and milestones in the physical, emotional, cognitive,   behavioral, and moral development of individuals including learning and   personality development. Topics covered include theories of development and   transitions across the life span for individuals and families, theories   related to learning and personality development, factors influencing both   normal and abnormal development. 29   hours.
PHA	100	PHARMACOLOGY 100	This course introduces nursing students to the basic   concepts and principles related to pharmacology and the vocational nurses’   role in drug therapy. It also provides introduction to the math     principles necessary for nursing students to correctly calculate medication   doses. This course includes a review of basic mathematics, methods of   calculation, and systems of measurement and major classifications of drugs. 87 hours.
FUN	100	FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING 100	This course provides   theoretical content relative to basic concepts of health care and nursing   including a theoretical framework for the delivery of client care.  The successful student will gain a basic   understanding of nursing process and its implications for client care. 59 hours.
FUN	100L	FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING 100L (SKILLS AND CLINICAL)	This course introduces the basic foundation of clinical   nursing skills, including the practice, demonstration, and application of all   the learned basic nursing theory content and concepts to the adult patient   population at the clinical skills lab and clinical healthcare setting. The   course aims to strengthen the student’s nursing foundation. 177 hours.
NUR	101	NURSING SCIENCE 101	This course provides   theoretical content relative to basic concepts of health care and nursing   including a theoretical framework for the delivery of adult care.  The successful student will gain a basic   understanding of nursing process and its implications for adult care. 50 hours.
NUR	101L	NURSING SCIENCE 101L (CLINICAL AND SKILLS LAB)	This course introduces nursing students to the application   of the basic principles necessary in providing basic nursing care to the   patient with various adult health disorders. The students will apply the acquired   knowledge and concepts from the basic nursing science theory course focusing   on utilizing the nursing process for specific medical-surgical disorders at   various specialized elder-care, long-term care, rehabilitative, and sub-acute   settings. Students will be expected to demonstrate and practice basic nursing   care in the clinical skills lab and at the clinical setting under the   supervision of a clinical instructor.   This course focuses on the application of gerontology concepts and content   learned from the theory setting in caring for multiple elderly clients. The   clinical component utilizes various specialized elder-care, long-term care,   rehabilitative, and sub-acute settings to allow the practice of all learned   concepts.    150 hours.
NUR	102	NURSING SCIENCE 102	This course provides common   health problems of adults and related issues including medications,   nutrition, socioeconomic, psychological, and cultural factors. Includes   application of principles and practices of intermediate level nursing care to   adult clients in the clinical setting.    104.5 hours.
NUR	102L	NURSING SCIENCE 102L    (CLINICAL AND SKILLS LAB)	This course introduces nursing students to the application   of intermediate nursing skills with a focus on the major client need   categories and sub-categories. The major client needs categories are: Safe   and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance,   Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. The students will apply   the acquired knowledge and concepts from the intermediate nursing science   theory core course utilizing the nursing care plan for specific   medical-surgical disorders at various specialized clinical settings or   clinical skills lab.  313.5 hours.
NUR	103	NURSING SCIENCE 103	This course provides common   health problems of adults and related issues including medications, diet   therapy, socioeconomic, psychological, and cultural factors. Clinical   supervision will include the application of principles and practices of   advanced nursing care of adult clients, patient teaching, and care planning.   Emphasis on organization and preparation for licensure and employment.  The Intensive Review Series provides a comprehensive review of the   vocational nursing program coursework focusing on the important practices   taught throughout the program. Its focus is to ensure that students have   integrated the knowledge gained through their academic, laboratory and   clinical experience. 100 hours.
NUR	103L	NURSING SCIENCE 103L    (CLINICAL AND SKILLS LAB)	This course introduces nursing students to the application   of principles necessary in providing advanced medical-surgical nursing care   to patients with complex adult health disorders and the mastery of   comprehensive nursing skill application concentrating on the major client   need categories and sub-categories. The major client needs categories are:   Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance,   Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. Students will   incorporate the practice of all skills learned from the nursing science   courses. The course applies the Leadership theory and concepts learned as the   student nurse prepares to transition into the job setting.  300   hours.
MAT	100	MATERNITY NURSING 100	This course provides nursing theory and skills needed to   promote the comfort, health and safety of the mother and newborn during the   childbearing process.  The course is family-centered and utilizes the   nursing process to meet the needs of the childbearing family.  Emphasis   is placed on communication, providing patient education, facilitating   continuity of care following discharge, and facilitating continuity of care   following discharge. 12 hours
MAT	100L	MATERNITY NURSING 100L (SKILLS AND CLINICAL)	This course focuses on the application of the total care   of the client with gynecological conditions, as well as the obstetrical   client during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the immediate postpartum   period. Care of the newborn is also included. Clinical simulation, exposure,   and client-centered conferences reinforce classroom theory.  36   hours.
PED	100	PEDIATRIC NURSING 100	This course is an introduction   to normal growth and development.     Characteristics of the well child and related socioeconomic,   psychological and cultural factors. Emphasis is also placed on the application of the nursing   process, as a tool for critical thinking, in the care of children with health   problems from infancy through adolescence.  Supervised   observation or participation in facilities which provide care for children. 12 hours.
PED	100L	PEDIATRIC NURSING 100L (SKILLS AND CLINICAL)	This portion of the curriculum provides the student with   an opportunity to continue to relate pediatric theory to practice and to   sharpen their clinical skills specific to well and ill pediatric   patients.   36 hours.

 

 

Program Outline:

 

Term I                        AP 100

FUN 100

FUN 100L

NUR 101

NUR 101L

NUT 100

PSY 100

GRD 100

PHA 100

 

Term II

NUR 102

NUR 102L

NUT 100 (continued)

GRD 100 (continued)

PHA 100 (continued)

 

Term III                     NUR 103

NUR 103L

NUT 100 (continued)

PSY 100 (continued)

GRD 100 (continued)

PHA 100 (continued)

MAT 100

MAT 100L

PED 100

PED 100L

 

Course Objectives:

By the end of Term I: Foundations of Nursing 100 and Nursing Science 101, students will:

 

ü  Demonstrate knowledge of the origins of nursing and role of the LVN.

ü  Identify the role of the vocational nurse related to the legal/ethical rights of patients.

ü  Demonstrate basic understanding and proficiency in the performance of basic nursing skills.

ü  Demonstrate basic understanding of the nursing process and its relationship to effective client – centered care.

ü  Recognize and demonstrate basic understanding of different cultures and their implications for client care.

ü  Demonstrate basic knowledge of disease prevention and the implications for nursing care.

ü  Identify the 6 rights of medication administration and explain the actions, possible side effects, adverse reactions, and nursing interventions for each major drug classifications.

 

By the end of Term II: Nursing Science 102, students will:

 

ü  Demonstrate increased knowledge of the origins of nursing and the role of the VN.

ü  Demonstrate increased knowledge about the role of the vocational nurse related to the legal/ethical rights of patients.

ü  Demonstrate increased knowledge and proficiency in the application of intermediate level medical surgical nursing procedures.

ü  Apply the nursing process and create comprehensive teaching plans while caring for assigned patients.

ü  Demonstrate understanding of individual client needs including socioeconomic, spiritual, emotional, and cultural diversity.

ü  Demonstrate prevention and control of diseases by applying safe, aseptic techniques while caring for the assigned client.

ü  Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and accuracy in administering routine medications.

 

By the end of Term III: Nursing Science 103, Maternity Nursing 100, Pediatric Nursing 100, students will:

 

ü  Demonstrate understanding of professional boundaries that must be maintained during the care for assigned clients.

ü  Demonstrate advanced level of knowledge and proficiency in the application of advanced level medical surgical nursing procedures.

ü  Demonstrate ability to expound and carry out nursing care plans by coordinating with the healthcare team.

ü  Analyze the impact of increased understanding of cultural sensitivity as it relates to healthcare.

ü  Demonstrate understanding and control of high-risk infectious diseases while caring for the assigned client.

ü  Demonstrate critical thinking in the administration of prn medications and withholding of routine medications.

Time and Location:

Theory classes will be held in the classroom and clinical hours (am or pm shift) will be at the contracted training facilities or skills laboratory.  Bay Area College of Nursing has the right to change class and clinical locations, times and days, if deemed appropriate, with sufficient notice.  Being a student in VN program requires full time focus and concentration.  Personal and employment reasons will not be accommodated by Bay Area College of Nursing as a result of the change.

Teaching Strategies: Lecture, Discussion, Audiovisuals, Return Demonstration, Group and Individual Conferences, Activity and Clinical Experiences

Please Note

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information. At the same time, the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes.

FERPA and HIPAA forms are available at the main campus in Palo Alto.