Course of Study Overview
The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program consists of 1,500 hours of study with new classes starting a minimum of twice each year. The total hours are broken up into four levels, each equating to 375 hours in length. Each level consists of individual courses that stress the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each course must be completed successfully and in sequence with any emergency closures (e.g. weather-related closures) made up.
Clinical experience is concurrent and sequential with classroom instruction through the cooperation of local clinical site affiliation agreements held with the following sites amongst others: Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, Tower Health Phoenixville Hospital, ACCELerate + Rehab in Exton, Barclay Friends, Bayada, Freedom Village, Jenners Pond, Kendal Crosslands, Pocopson Home, Recovery Centers of America, and community clinical care experiences. Facilities represent various levels of care including acute care, sub-acute care, skilled care, home care, and community based experiences.
LEVEL 1 (375 HOURS)
Fundamentals of Nursing
Includes the theory of the nursing process and its application to patient care. Focus is on basic nursing skills, elements of microbiology, and nutrition.
Theory: 105 hours | Clinical: 42 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 34 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 15 hours
Pharmacology
Includes study of the calculation and administration of medications. Discusses drug classifications and drug actions.
Theory: 38 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 9 hours
Anatomy and Physiology
Includes the study of the structure and function of the body. Identifies abnormal body function, physiologic changes in aging and applicable medication.
Theory: 93 hours
Foundations in Nursing Education
Explores personality development, relationships, and the role of the practical nurse in society and as a member of the health care team.
Theory: 25 hours
LEVEL 2 (375 HOURS)
Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Includes scientific principles in caring for the medical and/or surgical patients with moderately complex health problems with introduction to EKG.
Theory: 158 hours | Clinical: 175 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 42 hours
LEVEL 3 (375 HOURS)
Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Includes scientific principles in caring for medical and/or surgical patients with moderately complex health problems.
Theory: 47 hours | Clinical: 84 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Discusses the normal and abnormal aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and the six-week post-delivery period. Includes a study of growth, development, and childhood related illnesses.
Theory: 125 hours | Clinical: 91 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
LEVEL 4 (375 HOURS)
Medical-Surgical Nursing III
Includes scientific principals of nursing for neurological, psychiatric, geriatric, and the mentally challenged patient.
Theory: 108 hours | Clinical: 175 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 42 hours
Issues in Nursing Practice
Includes a leadership component, employment preparation, ethics, legal issues, NCLEX, and licensing preparation.
Theory: 14 hours
I.V. Therapy
Includes the scientific principles of I.V. therapy. Includes central lines, phlebotomy, theory, and lab practice.
Theory: 22 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
Upon Program Completion
Upon completion of the PNP, the graduate will:
- Practice as a novice healthcare team member within the framework established by the Nurse Practice Act of the State of PA.
- Develop a spirit of inquiry to promote personal and professional growth.
- Utilize the nursing process to provide safe, holistic care to diverse populations in a variety of settings.
- Integrate clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to promote high quality, safe, and effective care.
- Demonstrate collaborative communication to advocate for the clients, families, and groups.
- Apply leadership and management principles to achieve quality and safety outcomes.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program in Downingtown, PA in accordance with ACEN standards is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the CCIU Practical nursing program in Feb 2018 is: Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at: https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/