Sophomore Course of Study

Sophomore Experience: Fall 2009 & Spring 2010

Human Growth and Development for Health Professionals - NURS 20950

Basic theories, concepts, and principles common to the study of the human life span, including physical, cognitive, and social characteristics of various age groups.

This class really helped me realize that as a nurse you will work have to take care of and interact with a range of different age groups. It was interesting to see how the body changes over the course of a lifetime.

Foundations of Assessment and Communication in Nursing - NURS 20020

Medical Asepsis importance
Performing a head-to-toe assessment including: taking vital signs, inspecting the skin, hair, nails, assessing HEENT, neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory (breath sounds), cardiovascular (heart sounds), and abdominal assessments (bowel sounds)
Therapeutic communication
Nursing Diagnoses & Concept care maps

This class has prepared me for my clinicals in the future, and to feel confident and professional with my role as a nurse and client advocate.

Interpersonal and Communication of the Health Care Profession - NURS 20010

Use of APA
Gained knowledge study skills, test taking skills, teamwork, critical thinking skills, interdisciplinary communication, assertive communication, generational diversity, and different types of health care roles

I learned about the many aspects of nursing needed to succeed in my career. I also learned the importance of working in a team, and the interdisciplinary communication needed to provide the client with the best care possible.

Foundations of Nursing Interventions - NURS 20030

Alteration in mobility and body mechanics maintaining wellness and safety
Infection control, wound care, care of the surgical client, comfort care, fluid & electrolyte balance: acid-base balance, oxygenation alterations, sensory/cognitive alterations, sleep and rest alterations
Learned how to perform mixing two medications, IM & SQ injections, insulin injections, wet to dry dressing change, male and female catheterization, sterile technique and maintaining a sterile field, how to irrigate a wound, perform an eye irrigation, how to safely mobilize people, how to administer an enema, how to insert a nasogastric tube and check for placement and residual, how to assist with client personal care, body mechanics, how to safely position a client, medication administration, nutritional therapy, urinary and bowel elimination, and charting in lab
Full Head to Toe assessments, IV charting, narrative Progress notes, blood sugar checks, foley catheter emptying and charting, monitoring intake and output, administering medication to our clients, concept care maps, interpretation of lab, operating room experience, wound care unit experience, hygiene care, and vital signs in clinical

One of my patients had a bilateral total knee replacement and was ordered to have ice on both knees for up to 30 minutes every 2 hours. I told her this was to control bleeding, edema, and decrease the pain she was feeling.
Educated patients on the importance of ROM exercises, medication actions and side effects, and the importance of hygiene care while assisting them with bed baths

This course helped me learn mentally, physically, and emotionally how to handle a real-life clinical experience with a client. In lecture I learned how to relate different lab values, and assessment findings to find a diagnosis for a patient. In lab I learned the proper ways how to perform specific skills needed in the nursing profession. In clinicial I learned about the many interventions and responsibilities needed by the nurse to care for her patient. Not only did this course teach me more about interventions and the physiology about nursing, but it also taught me about myself and the way I choose how to handle situations. I learned that nursing is much more than what you read out of a book, and the actual hands on experience in a hospital setting is very rewarding and helps me to learn a lot more.

Basic Pharmacology for Nursing Practice - NURS 30060

Autonomic nervous system agents, neurological and neuromuscular agents, psychiatric agents, respiratory agents, cardiovascular agents, pain and inflammation management, antibacterial agents, antiinfective agents, antineoplastic agents, endocrine agents, gastrointestinal agents

This class taught me the importance of drug interactions and adverse effects that could occur when taking medications. I also learned the importance of specific type of drug classifications and their purpose in the the human body.