SVCC Catalog 2017-2018

Programs of Study 97
NURSING, PRACTICAL
(Christanna Campus and Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (South Boston)
Award: Certificate
Length: Forty-nine credit hour program
Purpose: The practical nursing program at Southside
Virginia Community College supports the mission, values
and goals of the college and seeks to provide diverse
learning opportunities to prepare students to fulfill the
role of a practical nurse, while promoting personal development,
accountability, and lifelong learning.
Program Philosophy
The practical nursing faculty believe nursing is an art
and a science that demonstrates the art of integrating
and assimilating knowledge, skills, and attitudes in
providing patient-centered care across the lifespan in
diverse populations. The organizational framework for
the practical nursing program encompasses five core
values: Patient-Centered Care, Professional Identity,
Nursing Judgment, Collaboration, and Safe and Effective
Care.
Patient-Centered Care
Advocate collectively and collaboratively for the patient
and family and recognize the value of coordinated care
based upon respect for patient’s preferences, values, and
needs. Patient-centered caring behaviors are nurturing,
protective, and compassionate. These behaviors enable
the nurse to care effectively for patients across the lifespan
and in diverse populations.
Professional Identity
Conduct oneself in a way that reflects integrity, responsibility,
and ethical practice. The nurse recognizes how
one’s personal strengths and values contribute to their
profession, patient care, and the health care team. Active
participation in lifelong learning instills pride and
self-fulfillment found in being a nurse.
Nursing Judgment
Seek to provide a rationale for judgments used in providing
safe and quality care to patients and families
across the lifespan. The nurse must integrate critical
thinking and clinical judgment by evaluating, identifying,
and interpreting clinical data which contributes to
the interdisciplinary plan of care for the patient.
Collaboration
Function effectively within nursing and the inter-disciplinary
teams. Recognizing the keys to collaboration include
open communication, mutual respect, and shared
decision-making. These keys assist in providing quality
patient care. Collaboration creates a spirit of inquiry
that seeks to understand the basis for nursing actions
with respect to evidence based practice, patient preference,
and the culture of the healthcare environment.
Safe and Effective Care
Incorporate technology and standardized procedures
that support safe and quality care. Recognize that standards
of care form the basis of safe and effective care
in the healthcare environment. Reporting of errors and
near misses is integral to the practice of providing safe
and effective care. In collaboration with the patient,
family, and health care team the practical nurse uses
patient teaching as an opportunity to foster active participation
by the patient and family in the plan of care.
New Graduate Outcomes
After completion of the practical nursing program the
new graduate will be able to:
Patient-Centered Care
Advocate for patients and families in a variety of health
care settings to promote active involvement in health
care decisions.
Professional Identity
Adhere to the standards of practice, demonstrate caring
for others, be accountable for his/her own actions
and behaviors, and practice within legal, ethical, and
regulatory frameworks.
Nursing Judgment
As a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team,
the practical nurse will make effective clinical decisions
by incorporating evidence based practice and critical
thinking in the nursing process.
Collaboration
Participate in the coordination of care with nursing and
the interdisciplinary team. Foster open communication
and collaboration that encourages a spirit of inquiry
and values evidence based practice.
Safe and Effective Care
Provide safe and effective care with an emphasis on
quality by utilizing technology and standards of care
for diverse patients across the lifespan.