Course Descriptions

Nursing - NURS

General Information

Unless stated otherwise, all courses are non-repeatable except under certain conditions.

Open Enrollment

It is the policy of West Hills College Lemoore, unless specifically exempted by statute, that every course section or class, the average daily attendance of which is to be reported for state aid, wherever offered and maintained by the District, shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets such prerequisites as may be established pursuant to Chapter 11, Division 2, Part VI, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code, commencing with Section 41820.

Unit or Credit Value

Each course carries a certain credit or unit value. The amount is indicated in parentheses at the right of the title. A lecture class requires the equivalent of one academic hour, (50 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred. Laboratory classes require three academic hours, (150 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred.

Prerequisite

Prerequisites are prescribed courses covering skills and/or knowledge that are normally expected to be acquired prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course in which specific information is required will have the necessary background so that every opportunity exists to experience success. Therefore, any course with a prerequisite presumes that subject matter will be acquired in a sequential way.

Students enrolling in courses without the appropriate prerequisite may find that they are ill-prepared to continue their studies in that course. Prerequisites are designed to enhance success. Please refer to the West Hills College Lemoore prerequisite policy in the Academic Regulations portion of this catalog for additional information.

Corequisite

Corequisites are courses that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. (Successful completion is defined as a grade C or better for the minimum prerequisite/corequisite requirement.)

Class Hours

The total number of class lecture and laboratory hours for each course is indicated in its course description. The schedule of classes, which is available at the time of class registration, will indicate which dates, days and times a given class is scheduled to meet.

Course Subject

Courses are classified by subjects as they exist at West Hills College Lemoore. All courses within an area usually count towards a major in that area. Other institutions may classify their courses differently. Transfer students should consult the catalog of the four-year college to which they intend to transfer for its classification of identical or comparable courses.

Course Numbering

Courses numbered 001-049 are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. These courses are transferable to four-year institutions. However, the institution that the student transfers to determines the specific transferability of courses.

Courses numbered 050-99 are associate degree level courses. These courses are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses numbered 100-199 are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial courses.

Courses in some subject areas that are traditionally taught as combination lecture- laboratory courses at four-year colleges are split into two separate courses:  one a lecture course for transfer students and one a laboratory course for both transfer and non-transfer students. Students wishing to transfer must take both the lecture and laboratory courses.

  • NOTE:  In case of transfer and non-transfer courses taught concurrently, a student may receive credit only for the course in which he/she is enrolled, not both. A student cannot change from one course to the other except according to regular drop/add procedures. He/She should be guided by the course description and may need to consult a counselor or advisor for aid.
Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer and non-degree applicable courses:

(AA/AS) Associate Degree Applicable

(CSU) Transferable to California State University System

(UC) Transferable to University of California System

(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

  • NURS-005L
  • Obstetrics-Maternity Nursing L
  • Credit(s) 1

Obstetrics-Maternity Nursing Lab
NURS 005L focuses on integration and application of the nursing process as it relates to the nursing care of the obstetrical patient and her family. Emphasis is on the application of concepts and skills related to family centered care.Clinical experiences will provide opportunities for students to participate in therapeutic activities in a variety of obstetrical settings.

Class Hours:
54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
NURS 001, NURS 001L, NURS 002, NURS 003, NURS 004, NURS 004L
Corequisite(s):
NURS 005
Transfers to:
CSU
  • NURS-009L
  • Pediatric Nursing Lab
  • Credit(s) 1.5

Pediatric Nursing Lab
NURS 009L is the co-requisite clinical portion of NURS 009 (Pediatric Nursing). The majority of this course will occur in healthcare facilities, under the supervision of the BRN approved instructor. The clinical rotation will be primarily at Children's Hospital Central California and at approved pediatric learning experience sites (pediatric school nursing, pediatric specialty clinics, pediatric physician practices, etc.). The focus of the clinical rotation will be to provide care to the pediatric patient and family within the acute care setting. The student will apply skills from the first year of the nursing program to the specific developmental needs of the medical-surgical pediatric patient. Utilizing the nursing process, the student will recognize alterations in functioning or illness and formulate age-appropriate nursing interventions. Psychomotor skills associated with moderately complex needs, and medication administration, including intravenous therapy will be studied and practiced.

Class Hours:
81 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
NURS 001, NURS 001L, NURS 002, NURS 002L, NURS 003, NURS 004, NURS 004L, NURS 005, NURS 005L, NURS 006, NURS 007, NURS 007L, NURS 008, NURS 008L or an LVN license and acceptance in the LVN to RN Bridge class NURS 014A, NURS 014B
Corequisite(s):
NURS 009
Transfers to:
CSU
  • NURS-010L
  • Advanced Medical-Surgical Nurs
  • Credit(s) 3

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing IV Lab
NURS 010L focuses on advanced application of the nursing process in the care of critically ill adult and geriatric patients. The student will organize and discriminate data to establish priorities of care. Correlated clinical experiences emphasize refinement of clinical decision-making, psychomotor skills, and management of patient care in professional nursing practice.

Class Hours:
162 Laboratory
Prerequisite(S):
NURS 001, NURS 001L, NURS 002, NURS 002L, NURS 003, NURS 004, NURS 004L, NURS 005, NURS 005L, NURS 006, NURS 007, NURS 007L, NURS 008, NURS 008L, NURS 009, NURS 009L, NURS 0014A, NURS 014B, and NURS 014C, LVN to RN Bridge Students NURS NURS 012, NURS 012L, LVN license, Health and Safety Requirements
Corequisite(s):
NURS 010
Transfers to:
CSU
  • NURS-012
  • Role Transition LVN to RN
  • Credit(s) 2

Role Transition LVN to RN
This course focuses on the theory and application of concepts of physical assessment, the nursing process, critical thinking, and the relationship of homeostatic mechanisms to fluids and electrolytes and nursing competencies in the professional roles of clinician, teacher, leader and advocate. It is designed to serve as a bridge for the LVN student to transition into the role off RN student.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
Corequisite(s); NURS 012L:
Advisory(s):
Valid California LVN license, minimum GPA 2.5, acceptance into the LVN-ADN Bridge program, BIO 032, BIO 035, BIO 038, ENG 001A (Recommended, Previous or concurrent).
Transfers to:
CSU
  • NURS-016
  • Nursing and Culture of Health
  • Credit(s) 1

Nursing and a Culture of Health
NURS 016 is an introduction to professional nursing concepts related to caring, professional standards and values, ethical and legal aspects of professional nursing practice, communication and collaboration, evidence-based practice, teaching and learning, healthcare systems and policy, informatics and quality and safety within a Culture of Health. Nursing process is introduced as a method of clinical decision-making.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-017
  • Culture of Health 1
  • Credit(s) 4

Culture of Health 1
NURS 017 focuses on biopsychosocial concepts related to wellness and illness in adult and aging patients, with an emphasis on gerontological principles in the acute care medical surgical, longterm care, and community settings. Clinical decision-making through nursing process is emphasized for adult and aging patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
72 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 017L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-017L
  • Culture of Health 1 Immersion
  • Credit(s) 4

Culture of Health 1 Immersion
This NURS 017L focuses on health assessment, nursing skills, and medical surgical nursing aligned with concepts in Culture of Health 1. Application of clinical decision-making through nursing process occurs in the learning lab and healthcare and community settings, with an emphasis on gerontological nursing.

Class Hours:
216 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 017
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-018
  • Critical Thinking & a Culture
  • Credit(s) 1

Critical Thinking and a Culture of Health
NURS 018 focuses on the development of critical thinking, along with the application of clinical reasoning with a nursing focus as the students learn the language they will use throughout the nursing program. The course will assist the students to apply critical thinking skills and clinical judgment through the application of the nursing process for patients in a variety of clinical settings. The course will facilitate the students' application of clinical reasoning to patient management, to manage patient-centered care in the current healthcare environment. Through application of critical thinking, students will analyze patient outcomes, noting potential complications, along with management of the patient to prevent poor patient outcomes.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-019
  • Foundations and an Culture of
  • Credit(s) 2

Foundations and an Culture of Health
NURS 019 is a laboratory practice and remediation course that allows mastery of professional nursing concepts and nursing skills necessary for providing safe patient care within a Culture of Health. Application of clinical decision-making in long-term care, acute care and Community settings through nursing process is practiced.

Class Hours:
108 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-020
  • Culture of Health 2
  • Credit(s) 2

Culture of Health 2
NURS 020 focuses on management and provision of care for adult patients with acute and chronic health care needs. Clinical decision-making through nursing process is emphasized for patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 020L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-020L
  • Culture of Health 2 Immersion
  • Credit(s) 2

Culture of Health 2 Immersion
NURS 020L focuses on nursing skills and clinical experiences aligned with concepts in Culture of Health 2. Application of clinical decision-making through nursing process occurs in the learning lab, acute care medical-surgical clinical and community settings.

Class Hours:
108 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequsite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 020
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-021
  • Culture of Health 3
  • Credit(s) 4

Culture of Health 3
NURS 021 focuses on concepts related to maternal child nursing with emphasis on development, family, and biopsychosocial concepts related to child bearing, sexuality, and pediatrics. Clinical decision-making through nursing process is emphasized for patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
72 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 021L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-021L
  • Culture of Health 3 Immersio
  • Credit(s) 3

Culture of Health 3 Immersio
NURS 021L focuses on child bearing, sexuality, and pediatric nursing skills and clinical experiences aligned with concepts in Culture of Health 3. Application of clinical decision-making through nursing process occurs in the learning lab, healthcare, and community settings.

Class Hours:
162 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 021
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-022
  • Family & A Culture of Health
  • Credit(s) 3

Family and a Culture of Health
NURS 022 is a theory and laboratory practice and remediation course that allows mastery of nursing concepts and nursing skills necessary for providing safe client care within a culture of health in the context of family and community. Application of clinical decision-making in acute care and community settings through nursing process is practiced.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture | 108 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-030
  • Culture of Health 4
  • Credit(s) 3

Culture of Health 4
NURS 030 focuses on medical-surgical concepts related to the management of care of adult patients with chronic and complex care needs. Clinical decision-making through nursing process is emphasized for patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 030L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-030L
  • Culture of Health 4 Immersion
  • Credit(s) 3

Culture of Health 4 Immersion
NURS 030L focuses on medical-surgical nursing skills and clinical experiences aligned with concepts in Culture of Health 4. Chronic and complex care needs of adult patients where transitions are emphasized through clinical decision-making and application of the nursing process and evidence-based practices in acute care and community settings.

Class Hours:
162 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 030
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-031
  • Culture of Health 5
  • Credit(s) 1.5

Culture of Health 5
NURS 031 focuses on concepts of patient-centered care for patients with a focus on mental health/psychiatric nursing. Communication, advocacy, and safety are emphasized. Clinical decision-making through nursing process is emphasized for patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
27 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 031L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-031L
  • Culture of Health 5 Immersion
  • Credit(s) 1.5

Culture of Health 5 Immersion
NURS 031L focuses on nursing skills and clinical experiences aligned with concepts in Culture of Health 5. Clinical experiences occur in mental health/psychiatric, acute, chronic, and community settings with a focus on community resources. Application of the nursing process and evidencebased practices are emphasized.

Class Hours:
81 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 031
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-032
  • Issues & Trends in a Culture
  • Credit(s) 3

Issues and Trends in a Culture of Health
NURS 032 is a theory and laboratory remediation course. The course allows mastery of nursing concepts and nursing skills necessary for providing safe client care within a culture of health in the context of health care trends, issues and the community. Application of clinical decision-making in acute care and community settings through nursing process is practiced.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture | 108 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-040
  • Culture of Health 6
  • Credit(s) 2.5

Culture of Health 6
NURS 040 focuses on concepts of medical-surgical nursing as related to trauma and other complex, life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Emergency preparedness in healthcare systems is also addressed. Clinical decision making through nursing process is emphasized for patients in the context of a Culture of Health.

Class Hours:
45 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 040L
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-040L
  • Culture of Health 6 Immersion
  • Credit(s) 3.5

Culture of Health 6 Immersion
NURS 040L focuses on nursing skills and clinical experiences aligned with concepts of Culture of Health 6. Clinical learning focuses on integration and application of medical-surgical concepts of trauma and complex care while providing patient-centered care in acute healthcare and community settings. Application of the nursing process and evidence-based care are emphasized.

Class Hours:
189 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 040
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-041
  • Trans into Practice in the Co
  • Credit(s) 1.5

Transition into Practice in The Community
NURS 041 focuses on concepts of management and leadership, professionalism, healthcare systems and policies, and informatics in improving patient outcomes for adults and older adults. This course supports strategies for success prior to entering Registered Nursing Practice.

Class Hours:
27 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corequisite(s) NURS 041
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-041L
  • Community Immersion
  • Credit(s) 1

Community Immersion
NURS 041L involves application of concepts occurring in healthcare and community settings aligned with the course; Transition into the Practice in the Community. Students will integrate course concepts and provide leadership in the provision of patient-centered care, while supporting a Culture of Health. Application and evaluation of clinical decision-making within a nursing process framework is emphasized in addition to provision of evidence-based care.

Class Hours:
54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program Corerequisite(s) NURS 041
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • NURS-042
  • Community & a Culture of Healt
  • Credit(s) 3.5

Community and a Culture of Health
NURS 042 is a theory and laboratory practice and remediation course that allows mastery of nursing concepts and nursing skills necessary for providing safe client care within a culture of health in the context of health care trends, issues and the community. Application of clinical decision-making in acute care and community settings through nursing process is practiced.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture | 81 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Transfers to:
UC/CSU