Associate Degree Nursing
The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum is based on a conceptual design and builds upon the organizing principles of concepts. The foundation of each course includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. The core values of excellence, integrity, caring, diversity, ethics, holism, and client-centeredness are considered within each domain. This framework is designed to promote the recognition of similarities and reoccurring characteristics. The conceptual foundation is applied to more specific exemplars.
Each exemplar is taught with consideration of interrelated concepts, pharmacological and diagnostic interventions, and comparison across the lifespan, and includes quality care for diverse clients within an individual, family, and community context. Each course provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs that impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.
Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team providing safe, individualized care while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEXRN). Employment opportunities are vast within the global healthcare system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community healthcare facilities.
In accordance with the A-B Tech strategic goal of ensuring academic program relevance, the nursing program student learning outcomes (curriculum outcomes) are assessed, evaluated, and reported for division and college review. This process demonstrates compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation standards. The curriculum outcomes are as follows:
Upon completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program students will,
- demonstrate skills necessary to provide safe, quality care,
- demonstrate knowledge necessary for professional nursing practice,
- identify as a nurse committed to being a client advocate, who is caring and culturally competent,
- utilize informatics and evidence-based data to provide nursing care to clients,
- demonstrate behaviors that reflect integrity, responsibility, and ethical practices,
- apply the principles of interdisciplinary team management.
The curriculum core competencies align with the curriculum outcomes. Each course integrates the curriculum outcomes into course outcomes. Core competencies are evaluated in didactic, lab, and clinical settings. The integrating concepts of context and environment, knowledge and science, personal/professional development, quality and safety, relationship-centered care, and teamwork are used as a framework for core competencies and course design.