Current Program

Vocational Nursing is a three-semester full-time program of instruction that provides students with theory and clinical experience designed to enable them to develop a basic understanding of health and disease to care for clients in acute and chronic health care facilities. This program fosters the application of knowledge and skills to meet the cultural and ethnical needs of clients throughout the lifespan. The focus of care is initiated through the use of the nursing process with the goal being to maintain a state of wellness or to support the client with comfort and dignity. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates to take the Vocational Nursing licensing examination. Several factors have affected the program's course offerings in recent years, including changing economic conditions, changes in student interests and students' basic skill levels, the increasing use of technology in the workplace as well as the classroom, and the college's change to a compressed calendar. The Health Occupations curriculum is designed to prepare persons to enter Nursing programs, obtain entry-level skills, or provide continuing education in specialized areas. Courses include Certified Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide.

Degrees and Certificates - A Certificate of Completion is offered.

Personnel - At this time the program employs four full-time faculty, three part-time faculty, and one student employee.

Teaching Methodologies - At the present time lecture, lecture/lab, lecture/demonstration, large lecture/study groups and lab instruction are the primary teaching methods employed in the program. Some self-paced, service based learning and computerized instruction is also used.

Technology - No online or distance learning technology is used in the program.

Equipment - Some VCRs and overhead projectors are in need of immediate repair, and several VCRs, overhead projectors, outdated hospital beds, computers, pneumatic chairs and arm chairs need to be replaced. There is an urgent need for a copy machine, a fax machine and additional computers.

Facilities - Facilities are old and outdated and need ventilation as well as air conditioning. Windows and ceilings should be checked for safety.

Future Program

Vocational Nursing and Health Occupations will need to adapt to many conditions in the next ten years, including changes in technology and teaching methodologies, curriculum development, student academic preparation, recruitment strategies and facilities. Due to the increasing numbers of multi-cultural and ethnically diverse students enrolling in the program, there is an ever-increasing need for bilingual instructors. Enrollment in the program is expected to increase at a faster rate than the overall college enrollment in both the mid term and long term. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - Requirements for degrees and certificates may change over the mid term (five years) and long term (ten years) but no change in the types of degrees or certificates offered is planned.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - In the future, online and distance learning methods are expected to be used to offer several courses that lend themselves to such systems. For example, courses such as Math Calculations, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Nursing Ethics and Spanish for Healthcare Professionals could be offered through distance education.

Technology - In the future, more computerized instruction and the offering of online courses will require upgrades in program technology.

Equipment - At least one computer needs to be replaced and an additional new computer needs to be purchased to keep up with new technology.

Facilities - Labs need individualized patient cubicles, piped-in oxygen and suction outlets, electrical beds, improved lighting, and isolation and medication rooms. At least one additional large lecture room and at least one conference room are needed, and private office spaces for all faculty are needed. Classrooms need to be electronic to keep up with technology.

Staff Development - Technology and education seminars designed to keep staff up-to-date are needed.