Kettering College - Pacemaker Yearbook (Kettering, OH)

Page 36 text:

In the first year the student is enrolled in basic skills classes. The first semester consists of four units: nursing techniques, patient therapeutics, interpersonal rela- tionships and patient assessment. During these classes the student does actual clinical work in the hospital. Along with the four units, the student nurse also learns about first aid, nutrition and safety. Classes in the second semester consist of five rotations: surgical nursing, geriatrics, orthopedics and psychiatric nursing. These five rotations challenge the freshmen to put all their basic knowledge to work. During the week the student spends at least eight hours in the hospital environment and four hours in the classroom. At the end of the first year three National League of Nursing exams are taken and if passed the freshman progresses to the senior level. The second year of nursing is divided into three sections: Mental-physical, Maternal and pediatrics. Mental-physical nurs- ing focuses on patient dise- quilibrium. Here the student nurse has a growing responsibility to make patient evaluations a part of their care and patient assessment becomes a main focus. Maternal nursing is another division in the second year. This course focuses on the “family- oriented’? maternity nursing. Throughout this class students at- tend childbirth classes and learn about care of the expectant mother through her delivery. The third field of studies is pediatrics. Pediatrics focuses on children who are ill and deals with separation from their parents. During this course the student nurse has the opportunity to do clinical work at Childrens’ Medical Center. Two other classes taken during the senior year are phar- macology and community health. The last semester of the senior year is spent on advanced nursing. This course prepares the student for meeting their responsibilities in the working world.

Page 38 text:

“Independence” is what makes the difference between the freshmen and the seniors. According to a group of seniors, self-reliance is the word that describes their senior year. Senior Tammy Slaton stated, “The instructors expect much more of you and as a senior you give patients complete care.” Senior Carol Owens exclaimed a similar sentiment: “As a senior you feel completely on your own. I definitely see a difference between the two years.” Seniors are not the only ones who feel a difference. The freshmen begin to feel a change in their second semester. Freshman Teri Barnhart felt the difference as “being able to put your basic skills to work and feeling confident about it.” This confidence was something that overcame the class and could be seen throughout their interactions in the hospital environment.