Instructors:  Kayla Sims, Mary Easterling, Terri Curry
Coordinator: Kayla Sims
Secretary: Lesa Workman
Phone:  304-752-6414
Email: kayla.sims@k12.wv.us

Office Hours:  11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

9123 – Practical Nursing-Principles and Fundamentals
9124 – Social Sciences Integrated
9125 – Anatomy and Physiology
9126 – Nutrition and Diet Therapy
9127 – Pharmacology
9128 – Medical Surgical
9129 – Geriatrics
9130 – Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing
9131 – Obstetrics
9132 – Pediatrics

The Ralph R. Willis School of Practical Nursing Program is a twelve month program. The pre-entrance exam is given in January of each year to qualify for the August entry. The curriculum consists of systematically organized classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical experience. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive a certificate of completion which deems them eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure.

The Ralph R. Willis School of Practical Nursing Program is offered at the Ralph R. Willis Career and Technical Center and sponsored by the Logan County Board of Education through cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Vocational and Adult Education. The nursing program is accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses and seeks to conform to all written requirements and policies of the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Practical Nursing and the West Virginia Division of Vocational and Adult Education.

The Ralph R. Willis School of Practical Nursing Program is affiliated with the Logan Regional Medical Center, WV Health Systems, Genesis Eldercare/Logan Center, Trinity Health Care, Highland Hospital, Logan-Mingo Mental Health, Dignity Hospice, Logan Hematology/Oncology, WV-Dialysis and other clinical facilities.

The goal of the faculty is to assist you in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for safe, competent nursing practice. Your responsibilities include studying, learning and applying the knowledge and skills that are offered to you. As a student of the Ralph R. Willis School of Practical Nursing Program, it is also your responsibility to conduct yourself in a professional manner and to be accountable for your actions. One of your primary responsibilities is to know and follow all policies of the nursing program.

This course introduces the student to the role of the practical nurse in the provision of basic nursing care to diverse populations across the life span. The course is designed to progress from simple to complex and to enable the student to understand the rationale for various procedures and treatments. Professional communication, critical thinking, theory concepts, the nursing process and evidenced based practice are taught. Clinical experiences allow the learner to apply knowledge and skills introduced in the lab and classroom. The concepts introduced and incorporated into the care of individuals are: basic needs; biological, nutrition, psychological, social and spiritual, hygiene, physiological functioning, safety, cultural diversity, societal influences, developmental stages and principles of teaching/learning. The student will perform nursing skills and function within the scope of practice of the practical nurse in the long term care and acute care setting.

This is a beginning course for the practical nursing student. Students are aided in the development of efficient methods of study including goal setting. This course is designed to aid the student from admission to post graduation and to challenge the student to think critically. It provides techniques for both personal and professional growth while emphasizing the value of continued education. Students learn the historical roots of nursing: the differences between professional and practical nursing: ethical, legal, and behaviors associated with nursing. This course presents concepts related to effective communication through the life span and as a core tool for effective supervision, leadership and management. Leadership and Management aids the student in the transition from student nurse to graduate nurse by enhancing self-understanding, clarification of the dynamics of the health professional-patient relationship, and developing awareness of the larger societal and health care context in which the relationship takes place. It utilizes student portfolios and computer skills as unique learning tools.

This is a beginning course for the practical nursing student. Students are aided in the development of efficient methods of study including goal setting. This course is designed to aid the student from admission to post graduation and to challenge the student to think critically. It provides techniques for both personal and professional growth while emphasizing the value of continued education. Students learn the historical roots of nursing: the differences between professional and practical nursing: ethical, legal, and behaviors associated with nursing. This course presents concepts related to effective communication through the life span and as a core tool for effective supervision, leadership and management. Leadership and Management aids the student in the transition from student nurse to graduate nurse by enhancing self-understanding, clarification of the dynamics of the health professional-patient relationship, and developing awareness of the larger societal and health care context in which the relationship takes place. It utilizes student portfolios and computer skills as unique learning tools.

The purpose of this course is to introduce the practical nursing student to the variances of growth and development that occur during each stage of the lifespan. The lifespan begins during the prenatal period and continues through late adulthood. Family lifestyles will be studied as well as the theorists who researched the cognitive and psychosocial development in children and adults. These principles, using the nursing process, will be applied to clients in various health care settings.

This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge of human anatomy and physiology starting from the molecular level and progressing to the level of integrated systems. Emphasis is on normal structure and homeostatic function of the human organism. Introductory content includes basic anatomical terminology, basic and biochemistry, cell structure and function, and tissues. The anatomy, histology, and physiology of the body systems will be integrated with medical-surgical nursing and are presented according to systems in a sequential manner from simple to complex. The student will utilize the information as a foundation in relation to medical-surgical areas. The student will explore the following systems: the immune and lymphatic systems, respiratory system, hematologic system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, neurological system, and sensory systems.

This is a beginning course for the practical nursing student.  This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of nutrition based on basic nutrition principles. Scientific standard recommendations of levels of nutrient intake for a healthy population are discussed. Sources and functions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are also studied. Awareness of nutritional preferences of different ethnic groups, and nutritional requirements throughout the life span are discussed. Nutritional requirements associated with specific disease process is integrated throughout medical-surgical course.

This course is an introduction to the science of pharmacology with emphasis on the actions, interactions, adverse effects, and nursing implications of each drug classification. Topics include the skills, roles, and responsibilities of the nurse in safe administration of medications within an ethical/legal framework. Dosage calculations and medication administration skills are practiced in a laboratory setting. Pharmacology is integrated throughout the medical- surgical, geriatric and pediatric and obstetric courses interrelating the body system with the disease process as well as the drug classification, patient education, wellness, maintenance, alternative therapies and cultural considerations.

This course is a beginning study that introduces the student to the role of the nurse in assessing and meeting the medical and surgical nursing needs of adults across the life span in various health care settings. Medical-Surgical Nursing provides an understanding of the nurse’s role in health and illness within evolving practice environments and across the spectrum of health and illness. This course will address nursing care issues from a physiological, pathophysiological, and psychosocial context. Nursing students will be presented with up-to-date knowledge which will allow them to think critically, creatively, and compassionately. The student learns nursing concepts to assist the patient in achieving optimal functioning. Knowledge from fundamental nursing, anatomy, and pharmacology, along with the continued integration of nutrition, pharmacology, geriatrics and cultural concepts provides foundations for nursing care planning for the medical and surgical client. Common medical surgical health deviations will be reviewed with an emphasis on pathophysiology, etiology, health promotion and nursing interventions. Principles of communication, patient teaching, pharmacology, nutrition and culture/ethnic/socially diverse concepts will be integrated with these topics to develop critical thinking skills in client care. This course provides the theoretical basis for the provision of nursing care for clients before and after surgical procedures, integumentary disorders, fluid/electrolytes and acid base balances, immune and lymphatic disorders, hematological disorders, and respiratory disorders. This course also provides the theoretical basis for the provision of nursing care for clients dealing with hematologic disorders, cardiac disorders, neurological disorders, sensory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, urinary disorders, endocrine disorders and disasters and bioterrorism attacks.

Geriatric Nursing presents the theories and concepts of aging, the physiologic and psychosocial changes and problems associated with the process and the appropriate nursing interventions. The course examines the trends and issues affecting the older adult, and modifying basic nursing skills for the aging population. The course will provide a balanced perspective on the realities of aging and broaden the student’s viewpoint regarding aging people so that the student will provide care and contribute to the development of the care plan using the nursing process and prioritize the needs of the client while recognizing and respecting culture diversity. The course examines end-of- life issues concerning the aging population. The course will provide the basic knowledge to allow the student to provide care to the aging population in a compassionate, caring and appropriate manner.

This course presents an introduction to Mental Health Nursing with a focus on the role of the practical nurse. The course begins with universal concepts needed in the care of patients experiencing a mental health alteration. An understanding of the health care needs of patients experiencing common mental health alterations is then built upon this foundation. The course concludes with mental health issues, as well as care needs, that frequently challenge the elderly.

Maternity Nursing involves the study of obstetrical care during antepartum, intrapartum and post-partial periods. This course involves information related to the physiological and psychological integrity of the pregnant woman and newborn infant. The course enables the student to promote health and health maintenance through safe and effective care while respecting cultural diversity.

This course will cover the wellness and illness continuum of childhood (infant through adolescents).  The student studies the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that commonly occur in children. The student is taught the care of the young patient based on the nursing process. Course content will explore the practical nurse’s role as a member of the Pediatric Health Care Team.  Course emphasis will be on data collection, nursing interventions, health maintenance and family education.  Basic knowledge of growth and development of the child from infancy to adolescence is reviewed.