DNE Programmes

This course introduces the students to elements of Sociology, which includes the study of culture, social institutions and social groups. The emphasis on these elements will enable the Nursing Student to appreciate how social forces influence group behaviour and its resultant effects on health.

This course provides the students with a general overview of psychology. It takes into account the diversity and contemporary approaches in Psychology, definitions, history, psychological tests and ethical issues. It also provides students with a general understanding of the basic concepts/principles of the human behaviour throughout the human life cycle. Thus assisting students to develop a satisfactory interpersonal relationship with patients, family, peers and others.

This course focuses on the concept of nourishing human life. The nurse requires knowledge of the key nutrients and how they function to sustain life and the processes involved in maintenance and promotion of good health. This baseline information is useful in developing positive attitudes and developing the relevant skills for the application of the principles of human nutrition in the execution of promotive, preventive and curative nursing care at a professional level.

This course traces the evolution and factors influencing the development of nursing at International, Regional and National levels. It also includes professional ethics, the legal aspects of nursing, professionalism, the team approach and health services institutions.

This course provides students with basic information on drugs, their uses, contra-indications and administration. It gives the nursing student a background of the history of pharmacology and applies the basic knowledge and principles of pharmacology to the administration of drugs. In addition, it provides information on the classification of drugs, their actions in the body and therapeutic use.

This course is designed to enable nursing students to understand the nature and causes of disease and recognize their effects on the structure and function of the body systems.

This course gives information on the science and art of utilizing food and nutrition in meeting human nutritional needs in different states of health and disease. It provides a basic understanding of how food is used as a factor in aiding the alleviation of symptoms and recovery from illness. This course will provide a series of instructional modules, which can be utilized separately or in sequence with existing nursing care modules in Caribbean Schools of Nursing.

This course enables the students to understand the general principles involved in the study of micro-organisms, and to utilize knowledge gained in maintaining a safe environment for individuals and families within the community.

This course deals with interferences with the biological, safety and security and psychosocial/spiritual needs of the middle aged individual (45-64 years old).
The student will be taught to identify factors, which interfere with maintenance of these needs, and to utilize the nursing process in assisting the client to meet his needs. It also integrates the behavioural and biological sciences as well as pharmacological information specific to the 45-64 years old age group.

This course in IVA deals with needs interferences of the 12-44 years old caused by biological, psycho-social/spiritual and environmental factors. The student will be taught to identify factors, which interfere with the maintenance of these needs, and to utilize the nursing process in assisting the client to meet his/her needs. It also integrates biological and behavioural science as well as pharmacological information specific to the individual 12-44 years old. Health teaching and counselling are also included.

This course provides information about the family with particular reference to family developmental tasks, family life education and maternal and child health concept including the neonate. The students will be taught to utilize the nursing process to assist the following individuals to meet their basic needs:

1. The Family
2. The pregnant woman
3. The woman in labour
4. The post-natal woman
5. The neonate

This course deals with interference with the biological, psychosocial/spiritual and safety and security needs of the 1 month – 11 years age group. The student will be taught to identify factors, which interfere with the maintenance of these needs, and to utilize the nursing process in assisting the client to meet his needs. It also integrates behavioural and other sciences, pharmacological information specific to the 1 month – 4 years age group also health teaching and counseling.

This course deals with interferences of the psychosocial needs throughout the life cycle with particular reference to mental illness. The course provides information on the promotion and maintenance of mental health, recognition of deviations from normal behaviour and related nursing skills to address these deviations.

This course deals with interferences of the biological, safety and security, psychosocial/spiritual needs of the 65 years and older age group. The Student will be taught to identify factors, which interfere with the maintenance of these needs, and to utilize the nursing process in assisting the patient/client in meeting these needs. It also integrates behavioural and other sciences, pharmacological information specific to the 65 years and older age group. Also, this course outlines the aging process and factors affecting the aged.

The course is designed to enable students to understand what computer systems are, their main parts and functions and how they are used by various sectors of the community. The basic use of the following commonly used application software packages will be covered: spreadsheet, word processing, database, desktop publishing.

1. Disaster Management
   This course will provide students with information and skills in Disaster Management to assist them with the planning and implementation of Disaster Preparedness and Management Programmes.
2. Epidemiology
   This course introduces the student to the key concepts of epidemiology. It examines the modes of disease transmission characteristics of communicable diseases, methods of prevention, at the local, regional and international levels. Students will be guided in the identification of sources of data, the use of appropriate measures of calculations, the analysis and interpreting of data and the application of findings to infection prevention and control.
3. Operating Theatre Techniques
   This course deals with the specialized aspects of Nursing Care given to person in all age groups. It includes Principles of Operating Room Nursing to encompass the basic used, anesthesia and the needs of the patient in surgery. Principles of Operating Theatre Technique include the basic technique used and also the needs of the patient in the Operating Theatre.
4. Recovery Room Nursing
   This course deals with the specialized aspects of nursing care to be given to persons of all age groups. It includes principles of recovery room nursing to encompass the basic technique used, anesthesia and the needs of the patient in the recovery room.
5. Emergency Nursing
   This course is designed to give information on conditions and life threatening situations warranting emergency care in any setting. Students are taught how to identify emergency situations/conditions, and how to classify patients in order of priority to receive health care. In addition, Students are taught the principles of emergency management to include basic techniques of First Aid necessary to minimize loss of life and alleviate suffering.

1. Professionalism
   This course is designed to give the nursing student information on the professional responsibilities of the Nurse and outline acceptable standards of practice and behaviours which reflect the core values of the profession.
2. Career Development
   This course is designed to enable the nursing student to understand the dynamics of career development and to appreciate the relationship between personal and professional development.
3. Research
   This course guides the student in the development of the knowledge base, appropriate skills and attitudes to conduct research for the benefit of nursing. The student will be taught to identify issues in nursing requiring scientific inquiry, how to prepare a research proposal and how to transpose that proposal to a scientific study and ultimately to evidence based practice.
4. Teaching
   The students will be able to develop beginning skills in developing, implementing and evaluation teaching plans for individuals, families and communities. At the end of the session, students will demonstrate beginning competency in application and usage of a variety of teaching/learning methods.
5. Management
   This course guides the student in the development of management skills required by professional nurses in management roles. These roles include delegation of responsibilities, networking, and facilitation of groups, conflict resolution, leadership, case management and collaboration. Concepts addressed include leadership, team building, organizational structure, change, managing quality and performance, workplace diversity, budgeting and resource allocation, and delivery systems.