By Melanie Pedreira ’29, Staff Writer
LVC’s nursing program is rethinking its curriculum to better prepare students for the demands of clinical rotations.
The nursing department has moved pathophysiology and pharmacology earlier in the sequence, after recognizing students need foundational knowledge before entering clinical settings. Additionally, students now have the flexibility to choose any 200-level or above English class, which replaces the previous requirement of ENG-230: Grammar, Usage and Language. These new adjustments align with the national trends in nursing education and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essential Competencies.
“We realized that students had to take pathophysiology and then take pharmacology, but pharmacology was not taken until their junior year, which was too late,” Terri Worthey, department chair and associate professor of nursing, said. “They were unable to administer the medications in their clinicals.”
The revised timeline addresses critical gaps from the old curriculum. By moving pathophysiology to the spring of sophomore year and pharmacology to the fall of junior year, students can now enter clinicals with a deeper understanding of disease processes first and then medication administration. The nursing department is also aligning the curriculum with national competencies to ensure graduates are ready for the NCLEX and beyond.
“We’re identifying gaps and scaffolding knowledge, so students can build a strong foundation from the start and continue to build,” she said.
Worthey further emphasized the flexibility in the English course requirements. Far from being just a convenience, this initiative helps students become well-rounded thinkers and effective communicators.
“We wanted to move away from a single English class because we wanted to create more well-rounded students,” Worthey said. “The liberal arts foundation is important, and we want students to pick classes that interest them, whether it’s journalism, literature or something else. It’s about giving them the freedom to explore and grow beyond just the technical skills of nursing.”
Danika Setlock, a sophomore in the nursing program and LVC SNAP class of 2029 representative, believes these changes have been a welcome shift.
“This will allow us to have a base knowledge of the medications they are administering during our time at the hospital, without us having to refer to a medication guide while in the hospital,” Setlock said.
Jayden Sandoval, another sophomore in the nursing program, agrees that having these classes earlier in the curriculum will enable students to apply their knowledge early on during clinical settings. He also values the opportunity to choose his own English class.
“I appreciate having the choice because it lets me pick one I’m interested in, which gives me a better chance of succeeding,” Sandoval said.
With these changes, current nursing students are better positioned for success in both the classroom and clinical settings. They are also developing critical thinking and communication skills that will make them well-rounded professionals.