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Release Date:

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Learn about the disease process: Pathophysiology starts online June 9

HFC nursing student preparing for patient care

Students aspiring to careers in the healthcare field – nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, etc. – should consider taking NSG 285: Pathophysiology for Nurses during the summer semester at HFC, beginning Tuesday, June 9. This class will be offered online for the first time.

NSG 285 enhances basic knowledge and understanding of human diseases. It reviews the etiology and the pathogenesis of diseases. It also reviews risk factors, long term effects, and prognoses of commonly occurring health issues.

“This class is not required for HFC’s nursing program, but it is a required pre-requisite for other nursing schools. Also, students take this class as a prerequisite for physician assistant programs,” said HFC nursing instructor Russell Horning, who teaches the class.

Pre-requisite requirements for NSG 285 include BIO 233: Anatomy & Physiology and BIO 234: Anatomy & Physiology II. Special consideration may be given to students who have successfully completed BIO 134: Introduction to Biology.

Concepts covered in NSG 285

Concepts covered in NSG 285 that apply directly to HFC nursing courses include:

NSG 119: Medical-Surgical Nursing II
* Acid/Base (respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis)
* Fluid and electrolytes (electrolyte Imbalances)
* Metabolism (diabetes, thyroid)
* Perfusion (hypertension)
* Cellular regulation (cancer)
* Inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis)
* Immunity (HIV/AIDS)

NSG 202: Medical-Surgical Nursing III
* Fluid and electrolytes (renal failure)
* Cellular regulation (lung cancer)
* Oxygenation (COPD, asthma)
* Perfusion (heart failure)
* Inflammation (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease)

NSG 207: Pediatric Nursing
* Elimination (nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis)

NSG 209: Medical-Surgical Nursing IV
* Fluid and electrolytes (SIADH, diabetes insipidus)
* Intracranial regulation (stroke, traumatic brain injury)
* Metabolism (liver failure)

Intended outcomes of NSG 285:

Develop critical thinking skills about disease processes
Build a strong foundation to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
Provide a high level of care for patients when you begin your career in healthcare

“Students who have taken this class historically have done better in nursing school. Students say the course helped them develop the critical-thinking skills needed to succeed in nursing school and beyond,” said Horning. “Taking this course can help strengthen students’ foundation in nursing. After this course, they will be able to think critically about disease processes and become more practice-ready.”

For questions or more information about NSG 285, contact Horning at rhorning@hfcc.edu.