The Department of Fundamentals introduces and inculcates core values and skills of the nursing profession to nursing students as they begin their professional journey. The main aim of the department is to provide opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process and to mould beginners with the right attitude towards the nursing profession Students are divided into groups of 10 with one tutor/ faculty as their group leader who is also the mentor. It’s both a formal and informal relationship between the leader and the students and the focus is on character building, academic excellence, skill refinement, and all-round development. The skill lab is designed for basic nursing and medical-surgical nursing procedures. The lab has mannequins, patient care equipment, and devices. These students learn concepts and theories basic to the art and science of nursing and are equipped to provide comprehensive nursing care to patients in the pre-clinical laboratory before they are exposed to real hospital situations. Additionally, it introduces psychomotor nursing skills needed to assist individuals in meeting basic human needs. Skills necessary for maintaining microbial, physical, and psychological safety and skills needed in therapeutic interventions are introduced. In conclusion, students demonstrate competency in performing basic nursing skills for individuals with common health alterations. The department has a spacious lab that is well-equipped with patient simulators, CPR mannequins, life form hand simulators, etc. Three sides of the lab are lined with 12 hospital beds holding “patients” (mannequins) dressed in hospital gowns with a pillow, a blanket, an over-bed table, a bedside table, a bedside locker, an infusion stand, and a bed screen for privacy. Teachers can use this area to lecture and students can practice in this area. In the center of the room is a seating area with movable tables to enhance visibility for any sized group of students. All required articles are placed in different cupboards to demonstrate nursing skills.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Promote safe and secure environment.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Assess vital signs.
• Use therapeutic communication skills.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors
• Provide needs-based care according to Maslow’s Hierarchy. 
• Utilize the nursing process and critical thinking skills
• Manage comfort, pain, sleep, and rest.
• Provide for nutrition/fluid balance. 
• Administer medication through tubes.
• Maintain oxygenation.
• Promote, maintain, and restore elimination.
• Evidence-based practice

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

• Cognitive - comprehend knowledge of nursing fundamentals and the nursing process.
• Performance - apply knowledge of nursing fundamentals and the nursing process in a simulated and clinical environment.