Health Occupations
- Dental Assistant, Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Dental Assistant, Certificate of Achievement (Level II)
- Nursing - ADN Completion Option
- Nursing - Practical, Certificate of Achievement
- Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing
- Respiratory Therapy - RT, Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Surgical Technology, Associate in Applied Science Degree
Allied Health
The following courses are appropriate for students in pre-professional medical studies in many health careers, and for those health professionals who wish professional continuing education course work. The content of these courses provides a broad background and can be a useful tool in the medical field. Students who wish credits from these courses transferred to other college or university health programs should consult with a NMC counselor to facilitate the process. Admission to a NMC Health Occupations program is not required to enroll in most of these elective courses.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
This course will introduce students to informatics in health care and, in particular, nursing. Students will enhance their ability to use modern informatics such as computer and Internet resources as well as Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software, in the health care environment. This course will be offered in a hybrid online and face-to-face format. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
The student will learn the basic construction of medical words through the use of medical prefixes, suffixes, combining vowels and root words. This foundation will facilitate the understanding of new medical vocabulary encountered in other course work or work situations. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
The course details the structure of infectious organisms and mechanisms of disease transmission, including host defenses against disease and specific diseases of concern to dental and medical personnel. In addition, the course provides an overview of MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations and occupational safety measures as they relate to the dental and medical fields. Group 2 course.
Dental Assistant
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
Students are introduced to the role of the dental assistant and the dental team and opportunities for employment. Students will be informed of the requirements for certification and registration and the various organizations and associations within dentistry and dental assisting. Other areas studied will include dental specialties, dental terminology, applied psychology in the dental office, office preparedness to manage medical and dental emergencies, instrument and equipment identification and charting. The student will have an opportunity to view a dental office to see the set up and to observe the roles of each person on the dental team. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
This is the pre-clinical component of Introduction to Dentistry Lecture. Students are introduced, learn, and practice dental office applications and chairside techniques in a fully equipped dental clinic. Students assist and simulate dental procedures, infection control protocols, dental emergency response techniques, and other miscellaneous dental assisting duties in this course. Group 2 Course. Communications - Direct.
Corequisites: HDA 101
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
Students learn the preparation, manipulation, and use of dental materials commonly found in the dental office. There will be discussion regarding the equipment needed, mixing techniques, and proper usage of waxes, restorative materials, impression materials, gypsum products, cements, metals and therapeutic materials. Preparation of each material will be demonstrated. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 113
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
This course familiarizes the student with the handling of dental materials commonly used in the dental office. Opportunities are provided in the laboratory to develop skills in mixing techniques, impression taking, digital scanning, construction of study models, bleach and acrylic trays, and cleaning and polishing appliances. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 112
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
The student will learn the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity, teeth and head. Students will learn the histology of the teeth and surrounding structures, the bones of the skull, the nerves and blood supply of the head and neck, the muscles of mastication, and the names and functions of the teeth and oral structures. This class will also provide detailed information on the anatomy of the individual teeth. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with disease processes related to the oral cavity and to enable the student to identify these diseases. The student will become familiar with various drugs and their uses in dentistry, prescription writing and documentation, the sources of drugs, routes of administration, and the conditions that modify the reactions of drugs. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
Students are acquainted with the procedures necessary for efficient dental office management. Topics include appointment book control, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, dental record keeping, third party payment, patient recall, inventory control, telephone techniques, and use of computer hardware and software unique to the dental office. This course is offered in a self-paced format. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
This course acquaints the student with the types of emergencies that may arise in the dental office. The students will learn the procedures to follow when medical and dental emergencies occur, the importance and significance of obtaining accurate and complete patient histories, the proper emergency equipment necessary in a dental office to manage these emergencies and the maintenance of that equipment, and the taking and recording of vital signs. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
This course deals with educating dental patients in proper oral hygiene and nutrition. The topics of discussion will include vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, food groups, fluoride treatments, oral examinations, pit and fissure sealants, public health dentistry, and oral hygiene instructions. Student demonstration and participation is emphasized. A dietary analysis will be learned and demonstrated by students. Two community presentations will be designed and presented by each student. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Credit Hours: 5, Contact Hours: 5
Division: Health Occupations
This course provides the foundation for dental assistant clinical procedures performed in both general and specialty dental offices. Topics include theory and application of four-handed dentistry; application of infection control procedures; an overview of procedures and techniques unique to dental specialties; and background information and technical skills performed by the Registered Dental Assistant. In addition, local dental specialists serve as guest speakers. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 241
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 5
Division: Health Occupations
This is the clinical component of Chairside Procedures. Students learn and practice operative and specialty chairside techniques in a fully equipped dental clinic. Students assist our staff dentist during simulated dental procedures. Expanded duties for dental assistants are also introduced in this course. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 240
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
The fundamentals of radiology as applied to dentistry will be presented. Special consideration will be given to radiation physics, hazards, biological effects, protection and quality control methods. Basic interpretation and radiographic anatomy will also be included. While extraoral techniques are discussed, emphasis will be given to the proper techniques for exposing, processing, and mounting traditional and digital intraoral radiographs of diagnostic quality. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 243
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
Clinical component of Dental Radiography lecture. Students will be introduced to a variety of radiography techniques and will learn how to expose, process and mount radiographs of diagnostic quality. Requirements include multiple sets on dental manikins and four FMX sets on dental patients utilizing digital techniques. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HDA 242
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
The purpose of this course is to prepare students for the CDA and RDA written exams. Included are review sessions covering General Chairside, Infection Control, and Radiography for both exams and additional specific topics that relate directly to Michigan's expanded functions for dental assistants. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
This course will provide dental assistant students with study/application sessions for the clinical portion of the state licensure exam. Expanded functions of special interest are dental amalgams, temporary crowns, and dental dams. Must be a current dental assisting student or graduate of a post-secondary dental assisting program approved by the State Board of Dentistry. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 5, Contact Hours: 5
Division: Health Occupations
Students are assigned to two or more dental offices in the community. 300 hours of hands-on experience includes chairside assisting, office management, laboratory techniques and expanded functions. A majority (over 50%) of internship hours must be completed in a general practice and the additional hours can be in a specialty practice. In addition, each student must also observe for four hours in each of the following: endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and periodontics. This course includes 6 hours of internship meetings with the instructor and classmates. During the internship experience, students must show progression from "O" (observed) to "W" (with assistance) to "A" (assisted alone) on their journal entries. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Corequisites: HDA 286
Nursing
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4
Division: Health Occupations
The students learn the foundation for professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on the principles and skills needed to apply the clinical judgment required for safe patient-centered care. Communication is emphasized as an essential aspect of the professional role. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 12
Division: Health Occupations
Through laboratory and/or clinical experience students learn about the professional identity of the nurse while acquiring and applying basic nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills in order to provide safe patient-centered care. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct, Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
Students learn an overview of pharmacology with emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process. The course explores pharmacological principles, including indications, modes of action, side effects, contraindications and medical calculations for the safe administration of medications. Specific nursing judgment and collaborative responsibilities for drug administration are emphasized. Legal statutes and standards regulating drug administration within the scope of nursing professional identity are presented. Individualized patient variables across the lifespan will also be a focus of study. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
Students learn an overview of pharmacology with emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process. The course is organized by medication classification. It explores indications, modes of action, side effects, contraindications and interactions for the safe administration of select drugs. Specific individualized patient care, nursing judgment, and collaborative responsibilities to drug administration are emphasized. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 5, Contact Hours: 5
Division: Health Occupations
Presentation of nursing management of health care issues related to uncomplicated pregnancy, birth, and neonatal period. Introduction of nursing management of common health alterations found in both chronically and acutely ill clients across the lifespan. Emphasis will be made on utilizing evidence-based practice to identify appropriate nursing interventions to achieve the desired outcome for the client based on their developmental level across the lifespan. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 5, Contact Hours: 15
Division: Health Occupations
Clinical experiences providing opportunities to apply principles studied in HNR 125. Clinical learning environments will include the opportunity to apply medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric nursing interventions in a variety of settings, including acute care and simulation experiences. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
Reviews ethical/legal responsibilities of the LPN. Presents issues and trends related to LPN practice, nursing organizations, continuing education; and licensure. Discusses occupational opportunities and provides information on employment search, job-seeking skills and transition issues. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 1.5
Division: Health Occupations
Presentation of nursing interventions and concepts required for adult patients with complex medical-surgical disorders. Emphasizes advanced assessment, analysis, nursing judgment, and nursing accountability. The focus is on adult patients with multiple complex requirements. Geriatric considerations are presented and integrated throughout. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 1.5
Division: Health Occupations
A continuation of presentation of nursing interventions and concepts required for adult patients with complex medical-surgical disorders. Emphasizes advanced assessment, analysis, nursing judgment, and nursing accountability. The focus is on adult patients with multiple complex requirements. Geriatric considerations are presented and integrated throughout. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HNR 248
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
This course provides information on complex problems facing families coping with complications during the childbearing/childrearing process, including an identification of at-risk families. These concepts will be applied to review of complications occurring during childhood and the prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 6
Division: Health Occupations
This course provides for the clinical application of the principles presented in the co requisite: HNR 241. Maternity clinical time will occur in an inpatient unit and pediatric clinical time will be in an acute or community pediatric setting observing and caring for pediatric patients. Students will complete a detailed family assessment, be involved in clinical simulations, and participate in these experiences by observing and/or directly providing care to at-risk families coping with childbearing and/or childrearing stressors/issues. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 12
Division: Health Occupations
Clinical experience providing opportunities to apply principles presented in HNR 221 and HNR 222. Emphasis is upon refinement of organization, decision-making, critical thinking, and priority-setting skills in the care of multiple clients with complex medical-surgical disorders. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Quantitative Reasoning.
Corequisites: HNR 222
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2
Division: Health Occupations
This course is designed to enable the student to better understand behavior exhibited by persons with mental disorders. Classifications, causes, and symptoms of mental diseases are presented and treatments such as individual, group, and activity therapies are explored. Emphasis is placed on the ways by which the nurse determines, develops, implements, and evaluates a therapeutic environment for the client. The implementing of theories of human behavior is the scientific aspect of mental health-psychiatric nursing; the purposeful use of the self in the performance of care is the artful aspect. The goal is preventative and corrective impact upon mental illness and the restoration of optimal mental health for individuals. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HNR 252
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
Clinical experience providing opportunities to apply principles presented in HNR 251. A variety of clinical settings addressing mental health issues in acute care, long-term care, and in community agencies are utilized. Emphasis is placed upon the exercise of critical thinking in addressing mental health issues and concerns. Additionally, students identify and analyze community resources of use to persons with mental health issues. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Quantitative Reasoning.
Corequisites: HNR 251
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
Introduces principles of leadership and management as these relate to providing nursing care to a group of patients. The principles of delegation, communication, and priority-setting are reviewed and a variety of nursing management challenges are discussed, including team building, managing change, conflict resolution, power and authority, political action, economic aspects of health care, legal/ethical issues, and emergency preparedness. Job-seeking skills, NCLEX-RN preparation, and issues related to role transition are discussed. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: HNR 262
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 12
Division: Health Occupations
Clinical experience providing opportunities to apply principles presented in HNR 261. Emphasis is placed upon organizational skills, time management, critical thinking, and the exercise of clinical judgment in managing the care for a normal RN caseload of patients. Students perform nursing care in the clinical area 24 hours per week for eight weeks with the goal of promoting a successful role transition from student to entry-level professional nurse. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Corequisites: HNR 261
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
In this class, students are provided the opportunity to travel to a specified destination affiliated with the corresponding nursing non-trip course. This course will serve to integrate the student learning experience and provide a sense of cultural perspective, diversity and regional awareness. The course is an opportunity for students to explore other areas around the world while applying discipline-specific course content. For a more specific course description, please review the course description of the associated non-trip course. Group 2 course.
Health Professional Development
Credit Hours: 0.2, Contact Hours: 0.2
Division: Health Occupations
Provides basic life support training, certification, and re-certification for students in the healthcare field who will need these skills in clinical practice. Students will take an online class through the American Heart Association (AHA), complete the post test, and print the certificate. Once the post test is successfully completed, students will sign up for a lab time to complete a practical exam to demonstrate the skills they learned. The certificate will be required to take the practical exam. Group 2 course.
Surgical Technology
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
In this course, students will learn the primary functions of the surgical technologist in multiple roles within the operating room environment. Points of focus will include effective communication, professional interactions with the patient and surgical team, proper personal protective equipment, introduction to asepsis, safety precautions, instrumentation, equipment, supplies, stapling devices, suture, and infection control and wound healing. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: SRG 101L
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 4
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will learn and practice in the laboratory environment the skills required to perform in the surgical setting. Emphasis will be placed on introductory skills, instrumentation, equipment and procedures relevant to general, gynecological, and genitourinary procedures. Students will be evaluated on their sterile and aseptic technique as well as case management skills. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: SRG 101
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 1.5
Division: Health Occupations
Students in this course will learn about the cell, cell organelles and processes, and transport. This course will also cover varying types of organisms that cause infection, the infection process, and microbe identification. The body's natural defense system, as well as common bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause disease, will be covered including the response. Current and emerging global diseases that have the potential to reach or at current epidemic, endemic, or pandemic levels will be discussed including COVID-19. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 1.5
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will learn the pharmaceuticals used in surgical practice to include their actions, use, effects, contraindications and administration. The anesthesia process will be covered in defining the stages of general anesthesia as well as the different types of agents used. The course will cover the equipment, safe practices, sterile technique and terminology used in relation to pharmacology. Students will also cover practices relating to alternative therapies such as herbal medication, acupuncture, massage, and music therapy and their effect on the surgical patient. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4
Division: Health Occupations
Students in this course will study the relevant surgical anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, supplies, equipment, and instrumentation needed for a variety of procedures in the areas of general, obstetrics and gynecological, genitourinary, and orthopedic surgery. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: SRG 121L
Credit Hours: 3.5, Contact Hours: 7
Division: Health Occupations
Students in this course will learn and practice in the laboratory environment the skills required to perform in the surgical setting. Emphasis will be placed on advanced skills concerning instrumentation, equipment and procedures relevant to orthopedic, ENT, plastic, reconstructive, minimally invasive, and vascular procedures. Students will also practice patient transport, transfer, urinary catheterization, skin prep, patient positioning and draping procedures. Students will be evaluated on their sterile technique and case management skills. This course will also include a clinical observation component of the relevant areas of the perioperative environment. Group 2 course.
Corequisites: SRG 121
Credit Hours: 0.5, Contact Hours: 0.5
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will define patient-centered care to determine the differing needs of the various patient populations that visit the surgical department. Important areas that will be described include appropriate communication, cultural and spiritual competence, and grief advocacy. This course will cover the aspects of the death in the operating room along with the organ transplant process. Students will also cover patient transport, transfer, urinary catheterization, skin prep, patient positioning and draping procedures. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 1.5
Division: Health Occupations
Students in this course are introduced to the basic concepts of physics to include the elements of motion, energy, light, sound and electricity and how they apply to surgical practice. Further study will include aspects of minimally invasive surgery including laparoscopy and robotic surgery. Students will also be introduced to the cases performed in interventional radiology and how they are integrated within surgical practice. The course will conclude with the study of diagnostic interventions integral in surgical practice as well as diagnosing pathologies preoperatively. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
Students will study the relevant surgical anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, supplies, equipment, and instrumentation needed for a variety of procedures. Surgical procedures covered will include the areas of otorhinolaryngology, Oral & Maxillofacial, ophthalmic, plastic & reconstructive, trauma surgery, and All-Hazard preparation. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 5, Contact Hours: 15
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will be in the clinical environment practicing to and performing essential skills required in the perioperative environment. While under the supervision of a surgical technologist or RN the student will observe, scrub, and assist on procedures as directed by the surgical team. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 0.5, Contact Hours: 0.5
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will complete a career portfolio and employment training. Major topics in this course include resume creation, both written and online portfolios, interview preparation, job search strategies, and professional attire. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
Division: Health Occupations
Students in this course will study the relevant surgical anatomy and physiology, factors unique to surgical procedures, pathophysiology, supplies, equipment, and instrumentation needed for a variety of procedures. Surgical procedures covered include the disciplines of neurology, vascular, cardiothoracic, and pediatric surgical procedure categories. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 6, Contact Hours: 18
Division: Health Occupations
In this course students will continue working in the surgical environment under the direction of a surgical technologist or RN. The student will observe, scrub, and assist on more complex surgical cases as directed by the surgical team. The progression from student to entry level surgical technologist is the goal for the completion of this course along with the successful completion of the 120 scrubbed case requirements. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 1, Contact Hours: 1
Division: Health Occupations
In this course, the students will focus on exam preparation for the certification exam given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) that will be taken electronically on campus the last week of the program. Testing strategies and studying techniques will be a large focus point as well as online practice exams. Group 2 course.