(1) The primary role of the practical nurse graduate is to provide nursing care for clients in structured health care settings who are experiencing common, well-defined health problems. In their roles as members of the discipline of nursing, practical nurses actively participate in and subscribe to the legal and ethical tenets of the discipline. The practical nurse functions under supervision as set forth in 37-8-102 , MCA.

(2) The curriculum must include basic knowledge of:

(a) nursing process;

(b) client's physiological needs;

(c) client's psychosocial needs; and

(d) maintenance and promotion of health.

(3) The curriculum must provide for progressive development of knowledge, skills, and professional conduct.

(4) The choice and placement of courses, selection of learning activities, and the organization of these must provide continuity, sequence, and integration in the total curriculum.

(5) Learning experiences must be based on written behavioral objectives which include demonstration of knowledge, comprehension, and application.

(6) The program must include practical nursing theory and guided clinical practice based on the nursing process. It must include the content essential to current practice in practical nursing.

(7) The practical nurse student shall successfully complete coursework related to the role of charge nurse in the following areas to prepare the graduate practical nurse to serve as a charge nurse:

(a) leadership;

(b) telephone orders;

(c) transcribing orders;

(d) documentation;

(e) nursing process;

(f) prioritization;

(g) organization; and

(h) delivery of long-term care.

(8) Content of the course work related to the role of charge nurse shall be developed in recognition of the role of charge nurse as supervisor of care provided as well as care needed, assessment of clients, notifying the professional nurse supervisor, notifying physicians, and the administration of medications and treatments.

(9) The practical nurse student shall successfully complete courses in the following areas to prepare the graduate practical nurse to administer intravenous therapy:

(a) fluid and electrolytes;

(b) the following types of intravenous solutions:

(i) isotonic;

(ii) hypotonic; and

(iii) hypertonic;

(c) infection control;

(d) pharmacology;

(e) technology and clinical application;

(f) parenteral nutrition;

(g) documentation;

(h) nursing process in relation to IV therapy; and

(i) institutional policies.

(10) Content of the courses shall be developed in recognition of the role of the practical nurse to perform intravenous therapy in accordance with the standards set forth at ARM 24.159.1011.