This course facilitates the development of beginning technical competency in the application of the nursing process to assist in meeting the needs of selected patients of varying ages. This course will also facilitate an introduction to nursing roles of the nurse in micro and macro-systems, as well as profession related and patient care concepts. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality care. The theoretical foundation for basic assessment and nursing skills is presented, and the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate these skills in a clinical laboratory setting. An introduction to the nursing process provides a decision making framework to assist students in developing effective clinical judgement and clinical reasoning skills.