N4612 Acute Care Practicum Course Syllabus

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO SCHOOL OF NURSING

Fall 2013

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a culminating experience in the last semester of the BSN program, which provides students opportunities to apply nursing theory, knowledge and skills into practice.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed using the principles of life-long learning and adult learning. The focus of the course is on application of all facets of nursing theory to the clinical setting, incorporating the entry-level competencies established by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. This course is a synthesis of applying knowledge from previous didactic courses and technical skills in the acute clinical setting. Students will plan, manage, provide, and coordinate care for various clients in the acute care setting using leadership and management techniques. The course has two components: seminar (30 hours) and clinical practicum (180 hours). The student is responsible for meeting course objectives, deadlines and requirements, participation and attendance, preparation for all assignments in the clinical and classroom setting, and professional behaviors. The student is expected to uphold policies of UTEP and the clinical facility, as well as maintaining standards of professional nursing practice.

PRE-REQUISITES: Successful completion of all required courses up to and including 7th semester and pre-requisites for the nursing curriculum; successful completion of the Preceptor On-Line Course, and the Pharmacology ATI examination; successful demonstration of clinical skills including a head-to-toe physical assessment, Foley catheter insertion, IV start, wound care and medication administration to include IVP, IVPB, PO, SQ, IM, and Intradermal. Clinical Clearances must be up to date and on file prior to this clinical assignment, and they must remain up to date throughout the semester. CREDIT ALLOCATION: Six (6) semester hours (2-0-12) FACULTY INFORMATION

Due to the variability of student/preceptor schedules, faculty will be available by telephone and/or email twenty-four hours per day and 7 days per week during the semester. Faculty unavailability will be communicated to students in advance and other faculty members will be designated for coverage. Students should limit calls to faculty between the hours of 2100 and 0600 to emergencies only. Should a student be unable to contact the assigned clinical faculty in the event of an emergency, the student should contact the Course Manager.

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Yvette Luna-Bowen, MSN, BSN, RN Instructor of Clinical Nursing N4612 Course Manager Office HSN 326 Office Hours: Monday 09:00 – 14:00, or by appointment*

(915) 747-7242 Office (915) 861-1256 Mobile ***For emergencies only.

ylbowen@utep.edu

Bernadette Banda, MSN, MHA, CRRN, RN Instructor of Clinical Nursing HSN 329

915) 747-6333 (915) 588-2471

bcbanda@utep.edu

Yvette C. Natividad, MSN, RN Instructor of Clinical Nursing

915) 747-6359 (915) 400-8797

ycmoya@utep.edu

Required Texts:

Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Nursing Care 7th edition, Carol Taylor, Carol Lillis, Priscilla LeMone, Pamela Lynn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

ATI: Nursing Leadership and Management 5th Ed.

ATI: Fundamentals for Nursing 7th Ed. Highly Recommended:

ANA’s Foundation of Nursing Package: Nursing: Scope & Standards of

Practice, Nursing's Social Policy Statement, and Guide to Code of Ethics for Nurses by the American Nurses Association.

PDA or similar smart device with required/recommended texts or a current drug

manual, lab/diagnostics manual and nursing diagnoses text.

Any NCLEX review text or texts or electronic software which offer practice NCLEX questions based on the most current NCLEX test blueprint.

All previous textbooks used in the Undergraduate Nursing Program.

Recommended Texts:

Clinical Coach for Nursing Excellence, Linda Campbell; Marcia A. Gilbert; Gary R. Laustsen

F.A. Davis Co; 1st edition (October 15, 2009). Thinking as a Nurse, Bruce Austin Scott, iUniverse, Inc; 1st edition (November

10, 2009).

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COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course the learner is expected to: 1. Perform the role of provider of care in delivering safe, effective, efficient nursing

care. 2. Perform the role of coordinator of care in:

A. effectively working in collaboration with others, B. implementing appropriate care measures within a managed care environment; C. delegating and using personnel to their maximum potential.

3. Perform the role of professional by:

A. accurately discussing the nursing practice act of the state in which the experience took place;

B. participating in professional activities (i.e., in-service, committees, policy and legal measures affecting nursing).

4. Demonstrate the use of theory and evidence base practice in his/her clinical

practice. 5. Analyze the impact of the organization’s leadership, management, political, and

socioeconomic influences on the nurse's ability to provide care. TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES: This course is not self-directed. You will seize new knowledge in a personal way throughout the semester. Cognitive dissonance accompanies the activities of accessing new information, examining prior learning from multiple perspectives, and synthesizing/applying current knowledge. Dissonance, in turn, creates the pool from which new knowledge is constructed. Teaching and learning strategies stimulate this process. Didactic course work and clinical content will help you develop the skills necessary to critically assess practice issues and identify clinical problems; conduct relevant evidence-based literature searches, and develop solutions to problems. A variety of teaching/learning strategies will be used to enrich the experience of all types of learners and includes: Didactic Content Clinical Content Course Orientation Clinical Orientation Scheduled Seminar Sessions Hospital Orientation/Computer Training Dosage Calculation Review Simulation Hospital Day/Open lab Dosage Calculation Remediation Skill Demonstration/Documentation Exercises Reviews Acute Care Practicum Hours PPT Presentations Journals 1-5 Pier Review Clinical project Quizzes (online) ATI Live Review (Mandatory) BB assignments/Responses NCLEX Questions Poster Board Presentations

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SIGNIFICANT LEARNING PROCESSES:

According to Fink (2003), significant learning occurs when we move away from content to include lifelong learning, caring, and a human dimension to our teaching/learning framework. We anticipate by the end of the semester you will be able to:

Information Utilize the principles of theory, evidence-based practice (EBP), and web-based resources to develop foundational information in the classroom and clinical setting.

Application Participate in seminars, discussions, and journals to apply foundational knowledge to a variety of clinical and classroom situations. Provide leadership, management, political, and socioeconomic influences on the nurse’s ability to provide care.

Integration To participate in both didactic and clinical content and to integrate foundational knowledge from these activities into practice.

Human Dimension

Participate in group discussions and respond to peer postings to identify the value of contributions made by professional colleagues in the classroom and in clinical rotations.

Caring Utilize the classroom time, clinical time and the discussion board to develop professional relationships with faculty, clinical faculty and peers.

Life-long learning

Utilize the skills in the role of provider, role of coordinator of care, and the role of professional essential for practice in the acute care practicum.

GRADING POLICY AND STRUCTURE:

N4612 is the capstone course of the nursing program. Examinations and/or quizzes are given to assess a student’s understanding of the concepts addressed in the required readings. A student must pass both the didactic and clinical portions of the course to pass the course. A. Achieving less than 75% in the didactic portion (examinations, and/or module

assessments, and NCLEX Questions) of the course or failing to pass clinical results in course failure. There is no rounding of grades and fractional points will be dropped.

B. Additional assignments are factored into the overall course grade only if the student

has achieved a minimum of 75% in the didactic portion of the course. C. Clinical performance is evaluated on a Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory basis. The

Practicum Clinical Evaluation is completed by the clinical preceptor based on the

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student’s performance at midterm and at the end of your clinical rotation (formative, summative). Students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in every criterion at the time of the final clinical evaluation. Failing to maintain minimum standards of practice results in course failure.

D.

Didactic Grades Module Assessments 40% NCLEX Questions (13 weeks) 25% RN Comp Practice Assessments 10% Clinical Grades Clinical Project 25%

_________ Total Points 100%

***Student must pass didactic with a minimum of 75% PRIOR to clinical grades being attached. ***

Didactic Grades Module Assessments: There are four module assessments, worth 25% [5% each]. The module assessments are online, and the questions are random. You are allocated 1 minute per question. It is available online and is accessible from 0500 to 2300 to accommodate your clinical work schedules. NCLEX question sets: 1.9% x 13 weeks = 25%

Clinical Grades Clinical Teaching Project: The teaching project is designed to assist you in application of Texas BON competencies, evidence based practice, critical and ethical reasoning skills, reflective insight, and application of the nursing process related to your clinical experiences. The clinical project is graded by the clinical faculty for the facility you are completing your practicum and is worth 25% of your clinical grade. The instructions and grading rubrics are provided on Blackboard as a guide and to encourage improved performance. Clinical faculty are there to provide assistance if you should have questions about your project. All references must be within the last 5 years, and in APA (current edition) format, and double spaced to be handed into your clinical instructor at the time of your presentation. All work is expected to be professional in appearance and scholarly in content. Leadership and Management: Students are to shadow a person in a Leadership role during their acute care practicum. Unit managers, CNOs, ECOs, and AODs are examples. Prior permission is needed from the person you are shadowing. The hours

Course Grade Points

A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 75-79 F =<74

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are documented on your time sheet. The person you are shadowing may initial on your time sheet verifying you were with them for a given time period. Grade Challenges:

A student may challenge his/ her grade as determined by a member of the faculty of the University during or within one year after the end of any credit course, qualifying or comprehensive examination, for which the student has been enrolled. A challenge to a grade may be pursued only on the basis of: malice, bias, arbitrary or capricious grade determination, or impermissible discrimination. In no event shall a challenge be pursued only on the basis of the standards employed in setting grades, so long as those standards are employed impartially. Students must attempt to resolve issues relating to grades through the following channels: First, with the faculty member or Course Manager who issued the grade; Second, with the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education; Third, with Executive Nursing Officer of the School of Nursing; Fourth, with Dean of the School of Nursing.

Formal grievances MUST be in WRITING and filed through the faculty member,

the SON Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and the Dean of the SON. Having failed to resolve the matter after consultation with the above persons, the student may consult with and/or file a challenge with the Chairperson of the University Student Welfare and Grievance Committee.

*Addendum or changes not affecting grading may be made to the syllabus after

start of the semester progresses as needed. Notifications of changes or updates are made on the Announcement section of Blackboard.

COURSE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Review Academic Regulations in UT El Paso Undergraduate Studies Catalog and the School of Nursing Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook for the following policies: Statement on Disability, Student Injury, Class Attendance, Religious Observance, Clinical Compliance and Policy on Academic Integrity.

This course is designed around the principles of adult learning. The student is responsible for meeting course objectives, deadlines and requirements, participation and attendance, preparation for all assignments in the clinical and classroom setting, and professional behaviors. The student is expected to uphold policies of UTEP and the clinical facility, as well as maintaining standards of professional nursing practice.

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Attendance: 8th

Semester Nurses are at a stage in their nursing careers where discussion among peers of topics and issues related to healthcare and the professions are essential elements. Lectures and seminars are designed to expose the 8th semester nurse to a forum of peers, similar to those they will encounter as registered nurses, where these issues can be discussed and debated. The learning value is contained not only in the content presented by the faculty or guest speaker, but in the discussions, exchange of ideas, and exploration of possible solutions. For this reason, attendance is required for all lectures, seminar and presentations (whether in the classroom or Blackboard), and students are expected to be on time, and to participate in discussions and activities. Post clinical conferences and assignment submission may occur on Blackboard, email, discussion boards, assigned chat rooms, or in person as determined by individual clinical faculty.

o Remediation for missed lectures/seminar or group presentations: Failure to

attend a lecture, seminar or presentation will result in an Incomplete (I) grade in the course until such time the missed requirement is satisfied. In order to satisfy the requirement, the student must attend the missed lecture, seminar or presentation at the next opportunity the specific topic if offered, and may occur during the following semester.

Attendance to all clinical activities is required. This includes hospital specific orientations, clinical orientation, and/or computer orientation as required by the agency; simulated learning activities/demonstration, practice sessions, pre/post conferences, wrap-up sessions, and direct patient care. If, for any reason, the student must be absent from a clinical experience, the clinical instructor or Course Manager must be notified prior to the absence. In case of illness, a release from a health care provider is required to return to the clinical setting. Any make up for clinical absence is at the faculty’s discretion.

o Simulated Learning Activities: The goal of these activities within the course is

to provide the student with an experience similar to what they will encounter

in the clinical practicum. This gives the student an opportunity to apply

principles of patient care management, critical thinking, and leadership.

Faculty is available to mentor the student through the process of integrating

theory into practice, while applying the nursing process. You will be evaluated

on Simulation Hospital Day according to the BSN competencies on a needs

improvement or meets standard basis. Students are required to attend and

expected to participate in the learning activity. Remediation for missed

simulated learning activity is explained in the next section.

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o Remediation for missed clinical activity: Failure to attend a clinical activity will result in an Incomplete (I) grade in the course until such time the missed requirement is satisfied. Makeup for clinical absence is at the faculty’s discretion, and may occur during the following semester.

Student must subscribe to and access the course Blackboard site and the UTEP Webmail system. This is the primary source of communication between faculty and students. The course syllabus, assignments, calendar, announcements, assignments, and updates are posted on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all announcements posted on Blackboard and should check it daily, as well as their email, for updates and postings.

Communication is the responsibility of both students and faculty. Faculty will keep students informed of progress in both theory and clinical and students will inform faculty of any deterrent to their success.

Students are expected to behave professionally at all times with faculty, peers, preceptors, and clients and in any setting in which the student is a representative of UTEP. Bullying, verbal abuse, insubordination, or personal attacks will not be tolerated in any form. Relationships between agency staff, physicians and ancillary care providers, patients and their family members, and visitors to the agency are to remain professional and are not to extend beyond the clinical setting.

o Any behavior deemed inappropriate by faculty and/or preceptors will result in

faculty conference(s), and completion of a SOS plan that addresses the student’s areas of needed improvement. Possible activities available to assist the student in attaining the SOS objectives include stress and/or anger management counseling sessions. Inappropriate behaviors may result in removal from the clinical setting and/or an administrative withdrawal from the course and/or dismissal from the program.

o Be professional: attitude, appearance and conduct.

Technology in the Classroom: The use of laptops and other electronic devices (IPads, IPods, smart phones, recording devices, MP3 players, etc.) during seminars/lectures, group presentations is not permitted. The use of these devices during seminars/lectures, group presentation is rude and disrespectful.

o Students, who are avid note takers and can demonstrate the use of a laptop

or IPad for such activity, may individually request an exception be granted by the Course Manager.

o Students, who are observed using these devices without the prior approval

of the Course Manager, will receive an Incomplete for the day’s activity, requiring remediation.

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SOS: When a student is not progressing in the course as expected or is not meeting clinical expectations, they will be required to meet with the Course Manager or clinical faculty to discuss strategies for success as outlined on the SOS form. The Students Opting for Success Plan form will identify recommendations for improving the student’s success potential and will specify time lines for completion of these recommendations. The SOS form (with all recommendations completed and all signatures in place) must be submitted to course manager at due date. Students who are not successful in the course should be aware that non-compliance with SOS recommendations jeopardizes eligibility for the opportunity to repeat the course in the subsequent semester.

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Exams:

o Students are required to take and pass (at Level II or above) the ATI Pharmacology Exam before being allowed to participate in the 8th semester preceptored clinical. Students are given a maximum of 3 opportunities to achieve this score. If unsuccessful after three attempts, students are required to drop and then re-take 8th semester courses in the subsequent semester.

o ATI RN Comprehensive Exam: successfully passing the ATI RN Comprehensive Exam with a minimum score of 90% probability of passing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt is a course requirement for graduation.

o During this semester, students are required to successfully pass the ATI RN Comprehensive Exam with a minimum score of 90% probability of passing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. The statement of probability will appear on the score received by the student immediately after completing the on-line examination.

Students are given two opportunities during the semester to

achieve this score. Those who are unsuccessful after two attempts,

receive an Incomplete (I) in the course. Subsequent retests are

scheduled by the Course Manager. Attendance to the ATI Live

Review is considered part of the remediation plan.

The ATI Live Review is MANDATORY for ALL to attend. The Live

ATI Review is required to complete all graduation requirements.

Our contract with ATI is that students must pay an additional testing

fee for retake 2 as well as any additional tests.

Upon successfully passing the RN Comprehensive Exam (at or

above the 90% predictability mark) the “Incomplete” grade will be

change to the grade earned in the course.

A remediation plan will be set up by the Course Manager and

student who did not reach the 90% probability on the first attempt.

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Failure to meet with the course manager for remediation will result

in an incomplete ( I ) in the course.

Dress Code: Students are expected to dress professionally (business-casual attire) for classroom activities (seminars/lectures, group presentations, etc.). Students are allowed to wear their nursing uniform when attending classroom presentations or seminars after or during a clinical rotation. Examples and a video on the wear of business-casual attire are available on Blackboard.

Student nursing uniforms are to be worn to all simulation based learning activities unless otherwise stated by the Course Manager.

Students are required to adhere to the student dress code when in the clinical setting. The UTEP School of Nursing and facility identification badges (if required) are worn at all times. Students in specialty areas that require nurses to wear hospital issued scrubs will adhere to the institutional/unit dress code. In accordance with the UTEP SON Undergraduate Handbook, students may not wear student uniforms outside of the clinical/academic setting unless prior approval is sought from the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Clinical Clearance: Before clinical orientation, students are required to have a clinical clearance that is valid through the end of the semester. Health clearances are verified through Student Health Services. CPR, insurance, background checks, drug screening, and city-wide orientation clearance is verified by the CHS Compliance Office. Students are NOT eligible for clinical participation until all requirements are verified.

HIPAA Statement: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a mandatory federal law that protects patient health information. In keeping with HIPAA guidelines, nursing students shall not under any circumstance photocopy, fax, or remove from the agency premises any component of the patient's medical record. Failure to comply with HIPAA policies will result in disciplinary action that may include course failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program. In addition, legal action may be taken against the student.

The clinical portion of the course requires the completion of 180 clinical hours, which includes simulated learning activities, hospital orientations, computer training and precepted clinical hours. Each student is assigned a preceptor in an acute care facility and must complete a minimum of 140 clinical (precepted) hours.

o Students attend their clinical practicum based on their preceptors’ schedule

including holidays and weekends and must submit the preceptor’s work schedule prior to the start of the rotation (and as it changes). Students may not be scheduled for more than 40 direct patient care hours per week or 80

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hours per two consecutive weeks. Students must, however, work until all shift work/tasks are completed, even if doing so goes beyond the scheduled shift and results in cumulative hours in excess of allowed hours per week(s).

o Clinical Timesheet: All scheduled clinical hours are recorded on the

Clinical Time Sheet. Time spent after scheduled shifts (following a nurse manager, attending meetings, or needed to stay past end of shift to complete shift work/tasks) are counted as extra time on the time sheet and are included in the total clinical hour’s requirement. The preceptor will certified the documented hours of practicum. Copies of the time sheets are submitted weekly and must reflect a total of 140 precepted clinical hours by the end of the semester. Falsification of timesheets results in a meeting with the course manager, the Assistant Dean and dismissal from the program. Students are responsible for completing, tracking, totaling, and submitting completed time sheets. Keep a copy for your own record.

Schedule changes and absences require a minimum of a two-hour notice to both the clinical faculty and the preceptor.

The Course Manager, based on the recommendations of the clinical faculty, reserves the right to drop a student from the course when, in their assessment, it is determined the student has been absent to such a degree as to impair his/her meeting course objectives; the student is unprepared for any assignment; the student behavior is identified as unsafe or unprofessional practice; or the student is late or absent without notifying the faculty and preceptor.

The student must complete and return the Preceptor On-Line course certificate of completion, preceptor packet, preceptor schedule, and Passport to Practicum prior to the first day of clinical.

o Preceptor On-Line Training for Students -Nursing students are required to

complete this online course. Receiving the same information as the nurse preceptors helps assure that all parties have the same understanding of the expectations and responsibilities while participating in the clinical preceptored experience. Instructions are located on Blackboard. Certificate of Completion is returned to the Course Manager.

Clinical assignments are made based on student requests, clinical faculty workload distribution and availability of clinical preceptors. Preceptor assignments are made by the agency, in collaboration with the clinical faculty. Student’s clinical requests are not a guarantee. Assigning students to a unit or in a facility in which they are currently employed will be avoided; exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the course manager.

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All assignments are required and must be submitted to the faculty on the date and time specified by the clinical faculty/course manager. Assignments deemed late by the clinical faculty receive a deduction of five (10) points for each twenty-four (24) hour period it is late. Assignments are not accepted after one (1) week past the due date. Extensions for written assignments are considered on an individual basis.

NCLEX Questions. Students must complete 3 sets of 100 NCLEX-type practice questions weekly (a total of 300 questions per week). Sources may include NCLEX review texts/electronic media and ATI practice exams. Evidence of completion of the required number of questions is due to the Course Manager by 1200 noon each Saturday of the semester, preferably submitted electronically via email. Ten points are deducted for each 24 hour period the assignment is late. Failure to submit assignments will result in the loss of points awarded to the NCLEX question portion of the course grading scheme.

Questions submitted must indicate the full name, date and time completed (per set), resource used, number of questions taken, number of correct and incorrect questions, and pass rate percentage. If using a source where such information is not printed (PDA NCLEX questions, etc.) then one must type or write the information clearly.

Practice exams will not be accepted if completed in a single sitting, or have scores significantly lower than previously submitted question sets. Practice Exams are exactly that – practice exams. Students should focus on completing the practice exams just as they would if they were taking the NCLEX-RN. Review of answers and rationale are to be done upon completion of the exam, and should not be attempted during an exam. Written rationales for 20% of missed questions, as well as WHY the question was misinterpreted are required with each practice exam. Scores on exams must be Level 2 on web-based ATI practice exams, or greater than 75% on any other NCLEX-RN practice exams media. NCLEX Questions constitute 25% of the course grade.

o Students must submit at least 80% of the total questions sets in order to

meet this requirement and be awarded the scored points. Students who fail to submit the minimum numbers of questions sets will receive an Incomplete (I) grade for the course.

o Students passing the ATI on the 1st attempt with a 90% or greater may use

up to 200 questions as credit for the following week when questions are due.

Additional conferences or seminars may be called by faculty as deemed necessary. Time will be indicated by the faculty member.

o Post seminars are held at the clinical faculty discretion, either on Blackboard,

by email, or in person. Be prepared to present, discuss and analyze clinical experiences as they relate to the assigned topic. Be prepared to apply

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management, legal/ethical, and Texas Board of Nursing (TX BON) Rules and Regulations to various scenarios.

Students are held accountable for all information provided, clinical preparation, application of nursing process, standards of practice and nursing theory, and academic integrity.

Besides the end of course evaluations, students receive two exit surveys via email after the middle of the semester. One is administered by EBI, and the other by UTEP.

Clinical Evaluation Tool: The tool is designed to track a student’s achievement of minimum nursing competencies through critical thinking, delegation, and prioritization skills based on Texas Board of Nursing Differentiated Essential Competencies for a BSN graduate nurse and of N4612 Course Objectives. This is to be completed by the preceptor at mid-term through the practicum and at the end of the practicum. The original signed, completed tool with all evaluations is submitted at the end of the semester. Students must consistently meet minimum standards of nursing practice (Level I) at all times. Students must achieve a Level I performance in every criteria at the time of the final clinical evaluation. The preceptor will notify clinical faculty immediately if he/she determines that the student is not demonstrating competencies at the required level. If the clinical faculty and course manager concur with the preceptor, the student will be dismissed from the clinical practicum and withdrawn from the course.

Passport to Practicum: Students must submit to their assigned clinical faculty, a list of the top ten medical diagnoses, top 5 nursing diagnoses, top 5 diagnostic tests, top 10 routine medications, top 5 PRN medications and top 10 clinical skills used most frequently on the assigned unit. The medical diagnoses should include a brief description; the nursing diagnoses must include a discussion of associated assessment/evaluative parameters and common nursing interventions. All medications listed must include the normal dosage range for the clinical population, the routes, side and adverse effects and contraindications/ precautions and any appropriate nursing implications/ considerations. Diagnostic procedures must list appropriate nursing implications/considerations. This must be submitted with the preceptor packet and schedule PRIOR to beginning the clinical experience, and is an indication of clinical preparation. Students may not start the clinical practicum until the PASSPORT is reviewed and approved by the assigned Clinical Faculty. A template is available on Blackboard.

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Preceptor Requirements: Preceptors are assigned by the clinical faculty in collaboration with the agency managers, and must be BSN level nurses or ADN nurses with several years of clinical experience. Preceptors MUST complete the online preceptor course and submitted the online verification form PRIOR to assignment with a student. Students will obtain a signed agreement from the preceptor and submit to the clinical faculty prior to starting the clinical rotation.

Disability: It is the responsibility of the student to inform the course manager of any limitations they may have in completing course expectations. Written guidelines related to accommodations from the Center for Accommodations Office (CASS) must be submitted to the course manager PRIOR to the start of the course.

Pregnancy: It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Course Manager and clinical faculty of a pregnancy. Written guidelines (i.e., lifting limitations) from a healthcare provider must also be submitted to CASS. CASS will forward a form to Clinical Faculty prior to starting clinical rotations.

Reporting of an Injury: Students injured while participating in UTEP School of Nursing courses or activities are required to complete an Incident Report, as stipulated in the SON Undergraduate Handbook. Students are responsible for carrying their own health insurance.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO SCHOOL OF NURSING

COURSE SYLLABUS – Fall 2013

N4612 ACUTE CARE PRACTICUM

STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT

Please sign the statement below and return to Course Manager on or before August 26th, 2013. I have read the course syllabus for N4612 and understand my obligations to adhere to the policies described. _____________________________________ ________________________ Student Printed Name Date

_____________________________________ Student Signature

NOTE: Addendum or changes may be made to the syllabus as the semester progresses at the discretion of the faculty. Notifications of changes or updates

are made on the Announcement section of Blackboard. Revised January 20, 2013

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The University of Texas at El Paso School of Nursing

Student Opting for Success (SOS) Retention Plan

NURS ________ Student Name: ________________________________________________________ Semester: ______________________ Date: ________________________________ Instructions: 1. Print out the SOS Retention Plan and establish an initial appointment with

the Course Manager. 2. Consult the Academic Coaching Calendar for times that the academic

coaches are available. 3. Establish referral appointments. 4. Return the completed SOS Retention Plan to the Course Manager. Prior to the appointment with the Course Manager, please respond to the following questions:

1. Are you currently employed? [ ] Yes [ ] No If so, how many

hours per week? ____

2. Are you currently in a study group? [ ] Yes [ ] No If so, how many hours per week? _____

3. How many hours per week do you study by yourself? ________

4. Describe how you prepared for ____________________ (area of

difficulty):

5. What adjustments do you think you need in order to be successful in

this course?

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Schedule an appointment with _______________________________________

(Course Manager/Instructor) on or before ________________________

(Date).

Appointment Time: ______________ A scheduled appointment with your Course Manager/Lead Instructor is required. At this session you will engage in a discussion on how to improve your potential for success in the course. During the session there will be an assessment and tracking of identified areas of difficulty that are being experienced in relation to:

1. Quizzes

2. Examinations (Complete a test analysis of the examination and

attach to this form)

3. Assignments

4. Clinical experiences:

A. Simulation expectations B. Competence performance C. Professionalism

At the end of the discussion you and the Course Manager/Instructor will establish required and recommended strategies that are designed to facilitate your potential for success in the course. These strategies include:

[ ] Self-assessment of knowledge strengths and areas needing improvement.

[ ] Attendance at all lectures/class sessions/workshops.

[ ] Study sessions with the Academic Coaches (minimum of one hour per

week).

[ ] Adjustment of work schedule to accommodate study demands.

[ ] Schedule an appointment with Mr. Flahive (Student Success Coordinator)

via email (jflahive@utep.edu).

[ ] Referral to UTEP Testing Center.

[ ] Referral to UTEP Office of Student Disabilities.

[ ] Referral to UTEP Counseling Center.

[ ] Attend workshop on test taking skills.

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[ ] Other:

The completed SOS Retention Plan, with all referral signatures must be return to _________________________________ (Course Manager/Instructor) on or before ________________________________ (Date) (Student Opting for Success (SOS) Retention Plan) Course Manager’s Signature: _______________________________________

Date: ________________

Student Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________

Academic Coaches Signatures: ________________________________________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________ Date: ________________

Referral Signatures: ________________________________________________ Date: ________________

_______________________________________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________ Date: ________________

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SAFE AND EFFECTIVE NURSING PRACTICE POLICY

The following Safe Nursing Practice Policy is a revision of a similar policy that has been in effect since the nursing program became a part of the University of Texas System (1973). This policy must be adhered to in order for a student to succeed in clinical nursing courses. All overt and covert acts which compromise the nursing process must be directed toward quality care for the patient/client/family, which promotes health.

Safe and Effective Nursing Practice is Defined as:

Ability to demonstrate knowledge about patient/client status. Ability to observe, report and record signs and symptoms. Ability to accurately interpret, report and record changes in patient’s

condition. Demonstrates through overt and covert acts assurance of the

delivery of quality nursing care. Ability to set priorities and carry through with appropriate nursing

interventions. Ability to evaluate and make substantive judgments relative to the

quality of nursing care. Ability to calculate and administer drugs safely, including

documentation of administration. As professional nurses with a commitment to the welfare of clients/patients, the nursing faculty reserves the right to refuse the opportunity to a student to care for patients if the student’s health interferes with performance or if the student gives evidence of unsafe and/or ineffective nursing practice. A student may not render care when under the influence of prescribed or over-the-counter medication that may affect judgment, or if the student imbibes in/or is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. A student who is deemed to demonstrate unsafe practice will fail the course and be dropped from all clinical courses enrolled in at that time. Further progression in the nursing major will be evaluated. Since the faculty student ratio in the clinical area is 1:10, it is impossible for a faculty member to be present continually with each student to observe every situation. It is, therefore, imperative that each student assumes personal responsibility to be prepared for each clinical practice experience. Each student is expected to check immediately with the instructor or agency staff if in doubt about patient care or a patient’s condition, and to report to the instructor or staff when leaving the clinical area to assure continuity of care for patients. Additionally, students who come unprepared for clinical may be sent to the simulation laboratory for practice before they are allowed to return to the clinical site.

Adopted by Faculty Organization Committee Meeting. Revised February 13, 1985 and December 14, 1994.