3231 North Decatur, Suite 201 Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 Practical Nursing (PN) Program Student Handbook Effective June 23, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Page 3 Terminology Page 4-5 Program Overview and Curriculum Concepts Page 6 Course Descriptions Page 7 NCLEX-PN® Application Page 7 Program Mission Page 8 Program Philosophy Page 8 Program Student Learning Outcomes Page 8 Student Responsibilities Page 9 Faculty Responsibilities Page 9 Student Representatives Page 9 Library Resources Page 10 NCI Gmail Email Address Page 10 How To Create a G-Mail Account Pages 10-12 Access to Program Materials: MOODLE Page 12 Grading Page 13 Group Project and Presentation Grading Page 13 Skills Laboratory (Lab) Grading Page 14 Clinical Grading Page 14 Student Success Contract Page 14 Tutoring Page 15 Student Advising Page 15 Retention / Progression Policy Page 15 Grievance Procedure Page 15 Program Re-Entry Page 16 Campus Code of Conduct Page 16 Grounds for Disciplinary Action Page 17 Continued on next page 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 1 of 41 TABLE OF CONTENTS Continued Plagiarism Page 17 Test Taking (Assessments) Page 17 Drug Free Learning and Practice Environment Page 18 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Page 18 Social Media Policy Page 18 Dress Code Page 19 Attendance Page 20 Medical Release Criteria Page 20 Pregnancy Page 21 Immunocompromised Students Page 21 Accidents/ Incidents Page 21 Blood or Body Fluid Exposure Page 22 Clinical Practice Requirements Page 23 APPENDIX Academic Advisor Page 25 Blood-Borne Pathogens Exposure Report Page 26 Essential Functions of Nursing Students Pages 27-28 Medical Release Form Page 29 Pregnancy Release and Documentation of Pregnancy Form Page 30 Skills Laboratory Pages 31-33 Student Representative Page 34 Student Success Contract Page 35 Tardiness, Attendance and Conduct: Classroom Pages 36-37 Tardiness, Attendance and Conduct: Lab & Clinical & Simulation Pages 38-40 Settings Test Taking (Assessments) Page 41 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 2 of 41 Dear Nursing Student, Welcome to the Nevada Career Institute (NCI) Practical Nursing Program! Nursing is a dynamic and challenging profession where you will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and they in turn will make a difference in yours. You will be with people when they are at their worst and at their best, and be inspired. You are on a journey that will open many doors for you personally and professionally. This Nursing Student Handbook contains valuable information about policies and procedures of the NCI Practical Nurse (PN) program and is an important resource for your academic success. Refer to this handbook often since you will be held accountable to meet the expectations provided in this handbook. Any changes to this handbook will be provided to you by your instructor or me, the Director of Nursing (DON). In addition to the Nursing Student Handbook, you also have ready access to the online NCI Course Catalog that contains the campus policies and procedures. This catalog is posted on the public website for NCI. Nursing students are responsible to know and comply with the general policies and procedures of the campus. This PN Student Handbook serves as a supplement to the Course Catalog. The PN program staff and faculty join me in wishing you every success in the program. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you along the way. Sincerely, Katherine Cylke DNP, RN Director of Nursing (DON) Nevada Career Institute 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 3 of 41 TERMINOLOGY ACCOUNTABILITY: To be answerable to one’s self and others for one’s own actions. Nurses are accountable for judgments made and actions taken in the course of nursing practice (ANA, 2001). ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (ADN) (also known as ASN): Registered nurse level education AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION (ANA): (www.nursingworld.org) Professional organization for nurses BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN):  Generic BSN programs prepare non-nurses with an RN level education and the coursework required for a baccalaureate degree.  Completion BSN programs prepare RNs that are already licensed with the coursework required for a baccalaureate degree. CLINICAL: Component of the educational program offered in a health care setting in which training and education is provided. The school must have an affiliation agreement with a health care setting in order for students and faculty to use the setting for clinical activities. CLINICAL FACULTY: Instructors who teach the clinical portion of courses. CLINICAL JUDGMENT: An application of clinical reasoning, using in-depth analysis and evaluation of knowledge and skills, whereby the nurse knows why an intervention is needed, how to perform the intervention competently, and can justify clinical decision-making; allowing the clinician to fit his or her knowledge and experience to an individual patient (IOM, 2009). CLINICAL REASONING: An in-depth mental process of analysis and evaluation of knowledge and skills; the process of arriving at problem identification (IOM, 2009). COMPETENCY: “An expected and measurable level of nursing performance that integrates knowledge, skills, and abilities and judgment based on established scientific knowledge and expectations for nursing practice” (ANA, 2010a, p. 64). CRITICAL THINKING: The deliberate nonlinear process of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, drawing conclusions about, presenting, and evaluating information that is both factually and belief based (NLNAC, 2002). DIDACTIC FACULTY: Instructors who teach the didactic/lecture portion of courses. EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (EBP): A scholarly and systematic problem-solving paradigm that results in the delivery of high-quality healthcare (ANA, 2010a) 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 4 of 41 INTERPROFESSIONAL: Working across healthcare professions to cooperate, collaborate, communicate, and integrate care in teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable. The team consists of the client, the nurse, and other healthcare providers as appropriate. LAB: Component of the education program offered in the skills laboratory on campus. NCLEX-PN®: National Council Licensure Examination is a national examination required in order to pursue licensure as a practical/vocational nurse (PN or VN). NCLEX-RN®: National Council Licensure Examination is a national examination required in order to pursue licensure as a professional registered nurse (RN). NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF NURSING (NCSBN): (www.ncsbn.org): Organization for the state boards of nursing. Provides valuable information for students regarding the NCLEX-PN ® and NCLEX-RN ®. NATIONAL STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION (NSNA): (www.nsna.org). NEVADA STATE BOARD OF NURSING (NSBN): State organization that protects the public's health, safety, and welfare through effective nursing regulation such as granting nursing licenses. NURSING PROCESS: A critical thinking model that encompasses all significant actions taken by registered nurses and forms the foundation of the nurses’ decision-making. It includes the components of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes, identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ANA, 2010a). PRACTICAL NURSE (PN): One must pass the NCLEX-PN® exam to become eligible to obtain a license as a practical nurse (LPN.) The term “LPN” applies to all states except California and Texas where the title Vocational Nurse (VN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is used. PROFESSIONALISM: Professionalism involves the consistent demonstration of core values evidenced by nurses working with other professionals to achieve optimal health and wellness outcomes in patients, families, and communities by wisely applying principles of altruism, excellence, caring, ethics, respect, communication, and accountability (AACN, 2008). REGISTERED NURSE (RN): To be an RN, one must successfully graduate from an approved program and pass the NLCEX-RN® exam and obtain a license from a state board of nursing. Only fully licensed registered nurses may practice nursing and identify themselves as registered nurses. SAFETY: Safety minimizes risk of harm to patients through both system effectiveness and individual performance (QSEN, 2007). STANDARDS OF PRACTICE: Authoritative statements that describe a level of care or performance common to the profession of nursing by which the quality of nursing practice can be judged (ANA, 2010a) 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 5 of 41 PN Program Overview - Cohort 10 Additional Total Semester Lecture Lab Clinical Outside Course Course Title Clock Credit Hours Hours Hours Clock Hours Hours Hours SOS Seminar for Success 80 0 0 117.5 5.0 37.5 Concepts of Nursing NURS Across the Lifespan; 90 120 135 442.5 13.0 97.5 110 Health/Health Promotion Concepts of Nursing NURS Across the Lifespan; 90 120 180 495.0 14.0 105.0 130 Acute Illness Concepts of Nursing NURS Across the Lifespan; 105 30 225 457.5 13.0 97.5 150 Chronic Illness/End of Life Care TOTAL 365 270 540 1175 45.0 337.5 Curriculum Concepts – Cohort 10 NURS 110 NURS 130 NURS 150 1. Professional Behaviors 1. Acid-Base / Fluids & Electrolytes 1. Leadership 2. Self 2. Homeostasis 2. Role Transition 3. Clinical Decision Making 3. Thermoregulation 3. Psychosocial Integrity 4. Communication 4. Sensory perception 4. Sexuality 5. Caring Interventions 5. Inflammation 5. Violence 6. Data Collection 6. Infection 6. Spirituality 7. Health/Illness/Wellness 7. Metabolism & Immunity 7. Grief & Loss/End of Life 8. Mobility 8. Cellular Regulation & Tissue Integrity 8. Cognition 9. Comfort 9. Oxygenation 9. Health Promotion 10. Stress & Coping 10. Perfusion 10. Community 11. Thermoregulation 11. Intracranial Regulation 11. Informatics 12. Culture & Diversity 12. Elimination 12. EBP / QI 13. Reproduction 13. Human Development/Pediatrics 13. Healthcare Systems 14. Stress & Coping 14. Legal/Ethical/Advocacy 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 6 of 41 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Semester 1 NUR 110 – Concepts of Nursing Across the Lifespan: Health/ Health Promotion Credit Hours: 13 Course Description: This course focuses on acquisition of basic nursing knowledge and skills. Focus is on providing care to healthy individuals across the lifespan. The course also explores historical issues impacting nursing. Emphasis is placed on providing safe, competent, effective health care based on individual needs for health promotion. Clinical emphasis may include senior centers, day care centers, schools, health promotion classes and clinics. Safety, patient-centered care, pharmacology, adult nursing, gerontology, pediatrics, maternal-child, and mental health concepts are integrated throughout this course. Semester 2 NURS 130 – Concepts of Nursing Across the Lifespan: Acute Illness Credit Hours: 14 Course Description: This course continues to develop students’ knowledge of pathophysiology over the lifespan of individuals and families. Emphasis is placed on responsibility and accountability for nursing care. Concepts of the nursing process related to pathophysiology, caring, diversity, ethics, integrity, safety, patient-centered care and evidence-based practice are discussed. Clinical emphasis may include support groups, long term care, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and home health care. Safety, patient- centered care, pharmacology, adult nursing, gerontology, pediatrics, maternal-child, and mental health concepts are integrated throughout this course. Semester 3 NURS 150 – Concepts of Nursing Across the Lifespan: Chronic Illness/End of Life Care Credit Hours: 13 Course Description: Class is designed to focus on multidisciplinary complex care of diverse individuals, families and groups throughout the lifespan. Students will utilize the nursing process in the care and management of patients with complex health care needs and disorders. Initial exposure in nursing management and delegation techniques for the new LPN is provided. The clinical experience continues the development of nursing knowledge and skills in the care of individuals, families, and groups culminating in a team leading experience. Clinical emphasis may include hospice, home health care, long term care, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Safety, patient-centered care, pharmacology, adult nursing, gerontology, pediatrics, maternal-child, and mental health concepts are integrated throughout this course NCLEX APPLICATION NCLEX applications are sent to the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) by the Director of Nursing (DON) after the student has successfully completed the nursing program. The sooner graduates take the NCLEX exam, the higher the chance of passing. NCI makes this possible by paying your $90 NSBN application fee and your $200 NCLEX test-taking fee for graduates who test within 6 weeks of graduation. Your post-graduation plan MUST be to keep studying, reviewing, and practicing NCLEX- based questions until the date of your exam! 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 7 of 41 PN PROGRAM MISSION The mission of the NCI PN nursing program is twofold. A primary objective is to effectively educate students in order for them to provide safe, compassionate, and competent care at the entry to practice level for diverse patients/clients across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings. The other primary objective is to effectively educate students in order for them to pass the NCLEX – PN licensing test on the first attempt. PN PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY The Practical Nurse is an integral member of the multidisciplinary health care team. The Practical Nurse provides care in uncomplicated and relatively stable situations with a minimum of supervision and direction from the RN and/or a person licensed in this state to prescribe medications and treatments. The goal of the Practical Nursing program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills sufficient to provide optimum client care across the illness- wellness continuum, across the lifespan, and across cultures. Health is on a continuum with high level wellness and death as the extremes. The position on the illness-wellness continuum depends upon the individual's ability to adapt to a changing environment and the availability of supportive assistance. Culture impacts the way individuals think about health and illness and influences health related behaviors. The individual's optimal level of health will vary throughout life. The Practical Nursing program prepares students to use the nursing process to collect client data, identify client problems, implement appropriate interventions that are individualized to each client’s unique circumstances, and evaluate the effectiveness of care provided. The Practical Nursing program prepares students to assist clients in meeting their physical and psychosocial needs, thereby helping them to maintain and/or restore an optimal level of health or support in death. The Practical Nursing program encourages lifelong learning in order for graduates to meet the new demands of nursing in the rapidly changing world of health care. The PN program promotes nursing’s leadership role in creating healthy communities by promoting health and healing, preventing disease, and influencing healthcare policy by utilizing evidence-based knowledge and science. The Practical Nursing program’s faculty view teaching and learning an interactive process between teacher and learner. The responsibility of the faculty is to facilitate the student’s understanding and ability to meet the competencies for nursing practice through the design and evaluation of learning experiences. The nursing student is responsible for actively participating in learning experiences and developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide quality client centered nursing care. (Revised July 2015) 2/12/14, 10/15/14, 03/01/15, 06/23/15 Page 8 of 41