Clinical IV

Class

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.

Course Learning Objectives

WECM Course Learning Objectives:                          

  1. As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry
  2. Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.

Clinical Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course the student will:

  1. Apply knowledge of selected concepts to clinical situations.
  2. Utilize clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the nursing program of study to date and evidence-based practice outcomes as the basis for decision making and safe patient-centered care for two to three clients in an acute care setting.
  3. Utilize a systematic process to develop concept maps to provide patient-centered care to diverse patients across the life span (including teaching, referrals, etc.).
  4. Promote measures to promote a safe environment for patients and others.
  5. Demonstrate advancing intermediate collaboration and communication skills with diverse patients, families and the interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver and evaluate care.
  6. Demonstrate advancing intermediate skills in using patient care technologies and information systems that support safe nursing practice.  
  7. Adhere to standards of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of the professional nurse.
  8. Demonstrate attributes of the professional nurse.
  9. Demonstrate knowledge of delegation, management, and leadership skills.
  10. Demonstrate specific behavioral objectives and essential competencies that exemplify the fourth semester student continuing to function at an advancing to graduate level in the roles of Member of the Profession, Provider of Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety Advocate, and Member of the Healthcare Team.

DECS Competencies: See ADN Handbook Appendix A

SCANS Competencies: See ADN Handbook Appendix D

General Course Plan/Content: This course builds on the competencies learned in RNSG 2363 - Clinical III.  Specific learning objectives guide the student’s integrated clinical experiences, focusing on application of concepts and skills learned in RNSG 2138 and 2539. Clinical rotations in health settings give the students an opportunity to provide patient-centered care to clients of varying ages. A preceptorship at the end of the course in a variety of acute care settings and varied units (including complex acute care, pediatric, adult, maternal, and mental health facilities) allows the student to integrate technical skills, nursing concepts, and basic workplace competencies learned throughout the program in the integrated care management of patients in an assigned setting. 

Required Textbooks
  • ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) resources https://www.atitesting.com/
  • Lippincott The Point website for electronic textbooks/readings and concept library http://nursingconcepts.lww.com/. See Student ADN Handbook for textbook listings
  • Nursing: A concept-based approach to learning (3rd ed.). (2019). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson
  • Stethoscope, Penlight, Pen with black ink, Watch with second hand. Bandage scissors, WC uniform, and current WC clinical photo ID badge.
Evaluation Standards

Evaluation Methods:

40%      Portfolios

25%      Daily Performance evaluations

25%      Evidence-Based Practice Assignment

10%      Physical Assessment

P/F                     Dosage Calculation

P/F                     Summative Evaluation

100% total

Grading Criteria:

89.5-100%   A               79.5-89%   B                  74.5-79%   C                           74% and below   F                 Withdraw W

Clinical Assignments: See CANVAS for details

Late Work: Late work is defined as not turned in at the assigned time.  Any late work will receive A 10 POINT DEDUCTION FOR EVERY CALENDAR DAY IT IS LATE.

Course Progression

Progression: A final grade of C or better must be achieved to successfully pass this course.

A = 89.5 – 100%           B = 79.5 – 89.4%              C = 74.5 – 79.4%          F = 74.4 and below

Absences

Clinical attendance is vital for success in meeting required clinical and program objectives.  All policies on attendance and tardiness in the Weatherford College Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook will be strictly enforced for clinical courses.

Per nursing program policy, no excused clinical absences will be allowed.

Students must notify the clinical instructor prior to any anticipated absence.  The only acceptable communication is via student to instructor by phone call  or text message, if instructor gives permission to communicate via text message. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate clinical instructor’s phone number.  Notifications via student members of the clinical group is considered inappropriate and unprofessional and will not be accepted.

Students have a two options regarding making up one clinical absence.  They are as follows:

The student may attend an on-campus clinical make up day event that will be scheduled at the end of the semester. AT the event the student will be given opportunity to complete specific learning opportunity independent assignments, designed to make up the opportunities missed when the clinical was missed. The length of time you stay for the event will be comparable in length to the clinical shift missed  If student  fails to meet all criteria of the event and completion of assignment, the assignment will not be accepted and the student will receive a 15% deduction in final clinical grade. Note:  attending the event and completing the assignment will prevent receiving a 15% grade deduction. However, the absence will still be noted as first absence.

The student may voluntarily opt for a 15% reduction in grade.  Written acknowledgement via a WC Student Counselling Form will be required should the student choose this option.

Each subsequent absence after the first one will result in an additional non-negotiable 15% reduction in the final clinical grade.

 NOTE: A clinical absence that occurs because student is non-compliant with maintaining required student records in their Castle Branch account, or student is dismissed from clinical site for failure to be prepared for clinical will automatically result in 15% grade reduction.

Students are expected to arrive promptly for each clinical rotation. Arriving at a clinical site more than 15 minutes late as evidenced by the instructor’s cell phone time, or leaving clinical site more than 15 minutes early constitutes an absence. A “tardy” is considered being up to but not more than 15 minutes late as evidenced by the instructor’s cell phone time. Three “tardies” constitutes an absence.

A student who is deemed as unprepared for clinical will be sent home, receive a grade of zero (0) on all evaluation tools for the day, and will accrue an absence.  Being unprepared is defined as: failure to complete all pre-clinical work prior to the shift, demonstrating an inability to communicate medications or clinical data concerning the patient or arriving out of compliance with uniform requirements as set forth in the Weatherford College A.D.N. Program Student Handbook.

Dress:  All dress code policies for clinical rotations must be followed and each student should refer to the Weatherford College Associate Degree Nursing Program Handbook for the dress policies. The policies include the time when each student is making patient care assignments and preparing for clinical by gathering prep-work and when the student is actually caring for the assigned patient/s.

Transportation:     Students are responsible to maintain reliable transportation to and from clinical sites.  Instructors are not allowed to transport students.

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).