Leadership and Professional Development

Class

Study of the importance of professional growth.  Topics include the role of the licensed vocational nurse in the multidisciplinary health care team, professional organizations, and continuing education.  CIP Code Description: 51.3901 VNSG 1119 (Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training) 16 Contact hours, 1 Semester Credit Hours. 

Course Learning Objectives

Describe the role of the licensed vocational nurse in multidisciplinary settings inclusive of basic principles of leadership and management; discuss the role of professional organizations and regulatory agencies; explain the Texas Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the Nurse Practice Act; and identify criteria and appropriate resources for continuing education. 

  1. Describe the role of the licensed vocational nurse as part of the multi-disciplinary health care team as outlined by the Texas Board of Nursing Essential 

Competencies of Graduates of Texas Vocational Nursing Educational Programs.  (DECs I-A,C, D; III-A;  SCANS  F1, F5, C1, C3, C7, C9, C11, C14, F8, F9, F12, F13,)  

 

  1. Review entry-level competencies of Texas graduates of vocational nursing programs.  
  2. Discuss employment seeking/resignation skills  
    1. Discuss aspects of professionalism including attention to appearance                 and demeanor  
    2. Review Texas Board of Nursing Position Statements in regards to new                 graduates seeking employment positions.   
    3. Recognize the importance of understanding an organization's mission,                 vision, and values as a framework for care.  
    4. Recognize the importance of using lines of authority and accountability                 within structured health care settings.  
  3. Relate understanding of the hiring process and prepare a resume for job seeking.  
  4. Discuss professional behaviors as they relate to functioning within the nurse's legal scope of practice and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing health care institution or practice setting.  
    1. Pass the Texas Board of Nursing Jurisprudence Exam  
    2. Utilize standards and guidelines from professional organizations in select                 situations.  
    3. Use the Texas Board of Nursing 6-step decision making  guidelines in an                 simulated activity.  
    4. Recognize the need to utilize the advocacy process and ethical                 standards such as altruism, human dignity, truth, justice, freedom,                 equality, and esthetics.  
    5. Review  of  communication  techniques  to  maintain  professional    boundaries.  
    6. Discussion of employment setting policies and procedures. 
    7. Understand the principles of quality improvement.   
    8. Discuss the role of professional organizations and regulatory agencies. (DECs IA,C, D; III-A;  SCANS  F1, C7, C8, C19) 
      1. Review professional organizations related to nursing  
      2. Review the role of regulatory agencies in relation to the practice of the licensed vocational nurse.  
      3. Relate the importance of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Code of Ethics.  
      4. Discuss legal parameters of vocational nursing practice and the Texas Practice Act.  
      5. Discuss Safe Harbor and Peer Review  
    9. Recognize basic principles of leadership and its implications. (DECs I-A,C, D; III-A;  

SCANS  F1, F2, F5, F6, C5, C6, C7, C9, C11, C12, F13, F14, F15, F17)  

  1. Identify leadership/management styles   
  2. Discuss qualities of leadership and fellowship   
  3. Discuss the vocational nurse’s role in leadership and management  
  4. Discuss conflict and conflict resolution  
  5. Practice using written, verbal, and non-verbal modes of communication in conflict    resolution.  
  6. Use a systematic problem- solving process in simulated patient care scenarios.  

D.  I Identify criteria and appropriate resources for continuing education. .( DECs I-A,C, D; III-A;  SCANS   F1, F2, F5, F6, C5, C6, C7, C9, C11, C12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F17)  

  1. Recognize benefits of continuing education for the licensed vocational nurse.  
  2. Explore options for attaining continuing education.  
  3. Recognize the need for continuing competency and professional development.  
Required Textbooks

Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination 7th Ed, L.A. Silvestri, 2016, Saunders-Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-323-28931, computer access.  

Evaluation Standards
  1. An overall average grade of 75% or better is required to pass the course.   
  2. Exams should be taken as scheduled.  No exam will be given before the scheduled date or time.   
  3. All homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period, unless otherwise stated. Questions regarding grades on course work / tests should be brought 

to the instructor’s attention within 1 week after receipt of the grade.  Please refer to the VN Student Handbook regarding late assignments and / or grades.  

  1. Each assignment should be the student’s original, independent work.  Neatness and legibility, with correct spelling and grammar are also expected.  Each student should place his/her name and box number on each assignment. Assignments should be turned in as instructed; either uploaded or in paper format per instruction. 
  2. No unscheduled quizzes or assignments will be given throughout the semester.   
  3. The student is expected to stay on task during the instructional period without disturbing or interfering with the learning process of others.  It is also expected that the student attend class regularly, keeping in mind the attendance policy of the nursing program.  Questions during class that are pertinent to the subject matter are encouraged; questions of a personal nature should not be discussed in class, but on an individual basis.   
  4. It is strongly recommended that the student prepare for class by completing the assigned readings, worksheets, etc. before class. 
  5. There are no provisions for extra credit in this course.  
  6. Students are responsible for reviewing grades on the Weatherford College online classroom accompanying this course.  Instructors will not calculate grade averages.  Final grades will be calculated to the nearest whole number.   

Evaluation  

Percent  

Assignments  

30%  

Final Exam  

50%  

BON  

Jurisprudence/HESI  

Exams  

20%  

Total Evaluation  

100%  

A= 89.5 to 100

 

     
  1. = 79.5 to < 89.5 
  2. = 74.5-to <79.5 F = <74.5
Instructional Methods

Didactic portion to include lecture, PowerPoint presentation, study guides, quizzes, food diaries, interactive Kahoot game(s)

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).
SCANS

Essential Competencies (DECs) & Secretaries Commission of Achieving Necessary Skills 

Differentiated (SCANS) will be aligned throughout the syllabus.  Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Vocational Nursing Educational programs and SCANS competencies can be accessed from Texas Board of Nursing.   SCANS information can be obtained from the document Identifying and Describing The Skills Required by Work published by The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Work Skills.  

I. Member of the Profession 

  1. Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice and in accordance with regulation and the policies and procedures of the employing health care institution or practice setting.
  2. Assume responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided to patients and their families.
  3. Contribute to activities that promote the development and practice of vocational nursing. 
  4. Demonstrate responsibility for continued competence in nursing practice, and develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning. 
  5. Provider of Patient-Centered Care 
    1. Use clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the vocational nursing program of study and established evidence-based practice as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice.
    2. Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences influenced by culture, spirituality, ethnicity, identity, and social diversity of patients and their families, and in interpreting health-related data based on knowledge derived from the vocational nursing program of study. 
    3. Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goals/outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team.
    4. Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice.
    5. Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors. 
    6. Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes. 
    7. Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs. 
    8. Assist in the coordination of human, information, and physical resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families.
  6. Patient Safety Advocate 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety, as well as all federal, state, and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards. 
    2. Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others. 
    3. Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks. 
    4. Obtain instruction, supervision, or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices.
    5. Comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act. 
    6. Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy. 
  7. Member of the Health Care Team
    1. Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning, delivery, and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients. 
    2. Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families. 
    3. Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care, and ensure confidentiality.
    4. Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care. 
    5. Assign nursing activities to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or work place need. 
    6. Supervise nursing care by others for whom the nurse is responsible.
    7. Assist health care teams during local or global health emergencies or pandemics to promote health and safety, and prevent disease.