Nursing in Health and Illness I

Class

Introduction to general principles of growth and development, primary health care needs of the patient across the life span, and therapeutic nursing interventions. CIP Code Description: 51.3901 VNSG 1400 (Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training) 80 Contact hours, 4 Semester Credit Hours.

Course Learning Objectives

Describe the psychosocial, growth and development, and physiological needs of patients across the life span; identify primary health care needs of the patient; and identify the basic interventions to support the patient and family during life stages including death and dying. WECM 2021

Describe the psychosocial, growth and development, and physiological needs of patients across the life span. (DECs II-B,C, G, H, DECs IV-A, B, C); SCANS C5, 6, 7, 15, F-9)
Identify stages of growth and development of the individual from infancy through adulthood.
1. Identify characteristics, concepts, and processes related to patients, including psychosocial growth and development; ethical reasoning, cultural and spiritual belief practices related to health, illness, birth, death, and dying.
2. Recognize family processes that impact health.
3. Utilize a systematic problem-solving process in the care of patients and their families.
4. Develop an understanding of the structure and function of the health care delivery system and the interdisciplinary health care members
5. Identify common health practices and behaviors of patients and their families related to the development level, gender, culture, belief system, and the environment.
Identify primary health care needs of the patient across the life span. (DECs I-A, B, DECs II-A, D, E, DECs III-A; SCANS C5, 6, 8, F-12)

1. Utilize assessment techniques to gather client data.

Use components of focused nursing assessment.
1. Use structured data collection tools and techniques of assessment of patients including interviewing.
2. Use correct terminology to document assessment findings.
3. Introduction to established approaches that guide nursing practice.
4. Recognize interventions to support patients and their families during life stages, including end-of-life care.
5. Recognize client needs in pre-operative, peri-operative and post-operative periods.
6. Recognize fundamental principles of disease prevention and health promotion/restoration for patients.
Recognize commonly used diagnostic exams and normal ranges of values of selected exams.
1. Recognize characteristics, trends and issues of healthcare delivery. (DEC II D-2)
Identify the basic interventions to support the patient and family during life stages including death and dying. (DECs II-D, E, F, G, H, IV-A, C, D; SCANS C5, 6, 7, 9, 11, F-8)
1. Recognize properties, effects, and basic principles underlying the use and administration of pharmaceutical agents.
  1. Verbalize appropriate nursing actions as they pertain to specific drug therapy.
  2. Utilize terminology related to pharmacology.
  3. Recognize broad drug classifications and their general use.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of drug therapy.
  5. Demonstrate ability to calculate drug dosages.
  6. Recognize signs and symptoms of discomfort.
  7. Demonstrate ability to assist in planning care for a client with pain, utilizing pain control measures.
  8. Recognize commonly used analgesics and the nursing implications associated with their use.
  9. Identify differences between acute and chronic pain.
  10. Explain the relationships between past pain experiences, anxiety, culture, or activity and a patient’s response to pain.
  11. Discuss evaluation of the patient’s response to pain control measures.
  12. Describe responses individuals have to loss.
  13. Relate the importance of an interdisciplinary team and the patient facing loss.
Identify nursing interventions that are appropriate to meet the needs of a patient facing loss or death.
1. Demonstrate ability to assist with planning care for a client experiencing loss, grief impending death.
2. Discuss issues facing nurses as they work with patients during a time of loss, grief or death.
3. Recognize the use of advance directives, durable power of attorney; do-not- resuscitate decisions, Patient Self-Determination Act, Patient’s Bill of Rights.

Apply components of compassionate, patient-centered-care to simulated situations.
State the purpose for various types of surgical procedures.
1. Relate information that is gathered from and given to a person before surgery.
2. Reinforce teaching to prevent complications due to surgery or health alterations in simulated situations.
Discuss the gerontology patient related to physical, mental, and emotional changes associated with the aging process. (DECs II-A, B, D, F, III-B, C, IV-A, B, C, D; SCANS C5, 6, 7, 9, 14, F9)
1. Identify treatment modalities commonly used for geriatric patients with a medical/surgical illness.
Identify common nursing problems that may be present in the geriatric patient.
1. Utilize a problem solving approach in planning care for a geriatric client.
2. Discuss the social implications of increased longevity and lowered mortality rates in the U.S.
Identify the settings in which care of the geriatric patient takes place.
1. Introduction to patients with multiple healthcare problems
2. Recognize client needs that would require referral to other resources for the continuity of care.
Demonstrate basic computer competency. (DECs I-C, D, DECs II-H, DECs III-B, DECs IV-E; SCANS C-18, 19, 20)
1. Utilize computers, printers, Internet, Weatherford College student email, and course software to complete the course.
  1. Apply technology to enroll, manage assignments, complete examinations and assignments required in the course.

Required Textbooks

Foundations and Adult Health Nursing 8th ed., Cooper, K. & Gosnell, K. (2019)

Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide 8th ed., Cooper, K. & Gosnell, K., (2019)

Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Exam 7^th ed; Silvestri, L. & Silvestri, A. (2019)

19 Fall Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing for Foundations and Adult Health Nursing – Classic Version, 8th Edition

HESI PN Case Studies with Practice Test – Classic Version, 1st Edition

HESI Student Access to take periodic assessment exams-current year

Computer Accessibility

Sim Chart

Interactive Kahoot games

Evaluation Standards

Cognitive evaluation will include unit exams, quizzes, daily work, homework, scheduled On- Line assignments and a comprehensive final exam. Scheduled homework assignments will be accepted only on the due date/time for full grading consideration. Scheduled homework assignments will only be accepted on the student's first day back on campus (before the first scheduled class of the day) if absent on the date the assignment is due. Fifteen (15) points will be deducted for late assignments. On-line assignments must be completed & submitted during the published open time frame. Failure to submit electronically during the published open time frame will result in a score of "0". All scheduled assignments are due at the beginning of the class period unless otherwise stated and are expected to be original, independent work unless otherwise directed by the instructor. Each scheduled assignment should be neat and legible, with correct spelling and grammar. Sources should be appropriately cited when indicated.

Failure to submit any assignment will result in a zero (0) being recorded for that assignment. However, if absent on the day of an unannounced quiz or an in-class assignment the student will have the opportunity to complete the activity and submit for a reduced grade. (15 points will be deducted). This assignment must be completed and submitted within 48 hours after the student's first return to campus.

There are no provisions for individual make-up work or extra credit in this course.

Exams should be taken as scheduled. No quiz/exam, nor the final, may be taken early. If an exam is missed, the student will be allowed to take a make-up exam on the first day the student returns to campus following the absence. It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor(s) and arrange a time for the make-up exam outside of class time on the student's first day back on campus. Fifteen (15) points will be deducted for all late exams.

Failure to take any Unit Exam or the Final Exam will result in a grade of zero (0) being recorded. The instructor will provide specific information during this course for exams.

Exam Procedures:

The Weatherford College Vocational Nursing Program exam policy, which can be found in the VNP Student Handbook, will be followed for this course.

Students are encouraged to review the rationale of questions for computerized tests immediately after submitting the exam.

Students that score less than 75% on an exam are encouraged to meet with the instructor to identify strategies for improvement of exam scores. Please see course schedule for exam dates.

Grading:

Evaluation	Percent
Assignments	10%
NCLEX/EAQ/Case Studies/Quizzes	5%
Unit Exams	75%
Final/HESI Exams	10%
Total Evaluation	100%

A= 90 to 100

B = 80 to 89

C = 78 to 79

F = <78

Final course grades will be calculated to the nearest whole number with NO rounding. Anything less than a 78 will be considered a failing grade.

A total of 2 absences are allotted for this course for the entire semester. Anytime a student is not in attendance, in the classroom, during class time for more than 10 minutes, the student will have an absence recorded. Absences greater than a total of two will result in a 10% reduction of the final course grade.

Absences

Two absences are allowed for this course. More than two absences will result in a 10% final grade reduction for each additional absence. The clinical instructor and the assigned clinical agency should be notified prior to the beginning of the clinical shift if absent.

Final course grades will be calculated to the nearest whole number. Anything less than a 74.5 will be considered a failing grade.

Clinical experiences may be scheduled between the hours of 5:30 A.M and 11:30 P.M. Times for clinical experiences will vary and may include 8 or 12- hour shifts. When in hospital clinical, the student will have thirty (30) minutes for lunch. Each student must ask permission from the instructor and the charge nurse if he/she wishes to leave the unit. The student is not allowed to leave the 20 clinical unit during the clinical shift, unless otherwise specified by the instructor, failure to do so will result in a section 1 (g) offense. Clinical during the first and second semesters are scheduled for 8-hr shifts, two days per week. Third semester clinical can be 8 or 12-hour shifts, two or three days per week. 3. Clinical experiences require students to travel to sites away from the college campus. Clinical sites include hospitals and other health care facilities in Mineral Wells, Stephenville, Weatherford, Willow Park, Millsap, Fort Worth as well as Decatur, Jacksboro, Granbury and Bridgeport. Other Locations may be used if deemed necessary for student learning. Students must be prepared to drive to any of these locations for clinical. 4. The nursing faculty will determine clinical assignments, depending upon the learning environment, availability of clinical resources and needs of the students.

Instructional Methods

Guided clinical practice in a variety of settings: acute care, long-term care, community clinics, physician offices, simulated activities, clinical conference and group discussion, and online resources. Clinical Simulation, Basic and Advanced Nursing Skills may utilize low, moderate or high fidelity simulation types as defined by the Texas BON rule 214 and 215.

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. Differientiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Vocational Nursing Educational programs and SCANS competencies can be accessed from Texas Board of Nursi n g . SCANS information can be obtained from the document Identifying and Describing The Skills Required by Wo r k published by The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Work Skills.

Texas Board of Nursing DECS

I. Member of the Profession

A. 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. B. Assume responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided to patients and their families.

C. Contribute to activities that promote the development and practice of vocational nursing. D. Demonstrate responsibility for continued competence in nursing practice, and develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning.

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. B. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice.
  3. Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors.
  4. Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes.
  5. Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs.
  6. Assist in the coordination of human, information, and physical resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families.
Patient Safety Advocate
1. 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. F. Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy.
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.
  1. Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families.
  2. Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care, and ensure confidentiality.
  3. Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care.
  4. Assign nursing activities to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or work place need.
  5. Supervise nursing care by others for whom the nurse is responsible.
  6. Assist health care teams during local or global health emergencies or pandemics to promote health and safety, and prevent disease.