NURS 4410 202: Child Health Nursing

TEACHING STRATEGIES

This course will include guided mini-lectures and in-class case studies to aid developing clinical judgement via group activities, self-study and reflection, creation of concept maps, interactive games, and other flipped classroom discussions.

COURSE STRUCTURE

All course content and assignments will be listed in Blackboard under ‘Content’. The week's content such as slides, video links, and instructions for other assignments will be explained in each folder. All clinical forms, course, clinical, simulation and skills lab schedules will be available for review in Blackboard under their respective folders. The expectation is for the student to review these materials each week to organize their time wisely and complete all assignments. See week-specific learning objectives on Blackboard modules. Tentative course schedule on this syllabus.

The clinical portion of this course will be taught in the nursing skills lab, simulation lab, and clinical settings (acute care hospital, school setting, and daycare-learning center). Clinical experiences include instructor-supervised practice, assigned nursing preceptor supervision, and observational/ experiential learning based on experiential learning theories.

*Note that the clinical schedule may change due to unforeseen circumstances placed by our clinical partners. If any changes need to be made, faculty will send a Blackboard announcement at the time that the change is made known to the faculty.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND AI

All written assignments will be submitted using the specified Turnitin drop box or Blackboard drop box with enabled Safe Assign on the specified due date. No assignments will be accepted via e-mail. 

All written assignments must comply with the 7^th edition APA formatting and will include, at the minimum, a cover page and a reference page with each assignment. All written papers become the property of the school of nursing.

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Grammarly (GO/PRO) AI, Quillbot, Bard, Copilot, Jasper, or any other text-generating, paraphrasing, or content-creation software—is strictly prohibited in all nursing coursework unless explicitly authorized in writing by the course faculty. Students must complete and submit all academic and clinical coursework using their own independent work, analysis, and writing.

Allowed: Students may use AI for:

• Brainstorming: Idea generation, questions to consider, themes or angles to explore.
• Outlining: Structuring your own paper, presentation, or project (e.g., headings, subheadings, sequence of points).
• Planning tasks: Milestones, timeliness, checklists for your workflow

Not Allowed: Students may not use AI for:

• Writing or generating any portion of an assignment
• Paraphrasing or rewording content
• Summarizing articles or research
• Producing discussion board posts or responses
• Writing care plans, SOAP notes, or clinical documentation
• Creating PowerPoint slides or poster content
• Submitting AI-produced text (even if “heavily edited”) as your own
• Producing reference pages

Source Verification Requirement

The use of automated reference or citation generators (e.g., Zotero, MyBib, Citation Machine) is not recommended and highly discouraged/prohibited to be used due to producing incorrect citations. Citations are to be formatted according to the American Psychological Association manual, following the edition specified in the course syllabus.

Students are required to include direct and clearly accessible links to all sources referenced in their written assignments. This requirement encompasses a diverse range of materials, including but not limited to journal articles, peer-reviewed studies, credible websites, and professional reports. The links should be formatted in a way that directs faculty and instructors straight to the original source, allowing for convenient verification of citations. It is essential that students take the time to double-check their links to guarantee that they lead directly to the content cited, thereby enhancing the overall quality and trustworthiness of their work.

Failure to adhere to the above policy will result in the following consequences:

Point Deductions

• Any assignments with broken or non-functional links will receive point deductions, impacting the overall grade as dictated by the lead faculty.

Exclusion of References

• References that cannot be verified due to missing or incorrect links, screenshots, or lack of URLs/DOIs will not be counted toward the assignment's reference requirements.

Reduced Academic Integrity

• Failure to properly format citations and provide verifiable sources may negatively affect the assessment of the student’s work and their ability to demonstrate academic rigor.
• Repeated or serious violations of the policy will be referred to the TAMIU Honor Code for formal review. This includes, but is not limited to, submission of unverifiable sources, falsified or fabricated references, persistent use of broken or misleading links, or failure to correct issues after written notice.
• Such referrals may result in institutional sanctions in accordance with university policy, which may include a formal warning, assignment failure, course failure, or additional disciplinary actions as determined by the committee. These measures are implemented to protect the integrity of academic work and uphold professional and ethical standards expected in nursing education.

FEEDBACK

Instructor will provide feedback to students on their submissions of an assignment in Blackboard within 24-48 hours of receiving the work. It is your responsibility to keep up with any feedback given by your professor to better your work. To view the feedback details, you must go back to the submitted work/ grade in Blackboard. 

1. Synthesize knowledge from the arts, humanities, sciences, and other disciplines in developing a framework for nursing knowledge and practice.

2. Explore the effect of variations in health status, developmental processes, values, beliefs and attitudes, culture, history, and environment on nursing care needs.

3. Use critical thinking, clinical judgment/decision making, problem-solving, and the research process in the development of nursing knowledge and practice.

4. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate evidenced-based and culturally appropriate safe nursing care with patients, families, populations and communities.

5. Evaluate utilization of health promotion strategies in the development of nursing practice.

6. Develop professional nursing practice frameworks and roles, including the provider of patient-centered care, health care team member/collaborator, leader/manager, educator, scholar, patient-safety advocate, activist, mentor, and entrepreneur.

7. Evaluate the impact of evolving technological, socioeconomic, political and demographic changes on nursing practice and health care systems.

8. Adhere to legal and ethical principles in the development of professional nursing practice.

9. Articulate a commitment to life-long learning.

10. Participate in nursing- and health-related service opportunities

1. Apply concepts and principles form the arts, sciences, humanities, and nursing when making practice decisions for infants, children adolescents, and their families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses. (PLO: 1,3,9) (DEC: IIA, IIIC, IVB, IVC) (AACN: 1,6,10) (QSEN: 1,3) (ANA 1,7) (Assessments: Exams, clinical practice, plan of care).
2. Incorporate social, cultural, ethnic, spiritual, psychological, and economic factors when providing nursing care to infants, children, adolescents and their families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illness. (PLO: 1,2,5) (DEC: IIE, IIG, IIH, IVB) (AACN: 1,2) (QSEN: 1,3,5) (ANA: 1,2,3) (Assessments: Clinical practice and plan of care).
3. Use critical thinking, evidence-based knowledge, and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop holistic plans of care for infants, children, adolescents, and their families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses. (PLO: 4) (DEC: IIA, IIB, IVA) (AACN: 1,2,6) (QSEN: 1,2,3) (ANA: 1,2,4,8) (Assessments: Exams, clinical practice, case studies, and nursing plan of care).
4. Provide accurate, safe, and holistic nursing care to infants, children, adolescents, and their families experiencing multi-system and/ or complex illnesses within ethical, legal, and professional nursing boundaries. (PLO: 1,2,4,7) (DEC: IIB, IID, IVB) (AACN: 2,3,5) (QSEN:1,4,5) (ANA:1,2,3,5,6) (Assessments: Exams, clinical practice, plan of care).
5. Incorporate relevant research when providing the delivery of comprehensive nursing care among diverse populations. (PLO: 3,4,6) (DEC: IIA, IIC, IIG, IIIC) (AACN: 1,4) (QSEN:1,3) (ANA: 1,4,7) (Assessments: School teaching project and Learning Center Reflection paper).
6. Identify opportunities within the community to provide health teaching and promotion for infants, children, adolescents, and their families. (PLO: 2,4,10) (DEC: IA, IC, IVB, IVC, IVG) (AACN: 1,3,10) (QSEN:1,4) (ANA: 2.3.5.8) (Assessments: Clinical practice in local schools', community service time in partnership with local community clinical sites).

PLO: Program learning objectives; DEC: Differentiated Essential Competencies; QSEN: Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Competencies; AACN: American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials; ANA: American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. 

Lippincott CoursePoint+ for Tagher's Pediatric Nursing

CONHS/ CSON Grading and Rounding Criteria

Nursing Students must achieve a grade of "C" or higher in both theory and clinical components of a course in order to "Pass" that course and progress in the program. A grade of "F" in either theory or clinical components will constitute a course failure.

To pass a course, a nursing student must attain:

• An exam average (Test 1, Test 2, Test 3, and Final Exam) of 75% or higher -AND- An overall course average of 75% or higher.

​The weighted exam and course average total is calculated to two decimal places and rounded mathematically as follows:

• Less than 0.45 = Rounds down to the next whole number (74.44 rounds down to a 74) 
• 74.45 or greater = Rounds up to the next whole number (75.45 rounds up to a 76)

DIDACTIC ASSESSMENTS

RUBRICS

All assessments will be graded on a 100-point scale. See all rubrics in Blackboard.

LATE WORK

In fairness to all students, late assignments will NOT be accepted. The grade for a missed assignment will be recorded as a zero "0" for didactic and an "F" for clinical assignments. Students should verify and assure a receipt after submitting any assignment in Turnitin.

EXAMS

Respondus lockdown browser is required to be used for all exams with faculty proctoring.

Respondus Webcam Monitor will be used for all exams taken remotely at the testing center or the disabilities office.

Testing guidelines are as follows:

1. All face-to-face class examinations are proctored in a designated, supervised testing area. All Exam dates and formats will be communicated.

• Students must sit in assigned or randomized seats as directed by the instructor or proctor.
• All personal belongings, including bags, watches, and phones, must be stored in a designated area away from the testing computer site.
• Students are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late arrivals of more than 15 minutes without notice may not be admitted and will be considered a missed exam.
• All materials brought into an exam must be left in an area designated by the proctor. The faculty or designated proctor will provide students with a pencil and sheet of paper, if allowed.
• Students may wear coats or jackets during the examination period at the discretion of the proctor. All long sleeves should be rolled up to the forearms. The lead faculty will determine what additional aids will be allowed or used during the examination.
• No food or drinks are allowed during the examination period.
• Restroom use during testing will be documented and allowed at the faculty’s discretion.
• Prohibited behaviors include:
  • Copying, sharing, or discussing the exam before, during, or after an exam.
  • Using unauthorized aids (e.g., notes, devices, online resources)
  • Impersonating another student or allowing someone else to take an examination.
  • Recording or photographing test materials.
  • Talking, note sharing, or any form of collaboration.
• Students must complete required computer system checks before the test. The use of a secure testing platform (Lockdown Browser) is mandatory. Once logged in, the student will no longer be able to leave the testing site without notifying the faculty or the proctor. Any form of communication with other students during this time will constitute a violation of the Academic Conduct of the TAMIU Honor Code Rules.
• If the proctor suspects any sharing of information during an examination, all students involved will receive a ZERO (0) on the examination or quiz and are subject to Article 7 Violations of Academic Conduct of the TAMIU Honor Code Rules. This includes:
  • Students in possession of cell phones or any other electronic device during an examination (i.e., mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or tablets).
  • Students found obtaining or suspected of obtaining information from sources other than what has been allowed by the faculty or proctor.

2. Professional conduct during testing.

Students are expected to:

• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect.
• Follow all directions given by faculty or proctors.
• Maintain a quiet and orderly testing environment.
• Adhere to conduct and professional standards during testing.

3. All exam materials are the property of the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.

4. A student who is removed from a quiz or examination for suspected sharing of information may be asked to leave the examination area and will receive a Zero (0).

5. Any student who must be absent from an examination must notify the lead faculty PRIOR to the examination. The lead faculty shall be notified in a written format, preferably via Blackboard Email, that includes a date and time. Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to faculty members of their absence. The faculty member will decide if the excuse is valid and may provide the following option.

• The weight of the missed exam may be added to the student’s final examination, ONLY upon lead faculty approval. Students who fail to notify the lead faculty before the examination period will not be allowed to carry the weight of the missed exam to their final exam; thus, they will receive a Zero (0) for the missed exam.

6. Only one exam can be missed and allowed to count toward the final exam weight. Any other missed exam(s) will be assigned a grade of ZERO (0).

7. Students who need to leave the examination area prior to completion will be requested to leave all testing materials with the proctor, and the examination is considered completed. Students may not leave the examination area without the proctors’ acknowledgement.

8. After the examination period, all examination materials (exam, additional work paper) shall be submitted to the proctor. Students who leave the exam room with any examination material, as a result of their actions, will earn a grade of zero (0) for the exam.

9. Examination grades will be posted per the TAMIU student handbook or course syllabus.

10. Students requiring accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services.

11. Course faculty may elect to establish other requirements at their discretion, but in no case will these requirements be less stringent than those in this policy.

12. No exam grade shall be dropped when determining the overall course grade.

13. Pop quizzes may be given at the discretion of the lead faculty.

14. The final exam must be taken at the time specified in the course syllabus. If a student is unable to attend the final exam, the student must notify the lead faculty BEFORE the exam takes place. This notification should be submitted in writing, ideally through Blackboard Email, and must include the date and time of the absence. If a student misses the final exam, the lead faculty may, at their discretion, arrange a makeup exam with similar content on a designated date and time

15. Any student with a conflict in exam schedule due to University business (e.g., UIL, athletics) must refer to the TAMIU catalog.

EXAM RESULTS

Faculty will perform an item analysis on all exams. Test results will be released to students within 24-48 hours after the exam day.

Students are expected to review their exam questions with feedback immediately after completion the exam. Exam view will close once the student exits the test. To conserve exam security and integrity, exams will not be re-opened during counseling meetings or reviewed during lecture. It is the student's responsibility to review errors and read feedback on incorrect responses given by professors.

Students who fail an exam must schedule a 15-minute face-to-face meeting with the faculty to complete an exam wrapper and set a remediation plan.

LEARNING CONTRACT

Any student who scores 75% or below on a periodic exam for a nursing course will receive a Learning Contract from the faculty. A Learning Contract is established to support student success in both the course and the BSN program. If a student fails to meet the requirements outlined in the Performance Improvement Plan, the student will receive an Incomplete Grade. This will prevent the student from progressing to the next academic semester.

Students will be responsible for completing and documenting a log of weekly practice questions. These questions are designed to help prepare them for the end-of-course and end-of-program standardized exams, as well as for the NCLEX. The weight of these questions will contribute towards the assignment percentage of the overall course grade.

HESI

At the end of the semester students will be required to take a proctored standardized course exam. The score on this exam will count as a grade and will count for 10% of the course grade.
Grading for this exam will be as follows: 

• 850 points or greater = 100%

• 849 points and below = Will receive the conversion score assigned by HESI as the grade

HESI REVIEW PACKETS

Students will be required to complete review packets based on their performance on the HESI exam. These packets are counted as a grade for the course. Failure to complete the review packets by the due date set by the faculty will result in the student receiving an Incomplete "I" grade for the course. 

CLINICAL HOUR BREAKDOWN

CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS

MEDICATION CALCULATION TEST

Prior to clinical rotations, all students must demonstrate proficiency in weight-based dosing medication calculations for children. Students must obtain a grade of 100% on the test in order to move on to attend clinical rotations where medication administration is involved. Each student will be allowed 3 opportunities to achieve 100%. If the student does not reach the goal, he or she will not be allowed to participate in clinical rotations at the school setting or hospital setting until they are fully capable of demonstrating proficiency in weight-based dosing medication calculations for children.

PRE-SIMULATION ASSIGNMENTS

All students will be assigned pre-simulation activities counting as part of their clinical hours. Pre-simulation preparation assignments must be submitted prior to beginning the assigned group simulation session. Pre-simulation work is individual work, each student must submit their own work. If the student does not submit a pre-simulation assignment the student will not be allowed to participate in the simulation activity and obtain a clinical F for the clinical hours.

CLINICAL "F" DAY

Unacceptable nursing practice that results in patient harm or near harm in a clinical setting (school, learning center, hospital, simulation or skills lab), unprofessional behaviors (disrespect to faculty or colleagues, tardiness, lack of proper appearance, lack of identification), violations of HIPAA law, unexcused absence, disregarding a clinical site policy, using a cellphone in patient care areas, or being unprepared for the care of a child is grounds for receiving an "F" for the clinical day. The faculty member or clinical preceptor reserves the right to send a student home if any unacceptable situation arise.

A student who receives 3 clinical "F" grades in any clinical course in a semester will receive a final grade of "Fail" for the entire course even when the student is passing the didactic portion.

Making up a lost clinical day will be subject to clinical site and faculty's availability. The student may receive an Incomplete "I" grade for the course if he/she does not complete the amount of clinical hours required by the State of Texas.

To review the Canseco School of Nursing policies please see the CNHS BSN Handbook.