NURS 4614 201: Adult Health Nursing II

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 services.

Upon successful completion of this course, each student will:

CO1: Apply concepts and principles from the arts, sciences, humanities, and nursing when making practice decisions for adults and families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses. (PLO 1,3,4) (DEC IB.C, ID.C, IIA.C, IIB.C, IIC.C, IID.C, IIF.C, IIG.C, IIIB.C, IIIC.C, IVA.C, IVB.C, IVC.C, IVE.C, IVF.C) (AACN 1,2,6,7,9) (QSEN 1,2,3,5) (ANA  1,2,3,4,9,13,18)

CO2: Incorporate social, cultural, ethnic, spiritual, psychological, and economic factors when providing nursing care to adults and families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses. (PLO 2,4,5,7) (DEC IIB.C, IIG.C, IVA.C, IVB.C, IVC.C, IVE.C) (AACN 2,3,6,7,9) (QSEN 1,2,4) (ANA 1,2,3,4,5B,8,9,10)

CO3: Use critical thinking; evidence-based knowledge, and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop holistic plans of care for adults and families experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses. (PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6) (DEC IB.C, ID.C, IIA.C, IIB.C, IIC.C, IID.C, IIE.C, IIF.C, IIG.C, IIIB.C, IIIC.C, IVA.C, IVB.C, IVC.C, IVD.C, IVE.C, IVF.C) (AACN 1,2,4,5,6,8) (QSEN1,2,3,4,5) (ANA 1,2,3,4,5,5A,5B,6,10,11,14,17)

CO4: Provide accurate, safe, and holistic nursing care to adults and families experiencing multisystem and/or complex illnesses within ethical, legal, and professional nursing boundaries. (PLO 1,2,4,6,7,8) (DEC IA.C, IB.C, ID.C, IIE.C, IIIA.C, IIIB.C, IIIC.C, IIID.C, IVA.C, IVD.C, IVE.C, IVF.C) (AACN 1,2,5,7,8,9) (QSEN 1,2,3,4) (ANA 1,5,6,7,8,10,12,15,16,18)

CO5: Incorporate relevant research when providing the delivery of comprehensive nursing care among diverse populations experiencing multi-system and/or complex illnesses, including individuals, families, and communities (PLO 3,4,5,9,10) (DEC IIA.C, IIC.C, IIIB.C, IIIC.C) (AACN 1,4,5) (QSEN 1,3,4,5) (ANA 13,14,15)

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. 

 

To go to the bookstore, click here.

HESI curriculum

HESI Testing license: Due to be purchased during the first week of class. 

** Instructions for HESI payment will be given on first day of class on how to make payment. **

Faculty is not able to correct any issues with Elsevier, you have to contact them directly. If you are having issues with the process as noted above – please call (800) 222- 9570 – select the ‘Student’ prompt and a representative can assist you.

Nursing and medical journal subscriptions provided in the library URL: http://tamiu.libguides.com/nursing is a comprehensive resource to aid nursing students and faculty on use of library resources in nursing, medicine, and health. It includes links to databases, books, videos, and other online resources and includes some tutorial material.

• A new subscription to UpToDate, the evidence-based clinical decision resource, is featured on the home page of the Nursing Research Guide. There students will find a link to this resource and to online video tutorials to get them started using it. It also mentions the UpToDate mobile app. Distance Learning @ Killam Library, which is designed to support online learners, URL: http://tamiu.libguides.com/DistEd

• APA Manual 7th edition or online resources provided by faculty and/or writing center.  

CONHS/CSON Grading and Grade Rounding Policy

The CONHS/CSON has adopted a grading scale in line with other Texas schools of nursing:

• A = 90 - 100

• B = 80 - 89

• C = 75 - 79

• F = 74 and below

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 nursing course and progress in the program, a nursing student must attain: An exam average (that include tests and the final exam) of 75% or higher. -AND- An overall course average of 75% or higher. Students with an exam grade below 75 must meet with faculty within one week of taking the exam and follow a remediation plan developed by the faculty to assist with improvement of grades. It is the student responsibility to contact the professor to set up an appointment for a remediation success plan.

Methods for Evaluation

Course Messages/Emails

Students must check Blackboard and their TAMIU e-mail account regularly. The preferred communication method for contacting Faculty will be TAMIU email and NOT blackboard course messages. Not having seen an important message sent via TAMIU e-mail from a faculty member is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s UConnect Portal and TAMIU E-mail are the official means of communicating course and university business with students and faculty – not the U.S. Mail and no other e-mail addresses.

While faculty do check e-mail frequently, please allow one (1) business day (Monday through Friday) for responses during weekdays. Any e-mail sent after office hours (8 am- 5 pm) and/or on weekends (Friday after 5pm, Saturday, and Sunday) will be responded to until the next business day (Monday). No e-mails will be answered during Holidays or school breaks.  

Appointments and Calls

Please call or e-mail faculty to set up meeting appointments. When leaving a voicemail, please leave your name, call-back number, and reason for the call. Remember that nursing faculty teach multiple courses and are not always inside their office on times outside of their set office hours.

Lead faculty is available over the phone during office hours and available via e-mail during business days Monday – Friday from the times of 8 am – 5 pm. 

Open communication between students and course faculty is highly encouraged. Each student has continuing access to a faculty advisor regarding individual needs and/or problems. Students are highly encouraged to seek assistance from the faculty.

Communication through Microsoft teams app is encouraged using TAMIU email.

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.

Electronic Devices

To minimize interruptions, cellular phones must be turned off (vibration mode is not acceptable) when in classroom or in lab. Laptops are permitted in the classroom as long as it is used for class purposes. Recording devices are not permitted unless previous permission has been granted by instructors. All exams are given online via respondus lockdown browser in Blackboard (unless prior approval was given by instructor); on the day of the exam students are allowed to bring in their cell phone to allow them to log into the exam; after logging in the phones are to be turned off and put in an area designated by the faculty.  

Calculators

Simple calculators may be allowed in class however it must be simple, and unable to save data; no scientific models allowed and/or with a cover. Cell phones will not be used as a calculator during class assignments/quizzes or tests. Students are required to use a calculator and not their cell phone to calculate correct medication dosing in the clinical (acute care and school) setting. 

Plagiarism Policy

SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection tool built directly into Blackboard that helps promote academic integrity, supports instructors in evaluating student work, and guides students in developing responsible writing practices. Assignments will be submitted through SafeAssign in Blackboard.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Each student is expected to submit their own original work unless specific instructions from faculty state otherwise. Submitting work that is copied, improperly cited, or created by another individual—including classmates, AI tools, or online sources—violates academic integrity standards and may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the program’s academic policies.

Students are responsible for ensuring their submissions reflect their own understanding, efforts, and scholarly integrity. If questions arise regarding proper citation or use of sources, students should seek clarification before submitting assignments.

Digital Receipts

Once you submit your paper successfully, a digital receipt with a PaperID will be displayed for students on screen and emailed to the student's @dusty.tamiu.edu email address. Be sure to locate this receipt. If a receipt is not generated, go back and submit to the assignment again until a receipt is created.

LockDown Browser Requirement

All online exams must use respondus lockdown browser. If you are using a Chrome book, you will need to purchase Proctorial. Student instructions for purchasing and installing respondus can be found: https://www.tamiu.edu/distance/technology/respondus-ldb-and-monitor.shtml

Download Instructions

Download and install LockDown Browser from this link: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=795913767

Once Installed:

• Start LockDown Browser
• Log into Blackboard Learn
• Navigate to the test 

Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted. Note: You won't be able to access tests with a standard web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue. 

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the "Webcam Check" from this area
• If you have any questions about how to use the LockDown Browser, you may contact Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services at (956) 326-2149, emailing elearning@tamiu.edu, or by visiting Killam Library, Room 259.
• Respondus has a Knowledge Base available from support.respondus.com. Select the "Knowledge Base" link and then select "Respondus LockDown Browser" as the product.
• If you're still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select "Submit a Ticket". Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it. 

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of these technologies on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.  

Other Policy/Information

Students are held to all policies in the CNHS BSN Handbook. 

Teaching Strategies:

Power-point, Echo 360 recorded lectures, Discussion Questions, Case Studies, Audio-visual Aids, Quizzes, Independent Readings, Self-Study, Online Assignments, Observation, Clinical Practice, HESI, and simulation lab. The assigned readings and power-point presentations/recorded lectures will be the foundation for each class.

The theory portion of this course is taught face-to-face and teaching strategies include, but not limited to, lecture, live discussions, interactive learning, computer-assisted instruction, self-study, group presentations, case studies, concept maps, assigned readings, etc. 

The clinical portion of this course will also be taught face-to-face in the nursing lab (skills and simulations) or clinical setting (hospitals) with instructor-supervised practice or preceptor supervision. 

***While this course is scheduled face to face, in the event of circumstances beyond the control of the University, course didactic content as well as lab/clinical requirements may need to be provided in an alternate format. Course content and objectives will not change only the method of instruction***

Course Structure

In addition to class time, all additional content and assignments will be in Blackboard. Under ‘Course Materials, Activities, and Assessment’ you will find weekly links in where pertinent content such as videos, PowerPoints, quizzes, articles, tests, instructions, forms, and other resources will be available for review. These materials will be uploaded by the faculty to assist you in broadening your understanding of the topics covered each week. The expectation is for you to review these materials each week throughout the semester. See unit-specific learning objectives available on Blackboard modules. 

Course Outline: (see alignment document for more specifics)

I. Management of Care-Using the nursing process as a framework of practice and under the supervision of the faculty the student will provide and direct nursing care (within the scope of their practice) that will ethically enhance the care and protect the adult client with acute and chronic medical/surgical conditions. Care will include a) time management, b) patient/family education, c) patient advocacy d) intra-professional collaboration, e) maintaining patient confidentiality, f) demonstrate written and verbal communication skills that uses appropriate language and approved abbreviations g) receive report prior to providing care and give report at the completion of planned care h) prioritize patient care, and i) use EBP when planning, providing, evaluation, and updating plan of care.

 II: Safety and infection control: the student will provide care and direct nursing care to clients 18 years of age and older, self, and others health care personnel from and health and environmental hazards in the in-patient acute care setting through assessing of allergies, protecting from falls, properly identifying the client prior to any care, verifying orders, patient education, proper ergonomic principles, reporting errors or safety issues immediately, following agency protocols for safety, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, hand and following infections control standards.

III. Health Promotion and Maintenance: The student will provide and direct nursing care of the client 18 years of age and greater that is related to prevention, recognition and early detection of new or worsening alterations in health. Activities will include patient education related to need for health screening, immunizations, infection control, and patient specific risk factors.  

IV. Psychosocial integrity: The student will provide care that promotes the medical surgical client’s mental, social, and emotional well-being, through the use of therapeutic communication.

V. Basic care and comfort: The student will provide care that promotes comfort and assistance in meeting basic needs. Includes a) use of assistive devices to compensate for physical or sensory impairments, b) addressing alteration in elimination c) assessing and providing skin care, d) assisting with mobility e) promoting circulation f) assessing and managing pain through both pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods g) monitor and provide for nutritional needs (tube feeding, PO or TPN) h) implement methods to promote rest/sleep i) post-mortem care, and j) ensure provision of ADLs. 

VI. Pharmacological and parenteral therapies: The student will safely administer medication and parenteral therapies that include a) observation of blood administration, b) access central venous devices, c) medication calculations d) safely administer medication via PO, tube, IV, IM, central line route, e) patient teaching concerning medication, f) titrate dosage of medication, g) administer pain medication as needed h) handle/manage controlled substances only under the supervision of faculty or approved preceptor following regulatory guidelines, i) evaluate appropriateness, effectiveness, and possible adverse effects of all medication administered. 

VII. Reduction of risk potential: The student will develop and implement a plan of care that reduce the risk of injury/complications due existing conditions, treatments or procedures. Nursing care will include a) assess and respond to change in vital signs, patient condition, b) perform diagnostic procedures such as glucose monitoring, ECG, oxygen saturation c) obtain urine, sputum, stool, or wound cultures/specimens, d) insert/apply/maintain NG tube, urinary catheters, enemas, IV lines, TEDs, SCDs, e) prepare and educate client about diagnostic procedures/treatments, f) provide pre, and post-operative care.

VIII. Physiological Adaptation: The student will manage and provide care for adult clients in the acute care setting with chronic, acute or life-threatening health conditions. Nursing care/management will include: a) observe and under supervision assist with invasive procedures b) implement actions to maintain optimal body temperature c) monitor and care of a clients on ventilators d) provide ostomy care, e) suction as needed f) wound care, g) pulmonary hygiene, h) manage clients with fluid and/or electrolyte imbalances i) monitor and care for clients with hemodynamic monitoring devices, j) care for client receiving peritoneal/hemodialysis, j) care of client with a pacemaker, k) care of client in ICU or ED, l) care of client on telemetry, l) patient education on acuter or chronic health problem , k) manage oxygen needs of a client, l) perform emergency procedures such as CPR, m) demonstrate knowledge of pathophysiology, and n) recognize and intervene when client conditions indicate a worsening of condition.

Participation grade

Emphasis is placed on the importance of mutuality in learning throughout the course. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that students recognize their responsibility for active participation in course activities. The success of the experience for everyone will depend to a great degree on the energy and enthusiasm of each member of the class.

Participation grades are designed to enhance student’s learning and is meant to be worked on throughout the semester. Weekly assignments are made available in the class schedule and on Blackboard, Elsevier, and Davis Advantage

Assignments and Feedback  

All assignments (Care Plans, Teaching Plans, Reflection Papers, Nurse’s notes) will be submitted using SafeAssign drop boxes in Blackboard on Sundays before 11:59 pm. All assignments must also comply with the 7th edition APA formatting. 

All papers become the property of the School of Nursing. Each student is responsible for ensuring that their assignment(s) are uploaded into the correct assignment drop box following the instructions and time frames provided to them. Once an assignment period has closed, it will NOT be reopened and a grade of zero will be given for the missing assignment.

Instructor will provide feedback to students on their submissions of an assignment or assessment within 24-48 hours.

Rubrics are available in Blackboard for each assignment. Instructor will provide feedback to students on their submissions of an assignment or assessment within 24-48 hours. 

Test results will be released within 24 hours after submission in order to properly complete a test analysis. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Grammarly 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
• Editing grammar, APA, or formatting using AI tools

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.

Class attendance 

Students are expected to attend every class in person and to complete all assignments. The CSON adheres to the TAMIU Attendance Rule as stated in the current catalog, Section 3.07 Attendance Rule. In addition, each course has specific attendance requirements for both classroom and clinical activities in order to comply with the SON accreditation requirements. It is the students’ responsibility to attend class, simulation, and clinicals as scheduled and to be on time. 

Failure to complete or submit a class quiz or complete an exam due to arriving late or leaving class early counts as a class absence and a grade of a zero will be given to that assignment. Class quizzes will not be offered at any other time.

*NOTE: Please be advised that conversations with others during lecture are not only disrespectful but also disruptive to others’ learning experience. The professor reserves the right to expel students from a lecture due to talking or other disruptive behavior. Students will be required to leave the lecture and may not return that day. Any assignment or quiz for that day will receive a zero even if the student completed it before being removed from the classroom. Repeated expulsions for talking or other disruptive behavior (3 or more) could result in further disciplinary action, up to and including an F for the course.

Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence (i.e., physician note, medical release, etc.) to faculty members within seven calendar days of their absence and return to class. They must substantiate the reason for absence. If the absence is excused, faculty members must either provide students with the opportunity to make up the exam or other missed work or provide a satisfactory alternative to complete the exam or other work missed within 30 calendar days from the date of absence. Students who miss class due to a University-sponsored activity are responsible for identifying their absences to their instructors with as much advance notice as possible.

Lab/Clinical 

This course has a total of 126 clinical hours. Throughout the semester the clinical sites, dates and times are subject to change; this is based on faculty/preceptor/agency availability as well as to provide students with optimal clinical experience.

Clinical hours are required to provide students the opportunities to obtain knowledge and skills to function safely as a professional nurse. Punctuality is expected in the professional workplace. Important information affecting client care is communicated to the students at the start of the clinical experience. Therefore, tardiness for clinical/lab/simulation experience jeopardizes the student’s ability to give safe nursing care. Lab, simulation, and case study experiences are considered clinical experiences. See CONHS BSN Handbook.

Clinical Instructions:

1. Do not give medications without an instructor or RN preceptor present.
2. Do not perform procedures without an instructor or RN preceptor present.
3. Do not hang blood.
4. Do not hang chemotherapy.
5. Do not give IV narcotics.
6. Do not remove any type of central lines.
7. Do not do anything that requires special certifications.

Clinical Hour Breakdown: This course has a total of 126 hours of clinical.

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
Clinical Experience	Hours
Computer activities (separate from didactic; computer activities with planned clinical objectives which may include virtual clinical excursions VCEs), interactive tutorials, and learning modules that are carried out as student assignments)	14
Nursing Skills Lab (including low- and medium-fidelity situations that include skill sets, task training, and return demonstration, and may mimic the clinical environment)	16
Simulation Lab experiences (high-fidelity simulated clinical situations that include orientation, learning objectives, and simulation experiences in a realistic patient scenario guided by trained faculty and followed by a debriefing and evaluation of student performance)	12
Direct Patient Care	84
Total	126

A. Students will provide total nursing care to patients under the direct supervision of clinical faculty and assigned staff registered nurses. No medication preparation/administration or invasive procedure can be done without direct supervision of the faculty. In some instances, the faculty will give permission for a registered nurse on the unit to supervise the student; however, the faculty must give permission for this to take place.

 

B. Students may not perform procedures that require special certification or training. If you are in doubt, be sure to check with your instructor before proceeding. The primary staff RN is responsible for the condition of their patients; therefore, students must coordinate all nursing care activities with the assigned staff RN. Always keep your assigned staff RN informed of your patient’s clinical status. Report ANY changes IMMEDIATELY to your instructor and the staff RN. Feedback from staff RN will be used in the evaluation process, but clinical faculty are responsible for evaluation of student progress in the clinical area. 

 

C. Preparation for Clinical: Specific preparation for clinical rotations may vary according to the clinical area. Failure to come to clinical prepared will result in student being sent home for the day and counted absent for the day. The following are general expectations of students:

1. Demonstrate ability to complete “head-to-toe” assessment of the patient(s) assigned to them.

2. Discuss the pathophysiology of the patient’s underlying health problem in addition to the plan of care required.

3. Complete all required pre-clinical paperwork

4. Demonstrate familiarity with medication and any procedures for each patient assigned. Students are required to prepare medication cards for every medication they administer; an example of the card can be found in the content area of BlackBoard.

5. Prior to any clinical rotation (ICU, ER, step-down unit) all students must demonstrate proficiency in pharmacological math calculation (grade of 100 on quiz), please see reading schedule for date that this requirement must be met. 

 

D. Clinical Behavior

The nature of clinical nursing courses is such that students are involved in the delivery of direct patient care. The primary purpose of any course is to provide education and clinical skill experiences for students. Nursing clinical courses are structured so that as students’ progress through the program they are expected to demonstrate increasing competence in providing nursing care. However, when direct patient care is involved in the learning experience, PATIENT SAFETY is of paramount concern. In the event a student makes an unsupervised medication error or provide unsupervised care that is harmful to patient this will result in course failure. 

 

Clinical is 126 clock hours and includes assignments, case studies, direct patient care, skills lab, and simulation. Clinical sites, times, and days of the week (based on clinical area assigned) will vary throughout the semester based on specific clinical area (medical surgical unit, and if available based on agency availability-critical care department.) A separate schedule with time based on clinical groups and clinical rotation can be found in Bb under the content area. For clinical and simulation, students are assigned to specific groups by faculty; the student is not allowed to switch sites, days, or groups. Attendance rules are the same for all clinical settings (hospital, community, lab setting or simulation).

Clinical times can vary and will be assigned based on site availability and/or rotation. Please follow student clinical schedule under content. Students need to be on time at their designated unit. This means that at the time assigned the student is on the unit and prepared/ready to begin the day’s assignment. (These times are subject to change throughout the semester). 

(Required paperwork will be assigned in advance, and will have to be turned in on Blackboard in an assigned dropbox)

Lack of preparation includes (but is not limited to): not on the unit for report, inappropriately attired, displaying non-professional attitude and not have necessary clinical resources (medication book etc.) and required paperwork. 

Other course policies related to clinical attendance: 

1. There are no excused clinical absences. It is the responsibility of students to notify the faculty member if they are unable to attend clinical. Do not just leave a message or ask a classmate to tell the faculty; continue to call until you have reached the instructor.

2. No clinical (including health care agency, lab, or simulation) can be completed without being up to date on all program health, immunization, background check and CPR requirements; for this requirement to be considered met, all required documentation must be submitted into Verified Credentials. Each day missed due to lack of this documentation will result in a clinical “F”.

3. Tardiness of more than 5 minutes will result in the student being sent home and receiving a clinical failure for the day.

4. Students reporting to clinical unprepared (lack of a required paperwork or if simulation lack of assigned preparation work), inappropriately dressed, or other unprofessional behavior will be sent home and this will be counted as a clinical absence.

5. Students missing clinical must make up the time; the make-up will be scheduled based on faculty and clinical site availability.

6. Patient care of ANY type is strictly prohibited when your faculty (in some cases approved preceptor) is not present in the clinical facility; failing to abide by this can result in course failure.

 

All students will be assigned lab and simulation; you will be assigned a pre- simulation preparation assignment (format on Bb in content area) that must be turned in prior to simulation. If the student group comes to the simulation activity unprepared, they will not be allowed to participate in the simulation activity; this will count as a clinical failure; make up may be in simulation or in the clinical setting; will be on faculty availability. Immediately following the simulation activity students must log into Typhon and complete the simulation evaluation; failure to complete this evaluation will prevent student from getting credit for this simulation activity. 

 

1. All assigned work must be typed and will be evaluated by presentation of data to support achievement of the clinical objectives. Assigned work must be submitted before midnight on the Sunday after the completed clinical day. Late work will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be recorded-only assignments with prior approval.

2. Students must prepare a priority plan of care plan for one client assigned for each clinical day, and must be submitted before midnight the Sunday after attending clinical.

3. The student must submit a care plan for an ICU or Med-Surg patient by the end of the semester

4. Faculty reserves the right to require additional work that is deemed necessary to facilitate the student meeting the clinical objectives of NURS 4614.

5. When giving medication on the medical surgical units, students must review medications to be administered prior to entering the patient’s room

 

Students are held to all policies outlined in the CNHS BSN Handbook and the institution's policies. The clinical experience is meant to provide an opportunity to integrate theory into practice. Students are assigned to a variety of settings where they will focus on specific activities as indicated by specific clinical assignments.

***At all times, you represent the Canseco School of Nursing and Texas A&M International University to that agency and to the community you are working with. Professionalism is required and expected*** 

1. Nametag/Dress/Appearance: All students will adhere to the dress code for clinical rotations. The lead or clinical instructor can dismiss any student for not complying with the required dress code, resulting in the student receiving a clinical F for the day. See CNHS BSN Handbook.

• Students may not wear sweaters or jackets over their white or black and maroon uniform during the performance of their clinical activities. Students may wear a short-sleeved or ¾ white undergarment or undershirt under their burgundy uniform. Black short-sleeved or ¾ undergarments or undershirts will be permitted only with the maroon polo shirt. Long-sleeve garments are not permitted.
• In the student role, you must dress professionally and display your TAMIU student name tag with a clear picture and name fully visible above chest level. Student IDs are to be clipped to one's uniform. ID strings or cords are considered unsafe and are not permitted.
• Fingernails: Nails must be clean, trimmed, and short length so as not to injure clients. Nail polish and artificial nails are prohibited.
• Jewelry: No rings except a plain band should be worn during client contact. No necklaces or bracelets with stones are permitted. One pair of small stud earrings may be worn if the ears are pierced. A watch with a second hand must be worn.
• Tattoo/skin piercing: All tattoos, skin piercings, and ear gauges MUST be covered or removed. Other visible piercings, including tongue studs, are not permitted.
• Accessories: 
  • Bandage scissors, penlight, 6-inch hemostat (Kelly forceps), pen with black ink, pill cutter, pill crusher, and a stethoscope are standard equipment and should be taken to each hospital clinical experience or designated assignment.
  • Bring only items necessary to the clinical setting (paper, pen, guidelines, etc.). Leave purses and all valuables or bulky items at home. No sunglasses, baseball caps, or headgear are permitted.

2. Student Health Requirements: Students must meet the clinical health and CPR requirements prior to going to the clinical setting. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the inability to attend clinical and a Clinical F will be given for each day the student cannot attend clinical. See CNHS BSN Handbook. 

3. Lab/Clinical Absences: Clinical hours are essential for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to function safely as professional nurses.to provide students. Punctuality is expected in the workplace, as important information affecting patient care is communicated to students at the beginning of each clinical experience. Therefore, being late for clinical, lab, or simulation experiences can jeopardize a student's ability to provide safe nursing care. It's important to note that lab and simulation experiences are also considered clinical experiences. See CNHS BSN Handbook. 

• A clinical absence is defined as a failure to complete or attend an assigned clinical rotation due to: 
  • Student illness
  • An unexpected emergent situation (i.e., death of an immediate family member or significant other)
• For a clinical absence, due to illness, to be excused, the lead instructor must directly excuse the student, and if so directed, the student must bring a medical release from a licensed U.S. healthcare provider.
• An unexcused absence is defined as any absence that was not approved by the clinical instructor prior to the clinical experience. An unexcused absence will result in a clinical "F" day.
• In the event of imminent absence, the student will:
  • Notify the instructor by the instructor's stated instruction in the syllabus.
  • Notify the clinical agency and/or preceptor, if appropriate, at least one hour prior to the scheduled clinical experience.
• In the event of an emergency preventing the prior notification, the clinical instructor should be notified within 24 hours of the missed clinical day.
• The student who fails to appear for clinical (no call/no show) will receive an unexcused clinical absence for that day, and this results in a clinical "F" day. Students are required to meet with the lead instructor as soon as possible, and before their next scheduled clinical hours.

4. Clinical “F” Day: Unacceptable nursing practice in the clinical setting or unexcused clinical absences may result in receiving a clinical F day. A clinical setting includes any activity for which the student earns clinical hours. A student who accumulates (3) clinical "F" days in any clinical course will receive a failing grade (F) for that course. After receiving an F, the student may petition to the Admission and Progression Committee to retake the course in the following semester, provided that there is space available. A nursing student who accumulates (5) clinical "F" days during the program will be dismissed from the College of Nursing. See CNHS BSN Handbook.

• Any nursing student may be sent home from clinical for the following criteria, but not limited to:
  • Failure to prepare for a clinical assignment.
  • Failure to exhibit professional behavior, conduct or dress.
  • Failure to practice safe care.
  • Arriving late to the assigned clinical.
• At the faculty member's discretion, the student may be removed from direct patient care for the remainder of that clinical day.

5. Criminal background checks or Drug screens: As part of this clinical rotation, the CSON adheres to the policies of all clinical facilities with which the SON affiliated with for student clinical learning experiences. As part of this clinical rotation, clinical facility policies may require criminal background checks and/or random drug screen to be conducted on persons interacting with their clients. This documentation will be submitted to the requesting agencies as per their policy. See CNHS BSN Handbook.

6. Unsafe Clinical Performance/Patient Safety: Any act, omission, or commission that may result in harm to the patient is considered unsafe clinical practice. This determination is made by the clinical instructor regarding the student's ability to provide safe, effective, and competent patient care. See CNHS BSN Handbook.

7. Confidentiality: Nurses are entrusted with a great deal of personal information about their patients in order to plan comprehensive care. The student role requires that some of this information be shared with faculty and other students in a clinical conference setting. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information. Students and faculty share the burden of carefully protecting the privacy of all persons concerned. See CNHS BSN Handbook. 

8. Electronic devices/Social networking: Electronic equipment is not permitted in the clinical setting. This includes cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets. Electronic equipment is not allowed on your person during the clinical experience. Lock valuables in your car during clinical. Strict HIPAA guidelines will be enforced.The CSON has memorandum of understanding agreements with every clinical institution to adhere to their policies. See CNHS BSN Handbook. 

9. In the event of a “Blood or Body Fluid Exposure” (see BSN handbook for full details), faculty must be notified, and immediate treatment is provided to the individual at the clinical site where the injury occurs. The student/ faculty will follow the clinical site Bloodborne Pathogen Protocol; the student is responsible for all possible costs associated with treatment of exposure.  

10. Tardiness of more than 5 minutes will result in the student being sent home and receiving a clinical failure for the day. There are no excused clinical absences. It is the responsibility of students to notify the faculty member if they are unable to attend clinical. Students missing clinical must make up the time; the make-up will be scheduled based on faculty and clinical site availability.

11. Failure to maintain professional standards of integrity may result in failure of the clinical portion of the course. Recognize that within the community and surrounding areas, you are an ambassador of Texas A&M International University School of Nursing, and you must conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the University's mission and values.  

12. Adhere to the Texas Board of Nursing Board Rule:

• 213.27b Good professional character – defined “good professional character as the integrated pattern of personal, academic, and occupational behaviors that indicate an individual is able to consistently conform his/her conduct to the requirements of the Nursing Practice Act.”
• 217.12(6)(A) Unprofessional Conduct – Misconduct actions that include but not limited to: Falsifying reports, client documentation, agency records or other documents. Examples: RNs falsifying clinical log entries, patient progress notes. etc.
• 217.12(6)(I) Unprofessional Conduct– Misconduct actions that include “failing to answer specific questions or providing false or misleading answers in a licensure or employment matter that could reasonably affect the decision to license, employ, certify or otherwise utilize a nurse.”

13. Do not engage in any behavior that will compromise patient care or the University’s relationships with community partners. 

14. Always introduce oneself as a student and avoid misrepresentation of licensure and certification status. Do not practice outside of your scope or practice. Wear your TAMIU ID at all times while in any clinical setting.

 

Students and faculty share the burden of carefully protecting the privacy of all persons in the client role. Never identify clients by name in any written work and do not discuss any client information outside of the assigned seminar or class times. 

 

1. All students should immediately discontinue all in-person class, clinical, or lab and refrain from coming to campus if they:

a) have a known exposure to COVID 19 without wearing proper protective equipment (PPE)

b) tested positive to COVID 19 or

c) have known symptoms of COVID 19:

2. Students are to notify nursing faculty and follow TAMIU guidelines for reporting illness to Student Health Services by calling 956-326-2235 or emailing at studenthealth@tamiu.edu. 

3. Students may not return to campus or clinical until clearance by student health services is obtained. 

4. If a student does incur absences due to quarantine/isolation or becomes ill with COVID the clinical absence policy outlined in each course syllabus will be followed, however if the student must withdraw or take an incomplete, they will not be penalized for this.