NURS 4513 201: Professional Nursing Role

Meetings will be scheduled through bookings 

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/MrsVelaProfessionalNursingrolePNR@dustytamiu.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/  

Simulation day and time(s): Tentatively set for Tuesdays 12-5 pm throughout the semester and /or any clinical days / Wednesdays – Sundays assigned, and schedule/ simulation lab / sites permit. Clinical: Wednesdays – Sundays, times, and sites TBA

Course Credit Hours: 5 credit hours: 3 hours theory & 9 clock hours practicum per week. 

126 hours total practicum are required in this course.

Clinical Hours Breakdown: 70% direct patient care and 30 % combination nursing skills lab, low and high definition simulation and evolving case studies.

TEACHIG STRATEGIES

The course will consist in presentation guided in class instruction, where interaction among peers is expected,  case studies, online discussions, self-study and and group activities.

COURSE STRUCTURE

In addition to lecture time, all additional content and assignments will be listed in Blackboard. Each module under ‘Content’ will contain the week's content such as PowerPoints, articles, video links, and instructions for assignments. All clinical forms and other resources will be available for review in Blackboard under 'Clinical'. The expectation is for the student to review these materials each week. See week-specific learning objectives on Blackboard modules. See 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 (local hospitals). Clinical experiences include instructor-supervised practice and/or assigned nursing preceptor supervision. 

*Note that the clinical schedule may change due to unforseen circumstances placed by our practice clinical partners. If any changes are made, faculty will send an announcement via Blackboard at the time that the change is known to the faculty.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND AI

All written assignments will be submitted using the specified Turnitin drop box 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 our class, you may NOT use Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tools such as ChatGPT, Genimi, Microsoft Co-Pilot, Apple Intelligence, or other AI generating software to write the Applebe's learning center reflection paper or any nurse's notes.

Any use of AI tools for these written assignments constitutes a violation of the TAMIU Honor Code and grounds for reporting to the Honor Council. Turnitin has an AI detection tool and thus, a Turnitin report will have an AI percentage in addition to the similarity percentage. Failure to disclose the use of GenAI tools or presenting AI-generated content as one’s original work constitutes academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action.

Permissible Uses for AI tools: Students are welcome to use AI tools for tasks such as brainstorming, creating outlines, exploring different perspectives on a topic, data visualization, data analysis or drafting ideas during class or when studying. However, for assignments requiring critical analysis or personal reflections, AI tools are not permitted.

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

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Integrate prior learning and experiences from nursing and non-nursing courses to provide safe professional nursing care in diverse health care settings. (PLO:1, 6, 8)

2. Demonstrate increasing independence in planning, prioritizing, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for a workload of multiple patients in diverse clinical settings. (PLO:4)

3. Demonstrate an ability to set appropriate priorities in delegating and supervising team members according to skill level, agency policies, and Nurse Practice Act. (PLO:6, 8)

4. Utilize and demonstrate effective communication skills with the interdisciplinary health care team, patients, and families. (PLO:4, 6)

5. Utilize an interdisciplinary approach to identify, implement and document patient/family teaching/learning and discharge needs. (PLO:4, 5, 6)

6. Identify and implement strategies for resolving conflicts arising in clinical practice (e.g., moral, ethical, safety, delegation, and legal dilemmas). (PLO:2, 3, 6, 8)

7. Discuss issues related to professional development including licensure, career strategies, community service, societal trends, continuing education, and involvement in professional organizations. (PLO:6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

8. Incorporate teaching/learning principles in planning and implementing care for the

critically ill across the lifespan. (PLO:4, 6)

9. Communicate effectively to develop professional relationships that facilitate therapeutic interactions with the critically ill across the lifespan, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary health care team.(PLO:1,6)

Other resources:

• HESI must be purchased and will be used for assignments in this course. Required.
• APA 7^thed. Download handouts under resource tab from TAMIU Writing Center website. https://www.tamiu.edu/uc/ace/handouts.shtml
• Texas Board of Nursing Nurse practice ACT under the BOM website. https://www.bon.texas.gov/laws_and_rules_nursing_practice_act.asp.html 

Library Homepage: Search here for books, ebooks, journal articles, videos and more.  Serves as the portal to all library services. 

Killam Library Services, Hours and Access during COVID-19: Find updated status on Killam Library service changes that are occurring in response to COVID-19.  Here you will find among other topics how to borrow physical items in the collection during limited building access.

Nursing Research Guide: Specialized research guide to nursing information sources.

Distance Learning Research Guide:  Devoted to online learners and faculty, this guide includes general research tips as well as how to get help and support.

RefWorks Citation Management Tool: RefWorks is a web-based citation management tool that makes research management / paper-writing easier.  See tutorial on how to get started and use

rwebb@tamiu.edu : Email Rodney Webb, Library Liaison to the Sanchez School of Business, to get help with specific questions or problems using library resources or to request an appointment for help with your research paper or project.

researchhelp@tamiu.edu: Email a librarian to get answers to your library questions.

Library Chat: Chat with library reference staff to get answers to questions. When chat is offline, search frequently answered questions bank or submit your question to be answered later

Recommended Textbooks: None.

Other course Requirements: None.

Minimum Computer/Technology Requirements:

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Hardware. For this class, you will need the following additional hardware: a webcam and microphone for VoiceThread discussions. Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras. If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: Microsoft PowerPoint for viewing lesson presentations and Microsoft Word for viewing course files and submitting assignments. TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students if you do not own the required hardware, software or do not have access to internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you to find solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, computer labs, and classrooms.  In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard).  Students are provided with guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

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) 
• 0.45 or greater = Rounds up to the next whole number (75.45 rounds up to a 75:

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
GRADE	PERCENTAGE
A	90-100
B	80-89
C	75-79
F	74 and below

 

Method of Evaluation:

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
ASSESSMENT	GARDE PERCENTAGE
EXAMS(1,2,3)	60%
ASSIGNMENTS , DISCUSSIONS, ADAPTIVE QUIZZING, CASE STUDIES.	5%
HESI (conversion score will be used, 850 or greater if a score of 100 is obtained may replace lowest test score NOT FINAL)	10%
HESI REVIEW PACKET	5%
FINAL EXAM	20%

EXAMS

All exams for the CONHS will be on campus, proctored, either with faculty present or at the testing center.

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:

• After the student uses their cell phone to sign in with Duo, it must be powered-off and set it in a place designated by the proctor.

• All smart watches will also be removed and set in a place designated by the proctor.

• All tests will require a password that will be provided until just prior to the exam.

• All tests will begin and end exactly at the time specified (for NURS 4410, the test it will automatically shut down at the end of the two-hour testing time with the exception of those students with documented disabilities by our Disability office).

• During the test, no caps or hoodies, earphones or ear buds may be worn. Hands and forearms should be visible to faculty.

• No personal calculators will be allowed during the exam, the student must use the test calculator on Blackboard.

• If the student requires pencil and paper to do work during the exam, white copy paper and pencil will be provided by the proctor once the exam starts. Student will not be allowed to use any personal supplies during the test unless the student has approved and documented accommodations through the office of Disabilities.

• There should be absolutely no talking during the exam either to yourself or to someone else.

• No music can be played during the exam.

• Student failure to follow these guidelines will result in an automatic zero on the exam.

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 who fail an exam must schedule a face-to-face meeting with the faculty to review the exam, sign a learning contract, and complete an exam wrapper with a remediation plan.

Exams will not be reviewed over a remote appointment using Microsoft Teams meetings in order to conserve exam security and integrity.

LEARNING CONTRACT

All students who score 75% or below on any unit exam will be given a Learning Contract.

A Learning Contract is created to facilitate student success in the course and in the BSN program. Students will be assigned weekly NCLEX-style questions in Evolve and  as part of their assignment grade. These questions will help prepare for the end of course final exam and end of course standardized exam (HESI). Failure to comply with the requirements listed in the Learning Contract signed both by faculty and student will result in an Incomplete "I" grade and will prevent a student from progressing to the next academic semester.

HESI STATEMENT

HESI Exit Exam:  At the end of the semester students will be required to take the Proctored standardized course exams. 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 or greater: 100. Students scoring below the benchmark of 850 will receive the conversion score that is assigned by HESI as the grade of record on the gradebook.

Students will receive review packets based on their performance on the HESI exam. These packets will be counted as an assignment for the course and will count as 5% of the course grade. All students will be required to complete the review packets by the due date assigned by course faculty. Failure to complete the review packets will result in the student receiving an Incomplete Grade for the course. Information regarding the Incomplete, Withdraw, and Dismissal process can be found in the TAMIU BSN Handbook https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs/documents/handbooks/bsnhandbook.pdf

There is a mandatory requirement in this course for HESI specialty examination. The Hesi fee ($) is the responsibility of the student and must be paid within the first 2 weeks from the first day of class. If you take the Hesi and do not pay by the end of the semester the student will receive an Incomplete in the course and will have a Hold placed on their account till this matter is resolved. 

HESI REVIEW PACKETS

All students will be required to complete the review packets by the due date assigned by course faculty. Failure to complete the review packets will result in the student receiving an Incomplete Grade for the course 

Course Participation

All HESI assignments/written/tests, weekly assignments/case studies, TBON jurisprudence exam, weekly quizzes. Discussions, group QA assignment (including class presentation)  

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. 

The Professional Nursing Role Course reserves the right to give a pop quiz at any time during class, no make-up, automatic zero if not present to take the quiz. 

Extra Points

Student must attend both professional development days, both luncheons (LMC & DHL) and complete the Aefis evaluations. After submitting proof,  student will have opportunity to obtain 3 point on the over the final grade.

CLINICAL OBJECTIVES

After completing the clinical portion of the course, the student will demonstrate:
1. The ability to manage care of a group of clients.
2. The ability to prioritize and delegate client care to other member of the health care team.
3. Effectively communicate verbally and in writing. 
4. Implement behaviors and actions reflective of a professional nurse as part of the healthcare team.
5. Discuss professional issues related to the profession of nursing.

CLINICAL ROTATION INSTRUCTIONS

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

CLINICAL EXPECTATIONS

Clinical hours are required to provide students the opportunities to obtain knowledge and skills to function safely as a professional nurse.

1. Clinical is pass/fail and at the end of the rotation:

 a. If assigned a preceptor at the end of the rotation, the student will be asked to evaluate the clinical preceptor (done in Typhon) and the preceptor will be asked to evaluate the student. (If preceptors are used this semester).

 b. Evaluation of all simulation activities using Typhon is required after all simulation activities.

2.  Attendance for hands on clinical experiences is expected and there are no excused absences; any hours missed must be made up.  Due to time and clinical agency constraints if a student misses a direct patient care clinical experience or a simulation activity the makeup sessions may be after the end of the semester. If students have passed the theoretical portion of the class they will be given a course grade of incomplete and the time will be made up based on clinical facility and faculty availability. 

 a. Direct patient care clinical begins promptly at 6:30 or  6:45 AM  (depending on the shift you are assigned). Please note that 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 experiences.
 b. Students will be given a five minute grace period after scheduled start time(Do not take advantage). Assigned clinical instructor, lead faculty and preceptor (in case assigned to one) must be notified ahead of time. In case of an emergency contact lead faculty. Students who miss one day must make up hour for hour. Students missing more than one day are at grave risk of course failure. Keep in mind clinical site, and faculty availability are limited, placement is not guaranteed.

3. Professionally attired; refer to  handbook, clinical dress code must be followed.

4. If a student is under the supervision and direction of a clinical preceptor, a signed agreement with the clinical preceptor must be obtained prior to the rotation. 

a. When in the clinical area students may only perform nursing actions, administration  of medication, patient teaching, and documentation under the direct supervision of the assigned clinical preceptor.

 b. No skill, treatment or medication that requires special training or certification (including blood transfusions, removal of central lines, chemotherapy administration etc.) may be undertaken by the student even under the supervision of a preceptor.
 c. If the clinical preceptor is absent or pulled to another unit the student must immediately notify the faculty for directions on how to proceed. 

5. Exhibit professional behavior at all times, the preceptor and/or faculty may send the student home for non-professional behavior Examples include but not limited to the following:

a. Reporting to clinical unprepared, inappropriately dressed or comes in >5 minutes late.
b. Leaves clinical area without reporting to preceptor. 

c. Display non-professional behavior in the clinical area (i.e. fighting, using profanity, giving medication or performing procedure without preceptor or faculty supervision,non-compliance with confidentiality requirements, etc.).

d. Bringing a cell phone to clinical area. 

e. Displaying any behavior faculty/preceptor deems non-professional or unsafe to patient or others. 
f. Being asked to leave the clinical area for cause is grounds for clinical failure and thus course failure.
     

Unsafe Clinical Performance/Patient Safety: Any act, omission or commission that may result in harm to the patient is considered unsafe clinical practice. Any student  who jeopardizes patient safety will be sent home from clinical and receive a clinical F for that day. See CONHS BSN Handbook.
 

Clinical “F” Day: Unacceptable nursing practice in the clinical setting or unexcused clinical absence is grounds for receiving a clinical fail day, also known as an “F” Day. A clinical setting is any activity for which the student receives clinical hours. A student who receives three (3) clinical “F” days in any clinical course will receive a grade of F for that course. CONHS BSN Handbook. 

CLINICAL HOURS BREAKDOWN

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE	HOURS
DIRECT PATIENT CARE	84
HIGH FIDELITY SIMULATIONS	12
LOW FIDELITY ( SKILL LAB DAY, INDEPENDENT LAB PRACTICE, RECORDED FOCUSED ASSESSMENT)	20
COMPUTER ACTIVITIES (CASE STUDIES, DISCUSSIONS)	10
TOTAL	126

 CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

• All students must be up to date with all program requirements, payments, and inscriptions and / or will no be allowed to attend clinical or simulations and will receive an F for any missed clinical / simulation which may affect passing the course. 

• Simulation and lab activities: Will be assigned throughout the semester and dates and times can be found in the schedule of assignments for this class. Due to limited space and times for simulation if a student misses a simulation or lab activity make up may be scheduled after the end of the semester resulting in a grade of incomplete (provided theoretical portion of course is passed) 

• Evolving Case Studies: Evolving case studies will be assigned throughout the semester, late case studies or receiving a grade below 80% on evolving case studies will not count as clinical hours. Each case study will have discussion questions that the students must answer individually. This is not a group project and students sharing work is not allowed and considered plagiarism. Please refer to the course syllabus on how plagiarism will be handled. 

(TENTATIVE) Change/QA/Teaching project: Student will be assigned to a group to design and present a clinical change/QA/Teaching project as assigned by faculty.

To review the Canseco School of Nursing policies please see the CNHS BSN Handboo. https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs/handbook-coursecycle.shtml