NURS 5331 282: Adv Health Assessment Pract < Texas A&M International University

NURS 5331 - Adv Health Assessment Pract

Spring 2025 Syllabus, Section 282, CRN 26489

Instructor Information

Dr. Carol Gunnoe, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Clinical Assistant Professor

Office: College of Nursing & Health Sciences, CNHS 312B

Office Hours:
Tuesdays 4:00 - 7:00 pm (face to face or virtual), Wednesday 4:00 - 6:00 pm (face to face or virtual), Thursday 10:30 - 11:30 am (virtual by appointment) Other times are available by appointment

Office Phone: 9563262458

Times and Location

Does Not Meet Face-to-Face

Course Description

Additional Course Information

GenAI Policy

In this course, students may leverage generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, writing tools) to assist with assignments specified by the instructor. The use of GenAI is intended to support [specific learning objectives, e.g., critical analysis, creative thinking, or productivity in content creation], with the following guidelines in place to ensure academic integrity:

Permissible Uses: 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. However, for assignments requiring critical analysis or personal reflections, AI tools are not permitted unless explicitly allowed by instructor.

Documentation of AI Use: For each assignment where GenAI is utilized, please provide:

Tool Used: Specify the AI application or tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot).
Purpose: Describe how GenAI contributed to your work (e.g., idea generation, grammar improvement).
Evaluation: Reflect briefly on the AI output’s accuracy and relevance.
Integration: Explain how you incorporated and refined the GenAI content into your final submission.

Students are responsible for maintaining academic integrity by ensuring all GenAI use is properly documented and credited. When AI contributes significantly to the development of an assignment, students are required to cite the tool in APA format (e.g., “ChatGPT, OpenAI”). This citation should explain how the tool was used.

Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all content submitted, as AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies. Review and verify all information independently.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the MSN program, graduates will:

Critically analyze, interpret and utilize appropriate knowledge, research and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse client populations across the lifespan.
Collaboratively plan the delivery of culturally sensitive health care with organizations and the community.
Contribute to the advancement of nursing profession through evidenced-based research and practice.
Synthesize the leadership management, negotiating, teaching/coaching and consulting roles to foster continual improvement in order to meet changing societal and environmental needs.
Operationalize ethical, legal, political, and economic principles in application to management of healthcare delivery across the lifespan.
Advocate for advanced nursing practice through a commitment to lifelong learning and community service.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

Utilize advanced therapeutic interviewing techniques to obtain a systematic in-depth health history.
Perform developmental and functional evaluations to assess variations in motor, cognitive, social, emotional and perceptual aspects of development.
Perform comprehensive health assessments on infants, children, adolescents, and adults including pregnant women and older adults.
Collaborate with clients, families and other health care professionals in assessing care priorities.
Utilize diagnostic reasoning to determine appropriate clinical diagnoses in primary care settings.
Document assessment findings in a complete, concise and organized format.
Demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability in the advanced practice role.

Important Dates

Visit the Academic Calendar (tamiu.edu) page to view the term's important dates.

Textbooks

Group	Title	Author	ISBN
Required	Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking. (13th ed.)	Bickley, L. S.	9781496398178
Required	Pediatric physical examination: An illustrated handbook. (3rd ed.)	Duderstadt, K.	9780323476508
Optional	DeGowin’s Diagnostic Examination. (10th ed.)	Leblond, R.F., Brown, D.E., Suneja, M., and Szot, J. F.	978-0071814478.
Optional	Fitzpatrick’s color atlas & synopsis of clinical dermatology. (8th ed.)	Wolff, K., Johnson, R.A., Saavedra, A.P and Roh, E.K.	9781259642197
Optional	Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (7th ed.).	American Psychological Association	978-1433832178
Optional	Family Practice Guidelines (5 ed.)	Cash, J. C., Glass, C. A., & Mullen, J.	978-0-8261-5342-5
Optional	Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment	Papadakis, M., & McPhee, S.m Rabow, M.	978-1260455281
Optional	Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. (20th ed. Vol. 1 and 2).	Longo, D., Fauci, A., Kasper, D., Hauser, S., Jameson, J. L., & Loscalzo, J.	97815259644030
Optional	Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice Edition (5th ed.)	13. Uphold, C., & Graham, M. V.	97815259644030

Other Course Materials

To go to the bookstore, click here.

REQUIRED SUPPLIES:

High quality stethoscope
Ophthalmoscope and otoscope
Pen light
Reflex hammer
Tuning fork (256Hz recommended)
Laminated pocket size ruler, pupil size, and visual acuity cards (Rosenbaum)
Measuring tape
Lab coat – knee length
TAMIU graduate student name badge (from ZSC 131).

Grading Criteria

MSN GRADING SCALE

Students must meet the standards of minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University and College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
All Nursing students must achieve a grade of B 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.
All Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above in all MSN courses in order to progress and graduate from the MSN program in the CNHS.
Read the MSN Grading Policy found in the Graduate student handbook for additional information on examinations.

Grading Policies
Grade	Value
GRADE	PERCENTAGE
A	90-100
B	80-89
C	70-79
F	Below 70

Grading & Evaluation Breakdown

Grading Policies
Grade	Value
ASSIGNMENT	VALUE
Faculty evaluation of FNP student Clinical Midterm & Final	Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Pass or Fail
Preceptor evaluations of FNP Student Clinical Midterm & Final	Pass or Fail
Student Self Evaluation- Midterm & Final	Pass or Fail
Student Eval of Preceptor & agency midterm & Final	Pass or Fail
Clinical Hours & Case Logs on Typhon	Pass or Fail
Other required clinical documentation: Preceptorship Documentation of Hours Midterm & Final	Pass or Fail
Clinical Hours Reports Midterm & Final	Pass or Fail
Patient Encounter Documentation (SOAP Notes) 135 minimum	Pass or Fail
Patient Encounter Summaries Typhon Case log total (Graphical - Midterm & Final)	Pass or Fail
Final Grade	Pass or Fail

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of	Agenda/Topic	Reading(s)	Due
1/20	Course Orientation Course Objectives Assignments & Due Dates TYPHON SOAP Notes Differential Diagnosis Typhon case & hours log documentation orientation	Review Syllabus & Blackboard orientation. Sign on & review videos @Typhongroup.net Advanced Practice Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination Unit 1 – (Chapters 1-3) Read Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination & Duderstadt - Pediatric Physical Examination for all sections	Week 1 1/21/25 - 1/26/25 Syllabus & course policies acknowledgement –sign & submit in drop box Bb Typhon orientation acknowledgement in dropbox Preceptor Agreements due 1/26/2025 Verified Credentials due 1/26/2025 Clinical schedules due by 2/3/25 once pass skills check off.
1/27	Prepare for check offs Module 1 - continuation Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination Unit 1 – Foundations of Health Assessment	Review Physical Exam & practice process on another person Bates’: Ch.4 Physical Exam Ch.7 Evaluating Evidence	Week 2 1/27/25 - 2/2/25 N5331 practicum: Sign-up for Basic Plan for Health Assessment Check offs on (date to be arranged), On campus.
2/3	In Clinical Self-study plan Module 1 – continuation Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination Unit 3 – Special Populations Duderstadt - Pediatric Physical Examination Unit I Pediatric General Assessment 01/31/2025 – 12th class day	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters Bates’ Guide: Ch. 27 Older Adult Duderstadt: Ch. 1... Children and Adolescents Ch. 4 Comprehensive Information Gathering	Week 3 2/3/25 - 2/9/25 Clinical schedules due by 2/3/25. Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
2/10	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 4 2/10/25 -2/16/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
2/17	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 5 2/17/25 -2/23/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
2/24	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 6 2/24/25 -3/2/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
3/3	In Clinical Self-study plan 03/09/2025 – Mid Semester	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters Begin scheduling final evaluations with faculty, preceptors, self & agencies	Week 7 3/03/25 -03/09/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs Complete midterm evaluations (Midpoint check ~60-70 hours) 3/9/24 Submit all midterm Typhon hours log, case logs, reports, evaluations, summaries & documentation in dropbox in Blackboard by 3/17/25
3/10	SPRING BREAK	No Classes	Week 8 3/10/25 -3/16/25
3/17	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 9 3/17/25 -3/23/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
3/24	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 10 3/24/25 - 3/30/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
3/31	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 11 3/31/25 - 4/6/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
4/7	In Clinical Self-study plan	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 12 4/7/25 -4/13/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
4/14	In Clinical Self-study plan 4/18/25 Easter Holiday - No classes	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters	Week 13 4/14/25 - 4/21/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs
4/21	In Clinical Self-study plan Course Evaluations due this week 04/28/2025 –Last day to drop with a “W”	Weekly Typhon case & hours logs with references depending on patient encounters Begin scheduling final evaluations with faculty, preceptors, self & agencies	Week 14 4/21/25 - 4/27/25 Weekly Typhon case, daily Soap notes & hours logs Typhon Evaluations by 5/2/25
4/28	In Clinical Self-study plan 5/3/25 Last class Day	Complete clinical practicum, Weekly Typhon case logs & hours, graphical reports & evaluations in Typhon	Week 15 4/28/25 - 5/4/25
5/5	Finals Week Clinical Practicum completion	Submit all final 135 Typhon hours log, case logs, reports, evaluations, summaries & documentation in dropbox	Week 16 Finals Week Submit before 10 pm on 5/6/25 for final grade

University/College Policies

Please see the University Policies below.

COVID-19 Related Policies

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please refer to the Student Handbook, Appendix A (Attendance Rule) for instructions.

Required Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class in person (or virtually, if the class is online) and to complete all assignments. If you cannot attend class, it is your responsibility to communicate absences with your professors. The faculty member will decide if your excuse is valid and thus may provide lecture materials of the class. According to University policy, acceptable reasons for an absence, which cannot affect a student’s grade, include:

Participation in an authorized University activity.
Death or major illness in a student’s immediate family.
Illness of a dependent family member.
Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student’s presence.
Religious holy day.
Illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class.
Required participation in military duties.
Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school which cannot be rescheduled.

Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to faculty members within seven calendar days of their absence and return to class. They must substantiate the reason for the absence. If the absence is excused, faculty members must either provide students with the opportunity to make up the exam or other work missed, 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.

Classroom Behavior (applies to online or Face-to-Face Classes)

TAMIU encourages classroom discussion and academic debate as an essential intellectual activity. It is essential that students learn to express and defend their beliefs, but it is also essential that they learn to listen and respond respectfully to others whose beliefs they may not share. The University will always tolerate different, unorthodox, and unpopular points of view, but it will not tolerate condescending or insulting remarks. When students verbally abuse or ridicule and intimidate others whose views they do not agree with, they subvert the free exchange of ideas that should characterize a university classroom. If their actions are deemed by the professor to be disruptive, they will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action (please refer to Student Handbook Article 4).

TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating

As a TAMIU student, you are bound by the TAMIU Honor Code to conduct yourself ethically in all your activities as a TAMIU student and to report violations of the Honor Code. Please read carefully the Student Handbook Article 7 and Article 10 available at https://www.tamiu.edu/scce/studenthandbook.shtml.

We are committed to strict enforcement of the Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code tend to involve claiming work that is not one’s own, most commonly plagiarism in written assignments and any form of cheating on exams and other types of assignments.

Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work as your own. It occurs when you:

Borrow someone else’s facts, ideas, or opinions and put them entirely in your own words. You must acknowledge that these thoughts are not your own by immediately citing the source in your paper. Failure to do this is plagiarism.
Borrow someone else’s words (short phrases, clauses, or sentences), you must enclose the copied words in quotation marks as well as citing the source. Failure to do this is plagiarism.
Present someone else’s paper or exam (stolen, borrowed, or bought) as your own. You have committed a clearly intentional form of intellectual theft and have put your academic future in jeopardy. This is the worst form of plagiarism.

Here is another explanation from the 2020, seventh edition of the Manual of The American Psychological Association (APA):

“Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words, idea, or images of another as your own; it denies authors or creators of content the credit they are due. Whether deliberate or unintentional, plagiarism violates ethical standards in scholarship” (p. 254). This same principle applies to the illicit use of AI.

Plagiarism: Researchers do not claim the words and ideas of another as their own; they give credit where credit is due. Quotations marks should be used to indicate the exact words of another. Each time you paraphrase another author (i.e., summarize a passage or rearrange the order of a sentence and change some of the words), you need to credit the source in the text. The key element of this principle is that authors do not present the work of another as if it were their own words. This can extend to ideas as well as written words. If authors model a study after one done by someone else, the originating author should be given credit. If the rationale for a study was suggested in the discussion section of someone else's article, the person should be given credit. Given the free exchange of ideas, which is very important for the health of intellectual discourse, authors may not know where an idea for a study originated. If authors do know, however, they should acknowledge the source; this includes personal communications (p. 11). For guidance on proper documentation, consult the Academic Success Center or a recommended guide to documentation and research such as the Manual of the APA or the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. If you still have doubts concerning proper documentation, seek advice from your instructor prior to submitting a final draft.

TAMIU has penalties for plagiarism and cheating.

Penalties for Plagiarism: Should a faculty member discover that a student has committed plagiarism, the student should receive a grade of 'F' in that course and the matter will be referred to the Honor Council for possible disciplinary action. The faculty member, however, may elect to give freshmen and sophomore students a “zero” for the assignment and to allow them to revise the assignment up to a grade of “F” (50%) if they believe that the student plagiarized out of ignorance or carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive in order to earn an unmerited grade; the instructor must still report the offense to the Honor Council. This option should not be available to juniors, seniors, or graduate students, who cannot reasonably claim ignorance of documentation rules as an excuse. For repeat offenders in undergraduate courses or for an offender in any graduate course, the penalty for plagiarism is likely to include suspension or expulsion from the university.
- Caution: Be very careful what you upload to Turnitin or send to your professor for evaluation. Whatever you upload for evaluation will be considered your final, approved draft. If it is plagiarized, you will be held responsible. The excuse that “it was only a draft” will not be accepted.
- Caution: Also, do not share your electronic files with others. If you do, you are responsible for the possible consequences. If another student takes your file of a paper and changes the name to his or her name and submits it and you also submit the paper, we will hold both of you responsible for plagiarism. It is impossible for us to know with certainty who wrote the paper and who stole it. And, of course, we cannot know if there was collusion between you and the other student in the matter.
Penalties for Cheating: Should a faculty member discover a student cheating on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student should receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident should be reported to the chair of the department and to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Additional penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.”
- Caution: Chat groups that start off as “study groups” can easily devolve into “cheating groups.” Be very careful not to join or remain any chat group if it begins to discuss specific information about exams or assignments that are meant to require individual work. If you are a member of such a group and it begins to cheat, you will be held responsible along with all the other members of the group. The TAMIU Honor Code requires that you report any such instances of cheating.
Student Right of Appeal: Faculty will notify students immediately via the student’s TAMIU e- mail account that they have submitted plagiarized work. Students have the right to appeal a faculty member’s charge of academic dishonesty by notifying the TAMIU Honor Council of their intent to appeal as long as the notification of appeal comes within 10 business days of the faculty member’s e-mail message to the student and/or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement. The Student Handbook provides more details.

Use of Work in Two or More Courses

You may not submit work completed in one course for a grade in a second course unless you receive explicit permission to do so by the instructor of the second course. In general, you should get credit for a work product only once.

AI Policies

Your instructor will provide you with their personal policy on the use of AI in the classroom setting and associated coursework.

TAMIU E-Mail and SafeZone

Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU E-mail (tamiu.edu or dusty email) 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. Students and faculty must check their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or message from a faculty member, chair, or dean is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download the SafeZone app, which is a free mobile app for all University faculty, staff, and students. SafeZone allows you to: report safety concerns (24/7), get connected with mental health professionals, activate location sharing with authorities, and anonymously report incidents. Go to https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/police/safezone/index.shtml for more information.

Copyright Restrictions

The Copyright Act of 1976 grants to copyright owners the exclusive right to reproduce their works and distribute copies of their work. Works that receive copyright protection include published works such as a textbook. Copying a textbook without permission from the owner of the copyright may constitute copyright infringement. Civil and criminal penalties may be assessed for copyright infringement. Civil penalties include damages up to $100,000; criminal penalties include a fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment. Copyright laws do not allow students and professors to make photocopies of copyrighted materials, but you may copy a limited portion of a work, such as article from a journal or a chapter from a book for your own personal academic use or, in the case of a professor, for personal, limited classroom use. In general, the extent of your copying should not suggest that the purpose or the effect of your copying is to avoid paying for the materials. And, of course, you may not sell these copies for a profit. Thus, students who copy textbooks to avoid buying them or professors who provide photocopies of textbooks to enable students to save money are violating the law.

Students with Disabilities

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal education opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services located in Student Center 126. This office will contact the faculty member to recommend specific, reasonable accommodations. Faculty are prohibited from making accommodations based solely on communications from students. They may make accommodations only when provided documentation by the Student Counseling and Disability Services office.

Student Attendance and Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy

As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides
LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule (Section 3.07) and the Student LOA Rule (Section 3.08), which includes the “Leave of Absence Request” form. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook (URL: http://www.tamiu.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook1.shtml).

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions, is prohibited. A pregnant/parenting student must be granted an absence for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary. It is a violation of Title IX to ask for documentation relative to the pregnant/parenting student’s status beyond what would be required for other medical conditions. If a student would like to file a complaint for discrimination due to his or her pregnant/parenting status, please contact the TAMIU Title IX Coordinator (Lorissa M. Cortez, 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041,TitleIX@tamiu.edu, 956.326.2857) and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office, U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600). You can also report it on TAMIU’s anonymous electronic reporting site: https://www.tamiu.edu/reportit.

TAMIU advises a pregnant/parenting student to notify their professor once the student is aware that accommodations for such will be necessary. It is recommended that the student and professor develop a reasonable plan for the student’s completion of missed coursework or assignments. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (Lorissa M. Cortez, lorissam.cortez@tamiu.edu) can assist the student and professor in working out the reasonable accommodations. For other questions or concerns regarding Title IX compliance related to pregnant/parenting students at the University, contact the Title IX Coordinator. In the event that a student will need a leave of absence for a substantial period of time, TAMIU urges the student to consider a Leave of Absence (LOA) as outlined in the TAMIU Student Handbook. As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule and the Student LOA Rule. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook (https://www.tamiu.edu/scce/studenthandbook.shtml).

Anti-Discrimination/Title IX

TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in admissions, educational programs, or employment. If you would like to file a complaint relative to Title IX or any civil rights violation, please contact the TAMIU Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity/Title IX Coordinator, Lorissa M. Cortez, 5201 University Boulevard, Killam Library 159B, Laredo, TX 78041,TitleIX@tamiu.edu, 956.326.2857, via the anonymous electronic reporting website, ReportIt, at https://www.tamiu.edu/reportit, and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office), U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600.

Incompletes

Students who are unable to complete a course should withdraw from the course before the final date for withdrawal and receive a “W.” To qualify for an “incomplete” and thus have the opportunity to complete the course at a later date, a student must meet the following criteria:

The student must have completed 90% of the course work assigned before the final date for withdrawing from a course with a “W”, and the student must be passing the course;
The student cannot complete the course because an accident, an illness, or a traumatic personal or family event occurred after the final date for withdrawal from a course;
The student must sign an “Incomplete Grade Contract” and secure signatures of approval from the professor and the college dean.
The student must agree to complete the missing course work before the end of the next long semester; failure to meet this deadline will cause the “I” to automatically be converted to an “F”; extensions to this deadline may be granted by the dean of the college. This is the general policy regarding the circumstances under which an “incomplete” may be granted, but under exceptional circumstances, a student may receive an incomplete who does not meet all of the criteria above if the faculty member, department chair, and dean recommend it.

WIN Contracts

The Department of Biology and Chemistry does not permit WIN contracts. For other departments within the college, WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to graduating seniors. Only courses offered by full-time TAMIU faculty or TAMIU instructors are eligible to be contracted for the WIN requirement. However, a WIN contract for a course taught by an adjunct may be approved, with special permission from the department chair and dean. Students must seek approval before beginning any work for the WIN Contract. No student will contract more than one course per semester. Summer WIN Contracts must continue through both summer sessions.

Student Responsibility for Dropping a Course

It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course before the final date for withdrawal from a course. Faculty members, in fact, may not drop a student from a course without getting the approval of their department chair and dean.

Independent Study Course

Independent Study (IS) courses are offered only under exceptional circumstances. Required courses intended to build academic skills may not be taken as IS (e.g., clinical supervision and internships). No student will take more than one IS course per semester. Moreover, IS courses are limited to seniors and graduate students. Summer IS course must continue through both summer sessions.

Grade Changes & Appeals

Faculty are authorized to change final grades only when they have committed a computational error or an error in recording a grade, and they must receive the approval of their department chairs and the dean to change the grade. As part of that approval, they must attach a detailed explanation of the reason for the mistake. Only in rare cases would another reason be entertained as legitimate for a grade change. A student who is unhappy with his or her grade on an assignment must discuss the situation with the faculty member teaching the course. If students believe that they have been graded unfairly, they have the right to appeal the grade using a grade appeal process in the Student Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook.

Final Examination

All courses in all colleges must include a comprehensive exam or performance and be given on the date and time specified by the Academic Calendar and the Final Exam schedule published by the Registrar’s Office. In the College of Arts & Sciences all final exams must contain a written component. The written component should comprise at least 20% of the final exam grade. Exceptions to this policy must receive the approval of the department chair and the dean at the beginning of the semester.

Mental Health and Well-Being

The university aims to provide students with essential knowledge and tools to understand and support mental health. As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer access to Telus Health, a service available 24/7/365 via chat, phone, or webinar. Scan the QR code to download the app and explore the resources available to you for guidance and support whenever you need it. The Telus app is available to download directly from TELUS (tamiu.edu) or from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Distance Education Courses

Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.
100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category

In this online course, there will be an in-person (on campus) basic health assessment check off during the end of the second week (date to be arranged) in coordination with the Advanced Health Assessment course before clinical practicum can begin.

Course Structure

The clinical practicum consists of 135 hours of clinical practice in selected clinical sites serving populations across the lifespan with an emphasis on pediatrics. The clinical experience allows the student to apply knowledge in greater depth and scope, to incorporate new knowledge, and to develop clinical expertise in the advanced practice role. The student works closely with a nurse practitioner and/or physician preceptor in the development and enhancement of the collaborative role of the nurse practitioner. The student is expected to develop a preceptor relationship/agreement before the second week of the course. There will be a basic health assessment check off before clinical practicum can begin. As student attends clinical weekly, Documentation of patient encounters, SOAP notes, & reports will be through an electronic monitoring system (Typhongroup.net). Students' clinical performance will be evaluated using a competency based tool. It is important for students to recognize their responsibility for active learning, attendance, and participation in course activities.

Clinical Practicum Policies

1. Clinical Hours: 135 hours of clinical practice in selected clinical sites serving populations across the lifespan with an emphasis on pediatrics. The clinical experience allows the student to apply knowledge in greater depth and scope, to incorporate new knowledge, and to develop clinical expertise in the advanced practice role. The student works closely with a nurse practitioner and/or physician preceptor in the development and enhancement of the collaborative role of the nurse practitioner.

a)The clinical preceptorship may not be at a practice site where the student is currently employed, nor may the student be paid for clinical as part of their working hours.

b)The student may not have a clinical preceptorship with a provider with whom they or an immediate family member is a patient of that provider.

c)The majority of the clinical experience during the clinical preceptorship must be at 50% participation level. Total observation is not acceptable at this level in the program.

d)Students will not begin their clinical practicum rotations until they pass the basic head to toe physical assessment check off. This will be performed either on campus or virtual.

e)The student is encouraged to initiate contact, develop preceptorship plans, and make initial arrangements with the potential preceptor and agency. Independent action is stressed with University and preceptor/agency constraints. Final approval of preceptor and/or agency rests with the lead instructor.

f) A signed MSN Preceptor Affiliation Agreement with the preceptor/agency and the student/university must be in place by the second week of academic semester or January 29th, 2025.

g) All clinical hours should begin by the end of the third week of the clinical semester. Clinical hours should start as soon as you pass the Health Assessment Checkoff.

h) Students must develop a schedule for clinical hours with their preceptors and submit the schedule of clinical practicum hours by the end of the second day of the clinical practicum rotation.

i)If the instructor makes a site visit during the times the student has scheduled clinical hours and the student is absent without notifying the instructor ahead of time of the absence, the student will fail the course.

j) There should be no skipping of scheduled clinical hours to study for tests. The student should plan for these events at the beginning of the semester and not schedule clinical hours for those days. All practicum hours are to be completed by May 5, 2025.

2. Basic Health Assessment Check off

a) During the end of second week, (date to be arranged) all students must schedule a time to complete a basic health assessment check off with the course faculty and successfully demonstrate the ability to conduct a basic head to toe physical exam in the simulation lab or virtual online.

b) If needed, there will be a repeat session scheduled where students will have a second opportunity to demonstrate their basic head to toe assessment skills evaluated by the course faculty.

c)If students are unable to demonstrate their basic head to toe skills after two attempts, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the course faculty to schedule a one on one meeting. The basic skills check off list can be found at the end of the syllabus.

d)Once students have successfully demonstrated their ability to conduct a head to toe exam, students will be allowed to begin their clinical practicum with their preceptor provided all other required agreements are in place and approved by the lead faculty.

3. Document of Patient Interactions

a)Students will document patient interactions in Typhon in the form of a SOAP note. A satisfactory practicum is a minimum of eight (8) SOAP notes, per 8 hour day (1 hour:1 note). Students are allowed 10 days to complete clinical log entry in Typhon before this is locked. Ideally, the student should complete the note the day of the visit. If the note is not completed & once the note is locked, those hours will be deducted as incomplete & will need to be made up at another time.

b)All Practicum hours will be documented in TYPHON as SOAP notes as well as the Preceptorship Documentation of Hours form.

c)The clinical preceptor must sign a Preceptorship Documentation of Hours form verifying that the student was there for the practicum experience next to the reported hours for each day. There should be no corrections (no white-out or alterations) to the form. These logs will be submitted weekly onto Bb.

d)All practicum documentation (Preceptorship Documentation of Hours, Typhon SOAP notes and evaluation forms) must be submitted before May 5^th, 2025.

4. Clinical Performance

a)The professor will make one or more site visits per student in order to further the learning process and to determine student progress. Additional site visits may be made at the professor’s discretion.

b)The clinical performance grade will be determined by the faculty member with input from the preceptor and student. The clinical component of the grade will not be assigned until the end of the semester. Safe clinical practice is mandatory for the successful completion of the course.

c)The clinical faculty member will determine whether the clinical performance and log grade with input from the preceptor and the student is either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A competency based evaluation tool will be used.

d) One must receive a “Satisfactory=Pass” in the clinical area in order to pass the course regardless of the theory grade. This course is graded Pass/Fail. Not passing this course will negatively impact your GPA. Safe clinical practice is mandatory for the successful completion of the course.

e)In the faculty’s professional judgment, if a student is unable to provide safe patient care and if this deficit is such that it cannot be remedied in the given clinical time and within the limits of available faculty or preceptor supervision, the student will be removed from the clinical setting and will receive a grade of “F” for the course.

f)Every MSN student is expected to demonstrate professional integrity, including but not limited to the standards below. Failure to maintain professional standards of integrity may result in failure of the clinical portion of the course (list not exhaustive):

a.Adhere to the ANA Code for Nurses.

b.Adhere to Texas Board of Nursing Board Rules

i.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.”

a.RNs enrolled in a nursing program, the TBON considers the student’s practice setting the academic setting; therefore, accountable for good professional character while in school and academic dishonesty is considered a reportable offense.

Ii 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.

iii. 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.”

•The TBON and certifying body is reliant information provided to them by the RN student indicating that they have completed the required number of clinical hours when issuing a license or certification. False information provided to either organization is considered unprofessional conduct.

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 University mission and values.
Do not engage in any behavior that will compromise patient care or the University’s relationships with community partners.
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 while in any clinical setting.
The following behaviors constitute clinical failure (list not exhaustive):

Demonstrating unsafe performance and making questionable decisions.
- Unprofessional behavior
- Lacking insight and understanding of own behaviors and behavior of others.
- Needing continuous specific and detailed supervision.
- Having difficulty adapting to new ideas and roles.
- Failing to submit required written clinical assignments in timely manner.
- Falsifying clinical hours.
- Failure to communicate absence or tardiness (in a timely manner) to preceptor and clinical faculty for scheduled clinical hours.
- There are no “Incompletes” for the clinical portion of the course during the semester except for a major health problem. All 135 clinical hours must be completed by May 5, 2025.
- NO extensions for unmet clinical hours will be granted. Failure to complete all clinical hours or falsification of clinical hours will result in failure of the course.

Confidentiality: Nurses are entrusted with a great deal of personal information about their community, populations and individuals 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.

Each student is expected to become familiar with the assigned articles and books and other evidence-based literature pertinent to this course & the Health Assessment didactic course. The course readings and textbooks will provide a foundation for selecting literature of interest to the student. Use evidenced based articles from the TAMIU online library or google scholar to support & cite your responses or guidelines.

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails

Announcements that include reminders and information pertinent to the course will be posted weekly and as a needed basis. Typically, an email response can be expected within 24 – 48 hours, Monday – Friday (except holidays & weekends). There will be a Question/Comment discussion board where students are encouraged to ask about anything that may be confusing or need clarification.

Regularly scheduled virtual office hours via Blackboard virtual space will be on Tuesday from 4 pm-7 pm central time. If another time is needed, send an email with your request & availability. You can contact me by phone (956-326-2458) during these hours. You can expect to receive a return phone call within 24-48 hours.

Assignments and Assessments

Assignment and assessment turnaround time for feedback will be within 7-10 days but may vary depending on the type of assignment. Some assignments may receive summary feedback. Depending on the assignment, grades will be posted once the quiz, exam or Soap note has been graded.

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

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: [list any additional required hardware here. Additionally, and if applicable, you may use the following statement:] 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.

NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: [list any additional software required here. Additionally, and if applicable, you may use the following statement:] 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 or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to 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.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Web Conferences/Synchronous sessions

There will be a synchronous session for orientation (virtual) & in-person demonstration of health assessment clinical skills in conjunction with the theory course before clinical practicum can begin.

Rubrics

Each assignment will have a rubric to be used for grading criteria. The rubric will provide an understanding of how you will be assessed on the assignments. The rubrics will be located along with the assignment instructions in the assignment folder in Blackboard.

Late Work Policy

SOAP note documentation not completed & submitted by the 10th day, will be locked & will receive the following deductions: "0" grade & will have to make up the hours & notes on another day. “If it wasn’t documented, then it wasn’t done”.

In the event of an emergency situation, in which a written assignment cannot be submitted by the due date in the designated manner, the student may petition the professor for consideration of an extension. All petitions must be in writing (e-mail is acceptable). The student must petition the professor prior to the assignment due date. All petitions must be received no later than 5:00pm the day prior to the due date of the assignment.

Student challenges: Any student having questions regarding assignments, exams, papers or course grade, must schedule an appointment to see the lead faculty to review the matter no later than TWO DAYS after grade is received. Open communication between students and course faculty is highly encouraged. Students are highly encouraged to seek assistance from the faculty.

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems

Instructor’s policy on assignments held within the Turnitin system. Please adhere to designated due dates.

Proctoring

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (webcam) for online exams when indicated. There is a $15 fee for the webcam feature that's used with LockDown Browser (sometimes referred to as Respondus Monitor). This is a one-time fee, valid for 12 months (365 days) for all courses or exams that use Respondus Monitor. You will be prompted to make the purchase the first time an exam requires the use of LockDown Browser's webcam feature. Payment can be made with PayPal, Visa or Mastercard.

Guidelines

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

Select a location where you won't be interrupted
Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it
Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers)
Clear your area of all external materials — books, papers, other devices
Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
- Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims
- Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table) — not on your lap, a bed, or other surface that might move
- If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
- Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window
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.

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 you have problems downloading, installing, or taking a test with Respondus LockDown Browser, email the TAMIU eLearning Team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

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 the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

In this class, we will utilize: Typhongroup.net Advanced Practice. (There is a fee for student to register for the program)

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.