Lecture:                 Monday        10:00-11:50  
                         Wednesday   11:00- 11:50  
Afternoon Lab:           Tuesday and Wednesday 2:00-4:50 
Weeks 1-3 Clinical Lab:  Thursday or Friday 8-10:50 
Weeks 4-13 Hospital:     Thursday or Friday 7:30-11:30  

Prerequisite courses:  NU 211, NU 212, HE 208, MA 086, Pass Department of 
              Nursing’s Basic Math Exam with at least 80%, CH 105, BL 223 
Co-requisite course:   HE 209, HE 232 
Lecture Professor:     Lynn Gimpel-Kabke, RN, MSN, CNS Course Coordinator 
Clinical Instructors:   Lynn Gimpel-Kabke, RN, MSN, CNS 
                       Other Clinical Instructor(s) TBA 
Lab Supervisor:        Marilyn King, RN, BSN  
Lab Skill check-offs:  Marilyn King, RN, BSN 

Course Description: 
This course provides a theoretical and clinical foundation upon which nursing science is applied to clients experiencing common health stressors.   Emphasis is placed upon collecting relevant data, formulating nursing diagnoses based on the data, implementation of both appropriate nursing interventions and related psychomotor nursing skills.  Responsibilities as a health team member who displays caring behaviors and as a self-directed learner are also considered. 

Course Objectives: 
 1.  Use critical thinking and decision making skills in performing basic 
     nursing procedures and implementing plans of care. 
 2.  Promotes the holistic health of individuals in the clinical setting. 
 3.  Identifies factors that affect consumer health decisions when  
     planning and implementing nursing care. 
 4.  Demonstrates application of the nursing process in providing 
     holistic nursing care to diverse populations. 
 5.  Identifies personal values and attitudes that contribute to 
     development of professional caring. 
 6.  Demonstrates safe, ethical, moral, and legal nursing practice. 
 7.  Discusses how direct & indirect components of health care cost  
     influence planning and evaluating effectiveness of nursing practice. 
 8.  Discuss nursing research relevant to basic nursing practice. 
 9.  Recognizes that the skills, competencies and values for a successful 
     lifetime of professional practice require a continuing commitment to 
     learn. 
10.  Begin to apply nursing and related theories to nursing practice.  
11.  Describe the impact of the system and policy variables on the  
     accessibility and delivery of health care.  
12.  Begins to assume accountability and responsibility when practicing 
     nursing roles. 
13.  Begins to use key components of information systems (databases, 
     communication components, confidentially protocols, resource 
     depositories, etc.) 

Grading Criteria: 
Part I: 
   Dosage quizzes and final dosage exam      15% 
   3 Unit exams                              30%  
   Comprehensive final exam                  20% 
   Comprehensive assessment & care plan      25% 
   Teaching plan                             10% 
  
Part II: 
   Return demonstration/checkoffs            S/U 
   Instructional care plans/exercises        S/U 
   Charting exercises                        S/U 
   Values clarification exercises            S/U 
   Clinical preparation                      S/U 
   Clinical evaluation                       S/U 
   Community log                             S/U 
   Presentation of Research article          S/U 

In order to successfully pass this course, students must obtain a 
cumulative 70% average on unit and final exams, pass the final dosage 
exam with an 80% or better, complete all paper work at a satisfactory 
level, pass all skill checkoffs at a satisfactory level, and pass your clinical evaluation at a satisfactory level.  Written work (teaching plan and comprehensive assessment/care plan) and lab quizzes will not be used to bring up a failing grade on exams.  High exam scores will not be used to bring up a failing grade for clinical evaluation.  Therefore, when the student receive's: 1.) 69% or less cumulative grade on the unit and final exams, but a 70% or higher grade on the overall grade on Part I of the grading criteria;  2.) an unsatisfactory mark in any one area of Part II of the grading criteria listed above; OR  3.) fails the clinical portion of the course, the student will receive a C- for his/her final course grade.  When the student has an overall grade on Part I of the grading criteria of 67% or less, the student will receive the corresponding grade according to the department's grading scale in the Student Handbook.  

All quizzes and exams must be taken on the assigned date unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.  Failure to make prior arrangements will result in a 0 grade on that exam or quiz. 
 

Exams and Quizzes  70% of final grade 
Exams:  50% of final grade  
There will be 3 unit exams and one final exam.  The final exam is comprehensive and will consist of the last unit taught plus material from the 3 previous exams.  

Medication Dosage Quizzes and Medication Final Exam: 15% of final grade (5% each) 
The drug dosage book, Math for Meds, is designed to be done as independent study.  The class will cover a portion of this textbook during the first 4 weeks of the semester.  Refer to the Medication Lab Modules for schedule of reading, quizzes and final exam.  Two dosage quizzes will be given before the final dosage exam. It is the final dosage exam that must be passed with an 80% or better score.  This is a requirement of the course.  One retest will be allowed for students with a score below 80%, however the first grade is the one which will be averaged into the final course grade.  Students that fail the retest with less than 80%, will drop the course.  If your math skills are weak, contact the tutoring center immediately in the first week of the semester for help.  Calculators will not be used during dosage quizzes or final exam.  

Written Assignments: 
Written assignments are expected to be submitted on time unless prior 
arrangements are made with the instructor for extenuating circumstances. 
  A. Graded papers:  
     1.  All late graded papers will be dropped 10 points for each day 
         the paper is late, starting from the grade assigned to the 
         paper.  
     2.  At the clinical instructor’s discretion, graded written  
         assignments below 50% may be returned to the student so  
         corrections are made.  The resubmitted paper, with corrections,  
         will receive a grade no higher than 70%.  Failure to resubmit 
         the  written assignment will result in the original grade being  
         recorded. 
  B. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory graded papers:  
     Lateness on satisfactory/unsatisfactory graded papers will result 
     in  a 1 point reduction of the final course grade.  At the clinical 
     instructor's discretion, an unsatisfactory written assignment will 
     be resubmitted with corrections made.  Failure to resubmit the 
     written assignment will result in 5 points being subtracted from the 
     final course grade.  

It is expected that instructors will provide students with timely feedback on written work prior to a similar piece of work being due.  All written work will be SUBMITTED IN A FOLDER and placed in the student drop box in the nursing office by the designated time set in the lab module. 

Values Clarification Exercises:    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Periodically throughout the semester you will be asked to submit values clarification exercises to your clinical instructor.  These exercises will not have any "right or wrong" answers and will not be graded as such.  A grade of satisfactory will result if the student completes the exercises and hands the exercise in on time one week later.  These exercises will be turned into your clinical instructor. 

Charting Exercises:    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Practice in documentation will be required throughout the course.  The Charting Lab Module will begin your experience with charting using the traditional format and computerized charting techniques.  It is through meticulous charting that the nurse documents the nursing process in practice. These exercises will be turned into your clinical instructor for grading. 

Care plan Exercises:   Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Group care plan exercises will be assigned periodically during the first 7 weeks of the semester to prepare you for creating individual care plans as part of the student’s preparation for clinical week 8.  Please see instructional care plans below and care plan lab module 4.  These exercises will be turned into your clinical instructor for grading. 

Instructional Care Plans:   Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Instructional care plans will be written as part of the students preparation for their clinical experience (see clinical preparation).  The instructional care plan is the student's focused plan of care for their patient using the nursing process.  Please refer to the weekly schedule and assignments in each module for a list of nursing diagnosis pre-selected for each week.  The student will choose the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for their patient. Consult your clinical instructor if the list does not include an appropriate nursing diagnosis for your patient.  Beginning week 8, instructional care plans will be turned into your clinical instructor by 5 PM on your scheduled clinical day.  Students will be provided with feedback on these instructional care plans prior to the Comprehensive Assessment and Care Plan being due. 

Comprehensive Assessment & Care Plan:    25% of final grade 
Beginning week 11 of the semester, the student will do a comprehensive 
assessment and care plan on their patient.  This will be due week 13 on your clinical day by 5PM.  Refer to Care Plan Lab Module for guidelines on the format to be used.  Further information will be given during class time prior to this project.  All of the following must be turned in:  
    a.  Completed assessment form provided in Care Plan Lab Module. 
    b.  List of medications patient is on (use weekly medication summary  
        found in Medication Lab Module). 
    c.  Comprehensive (complete) prioritized list of nursing diagnoses 
        (be sure to write the complete diagnostic statement). 
    d.  Create a care plan for the top 3 nursing diagnoses on your 
        comprehensive prioritized list of nursing diagnoses (part c.  
        above). 
    e.  Include a reference list for sources of scientific rationale.  

Teaching Plan:   10% of final grade 
The student will implement a teaching plan with a selected patient.  The format to be used in the written portion can be found in the Teaching Plan Lab Module.  The student must consult their clinical instructor about the topic and content of the teaching plan prior to creating and implementing the plan. Your clinical instructor will grade your teaching plan.  The written teaching plan is due on Monday of the following week, by 5 PM.  All teaching plans must be completed and handed in by week 11 of the semester, unless prior arrangements have been made with your clinical instructor. 

Community log:  Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Guidelines for community log will be given out prior to the student's community clinical experiences.  
 
Clinical Experience 
Clinical Preparation:    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Each week the clinical instructor will assign a patient the student will provide nursing care for in the hospital setting.  The student is expected to collect information on his/her assigned patient, read about the patient's medical diagnoses, medications, special treatments, and expected nursing care the DAY BEFORE his/her clinical experience.  Before entering the clinical area the following day, the student will be prepared to share this information in pre-conference.  The first two weeks the student goes to the hospital, the clinical instructor will gather information on the student's patient for him/her and provide this information to the student the day before his/her clinical day.  Starting week 6, the student will collect information on his/her assigned patient at the hospital each week.  Beginning week 8, the student will also include in the preparation the development of a instructional care plan for one nursing diagnosis (as described earlier).  Failure to come to the clinical experience prepared will result in an unsatisfactory grade for that clinical day and the student will either be sent home or reassigned to non-patient care duties.  

Community Experience:   Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
A portion of your clinical experience will be in community setting(s).  A list of community sites will be posted and students will sign-up for their preferred site(s).  A written clinical lab log will be submitted to Professor Kabke for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading.  Further information on these experience(s) will be discussed later in the semester. 

Clinical Evaluation:    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Clinical evaluation is based on progress toward satisfactory attainment 
of clinical objectives and safe performance of nursing care in the clinical acute care area and community settings.  Satisfactory clinical preparation is a part of clinical evaluation.  See Clinical Preparation above.  Clinical performance will be evaluated by the instructor using a clinical evaluation tool which will be provided prior to the first clinical experience in the hospital.  Students are expected to periodically consult with their instructor concerning student progress toward meeting clinical objectives.  Week 14 of the semester students will meet with his/her clinical instructor for his/her clinical evaluation.  The student brings to this evaluation his/her copy of the clinical evaluation tool completed.  
 

Lab Modules: 
Refer to Lab Module: Introduction to NU 213 Fundamentals of Nursing Lab Modules for further information on Lab Module requirements.  Lab module assignments are listed in the weekly schedule and assignments section of each module.  

Skill Checkoffs:    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory 
Students are expected to be prepared for skill checkoffs.  A minimum of one hour per week of lab practice is necessary to develop proficiency.  After skills are taught in the lab, the student will have 2 weeks to demonstrate mastery of the skill checkoff to Marilyn King.  Students must have documented in the LAB LOG that they have sufficiently practiced a procedure prior to checkoff times.  A lab assistant will be available to help with the learning process during open lab times.  These times will be posted on the lab doors.  

Most skill checkoffs will need to be done outside of regular lab hours.  Marilyn King will post times available for skill checkoffs on the nursing lab doors.  It is the student's responsibility to sign-up for checkoff times posted.  If the student has a problem with the posted times, it is their responsibility to contact Marilyn King for an alternate time.  Further guidelines will be given on the first day of lab.  Any other time needed with Marilyn King may be scheduled by appointment.  Students who do not pass any particular skill checkoff, must wait at least one day before redemonstrating the skill.  All laboratory skill checkoffs must be completed at a satisfactory level prior to performing on the hospital unit.  
 

Other Requirements:  
Student Responsibilities: 
1.  Each student must purchase liability insurance through the 
    Department of Nursing prior to beginning NU 213 Fundamentals of 
    Nursing. 
2.  All students must have purchased a blood pressure cuff and a double  
    lumen stethoscope with a bell and diaphragm (required in NU 212).  
    These are brought with the student to each clinical experience in NU  
    213 Fundamentals of Nursing. 
3.  Students are expected to adhere to the program policy requirements as 
    outlined in the 1998-1999 Department of Nursing BSN Student Handbook. 
    Students will also adhere to the Department of Nursing’s dress code  
    policy in addition to the statements found in the student handbook.  
    All students must purchase the white student uniform top and jacket  
    (with student nursing patch on each) to be worn in hospital clinical  
    experiences by week 4 of the semester.  The blue uniform is worn  
    during community clinical experiences.  
4.  It is expected that each student will read the student handbook and 
    be familiar with (and adhere to) the directives that are outlined in 
    it.  Furthermore, students are expected to apply standards of 
    professional nursing ethics, including maintaining patient 
    confidentiality and privacy, respecting peers, and following 
    the rules and regulations of federal, state, or provincial laws 
    governing the administration of drugs.  
5.  Health History form, Liability insurance, CPR, Immunization 
    (including rubella titer) and TB records must be current and placed 
    in the student's file before registration for NU 213 Fundamentals of  
    Nursing.  Failure to meet these requirements will result in a student 
    being unable to participate in lecture, lab, and/or clinical  
    experiences.  This will result in the student's inability to meet  
    requirements to pass the course, necessitating a drop from the 
    course. 
6.  All students are expected to utilize the lab practice hours  
    appropriately. A minimum of two hours a week of non-class time 
    should be spent in the lab practicing skills, viewing AV materials, 
    running computer software and/or completion of assignments. 
7.  Students are expected to come to lecture and lab prepared.  All  
    reading assignments for that class should be completed beforehand so  
    that we can optimize our learning time together. 
8.  It is the responsibility of each student to identify his/her  
    individual learning needs and seek assistance from instructors/lab  
    assistants when needed. 
9.  All borrowed lab equipment must be logged out and returned by Monday  
    of the next week.  Students are financially accountable for any lost  
    or damaged equipment. 
10. Students are expected to comply with the University statement  
    regarding academic honesty (see LSSU Catalogue and the Department of  
    Nursing's Student Handbook 2000-2001).  Any evidence of plagiarism  
    will be investigated.  
11. It is your responsibility to make a copy of all work submitted to the 
    instructor.  The original will be placed in a folder and turned into  
    the instructor via the student drop box in the nursing office.  
    Students can pick up their graded papers in the student drop box's  
    return section.  
12. Attendance:  Students are responsible for acquiring knowledge, 
    skills and values necessary for the safe practice of nursing.  
    Clinical and laboratory attendance is necessary to meet course 
    objectives and to demonstrate safe practice of nursing in NU 213 
    Fundamentals of Nursing.  Absence or tardiness makes it impossible to 
    evaluate the student's ability to meet course objectives and may 
    result in course failure.  When the student is absent, it is the 
    responsible of the student to contact the instructor during office 
    hours to determine how course objectives can be met.  
13. The nursing student is expected to make accurate and honest judgments 
    about his/her state of health as a reason for not attending 
    university lab and/or clinical section of NU 213 Fundamentals of 
    Nursing.  When health does not permit attendance in the clinical 
    section, it is the responsibility of the student to notify both the 
    instructor and the clinical agency when lateness or illness occurs; 
    just as one would call in sick/late for work.   Remember, the student 
    MUST contact the clinical agency PRIOR TO the clinical experience when
    sick or late.  Again, the students must contact the clinical 
    instructor regarding make up time.  

  
Syllabus:  The course syllabus represents the best estimate and projection of the course content, scope, and sequence.  In the case of extenuating   circumstances, events, and the discretion of the instructor, the course    syllabi is subject to change. 

Clinical Make-Up Policy:  All clinical hours will be made up.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact the clinical instructor regarding make-up of all clinical absences.  The student will be responsible for any additional costs which may be incurred for making up clinical time.  There is no guarantee that students will be able to make up clinical experiences within that semester.  Where absence or tardiness makes it impossible to evaluate the student's ability to meet course objectives, the instructor will report the status of the student as failing and/or incomplete.  

Canadian Work Visa:  Those students who are not Canadian and who are assigned to a clinical group in Canada, have to pick up a Visa at Canadian Immigration.  Be certain that you have picture identification with you (i.e. driver's license).  Check with Janine, Nursing Department's secretary, to be sure your name was sent to Immigration ahead of time.  You may be denied entry into Canada if you do not have your Visa with you on any clinical day.  This requirement will be discussed prior to starting at the hospital. 

No tape recording of lectures or labs are allowed. 
 
 

             Required Textbooks: (most current edition)  

     Carpenito, L. (    ).  Nursing diagnosis: Application to clinical practice (7th ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott. 

     Kozier & Erb (1999).  Fundamentals of nursing: Human Health 
and Function (2nd ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott. 

     Curren, A. & Munday, L. (   ).  Math for meds: Dosages and solutions (7th ed.).  San Diego: Wallcur. 

     No Author (2000).  Mosby's nursing drug guide.  St Louis: Mosby. 

     Fischbach, F. (    ).  A manual of laboratory diagnostic tests (6th ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott. 

     Kabke, L. (2001).  NU 213 Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab Module Manual (5th ed.).  Sault Ste. Marie, Mi.: Lake Superior State University.  

     Nu 213 lab kit. 
 

       Required textbooks from previous classes: (or equivalent text) 

     Alfaro-LeFevre, R. (    ).  Applying the nursing process (3rd ed.). 
Philadelphia: Lippincott. 

     American Psychological Association (1994).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (3rd ed.).  Washington, D.C., Author. 

     Bernzweig, E. P. (    ).  The nurse's liability for malpractice (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.  

     Price, S & Wilson, L. (    ).  Pathophysiology: Clinical concepts of disease processes, (5th ed.).  St. Louis:  Mosby.  

     Jarvis, C. (    ).  Physical examination and health assessment (2nd ed.).  Philadelphia: Saunders. 

     McKendry, L. & Salerno, E. (    ).  Pharmacology in nursing.  St. Louis: Mosby 

     Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary (    ed.).  Philadelphia: Davis. 

     Whitney, E. & Rolfes, S. (    ).  Understanding nutrition (7th ed.). 
St. Paul: West.