Maternal/Neonatal Nursing Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

VNSG-1230-001 Maternal/Neonatal Nursing

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: BIOL 2401, HITT 1205 OR BIOL 2402, VNSG 1423, VNSG 1400, VNSG 1331, VNSG 1227, VNSG 1204, VNSG 1201, and VNSG 1260 Corequisites: VNSG 1234, VNSG 1409, VNSG 1261, VNSG 2410, and VNSG 2163

Course Description

Utilization of the nursing process in the assessment and management of the childbearing family. Emphasis on the bio-psycho-socio-cultural needs of the family during the phases of pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period including abnormal conditions.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 2 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Hatfield, N. T., & Kinchelor, C. A. (2018). Introductory maternity & pediatric nursing (5^th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. With PrepU code

Supplies

 Textbook, paper, pen/pencil, laptop computer or tablet, printed level two calendar, printed lab sheet for this course.

Student Performance

1.  Analyze historical highlights of maternal/newborn care and current trends.

2.  Explore the impact of childbearing experiences on the individual and the family in relation to psychosocial, religious, and cultural concepts. 

3. Implement principles and concepts from biological and social sciences necessary to plan family centered nursing care.

4.  Implement and follow caring, safe, and ethical  nursing standards in providing care for patients and families.

5.  Utilize the problem solving approach in planning health care of the childbearing family during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum period.

6.  Develop interpersonal relationships utilizing communication skills with mother, infant, and family.

7.  Assist families to understand and/or cope wit development and situational crises which occur during childbirth, newborn period and subsequent stages of growth and development.

8.  Use evidence based nursing practice standards as a guide for promoting optimal health outcomes for maternal and newborn patients.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

The Vocational Nursing Program is an adult learning program. Adult and professional behavior is expected at all times in both the classroom and clinical settings. Cell phones and personal electronic devices should be turned off during class and kept out of sight, as they can be disruptive. Please do not answer calls or respond to text messages during class time. In the event of a family situation or emergency that requires your attention, please step out of the classroom.

To be successful in the program, students are expected to complete assigned readings with each module, attend lectures to supplement the reading, and complete all ATI assignments.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, including in interactions with patients, peers, faculty, and staff. As representatives of the Department of Nursing and the nursing profession, students assume professional and ethical responsibilities to the public. These responsibilities are outlined in the practice standards of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015). The provisions of the Code and their interpretations provide guidance for professional nursing behavior and ethical decision-making.

Each student will adhere to the Civility Statement, Student Handbook Policies and Procedures, the Amarillo College VN Honor Code Policy, and the Social Networking Policy. Any violation of these policies and procedures may result in failure of the course and possible dismissal from the program.

Students may not audio- or video-record class sessions using phones or other recording devices without prior permission from the instructor. If permission is granted, recordings may be used solely for the student’s personal educational purposes and may not be reproduced, distributed, or publicly posted without the instructor’s explicit authorization.

Instructors are available for assistance during office hours. Professional communication may be conducted through e-mail or in person. 

Family and friends are not to visit students while in the classroom or clinical area. Because of concerns of cross-contamination and risk of injury, students are not to visit family or friends on other clinical units. This includes any clinical or class time on campus or at clinical partner sites. 

 Please see the Vocational Nursing Student Handbook and the Amarillo College Students' Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.  Students are expected to follow all policies and procedures of Amarillo College. Student behavior should not be distracting to other students.

Minor children and pets are not permitted to remain unattended on campus or to attend classes with students per the AC student handbook.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:

Grade Scale:

A=100-90      B=89-80      C=79-75      D=74-60      F=Below 60 

A final grade of 75 or higher is required to pass this course. The following will be used to determine your grade: 

• 3 Unit Exams each 20% each for a total of 60%

  Final 20%

  ATI OB Exam - 10%

  Prep U  –5%

  Quizzes and ATI 5% 

Rounding of Grades: 

The final course average will be rounded to the tenth place. For example, a course average of 79.50% would be rounded to 80%. Additional examples of final course averages rounded to the tenth place include:

• 74.62% will be rounded to 75%, letter grade of C
• 74.38% will be rounded to 74%, letter grade of D
• 79.77% will be rounded to 80%, letter grade of B
• 79.499% will be rounded to 79%, letter grade of C
• 89.87% will be rounded to 90%, letter grade of A
• 89.478% will be rounded to 89%, letter grade of B

There will be no rounding of individual assignments, quizzes, or examination scores earned during a semester. This includes all didactic (classroom and online) and clinical scores and ATI Specialty Exam scores. For example, a 79.50% Module exam score will not be rounded to 80%, and a Module Exam score of 79.499% will not be rounded to 79%.

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)

ATI assessments will be done throughout the semester. These assessments are utilized to establish readiness for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). All students will be required to complete the focused review based on the results of these assessments.

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) remediation/focused review is used to help nursing students identify and improve knowledge gaps in preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Each ATI assessment will include a personalized, Focused Review of the specific content to reinforce concepts and strengthen areas of weakness. This will enhance long-term learning and help develop essential knowledge and skills.

Remediation Requirements:

• Failure to complete remediation by the due date assigned by the instructor will result in a 5-point deduction on the ATI exam for which the remediation was assigned.

Refer to the ATI Grading & Focused Review Requirement Table below:

ATI Grading Table/Focused Review Time:

Student Testing Policy

Specific to Testing and the Testing Center:

A student will:

1. Find the schedule for tests on the class calendar.
2. Arrive 10 minutes before the start of the test in the Testing Center.
   1. A student arriving after a scheduled test has started will not be allowed to take the test at that time.
   2. The student will need to reschedule with the course instructor.
   3. A 5-point deduction from the exam will be enforced for students unable to test due to tardiness or failure to comply with testing center procedures.
3. Provide picture identification and student ID# on a test (student ID badge will fulfill these requirements).
   1. Students without acceptable identification will not be allowed to test and must reschedule with their instructor.
   2. A 5-point deduction from the exam will be enforced for students unable to test due to tardiness or failure to comply with testing center procedures.
4. Sit in the assigned seat as identified by the instructor(s).
5. Have no personal belongings (i.e., books, papers, or reading materials) at a testing station.
   1. Scratch paper, pencil, and/or calculator will be provided when necessary.
   2. Students cannot bring personal calculators or supplies into the testing center.
6. Be required to leave hats, scarves, gloves, and outerwear outside the testing room.
   1. Provisions are made for religious and cultural dress.
7. Be required to leave all tablets, smartwatches, mp3 players, fitness bands, jump drives, cameras, or any other electronic devices outside of the testing room.
   1. Students will be provided a holder for keys and cellular devices in the testing center. 
   2. The student will place these items in the holder before the exam.
   3. Students will not be able to access these items during the exam. 
   4. Students may retrieve items only after their exam has been submitted.
8. Raise his/her hand to ask a question.
   1. Instructor or Testing Center personnel will come to the student. There will be no other talking during a test.
9. Bring no food or drinks to the Testing Center
10. You are permitted to take a test one time only.
11. Tests are computerized, taken in the nursing testing center, and will be multiple-choice questions. 
    1. Make-up tests may be essay/short answer questions and must be taken within one week of the scheduled test.  Make-up exams may result in a deduction of 5 points (this will be at the instructor's discretion). 
    2. Failure to notify the instructor of a missed exam may result in a grade of 0 for that exam.
12. Level II: PrepU and assigned ATI must be completed before the exam
    1. Failure to complete assignments will result in a 5-point deduction from the exam grade at the instructor's discretion.
13. Take all exams, including the final; there are no exemptions.  Students will receive the grade earned on all exams, including the final.
14.  Students may review their exam results with an instructor after any module exam. Appointments should be scheduled within one week of the exam. 
    1. No module exam may be reviewed after the next scheduled module exam is given. The final exam will not be reviewed.
15. Demonstrate ethical, professional behaviors and will adhere to this testing policy.
    1. Instructors and/or testing personnel will report to the Nursing Department Chair any incident where there is suspicion or evidence of cheating or infraction of this policy with possible consequences:
       1. Invalidation of test scores for the class or the individual
       2. Loss of grade for the individual, or
       3. Dismissal of the individual from the program

A student will maintain honesty by:

1. Do not remove materials, documents, or recordings of test information from the room after taking or reviewing a test. 
2. Not discussing examination items with peers.
3. Not giving help to students or receiving assistance from any student during a test.
4. Not sharing any test information with other students between and after testing times.
5. Violations of the academic code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action as per the Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Student Responsibilities During Test Review/Remediation

1. Students may review their exam results with an instructor after any module exam. Appointments should be scheduled within one week of the exam.  No module exam may be reviewed after the next planned module exam is given unless deemed necessary by the instructor. The final exam will not be reviewed.
2. Cell phones and audio recording equipment are to be turned off. All personal electronic devices should be placed in backpacks or purses.
3. Test questions must not be shared, discussed, or copied on social media. Examples include but are not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, etc.
4. Students will not engage in any cheating activities, including but not limited to the above-mentioned scenarios.

Security measures will be taken during tests, between testing times, and during test reviews.

Make-up tests may be essay/short answer questions and must be taken within one week of the scheduled test. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule the make-up test. Make-up exams may result in a deduction of 5 points (this will be at the instructor's discretion). Failure to notify the instructor via email before a missed exam may result in a grade of 0 for that exam.

Required Tutoring Policy

The West Campus Tutoring Center is located in Building D. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  The telephone number is: 354-6020. The Tutoring Center is open to all nursing students. Any student may schedule an appointment at the center regardless of their academic progress in a course.

Students who do not achieve a minimum passing score of 75% or higher on an exam should meet with the instructor and/or a tutor before the next scheduled exam as deemed necessary by the instructor. The instructor will also provide a scheduled time for all students to review previous content. Engaging in content review and reflecting on your progress will support the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and test-taking skills.

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the need and/or amount of tutoring required are at the instructor's discretion. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

Students are to check BlackBoard Online for assignments, announcements, quizzes, grades, and powerpoints. You are also expected to check your AC student email at least twice a day for announcements and communications from your instructor.

When contacting the Instructor via email please use the below format:

How to send a professional email: It is important when sending email communications to treat them as if you are handwritten correspondence. 

You should open with the name of the person you are sending it to such as (Dear Mrs. D, Hello Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Daniels).  Then write the body of your email checking your spelling and punctuation.  Finally, close the email with (Best, Thank you, Regards, Sincerely,) and your name. 

Do not use ALL CAPS unless you are putting emphasis on a word.  This is perceived as screaming at the receiver.

A one-sentence email correspondence sent from your phone is not professional now, nor in your future career.  We will work together in this course to build your soft skills for communication for future employers and the healthcare field in general.