Basic Nursing Skills Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

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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.

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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-1423-001 Basic Nursing Skills

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: BIOL 1401 and HITT 1205 or BIOL 2402 Corequisites: VNSG 1400, VNSG 1331, VNSG 1227, VNSG 1204, VNSG 1201, VNSG 1260

Course Description

Mastery of entry level nursing skills and competencies for a variety of health care settings. Utilization of the nursing process as the foundation for all nursing interventions.

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

(4 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Donnelly-Moreno-Lippincott CoursePoint Enhanced for Timby's Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts, 13E. LVN Digital Bundle, 9781975242527

 Introductory Medical Surgical Nursing 13th ed., Timby & Smith, Lippincott, LVN Digital Bundle, 9781975242527

Choice of: Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, FA Davis, OR Mosbys Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary.

Supplies

Calander: Available on first day of class. (Subject to change)

Skills kit: Purchased in Campus bookstore. A stethoscope ( if not included in the skills kit).

Recommended Resource Books:  

ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing (12.0 ed.) The drug book is included.

Choice of: Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, FA Davis, OR Mosby's Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary.

Mobile Device Technical Requirements:

(Chromebooks, Microsoft Surface, iPads, and Android devices are not supported and should not be used.)

Internet speed
5 Mbps (ideally 10 Mbps or more). Internet speed test:  www.speedtest.net.

Browser Requirements

Browser Notes:

• JavaScript and cookies must both be enabled within the browser.
• Some browsers may require users to enable tabbing.
• Some content may only be made accessible by turning off the browser's pop-up blocker.
• Session Timeout Counter: Allow status bar updates via script to view the timeout counter
• Browser extensions known to cause issues: Netflix Teleparty, Malwarebytes, Grammarly, Kaspersky, and DuckDuckGo.

Additional downloads:

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC:  https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Microsoft Office 365 (free):   https://products.office.com/en-us/student/office-in-education

Student Performance

Demonstrate safe and competent basic nursing skills; describe how each step of the nursing process and clinical judgement model relates to nursing care; and discuss the implementation of basic nursing skills in a variety of health care settings. (Entry Level Competencies of Texas Graduates of Vocational Nursing Programs) (4 sem hrs; 2 lab hrs.)

Course Objectives

The student will:

1. Explain that caring is the essence of nursing and is to be extended to all patients.
2. Acknowledge the diversity of patients and adapt to meet the needs of each individual across the developmental lifespan.
3. Acquire knowledge of basic nursing skills and understand the theoretical concepts that underpin those skills.
4. Demonstrate competency of basic nursing skills using clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice standards.
5. Develop communication with the interdisciplinary team, patients, families, and peers.
6. Comprehend the fiscal accountability of nurses.
7. Work collaboratively with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
8. Use technology and the written chart to document nursing information.
9. Practice nursing in a safe, ethical manner.
10. Learn to advocate for patients and families.
11. Devote themselves to lifelong learning.

COURSE CONCEPTS: 

These concepts are threaded throughout the nursing curriculum: 

1. Advocate
2. Caring
3. Communication
4. Clinical Reasoning
5. Collaboration
6. Diversity
7. Developmental Lifespan
8. Ethical Practice
9. Evidence-Based Practice
10. Fiscal Accountability
11. Health Maintenance/Promotion
12. Health Restoration
13. Informatics/Technology
14. Lifelong Learning
15. Quality
16. Safety
17. Practice Competency

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 program. Adult and professional behavior is expected in both the classroom and clinical areas. Cell phones should be turned off while in class, out of eyesight, and off of desktops during lectures. Text messaging is not allowed in the classroom. These devices are disruptive; do not answer calls or texts during class. Should there be a family situation/emergency that requires your attention, please inform your instructor before class. Students are expected to participate in all activities. Assigned reading should be completed with the module, attend lectures to supplement the reading, and complete ATI assignments to be successful.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, not only in interaction with patients, but also with peers, faculty, and staff. Students represent the Department of Nursing and the nursing profession; thus, students assume responsibilities toward society. These responsibilities are delineated in the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Practice Standards and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses, 2015. The statements of the code and their interpretation provide guidance for nurses behavior in relation to carrying out nursing responsibilities within the framework of 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.

You may not record class with audio or video recording equipment (phones) without permission; if permission is granted, you agree only to use said recordings for your own personal, educational purposes and will not reproduce, distribute or publicly post the recordings without your instructors' permission.

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.

Guidelines for receiving EMERGENCY calls will be given the first day of class.

PARTICIPATION

There will be active learning activities in class. Participation is required. Active learning may include group work. These activities are structured to provide a deeper understanding of the material and gain experience with collaboration. Collaboration is a necessary skill for nurses to provide safe care. 

Grading Criteria

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

The following criteria will be used to determine your grade: 

Must have 75 average (C) and pass all skills labs to pass the course. 

There will be 6 unit exams. 

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, and mandated hours are required by the Texas State Board of Nursing. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. 90% attendance of classroom lecture is required. Classroom content is 96 hours which allows a student to miss 10 hours of classroom content. Attendance contracts will be given to students who miss class. If more than 5 hours of classroom content is missed, students may receive a deduction of 5 points on the upcoming exam and potential failure for the course. Students should expect to be in class, lab, or clinical for 8 hours daily.

Calendar

Additional Information

Student Grievance

Students may report grievances by following the proper chain of command.  First the student will contact: instructor Camille Graves 354-6015 or Liz Maciel 354-6015, program director Aaron Gann 354-6015, Associate Dean of Health Sciences Kim Boyd 354-6060, Dean of Health Sciences Kim Crowley 354-6087, Associate VP of Academic Services Becky Burton 371-5122, and VP of Academic Affairs Dr. Frank Sobey 371 - 5440.

INSTRUCTORS

Liz Maciel, MSN, RN

Office: Jones Hall 272

Office hours: Posted, Available by appointment

Class days: M-F

Phone: 345-6015

E-mail: lizmaciel@actx.edu

Camille Graves, MSN, RN, CEN

Office: Jones Hall 273

Office Hours: Posted, Available by appointment

Class days: M-F

Phone: 354-6015

 E-mail: camille.graves@actx.edu

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:

CLASS SCHEDULE

Students will receive a class schedule on the first day of class. The schedule is subject to change. 

SYLLABUS STATEMENT

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for the 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 your advisor, 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.

Anything not covered in this course manual can be found in the Vocational Nursing Student Handbook, and/or the corresponding Online Course Syllabus.

COURSE OBJECTIVES 

The student will:

1. Explain that caring is the essence of nursing and is to be extended to all patients.

2. Acknowledge the diversity of patients and adapt to meet the needs of each individual across the developmental lifespan.

3. Acquire knowledge of basic nursing skills and understand the theoretical concepts that underpin those skills.

4. Demonstrate competency of basic nursing skills using clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice standards.

5. Develop communication with the interdisciplinary team, patients, families, and peers.

6. Comprehend the fiscal accountability of nurses.

7. Work collaboratively with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.

8. Use technology and the written chart to document nursing information.

9. Practice nursing in a safe, ethical manner.

10. Learn to advocate for patients and families.

11. Devote themselves to lifelong learning.

COURSE CONCEPTS: 

These concepts are threaded throughout the nursing curriculum: 

1. Advocate

2. Caring

3. Communication

4. Clinical Reasoning

5. Collaboration

6. Diversity

7. Developmental Lifespan

8. Ethical Practice

9. Evidence-Based Practice

10. Fiscal Accountability

11. Health Maintenance/Promotion

12. Health Restoration

13. Informatics/Technology

14. Lifelong Learning

15. Quality

16. Safety

17. Practice Competency

Unit I

Chapter 

1 Nursing Foundations 

4 Health and Illness 

5 Homeostasis and Stress 

7 The Nurse-Client Relationship 

8 Client Teaching 

38 End-of-Life Care 

Skills:   

• Communication
• Post-Mortem Care

Unit II

Chapter Page

15 Nutrition 

17 Hygiene 

18 Comfort, Rest and Sleep 

19 Safety 

23 Body Mechanics 

24 Therapeutic Exercise 

26 Ambulatory Aids 

Skills:     

• Serving and Removing Trays
• Feeding a Patient
• Beds/Back Massage/Bed pans
• Bathing/oral care/hair care
• Restraints
• Turning and moving a patient
• Transferring a patient
• Trochanter Rolls
• Range of Motion Exercise 

Unit III

Chapter 

10 Asepsis 

22 Infection Control 

28 Wound Care 

Skills:

• Hand washing
• Sterile Gloving
• Donning and removing sterile gowns
• Dressing changes/Central line dressing changes
• TED hose 
• Bandages and Binders

Unit IV

Chapter 

9 Recording and Reporting 

11 Admission, Discharge, and Transfer 

12 Vital Signs 

20 Pain Management 

13 Physical Assessment 

Skills:    

• Admitting a Patient
• Discharging a Patient
• Assessing Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, and Blood Pressure
• Assessing Pain
• Physical Assessment/Focus Assessment

Unit V

Chapter 

16 Fluid and Chemical Balance 

30 Urinary Elimination 

Skills:    

• Recording Intake and Output
• Inserting a Foley Catheter

Unit VI

Chapter 

21 Oxygenation 

36 Airway Management 

29 Gastrointestinal Intubation 

31 Bowel Elimination 

Skills:    

• Using a Pulse Oximeter
• Administering Oxygen
• Suctioning the Airway
• Inserting, Irrigating, and Removing an NG Tube
• Administering Tube Feedings
• Administering an Enema

Unit VI

Chapter

27 Perioperative Care

41 Introduction to the Sensory System

42 Caring for Clients With Eye Disorders

43 Caring for Clients With Ear Disorders

Skills: 

• Using a Penlight
• Using an Ophthalmoscope
• Using a Tuning fork
• Using an Otoscope

TEXAS BOARD OF NURSING DIFFERENTIATED ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES (DECS)

I. Member of the Profession:

A. Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing health care institution or practice setting.

B. Assume responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided to patients and their families.

C. Contribute to activities that promote the development and practice of vocational nursing.

D. Demonstrate responsibility for continued competence in nursing practice, and develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning.

II. Provider of Patient-Centered Care:

A. Use clinical reasoning and established evidence-based policies as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice.

B. Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences of culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse patients and their families based on the interpretation of health-related data.

C. Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goals/ outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team.

D. Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice.

E. Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors.

F. Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes.

G. Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs.

H. Assist in the coordination of human, information, and material resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families.

III. Patient Safety Advocate:

A. Demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety, as well as all federal, state, and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards.

B. Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others.

C. Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks.

D. Obtain instruction, supervision, or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices.

E. Comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act.

F. Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy.

IV. Member of the Health Care Team:

A. Communicate and collaborate with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning, delivery, and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients.

B. Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families.

C. Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care, and ensure confidentiality.

D. Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote and maintain the optimal health status of patients and their families.

E. Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care.

F. Assign nursing care to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or unit needs.

G. Supervise nursing care provided by others for whom the nurse is responsible.

Adopted - 10/2010, reviewed 4/2016, reviewed 5/2018, 8/2019, reviewed 8/21

PROGRAM OUTCOMES BY LEVEL

Level I

The novice Vocational nursing student as a member of the profession will:

1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the LVN scope of practice, Nurse Practice Act, and the Rules and Regulations of the Nursing profession.

2. Act in a responsible manner and accept responsibility for nursing care provided to patients and families.

3. Exhibit characteristics of professional behavior such as truth, honesty, judgment, integrity and human dignity.

4. Begin to understand use of basic technology/informatics associated with Healthcare delivery.

The novice Vocational nursing student as a Provider of Patient Centered Care will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the Nursing Process and its implications to nursing care.

2. Discuss health and illness of patients and families across the lifespan.

3. Develop effective communication skills with patients, families and the interdisciplinary team.

4. Implement aspects of care related to pharmacotherapeutic agents.

The novice Vocational nursing student as a Patient Safety Advocate will:

1. Identify and promote a safe care environment for patients and families.  

2. Recognize and report unsafe practice.

3. Integrate measures that promote patient safety.

The novice Vocational Nursing student as a Member of the Healthcare Team will:

1. Understand the role of the LVN as a member of the interdisciplinary Healthcare team.

2. Advocate for patient’s rights and responsibilities.

3. Use evidence-based practice as a guide for quality improvement to support best outcomes.

4. Maintain confidentiality.