Basic Nursing Skills Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

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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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

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

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 14th 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

Calendar: 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.

Computer / Mobile Device Requirements: 

Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer with a stable Internet connection. (Any device older than 4 years may not have the processing power to work with Blackboard, ATI or Respondus)

Check your internet speed sites:

• https://www.speedtest.net/
• https://fiber.google.com/speedtest/
• https://pcm-intl.speedtestcustom.com/

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

COURSE WORK

To succeed in this course, you will be required to complete assignments. Assignments must be handwritten (unless otherwise specified) and submitted to the appropriate Blackboard drop box. Typed assignments will not be accepted unless specified. Typed assignments must be compatible with Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft Word). Any submission that is incompatible with the campus computer system will not be accepted and will result in a zero for the assignment.

If assignments are not completed by the closing date, you will receive a zero for that specific assignment. Students will receive a list of required ATI and CoursePoint units. To receive credit, students must score 90% on all ATI assignments and meet all CoursePoint requirements. To receive full benefits from these modules, students should spend at least 30 minutes per module.

Students must complete their own individual work. There may be no sharing of answers for ATI. Students may not write down questions or answers for either program. Students may not take screenshots of any questions for either program. Any cheating, in any form, will not be tolerated and may result in course failure.

If you have problems accessing and/or working within CoursePoint or ATI, you must contact the help desk first. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor before the due date, explain the problem, and include the helpdesk ticket number. You may include the instructor on an email to your support contact.

ATI ASSIGNMENT CREDIT INFORMATION:

If a grade entered into the grade book is incorrect, you must do the following to receive credit:

1. Take a screenshot, picture, or print the report of the specific assignment
2. This must include the following information: Student name, module name, grade, and date/time of achieving the required grade.
3. Email or give to Mrs. Graves within 24 hours of grades being posted
4. Failure to follow these steps will not result in a grade change

 REQUIRED LAB HOURS:

This course requires 64 total hours of lab and clinical experience. Twenty four (24) hours are accounted for in the course calendar. Students are responsible for completing, documenting, and submitting the remaining 40 lab hours on or before the designated due date.

Failure to complete, document, and submit all 40 required hours by the due date will result in failure of the course.

Activities that qualify include:

• ATI: Time that students are logged in to ATI, working on skills modules.
• PrepU: Time that students are logged into CoursePoint, working on assignments.
• Skills Practice: Time spent in the Skills Hub to practice skills.
• Active learning activities
• Other activities as designated by the instructor.

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 for adults. Adult and professional behavior is expected in both the classroom and clinical areas. Turn off cell phones during class, keep them out of sight, and keep them off desktops during lectures. Please do not text in the classroom. These devices are disruptive; do not answer calls or texts during class. If a family situation/emergency requires your attention, please inform your instructor before class. Please participate in all activities. To be successful, complete the assigned reading in the module, attend lectures to supplement the reading, and complete the ATI assignments.

Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally 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; therefore, they assume responsibilities to 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 code statements and their interpretation guide nurses' behavior as they carry 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. Violating these policies and procedures may result in failing 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 about cross-contamination and the risk of injury, students may not visit family or friends on other clinical units. This includes any clinical or class time on campus or at clinical partner sites.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, and the Texas State Board of Nursing mandates the required hours. Therefore, students are responsible for attending class. Students must attend 90% of classroom lectures. Classroom content is 96 hours, allowing a student to miss 10 hours. We will provide attendance contracts to students who miss class. If students miss more than 5 hours of classroom content, they may receive a 5-point deduction on the upcoming exam and risk failing the course. Students should expect to be in class, lab, or clinical for 8 hours daily.

SKILLS LAB

Students must login to the Skills HUB for labs, practice and check-offs.Skills lab and return demonstrations are conducted in the Skills HUB no clinical uniform required. Students must login and wear their clinical uniform when in the HUB for check-off. Students will perform return demonstrations of skills in the HUB with an instructor. The student must pass all skills labs to pass the course. Upon skills failure, it is the student's responsibility to schedule remediation with HUB staff prior to leaving the HUB. Remediation cannot be completed on the same day as the failed skill. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the second-attempt check-off with their care group leader. Time is limited in this course; remediation and second-attempt must be scheduled within one week of the failed attempt; failure to complete this requirement will result in a zero (0) for the skill. All skills must be completed successfully before clinical orientation. Two failed attempts at a single skill will result in a failure of this course. 

PARTICIPATION

Class will include active learning activities. Participation is required. Active learning may include group work. These activities are structured to deepen understanding of the material and build collaboration experience. Collaboration is a necessary skill for nurses to provide safe care.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is defined as the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or citing someone else’s research without citing it. 

Copying any part of another student’s work and submitting it as original work is plagiarism. Plagiarism may receive a penalty of zero. Submitting work that another student completed for you is plagiarism, as well as completing work for another student.

Grading Criteria

• A = 89.5-100
• B = 79.5-89
• C = 74.5-79
• D = 59.5-74
• 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. 

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, CNEpv

Office: Jones Hall 273

Office Hours: Posted, Available by appointment

Class days: M-F

Phone: 354-6015

 E-mail: camille.graves@actx.edu

Communication for Instructors and Students. Checking Blackboard and AC Email

Students will check Blackboard and AC Email at least twice daily. 

• Calendar,
• Assignments,
• Announcements,
• Quizzes,
• Grades,  
• PowerPoints,
• Any changes to the schedule.
• You should review the content before class to familiarize yourself with the general subject matter.  

You will also access The Point for Prep-U and ATI on separate websites. We will provide access instructions in class.

When contacting the instructor via email, please use the format below:

How to send a professional email:

• When sending an email, treat it as if you were writing 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 emphasizing a word.  This can come across 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 communication skills for future employers and the healthcare field.

If you need additional resources, tutoring, or financial help, please visit the following website: 

www.actx.edu/resources

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.