I will be in my office available for student meetings Mondays - Wednesdays between 2PM and 3:30PM and Fridays between 10AM and 12PM..
Please make an appointment to talk with me if these times do not work for you. I am available most afternoons, some evenings, and sometimes on weekends.
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 Student Service Center office 112. 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 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.
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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
NURA-1160-001 Clinical
A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(1 sem hr; 4 clinical)
Clinical
No additional textbook is needed.
You will need your textbook for the Language of Healthcare worksheet. This is the Lippincott Textbook for Nursing Assistants, edition 5 used in the Lecture section.
You will need a computer with dependable internet access. If you plan to attend the Virtual Clinical shifts remotely (from home), your computer must also have a camera & microphone so that you can participate in the Virtual care of residents.
An approved uniform. Students were asked before Spring Break to wear uniforms to class on Monday, 3/22 for approval.
Gait belt with a metal buckle (with your name)
A blue or black ink pen (if you do not have one, you may borrow one from Michele)
a small notepad or piece of paper for notes during clinical shifts
A watch with a sweeping second hand (no digital or electronic watches/ no smart watches)
During clinical shifts at Heritage, students will be expected to wear a face shield or googles (as well as the N95 mask). Amarillo College will furnish a face shield, if you need one. If you choose to wear googles, you will be responsible for furnishing your own.
The nature of the healthcare course clinical is such that students are involved in the direct delivery of patient care. The primary purpose of any course is to provide education for the students. However, when direct patient care is involved in the learning experience, the safety and well-being of patients are also of absolute concern.
If, in the instructor’s professional judgment, a student is unable to provide care to patients, and if this deficit is such that it cannot be remedied in the given clinical time, the student will be removed from the clinical setting, will receive an unsatisfactory grade and will not be recommended to take the certification exam(s)
FOR CLARIFICATION THIS MEANS: If you do not show adequate safety awareness for yourself and others, you will not receive a successful grade for this clinical section.
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".
THIS SYLLABUS IS FOR THOSE CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS ENROLLED IN NURA-1060-3002
General Guidelines for All Programs & Courses
There is a statement above in the COVID-19 Statement area that states "...Should a student wish to eat or drink, he or she may remove the mask to do so provided they stay at least six feet from others." At this time, due to the current numbers in this area with the spread of COVID, students will not be allowed to remove their mask while in the building. If a student wishes to eat or drink during their shift, they are encouraged to do so outside of the building or in their car.
The above policy COULD change before the class is over. However, Amarillo College has the plan to continue with the current mandatory mask policy until at least the end of April.
Because these are college courses preparing the student for a professional position in the medical field, our policies reflect very stringent expectations.
Professionalism Expectations:
CHAIN OF COMMAND
Following the Chain of Command is required of any healthcare worker, and will be practiced in Amarillo College courses. Should a problem arise during a class period, please follow this order; do not move to the next level unless you are unable to receive satisfactory results from your private discussion.
Students will be expected to follow the Code of Student Conduct which can be found on Amarillo College’s website www.actx.edu. Instructors for this course have a hard copy of the Code of Student Conduct and a copy of the grievance procedures of Amarillo College. For information about these policies please go to the website or ask your instructors.
SMOKING POLICY:
Smoking of any tobacco products and the use of electronic or vapor smoking devices are prohibited on all Amarillo College property and in buildings and facilities on all campuses and locations, including parking areas, green spaces, and walkways. The use of tobacco products which are smokeless and vaporless is prohibited inside any College building. This policy does not apply to East Campus Housing. Effective August 1, 2016.
(The above policy does include chewing tobacco as well.)
Smoking is not allowed at clinical sites. Even if a facility has a smoking area for their residents and/or employees, students are not allowed to smoke while "on duty".
Students are not allowed to leave the facility during a clinical shift.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones should NOT be seen or heard in the classroom, simulation areas or patient care areas. (Patient Care areas are anywhere in the facility that you can be seen by residents)
If cell phone is seen or heard during a clinical session (or in the classroom). you will be asked to leave, and will be given an Unexcused Absence for the class.
Cell phones may NOT be used as a timing device in either setting.
Due to responsibilities, these cell phone rules do not apply to instructors.
Photos and recordings should never be taken in class or at clinicals. Do not post pictures, voice recordings, or any information or comments about patients, residents, instructors or other students on any social media site. Be familiar with guidelines regarding Social Media that have been set by the nursing industry. https://www.ncsbn.org/NCSBN_SocialMedia.pdf
Drugs and/or Alcohol:
Alcoholic beverages and illicit/illegal drugs are NOT permitted on Amarillo College property or at the clinical facilities. Any student caught with alcohol and/or drugs or caught under the influence of such will turned into the campus police and dropped from the class with a “U” and without a refund. Students cannot have impaired behavior as a result of prescription or OTC (over-the-counter) drugs. This behavior will NOT be tolerated.
Illness on Duty:
Students who become ill while on duty are to notify the instructor.
If illness is acute, the instructor will help make arrangements for the student to go home. You will not be allowed to attend clinicals if you are ill, coughing, have a runny nose, have any symptoms of illness including fever, or the instructor feels you are under the influence of any drug whether it be prescription, over-the-counter or illegal. Students must make up hours during scheduled clinical rotations.
WITH THE COVID SITUATION, IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS, OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYONE WITH A POSITIVE OR PENDING TEST, PLEASE STAY AT HOME. However, you MUST have a certain number of hours in the clinical course to qualify for the State Certification exam.
In the event of an accident or injury on duty, contact your instructor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. An accident and/or incident report must be completed for any injuries incurred on agency property. The clinical agency IS NOT responsible for any injury to the student. You are encouraged to carry your own hospitalization insurance. Please see Waiver of Liability for more information.
Students must behave as if they are “employees” of the clinical site, and conduct themselves appropriately and professionally. Unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated.
Complete uniform including name badge and gait belt is required at all times. (Refer to Dress Code.) As of last week, a face shield or googles at Heritage will also be part of the required uniform.
Students who are not in uniform will be asked to leave and will be counted ABSENT. (Remember, the clinical badge and gait belt are part of the clinical uniform.)
Students are expected to follow the rules and dress code of the Clinical facility as well as of Amarillo College.
Only English should be spoken at the clinical site. However, if a resident addresses you in another language that you speak, you may respond and converse with them.
Students ARE NOT ALLOWED to be on the clinical units or perform any form of resident care prior to signing in and having Pre-Conference at the clinical site.
Going off Duty:
Student must report to assigned instructor before going off duty.
DO NOT leave the clinical area without permission from your instructor.
Leaving the Unit:
Students leaving the area for short breaks, restroom breaks, taking residents to other areas, etc. must notify the nurse, or the CNA. Be sure the assigned nurse or CNA knows where you are at all times.
When leaving the assigned unit for lunch breaks or other reasons, permission must be requested from the instructor.
Students ARE NOT permitted to visit other clinical areas (units) while on duty. Permission is sometimes granted to follow a resident to activity room, or therapy gym. But someone on the unit should know where you have gone.
Visitors ARE NOT allowed at the clinical site.
Students are required to notify instructors of any friends or family members working in the clinical facilities prior to the clinical rotation. Failure to notify instructor of such relationships could result in written warning.
Project grades will be posted in the gradebook in BlackBoard. Your presentation was graded by two or three instructors. All grades are posted. The grading rubric is posted in BlackBoard under GRADING INFORMATION.
Journals -- There are only 4 assignments counted in this area although some of the other assignments are called "journals". The grading rubric is posted in the GRADING INFORMATION area. PLEASE NOTICE: the grading expectations have increased slightly.
Preparation for clinical shifts -- For each of the three virtual clinical shifts there will be videos to be viewed before attending the clinical session. These videos either have embedded questions, or quizzes following the videos. Also included in this area is a "journal" to be completed before the clinical shift. There is a link to the journal in the preparation folder. If that link does not work for you, please access this assignment through the JOURNALS area on the course menu on the left.
Sample written test from Prometric -- There is a sample written test which is found on the Prometric website. This is posted with it: Notice: This Sample Test is provided as a courtesy to individuals who are preparing to take a Prometric Nurse Aide Competency Examination. You are reminded that how well you do on these practice test questions, does not predict result on your actual examination.
Quizzes and worksheets -- multiple quizzes and other assignment to include Medical Terminology, Military time, and figuring Intake and Output. All of these assignments will have 2 attempts. (However, both attempts are to be completed by the due date.)
Clinical Participation and Professionalism -- rubrics will be posted in the BlackBoard shell. Students' expectations will be discussed during the Clinical Orientation day scheduled Wednesday, 3/24. Rubrics will be presented and discussed also.
Attendance in the Clinical section is more important because it is fewer hours and the minimum number of hours mandated by the State of Texas must be met. You will attend 3 Virtual care sessions on a total of 6 residents. Also, the plan is for a total of 4 8-hours shifts in a Nursing Home. The same grading rubric used in Lecture will apply to Clinical.
You will not be allowed to report late to any clinical shift. It is the Instructors decision based on the situation, to decide whether or not you will be allowed to stay. The policy for the clinical sections is: STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE TARDY.
The Clinical Participation grade will include arrival time. For clinical shifts "on time" will be considered 5 minutes before the session begins. You will receive bonus points for a little early, but lose points for being extremely early. If you are more than 5 minutes late to a clinical shift, you will not be allowed to stay.
You are only allowed 1 absence in the Clinical section. You will be allowed to reschedule that shift. (This will of course need to be an individual consideration due to the current COVID situation).
The attendance policy is the same as the one in place for the first 8 weeks. Therefore, expectations should be understood. Any UNEXCUSED ABSENCE (not showing for a class shift without notifying Melanie or Michele) could result in UNSATISFACTORY completion of the course.
The course calendar will be posted in BlackBoard. Each student will have a slightly varying schedule since all students can not be in a clinical shift at the same time. Expectations will be clearly defined in the Clinical Orientation day (Wednesday, 3/24)
Assignments: due dates will be clearly posted in BlackBoard. Each student will receive an individualized Assignment Tracking from through Google Drive.
COMMUNICATION
As was expressed in the Lecture section, communication -- EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, is of great importance and a concern with our current situation. Students are expected to check Announcements and emails at least every other day. Any changes that are necessary will be posted as an announcement. If the information is extremely important, you will receive a text. You are required to update the instructors with you newest phone number.
EXPECTATIONS
This class is 60 hours of clinical designated by the Higher Education Board. The Department of Health and Human services dictates that there MUST be a minimum of 40 hours of clinical time caring for residents. The current plan is for 32 of those hours to be hands-on in a Nursing Home. The remaining 8 hours will be done with simulation. That will entail virtual residents and skills simulation in the classroom.
03/12/21 8:12 AM
03/17/21 9:09 AM