Knowledge and skill in WebCT

          1.  Students must complete a total of 240 clinical hours over the course of the semester. In order that the student will benefit from ongoing evaluation and feedback of SOAP notes and progress, this experience must be spread out over the course of the semester.

          2.  Preceptor licensure will be verified at http://www2.state.tn.us/health/licensure/index.htm. Students are expected to verify current licensure of a requested preceptor to make certain that information submitted to faculty contains correct spelling, etc. in order to expedite the verification process.

          3. Submit the following:

                       *  Name of preceptor

                       * Credentials of preceptor (FNP, MD)

                       * Vitae of Preceptor

                       * Name and Address of practice site

                       * Type of patients served at site (e.g., family practice, OB/GYN practice, etc)

The student CAN NOT begin the clinical experience until approval is received from the faculty and the preceptor agreement is signed. Students are expected to contact faculty if difficulty is experienced locating a preceptor.

4.            Geriatric Assessment

5.            Geriatric Health Promotion Project.

6.            Clinical Reflections/Discussions

7.            Every 2 weeks, turn in clinical logs for all practice hours.

8.             SOAP notes for at least three clinical cases. (for review of documentation, planning and decision-making). Three of these will be graded (see evaluation methods below).

9.             Clinical Skills Inventory Sheets

10.         Preceptor evaluation.

Preceptors:

Students will need to arrange for a nurse practitioner or physician to precept this primary care adult and geriatric health experience.  Nurse practitioners must be minimally prepared at the Master's level.

Clinical practice experience with an approved NP or MD preceptor in a community setting for 240 hours during the term.  A family / primary care practice is the preferred clinical setting; however, a practice setting where providers care for a high volume of adults (including geriatric care) is acceptable. Specialty practices (ENT, Endocrinology, etc.) are discouraged because they limit the student's exposure to a diversity of experiences. This experience should include 90 (ninety) hours should be done with a geriatric population.

Preceptor licensure will be verified at http://www2.state.tn.us/health/licensure/index.htm Students are expected to verify current licensure of a requested preceptor to make certain that information submitted to faculty contains correct spelling, etc. in order to expedite the verification process.

The student will submit a practice site proposal to the course faculty via email within four weeks of the beginning of the course. In the subject of the email write "Preceptor Information" In the body of the email include:

·         Name of preceptor (as officially listed on the verification site above)

·         Curriculum Vitae and Credentials of preceptor (WHP, FNP, MD)

·         Name and address of practice 

·         Type of patients served at practice site (e.g., primary care, internal medicine, family practice.

      THE STUDENT CANNOT BEGIN THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE UNTIL APPROVAL IS RECEIVED FROM FACULTY. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTACT FACULTY IF DIFFICULTY IS EXPERIENCED LOCATING A PRECEPTOR. 

Assignments

Information regarding assignments is detailed in the sections that follow. All assignments must be submitted to the Assignment Dropbox unless otherwise indicated.

Completion of all graded assignments and projects (as mentioned above) determines the course grade. Assignment guidelines and the rubrics used for grading these assignments are provided at the end of this document.

In addition to graded assignments, there are other pass/fail components, which must be completed as part of course requirements. Failure to complete these requirements can result in failure of the course.

General Clinical Guidelines

Professional conduct in the clinical site is expected.

Problem/disagreements are to be handled in a quiet, professional manner, away from the patient.

If any problem arrives, you MUST contact the clinical faculty in a timely manner.

Professional dress (usually a lab coat) and visible identification badge is required.  There may be certain sites/situations where white lab coats may not be desired (i.e. pediatrics).  No sandals, or open toe shoes, or jeans should be worn to clinical.

ABSENCES/DELAYS

 Arrive on time at all clinical sites.  If there is an unanticipated delay call the preceptor as soon as possible.  Notify the preceptor  of any anticipated absence prior to the start of the clinical day.  Failure to notify the preceptor of any delay or absence as stated above may result in an unsatisfactory grade for the clinical experience.  Arrangements must be made with the clinical coordinator for any make-up time for absences.

 EQUIPMENT

Students are expected to bring any equipment not supplied by the clinical site (i.e. stethoscope, otoscope/opthalmascope, pen light, percussion hammers, etc.). VALUABLES

 Avoid bringing valuables into the clinical site. Neither the home school nor the clinical site is responsible for valuables.

 MEDICATIONS/MEDICAL PROCEDURES

 Students may not administer medications or perform medical procedures without prior approval of the preceptor.

Clinical Performance Evaluation

The Clinical Performance Evaluation is an evaluation of competency based on the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Competency Guidelines. It addresses course objectives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

.

The Clinical Performance Tool is use to evaluate student competence. This will be evaluated by the clinical preceptor. .

Guidelines for Evaluating Competence:

.

Course Ground Rules

Students are expected to:

• Learn how to navigate and use tools in WebCT
• Keep abreast of course announcements
• Use WebCT for all communication UNLESS problems occur with online delivery of the WebCT course
• Contact technical support for any WebCT problems (number provided below)
• Notify faculty of any difficulties related to the preceptor, clinical issues, or other factors affecting participation or performance in this course

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

• Always include a subject line.
• Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
• Use standard fonts.
• Do not send large attachments without permission.
• Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
• Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

• Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
• Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
• Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
• Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
• Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
• Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
• Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

• Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
• Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
• Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
• Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
• Be constructive in your comments and suggestion