Course Description:

This practicum experience focuses on the synthesis of previously gained knowledge and skills in the provision of advanced nursing care to individuals, families and communities.  Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention and clinical management of clients with common acute and chronic illness.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.      Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with individuals, families, groups, and communities to influence health and health care;

2.      Integrate data from assessments to develop diagnoses and health care strategies;

3.      Develop plans for individuals, families, groups, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, and manage acute/chronic illness;

4.      Manage the health care of clients incorporating ethical, legal, cultural, economic, political, and psychosocial factors;

5.      Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and management strategies in improving the health status of individuals and groups;

6.      Collaborate with other health professionals and the community to provide comprehensive health services to clients;

7.      Teach individuals, families, groups and communities skills and behaviors to promote maintain, or restore health; and

8.      Use research to validate and refine knowledge relevant to advanced nursing practice.

 

Prerequisites: NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations; NURS 5601/5602 FNP I; NURS 5603/5604 FNP II; NURS 5605/5606 FNP III

Corequisites: NURS 5990 Scholarly Synthesis

Application of content presented in the pre-requisite theory/clinical courses.

1.	Knowledge and Skill in WebCT
2.	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 rather than condensed into a shorter period of time.

Students will need to arrange for a nurse practitioner or physician to precept this women's 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 setting is the preferred clinical setting. Other settings must be approved by the course coordinator/instructor.  

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 the approved practice site to the course faculty via email within one week of the beginning of the course and before attending clinical. The contract for this site must have been approved through the system in the previous semester. In addition, the clinical information must have been  previously sent to the RODP and the Clinical Coordinator. 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)

·        Credentials of preceptor (FNP, MD, DO)

·        Name and address of practice site

·        Type of patients served at practice site (e.g., pediatric practice, 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. 

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com

All previous texts for the family nurse practitioner concentration.

Students are expected to purchase their own lab coat(s), stethoscope with both bell and diaphragm (or stethoscope with a floating diaphragm), goggles and a watch with a second hand. Students may need to purchase an otoscope/ophthalmoscope set or other equipment, if this is not provided at the clinic site.

 

Students may find a PDA with medical reference applications very helpful. This is not mandatory. Two programs that may be particularly useful are Epocrates DX for PDA (http://www2.epocrates.com) and Merck Medicus for PDA (http://www.merckmedicus.com

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

A microphone is also required for this course.

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

Additional software requirements for this course include Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint), Acrobat Reader, and supporting software for video and/or audio conferencing.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

All written course requirements are submitted online.

Assessment and Grading:

Note: If the clinical performance of any student is characterized by unethical, unprofessional or unsafe behavior that places a client in jeopardy, the student will receive a failing grade for the course. Any student who receives an unsatisfactory on their clinical evaluation from the faculty preceptor or from the clinical preceptor will receive a failing grade for the course.

The course grade is based on the following:

 

Comprehensive Pre-Test	Pass/Fail
Comprehensive Exam/Post-Test	15%
Online asynchronous patient presentation/critique/clinical reflection/discussion	25%
SOAP Notes (x2)	20%
Clinical Logs	35%
Clinical Skills Inventory (Pre-FNP Practicum and end-of-semester)	5%
Completion of 240 hours of clinical practicum with an approved N.P. or M.D.	Pass/Fail
Clinical Evaluation by Preceptor (see evaluation tool)	Pass/Fail

A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92
C = 77 - 84

D = 70 - 76

F = <70

Completion of all graded assignments and projects determines the course grade. Assignment guidelines and their grading rubrics are provided in the course.

 

All graded assignments are to be submitted to the assignment DROPBOX ONLY. Documents sent by email will not be accepted for credit or grading.

 

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

Students are required to log all patient encounters. The patient encounter log should be typed and uploaded to WebCT with 72 hours of each clinical day or portion of a day spent in the clinic.

 

Every two weeks, you must send a copy of the signed forms to the Concentration Coordinator and the Course Instructor.

Students are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students should check the course bulletin board at least twice a week for any announcements and/or ongoing discussions.

 

Students are expected to participate in all scheduled clinical conferences. These will take place on the Discussion Board.

 

It is especially important for students in an on-line course to maintain contact with their instructor. The instructor must hear from every student at least once a week; if during a given week, a student fails to make contact in some way (by submitting an assignment or participating in a chat or discussion), he or she must email the instructor, even if the student is sick or out of town. A student who fails to contact the instructor on a regular basis may miss important updates or even fail the course.

Students are required to use the clinical skills inventory to track procedures performed in the clinical setting. Students are expected to seek out opportunities to develop all skills listed.

Students must fill out the clinical skills inventory prior to beginning the FNP Practicum clinical. There is no "right" or "wrong" answers. You must upload your completed inventory to your instructor and review with your preceptor. During the semester, seek opportunities to develop the skills listed. At the end of your clinical rotation, review with preceptor and upload completed inventory in WebCT. C

The preceptor will use the Clinical Performance Evaluation Tool to evaluate clinical competence. Because this tool measures competency, criteria are evaluated as pass/fail. All items must be passed for the student to satisfactorily complete this course and advance in the program.

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, open toe shoes, or jeans should be worn to clinical.

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

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, open toe shoes, or jeans should be worn to clinical.

Arrive on time at all clinical sites. If you are unexpectedly delayed, 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.

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

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

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

The Clinical Reflection/Discussion assignment specifically addresses course objectives 1, 5, and 8. Additional objectives may be addressed as various topics are explored.

.

This assignment, similar to an asynchronous clinical conference, will take place on the discussion board. Topics to be discussed will be provided by course faculty. One student may be assigned to begin and/or facilitate each discussion.

Grading Guidelines:

Points	Criteria
4	An initial post is made within the first week of discussion. All discussion topics are addressed. Enters into dialogue by responding to at least two posts made by colleagues and by replying to questions and/or comments by colleagues or faculty. Responses reflect excellent critical thinking skills. Posts are clear, logical, and complete. There are no glaring errors in grammar or spelling.
3	An initial post is made within the first week of discussion. All discussion topics are addressed. Enters into dialogue by responding to at least one post made by a colleague and by replying to most questions and/or comments by colleagues or faculty. Responses reflect good critical thinking skills. Posts are understandable but could be clearer. There may be 1-3 errors in grammar or spelling.
2	All discussion topics are addressed. Responses reflect basic knowledge. Minimal attempt to engage in discourse through replying to questions and comments by colleagues or faculty. Major errors in grammar or spelling.
1	Either of the following will decrease criteria to a score of "1": Failure to respond to all discussion topics. An initial post is made within 24 hours of the deadline to end discussions.
0	Failure to submit an initial post before the deadline to end discussions .

 

Details of this assignment available under "Evaluation Tools". Specifics will be provided via email or discussion board.

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

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

Guidelines for Evaluating Competence:

.

Met	Not Met	Assessment
		1.  Obtains an accurate health history.
		2.  Completes a problem focused physical exam.
		3.  Completes a comprehensive well child or adult physical exam.
		4.  Identifies age, gender and cultural differences.
		5.  Assesses support resources for patient and/ or caregiver.
		6.  Selects age and condition specific diagnostic tests and screening procedures.
Met	Not Met	Diagnosis
		1. Identifies signs and symptoms of common physical and emotional illnesses.
		2. Appropriately analyzes collected historical, physical and diagnostic data.
		3. Differentiates relevant from irrelevant diagnostic cues.
		4. Formulates differential diagnoses.
Met	Not Met	Plan and Implementation
		1. Initiates interventions based on select patient outcomes.
		2. Plans appropriate non-pharmacological interventions.
		3. Prescribes appropriate medication therapy- properly written and legible.
		4. Therapeutic plan allows for differences in age, gender and culture.
		5. Plans care in the context of safety, cost, and appropriateness.
		6. Promotes self-care for individuals as appropriate.
		7. Initiates referrals to other disciplines based on patient’s need.
		8. Implements the therapeutic plan for the assigned patient(s).
Met	Not Met	Evaluation
		1. Uses outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness of therapeutic plan.
		2. Follow-up calls and visits documented.
		3. Modifies plan of care based on evaluation.
Met	Not Met	Patient Relationship
		1. Establishes therapeutic rapport with patient/ family.
		2. Assists patient in resolving troubling issues.
		3. Assists patient with health promotion decision making.
Met	Not Met	Teaching
		1. Provides anticipatory guidance, teaching, counseling, and information to patients.
		2. Provides patient specific educational materials, as appropriate.
		3. Identifies special learning needs of clients, families/caregivers.
Met	Not Met	Professional Role
		1. Demonstrates commitment to caring for patient and family.
		2. Maintains standards of professional behavior, dress, and decorum.
		3. Relates well to patients and their family/significant others, staff and preceptors/ faculty.
		4. Accepts responsibility for own actions and learning.
Met	Not Met	Communications
		1. Language is appropriate for client’s age and culture.
		2. Oral report to preceptor is effective and accurate.
		3. Written record is complete, organized, and legible.

Comments:

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

• Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor
• Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html
   
  A resource that looks extremely useful for APA referencing is the Citation Machine http://citationmachine.net by David Warlick

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the left to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling 1-866-550-7673 (toll free) or go to their website at:  http://askrodp.custhelp.com