graduate student handbook · university of mobile school of nursing graduate student handbook 2 ......

GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM

2017-2018

UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbook

2

PREFACEThegraduateprograminnursingattheUniversityofMobileisaschoolundertheCollegeofHealthProfessionsaswellastheGraduateStudiesattheuniversity.ThehandbookwasdevelopedforgraduatestudentsandfacultytodefinethephilosophyandmissionofthegraduateprogramandtoprovideacomprehensivedocumentabouttheMasterofScienceprogramsinnursing.Informationonrequirementsandcoursework;advising,financialaid,professionalorganizations,andpoliciesandproceduresareincluded.ItisessentialthatstudentsunderstandtheinformationpresentedinthishandbooktofacilitatetheirprogressionthroughtheSchoolofNursing.AllstudentsintheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingareresponsiblefortheinformationcontainedinthishandbookwhichdetailspractices,procedures,andprovisionsoftheschoolpertainingtoacademicprogress,professionalexpectations,andrelatedmatters.TheSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbookisreviewedannuallyandasneeded.ThegraduatefacultyintheSchoolofNursingreservetherighttorevisetherequirementsandpolicies,asdeemednecessaryatanytime,topreparestudentsfornewandemergingrolesinnursing.Disseminationofrevisionswillbemadeviaclassandonlineannouncements,and/ornoticesorpostedonthedesignatedSchoolofNursingwebsite.AnelectroniccopyisavailabletoallstudentsviatheSchoolofNursingwebsite.Inaddition,theSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbookwillbeincorporatedintotheUniversityofMobile’sOnlineUndergraduateandGraduateCatalogandStudentHandbook.StudentswillbenotifiedofanychangesmadetotheSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbook.TheNursingGraduateStudentHandbookisnotall-inclusive;ratheritincludesbasicinformationregardingthemission,goals,andexpectedoutcomesoftheSchoolofNursing,aswellastheschoolpoliciesandproceduresthatreflectnationalstandardsandguidelinesfortheeducationofgraduatestudentsinthenursingprofession.EachstudentmustsignaGraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgeForm(SeeAppendixA)indicatingthestudenthasreadandareresponsiblefortheinformationcontainedintheUMSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbook.TheUniversityofMobileendorsestheintentofallfederalandstatelawscreatedtoprohibitdiscrimination.TheUniversityofMobiledoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,gender,sexualorientation,religion,age,veteranstatusinadmissionsortheprovisionofservices.StudentsareheldaccountableforinformationandpoliciespublishedinofficialUniversityofMobiledocuments,includingUM’sOnlineUndergraduateandGraduateCatalogandStudentHandbook.


3

WelcomefromtheInterimDean,UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingDearMSNStudents:ThankyouforchoosingtheMasterofScienceinNursingintheSchoolofNursingatUniversityofMobile.OnbehalfofthefacultyandstaffweareexcitedthatGodhasledyoutobecomeastudentintheMSNProgramandwearegratefulfortheopportunitytopartnerwithyouinfulfillingthisGod-ordainedprofessionalcalling.Opportunitiesforadvancedpracticenursesinhealthcarearechangingfasternowthaneverbeforeandwearecommittedtopreparingourstudentstoembraceamyriadofopportunitiesasthenursingprofessioncontinuestoevolve.Webelievethatyouwillleaveenrichedandwellpreparedtoaddressthechallengesfacinghealthcareasweendeavortomeetthehealthneedsofindividuals,families,andcommunities.ThegraduateStudentHandbookprovidesinformationonimportantpolicies,procedureandguidelinepertinenttograduatenursingeducationattheUniversityofMobile.OurexpectationisthatyouwillusethishandbookasyourfirstpointofreferencewhenyouhavequestionsconcerningyourprogramofstudyoracademicpolicieswithintheSchoolofNursing.WehopethatyouwillfindtheGraduateStudentHandbookavaluableresourceinaddressingyourquestionsasaUniversityofMobilegraduatestudent.Congratulationsonceagainonreachingthismilestoneinyourprofessionalcareerandwelookforwardtopartneringwithyouinthiseducationalendeavor.Blessings,

KathySheppard,PhD,MA,MSN,RNInterimDeanSchoolofNursingUniversityofMobile


4

FacultyandStaffDirectoryThefollowingresourcepersonsareavailabletoassistyouinunderstandingthecurriculum,policiesandprocedures,etc.incompletingtheMaster’sinAdministration/EducationdegreeortheMaster’sdegreeinFamilyNursePractitionerdegree.Dr.KathySheppardDean,InterimSchoolofNursingWeaverHallBuilding,office#209E251.442.2343mailto:ksheppard@umobile.eduDr.LindaFontenotGraduateProgramChairDirector,FamilyNursePractitionerProgramFNP/MSNFacultyWeaverHallBuilding,office#207B251.442.2339mailto:lfontenot@umobile.eduMrs.MelanieAmbergerFNPFacultyWeaverHallBuilding,office#207C251.442.2350mailto:mamberger@umobile.eduMrs.MattieEasterSuccessCoachSchoolofNursingWeaverHallBuilding,office#214E251.442.2337mailto:measter@umobile.eduDr.ElizabethFlanaganMSNFaculty251.442.2253mailto:lizumobile@gmail.comMrs.JenelleMcElroyDirectorofCenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePracticeWeaverHallBuilding,office#209B251.442.2329mailto:[email protected]


5

Mrs.HilarySeayFNPFaculty251.442.2253mailto:[email protected]/MSNFaculty251.442.2253mailto:cspeakman@umobile.eduDr.JenniferThomasFNPFaculty251.442.2253mailto:jthomas@umobile.eduDr.SarahWitherspoonMSNFacultyWeaverHallBuilding,office#207A251.442.2445mailto:switherspoon@umobile.eduMrs.LynnelleKahalleyAdministrativeAssistantSchoolofNursingWeaverHallBuilding209Suite251.442.2253mailto:[email protected]


6

TABLEOFCONTENTSPREFACE.....................................................................................................................................2HistoryoftheUniversityofMobile............................................................................................................10HistoryoftheSchoolofNursing.................................................................................................................10AdministrativeStructureoftheCollegeofHealthProfessions.....................................................11SchoolofNursingMissionStatement.......................................................................................................11SchoolofNursingPhilosophy......................................................................................................................11SchoolofNursingGoals..................................................................................................................................13UniversityCoreValues....................................................................................................................................13UniversityBiblicalWorldview.....................................................................................................................14

SECTIONII:PROGRAMDESCRIPTIONS.........................................................................15AccreditationsandApprovals......................................................................................................................15GraduateProgramOptions...........................................................................................................................15GraduateProgramDescriptions.................................................................................................................15GraduateProgramExpectedOutcomes...................................................................................................16SchoolofNursingExpectedOutcomes.....................................................................................................18CurriculumPlansforMasterinScienceNursingPrograms............................................................18StandardsandDocumentsRelevanttotheMasterofSciencePrograms.................................20

SECTIONIII:ADMINISTRATIVEPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES..............................21Address/NameChanges.................................................................................................................................21AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct/StudentDisabilityServices........................................................21CastleBranch........................................................................................................................................................22Commencement.................................................................................................................................................22ConfidentialityandHIPPA.............................................................................................................................23CommunicatingwithFaculty........................................................................................................................24CorePerformanceStandards.......................................................................................................................24CPR-AED/BLSCertification...........................................................................................................................24CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure............................................................................24DisclosureofLegal/CriminalConvictionsandArrests.....................................................................26DrugScreenPolicyandProcedure............................................................................................................26E-MailPolicy........................................................................................................................................................28GraduationApplicationandRequirements...........................................................................................28HealthHistory.....................................................................................................................................................29Immunizations....................................................................................................................................................29LostandFound...................................................................................................................................................30NetEtiquette........................................................................................................................................................30ProctorFree..........................................................................................................................................................31ProfessionalConduct.......................................................................................................................................31PurposeofaSyllabus.......................................................................................................................................32SchoolofNursingLocationandHoursofOperation..........................................................................32SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy................................................................................................................32StandardPrecautions......................................................................................................................................34StudentIDBadges.............................................................................................................................................35StudentLeaveofAbsence..............................................................................................................................35TechnologyandComputerRequirements..............................................................................................35TobaccoUseandSmokingPolicy...............................................................................................................37TransportationRequirements.....................................................................................................................38TyphonElectronicStudentTrackingSystem........................................................................................38


7

UnicheckPlagiarismDetection....................................................................................................................38UniversityRulesandRegulationsforConduct.....................................................................................39

SECTIONIV:ACADEMICPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES.............................................40AcademicIntegrityPolicy..............................................................................................................................40AcademicMisconduct......................................................................................................................................42AcademicProbation.........................................................................................................................................42Adding,Dropping,orWithdrawingfromClasses................................................................................42AdmissionPaths.................................................................................................................................................43AdmissionStandardsandRequirements................................................................................................43AdvisingResponsibilities...............................................................................................................................45ComprehensiveExaminationforMSNEducation/AdministrationStudents..........................46DismissalfromtheGraduateProgram.....................................................................................................47EvaluationofNursingPrograms.................................................................................................................47Grading...................................................................................................................................................................48GradingScale.......................................................................................................................................................48GrievancePolicyandProcess.......................................................................................................................49IncompleteGradePolicy.................................................................................................................................49LimitationinCompletionofRequirements............................................................................................50On-CampusFocusSessionsforFamilyNursePractitionerProgram..........................................50Progression..........................................................................................................................................................50ReadmissionafterDismissal/Appeal........................................................................................................51ReadmissionAfterVoluntaryWithdrawalorTransfer.....................................................................51RegisteringforClasses....................................................................................................................................52ResearchComponentforMSNEducation/AdministrationTrack................................................52

SECTIONV:CLINICALPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES.................................................54AdministrativeDropPolicyforFailuretoSubmitClinicalPracticeRequirements..............54ClinicalAgencyAgreements..........................................................................................................................54ClinicalAttendanceandAbsencePolicy..................................................................................................55ClinicalCourseExpectations........................................................................................................................56ClinicalHourRequirementsforMSNEducation/AdministrationCourses..............................57ClinicalHourRequirementsforFamilyNursePractitionerCourses..........................................57ClinicalPracticeExperiences........................................................................................................................58ClinicalPracticePreparation........................................................................................................................58ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforEducation/AdministrationProgram...................................59ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforFamilyNursePractitionerProgram.....................................61ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforEducation/AdministrationProgram...63ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforFamilyNursePractitionerProgram.....63IllnessorInjuryatClinical.............................................................................................................................64NursePractitionerCompetencies..............................................................................................................64PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforEducation/AdministrationProgram.......................................64PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforFamilyNursePractitionerProgram........................................66ProfessionalBehaviorintheClinicalSetting.........................................................................................69ProfessionalDressintheClinicalSetting................................................................................................69ProgressionintheClinicalSettingforFNPstudents.........................................................................70CampusMinistries.............................................................................................................................................72CommitteeMemberships...............................................................................................................................72FamilyNursePractitioner(FNP)CertificationExams......................................................................72NationalCertificationOpportunities.........................................................................................................73NationalProfessionalOrganizations.........................................................................................................73


8

SECTIONVII:STUDENTRESOURCESANDSERVICES................................................75Bookstore..............................................................................................................................................................75CampusSecurity................................................................................................................................................75CenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePractice........................................................................................75Library....................................................................................................................................................................76ParkingandTrafficRegulations..................................................................................................................76PostalServices....................................................................................................................................................76Registrar’sOffice................................................................................................................................................76StudentSuccessCenter...................................................................................................................................76

SECTIONVIII:STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIES................................................................78EthicalPractice...................................................................................................................................................78LiabilityInsurance............................................................................................................................................78Licensure...............................................................................................................................................................79SafeClinicalPractice........................................................................................................................................79StudentConduct.................................................................................................................................................80

SECTIONIX:APPENDICES...................................................................................................81AppendixA-GraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgement.......................................................81AppendixB-EssentialCorePerformanceStandards..........................................................................82AppendixC-CriminalBackgroundAcknowledgmentandConsent.............................................85AppendixD-DrugScreenAcknowledgmentConsent........................................................................86AppendixE-NONPFNursePractitionerCompetencies.....................................................................87AppendixF-FamilyNursePractitionerCompetencies......................................................................91AppendixG-MSNLevelCompetencies.....................................................................................................96


9

GraduateStudentHandbookUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursing

2017-2018

PublishedbytheSchoolofNursingUniversityofMobile5735CollegeParkwayEightMile,AL3661


10

SECTIONI:INTRODUCTIONHistoryoftheUniversityofMobile

TheUniversityisachurch-relatedinstitutionofliberalartsandsciencescharteredin1961asMobileCollegeandaffiliatedwiththeAlabamaBaptistStateconvention.TheUniversityisthecreationapeoplewithaChristianVision.It’sstudentsareencouragedtobecomeconfidentChristianmenandwomenwhohavemasteredthebodyofknowledgerequiredbythedegreetheyhold;whoknowhowtothink;whoknowwhattheybelieveandwhytheybelieveit;whopossesthecouragetoliveandworkaccordingtothosebeliefs;andwhopossessthewillingnessandskilltousetheirinfluenceinappropriateandeffectivewaystochangetheworld.TheintentoftheUniversityisreflectedinthepreamblestatement,“changinglivestochangetheworld.”Asstatedinthemissionstatement,theUniversitystrivestoestablishandmaintainatraditionofexcellenceingraduateprograms.

HistoryoftheSchoolofNursing

TheSchoolofNursingattheUniversityofMobilehasarich,50-yearhistoryofpreparingthefinestprofessionalnursesforourcommunityandbeyond.TheBaccalaureateofSciencedegreeinNursingattheUniversityofMobilehasitsrootsintherelationshipbetweentheUniversityandMobileInfirmarySchoolofNursing,whichbeganin1967.StudentsenrolledinthediplomaprogramattheMobileInfirmarySchoolofNursingweretakingsciencecoursesattheUniversityofMobile.In1973,MobileInfirmaryphasedoutthediplomaprogramandsupportedthedevelopmentofanAssociateDegreeProgramattheMobileCollege(MobileCollegeunderwentanamechangein1993andbecametheUniversityofMobile).In1978,MobileCollegeestablishedaBaccalaureatenursingprogramwhilecontinuingtooperatetheAssociateDegreeProgram.TheSchoolofNursingcelebratesthirty-fouryearsofpreparingnurses,supportingthepreamblestatement,“changinglivestochangetheworld.”

In1987,theSchoolofNursingbeganaMaster’sinNursingProgram(MSN)offeringtracksinAdultHealthNursingandNursingAdministration.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinghasofferedaMasterofScienceinNursingDegreesince1987.TheSchoolofNursingestablishedaFamilyNursePractitionerDegreefrom1995untilitwasvoluntarilysuspendedin2008duetodecreasinginterestanddecliningjobprospectsforthegraduates.Sincethattime,thehealthcareenvironmenthaschangeddramaticallyandtheneedforadditionaladvancedpracticenurseshassoared,againspikinginterestinthecommunityaswellasnationwide.TheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramwillbereopenedinAugust2017pendingSACS-COCapproval.


11

AdministrativeStructureoftheCollegeofHealthProfessions

TheCollegeofHealthProfessionsiscurrentlycomposedofthreeschoolsincorporatingtheSchoolofNursing,theSchoolofHealthandSportsScience,andtheSchoolofAlliedHealth.

IntheSchoolofNursing,therearefivenursingprograms,threeresultinginanundergraduatedegreeTraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursing(TBSN);RNtoBachelorofScienceinNursing(RN-BSN);andAcceleratedBachelorofScienceinNursing(ABSN)andtworesultinginagraduatedegree(MasterofScienceinEducation/Administration(BSN-MSNTrack)andMasterofScienceinFamilyNursePractitioner(BSN-MSNTrack).TheSchoolofNursinghasaDepartmentChairforboththeundergraduateandgraduateprogramswhoreportdirectlytotheDean.TheGraduateDepartmentChairdirectsboththeMasterofScienceinNursingEducation/AdministrationProgramandtheMasterofScienceinNursingFamilyNursePractitionerProgram.TheGraduateProgramChair,theGraduateFacultyCommittee,andtheDeanparticipateinthedecisionsregardingthegovernanceoftheMSNprograms,ensuringthatrelevantprofessionalstandardsandguidelinesareincorporated.

SchoolofNursingMissionStatement

ThemissionoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingistoprovidequalityeducationinaChristianenvironmentinordertopreparecompetent,caringpractitionersinnursing.Theschoolaspirestothehigheststandardsofeducationalexcellence,blendingaprofessionalperspectivewithaliberalartsandsciencefoundation.Theschooliscommittedtothedevelopmentofitsstudentsintoknowledgeable,caring,responsibleandself-directedindividualsabletomeetthehealthcareneedsofadiverseandcomplexsociety.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingemphasizesqualityteachingwhileencouragingandvaluingscholarlyactivityandresearchtosupportthatteaching.

SchoolofNursingPhilosophyTheSchoolofNursing,anintegralpartoftheUniversityofMobile,isdedicatedtotheadvancementofhighereducationbaseduponChristianvalues.ThenursingprogramsoftheUniversityofMobileseektopreparenurseswithChristianidealstomeetthenursingneedsofhumanity.Thehumanisperceivedasaholisticbeing;apsychosocial,spiritual,cultural,ethnic,andracialbeingcapableoffeelings,emotions,thoughts,andactions.Thehumaniscapableofhigherlevelsoffunctioninginthecognitive,affectiveandpsychomotordomains.Thehumanisinadynamicinteractionwiththeenvironment,whichresultsinchangeinindividualsocialsystemsandinhealthcareneeds.Toserve


12

humanity,onemustattempttomeetneedsintotalitysincethehumanbeingisperceivedasaunitandnotasummationofparts.Today’ssocietyiscomplexanddynamic.Itincorporatessocialcontrolstopreserveitsidentity,toenableittofunctionsystematically,andtoberelativelyenduring.Individualsassumeroleswithinsociety,whicharestipulatedbytheinteractionbetweenindividualsandsociety.Healthisthephysiological,psychological,andspiritualwell-beingofanindividual,family,orgroupwhichallowsorenablestheindividual,family,orgrouptofunctionconsistentlyatmaximumpotential.Healthisanever-changingstateonacontinuumfrompeakwellnesstoextremestatesofillhealthdependentuponindividualorgroupadaptationtostressors.Rapidchangesinscience,technology,knowledge,andhealthproblems,alongwithstrikingdifferencesinfamilystructures,emphasisonthelegalrightsoftheindividual,andculturalandenvironmentalfactorsinfluencehealthneeds.Nursingisacollaborativeprocessinwhichnursesassisttheclientandtheclient’ssignificantothersinperformingthoseactivitieswhichcontributetotheachievementofmaximumhealthpotentialthroughaholisticcareapproach.Nursingseekstoinfluenceman’sbalanceonthewellness-illnesscontinuuminapositivemanner.Aperceptionof,andconcernfortheneedsofindividuals,families,andgroupsareessentialtonursing,aswellaseffectivecommunicationwithindividualsandtheentirehealthcareteam.Thenursingprocessisasystematicproblem-solvingapproachutilizingcriticalthinkingforvalidatingtheperceivedneedsandproblemsofclients.Thisproblem-solvingprocessappliedtonursingpracticeinvolvesassessing,analyzing,planning,implementing,andevaluating.Afteridentifyingtheneedsandproblemsofindividuals,families,andgroups,thenurseformulatesanursingdiagnosis.Incollaborationwithotherhealthteammembers,thenurseplans,implements,andevaluatesnursingcare.Useofthenursingprocesspromotesresponsibilityfornursingactions.Educationistheprocessinvolvingteachingandlearningbywhichoneacquiresknowledge,skills,values,attitudes,andtheabilitytothinkcritically.Learningisviewedasachangeinbehaviorbasedonthelearner’sperceptionofthatwhichistobelearned.Eachlearnerandteacherisanindividualwithauniquebackgroundofexperiences.Thestudentanalyzes,synthesizes,andintegratesrelationshipsamongnewandpreviouslearning’s.Intheteaching/learningprocess,ateacherfacilitatesthestudent’slearning.Relevanceinlearningdependsuponhowcloselythestudentindividuallyperceivesthelearningexperience.Nursingeducationassiststhestudenttoacquiretheknowledge,whichisessentialtotheprofession.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,developingaknowledgebasefornursing,developingproficiencyinselectedpsychomotorskills,andamodelfor


13

nursingpractice.Baseduponthis,qualifiednursingfacultymembersrecognizetheuniquenessoftheindividuallearnerandseektoguideeachstudentinlearningexperiences.Nursingeducationismorethoroughandperceptionisbroadenedwhenstudentsareassistedinmaintaininghighinputintotheirownlearningandareguidedbymeasurablegoalsandobjectives.Aprofessionalnurseisaccountablefornursingactions.Theprofessionalnursepossessestheabilitytocontinueprofessionalandpersonalgrowthbypursuinglifelonglearningasevidencedbycompletionofeducationalcoursesand/orgraduatestudy,activeparticipationinprofessionalandrelatedorganizations,andbeingacontributingmemberofsociety.Nursingeducationatthemaster’slevelpreparesaspecialistwhocanfunctioninavarietyofadvancedroles.Educationatthemaster’slevelinnursinginvolvesexpandingpreviousknowledgeandskillsanddevelopingexpertiseinaspecifiedarea.Master’slevelnursingeducationallowsthestudenttobecomemoreinvolvedinself-learningthroughcriticalinquiry,analysis,andresearch.

SchoolofNursingGoalsThegoalsoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingreflecttheoverallmissionoftheuniversitytoenhancethehealthandqualityoflifeforall.TheSchoolofNursingstrivesto:1.Developacademicprogramsthatmeettheneedsofsocietyandincorporatebestpracticesinnursingeducation.2.Provideasupportive,collegialenvironmentthatencouragesexcellenceinteaching-learning,professionaldevelopment,andfaculty/studentscholarship.3.Developleaderscapableofimprovingclinicalpracticeoutcomes,healthpolicy,andcaredeliverymethods.4.Preparegraduatesabletoprovidesafe,evidence-based,culturallycompetent,patient-centeredcarethatreflectsethicalclinicaljudgmentandinterprofessionalcollaboration.5.Cultivateinstudentsanintellectualdesireforadvancedstudyandinquiry.

UniversityCoreValuesTheUniversityofMobileisaChrist-centeredacademiccommunityprovidingprofessionalprogramstorenewmindsthroughintellectualandspiritualdevelopmentforthefulfillingofone’sprofessionalcalling.ThecorevaluesoftheUniversityaresupportedbythenursingfacultyandreflectedinhowweworkandinteractwithothers.Thecorevalues:

• Christ-centered• Academically-focused• Student-devoted


14

• Distinctively-driven

UniversityBiblicalWorldviewThefacultyintheSchoolofNursingembracetheconceptofteachingabiblicalworldviewtooursstudents.ThebiblicalworldviewservesasapathwaybywhichstudentsarepreparedtofulfilltheGreatCommissionasnotedinGod’sWordthrough:“ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom…”|DescribesourcallingtoHim.(Proverbs9:10) “ThenGodsaid,LetUsmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoOurlikeness;…”|DescribeswhoweareinHim.(Genesis1:26)“Anddonotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyoumayprovidewhatisthatgoodandacceptableandperfect”|DescribesourtransformationinHim.(Romans12:2)


15

SECTIONII:PROGRAMDESCRIPTIONSAccreditationsandApprovalsTheUniversityofMobileMasterofScienceProgram’sareaccreditedthroughtheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation,OneDupontCircleNWSuite530,Washington,DC20036.TheMasterofScienceinNursingFamilyNursePractitionerProgramreceivedapprovalbytheSouthernAssociationofCollegesandSchoolsCommissiononColleges(SACS-COC)andwillbegininAugust2017.TheaddressforSACS-COCis1866SouthernLane,Decatur,GA30033.TheUniversityofMobileMSNGraduateDegreeProgramsisapprovedbytheAlabamaBoardofNursing,RSAPlaza,Suite250,770WashingtonAvenue,Montgomery,AL36104.

GraduateProgramOptions

MSNEducation/AdministrationProgram BSN-MSNTrackMSNFamilyNursePractitionerProgram BSN-MSNTrack

GraduateProgramDescriptionsTheMasterofScienceinNursingprogrambuildsontheknowledgeandcompetenciesofbaccalaureatenursingeducation.Thestructureandprocessofthemaster’sprogramprovidesfortheattainmentofadvancedknowledgeandtheskillinthepracticeofnursing.TheMasterofScienceinNursingprogramattheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinghastwoprogramoptions:1.NursingEducation/AdministrationProgram(BSN-MSNTrack)2.FamilyNursePractitionerProgram(BSN-MSNTrack).

MasterofScienceinNursingDegreeinNursingEducation/AdministrationGraduatesoftheMasterofScienceinNursingdegreeinNursingEducation/Administrationareequippedtoteachinacademicsettings,acutecarehealthfacilities,andcommunityhealthagencies.TheMSNinEducation/AdministrationProgramisstructuredaroundthemajorcomponentsoftheory,research,andpractice.Theconceptsofleadership,criticalthinking,decision-making,andplannedchangeareintegratedthroughoutthecurriculum.ThegraduatenursingstudentattheUniversityofMobilewilldevelopspecificrolesthroughrefinementofexistingprofessionalskills,


16

expansionoftheknowledgebaseforpractice,anddevelopmentofadvancedcompetenciesinaspecifiedareaofpractice.ThecoursesintheMSNNursingEducation/AdministrationProgramaretaughtinablendedformat.Studentshaveopportunitiestoattendclassesoncampusaswellastocompletecourseworkinanonlinearrangement.Coursesarecompletedinasixteen(16)weektrimesterscheduleandatwelve(12)weeksummerschedule.Bothpart-timeandfull-timeformatsareavailableforstudentsinthiscourseofstudy.

MasterofScienceNursingDegreeinFamilyNursePractitioner(FNP)

TheMSN-FNPProgramisdesignedtopreparethestudentforacareerinadvancepracticenursingrolesinprimarycaresettings,providingcareacrossthelifespantochildren,adolescents,child-bearingwomen,andadults.ThefocusoftheFNPisthemanagementofcommonacuteandchronichealthcareproblemsindiversesettings.Populationhealthandepidemiology,managementofinformationsystems,andinter-professionalcollaborationareallemphasized.Pharmacologyandpathophysiologypreparestudentsfordiagnosisandprescriptiveauthority.AllcoursesintheMSNFamilyNursePractitionerProgramareofferedonlineviatheinternetusingalearningmanagementsystemthatincludesavarietyoftechnologiesforinteractionamongstudentsandfaculty.Coursesarecompletedwiththreesixteen(16)weektrimestersandonetwelve(12)weeksummerschedule.Thereisa1-2weekbreakbetweeneachacademicterm.Uponacceptance,allstudentsareadmittedtothefull-timecompletionplan.

GraduateProgramExpectedOutcomesGraduatestudyatthemaster’slevelbuildsonbaccalaureateeducationandisdesignedtopreparescholarly,specializednursescapableofassumingleadershipresponsibilitiesincurrentandemerginghealthcaresystems.TheMaster’sDegreeprogramsinnursingprovidestudentswithdiversetheoretical,clinical,andmanageriallearningexperiences,whichallowthemtofunctioninabroadvarietyofrolesinadvancednursingpractice.Atthegraduatelevel,studentsdevelopspecializedcompetenciesandgreatercapabilitytofunctioninchanging,complexhealthcaredeliverysystems.ThecurriculumguidingtheUniversityofMobileMasterofSciencedegreeadherestotheEssentialsofMaster’sEducationforAdvancedPracticeNursingasarticulatedbytheAmericanAssociationofCollegesinNursing(http://www.aacn.nche.edu)TheguidelinesoftheAACNserveasaframeworkforthegraduatenursingprogram.Uponcompletionofthegraduatenursingprogram,thegraduatewillbeableto


17

demonstratetheknowledge,clinicalskills,andprofessionalattitudeexpectedoftheMaster’spreparednurse.MasterofScienceinNursingEducation/AdministrationProgramOutcomesUponcompletionofthemaster’sprograminAdministration/Education,thelearnerwill:1.Utilizetheoriesfromnursingandotherdisciplinestoimprovehealthcareandnursingeducationoutcomes.2.Developorganizingframeworksforthedeliveryofhealthcareforteachingnursing.3.Contributetothedevelopmentofthescientificknowledgebaseinnursingbyrecognizingresearchableproblems,andparticipatinginresearchtoadvancethepracticeofnursingandimprovenursingeducation.4.Incorporateleadershipstrategiesandlocal,state,andnationalhealthcarepoliciesintoplanstoeffectimprovementinnursingeducationandthehealthcaresystem.5.Applyprinciplesofeconomicsandbudgetingintofiscalplansforadministeringhealthcareornursingeducationprograms.6.Utilizeanidentifiedprocessforguidanceinmakingethicaldecisions.7.Considerhumandiversitywhenplanningandimplementinghealthcareandteachingactivities.8.Contributeasaleadertotherestructuringofprofessionalnursingrolesashealthcareandnursingeducationneedsemergeinsociety.MasterofScienceinNursingFamilyNursePractitionerProgramOutcomesUponcompletionofthemaster’sprograminFamilyNursePractice,thelearnerwill:1.Implementtheselectedadvancednurseroleasapractitionerwithinhealthcare.2.Developandnurtureinter-professionalcollaborationsbycommunicatingandconsultingwithotherhealthcareprofessionals,includingphysicians,administrators,communityleaders,regulators,andotherhealthcareproviders.3.Evaluatetheinfluenceofethicalprinciplesonpersonalandorganizationdecision-making.4.Utilizenursingresearchforthepromotionofqualitynursingeducation,safeclient-centerhealthcare,andevidence-basedpractice.5.Applyprinciplesofeconomicsandbudgetingintofiscalplansforadministeringhealthcare.6.Employcriticalthinkingintheapplicationofnursingandmultidisciplinarytheoreticalframeworkstofosteroptimalclienthealthoutcomes.7.Considerhumandiversitywhenplanningandimplementinghealthcareandteachingactivities.8.Demonstratecompetenceinleadershiprolesandacommitmenttoongoingprofessionaldevelopmentfortheprovisionofquality,cost-effective,client-centeredhealthcareandtheadvancementofnursingpractice


18

SchoolofNursingExpectedOutcomes1.Topreparegraduateswithanadequatebackgroundtoassuretheachievementofappropriatecredentials.2.Topreparegraduateswhowillpracticetheprofessioninacompetent,caringmanner,utilizingidealsandstandardsconsistentwiththeChristianfaith.3.Toprovidestudentswithaneducationbroadenoughtoassureacareerinnursing,basednotonlyuponnursingknowledge,butalsouponabackgroundofliberalartsandsciences.4.Topreparegraduateswhoareabletothinkcritically,andtoexpressthemselvesclearly,correctly,andsuccinctlybothorallyandinwriting.5.Toprovideopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopfullyinavarietyofareasincludingphysical,social,spiritual,andprofessional,asbothaleaderandafollower.6.Toprovideopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopnursingskillsinavarietyofbackgroundswithinthepracticesetting.7.ToprovideanenvironmentinwhichthestudentrecognizestheimportanceofcommunityserviceasapartoftheprofessionalandChristiancommitment.8.Toprovideabackgroundforcontinuinglearningforthegraduateinboththeformalandcontinuingeducationarenas.

CurriculumPlansforMasterinScienceNursingPrograms

1.NURSINGEDUCATION/ADMINSTRATIONCURRICULUMBSNTOMSNTRACKCOURSENUMBER

COURSENAME CREDITHOURS

NU500 EssentialsofAdvancedHealthAssessment,Pathophysiology,andPharmacology

3

NU502 OrganizationalBehaviorandProcesses 3NU503 CurrentIssuesinNursingandHealthCare 2NU504 ResearchMethodology 3NU505 ManagementofHumanandFinancialResources 3NU515 CurriculumDevelopmentinNursing 3NU516 ComputerUtilizationinNursing 3NU517 TestingandEvaluation 3NU518 DevelopingLeadershipRolesinNursing 3NU530 AdministrationofNursingOrganizations 3NU531 AdministrationofNursingPracticum 3NU540 TeachingNursing 3NU541 TeachingNursingPracticum 3NU595 ComprehensiveExam 0NU598 ResearchProjector 3NU599 Thesis 3 TotalCreditHours 41


19

2.FAMILYNURSEPRACTITIONER(FNP)CURRICULUMBSNTOMSNTRACK

SEMESTER1(FALL) COURSENUMBER


NU506 AdvancedNursingStatisticsfortheHealthSciences 3NU507 AdvancedHealthAssessment&DiagnosticReasoning 3NU508 AdvancedPathophysiology 3NU509 AdvancedPharmacology 3 CreditHours 12 SEMESTER2(SPRING) COURSENUMBER


NU504 ResearchMethodsandEvidenceBasedPractice 3NU510 FamilyNursePractitionerI:CareofChildren 6NU518 RolesandInterpersonalCollaboration 2NU519 OrganizationalLeadershipandHealthPolicyforAdvanced

NursingPractice2

CreditHours 13 SEMESTER3(SUMMER) COURSENUMBER


NU501 TheoryandEthicsforAdvancedNursingPractice 2NU511 FamilyNursePractitionerII:CareofAdults 6NU524 QualityandSafetyinHealthcareSystems 2 CreditHours 10 SEMESTER4(FALL) COURSENUMBER


NU512 FamilyNursePractitionerIII:CareofWomen 6NU513 SpecialtyFocusPracticum 2NU525 InformaticsandHealthcareTechnology 2NU526 TransitionstoAdvancedNursingPractice 1 CreditHours 11 TotalCreditHours 46 TotalClinicalHours 560


20

StandardsandDocumentsRelevanttotheMasterofScienceProgramsCurriculaforthegraduateprogramsusethefollowingstandardsofeducationandpractice:TheAmericanNurses’AssociationCodeofEthicsforNurseswithInterpretiveStatements(ANA,2016)andtheNursing:ScopeandStandardsofPractice,(ANA,2015)aswellastheAlabamaBoardofNursingPracticeActandAdministrativeCode(2016).Specificstandardsofpracticeforeachprograminclude:TheEssentialsofMaster’sEducationinNursing(AACN,2011)andCriteriaforEvaluationofNursePractitionerPrograms(NationalTaskForceonQualityNursePractitionerEducation[NTF],2016).Standardsofpracticeforclinicalspecialtyareasarealsoincorporated,includingcorecompetenciesputforthbyorganizationssuchastheNationalOrganizationofNursePractitionerFaculties(NONPF,2016)thatareintegratedasappropriate.TheMasterofSciencedegreeprogramisguidedbythefollowingstandardsanddocuments,whichareavailableonline.AmericanAssociationofCollegesinNursing(AACN;2016)AdultGerontologyAcuteCareandPrimaryCareNursePractitionerCompetencies.AmericanAssociationofCollegesinNursing(AACN;2016).CriteriaEvaluationofNursePractitionerPrograms.AmericanAssociationofCollegesinNursing(AACN;2011).TheEssentialsofMaster’sEducationinNursing.AmericanNursesAssociation(ANA).3rdedition(2015).Nursing:StandardsandScopeofPractice.Washing,D.C.,(http://www.Nursebooks.org).AmericanOrganizationofNurseExecutives(AONE;2015)TheAONENurseExecutiveCompetencies.CommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation(CCNE;2016Revision).StandardsofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingPrograms.CriteriaforEvaluationofNursePractitionerPrograms(NationalTaskForceonQualityNursePractitionerEducation,2016);NTFCriteria.NationalLeagueforNursing(NLN;2013Revision).ScopeofPracticeforAcademicEducators.NationalOrganizationofNursePractitionerFaculties(NONPF)Criteria.(2016).


21

SECTIONIII:ADMINISTRATIVEPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESAddress/NameChangesItisimportantforUniversityofficialstobeabletolocateandtosendofficialcorrespondencetostudents.StudentsarerequiredtonotifytheSchoolofNursingforaddressandnamechangesthroughtheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytokeepaddressandotherdirectoryinformationcurrent.EnrolledstudentsmayreportaddressandnamechangesandemergencycontactinformationtotheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant.

AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct/StudentDisabilityServicesTheUniversityofMobileprovidesaccommodationstoenablestudentswithdisabilitiestoaccesstheUniversitycommunity,incompliancewithSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973[29U.S.C.794(a)]andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(ADA)[42U.S.C.12101,etseq.].Reasonableaccommodationsaredeterminedbasedoncurrentdocumentationandaremadeonacase-by-casebasis.Adherencetoacademicstandardsthatareessentialtoacourseofstudyisgenerallyconsiderednon-discriminatory.StudentswithdisabilitiesarerequiredtomaintainthesamelevelofresponsibilityfortheireducationasotherstudentsattendingtheUniversityofMobile.Theseresponsibilitiesincludingmaintaininglevelsofacademicperformanceexpectedofallstudents,meetingclassrequirements,maintainingappropriatebehavior,andfollowingtheUniversity’spoliciesandprocedures.StudentsrequestingaccommodationsfromtheUniversityofMobilemustself-identifybycontactingtheCenterforStudentSuccess.Theuniversityencouragesstudentstorequestaccommodationsbeforethesemesterbegins.Ifthestudentschoosestodelayprovidingdocumentationand/ormakingarequestforaccommodations,theUniversityofMobilewillnotprovideaccommodationsinaretroactivemanner,butwilluponthestudent’srequestbegintheprocedureforapprovingandimplementingfutureaccommodations.Areasonableamountoftimewillbenecessaryandexpectedinorderfortheuniversitytoimplementtheseaccommodations.Submittinganapplicationforaccommodationsdoesnotensurethatthestudentqualifiestoreceiveaccommodations.TheCenterforStudentSuccessdeterminesthestudent’seligibilityforaccommodationsand,foreligiblestudents,determinesappropriateaccommodation.TheUniversityofMobilewillprovidereasonableaccommodationaslongasitdoesnotfundamentallyalterthenatureoftheprogram.Intheeventthatastudentisunabletofulfilladmissionandprogressionstandards,withorwithoutreasonableaccommodation,thestudentwillnotbeadmittedinto,orbeallowedtoprogressintheSchoolofNursing.


22

ThenursingprogramattheUniversityofMobileisarigorousmentalandphysicalprogramandplacesspecificrequirementsonthestudentsenrolledintheprogram.AllnursingstudentsmustbeabletomeettheCorePerformanceStandards(SeeAppendixB).Inaddition,studentsareexpectedtocompletealltheacademicandclinicalrequirementsofthegraduateprograminnursingbeforetheyareeligibletograduateand/ortestwithanationalcredentialingagencysuchastheAmericanAcademyofNursePractitioners(AANP)ortheAmericanNursesCredentialingCenter(ANCC).Theconfidentiallyofalldocumentswillbemaintainedinaccordancewiththeapplicablelaw.Documentationmaybesharedwithfacultyorstaffmembersonaneedtoknowbasis.

CastleBranchTheUniversityofMobilehascontractedwithCastleBranchtogatherandmaintainrecordsandotherrequireddocumentationfornursingstudents.AllstudentsmustpresentdocumentationofallofSchoolofNursingrequirementstoCastleBranch,thedesignatednon-affiliatedvendorfortheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursing.Eachstudentwillbeemailedapackagecodetoallowforsubmissionofdocuments(immunizations,healthhistory,etc.)andcompliancetracking.StudentswillbeprovidedaninformationsheetregardinghowtologonandactivateanaccountwithCastleBranch.FromwithinyouCastleBranchaccount,youwillbeabletomanagetherequirementsofthegraduateprogram,completetasksasdirectedtomeetdeadlines,uploadandstoreimportantdocumentsandrecords.IfstudentsneedassistancewiththeirCastleBranchaccount,theyshouldvisittheCastleBranchServiceDeskat888.850.4314or888.723.4263,extension7196.

CommencementDegree-seekinggraduatestudentsareexpectedtocompleteallrequirementsforgraduationinordertoparticipateincommencement.MasterofScience(MS)degreesareawardedtonursingstudentswhohavecompletedallrequiredcoursesintheirrespectivecurriculaandarestudentsingoodstandingattheUniversity.StudentsmustsubmitanapplicationforgraduationtotheRegistrar’sOfficeduringthesemesterbeforetheyintendtograduate.Thedeadlineforthisapplicationispublishedeachsemesterontheuniversitywebsite.


23

ConfidentialityandHIPPAThefacultyandstaffoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrecognizestheimportanceofprotectingtheprivateandconfidentialinformationofpatients/clients,theirfamilies,employees,staffandpeersaswellastheoperation(s)ofagencieswithinwhichthefacultyandstudentspractice.ItisthelegalandethicalresponsibilityofeverystudenttoabidebythelawsrelativetoprivacyincludingtheHealthInsurancePortabilityandAccountabilityActof1996(HIPPA)guidelines.HIPAAregulationsrequireproviderstoprotectpatientconfidentialityinallforms–oral,written,andelectronic.Allinformationpertainingtopatients/clientsisconsideredconfidential.StudentsmustagreetoabidebytheregulationspromulgatedbytheAmericanRecoveryandInvestmentActof2009(HITECHorHealthInformationTechnologyforEconomicandClinicalHealthAct)asapplicabletoeachclinicalagencyusedforclinicallaboratoryexperience.HIPPAregulationsprovideseriouscivilandcriminalpenaltiesforviolation.Civilpenaltiescanbeashighas$25,000perviolation.Evenunintentionaldisclosurecaninvolveseriouspenalties.Allnursingfacultyandnursingstudentsagreeto:

• AdheretoHIPAAandHITECHguidelines.• Read,understand,andcomplywithconfidentialityandprivacypoliciesin

eachclinicalexperience.• Access,useorshareconfidentialinformationonlyasitisessentialand

allowedbylaw.Allprintouts,photocopies,writtenandelectronicinformationproducedforuseduringaclinicalshiftmustbesecuredatalltimesanddestroyedpriortotheendofthatclinicalshift.Notesandworkproducts,necessaryforacademicrequirements,musthaveallidentifiersremoved.

• Neverreleaseprotectedhealthinformationtoanyunidentifiedsource.• Avoiddiscussionordisclosureofpatientinformationoutsideoftheacademic

setting.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,areasofpublicandsocialgatherings,on-linesocialnetworking,socialmedia,blogs,andanyareasspecifiedbythepolicyoftheclinicalsetting.Studentsshouldnevertalkaboutpatients/clientsinpublic,avoidingconversationsinelevators,diningfacilities,andinsituationswhereothersmayoverhear.

• Avoidleavingpatient/clientrecordsorinformationwhereunauthorizedpersonsmightseethem.Nopartofthemedicalrecord,orduplicationthereof,mayberemovedfromtheclinicalsetting.Atalltimes,themedicalrecordmustbesecuredaccordingtotheclinicalsetting’spolicy.

• Avoidtheuseofpatient/clientsnamesusinginitialsonly.• Immediatelyreporttotheclinicalandcoursefacultyanyincidentor

suspectedincidentsofunauthorizedaccessand/ordisclosureofprotectedhealthinformation.


24

CommunicatingwithFacultyStudentsareencouragedtostayconnectedtotheirfacultyadvisorsandcoursefaculty.Facultymembersareavailabletoprovideassistancewithconcernsrelatedtocoursecontent,examinations,andwritingassignments.Anumberofdifferentsourcesareavailableforstudentstocommunicatewithfaculty.MostfacultyandstaffareontheUniversityofMobileVoiceMailSystem.Iftheindividualyouareattemptingtocontactdoesnotanswerthetelephone,thevoicemailsystemisactivatedandstudentsmayleaveasuccinctmessageregardingthepurposeofyourcall.Inaddition,leaveyourfullname,telephonenumber,andatimethatmaybeconvenienttoreturnyourcall.Itwillbeimportantthatyouspeakslowanddistinctlyasyouleaveyourinformation.AlistingofthesenumbersisprovidedinthefacultydirectoryontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.AllfacultyandstaffmaintainaUniversityofMobileemailaccount.StudentsmayemailfacultyandtheseaddressesarepublishedinthefacultydirectoryontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.

CorePerformanceStandardsAcandidateforanursingdegreemustpossessabilitiesandskills,whichincludetheCorePerformanceStandards(SeeAppendixB).TheCorePerformanceStandardsarethecognitive,psychomotor,andaffectivelearningskillsneededbythestudenttomeetprogramobjectivesandrequirements.Theuseofatrainedintermediaryisnotacceptableinthatacandidate’sjudgmentmustbemediatedbysomeoneelse’spowerofobservation,selection,andassessment.

CPR-AED/BLSCertificationCurrentinfant,adult,andchildCPRcertificationmustbemaintainedduringenrollmentandsubmittedaftereachrenewalprocess.Thecopyofthecardmustincludethefrontandback,andthebackmustbesigned.ThecoursemustbetheAmericanHeartAssociationHealthcareProvider.TheproofofCPRcertificationmustbeuploadedtoandapprovedbyCastleBranchinorderforthestudenttoparticipateingraduateclinicallearningexperiences.

CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure

TheSchoolofNursingrecognizesitsroleinmaintainingasafeenvironmentforstudentsandpatients/clients.Healthcareagenciesrequireemployeesandstudentstomeetlocalandstateregulations.Therefore,abackgroundcheckisrequiredforallnursingstudentsenrolledintheSchoolofNursing.Certainarrestsorconvictions,whichcouldjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofpatients,mayrenderstudentsineligibleforplacementinaclinicalagency.Ineligibilityforplacementinaclinical


25

agencytoperformnursingcareforcompletionofclinicalobjectiveswillresultincoursefailureanddismissalfromGraduateNursingprograms.AsaresultofJointCommissionguidelinesmandatingcriminalbackgroundchecksonallemployees,volunteersandstudents,healthcareagenciesarerequiringbackgroundchecksanddrugtestingfornursingstudentsworkinginclinicalsettings.Therefore,allgraduatenursingstudentsenteringtheUMSchoolofNursingwillconsenttoandcompleteaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheck(SeeAppendixC).FailuretosubmitaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckwillsuspendthematriculationprocessand/orenrollmentinanygraduatecourses.TheCriminalBackgroundCheckwillincludealocalandnationalreviewofrelevantrecordsincludingcountyofresidencecriminalrecords,residencehistory,SocialSecurityalert,nationwidesexualoffenderregistry,andnationwidehealthcarefraudandabusescan.TheSchoolofNursingrecognizesitsroleinmaintainingasafeenvironmentforstudentsandpatients/clients.Healthcareagenciesrequireemployeesandstudentstomeetlocalandstateregulations.Therefore,abackgroundcheckisrequiredforallnursingstudents.Certainarrestsorconvictions,whichcouldjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofpatients,mayrenderstudentsineligibleforplacementinaclinicalagency.IneligibilityforplacementinaclinicalagencytoperformnursingcareforcompletionofclinicalobjectiveswillresultincoursefailureanddismissalfromGraduateNursingprograms.

• Newstudents:Matriculationwillbeconditionaloncompletionofacriminalbackgroundcheck.Studentsmayalsoberequiredtohaveadditionalchecksonceenrolledintheprogram.TheSchoolofNursingmustcertifytoclinicalagencies,wherestudentsparticipateinclinicalactivities,thateachstudenthashadanegativebackgroundcheckwithnoadversefinding.

• Matriculatedstudents:Supplementaloradditionalbackgroundchecksmayberequiredtomeettherequirementsofaclinicalagency.OnceenrolledintheGraduateProgram,studentsarecompelledtodisclosureanylegalorcriminalconvictionsorarrestswithinathree(3)daytimeperiod.

ConsequencesforaCriminalHistory

• Ifacriminalbackgroundreportindicatesanypositivecriminalhistory,theGraduateProgramChairandtheDeanfortheSchoolofNursingwillsendalettertothestudentrequestingawrittenexplanationoftheindicatedincident(s).

• Ifthestudentchallengestheinformationinthereportaserroneous,theDeanfortheSchoolofNursingwillaskCastleBranchtoinvestigatefurthertodeterminewhethertheinformationisaccurate.

• Ifthestudentrespondsthatthepositivecriminalhistoryreportisaccurate,theGraduateProgramChairandtheSchoolofNursingDeanwillnotifythe


26

studentinwritingthattheywillbeunabletoattendtheUMSchoolofNursingandwithdrawalfromthegraduatenursingprogramismandated.

• Students,whohavebeenconvictedofafelonyorhaveplednolocontenderetoafelonyoracrimeinvolvingmoralturpitude,areineligibleforclinicalplacementandaredeemedunabletocompleteprogramrequirements.

Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitsunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheprogram.Thecriminalbackgroundreportwillbeheldinthestrictestconfidence;onlythoseindividualswhohaveaneedtoknowrelatedtothestudent’senrollmentandacademicprogress(e.g.clinicalagencyplacement)willhaveaccesstothisinformation.

DisclosureofLegal/CriminalConvictionsandArrestsStudentsenrolledintheGraduateNursingProgrammustreportanyarrestsorlegal/criminalconvictionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,misdemeanors,felonies,sexualoffenderconvictionsorgovernmentsanctions.Ifastudentisconvictedofanycriminaloffense(s)otherthanminortrafficviolationssubsequenttothecriminalbackgroundcheck(s)obtainedunderthispolicy,thestudentisrequiredwithinthree(3)daysaftersuchconvictiontoreporttotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingthedateandnatureoftheconvictionandthecourtlocation.FailuretoreportarrestsorlegalconvictionswillresultinautomaticandimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.Thestudentwillbeineligibletobere-admittedtotheGraduateNursingProgram.

DrugScreenPolicyandProcedureTheSchoolofNursingrecognizesthatalcoholabuseanddrugusearesocietalproblemsthatcanaffectnursingstudents.Theseproblemscanadverselyinfluencethelearningenvironment,andindividualswithimpairedjudgmentanddecision-makingcapabilitiesarenotsafeinprovidingcareinanyhealthcaresetting.TheSchoolofNursinghasavitalinterestinmaintainingasafeandhealthyenvironmentforitsstudentsaswellasthepatient’s/client’sitserves.Anystudentundertheinfluenceofadrugoralcoholduringclinicalmayposeserioussafetyandhealthrisks,notonlytothemselves,buttothepatients/clientstheyareprovidingcareto.AsaresultofJointCommissionguidelines,healthcareagenciesarerequiringdrugtestingfornursingstudentsworkinginclinicalsettings.Therefore,allgraduatenursingstudentsenteringtheUMSchoolofNursingwillconsenttoandcompletearandomdrugtesting(SeeAppendixD).Failuretosubmitadrugscreeningcheckwillsuspendthematriculationprocessand/orenrollmentinanygraduatecourses.


27

Admittedstudentswillnotbeallowedtoprogressincourseworkwithoutcompletionofanegativedrugscreen.Anegativedrugscreenisdefinedasabsenceofanyofcannabinoids,cocaine,opiates,phencyclidine,oramphetaminesinthestudent’surine.

• Newstudents:Matriculationwillbeconditionaloncompletionofaurinedrugscreen.Studentsmayalsoberequiredtohaveadditionalchecksonceenrolledintheprogram.TheSchoolofNursingmustcertifytoclinicalagencies,wherestudentsparticipateinclinicalactivities,thateachstudenthashadanegativedrugscreen.

• Matriculatedstudents:Supplementaloradditionalurinedrugscreensmayberequiredtomeettherequirementsofaclinicalagency.

ConsequencesforPositiveDrugTest

• Ifthestudent’sdrugscreenispositive,theMedicalDirectoroftheLaboratorywillcontactthestudentrequestingwrittenproofofaprescriptionfortheappropriatemedication.StudentswhoareunabletoproduceaprescriptiontosubstantiatelegalusageofthemedicationwillbedismissedformtheSchoolofNursing.

StudentsFoundtobeUndertheInfluenceofIllicitDrugsand/orAlcoholEachstudentisexpectedtoupholdanddemonstrateprofessionalandpersonalmoralstandards.Thefacultysubscribestotheintentoftheuniversitypolicyprohibitingtheillegalpossession,useordistributionofdrugsand/oralcoholbystudentsonuniversitypropertyorasapartofanyuniversityactivity(onoroffcampus).Underagedrinkingisillegal.Studentsmanifestingbehaviorsinclinicalsettingsincludingbutnotlimitedto,alcoholonbreath,pupillarychanges,slurredspeech,motorincapacities,orothersignsand/orphysicalsymptomssuggestingimpairment,willbequestionedbynursingfacultyorpreceptor.If,inthefacultymember’sorpreceptor’sjudgment,itisreasonabletobelievethatanimpairmentexists,thenthestudentwillbeaskedtoleavetheclinicalsettingimmediately.Afamilymemberorfriendwillbecontactedtoprovidesafetransportationforthestudentawayfromtheclinicalsite.StudentsintheSchoolofNursingmustcomplywiththelegal,moralandlegislativestandardsinaccordancewiththeAlabamaBoardofNursingAdministrativeCode.Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitsunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheprogram.ReasonableSuspensionofDrug/AlcoholUseInadditiontothepre-clinicalscreeningprocessforsubstanceabuse,fortheprotectionofpatients,faculty,staff,andstudents,theSchoolofNursinghastherighttorequireastudenttosubmittotestingforsubstanceabuseatthestudent’s


28

expensewhenafacultymemberorpreceptorhasreasonablecausetobelievethestudentisundertheinfluenceofalcoholorotherdrugsincluding: 1.Abnormalconductorerraticbehavior,absenteeism,tardinessordeteriorationinperformance. 2.Evidenceoftamperingwithadrugtest. 3.Informationthatthestudenthascausedorcontributedtoharmofself,visitors,staff,orapatient/clientwhileundertheinfluenceofdrugs. 4.Evidenceofinvolvementintheuse,possession,sale,orsolicitationofdrugs.

ConfidentialityThecriminalbackgroundreportand/orstatusofthedrugscreenwillbeheldinthestrictestconfidence;onlythoseindividualswhohaveaneedtoknowrelatedtothestudent’senrollmentandacademicprogress(e.g.clinicalagencyplacement)willhaveaccesstothisinformation.

E-MailPolicyAllUniversityofMobileofficialcommunicationswiththestudentwillbeprovidedthroughtheUME-Mailaddressthatisassignedtothestudentuponofficialadmissionandenrollment.Allofficialinformationincludingbutnotlimitedto,studentbilling,faculty-studentcommunications,courseregistration,financialaidinformation,studenthandbookchanges,etc.)willbesenttothestudentsemailaddressrepresentingofficialnotification.TheUniversityacceptsnoresponsibility,foranyforwardingofemailthatthestudentmaychoosefromtheirofficialUMemailaccount.TheUniversityisonlyresponsibleforensuringthatemailgetstothestudent’semailaccountthatismaintainedbytheUniversity.AllstudentsareresponsibleformonitoringtheirUMemailaccountfrequently(atleasttwicedaily).OnlyofficialUniversityofMobileemailaddresseswillbeusedforcommunicationfromtheSchoolofNursing.

GraduationApplicationandRequirementsDegreesofMasterofScience(MS)areawardedtonursingstudentswhohavecompletedallrequiredcoursesintheirrespectivecurriculaandarestudentsingoodstandingattheUniversity.StudentsmustsubmitaformdelineatingintenttograduateformtotheRegistrar’sOfficeduringthesemesterbeforetheygraduate.Thedeadlineforthisapplicationispublishedeachsemesterontheuniversitywebsiteand/orisavailableintheRegistrar’sOffice.


29

HealthHistoryEachstudentmustcompleteaHealthHistoryformanduploadittoCastleBranchannually.StudentswithoutacompleteHealthHistoryformwillnotbepermittedtobegintheirclinicalrotations,resultinginimmediatecoursewithdrawal.

ImmunizationsHealthcareworkers,includingstudentsparticipatinginclinicalexperiences,areatriskforcontractingavarietyofcommunicablediseases.TheCenterforDiseaseControl(CDC)hasspecificrecommendationsforhealthcareworkers,inadditiontotheusualadultimmunizationrequirements,tobetterprotecthealthcareworkersandthepopulationstheyserve.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrequiresitsstudentstoprovidevalidationofcertainimmunizationsand/orimmunitiespriortothestartoftheclinicalcomponentandpriortoclinicalplacements.Allclinicalsitesrequireproofofimmunizationsand/orimmunitiesrequiredbytheprogrampriortoclinicalplacement.Studentswhofailtoprovideproofofimmunizationsand/orproofofimmunityrequiredbyclinicalsiteswillnotbepermittedtoparticipateinclinicalexperiencesthatarenecessaryforprogramcompletion.ItisalsopossiblethatsomeclinicalagenciesmayrequireimmunizationsinadditiontothoserequiredbytheUMSchoolofNursing.

REQUIREDIMMUNIZATIONSMeasles,Mumps,&Rubella(MMR)

Oneofthefollowingisrequired:two(2)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterforall3componentsordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,vaccinationsarerequired.

Tetanus,Diphtheria,andPertussis(Tdap)

DocumentationofTdapwithinthelastten(10)yearsordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Thenextactiondatewillbesetforten(10)yearsfromtheadministereddateofthevaccine.

HepatitisBseries

Oneofthefollowingisrequired:three(3)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Iftheseriesisinprocess,thenextactiondatewillbesetaccordingly.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,additionalvaccinationsarerequired.

Varicella

Oneofthefollowingisrequired:two(2)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,additionalvaccinationsarerequired.

Tuberculosis APPD-Mantouxtest(onestep)isrequiredannually.IfPPDispositive,orstudenthasprevioushistoryofapositivetuberculinskintest,anormalchestx-rayisrequiredwithin12months,unlesshistoryofINHtherapyisdocumented.Repeatchestx-raysarenotneededunlessstudentdisplayssymptomsor


30

signsofTBorahealthcarepractitionerrecommendsarepeatchestx-ray.ThehealthcareproviderperformingtheannualphysicalshouldscreenforsignsandsymptomsofTB.AstudentmaychoosetodoabloodtestinsteadofaPPD.IfthebloodtestispositiveforTB,thestudentmustprovidewrittendocumentationfromahealthcareproviderdefiningtreatmentandreleasetoworkinaclinicalsetting.Thisisanannualrequirementforallstudentnurses.

Annualinfluenza(Flu)vaccine

Submissionofdocumentationofaflushotadministeredforthecurrentfluseasonordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Thenextactiondatewillbesetforone(1)year.

WaiverofReceiptofRequiredImmunizationsIfastudentisunabletoreceivetherequiredimmunizationsduetoamedicalcontraindication,theymustprovidedocumentationbyalicensedhealthcareproviderthattheyareunabletofulfilltherequirement.Studentsmaynotprovidewaiverdocumentationfromafamilymemberoracloserelative.UploadingRelevantInformationtoTrackerServiceStudentsaresuppliedwithdetailedinstructionsonhowtosubmitthecompleteddocumentstotheonlineserviceknownasCastleBranchwherestudentinformationandhealthrecordsareconfidentiallymaintained.Submittedmaterialsarereviewedtoverifythatthestudentiseligibleforparticipationintheclinicalcourses.Nostudentwillbepermittedinaclinicalagencywithoutsubmissionofawaiverorcompletelyfulfillingtheimmunizationrequirements.

LostandFoundAnyarticlesfoundinthenursingbuildingshouldbegiventotheSchoolofNursingadministrativeassistant.Ifastudenthaslostanyitem,aninquiryshouldbemadetoLynnelleKahalleyat251.442.2253ormailto:[email protected]

NetEtiquetteNetEtiquettedescribesprofessionalcommunicationandbehaviorsforonlinecommunicationandinteraction(email,discussionboardpostings,chats,blogs,etc.)toensureaforumfordynamicandengagedlearning.TheexpectationsforNetEtiquettearethatallstudentsarerespectfulandcourteousinallcommunications.Teachingandlearningprocessesworkbestwithfreeandopenexchangeofideas,yetinanelectronicsetting,withoutthebenefitoffacialexpressions,bodylanguageortonalcues,miscommunicationandmisunderstandingmayoccur.Studentsshoulddemonstraterespectandcourtesybywelcomingdissentingopinions,respectingpersonalprivacy,and/orcreatingormaintainingacultureofcivility.


31

Conductintheonlinesettingisasimportantasface-to-faceinteraction.Appropriatecommunicationcontributestotheperceptionofprofessionalism.Studentsshould:

• Havehonestandkindcommunication.• Useclear,concise,andappropriatelanguage.• Usepropertitlestoaddressothers(forexample,Dr.SmithorProfessor

Jones).• Bethoughtful,judicious,andprofessionalabouttheuseofemotions,

sarcasm,jokes,orhumor.• Re-read,proof,andeditcommunicationsanddiscussionboardpostings

beforeuploadingandsending.• Composewrittencommunication,discussionboardposts,orotheronline

assignmentsofflinebeforeposting.

ProctorFreeStudentsenrolledincourseswithexaminationsarerequiredbytheSchoolofNursingtotakeproctoredexamsonlinewithaservicecalledProctorFree.TheUniversityofMobilehasselectedthiscompanyforallon-linetesting.ProctorFreeisaneasyandeffectivewaytomaintainacademicintegrityintheclassroom.Thesoftwareprovidesascalable,online,on-demandexamproctoringservicethatcanbeaccessedbytesttakersatanytime.ProctorFreeauthenticatesthestudentusingfacialrecognitionandmaintainscontinuousidentifyverificationthroughouttheexam.Anotherfeatureisthatthesoftwaremonitorsforavarietyofevents,behaviors,andpatternstypicallyassociatedwithcheatingreferredtoasanomalies(http://www.proctorfree.com).Afterstudentscompletetheirexamination,adetailedandoptimizedreportoftheproctorsessionisemailedtothefacultymemberortestadministratorforreview.Highlightedinthereportaretheminuteandsecondwherecheating-likebehaviorsoccurredandallowthefacultymembertodetermineifthestudentwasinvolvedinacheatingbehavior(http://www.proctorfree.com).Fortesting,studentswillneedacomputerwithstandardinternetconnection,astandardmicrophone,andastandardWebcam.AdditionalinformationregardingtheprocessofusingProctorFreewillbedelineatedineachcoursesyllabi.

ProfessionalConductNursingprofessionalismiscomprisedofbehaviors,practices,andcommunicationstylesthatdemonstratecorevaluesofnursesworkingtoachieveoptimalhealthoutcomesinpatients,families,andcommunities.Thisincludesconductthatappliestheprinciplesofexcellence,caring,ethics,respect,communication,andaccountability.Studentslearntheseprinciplesthroughself-assessment,responsiblelearning,effectivecommunication,andcontinuousprofessionalengagement.


32

Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheGraduateNursingProgram.

PurposeofaSyllabusThecoursesyllabusisdesignedbytheinstructorasastudyguideandlearningaidforthestudent.Thesyllabusisnotintendedtobeconstruedasacontract,eitherexpressedorimplied.Theinstructorreservestherighttoalterthesyllabusasindicated.Studentswillbenotifiedbyemailofanychangesormodificationstothecoursecalendarorcourserequirementsasspecifiedinthesyllabus.

SchoolofNursingLocationandHoursofOperationTheSchoolofNursingislocatedonthesecondfloor(207and209OfficeSuite)intheWeaverBuilding.TheSchoolofNursingisopenfrom7:30AMuntil5:30PM,MondaythroughThursday.

SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicyThedefinitionof“socialmedia”isbroadandconstantlyevolving.ThetermgenerallyreferstoInternet-basedtoolsthatallowindividualstocommunicate;toshareinformation,ideas,personalmessages,images,andothercontent,andinsomecases,tocollaboratewithotherusersinrealtime.Socialmediaisalsoreferredtoassocialnetworking.Socialmediaandnetworkingincludesbutisnotlimitedto:

• Blogs,andmicro-blogssuchasTwitter• Socialnetworks,suchasFacebook• Professionalnetworks,suchasLinkedin• Videosharing,suchasYouTube,SecondLife,andvlogs(videologs)• Audiosharing,suchaspodcasts• Photosharing,suchasFlickr,Instagram,andPhotobucket• Socialbookmarking,suchasDiggandRedditt• UsercreatedwebpagessuchasWikisandWikipedia,and• Anyotherinternet-basedSocialMedia/SocialNetworkingapplicationsimilar

inpurposeorfunctiontothoseapplicationsdescribedabove.AllUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingstudents(clinical,didactic,research,teaching)mustadheretoregulationsprovidedbyHIPPA,HITECH,ANACodeofEthics,andassignedclinicalagenciespoliciesregardinganyusageofelectronicdevicesinoroutoftheclinicalorclassroomsetting.

• Permissionmaybegrantedbynursingfacultyorassignedpreceptorstouseelectronicdevicesforenhancinglearningintheclassroomorpatientcareenvironment.

Someelectroniccommunication,networkingand/orpostingsaresubjecttopublicview;therefore,studentsareresponsibleforallcontentandaresubjectto


33

disciplinaryactioniftheyengageinmisuseorabuse.Misuseofelectronicdevicesincludesbutmaynotbeallinclusive:

• Patientinformation• Communicationorpostingsofillegal,obscene,defamatoryand/or

slanderousstatements• Postingsofobscenephotosorvideos• Discreditingofanyperson(s)orgroup(s)

StudentsenrolledintheSchoolofNursingGraduateProgramareexpectedtobecompliantwiththeSocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy.Appropriateandprofessionalbehaviorsinclude:

• Maintainethicallyprescribedprofessionalboundariessurroundingthenurse-patientrelationshipintheonlineenvironmentinadditiontotheclassroom.

• FollowHIPAAguidelinesatalltimes.Identifiableinformationconcerningpatients/clinicalrotationsmustnotbepostedinanyonlineforumorwebpage.

• Reportpromptlyanyidentifiedbreachofconfidentialityofprivacytofacultyorotherappropriateauthority.

• Avoidtransmittingorplacingonlineindividuallyidentifiablepatientinformation.

• Protectconfidential,sensitive,andproprietaryinformation.Donotpostconfidentialorproprietaryinformationabouttheuniversity,staff,students,patients/clients,clinicalfacilities,orotherswithwhomonehascontactintheroleofaUniversityofMobilenursingstudent.

• Practicerestraintwhendisclosingpersonalinformationonsocialnetworkingsites.EvenseeminglyinnocuouspicturesandcommentscanimpacttherespectandtrustpatientsandothershaveforUniversityofMobilenursingstudents.

• Whenpostingyourpointofview,neitherclaimnorimplythatyouarespeakingontheUniversityofMobile’sbehalf,unlessyouareauthorizedtodosoinwriting.

• Understandthatpatients/clients,colleagues,peers,institutions,andemployersmayviewpostings.

InaccordancewiththeANACodeofEthics,itwouldbeinappropriateandunprofessionalforagraduatestudentto:

• Engageincommunicationwithpatients/clientsandtheirfamilymembersonsocialnetworkingsites.

• PostonbehalfoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingorasanofficialrepresentativeoftheSchoolofNursingwithoutwrittenapproval.

• Takeanypicturesinanyclinical,laboratory,orpracticesitewithoutwrittenapproval.


34

• Share,post,ortransmitanypersonalinformation,healthinformation,orimagesbywayofelectronicmedia.Sharingthisinformationisaviolationofpatient’srightstoconfidentialityandprivacy.

Considerations

• Studentsarelegallyliableforwhatispostedontheirownsiteandonthesitesofothers.Ifindoubt,practiceprofessionalrestraintanddon’tpost.

• PrivacydoesnotexistintheworldofSocialMedia/SocialNetworking.ConsidertheconsequencesifapostbecomeswidelyknownandhowitmayreflectonyoupersonallyaswellastheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursing.

• Considertheprofessionalimageyouwanttopresentandmakesurethatanycontentyoupostisconsistentwithyourprofessionalgoals.

SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicyMisuseDisciplinaryActionsDisciplinaryactionswillaccruethroughoutthestudentsclinical,skillslabs,classroomlearningexperiences,andonlinelearningopportunitiesandmayresultindisciplinaryactionand/orimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.Studentswhoshareconfidentialinformationareatriskofdisciplinaryactionincludingcoursefailureand/ordismissalfromtheprogram.Theremaybelegalramificationsforstudentswhobreachinstitutionalconfidentialityagreements.1.Firstpolicyviolation:

• NotificationoftheincidenttotheGraduateProgramChairandtheDean.• One-on-onemeetingwiththecoursefaculty.• ReviewoftheUMSchoolofNursingSocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy.• ActionsmayresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.

2.Secondpolicyviolation:

• One-on-onemeetingwiththeGraduateProgramChair.• ReviewofsaidinfractionandstatusintheSchoolofNursing.• ActionsmayresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.

3.Thirdpolicyviolation:

• ImmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.

StandardPrecautionsDuetothenatureofthepracticeofnursing,studentsmaycomeincontactwithpatientsorspecimenscapableofcausingdisease.Itisimperativethatappropriateinfectioncontroltechniquesandprecautionsbefollowed.Appropriatestandardprecautionsandneedleandsharpprecautions,asdefinedbytheCentersforDiseaseControlareadheredtobytheUMSchoolofNursing.Inordertolimittransmissionofbloodbornediseases,studentsarenotpermittedtoperforminvasiveproceduresonthemselvesorotherstudentsintheNursingSkillsLab.Invasiveprocedures


35

include,butnotlimitedto,anyformofinjectionorvenipuncture.Additionally,studentsmaynotpracticeinvasiveproceduresonthemselves,othersstudents,faculty,oragencystaffintheclinicalsetting.Studentsarepermittedtoperforminvasiveproceduresinclinicalcaresettingsonpatientswithdirectsupervisionoflicensedpersonnel.Despitecarefulandconscientiouspracticeofstandardprecautions,itcannotbeguaranteedthatstudentswillnotbeexposedtobloodorbodyfluids.AllstudentsshouldreadandadheretotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)BasicInfectionPreventionandControlandWorkerGuidelinesatwww.cdc.gove/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html.GeneralProcedureFollowingExposure,Illness,orInjuryIfanexposure/illness/injuryoccursduringstudentexperiences,thestudentisresponsibleforimmediatelyreportingtheincidenttotheclinicalfacultyandtotheagencywheretheincidentoccurred.Theinitialcarefollowinganyinjury,illness,orexposuretobloodorbodyfluidshouldbethesameprocedureusedforemployeesoftheagency.Regardlessoftheplaceforinitialcare(agencyorprivatemedicalprovider),thestudentorthestudent’sinsurancecarrierwillberesponsibleforanyandallchargesincurred.Thepost-exposureorfollow-upcareshouldbeconductedbythestudent’schoiceofprivatemedicalprovider.Allstudentsareencouragedtomaintainhealthinsurance.

StudentIDBadgesAllstudentsarerequiredtohaveanofficialUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingphotoI.D.badgeasameansofidentification.ThephotoIDbadgeshouldbewornandbevisibleonthestudent’slabcoatatclinicalsites.

StudentLeaveofAbsenceThefacultyrecognizesthenatureandthepaceoftheMaster’sprogramsarerigorousanddemanding.Theremaybetimeswhenthestudent’spersonal,family,financial,medical,orworksituationmayrequireaninterruptionintheplannedcourseofstudy.Thestudentrequestingaleaveofabsencemust1)submitawrittenrequestforaleaveofabsence,2)conferwiththecoursefacultyandtheGraduateProgramChair,and3)followreadmissionapplicationpolicyfortheMSNprogram.

TechnologyandComputerRequirementsTheFNPprogramisadistance-mediatedprogramofferedonlinethroughalearningmanagementsystem(LMS).AsofAugust2017,theUniversityofMobileismigratingfromE-LearningtoInstructureCanvas.Itispossiblethatasthistransitiontakesplace,thestudentmaytakeclassesinbothplatforms.


36

ThemechanismofdeliveryfortheGraduateFamilyNursePractitionerProgramwillbeasanasynchronousonline/distanceeducationprogramwithmandatoryon-campusFocusSessionstwiceacalendaryear(referredtoas“Intensives”).Participationinonlinecoursesrequiresthestudenttohaveaccesstoacomputerandbeingabletosendandreceiveemail.TheUniversityofMobileprovidesanemailaccountforeverystudent.Yourprofessor’smustbeabletocorrespondwithyouthroughemailandmayrequireyoutocommunicatewithyourclassmatesthroughemail.CoursefacultyandclinicalpreceptorswilluseyourUMstudentemailaccountforallemailcommunicationunlessotherwisespecified.Byenrollinginanonlinecourse,thestudentisgrantingthefacultypermissiontoposttheirnameandemailaddressonthecoursewebsiteandotherwisedistributethatinformationtootherstudentsintheclass.UniversityofMobile’snetworkenablesaccesstoexternalfacilities,systems,andothernetworksoverwhichUniversityofMobilehasnocontrol,includingcapabilities,whichareincidentaltoprovidingsuchaccess.SomeoftheseresourcesmaynotsupporttheUniversityofMobile’sgoalsandobjectives.AlthoughtheUniversityofMobiledoesnotexerciseeditorialorcensorshipcontrolofsuchexternalresources,theUniversityofMobileexpectsthattechnologywillnotbeusedforpurposes,whichareimmoral,illegal,orinconsistentwiththemission.TheUniversityofMobileInformationTechnologyDepartmentmonitorsfacultyandstudentforSpamEmail.Inappropriateusesoftechnologyinclude,butarenotlimitedtothosespecificallyprohibitedbylocal,state,orfederallaw.Withoutlimitation,examplesofinappropriateusesoftechnologyinclude:

• Sendingofharassing,threatening,orobscenematerialtominorsand/ornon-consentingadultsoranyattemptstoconfuseorfrustrateanotheruserinachievingtheirobjectives.

• Randomorunauthorizedbulksendingormailingofmessages.• Inappropriateuseofaccess.• UnauthorizedreleaseofinformationandviewingofUniversityofMobile’s

dataoutsideofinstitutionalobjectives.• Anydisregardforthesecuritymechanismsthatareinplaceorother

attemptstogainunauthorizedaccesstotechnicalresources.Thisincludespossessionoforattemptstoacquireanotheruser’spasswordorallowingothersaccesstotechnologyresourcesthatarenotallocatedfortheiruse;

• Malicioustransmissionofacomputervirus.


37

Studentsareexpectedto:• UtilizetheUMemailsystemastheprimarymeansofcommunicationfor

universityissuesbetweenthestudent,faculty,andstaff.Toensureaqualitylearningexperiencestudentsareexpectedtochecktheiremailatleasttwicedailyandrespondtofacultywith48hoursofaninitialemail.

• PracticegoodNetiquettethroughouteachcoursebydemonstratingrespect.• Assurethatcomputerhardwareandrequiredsoftwareisinstalled.• Assumeaself-motivated,independent,andengagedlearningrole.• Meetcoursedeadlines.• Maintainconfidentialityregardinginformationcommunicatedrelatedto

patients,employers,andotherstudents.• Obtaincourseworkmissedduetointerruptionininternetserviceor

technologyfailure.Extensionofassignmentdeadlineswillbeconsideredatthediscretionofthefaculty.

Giventhenatureofonlinelearning,andinconsiderationofthesoftwareprogramsrequiredforstudentsinthegraduateprogram,thefollowingisalistofminimumcomputerspecifications.Pleaseensurethatyourcomputermeetsorexceedstheserequirements,andthatyouhaveaccesstoallrequiredsoftwareandhardwarecomponents.COMPONENT MINIMUMREQUIREMENTPCUserOS Windows10orhigherMacUserOSX Intelprocessor,OSXversion10.11.6Internet BroadbandconnectionstronglyrecommendedRAM 4GBRAMCompatibleWebBrowser GoogleChromeHardware Speaker,WebcamDesktopSoftware(forPCorMacHardware)

MicrosoftOffice2010orhigher,Word,PowerPoint,Excel,AdobeReader

TheUniversityofMobileemphasizestheabilitytoutilizecomputerskillsalonewithvarioussoftwarepackagesintheeducationalsetting.Computerskillsneededtosucceedinthenursingprogramincludewordprocessingalongwiththeuseofinternetandemail.MicrosoftWordandGoogleChromearerecommended.

TobaccoUseandSmokingPolicyTheSchoolofNursinghasavitalinterestinmaintainingasafeandhealthyenvironmentforitsstudentsaswellasmaintainingsafeandhealthfulconditionsforitspatients/clients.Nursingstudentsarenotpermittedtousetobaccoproducts(includingelectroniccigarettes,asthevaporscontainthetoxinnicotine)whenactingasarepresentativeoftheSchoolofNursing.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,anyclinicalfunction,anytimethestudentisinprofessionaldresswearingtheirmonogrammedlabjacket.Studentsarenotpermittedtosmokeorusetobaccoin


38

anyformatwhenattendingaprofessionalfunctionrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.

TransportationRequirementsStudentsareresponsibleforarrangingtheirowntransportationtoallrequiredon-campusvisits(includingFocusSessions)andtoallclinicalpracticesitesandforreleasingtheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingand/oraffiliatedinstitutionsfromliabilityforanyaccidentsinwhichtheymaybeinvolvedwhiletravelingtoandfromtheselearningexperiences.StudentsalsomustreleasetheUniversityfromliabilityforanyaccidentsen-routebetweentheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingandotherinstitutionsandlocalitiestoparticipateinlearningexperiences.

TyphonElectronicStudentTrackingSystemStudentsenrolledintheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramarerequiredtopurchaseandutilizetheTyphonNursePractitionerStudentTrackingSystem(NPST)softwareinallclinicalcoursesaswellassomedidacticcourses.TyphonNPSTsystemisweb-based,HIPAAcompliantandallowsstudentstoquicklyandeasilydocument:1)clinicaltimelogs,2)patientencounterinformationsuchasdemographics,clinicalinformation,diagnosisandprocedurecodes,medications,andbriefclinicalnotes,and3)achievementofprogramcompetencies(https://www.typhongroup.net/np).ThenecessaryclinicalandpatientinformationshouldbeenteredintotheTyphonLogwithinthree(3)daysfollowingeachclinicalday.Typhonissettolockstudentsoutfromenteringanyinformationafterthethree(3)daytimeperiod.FacultywillmonitortheTyphonlogsregularlytoensurethatstudentsarecompletingtheirclinicalhoursandhaveappropriateclinicalexperiences.Lateentrieswillnotbeaccepted(https://www.typhongroup.net/np).Attheendofeachsemester,studentsmustprovideasummaryoftheirclinicaltimetothecoursefacultymember.

UnicheckPlagiarismDetectionTheUniversityofMobile’sSchoolofNursinghighlyvaluesacademicintegrityandiscommittedtothefundamentalvalueandobligationofpreservingacademichonestyamongourstudents.TheUniversityofMobileusesUnichecksoftwareasaformativeprocesstohelpstudentsdevelopandimprovescholarlywritingskills,whilepromotingacademichonesty.Thisproductisusedtoidentifyplagiarismandtohelpstudentswriteacademicpapersmoreskillfully(http://www.unicheck.com).


39

Inadditiontodeterminingthepercentageof“originality”and“similarity”inthesubmittedpaper,thesoftwarealsohasotherimportantfeaturessuchasspellchecker,grammarchecker,onlineediting,andautomatictipsforpropercitation(http://www.unicheck.com).AppropriatereferencesfortheuseofUnicheckPlagiarismDetectionwillappearinthecoursesyllabus.

UniversityRulesandRegulationsforConductTheGraduateStudentHandbookexplainstherulesandregulationsoftheUniversity,definesstandardsofpersonalandacademicconductexpectedofstudents,describesdisciplinaryproceduresandactions,andexplainshowstudentsmayhavegrievancesheardandremedied.


40

SECTIONIV:ACADEMICPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESAcademicIntegrityPolicyTheUniversityofMobilehasestablishedapolicyforstudentsregardingacademicintegrity.TheSchoolofNursingadherestothispolicyasitrelatestoacademicdishonestybynursingstudents.StudentsattendingtheUniversityofMobileareexpectedtoreflectahighstandardofacademicintegrityandconductinaccordwithbasicChristianprinciplesandthemissionoftheUniversity.Anystudentfoundtobedisruptiveinclass,orcopying,plagiarizing(withorwithoutanintenttodeceive),cheating,engaginginunauthorizeduseofatest,forgingorfalsifyingrecords(selforpatient;university,orclinicalagency),orlyingtoafacultymemberinordertocompleteacourseassignmentwillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.ThefollowingareviolationsofAcademicIntegrityPolicy1.Cheating:

• Unauthorizeduseofanymaterials,notes,sourcesofinformation,studyaidsortoolsduringanacademicexercise.Nocellphone,calculators,palmcomputersorhatsallowedduringexams.

• Unauthorizedassistanceofaperson,otherthanthecoursefacultyduringanacademicexercise.

• Unauthorizedviewingofanotherperson’sworkduringanacademicexercise.

• Unauthorizedsecuringofalloranypartofassignmentsorexaminationsinadvanceofthesubmissionbythefaculty.

2.Fabrication/Falsification:Theunauthorizedinventionoralterationofanyinformation,citation,dataormeansofverificationinanacademicexercise,officialcorrespondenceofauniversityrecord,clientrecord,orotherprofessionaldocumentation.

• Failuretoreporterrorsintheclinicalarea.• Falsifyingpatient/clientrecordsbychartingincorrectdataorremovingdata.• Releasingconfidentialinformationaboutpatients/clientstopersonswhodo

nothavetherighttosuchinformation.• Rude,abusive,orunprofessionallanguagetopatients/clients,agency

personnel,faculty.• Jeopardizingapatient’s/client’ssafety.

3.Plagiarism:Submittingasone’sownworkorcreatinganymaterialoranideawhollyorinpartcreatedbyanother.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:

• Oral,writtenandgraphicalmaterial.• Bothpublishedandunpublishedwork.


41

• Anymaterial(s)downloadedfromtheinternet.4.Complicity:Helpingorattemptingtoassistsomeonetocommitanactofacademicdishonesty.

• Conveyingtestinformationtootherstudents.• Reproducinginformationinduplicateforcourseassignments.

5.Unprofessionalbehavior(verbalorwritten,virtualorlive):

• Disrespectfultofaculty,staff,orpeers.• Useofinappropriatelanguage.• Lackofaccountabilityorresponsibilityforactions.• Disregardingthewell-beingandneedsofpatients:actsofcommissionor

omissionthatcouldadverselyaffectthepatient,e.g.,medicationerrors,failuretoprovidesafeandappropriatecare,failuretofollowpreceptor/facultyinstructions,breachofclientconfidentiality.

• Discriminatoryorculturallyinsensitivebehavior.6.AcademicPerformance:Anyreasonthatmayplacethestudentatriskfordismissalsuchas:

• Insufficientorlackofacademicskillstosupportsuccessfulcompletionofgraduateprogramofstudy.

• Inconsistentorminimalparticipationincoursework.• Poorwritingorverbalcommunicationskills.• Frequentrequestsforexceptionsorspecialaccommodationsnotrelatedtoa

documenteddisability.Eachfacultymemberhastheresponsibilityofdefiningacademicexpectationsatthebeginningofeachsession.Ifafacultymemberdiscoversastudentviolatingtheacademicintegritycode,theymusteither1)assignagradeof“0”forthetestorassignmentiftheinfractionrelatestoanacademicassignment;and/or2)refertheincidenttotheGraduateFacultyCommittee.Aftercommitteememberscompletetheinvestigation,theincident,alongwithsupportingevidence,istobereportedinwritingtotheVice-PresidentforAcademicAffairswithacopymailedtothestudent.TheofficeoftheVice-PresidentforAcademicAffairsdetermineswhethertheincidentisthestudent’ssecondoffenseand,ifso,refersthemattertotheAcademicAffairsCommitteefordisciplinaryaction.Astudentfoundguiltyofasecondoffenseissubjecttoacademicsuspensionforuptooneacademicyear.Athirdoffensewillresultinacademicdismissal.Thestudentisentitledtoappealanycaseinvolvingallegationsofacademicdishonestyormisconduct,inkeepingwiththeappealprocessasoutlined.Falsificationofmedicalrecordsmayhavelegalconsequencesforwhichthestudentmaybeheldaccountable.


42

AcademicMisconductAcademicintegrityisaresponsibilityofeachstudentattendingtheUniversityofMobile.Plagiarism,cheating,falsifyingrecords(selforpatient,university,orclinicalagency),lyingandanyotherofacademicdishonestyareintolerable.TheGraduateFacultyCommitteewilldisciplineanystudent,participatinginanyformofacademicdishonesty,afterathoroughreview.

AcademicProbationAllgraduatestudentsmustmaintainaGPAofatleast3.0tobeconsideredingoodstandingandtobeeligibleforgraduation.Astudentwho’sGPAfallsbelow3.0afterattemptingtwelveormoresemesterhoursoncourseworkwillbeplacedonacademicprobationforthenextsemester.Whileonacademicprobation,thestudentisresponsibleforschedulingregularmeetingswithhisadvisor.Thesemesterthestudentisonprobationaminimumgradeofa“B”andasemesterGPAof3.0mustbeachieved.ThestudentwillremainonacademicprobationuntiltheoverallGPAisgreaterthan3.0.Studentswhofailtoattainthe3.0GPAduringtheprobationaryperiodaresubjecttodismissalfromtheirprogram.Studentswhoearntwo“C”gradeswillbedismissedfromtheirprogram.TheSchoolofNursingreservestherighttorequirewithdrawalfromnursingofanygraduatestudentwhosehealth,academicrecord,clinicalperformance,orbehaviorisjudgedunsatisfactoryorpotentiallyunsafe.

Adding,Dropping,orWithdrawingfromClassesDuringspecifiedperiodseachsemester,studentsmayadd,droporwithdrawfromacourse(seetheAcademicCalendarpagefromtheRegistrar’sOffice).Studentsmustconsultwiththeacademicadvisorpriortoadding,dropping,orwithdrawingfromacourse.Ifastudentchosestodropacourseafterthelastofficialdaytodropacourse,agradeof“F”willberecordedonthestudent’stranscript.StudentswhowithdrawfromaFNPspecialtycourse(NU510,FamilyNursePractitionerI:CareofChildren;NU511,FamilyNursePractitionerII:CareofAdults;NU512,FamilyNursePractitionerIII:CareofWomen;and/orNU513,SpecialtyFocusPracticum)willbeunabletoapplycompletedclinicalhourstothetotalrequiredclinicalhoursforgraduationfromtheFNPprogram.Studentsmustrepeattheentireclinicalcourseregardlessofthejunctureofwithdrawalorthereasonforthewithdrawal.


43

AdmissionPaths

• RegularAdmissionAdmissionisgrantedtostudentswhohavecompletedallrequirementsoftheapplicationprocessandwhohavedemonstratedanacceptablelevelofacademicachievementintheirundergraduatedegreeprogram,includingmeetingprogramspecific,minimumGPArequirementsanddemonstratingpreparednessforworkatthegraduatelevelintheirfieldofspecialization.

• EarlyAssuranceAdmission

AcademicallyexcellentundergraduatestudentsmaybeeligiblefortheMSNEarlyAssuranceAdmission,anacceleratedpathwaytotheMSNdegree.ThisprogrampermitsstudentsintheUniversityofMobileBSNprogramtoapplyforadmissiontotheMSNandhavetheirplacereservedinthehighlycompetitiveMaster’sofScienceinNursingprogram.InclusioninthisprogramiscontingentuponmaintainingaGPAof3.0,successfullycompletionofNCLEX,andevidenceofleadershipandprofessionalbehaviorthroughouttheBSNprogram.

AdmissionStandardsandRequirementsApplicationsforadmissiontotheMasterofSciencedegreetracksmustmeetallUniversityrequirementsandbeacceptedforadmissiontograduatestudybytheSchoolofNursing.Uponacceptanceforgraduatestudybytheuniversity,studentsmaythenapplytotheSchoolofNursingforadmissiontothegraduateprogram.AdmissiontotheSchoolofNursingiscompetitiveandwillbebasedonevaluationoftheapplicant’soverallacademicqualifications.TheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingacceptsstudentsonthebasisofacademicqualifications,character,andevidenceofthepotentialtobenefitfromtheuniversityexperience.TheUniversityacceptsallqualifiedapplicantswithoutregardtorace,religion,placeofnationalorigin,sex,age,orethnicgroup.AdmissionRequirementsfortheMaster’sPrograminEducation/AdministrationBSNtoMSNTrack:

• Submissionofapplication.• Submissionofofficialtranscriptsofallcollegecourseworkfromall

institutionsattended.• InternationalStudents

o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideanevaluationfromCommissiononGraduatesofForeignNursingSchools(http://www.cgfns.org)forpreviousnursingcoursework.

o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideevaluationfromWorldEducationServices(http://www.wes.org)forprevious


44

non-nursingcoursework.o InternationalstudentsmustshowproofofEnglishproficiency.

ApplicantsshouldrequestthatofficialTOEFLtestscoresbesentdirectlytoEnrollmentServices.

• CompletionofBSNdegreefromaregionallyaccreditededucationinstitution.• MinimumcumulativeGPAof2.5.• MustholdandmaintainanunencumberedlicensetopracticeasaRegistered

Nurse.• Submissionofaclearbackgroundcheck.• SubmissionofHealthHistoryandrecordofrequiredimmunizations.• ApersonalinterviewwiththeGraduateAdmissionsCommitteeoftheSchool

ofNursingmayberequired,ifrequested.AdmissionRequirementsfortheMaster’sPrograminFamilyNursePractitionerBSNtoMSNTrack:

• Submissionofapplication.• Submissionofofficialtranscriptsofallcollegecourseworkfromall

institutionsattended.• InternationalStudents

o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideanevaluationfromCommissiononGraduatesofForeignNursingSchools(http://www.cgfns.org)forpreviousnursingcoursework.

o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideevaluationfromWorldEducationServices(http://www.wes.org)forpreviousnon-nursingcoursework.

o InternationalstudentsmustshowproofofEnglishproficiency.ApplicantsshouldrequestthatofficialTOEFLtestscoresbesentdirectlytoEnrollmentServices.

• CompletionofBSNdegreeinNursingfromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitution.

• MinimumcumulativeGPA3.0onlast60hoursofacademiccoursework.• MustholdandmaintainanunencumberedlicensetopracticeasaRegistered

NurseinwhichthestudentwillcompleteFNPclinicalexperiences.• Minimumofone(1)yearofclinicalexperiencepreferredbutnotrequired.• Submissionofaclearbackgroundcheck.• SubmissionofHealthHistoryandrecordofrequiredimmunizations.• SubmissionofrecordofAmericanHeartAssociationBLSHealthCare

ProviderCertification.• ApersonalinterviewwiththeGraduateAdmissionsCommitteeoftheSchool

ofNursingmayberequired,ifrequested.OtherItemsNeeded:

• Threereferenceformsfrom:


45

o Acurrentclinicalsupervisorornursemanagerwhohasdirectknowledgeoftheapplicant’sskillsintheclinicalsettingandhowtheywilltranslateintotheFamilyNursePractitionerrole.

o Aprofessor,facultymemberoracademicadvisorwhocanprovideameaningfulassessmentoftheapplicant’sacademicrecord.

o Apracticingclinicalnurseprofessional,orAPRN,whohasservedasamentorandcanspeakabouttheapplicant’sabilitiesasanurseandpotentialtobecomeaFamilyNursePractitioner.

• CurrentCurriculumVitaorResumeisrequired.Thedocumentshouldinclude:o Educationalbackgroundincludinginstitutions,degree(s)awarded,

degree(s)inprogress,datesofdegree(s)awardedand/oranticipateddateofreceivingdegree(s).

o Relevantemploymenthistory,including:§ Jobtitle,jobdescription,andrelevantdutiesperformed.§ Employmentdatesofeachposition.

o Communityserviceorvolunteerexperience.o Anyawards,publications,presentations,memberships,orhonors.o Evidenceofleadershipandcareerprogression.

• Personalstatementofnomorethantwopagesdiscussing:o Howyourpreviouseducation,experienceandprofessionalinterestshave

preparedyoutobesuccessfulintheFamilyNursePractitionerProgram.

o Yourprofessionalgoalsandhowcompletingthefamilynursepractitionertrackwillhelpyouachieveyourprofessionalgoals.

o Yourunderstandingofthefamilynursepractitionerroleandyourintentionsregardingserviceinprimarycarepractice.

o Howhaveyoupreparedforsuccessinthisprogram.o Youressayshouldbeclear,succinct,anddouble-spaced.

RequiredPre-requisites

• StatisticsifnotsuccessfullycompletedinBSNdegree.

AdvisingResponsibilitiesAdvisingisanintegralpartofthestudentexperienceattheUniversityofMobile.Itisacollaborativeprocessinwhichstudentsareexpectedtoassumeprimaryresponsibilityfortheiracademicplanningwhilefacultyadvisorsprovideexpertiseandsupportintheprocess.Astudentacceptedintooneofthegraduatenursingprogramswillbeassignedafacultyadvisor.Uponenrollment,eachstudentisassignedafacultyadvisortoassistthestudentwithacademicconcerns,planningtheprogramofstudy,andassuringthatgraduationrequirementsaremet.Priortothefirstsemesterofgraduatestudy,thestudentwillmakeaplanofstudywiththeiradvisor.Educationisultimatelytheresponsibilityofthelearner,buttheadvisor’sinputtothestudent’splanofstudy


46

andsemesterscheduleenhancesstudentawarenessofhoweachcoursecontributestooverallprogresstowardsgraduation.ResponsibilitiesoftheFacultyAdvisorinclude:

• Developanindividualizedplanofstudywiththestudenttomeetthestudent’sacademicprofessionalgoalsbasedoncurrentcurricularguidelines.

• Communicatewiththestudenttofacilitateregistration(e.g.,discusschangesincourses,overallprogram,approvecourseselections).

• Keepinformedofstudentprogressthrough:a.Communicatingwiththestudent.b.Communicatinganddiscussingprogresswithotherfacultymembers.c.Monitoringgradesandacademicstandingeachsemester.d.Referringthestudenttotheappropriatecampusresourcesifrequested.

e.CommunicatingwiththeDeanand/ortheAcademicVice-Presidentforcoursewaivers,transfercredits,andcoursesubstitutions.

ResponsibilitiesoftheStudentAdvisee:

• Clarifywiththefacultyadvisortheirpreferredmethodofcontact(emailortelephone),virtualorofficehours,andwhentoexpectaresponsetoemailorvoicemail.

• Communicatewiththefacultyadvisoranyconcernsregardingcourseregistration.

• Contactthefacultyadvisoriftheywishtochangethesequenceoftheirplanofstudy.

• Communicatewiththefacultyadvisorincaseofacademicdifficulty,interruptioninprogram,orpotentialchangeinacademicstatus.

• ContactthefacultyadvisoriftheircumulativeGPAforthesemesterislessthan3.0.

• Contactthefacultyadvisorforquestionsaboutcampusresourcestoassistthemwiththeiracademicwork.

• Maintainregularcontactwiththefacultyadvisorviaemail,telephone,orface-to-facemeetings.

ComprehensiveExaminationforMSNEducation/AdministrationStudentsDuringthelastsemesteroftheMasterofScienceinNursing(MSN)Education/Administrationprogram,acomprehensiveexaminationwillbegivenincorporatingconceptsfromNursingEducation,NursingAdministration,andResearch.ThecriteriafortakingtheComprehensiveExaminationinclude:1)thestudentmustbeabletocompletealldegreerequirementsattheendofthesemesterinwhichtheexamisgiven,and2)thestudentmusthaveaminimumofa3.0GPAinallcoursestakenwithinthemajor.Theexaminationwillbescheduledbythegraduatefacultyandstudentswillbegivenatleasttwo(2)monthsnotification.


47

Thetestwillbereadbyapanelofthreegraduatefacultymembersandwillbegradedas“Pass”or“Fail.”Studentsmustpasstheexamination(s)toqualifyforgraduation.Theexaminationmayberepeatedonetime.

DismissalfromtheGraduateProgramWhenastudentisrecommendfordismissalfromthenursingprogram,theGraduateProgramChairwillprovideawrittennotificationofdismissal.Studentswillberecommendedfordismissalfromthegraduatenursingprogramunderthefollowingconditions:

• Earningagradelessthana“B”intwodifferentnursingcoursesorinonerepeatednursingcourse.

• Withdrawingfrommorethantwonursingcourses.• Exhibitingconductthatisunprofessional,incompetent,unethical,orillegalin

theclassroomorclinicalsettingsasoutlinedbytheAmericanNurses’AssociationCodeforNursesand/orSchoolofNursingclinicalpolicies.

• Cheatingoncourseexaminations,plagiarismorimproperdocumentationorfalsificationofclinicalrecordsoractivities.

• TheSchoolofNursingretainstherighttopermanentlydismissfromtheprogramanystudentwhoisdeemedtoviolatethepoliciesandproceduresoftheSchoolofNursing;policiesandproceduresofclinicalandaffiliatingfacilities;professionalbehavior;and/orpoliciesofconfidentiality.

EvaluationofNursingProgramsThefacultybelievesthatasystematicongoingevaluationisessentialtothedevelopmentofaneducationallysoundacademicprogram.Methodicalevaluationpromotesthesearchforeffective,efficient,andinnovativeapproachestolearningandresultsinthecontinuingimprovementoftheeducationalprogram.Itprovidesabasisformakingdecisionsregardingprogrammodificationsandchanges,resultinginthecontinuingimprovementoftheeducationprogram.Thepurposesofprogramevaluationareto: 1.Determinetowhatextentstudentsarepreparedtomeettheobjectivesoftheprofessionalprogram. 2.Promotecontinuousimprovementintheoverallprogram. 3.Encouragepersonal/professionalgrowthandresponsibilityoffacultyandstudentsthroughparticipationintheevaluationoftheeducational program.Studentsparticipateintheevaluationprocessbyprovidingwrittenevaluationsofallnursingcourses.StudentsalsohaveopportunitiestoshareinformationthroughstudentrepresentativesontheGraduateFacultyCommitteeandthroughotherinformalchannelsofcommunication.Studentsarealsoaskedtocompleteanend-of-programevaluationatthetimeofgraduation.


48

GradingGradesareearnedthroughcompletionofcourserequirements.Pointsareawardedbasedonthelevelofachievementofexpectedoutcomes.Earnedpointsforeachlearningactivity(examination,writtenassignment,presentation,etc.)arepostedontheMyUMGradebookthroughthecourse.Studentsareresponsiblefortrackingtheirownprogress.Questionsorconcernsregardinggradesearnedshouldbeaddressedtothecoursefacultywithinoneweekofthegradeposting.Thereisnoroundingoftest/examgradesinthenursingprogram.Allgradeswillberecordedthroughtheonehundredth(e.g.81.27,68.50,80.10).Attheendofthecoursethegradeswillbeaveragedasspecifiedinthecoursesyllabuswiththefinalgradedeterminedtothenearestonehundredth(79.98wouldnotbeconsideredapassinggrade).Finalgradeswillnotberoundedupordown,i.e.,89.99%willbeassignedagradeofa“B”.Extracreditopportunitiesarenotavailableatthegraduatelevel.Coursegradesareearnedbythestudentbasedonanaccumulationoftotalpossiblepointsinacourse.Thisisindividualizedbasedupontheinstructor’splanforthecourse.Someassignmentsmayberecordedasapercentageofthetotalgrade.Iftherearequestionsorconcerns,thestudentshouldrefertothecoursesyllabusandconsultthecoursefacultymember.Theinstructormakesthefinaldecisiononatest/examgrade.Ifthestudentbelievesacoursegradeisunfair,thismaybediscussedwiththeinstructor,theGraduateProgramChair,andtheDean.ThestudentappealprocessshouldbefollowedintheappropriatesequenceandisoutlinedintheSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbook.

GradingScaleAgradeofB(80%)orbetterisrequiredtopassgraduatelevelnursingcoursesintheSchoolofNursingattheUniversityofMobile.Finalgradesarecomputedaccordingtothefollowingstandardbasedonatotalof100%.A 90-100B 80-89C 70-79D 60-69F <60


49

TheGradePointAverage(GPA)iscalculatedbytheregistrar’soffice:A 4PointsB 3PointsC 2PointsD 1PointF 0Points

GrievancePolicyandProcessTheSchoolofNursingfollowsaGrievanceProcedurefortheresolutionofformalstudentcomplaintsorconcerns.FormalcomplaintsmustbemadeinwritingtotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandtheGraduateProgramsChair.Theformalcomplaintmustincludespecificinformation,includingthenatureofthecomplaintandevidencesupportingofthecomplaint.Aninvestigationisinitiatedwithinseven(7)daysofreceipt.Incasesofallegedarbitrary,inconsistent,ordiscriminatorygrading,thefollowingreviewprocesswillbefollowedintheSchoolofNursing:1.Inon-campuscourses,thestudentwillrequestameetingwiththecoursefacultytoreviewthebasisforthegrade.Inonlinecourses,thestudentwillrequestanonlineortelephoneconferencewiththefacultytoreviewthebasisforthegrade.2.Ifthestudentisnotsatisfiedwiththemeetingorconferencewiththecoursefaculty,themayappealtotheGraduateProgramChair.TheGraduateProgramChairwillseektomediatetheissuebetweenthestudentandthecoursefaculty.3.IfthestudentisunsatisfiedwiththefindingsandrecommendationsbytheGraduateProgramChair,thestudentmayappealtotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursing.TheDeanwillmeetwiththestudent,conferwiththecoursefacultymember,andthenmakethefinaldecision.Thestudentshouldbenotifiedofthedecisionwithinfourteen(14)daysofsubmissionoftheirformalcomplaint.

IncompleteGradePolicyAwrittenrequestforagradeofincomplete(“I”)isinitiatedbyastudentwhenstudentsareunabletocompletetheworkforacourseduetoreasonsbeyondtheircontrol(hospitalization,seriousphysicalandmentalhealthissues,deathofspouse/child/parents),etc.).Thegradeof“I”isonlygivenincaseswheretheincompleteisunavoidableandlegitimate.Studentsmayberequiredtoprovideformaldocumentationtosupportanincompletegraderequest.Studentsmaynotrequestanincompleteduetofailingcoursegradesorpoorcourseperformance.An“IncompleteGradeForm”thatincludesthereasonfortheincomplete,theworkthatmustbecompletedtoearnafinalcoursegradeandtherequiredcompletiondateisgeneratedwhenan“I”issubmittedasacoursegrade.Thecompletiondatemustbenolaterthanthelastdayofthenextscheduledacademicterm.The“I”isatemporarygradeandwillbeautomaticallyconvertedtoan“F”ifthecoursehasnot


50

beencompletedbytheendofthenextscheduledacademicterm.Extensionsbeyondonescheduledtermarenotallowedforgraduatecourses.Studentswhoseekanincompletegradewillnotbepermittedtocontinueintheircurriculumsequenceuntiltheincompletegradeisconvertedtoanumericalgrade.

LimitationinCompletionofRequirementsGraduatestudentsintheMSNEducation/AdministrationTrackmustcompletealldegreerequirementswithinsix(6)years.GraduatestudentsintheFamilyNursePractitionerTrackmustcompletealldegreerequirementswithinasix(6)yearperiod.Timelimitsshallbecomputedfromandincludethefirstsemesterofcreditappliedtothedegreeprogram.Studentswhodonotenrollfortwo(2)consecutivesemestersaresubjecttoallprogramrequirements,policies,andguidelinesinplaceatthetimeofre-enrollment.

On-CampusFocusSessionsforFamilyNursePractitionerProgramAnon-campusFocusSessionisscheduledtwiceanacademicyeartoprovidehands-onlearningexperiencewithopportunitiestomeetfacultyandbecomeacquaintedwithcohortclassmateswhileengaginginlearningactivitiesandcompletingcompetencyrequirements.Focussessionsextendoveraperiodof1-4fulldays,8:30AMto4:30PM.FocusSessionsaremandatorytoachievecourseexpectationsandprogramoutcomes.FailuretosatisfactorilycompletearequiredFocusSessionwillresultinthedelayofprogramprogression.AllFNPstudentsareemailedcompleteFocusSessiondetailswellinadvanceofeachsession.Studentsareresponsibleformakingtheirownhousingandtransportationarrangements.Therearenohousingfacilitiesavailableoncampus.Alistofhotelrecommendationsmayberequested.TheSchoolofNursingprovidescontinentalbreakfastandluncheachday.AlluniversityfacilitiesareavailabletostudentsduringtheFocusSessions.Thecomputerlabisopenandfreeforstudentuse.WirelessaccessisalsoavailablethroughouttheSchoolofNursingbuilding.

ProgressionWithintheSchoolofNursing,studentsmustfulfilltherequirementsfortheoretical/didacticandclinicalcoursecomponentsofthegraduatecurriculum,demonstrateacademicintegrityandethicalconduct,andmaintainalevelofhealthwhichcontributestotheirmeetingcourseobjectives.ThefacultyintheSchoolofNursingwillimposeacademicprobationordismissstudentsfromthegraduatenursingprogramsasdeemedappropriate.Progressionoccurswhenastudentsuccessfullycompletesandpassesallcoursestakenintheacademicsemester.


51

Academicprobationmaybeimposedtomonitorandsupportthestudent’sprogressionthroughthegraduateprogramofstudy.StudentsenrolledinagraduatenursingprogramattheUniversityofMobilearerequiredtomaintainacumulativegradepointaverage(GPA)of3.0inallcoursestakentowardthedegree.Studentsnotmeetingtheminimumacademicstandardwillbeplacedonacademicprobation.Gradesof“C”orBelowInadditiontomeetingthe3.0GPArequirementforgraduation,graduatestudentsmusthavenomorethanone(1)gradeof“C”.Studentsearningagradeof“C”willreceiveawrittenacademicwarningandwillbeplacedonacademicprobation.Studentsearningasecondgradeof“C”inaconcurrentorsubsequentcoursewillbeacademicallydismissedandwillbeineligibletoapplyforreadmissiontoanygraduateprograminnursingattheUniversityofMobile.Studentsearningagradeofa“D”or“F”or“Unsatisfactory”willreceiveanacademicdismissalandwillbeineligibletoapplyforreadmissiontoanygraduateprograminnursingattheUniversityofMobile.

ReadmissionafterDismissal/AppealStudentswhohavemorethantwo(2)C’swillnotbeconsideredforre-enrollment.Dismissalsduetoacademicmisconductorgradesof“D”or“F”arenoteligibletoappealforreadmission.Studentswithdrawingfrommorethantwo(2)nursingcourses,exhibitingunprofessionalorillegalbehaviorsintheclassroomorclinicalsetting,and/orviolatingacademicintegritypolicywillnotbeeligibletobeconsideredforre-enrollmentorreadmission.

ReadmissionAfterVoluntaryWithdrawalorTransferAstudentwholeavestheuniversityand/orSchoolofNursingingoodstandingthroughvoluntarywithdrawalorastudentfromanothernursingprogramwholeftingoodstandinganddesirestotransfertotheUniversityofMobilenursingprogrammaybeevaluatedforreadmissionunderthefollowingcircumstances:1.CompleteanapplicationforreadmissiontotheSchoolofNursing.2.Atthetimeofapplicationforreadmission,submitastatement,whichaddressesthereasonforthewithdrawalortransfer,outlineswhatwillbedonebythestudenttoensuresuccessintheSchoolofNursing,anddiscusseswhythestudentshouldbegivenconsiderationbere-admitted.Thestatementmustbewrittenbythestudent.3.ThestudentwillberequiredtohaveapersonalinterviewwiththeGraduateAdmission’sCommitteeandDean.Thestudent’scompleteacademicrecord,includingallclinicalevaluationswillbereviewed.


52

4.Readmissionisnotautomaticorguaranteed.Studentswillbeconsideredaspartofthetotalapplicantpool.5.Therequirementsforcompletionofprogram/majorrequirementswithinsix(6)yearsofinitialenrollmentwillbeineffectforreadmittedstudents.Studentswhohavenotbeenre-enrolledforatimeperiodlongerthantwo(2)consecutivesemestersmustreapplyforadmission.Studentpetitionsforreactivationwillbeconsideredonlyonetimeduringtheirprogram.StudentsapprovedforreadmissionmaybeplacedonprobationarystatusatthediscretionoftheGraduateProgramChairandtheGraduateFacultyCommittee.

RegisteringforClassesNewlyadmittedorre-enrolling(thosewhoarenotcurrentlyenrolled)graduatestudentsshouldenrollincoursesduringdesignatedUMregistrationperiods.Studentsareresponsibleforcontactingtheirfacultyadvisoreachsemestertoregisterandenrollincoursesaccordingtotheirprogramofstudy.Thedatesforregistrationarewidelypublicized.

• UponacceptanceintheUMSchoolofNursing,studentsneedtoconsultwiththeacademicadvisortodevelopaprogramplanspecifictotheirdegreeprogramandareaofstudy.

• StudentsmusthaveanapprovedprogramplanonfileintheUMSchoolofNursing.Thestudent’sacademicadvisormustapproveanychangeintheprogramplan.

• Anychangeintheprogramplanmayresultinthecourse(s)beingunavailableandmaydelaygraduation.

• AllgraduatestudentsmustregisteronthecomputerthroughMyUM(SeeMyUMforFirst-TimeUsers.)

TheMSNcurriculaaresubjecttochangebaseduponprofessionaloraccreditationstandardsand/ornationalcertificationrequirements.Studentswillbenotifiedwhenchangesoccur.

ResearchComponentforMSNEducation/AdministrationTrackEachstudentintheMasterinScienceinNursing(MSN)Education/AdministrationTrackmustcompleteathesisoraresearchproject.TheproposalforeitherthethesisortheresearchprojectwillbestartedinNU504,ResearchMethodology.AllstudentsmustcompleteNU504oritsequivalentpriortoregisteringforNU598,ResearchProjectorNU599,Thesis.CompletedpapersmustbewrittenintheAmericaPsychologicalAssociation(APA)format.StudentsshouldpurchasetheAmericanPsychologicalPublicationManual,latestedition,forusethroughoutthegraduatecurriculum.Thethesisorresearchprojectshouldbeinprogressbythefallsemesterpriortothespringgraduation.


53

Thethesisortheresearchprojectproposalmustfirstbeapprovedbythefacultyresearchadvisor/thesiscommitteeandthenbytheUniversityofMobileInstitutionalReviewBoard(IRB)priortoregisteringforNU598orNU599.TheSchoolofNursingrequiresthatallstudentsinvolvedinhumansubjectsresearchcompletetheIRBformtoensuretheprotectionofhumanresearchsubjects.Theprojectadvisororcommitteechairmanwillassistthestudentinsettingrealisticcompletiondatesforeachstepintheresearchprocess.Studentsshouldsubmittypedworktotheiradvisororcommitteeatleastten(10)workingdaysbeforeseekingfeedback.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoseekfeedbackfromthefaculty.Thefinalpaperwithallthirty(30)dayspriortothelastdayofthesemester.Theoraldefenseofathesismustbescheduledatleasttwo(2)weekspriortothelastdayofthesemester.

ResearchProjectTheresearchprojectisascholarlyendeavor,designedandimplementedbythestudent.ThecoursefacultywilldisseminatetheResearchProjectGuidelines.Three(3)semesterhoursofgraduatecreditmaybegrantedfortheresearchprojectoption.Thestudentisassignedanadvisorfromthegraduatenursingfaculty.Theadvisormustapprovethefinalresearchproject.Completedresearchprojectsmustbesubmittedinjournalformataccordingtoguidelinesofanappropriateprofessionalrefereednursingjournal.

ThesisAthesisgivesevidenceofastudent’sabilityinresearch,interpretationofdata,anduseofastandardformat.ThecoursefacultywilldisseminatetheThesisGuidelines.Three(3)semesterhoursofgraduatecreditmaybegrantedforthethesisoption.Anoraldefenseofthethesisisrequired.Thethesiscommitteeofthreeistobeselectedbythestudentfromthegraduatefaculty.ThechairmanandatleastoncommitteemembermustbefromtheSchoolofNursingfaculty.ThecommitteeandtheGraduateProgramChairmustapprovethecompletedthesis.


54

SECTIONV:CLINICALPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESAdministrativeDropPolicyforFailuretoSubmitClinicalPracticeRequirementsItisimperativethatallgraduatestudentsareincompliancewithclinicalpracticerequirementsforCodeofConduct,Immunizations,RNLicensure,CPRcertification,CriminalBackgroundCheckandDrugScreen,etc.Studentsenrolledinacoursethatcontainsaclinicalcomponent(i.e.,hasclinicalhoursrequiredaspartofthecourse)arerequiredtoensureallrequirementsaresubmittedandareuptodate.Studentswhofailtosubmitorupdateindicatingevidenceofcompliancewithrequireditemswithinthefirstweekofthesemestermaybeadministrativelydroppedfromtheclinicalcourseforwhichtheyareregistered.ThecourseinstructororGraduateProgramChairmayinitiatetheadministrativedropprocessifastudentdoesnotuploadallrequireddocumenttoCastleBranch.Theprocessforadministrativelydroppingastudentforfailuretosubmitevidenceoftheaboverequirementswillbeasfollows:

1.TheAdministrativeAssistantintheSchoolofNursingwillprovideacompliancereporttotheGraduateProgramChairtheweekbeforethesemestertermcommences.IfastudenthasfailedtosubmitthedocumentsrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing(completeanduptodate),thecourseinstructorwillcontactthestudentviaUMemail,remindingthestudentofthesubmissionrequirementandnotifyingthestudenttheyareoutofcompliance.Thestudentwillbegivenseven(7)daystosubmittherequireddocuments.

2.Ifthestudentfailstorespondtotheemaildirectiveorfailstosubmittherequireddocumentsornotifiesthecourseinstructoroftheirintenttorectifythesituation,theinstructorwillnotifytheGraduateProgramChairandtheSchoolofNursingDeanrequestingthatthestudentbeadministrativelydroppedfromthecourseandthattheiraccesstothecourseberemoved.

ClinicalAgencyAgreementsTheUMSchoolofNursinghasalegalresponsibilitytohavewrittenagreementswitheachagencyusedforclinicalpractice.TheClinicalAgencyAgreementsareestablishedandmaintainedthroughtheofficeoftheSchoolofNursingDean.TheagreementsdelineatetheUniversity’sresponsibilitywiththeclinicalagencieswhenstudentsandfacultyarepresent.TheUMSchoolofNursingandclinicalagenciesassumesharedresponsibilitiesforthestudents’educationalexperiencesintheclinicalsetting.Selectedportionsoftheclinicalagreementdirectlyrelatedtostudentresponsibilityareasfollows:


55

• Theuniversitywillinstructallnursingstudentsassignedtotheclinicalagencyregardingconfidentialityofmedicalrecordsandpatient/clientdataimpartedduringtheeducationalexperience.

• Theuniversitywillnotallowstudentstoparticipateinclinicalexperienceswhohavenotdocumentedtheirproofofimmunizationfortetanus,diphtheria,andpolio;HepatitisBseries;TuberculinSkinTest(chestx-rayifappropriate);proofofimmunitytorubella,chickenpoxandMMR.

• Iftheclinicalagencydeemsastudent’sperformancetobeunsatisfactoryanddetrimentaltoitshealthcareresponsibilities,itmaysuspendthestudentfromutilizingtheclinicalagencyforclinicalexperience.Thefacultywillconductaninvestigationanddecideappropriatedisciplinaryaction.

• ThenatureofthiscooperativeagreementissuchthateachpartyundertakesobligationstotheotherwithoutpassageoffundsbetweentheUniversityandtheclinicalagencyorbetweenthepersonneloftheirrespectivestaffs.

Studentsareresponsibleforsecuringtheirownclinicalplacementswithintheirgeographicalregion.Clinicalexperiencesaredoneinthestudentsgeographicalareabasedontherequirementsofthecourse.ClinicalexperiencesfortheFNPprogramwillbedoneinprimarycareandclinicsettings.Studentswhoresideinruralareasmayhavelimitedoptionsinsecuringclinicalplacement,andstudentswholiveinanareathathasnumerousgraduatenursingprogramsmayhavemorecompetitioninsecuringclinicalplacements.Studentsmustsubmitforapprovaltheirchosenclinicalsiteatleastsixty(60)dayspriortothebeginningoftheirclinicalexperience.ThistimeisneededtoensurethatUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingcansecureaClinicalAgencyAgreementwiththehealthcareinstitutionifonedoesnotcurrentlyexist.Theprocesscanbetimeintensivebecauselawyersfrombothinstitutionsmustapprovetheaffiliationcontract.AClinicalAgencyAgreementmustbesignedandonfileattheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingpriortoanyclinicalactivity.Thisagreementmustbeinplaceforeachclinicalsite,wherehands-oncareisprovided,nomatterhowmanyhourswillbecompletedatthesite.

ClinicalAttendanceandAbsencePolicyAllstudentsarerequiredtonotifytheirfacultyand/orpreceptor’softheirabsencefromaclinicalexperience.Thestudentwilladheretothefacultyand/orpreceptor’srequestfornotification,contactingthembytelephone,email,ortextmessage.Facultyand/orpreceptorsshouldbenotifiedofthestudent’sabsenceatleasttwo(2)hourspriortotheirscheduledclinicaltime(i.e.,studentduetocommenceworkat9:00am,thefacultyandpreceptorshouldbenotifiedby7:00am).StudentsintheGraduateNursingProgramareexpectedtoexemplifyprofessionalbehaviorsandappropriatenotificationoftheirclinicalabsenceisrequired.Studentswhofailtotimelyandappropriatelynotifytheirfacultyandpreceptorwillreceiveawritten


56

reprimandthatwillbeplacedinthestudent’spermanentrecord.Repeatviolationswillresultindisciplinaryactions,includinggradepenalty.

ClinicalCourseExpectationsThestudentmustbepreparedforallclinicallearningopportunities.Thestudentmustcomplywithclinicalcourseexpectations:1. AssurethatthereisaClinicalAgencyAgreementinplacewiththeclinicalsiteprior

toperforminganyclinicalrotations.2. Arriveontimetoallclinicalrotationexperiences;beingwell-restedandprepared.3. Properlyidentifyyourselftoallpatientsandotherhealthcareprovidersasa

UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingFamilyNursePractitionerstudent.4. AdheretotheSchoolofNursingprofessionaldresscodeandwearacleanedand

pressedlabcoatwiththeschoolidentificationbadgeinclearview.5. ParticipateinclinicalpracticeasaFamilyNursePractitionerstudentonlyunder

thesupervisionanddirectionofanapprovedpreceptorand/oraUniversityofMobilefacultymember.

6. Activelyseeklearningexperiencesguidedbytheapprovedpreceptor.7. Performonlyapprovedproceduresthatarewithinthescopeofpracticeasa

FamilyNursePractitionerandonlyunderthedirectsupervisionofanapprovedpreceptorand/orfacultymember.

8. Elicitanappropriatehealthhistoryandperformacomprehensivephysicalexaminationinaprofessionalmanner.

9. Identifyandrespondappropriatelytoabnormalfindingsfromthehistoryandphysical,physicalexamination,andotherdiagnosticdata.

10. Verifyanddiscussallfindings,suspecteddiagnoses,recommendedtreatment,andplansofcarewiththepreceptorpriortoimplementation.

11. Documentfindingsinaconcise,organized,andaccuratemannerusingcorrectmedicalterminologyandclinicalagencyorinstitutionalguidelines.

12. Alwaysmaintainpatientconfidentiality.13. Providehealthpromotionanddiseasepreventioneducationtopatientsacrossthe

lifespaninanappropriatemanner.14. RecognizethatsomeproblemsareoutsidetheFamilyNursePractitionerscopeof

practice;identifywhenaclientshouldbereferredtoaphysician,specialist,orotherhealthcarefacilityformanagement.

15. Collaboratewithotherhealthcareprofessionalsincoordinatingcareasneeded.16. Recognizeemergencysituationsandinitiateeffectiveemergencycarewhen

needed.17. Communicateeffectivelywithpreceptor,faculty,andothermembersofthehealth

careteam.18. Notifyyourfacultymemberandpreceptorimmediatelyforanyproblems,issues,

orconcernsthatariseintheclinicalarea.19. Demonstratebehaviorthatisbothethicalandprofessionalatalltimes.20. Demonstratesafetyatalltimesinclinicalpractice.


57

21. DocumentclinicalandpatientinformationintotheTyphonNursePractitionerStudentTrackingSystemwithinthreedays(3)ofeachclinicalday.

ClinicalHourRequirementsforMSNEducation/AdministrationCoursesTheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrecognizesthatclinicalpracticerequirementsareessentialtotheeducationofnursesinadvancedpracticenursingroles.SpecificcourseswithintheEducation/AdministrativeProgram(NU531,AdministrationofNursingPracticumandNU541,TeachingNursingPracticum)requirestudentstoparticipateinclinicalexperiencesatanacceptedclinicalsitewithanapprovedpreceptor.Studentsmustcompleteatotalofninety(90)clinicalhourspercourse.Allclinicalhoursaretobecompletedduringthesemesterinwhichthestudentisenrolled.Noclinicalhoursmaybecompletedafterthelastdayofthecourse.Studentsshouldbeprudentandtimelyinsecuringclinicalsites.

ClinicalHourRequirementsforFamilyNursePractitionerCoursesTheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrecognizesthatclinicalpracticerequirementsareessentialtotheeducationofnursesinadvancedpracticenursingroles.FamilyNursePractitionerstudentsarerequiredtocomplete560faculty/preceptorsupervisedclinicalhoursintheirprogramofstudy.Thesehoursaredividedintospecialtiesasdescribedineachclinicalcoursesyllabus(NU510,FamilyNursePractitionerI;NU511,FamilyNursePractitionerII;NU512,FamilyNursePractitionerIII,andNU513,SpecialtyFocusPracticum).Clinicalhoursmustbespentwithanapprovedpreceptor,atanapprovedsite.TheMSN-FNPcoursesthatincludeclinicalexperienceopportunitiesare:NU510FamilyNursePractitionerI:CareofChildren(160clinicalhours)NU511FamilyNursePractitionerII:CareofAdults(160clinicalhours)NU512FamilyNursePractitionerIII:CareofWomen(160clinicalhours)NU513SpecialtyFocusPracticum(80clinicalhours)TheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation(CCNE),supportstherequirementofaminimumof500superviseddirectpatientcareclinicalhoursinaFNPprogramto“addressNursePractitionercompetenciesinthepreparationoftheNProleandpopulation-focusedarea”(KeyElementII-EoftheCCNEStandardsforAccreditationofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingPrograms,2016).DirectPatientClinicalhoursaredefinedbytheNationalTaskForce(NTF),CriterionIII.E(2016)as“hoursinwhichdirectclinicalcareisprovidedtoindividualsandfamiliesinoneofthesixpopulation-focusedareasofNPpractice;thesehoursdonotincludeskilllabhours,physicalassessmentpracticesessions,oracommunityprojectifitdoesnotincludeprovisionofdirectpatientcare.Clinical


58

experiencesandtimespentineachexperienceshouldbevariedanddistributedinawaythatpreparesthestudenttoprovidecaretothepopulationsserved.”Tocompletethe160clinicalhoursrequiredforNU510,NU511,andNU512,studentsmustplantospendanaverageoftwo(2)daysaweekattheirapprovedclinicalsite(approximately12-15hoursaweek).Often,preceptorsmaytakeadayoffforavacation,illness,holiday,orforapersonalissue.Itisimportantthatstudentsplantheirschedulesaccordinglytoensurethattheyareabletocompletetheclinicalhourrequirementwiththedesignatedtimeframe.Indirectclinicaltime(e.g.,on-campusactivitiesorparticipationinFocusSessions)andsimulationhoursarenotcountedinthetotalnumberofhoursrequiredforadvancedpracticecertification.Clinicalhoursmustinvolvedirectcontactwithpatients/clients.AccordingtotheNationalTaskForceonQualityNursePractitionerEducation,CriterionIII.E.,“Simulationexperiencesmayonlybecountedasclinicalhoursoverandabovetheminimum500directpatientcareclinicalhours.”

Therefore,studentsshouldnotcounton-campusactivitiesasclinicaltimeforspecialtyclinicalcourses(NU510,NU511,NU512,andNU513).Clinicaltimedoesnotincludeluncheons,observinghospitalrounds,orseeingpatientsoutsideoftheassignedpatientpopulationfortheassignedcourse.“Directpatientcareinvolvesassessment,diagnosis,treatment,andevaluationofarealclient/patient,notsimulationsorlabexerciseswithtrainedpatientactors”(NTFCriteria,2016).Allclinicalhoursaretobecompletedduringthesemesterinwhichthestudentisenrolled.Noclinicalhoursmaybecompletedafterthelastdayofthecourse.

ClinicalPracticeExperiencesTheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducationdefinesclinicalpracticeexperiences“asplannedlearningactivitiesinnursingpracticethatallowstudentstounderstand,perform,andrefineprofessionalcompetenciesattheappropriateprogramlevel.Clinicalpracticeexperiencesmaybeknownasclinicallearningopportunities,clinicalpractice,clinicalstrategies,clinicalactivities,experientiallearningstrategies,orpractice”(CCNEStandardsforAccreditationofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingPrograms,2016).

ClinicalPracticePreparationStudentsareresponsibleforsecuringtheirownclinicalplacementswithintheirgeographicalregion.Clinicalexperiencesaredoneinthestudentsgeographicalareawithaperceptorselectedbasedontherequirementsofthecourse.ClinicalexperiencesfortheEducation/AdministrationProgramwillbedoneprimarilyinhospitalsoracademicsettings.ClinicalexperiencesfortheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramwillbedoneinprimarycareandclinicsettings.


59

Studentsmayutilizecurrentlyapprovedpreceptorsandagenciesintheirlocalarea,orsubmitnewpreceptorsandagenciesforreviewandapproval.Studentsmayfindthereiscompetitionforclinicalpreceptors;therefore,earlyplanningisimperative.Studentswhoresideinruralareasmayhavelimitedoptionsinsecuringclinicalplacementandstudentswholiveinanareathathasnumerousgraduatenursingprogramsmayhavemorecompetitioninsecuringclinicalplacements.Itisrecommendedthatstudentsstartplanningclinicalexperiencesatleastthesemesterpriortotakingthescheduledcourse.AClinicalAgencyAgreementmustbesignedandonfileattheUniversityofMobilepriortoanyclinicalactivity.Thisagreementmustbeinplaceforeachclinicalsite,wherehands-oncareisprovided,nomatterhowmanyhourswillbecompletedatthesite.

ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforEducation/AdministrationProgramThestudentandthecoursefacultymemberareresponsiblefordeterminingtheworktobedonetomeetthecourserequirements.Duringyourclinicalpracticumcourses(NU531AdministrationofNursingPracticumorNU541,TeachingNursingPracticum),thestudentisexpectedtomeetthefollowingrequirements:

• Discusscourseobjectivesandclarifygoalsforclinicalexperiencewithyourpreceptor.Provideawrittencopyofapprovedgoalsandobjectivestothepreceptorpriortothebeginningclinicalhours.

• Negotiateclinicalscheduleandactivities,asappropriate.Studentsshouldarriveinclinicalareasonthenegotiateddatesandtimes.

• Discussandprovidepreceptorwithcopyofthetoolusedtoassessyourclinicalperformance.

• ComplywiththepoliciesofthehealthcareagencyandtheUMSchoolofNursing,includingpre-clinicalcompliancepaperwork,training,professionalattire,andidentification.

• Maintainregularcontactwithfacultymemberandinformthecoursefacultymemberpromptlywhenproblemsrelatedtotheclinicalexperiencearise.

• Keepallscheduledappointmentswithpreceptorandfaculty.• MaintainarecordofclinicalhoursthroughTyphon.• MaintainnursingskillschecklistthroughTyphonandbringallrequired

equipmentthatisnecessaryforprovidingpatientcare(stethoscope,watch,mobiledeviceforreference,etc.).

• AdheretoallHIPPAandHITECHguidelinesofpatientconfidentiality.• Evaluatetheirpreceptorandclinicalsiteattheendoftheirclinical

experience.• Complete90clinicalhoursforNU531,AdministrationofNursing

Practicumandcomplete90clinicalhoursforNU541,TeachingNursing


60

Practicumaccordingtothepoliciesandguidelinesasstipulatedinthecoursesyllabi.

PreceptorResponsibilities• Agreestoserveasstudentpreceptor;actsasaprofessionalrolemodel,

resourceperson,andmentor.• CompletesandelectronicallysubmitsPreceptorApplicationtocourse

facultyonemonthpriortothestudentstartingclinicalhours.• Approvesandagreestojointlysetgoalsandobjectivesforthestudent’s

clinicalexperience,asappropriate.• Informsstudentandfacultyofavailablelearningactivitiesandprojects

likelytofulfillthestudent’slearningobjectives.• Encouragesinitiative,individuality,self-assessment,andincreasing

autonomy,asappropriate,bythestudent.• Sharesexpertisenecessarytofunctionintheclinicalsite.• Providesregularfeedbacktostudentregardingprogress,strengthsand

limitations.• Completesassessmentofstudent’sperformanceatmid-semesterandat

theendofthesemester.Submitsfinalstudentevaluationtofacultymemberwithinthespecifiedcoursetimeline.

• Confersroutinelywithfacultymemberdirectlyregardingstudent’sprogressduringtheclinicalexperience.Immediatelynotifiesthefacultymemberifthestudent’sperformanceisunsatisfactory.

• Electronicallysubmitsoremailsstudentevaluationdirectlytothefacultymember.Thestudentevaluationformmustbeonfilebeforecoursecompletion.

FacultyResponsibilities• Screens,approves,and/orassignsthepreceptor.• Assuresallclinicalrequirementsarecompletepriortostudentbeginning

clinicalhours.• Providescourseinformationtothepreceptor,toinclude,courseand/or

clinicalobjectives,coursetimeline,andassessmentcriteriaforstudent’sclinicalperformance.

• Monitorsstudentperformanceregularlyandidentifiesprogress,strengths,andlimitationsthatmayimpactstudent’scompletionoftheclinicalrequirements.

• Supervisesallclinicallearningopportunities.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughface-to-facemeetingsattheclinicalsite,employingtheuseoftechnologyforthepurposeof“visiting”thesite,meeting(usingvariousmodalities)withthestudentandpreceptortodeterminehowthestudentisprogressing.

• Contactsstudentsasneededduringthesemestertodiscusstheirclinicalperformanceandobtainmentofcourseobjectives.


61

• Contactsthepreceptorregardingthestudent’sperformanceaminimumofthree(3)timesduringthesemesterandasneeded.

• Utilizesavarietyofdata,includingpreceptorinputtoassignafinalcoursegrade.

ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforFamilyNursePractitionerProgramThestudentandthecoursefacultymemberareresponsiblefordeterminingtheworktobedonetomeetthecourserequirements.Duringyourclinicalpractice(NU510,FamilyNursePractitionerI:CareofChildren;NU511,FamilyNursePractitionerII:CareofAdults;NU512,FamilyNursePractitionerIII:CareofWomen;NU513SpecialtyFocusPracticum),thestudentisexpectedtomeetthefollowingrequirements:

• Discusscourseobjectivesandclarifygoalsforclinicalexperiencewithyourpreceptor.Provideawrittencopyofapprovedgoalsandobjectivestothepreceptorpriortothebeginningclinicalhours.

• Negotiateclinicalscheduleandactivities,asappropriate.Studentsshouldarriveinclinicalareasonthenegotiateddatesandtimes.

• Discussandprovidepreceptorwithcopyofthetoolusedtoassessyourclinicalperformance.

• ComplywiththepoliciesofthehealthcareagencyandtheUMSchoolofNursing,includingpre-clinicalcompliancepaperwork,training,professionalattire,andidentification.

• Maintainregularcontactwithfacultymemberandinformthecoursefacultymemberpromptlywhenproblemsrelatedtotheclinicalexperiencearise.

• Keepallscheduledappointmentswithpreceptorandfaculty.• Maintainclinicalhours,clinicalsite,andpreceptorinformationas

indicatedbythecourserequirementsthroughTyphon.• MaintainarecordofnursingthroughTyphonandbringallrequired

equipmentthatisnecessaryforprovidingpatientcare(stethoscope,watch,mobiledeviceforreference,etc.).

• AdheretoallHIPPAandHITECHguidelinesofpatientconfidentiality.• Evaluatetheirpreceptorandclinicalsiteattheendoftheirclinical

experience.• Complete160clinicalhoursforNU510,FamilyNursePractitionerI:Care

ofChildren;complete160clinicalhoursforNU511,FamilyNursePractitionerII:CareofAdults;complete160hoursforNU512,FamilyNursePractitionerIII:CareofWomen;andcomplete80clinicalhoursforNU513,SpecialtyFocusPracticumaccordingtothepoliciesandguidelinesasstipulatedinthecoursesyllabi.


62

PreceptorResponsibilities• Agreestoserveasstudentpreceptor;actsasaprofessionalrolemodel,

resourceperson,andmentor.• CompletesandelectronicallysubmitsPreceptorApplicationtocourse

facultyonemonthpriortothestudentstartingclinicalhours.• Approvesandagreestojointlysetgoalsandobjectivesforthestudent’s

clinicalexperience,asappropriate.• Informsstudentandfacultyofavailablelearningactivitiesandprojects

likelytofulfillthestudent’slearningobjectives.• Encouragesinitiative,individuality,self-assessment,andincreasing

autonomy,asappropriate,bythestudent.• Sharesexpertisenecessarytofunctionintheclinicalsite.• Providesregularfeedbacktostudentregardingprogress,strengthsand

limitations.• Completesassessmentofstudent’sperformanceatmid-semesterandat

theendofthesemester.Submitsfinalstudentevaluationtofacultymemberwithinthespecifiedcoursetimeline.

• Confersroutinelywithfacultymemberdirectlyregardingstudent’sprogressduringtheclinicalexperience.Immediatelynotifiesthefacultymemberifthestudent’sperformanceisunsatisfactory.

• Electronicallysubmitsoremailsstudentevaluationdirectlytothefacultymember.Thestudentevaluationformmustbeonfilebeforecoursecompletion.

• Submitsarecordofthestudent’sclinicalhours.

FacultyResponsibilities• Screens,approves,and/orassignsthepreceptor.• Assuresallclinicalrequirementsarecompletepriortostudentbeginning

clinicalhours.• Providescourseinformationtothepreceptor,toinclude,courseand/or

clinicalobjectives,coursetimeline,andassessmentcriteriaforstudent’sclinicalperformance.

• Monitorsstudentperformanceregularlyandidentifiesprogress,strengths,andlimitationsthatmayimpactstudent’scompletionoftheclinicalrequirements.

• Supervisesallclinicallearningopportunities.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughface-to-facemeetingsattheclinicalsite,employingtheuseoftechnologyforthepurposeof“visiting”thesite,meeting(usingvariousmodalities)withthestudentandpreceptortodeterminehowthestudentisprogressing.

• Contactsstudentsasneededduringthesemestertodiscusstheirclinicalperformanceandobtainmentofcourseobjectives.

• Contactsthepreceptorregardingthestudent’sperformanceaminimumofthree(3)timesduringthesemesterandasneeded.


63

• Utilizesavarietyofdata,includingpreceptorinputtoassignafinalcoursegrade.

ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforEducation/AdministrationProgramClinicalsiteselectioniscriticaltothestudent’ssuccessintheprogram.Thestudentshouldhavetheclinicalsiteinformationsubmittedtotheappropriatefacultyatleastsixty(60)dayspriortotheendofthesemesterbeforethenextclinicalcourse.ThistimeframemakesitpossiblefornursingfacultytodetermineifaClinicalAgencyAgreementcurrentlyexistsfortherequestedclinicalagencyand/ortimetosecurethecontract.Studentsarenotpermittedtoselectclinicalpracticeexperiencesattheircurrentplaceofemployment.Studentsmaynotworkunderthedirectionoftheirsupervisororasubordinate.Approvedpreceptorsmusthavenodirectpersonalorprofessionalrelationshipwiththestudent.

Ifthestudentisemployedbyalargehealthcaresystem,theclinicalexperiencescanbecompletedataseparateclinicalarea(“theexperiencesmustprovidetheopportunityforstudentstointegratenewknowledgeintopracticeandtheexperiencesmustbeappropriatetotheexpectedstudentlearningandprogramoutcomes”CCNE,KeyElementII,2016).

ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforFamilyNursePractitionerProgramClinicalsiteselectioniscriticaltothestudent’ssuccessintheprogram.Thestudentshouldhavetheclinicalsiteinformationsubmittedtotheappropriatefacultyatleastsixty(60)dayspriortotheendofthesemesterbeforethenextclinicalcourse.ThistimeframemakesitpossiblefornursingfacultytodetermineifaClinicalAgencyAgreementcurrentlyexistsfortherequestedclinicalagencyand/ortimetosecurethecontract.Studentsarenotpermittedtoselectclinicalpracticeexperiencesattheircurrentplaceofemployment.Studentsmaynotworkunderthedirectionoftheirsupervisororasubordinate.Approvedpreceptorsmusthavenodirectpersonalorprofessionalrelationshipwiththestudent.

Ifthestudentisemployedbyalargehealthcaresystem,theclinicalexperiencescanbecompletedataseparateclinicalarea(“theexperiencesmustprovidetheopportunityforstudentstointegratenewknowledgeintopracticeandtheexperiencesmustbeappropriatetotheexpectedstudentlearningandprogramoutcomes”CCNE,KeyElementII,2016).


64

Clinicalsiteselectionisdependentuponthepracticumexperienceforthestudent.Acceptablesitesmayincludephysicianofficesthatfocusonfamilypractice,internalmedicine,gynecological/obstetriccareorchildren;pediatricianclinics;hospitalbasedpediatricclinics;orurgentcareclinics.Specificinformationrelatedtopreceptorselectionwillbediscussedintheon-campusorientationheldinthefallsemesterandwillalsobeavailableineachclinicalcoursesyllabi.

IllnessorInjuryatClinicalStudentswhoareinjuredorbecomeillwhileprovidingpatientcarecompletingclinicalhoursmust:1.Notifythepreceptorandcoursefacultymemberimmediately.2.Followtheagency’spolicyandprocedureforinjuryorillness,ifappropriate.Studentsshouldrefrainfromreportingtotheclinicalareawhenill,experiencinganelevatedtemperature,experiencingnausea/vomiting,diarrheaoranyothersymptomindicativeofillnessordisease.Studentsshouldnotifythepreceptorandfacultymemberoftheirclinicalabsenceatleasttwo(2)hourspriortotheirassignedclinicaltime.Clinicalagenciesarenotcompelledtoprovidemedicalcarefreeofchargeforstudentswhobecomeillduringtheclinicalexperience.Studentsareresponsibleforanyexpense(s)incurred.Allstudentsareencouragedtomaintainpersonalhealthcarecoverage.

NursePractitionerCompetenciesCompetenciesarehigher-levelskillsthatrepresenttheabilitytodemonstratemasteryovercaremanagementandthatprovideafoundationfordecision-makingskillsunderavarietyofclinicalsituationsacrossallcaresettings(SeeAppendicesEF,andG).

PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforEducation/AdministrationProgramTheNurseEducator/AdministratorProgramreliesonclinicalpreceptorsfordirectsupervisionofthepracticeexperience.Preceptorsincludenurseeducatorsandnurseadministrators.ThesepracticingprofessionalsaretheexpertswhoguidethestudentsintheNurseEducation/AdministratorProgramwithday-todayexperientiallearning,rolemodelthemostappropriatewaystoapproachstudentsinaneducationoradministrativesetting,andprovidedfeedbackinavarietyofclinicalsettings.Servingasaclinicalpreceptorisanimportant,challenging,andrewardingactivity,whichrequirestime,attention,andconsistentavailabilitytostudents.Becausethecontributionofthepreceptorfacultyissocriticaltothequalityofthestudentnurseeducationoradministrationlearningexperience,itisessentialthatthefaculty-


65

student-preceptorrelationshipbebuiltonmutualrespect,professionalconcurrence,andclearcommunication.Itisthestudent’sreasonabilitytomakecontactwithapotentialclinicalagencytoexplorepreceptorshipopportunities(TheGraduateProgramChairandfacultymayassistintheprocess).Studentsshouldstartearlyinsecuringappropriatepreceptors.Whencontactingperspectivepreceptorsorclinicalsitemanagers,studentsshouldpresentthemselvesinaprofessionalmannerinbothdressandspeech.SelectionCriteria1.Thepreceptormusthaveacademicpreparationasnecessaryforthepositionofanurseeducatorornurseadministrator.2.Thepreceptormusthaveaminimumofthree(3)yearsofexperienceintheareaofclinicalspecialtyandrole.3.Thepreceptormustagreetoprovideopportunities,whichwillallowstudentstomeetcourseobjectivesandrequirements.4.Thepreceptormuststateaninterestinguidingthestudentthroughthepracticeexperience.5.Thepreceptormustmaintainanunencumberedregisterednurselicenseinthestateofpractice.6.Thepreceptormusthavepermissionfromtheiremployingagencytoserveasapreceptor.7.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingmusthaveonfileorsecureaClinicalAgencyAgreementforeachclinicalagency/institutionforwhichthepreceptorisemployed.Preceptorsareemployedinclinicalagencieswithsigned,currentclinicalagreementsmadebetweentheadministrationoftheUniversityofMobilecontractingonbehalfoftheUMSchoolofNursingandtheclinicalagency’sboardofdirectorsorexecutiveofficerauthorizedtosignonbehalfoftheagency’sgoverningbody.StudentscannotbeginclinicalexperienceswithahealthcareagencyorinstitutionorpreceptorwithoutfacultyapprovalandasignedcontractthathasbeenapprovedbytheUniversityofMobile.SelectionProcess1.Thestudent(withtheagreementofprospectivepreceptor)submitsthenameofpreceptorcandidatetothecoursefaculty.2.Theprospectivepreceptorsubmitsanabbreviatedvitaorresumeforreview(includeseducation,workexperience,certifications,andlicensure).3.Thecoursefacultyinterviewstheprospectivepreceptor,ifindicated,andreviewstheirvitaorresumetovalidatecredentialstoserveinthepreceptorrole.4.UponreceiptofthePreceptorApplication,thecoursefacultyandtheGraduateDepartmentChairwillevaluatetheappropriatenessoftheclinicalagencyandthequalificationsoftheclinicalpreceptor.


66

PreceptorResponsibilities1.ThestudentshouldsendlinkstothePreceptorApplicationandtheGraduatePreceptorGuidetotheirchosenpreceptor.2.ThepreceptorwillelectronicallysubmitthePreceptorApplicationformtothecoursefacultymember.

• Ifaclinicalagencycontractisneeded,thepreceptorsubmitstheagencynameandcontactinformationofthepersonresponsibleforsecuring/updatingaClinicalAgencyAgreementdocumentalongwiththePreceptorApplication.

AdditionalRequirements

• Education/Administrationtrackstudentsarerequiredtobesupervisedbyaminimumoftwo(2)differentpreceptorsduringtheirprogramofstudy(i.e.,studentsmaynotusethesamepreceptorforclinicalexperiencesinNU531andNU541).

• Studentswithoutapreceptorinplacewithin30dayspriortocommencementofclinicalcoursesNU531andNU541andwillbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.

• Studentswhofailtoprovidetheappropriateinformationanddocumentationregardingtheirselectionofpreceptorwithinthirty(30)daysandtheirselectionofclinicalsitewithinsixty(60)dayswillbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.

PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforFamilyNursePractitionerProgramTheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramreliesonclinicalpreceptorsfordirectsupervisionofthepracticeexperience.PreceptorsincludeFamilyNursePractitionersandPhysicians.ThesepracticingprofessionalsaretheexpertswhoguidethestudentsintheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramwithday-to-dayexperientiallearning,rolemodelthemostappropriatewaystoapproachstudentsinaneducationoradministrativesetting,andprovidedfeedbackinavarietyofclinicalsettings.Servingasaclinicalpreceptorisanimportant,challenging,andrewardingactivity,whichrequirestime,attention,andconsistentavailabilitytostudents.Becausethecontributionofthepreceptorfacultyissocriticaltothequalityofthestudentnurseeducationoradministrationlearningexperience,itisessentialthatthefaculty-student-preceptorrelationshipbebuiltonmutualrespect,professionalconcurrence,andclearcommunication.Itisthestudent’sreasonabilitytomakecontactwithapotentialclinicalagencytoexplorepreceptorshipopportunities(TheGraduateProgramChairandfacultymayassistintheprocess).Studentsshouldstartearlyinsecuringappropriatepreceptors.Whencontactingperspectivepreceptorsorclinicalsitemanagers,


67

studentsshouldpresentthemselvesinaprofessionalmannerinbothdressandspeech.SelectionCriteria1.ThepreceptormusthaveacademicpreparationasnecessaryforthepositionofaFamilyNursePractitionerorPhysician.2.Thepreceptormustbeactivelyinvolvedinclinicalpracticewithaminimumofthree(3)yearsofexperienceintheareaofclinicalspecialtyandrole.3.Thepreceptormustagreetoprovideopportunities,whichwillallowstudentstomeetcourseobjectivesandrequirements.4.Thepreceptormuststateaninterestinguidingthestudentthroughthepracticeexperience.5.Thepreceptormusthavepermissionfromtheiremployingagencytoserveasapreceptor.6.Thepreceptormustmaintainanunencumberedregisterednurselicenseinthestateofpractice.Thepreceptormustbeabouttoshowverificationoflicense.7.ThepreceptormusthaveFamilyNursePractitionercertificationfromeithertheAmericanNursesCredentialCenter(ANCC)ortheAmericanAssociationofNursePractitioners(AANP).8.Thepreceptormusthavepermissionfromtheiremployingagencytoserveasapreceptor.9.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingmusthaveonfileorsecureaClinicalAgencyAgreementforeachclinicalagency/institutionforwhichthepreceptorisemployed.Preceptorsareemployedinclinicalagencieswithsigned,currentclinicalagreementsmadebetweentheCuratorsoftheUniversityofMobilecontractingonbehalfoftheUMSchoolofNursingandtheclinicalagency’sboardofdirectorsorexecutiveofficerauthorizedtosignonbehalfoftheagency’sgoverningbody.StudentscannotbeginclinicalexperienceswithahealthcareagencyorinstitutionorpreceptorwithoutfacultyapprovalandasignedcontractthathasbeenapprovedbytheUniversityofMobile.SelectionProcess1.Thestudent,withtheagreementofprospectivepreceptor,submitsthenameofpreceptorcandidatetothecoursefaculty.2.AcceptablepreceptorsforclinicalpracticumexperiencesincludeFamilyNursePractitioners,CertifiedNurseMidwives,PediatricNursePractitioners,Physicians(MDorDO).Specificinformationrelatedtopreceptorselectionwillbediscussedintheon-campusorientationheldinthefallsemesterandwillalsobeavailableineachclinicalcoursesyllabi.3.Studentsshouldnotselecttheirownpersonalphysicianorarelativeasapreceptorforclinicalcoursesasthispresentsaconflictofinterestsituation.4.Theprospectivepreceptorsubmitsanabbreviatedvitaorresumeforreview(includeseducation,workexperience,certifications,andlicensure).5.Thecoursefacultyinterviewstheprospectivepreceptor,ifindicated,andreviews


68

theirvitaorresumetovalidatecredentialstoserveinthepreceptorrole.6.UponreceiptofthePreceptorApplication,thecoursefacultyandtheGraduateDepartmentChairwillevaluatetheappropriatenessoftheclinicalagencyandthequalificationsoftheclinicalpreceptor.PreceptorResponsibilities1.ThestudentshouldsendlinkstothePreceptorApplicationandtheGraduatePreceptorGuidetotheirchosenpreceptor.2.ThepreceptorwillelectronicallysubmitthePreceptorApplicationformtothecoursefacultymember.

• Ifaclinicalagencycontractisneeded,thepreceptorsubmitstheagencynameandcontactinformationofthepersonresponsibleforsecuring/updatingaClinicalAgencyAgreementdocumentalongwiththePreceptorApplication.

AdditionalRequirements

• FNPstudentsarerequiredtobesupervisedbyaminimumoffour(4)differentpreceptorsduringtheirprogramofstudy(forexample,studentsmaynotusethesamepreceptorforclinicalexperiencesinFNPcourses,NU510andNU512).Studentsareencouragedtoselectoneprimarypreceptorperclinicalcourse.Thisenhancesthestudent’sexposuretodifferentprescriptiveanddiagnosticapproaches.Oftenthereareseveralappropriateand“correct”approachestomanagingdifferentpatienthealthissues.

• StudentsshouldselectAPRNcertifiedpreceptorswheneverpossible.NationalTaskForce(NTF)CriterionIV.B.3(2016)states,“Thesupervisionofstudentsmaybesharedwithothercliniciansservingasclinicalpreceptors.Programsmayuseamixofclinicianstoprovidedirectclinicalteachingtostudentsappropriatetotherangeofclinicalexperiencesrequiredtomeettheprogramobjectives.Thismixofpreceptorsmayenhancetheinterprofessionalexperienceforthestudent…overthecourseoftheprogramthestudenthasclinicalexperienceswithanAPRNpreceptorandpreferablyanNPwithexpertiseinthepopulation-focusedareaofpracticeinprimarycareasappropriate”

• Itisrecommendedthatstudentsselectnomorethantwo(2)clinicalsitesperpracticum.Thisprovidescontinuitywiththepreceptorandgivesthestudentsomevarietyinpracticesettings.

• Studentswithoutapreceptorinplacewithinthirty(30)dayspriortocommencementofclinicalcoursesNU510,NU511,NU512,andNU513willbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.

• Studentswhofailtoprovidetheappropriateinformationanddocumentationregardingtheirselectionofpreceptorwithinthirty(30)daysandclinicalsitewithinsixty(60)dayswillbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.


69

ProfessionalBehaviorintheClinicalSettingStudentspresentthemselvesasambassadorsoftheUniversityofMobile,theSchoolofNursingandthegraduateprogram.Studentsareexpectedtoberespectfultopreceptors,faculty,staff,patientsandtheirfamilies.ReportsofunprofessionalbehaviorwillresultinthestudentbeingcounseledandissubjecttoreviewbytheSchoolofNursingDean.Examplesofunprofessionalbehaviorsincludedisorderlyconduct,inappropriateoroffensivelanguage,damageortheftofproperty,disruption,discrimination,behaviororconductadverselyreflectinguponthenursingprofessionortheSchoolofNursing.Studentsarepermittedtohavecellphonesbuttheyshouldremaininapocketintheirlabcoatandonvibrate.Personaltelephonecallsshouldnotbemadeinpatientroomsorreceivedinthepresenceofpatientsorfamilies.Eachstudentisrequiredtosendtheirpreceptor(s)athankyounoteusingUMSchoolofNursingletterhead(letterheadcanbeobtainedfromtheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant).Acopyofthelettermustbesentelectronicallytothecoursefacultymemberandwillbeincludedwiththefinalcourseevaluation.

ProfessionalDressintheClinicalSettingStudentsareexpectedtocomplywithdresscodepoliciesestablishedbytheSchoolofNursing,aswellasthepoliciesofindividualclinicalfacilitieswheretheyareassignedforclinicalpractice.Dresscoderequirementswillvaryamonghealthcareagencies.

• Studentsshouldwearappropriateprofessionalbusinessattire,includinga

whitelabcoat(clinicalsite-specificattire)withtheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinglogoembroideredonthefront,andphotoIDnamebadge.Professionalattireincludesdresspantsorskirtandconservativetop(shorts,jeans,open-toedshoesorlowcutshirtsarenotconsideredappropriateattire).

• Piercingsmustbelimitedtoonesmallearringinthelowerearlobe.Forsafetyreasons,studentmustrefrainfromwearinghoopsordanglingearrings.Earringsizeshouldnotexceed8mm.

• Fingernailsmustbecleanandneatlytrimmed(nomorethan¼inchlong).Artificialorpaintednails,gelnails,acrylicnailsarenotallowed.

• Visiblejewelryinbodypiercings,includingbutnotlimitedtonose,facial,ortonguestuds,ormultipleearpiercings(includingthoseintheupperearandeargauges)arenotpermitted.Nooraljewelryisallowed.

• Hairmustbeneatatalltimes.Hairofunnaturalcolor,aswellas,glitterspray,sequinsandothersimilarartificialadornmentsarenotpermissible.Devicesusedtorestrainhairaretobeunobtrusive.Longhairshouldbe


70

pulledbackorneatlyrestrainedsoitwillnotinterferewithnursingactivities.Trendssuchasmultiplecolors,shavedeyebrows,extremesinbleaching,dyeingortinting,dreadlocks,Mohawks,andlongspikedhair(coloredornatural)arenotappropriate.

• Tattoosorbodyartmustbecompletelycoveredandappropriatelyconcealed.

• Jewelry.Studentsmaywearonlyawatch,weddingband,and/orengagementring.Nonecklaces,chocker’s,orbraceletsareallowed.

• Perfumes,scentedlotions,aftershaves,bodyspraysandotherscentedproductsshouldnotbeworn.

• Mosthealthcarefacilitiesaresmoke-freeandtobaccofree.Smoking(includingtheuseofelectroniccigarettes)isnotpermittedwhilethestudentisinprofessionaldressbeforeorduringanyclinicalorlaboratoryactivity.

• No“fannypacks”maybewornastheymayinterferewiththeperformanceofclinicaldutiesandscarves/necktiesarepermittedforstudentsafety.

• Personalcleanlinessisaprerequisiteforpatient/clientcare.Regularbathing,hairwashinganduseofdeodorantarepartofpersonalcleanliness.

Studentswhofailtocomplywiththeprofessionaldressrequirementwillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinclinicalpractice.Facultymembersorapprovedpreceptorswillhavetherighttoremoveastudentfromaclinicalareaif,intheirjudgment,thestudentpresentsanunprofessionalappearanceorinanywayisathreattopatientsafetyorcomfort.TheUniversityofMobileshallhavenoobligationtorefundtuition,accommodatethestudent,ormakeanyotherspecialarrangementsintheeventthestudentisunabletomeetthedresscoderequirementsoftheclinicalagency.

ProgressionintheClinicalSettingforFNPstudentsFamilyNursePractitionerstudentsenterasnovicesbutmovethroughtheprogramquicklytodevelopcompetenciesdesignedtoestablishanevidence-basedpracticebuiltonasolidfoundationofdidacticcourseworkandclinicalexperiencesfocusedonassistinggraduatestofunctionwithinthepresentdynamichealthcareenvironment.Ineachclinicalcourse,thefirst8hourswillprimarilybeobservation,introducingthestudenttothefacilityandthepracticerequirementsoftheFamilyNursePractitioner.Thesecondclinicalday,thestudentshouldbeginfunctioningasabeginninghealthcareprovider.ItisexpectedthatthestudentwillbeperformingtheHPI,focusedphysicalexams,andpresentcasestothepreceptor.Thestudentshouldtheprogresstofunctioningintheproviderrole,whichincludesanalyzingdifferentialdiagnoses,selectingthemostlikelydiagnosis,andrecommendinganevidence-basedtreatmentplantothepreceptor.


71

TheprogressioninacclimatingtotheFamilyNursePractitionerroleisindividualizedandguidedbythepreceptor.Eachofthethreeclinicalcourses(NU510,Children;NU511,Adults,andNU512,Women)requiresaminimumof160patienthourswiththestudentseeingaminimumof125patients(directpatientencounters)appropriatefortheclinicalspecificpatientpopulation.PreferredsitesforNU510,FamilyPractitionerI:CareofChildren,wouldbeclinicalexperiencesinapediatricofficewitheitheraPediatricianoraPediatricNursePractitioner.PreferredsitesforNU511,FamilyPractitionerII:CareofAdultswouldbeclinicalexperiencesineitherfamilypracticeorinternalmedicine(notinaspecialtyclinic)withaphysicianoraFamilyNursePractitioner.PreferredsitesforNU512,FamilyPractitionerIII:CareofWomenwouldbeinobstetricalpracticessuchasdoctor’sofficeswithaphysicianorFamilyNursePractitioner.TheSpecialtyFocusPracticumrequiresaminimumof60patienthourswiththestudentseeingaminimumof50patients(directpatientencounters).Anysite(familypracticeorinternistphysicianoffices,urgentcarefacilities,andspecialtyareassuchasobstetrics,endocrinology,orthopedics,pulmonology,etc.)maybeselectedtouseforspecialtyhourswithapprovalofcoursefaculty.Ingeneral,studentsareexpectedtoseeonetotwopatientsanhour.Thepatientpopulationmustcorrelatedirectlytotheclinicalexperienceinwhichthestudentisenrolled.Studentsshouldseepatientswhohavebothacuteandchronicillnesses.


72

SECTIONVI:STUDENTINVOLVEMENT/PROFESSIONALOPPORTUNITIES

CampusMinistriesTheUMhasmanyopportunitiesforstudentstoserveotherslocally,nationally,andglobally.StudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinProjectServe,UrbanPlunge,TheBridge,YouthHostelMissions,andFocusFridays.WeeklyopportunitiesmaybeviewedontheUniversityofMobilewebsitequicklink,“StudentLife.”

CommitteeMembershipsThenursingfacultybelievesstudentinvolvementisimportanttotheworkoftheSchool.StudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinthegovernanceoftheschoolbyservingasmembersofcertainUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingstandingcommittees.AgraduatestudentrepresentativefromtheEducation/AdministrationProgramandtheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramwillbeaskedtoserveasactiveparticipantsontheMSNFacultyCommittee.Onealternativewillalsobechosenfrombothprograms.Studentsmayalsobeaskedtoserveonadhocgraduatecommittees.TheroleofthestudentrepresentativeattheMSNFacultyCommitteeisanimportantone.Inessence,thestudentrepresentativeprovidesaformalliaisontofacilitycommunicationbetweenthestudentcohortandthegraduatenursingfaculty.Asissuesarepresentedinthemeetings,thestudentshouldfeelcomfortabletocontributetheirownideasandpointsofviewand/orreflectthoseofthestudent’sclassmates.TheFacultyOrganizationBylawsdocumentoutlineindetailthestructureandfunctionofallcommittees;thesebylawsareavailableforstudentstoviewintheSchoolofNursing.

FamilyNursePractitioner(FNP)CertificationExamsTwocertificationexaminationsareavailableforfamilynursepractitionergraduatesthroughtheAmericanAcademyofNursePractitioners(AANP)orAmericanNursesCredentialingCenter(ANCC).BothorganizationsarerecognizedforlicensurebytheAlabamaBoardofNursing.BasicEligibilityRequirements:

• Fullname,asprintedonyourstateissuedIDandaddress.• AcopyofyourcurrentRNlicensewithexpirationdateincludingtheyear.• CompleteinformationabouttheFNPProgramandProgramDescriptions

withrequiredcoursework,clinicalclockhours,sitesandpreceptors.


73

• Completeclinicalsiteinformation,includingthenamesandaddresses(streetnumber,city,stateandzipcode)oftheclinicalagencies,andadescriptionofthepracticespecialty(i.e.,Family).

• Allpreceptors’fullnameandcredentials.• Anofficialtranscriptofacademiccourseworktodate,and/orfinaltranscript

statingdegreewithdateconferred.• Paymentinfull(includingthepaperapplicationfeeifapplicable).

SpecificEligibilityRequirements:StudentsareresponsibleforbeinginformedontheapplicationprocessregardingtheAANPorANCCFamilyNursePractionerCertificationExamsaseligibilityrequirementsmaychange.Studentsshouldvisitbothagencies’websitesforcompletedetailsregardinggeneralandspecificrequirements.

NationalCertificationOpportunitiesThetracksoftheMaster’sprogramleadtoeligibilityfornationalcertification.

• CertifiedNurseEducation(CNE),credentialedbytheNationalLeagueofNursing(NLN).

• CertifiedinExecutiveNursingPractice,credentialedbytheAmericanOrganizationofNurseExecutives(AONE).

• CertifiedNurseManagerandLeader,credentialedbytheAmericanOrganizationofNurseExecutives(AONE).

• CertifiedFamilyNursePractitioner,credentialedbytheAmericanAcademyofNursePractitioners(AANP).

• CertifiedFamilyNursePractitioner,credentialedbytheAmericanNursesCredentialingCenter(ANCC).

NationalProfessionalOrganizationsMembershipinnationalnursingorganizationssuchasAmericanNursesAssociation(ANA),NationalLeagueforNursing(NLN),NursesAssociationoftheAmericanCollegeofObstetricianandGynecologists(NAACOG),NationalAssociationofPediatricNursePractitioners(NAPNAP),AmericanAssociationofNursePractitioners(AANP),andAmericanAssociationofCritical-CareNursing(ACCN)isencouraged.SigmaThetaTau,OmicronChapterSigmaThetaTauInternationalHonorSocietyofNursingisthesecondlargestnursingorganizationintheUnitedStatesandamongthefivelargestandmostprestigiousintheworld.SigmaThetaTauInternationalisdedicatedtoimprovingthehealthofpeopleworldwidebyincreasingthescientificbaseofnursingpractice.Membersarenursingscholarscommittedtothepursuitofexcellenceinclinicalpractice,education,researchandleadership.Thesocietyexiststorecognizesuperiorachievementsinnursing,encourageleadershipdevelopment,fosterhigh


74

nursingstandards,andtostrengthenthecommitmenttotheidealsoftheprofession.StudentsinGraduateProgramsshallbeeligibleformembershipiftheyhaveachievedexcellenceaccordingtothestandardsapprovedbytheSociety.Studentsmusthavecompletedaminimumofone-quarteroftherequiredgraduatecurriculumanddemonstrateacademicexcellenceasevidencebyaGPAof3.5orhigher.GraduatestudentswhoaremembersofthisnationalnursinghonorarysocietyareencouragedtoparticipateinlocalOmicronChapteractivities.


75

SECTIONVII:STUDENTRESOURCESANDSERVICESBookstoreThecampusbookstoreislocatedintheJ.L.BedsoleLibrarybuildingonthefirstfloor.Textbooksandrelatedsuppliessuchasuniversitygearandsnacksmaybepurchasedinthebookstore.MasterCardandVisaareacceptedforpurchases.TheHoursofOperationare8:30AM–6:00PM,MondaythroughThursdayand10:00AM–4:00PMonFriday.Formoreinformation,studentsshouldcall251.679.9293oremailmailto:[email protected]

CampusSecurityTheUniversityofMobilemaintainssecurityguardsonduty24hoursperday.Thesecurityguardmaybecontactedat251.510.4273.

CenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePracticeTheUMSchoolofNursingmaintainsaNursingSkillsLaboratory,aHealthAssessmentLaboratory,andSimulationCenterforstudentslocatedonthesecondflooroftheWeaverHallBuilding.TheselearningresourcesfortheSchoolofNursingallowstudentstodevelopknowledge,skills,andattitudesnecessaryforapplyingtheorytonursingpractice.ThislearningenvironmentservesstudentsintheSchoolofNursingbyprovidinganexcellentopportunityforself-directedindependentlearningandthepracticeofbasicandadvancednursingskills.Thenursinglabandsimulationcenterareequippedwithnewborn,infant,child,adultandmaternalhumanpatientsimulators(bothmidandhigh-fidelity)aswellasawideselectionoftasktrainers.Thelabisequippedwithcamerasandrecordingequipment,whichcanbeusedforreal-time,sharedlearningandindebriefingareas.CenterhoursvaryandarepostedontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.FamilyNursePractitionerstudentswilllearnadvancedpracticeskillssuchassuturing,debridement,clientassessment,etc.duringOn-CampusFocusSessions(Intensives).TheNursingSkillsLaboratorycontainsseven(7)hospitalbedswithequipmentstorage,five(5)fullbodymid-fidelitymanikinsandnumeroustasktrainers(IVarms,ostomytraining,woundcare,injections,etc.)TheHealthAssessmentLaboratorycontains3examtableswithequipmentstorage.TheSimulationCentercontainstwosimulationroomsandacontrolroom.OneroomhasaLaboranddeliverybirthingsimulator(referredtoasLucina),aninfantsimulator,andapediatricsimulator.Thesecondroomcontainsanadultmedical-surgicalsimulator(referredtoasiStan).Otherlearningtoolskeptinthesimulationroomsinclude:defibrillator,12leadEKG,crashcart,IVandfeedingtubepumps,etc.Bothroomshaveaudio-videorecordingcapability.


76

LibraryTheJ.L.Bedsolelibraryisavailableforstudentusewithaprimaryemphasisofestablishingandmaintaininglibrarysupportoftheacademiccurriculum.ThelibraryalsoseekstoprovideinstructioninresearchskillsthatservestudentsduringtheirstudiesatUMandinthepathstheychooseaftergraduation.HoursofOperation:7:45AM-10:00PM,Monday-Thursday;7:45AM-4:30PMFriday,10:00AM-5:00PMSaturday,andclosedSunday.ThelibrarycanbeaccessedthroughMyUM.

ParkingandTrafficRegulationsAnystudentwhooperatesamotorizedvehicleofanytypeoncampusmustregisterthevehiclewiththeOfficeofCampusOperations.Studentswillreceivea“hangtag”parkingpermit.Vehiclesareregisteredonlineathttps://www.permitsales.net/UofMobileTheUniversityassumesnoresponsibilityorliabilityforanyvehicleoncampus,whetherornotschoolisinsession.Intheeventofdamagetoortheftofavehicleonthecampus,ifthepersonwhocausedthedamageorcommittedthetheftcannotbedetermine,theowner/operatorofthevehicleand/orhisinsurancecompanyshallberesponsibleforanydamagesorloss.

PostalServicesAcontractstationoftheUnitedStatesPostOfficeislocatedonthefirstflooroftheWeaverHallBuildingandoffersallstandardservices.Thepostofficeisopentostudentsfrom7:30AMuntil5:30PMMondaythroughThursday.

Registrar’sOfficeTheRegistrar’sOfficeislocatedintheWeaverHallBuildingonthefirstfloor.Theofficeisresponsibleformaintainingofficialstudentrecordsandverifyingthatstudentsareeligibletositeforlicensureexaminations.Officialcopiesoftranscriptsareavailablefromthisoffice.

StudentSuccessCenterTheStudentSuccessCenterprovidesacademicconsultingservicestostudentsenrolledattheUniversityofMobile.Academicconsultantsmeetindividuallywithstudentsandprovideassistancewithdevelopingtheskillsandbehaviorsthatareessentialtoacademicsuccessandprofessionaldevelopment.Servicesareavailableatnochargetothelearnerandmayaddressawiderangeofissues.Theseincludetransitiontoprofessionalschool,timemanagement,studyskills,stressmanagement,testingstrategies,interpersonalandcommunicationskills,clarifyingcareergoals,andcopingstrategies.


77

ProfessionalcounselingisalsoavailabletoUMstudentsthroughtheStudentSuccessCenterlocatedintheRosemaryAdamsBuilding.MorespecificcontactinformationislocatedontheUMwebpageunderthequicklink,“StudentLife.”


78

SECTIONVIII:STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIESEthicalPracticeTheUniversityofMobilegraduatenursingprogramsupportstheAmericanNurse’sAssociationCodeofEthicsforProfessionalNurses.AllstudentsmustabidebytheANACodeofEthicsduringtheirclinicalperformance.ThephilosophicalbasisforsafepracticebyfacultyandstudentsisdescribedintheANACodeofEthics(2016).Provision1. Thenursepracticeswithcompassionandrespectforinherent

dignity,worth,anduniqueattributesofeveryperson.Provision2. Thenurse’sprimarycommitmentistothepatient,whetheran

individual,familygroup,communityorpopulation.Provision3. Thenursepromotes,advocatesfor,andprotectstherights,health,

andsafetyofthepatient.Provision4. Thenursehasauthority,accountability,andresponsibilityfor

nursingpractice:makesdecisions;andtakesactionconsistentwiththeobligationtopromotehealthandtoprovideoptimalcare.

Provision5. Thenurseowesthesamedutiestoselfastoothers,includingtheresponsibilitytopromotehealthandsafety,preservewholenessofcharacterandintegrity,maintaincompetence,andcontinuepersonalandprofessionalgrowth.

Provision6. Thenurse,throughindividualandcollectiveeffort,established,maintains,andimprovestheethicalenvironmentoftheworksettingsandconditionsofemploymentthatareconducivetosafe,qualityhealthcare.

Provision7. Thenurse,inallrolesandsettings,advancestheprofessionthroughresearchandscholarlyinquiry,professionalstandardsdevelopment,andthegenerationofbothnursingandhealthpolicy.

Provision8. Thenursecollaborateswithotherhealthprofessionalsandthepublictoprotecthumanrights,promotehealthdiplomacy,andreducehealthdisparities.

Provision9. Theprofessionofnursing,collectivelythroughitsprofessionalorganizations,mustarticulatenursingvalues,maintaintheintegrityoftheprofession,andintegrateprinciplesofsocialjusticeintonursingandhealthpolicy.

LiabilityInsuranceAllgraduatestudentsenrolledinclinicalandpracticumcoursesparticipateintheUniversityofMobileNursingStudentLiabilityInsuranceProgram.Therearenoadditionalfeesrelatedtothisliabilitycoverage.


79

LicensureTheSchoolofNursingrequiresthatgraduatestudentsdemonstratealevelofcompetencecommensuratewiththeeducationalandexperientialprerequisitesforadmissionandprogressionintheprogram.GraduatestudentsarerequiredtomaintainlicensureasaRegisteredNurseintheirstateofresidencetopracticenursingasaregisterednursethroughouttheireducationalprogramattheUniversityofMobile.Inaddition,studentsmustholdlicensureasaregisterednurseinanystatewherethepractice/practicumrequirementsarecompleted.Thestudentisrequiredtoprovideverificationoflicensurefromtheappropriatestateboard.

TheUniversityofMobile’sresidentialcampusislocatedinthestateofAlabama;therefore,ourstudentsandfacultymustabidebytheregulationsoftheAlabamaBoardofNursing.NursingcourseswithaclinicalcomponentmaynotbetakenbyanyindividualwhohasbeendeniedlicensurebytheAlabamaBoardofNursing;orwhoselicenseiscurrentlysuspended,surrenderedorrevokedinanyUnitedStatesjurisdiction;orwhoselicenseiscurrentlysuspended,surrendered,orrevokedinanothercountryduetoanydisciplinaryaction.

SafeClinicalPracticeThefacultyandstaffoftheSchoolofNursingsupporttheUniversityofMobilePreamble,MissionStatement,VisionStatement,BiblicalWorldview,andStatementofChristianAffirmation.Thefacultyandadministrationhavetheexpectationthatlearning,faithandleadershipwillbereflectedintheinteractionsandactionsofallindividualsinvolvedwiththeactivitiesoftheSchoolofNursing.TheintentoftheUniversityisreflectedinthephrase,“ChangingLivestoChangetheWorld”andisevidentinthecorevaluesofbeingChrist-centered,Academically-focused,Student-devoted,andDistinctively-driven.Itisexpectedinclinicalpracticethattheseattributesbeevident.Safetyinnursingpracticeandresearchisrequiredofallprofessionalnursesandallstudentsofprofessionalnursing.Inordertoensuresafepracticesstudentsareexpectedto:

• Assumeresponsibilityforownactions.• Demonstrateself-disciplineinmeetingcommitmentsandobligations,

submittingwrittenassignmentsontime,keepingappointments,etc.• Preparinginadvanceforclinicalorpracticumexperiences.• Functionwithintheguidelinesandpoliciesoftheinstitution,inwhichthey

arepracticing,andwithintheirScopeofPracticeandaccordingtoalllegalparameters.

• Communicateappropriately,accurately,truthfully.• Recognizeownlimitationsandtheneedforappropriatesupervision.• Providecompetentcareforallindividualsregardlessofage,sex,race,or

diagnosis.


80

• Obtainpreceptorsignatureonallpatientdocumentation,includingchartingandprescriptions.

• NotifytheGraduateProgramChairand/orDeanimmediatelyofanychangeinlicensurestatus,i.e.probation,suspension,orrevocation.

Thefollowingsituationsareconsideredunsafeandareabsolutegroundsforcoursefailureandmayresultindismissalfromtheprogram:

• Preceptororhealthcareagency/institutionrefusaltocontinueworkingwiththestudentduetoclinicalsafetyissues.

• Studentisundertheinfluenceofalcohol,recreationaldrugs,ormedicationsthatimpairjudgmentintheclinical,classroom,and/orresearchsetting.

• Positivedrugtestfornon-prescribedorillegaldrugs;orrefusalofdrugtesting.

• Abuseorinappropriatebehavior,includingbutnotlimitedtointimidation,threatsoractsofviolencetopatients,staff,faculty,orotherstudents.

• Fraudulentordishonestbehavior.• Behaviororjudgmentthatcompromisesthesafetyofapatient.• Otherunsafeclinicalpracticeasdeemedbyfaculty.• Violationofrulesofprofessionalconductestablishedbyaccreditingor

licensingbodies.• Anyactorbehavior,whichviolatestheobjectivesand/orpoliciesofthe

SchoolofNursing;ClinicalAgency,theAlabamaBoardofNursingNursePracticeAct,ortheBoardofNursingNursePracticeActinthestatewherethestudentmaintainslicensure.

StudentConductAspracticingprofessionals,studentsareresponsibleparticipantsintheireducationalexperiencesattheUniversityofMobile.Studentsareexpectedtodisplayprofessionalism,respect,kindnessinallaspectsoftheirworkandstudy.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,emailconversations,discussionboardposts,phonecallsandface-to-faceencounterswithfellowstudents,faculty,staff,preceptors,clinicalagencies,andpatients.IncidencesofstudentincivilitywillbereportedtotheGraduateProgramChairandtheMSNFacultyCommitteeforappropriateaction.Studentswillbegivenawrittenwarningandmayfacedismissalifepisodesofincivilityorinappropriatebehaviorcontinue.


81

SECTIONIX:APPENDICESAppendixA-GraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgement

TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinghasdistinctexpectationsofstudentsthatareoutlinedintheUMCatalogandtheUMSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbook.Thepurposeofthisformistodiscloseanddocument:(1)Ihavebeenmadeawareoftheseofficialuniversitydocuments,(2)IhavereadtheUMSchoolofNursingGraduateStudentHandbookinitsentirety,(3)Ihavefamiliarizedmyselfwiththeexpectationscontainedinthedocumentandallquestionsorconcernshavebeenclarifiedtomysatisfaction,(4)IwillmaintainresponsibilityforallupdatestotheHandbookeachsemesterasastudentintheGraduatenursingprogramatUM,and(5)IhavereadandunderstandtheUMSchoolofNursingGraduateHandbookandagreetoabidebyallpoliciesandproceduresthroughoutmyenrollmentintheUMSchoolofNursing._______________________________________________ _____________________________Student’sFullName(pleaseprint) UMIDNumber_______________________________________________ _____________________________StudentSignature Date


82

AppendixB-EssentialCorePerformanceStandards

COREPERFORMANCE:CognitiveSkills

Thestudentmustdemonstratetheabilityto:1.Learn,integrateandanalyzelargevolumesofcomplex,technicallydetailedinformationtoperformclinicalproblemsolving.Synthesizeandapplyconceptsandinformationinformulatingdiagnosticandtherapeuticjudgments.2.Learnandperformcommondiagnosticprocedures(laboratory,cardiographic,radiologic,andtointerprettheresults,recognizingdeviationsfromthenormandidentifyingpathophysiologicprocesses).3.Evaluatepatientstatusandmakeresponsibledecisionsregardingappropriatecoursesofaction/treatmentwithingiventimeconstraints.4.Effectivelysynthesizedatafromthepatient,medicalrecords,verbalreports,medicalhistoryandobservationforthepurposeofrecommendingormaintainingtreatment.5.Differentialmultiplepatientsituationssimultaneously.6.Applycriticalreasoningandindependentdecisionmakingskills.7.Applyquantitativemethodsofmeasurement,includingcalculation,reasoning,analysis,andsynthesis.

COREPERFORMANCE:PsychomotorSkills

Thestudentmustdemonstratetheabilityto:1.Sitting:Maintainuprightposture2.Standing:Maintainuprightposture3.Locomotion:Abilitytophysicallymaneuverinrequiredclinicalsettingsandaccomplishedassignedtasks.4.Manualtasks:a.Maneuverormoveanindividualsbodypartsorclinicalequipmenteffectivelytoperformevaluationandtreatmenttechniques,includingpalpation,percussion,auscultation,andotherdiagnosticmaneuvers.b.Maintainanobjectinaconstantpositionforanextendedperiod.c.Competentlyperformbasiccardiaclifesupport(BCLS)usingguidelinesfromtheAmericanHeartAssociation.d.Pushing/pullingabilitytoexertforceagainstasmallorlargeobjecttomoveitcloserorfurtheraway.e.Coordinationofbothgrossandfinemotormovements,equilibrium,andafunctionuseofspecialsensessufficienttoprovidegeneralcareandemergencytreatmentof


83

patients(theopeningofobstructedairways,thesuturingofwounds,andperformingsimpleobstetricalmaneuvers).f.Applyadequatepressuretoarrestbleeding.5.Smallmotor/handskills:a.Legiblyrecord/documenthistoryandphysicalexaminations,consultations,etc.,instandard/electronicchartsinhospital/clinicalsettingsinatimelymannerandconsistentwiththeacceptablenormalofclinicalsettings.b.Applyafirmgrasp.c.Operateapushbuttontelephone.d.Performprecisionmovements(venipuncture,catheterization,IVregulation,dressingchanges,etc.),whichmayfurtherincludeinvasiveproceduresintothecentralcirculationorhighlyspecificbodycavity/spaces.e.Sensethroughpalpationchangesinanindividual’smuscletone,softtissues,skinquality,andtemperatureandsenseresponsestoenvironmentalchangesandtreatment.f.Manipulateabloodpressurecuff,stethoscope,thermometer;insertcatheters,IV’s,NGtubes;performinjectionsandmanipulateequipmentasrequired.g.Carryoutbasiclaboratorytests.h.Carryoutdiagnostictherapeuticprocedures(phlebotomy,venipuncture,placementofcathetersandtubes).6.Visualacuityto:a.Legiblyrecord/documenthistoryandphysicalexaminations,consultations,etc.,instandard/electronicchartsinhospital/clinicalsettingsinatimelymannerandconsistentwiththeacceptablenormalofclinicalsettings.b.Performprecisionmovements.c.Identifytinymarkingsandinscriptions(i.e.,onsyringes,thermometers,IVbags,etc.).d.Identifycolorchangesandcoding.e.ReadECGsandX-rays.7.Hearingorabilitytoreceive:a.Effectivelyrespondtoverbalrequestsfrompatientsandteammembers.b.Interpretthelanguageusedtocommunicatelectures,instructions,concepts,narratives,questions,andanswers.c.Auscultateandpercussforinternalbodysounds,e.g.heartsounds,bowelsounds,lungsounds.8.CommunicationAbility:a.Effectivelyandsensitivelycommunicatetootherstudents,teachers,patients,peers,andothersupportstafftoaskquestions,explainconditionsandprocedures,and


84

teachprogramsinatimelymannerandwithintheacceptablenormalofacademicandclinicalsettings.b.Receiveandinterpretwritteninformationinbothacademicandclinicalsettingsinatimelymanner.Communicationinoralandwrittenformwithhealthcareteammustbeeffectiveandefficient.c.Shouldbeabletospeak,tohear,andtoobservepatientsinordertoelicitinformation,perceivenon-verbalcommunication,anddescribechangesinmood,activity,andphysicalpresence.9.SelfCare:Maintaingeneralgoodhealthandself-careinordertonotjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofselfandindividualswithwhomoneinteractsintheacademicandclinicalsettings.

COREPERFORMANCE:AffectiveSkills

1.Functioneffectivelywithgoodjudgmentunderstressfulanddemandingclinicalsituations.2.Adapttochangingandchaoticenvironments.2.Possessandmaintaintheemotionalhealthrequiredforthefullutilizationofhisintellectualabilities,theexerciseofgoodjudgment,thepromptcompletionofallresponsibilitiesattendanttothediagnosisandcareofpatients,andthedevelopmentofmature,sensitiveandeffectiverelationshipswithpatients.3.Toleratephysicallyandintellectuallydemandingworkloads(averaging50-60hours/week).4.Adapttoconstantlychangingenvironments,displayflexibility,andlearntofunctioninthefaceofuncertaintyorambiguity.5.Demonstratethepersonalqualitiesofcompassion,integrity,concernforothers,self-discipline,focus,andself-motivation.6.Exhibitemotionalstabilitythatenablesfullutilizationofabilitiestoengageinsafecaretopatients7.Demonstratescompassion,integrity,concernforothersandeffectiveinterpersonalskills.


85

AppendixC-CriminalBackgroundAcknowledgmentandConsent

UNIVERSITYOFMOBILESCHOOLOFNURSINGCRIMINALBACKGROUNDCHECKPOLICYANDPROCEDURE

STUDENT’SACKNOWLEDGMENTANDCONSENT

I,__________________________________________________________,havereadtheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingCriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure,andunderstandthatasapreconditiontoassignmenttoorplacementwithanyaffiliatingclinicalagency.Bymysignaturebelow,IherebygivemycompleteandvoluntaryconsenttohaveaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckasrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatpursuanttotheSchoolofNursing’spolicy,anunfavorableCertifiedBackgroundCheckorrefusaltosubmittoaCertifiedBackgroundCheckmayresultindismissalfromtheprogramthatIamenrolledin.IunderstandthatImaybesubjecttoadditionalCertifiedBackgroundCheckswhileenrolledintheSchoolofNursing.AnyadversefindingmayresultindismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatImustbecompliantwiththeCriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedureandonceenrolled,Imustdiscloseanylegalorcriminalconvictionsand/orarrestswithinathree(3)daytimeperiod.ThisnotarizeddocumentconstitutesmyconsentforaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckbyaSchoolofNursingdesignatedvendor.ItalsoconstitutesconsentforthevendortoreleasetheresultsofmyCertifiedCriminalBackgroundChecktotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandfortheDeantoreleasemybackgroundinformationasrequiredtoanyclinicalagencywhereIamassigned.InWitnessWhereof,thisinstrumentisexecutedthisthe___dayof__________,20___.WITNESS__________________________________ _____________________________________________Signature Applicant’sSignature

_____________________________________________ Applicant’sPrintedNameSTATEOF______________________COUNTYOF___________________Onthis___dayof_______________,20______,beforemeappeared_____________________________Tobeknowntobethepersondescribedinandwhoexecutedtheforegoinginstrument.Givenundermyhandandsealonthedayandyearabovewritten. SEAL_____________________________________________ NOTARYPUBLIC MyCommissionExpires:________________


86

AppendixD-DrugScreenAcknowledgmentConsent

UNIVERSITYOFMOBILESCHOOLOFNURSINGDRUGTESTINGANDRELEASEOFINFORMATIONSTUDENT’SACKNOWLEDGMENTANDCONSENT

I,__________________________________________________________,havereadtheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingDrugScreenPolicyandProcedure,andunderstandthatasapreconditiontoassignmenttoorplacementwithanyaffiliatingclinicalagency,Iamsubjecttothatparticularagency’ssubstanceabusepoliciesand/ordrug/alcoholtestingpolicies,andIamrequiredtosubmittopre-clinicalplacementdrugtesting,randomdrugtesting,ordrugtestingwhenthereisreasonablesuspiciontobelievethatImaybeimpaired.Bymysignaturebelow,Iherebygivemycompleteandvoluntaryconsenttoanysuchdrugtest(s)atadesignatedlaboratoryasrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatpursuanttotheSchoolofNursing’spolicy,apositivedrugtestorrefusaltosubmittotestingwillresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheprogramthatIamenrolledin.Iunderstandthatanegativedrugtestisrequiredformatriculationinthenursingprogram.ThisnotarizeddocumentconstitutesmyconsentfordrugtestingbyaSchoolofNursingdesignatedlaboratory.ItalsoconstitutesconsentforlaboratorytoreleasetheresultsofmydrugtesttotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandfortheDeantoreleasenaypositivefindingstotheapporproptiatelicensingboardifindicated.InWitnessWhereof,thisinstrumentisexecutedthisthe___dayof__________,20___.WITNESS__________________________________ _____________________________________________Signature Applicant’sSignature

_____________________________________________ Applicant’sPrintedNameSTATEOF______________________COUNTYOF___________________Onthis___dayof_______________,20______,beforemeappeared_______________________Tobeknowntobethepersondescribedinandwhoexecutedtheforegoinginstrument.Givenundermyhandandsealonthedayandyearabovewritten. SEAL_____________________________________________ NOTARYPUBLIC MyCommissionExpires:_________________


87

AppendixE-NONPFNursePractitionerCompetencies

NationalOrganizationforNursePractitionerFaculties(NONPF)NursePractitionerCompetencies(2017)

Source:http://www.nonpf.orgAtthecompletionoftheFNPprogram,theFNPgraduateshouldpossesthenine(9)corecompetencies.ScientificFoundationCompetencies1.Criticallyanalyzesdataandevidenceforimprovingadvancednursingpractice.2.Integratesknowledgefromthehumanitiesandscienceswithinthecontextofnursingscience.3.Translatesresearchandotherformsofknowledgetoimprovepracticeprocessesandoutcomes.4.Developsnewpracticeapproachesbasedontheintegrationofresearch,theory,andpracticeknowledge.LeadershipCompetencies1.Assumescomplexandadvancedleadershiprolestoinitiateandguidechange.2.Providesleadershiptofostercollaborationwithmultiplestakeholders(e.g.patients,community,integratedhealthcareteams,andpolicymakers)toimprovehealthcare.3.Demonstratesleadershipthatusescriticalandreflectivethinking.4.Advocatesforimprovedaccess,quality,andcosteffectivehealthcare.5.Advancespracticethroughthedevelopmentandimplementationofinnovationsincorporatingprinciplesofchange.6.Communicatespracticeknowledgeeffectively,bothorallyandinwriting.7.Participatesinprofessionalorganizationsandactivitiesthatinfluenceadvancedpracticenursingand/orhealthoutcomesofapopulationfocus.QualityCompetencies1.Usesbestavailableevidencetocontinuouslyimprovequalityofclinicalpractice.2.Evaluatestherelationshipsamongaccess,cost,quality,andsafetyandtheirinfluenceonhealthcare.3.Evaluateshoworganizationalstructure,careprocesses,financing,marketing,andpolicydecisionsimpactthequalityofhealthcare.4.Appliesskillsinpeerreviewtopromoteacultureofexcellence.5.Anticipatesvariationsinpracticeandisproactiveinimplementinginterventionstoensurequality.


88

PracticeInquiryCompetencies1.Providesleadershipinthetranslationofnewknowledgeintopractice.2.Generatesknowledgefromclinicalpracticetoimprovepracticeandpatientoutcomes.3.Appliesclinicalinvestigativeskillstoimprovehealthoutcomes.4.Leadspracticeinquiry,individuallyandinpartnershipwithothers.5.Disseminatesevidencefrominquirytodiverseaudiencesusingmultiplemodalities.6.Analyzesclinicalguidelinesforindividualizedapplicationintopractice.TechnologyandInformationLiteracyCompetencies1.Integratesappropriatetechnologiesforknowledgemanagementtoimprovehealthcare.2.Translatestechnicalandscientifichealthinformationappropriateforvarioususer’sneeds.2.a.Assessesthepatient’sandcaregiver’seducationalneedstoprovideeffective,personalizedhealthcare.2.b.Coachesthepatientandcaregiverforpositivebehavioralchange.3.Demonstratesinformationliteracyskillsincomplexdecision-making.4.Contributestothedesignofclinicalinformationsystemsthatpromotesafe,quality,andcosteffectivecare.5.Usestechnologysystemsthatcapturedataonvariablesfortheevaluationofnursingcare.PolicyCompetencies1.Demonstratesanunderstandingofinterdependenceofpolicyandpractice.2.Advocatesforethicalpoliciesthatpromoteaccess,equity,quality,andcost.3.Analyzesethical,legal,andsocialfactorsinfluencingpolicydevelopment.4.Contributesinthedevelopmentofhealthpolicy.5.Analyzestheimplicationsofhealthpolicyacrossthedisciplines.6.Evaluatestheimpactofglobalizationonhealthcarepolicydevelopment.7.Advocatesforpoliciesforsafeandhealthypracticeenvironments.HealthDeliverySystemCompetencies1.Appliesknowledgeoforganizationalpracticesandcomplexsystemstoimprovehealthcaredelivery.2.Effectshealthcarechangeusingbroadbasedskillsincludingnegotiating,consensus-building,andpartnering.3.Minimizesrisktopatientsandprovidersattheindividualandsystemslevel.4.Facilitatesthedevelopmentofhealthcaresystemsthataddresstheneedsof


89

culturallydiversepopulations,providers,andotherstakeholders.5.Evaluatestheimpactofhealthcaredeliveryonpatients,providers,otherstakeholders,andtheenvironment.6.Analyzesorganizationalstructure,functions,andresourcestoimprovethedeliveryofcare.7.Collaboratesinplanningfortransitionsacrossthecontinuumofcare.EthicsCompetencies1.Integratesethicalprinciplesindecisionmaking.2.Evaluatestheethicalconsequencesofdecisions.3.Appliesethicallysoundsolutionstocomplexissuesrelatedtoindividuals,populations,andsystemsofcare.IndependentPracticeCompetencies1.Functionsasalicensedindependentpractitioner.2.Demonstratesthehighestlevelofaccountabilityforprofessionalpractice.3.Practicesindependentlymanagingpreviouslydiagnosedandundiagnosedpatients.3.a.Providesthefullspectrumofhealthcareservicestoincludehealthpromotion,diseaseprevention,healthprotection,anticipatoryguidance,counseling,diseasemanagement,palliative,andend-of-lifecare.3.b.Usesadvancedhealthassessmentskillstodifferentiatebetweennormal,variationsofnormalandabnormalfindings.3.c.Employsscreeninganddiagnosticstrategiesinthedevelopmentofdiagnoses.3.d.Prescribesmedicationswithinthescopeofpractice.3.e.Managesthehealth/illnessstatusofpatientsandfamiliesovertime.4.Providespatient-centeredcarerecognizingculturaldiversityandthepatientordesigneeasafullpartnerindecisionmaking.4.a.Workstoestablisharelationshipwiththepatientcharacterizedbymutualrespect,empathy,andcollaboration.4.b.Createsaclimateofpatient-centeredcaretoincludeconfidentiality,privacy,comfort,emotionalsupport,mutualtrust,andrespect.4.c.Incorporatesthepatient’sculturalandspiritualpreferences,values,andbeliefsintohealthcare.4.d.Preservesthepatient’scontroloverdecisionmakingbynegotiatingamutuallyacceptableplanofcare.4.e.Developsstrategiestopreventone’sownpersonalbiasesfrominterferingwithdeliveryofqualitycare.4.f.Addressescultural,spiritual,andethnicinfluencesthatpotentiallycreateconflictamongindividuals,families,staff,andcaregivers.5.Educatesprofessionalandlaycaregiverstoprovideculturallyandspiritualsensitive,appropriatecare.6.Collaborateswithbothprofessionalandothercaregiverstoachieveoptimalcare


90

outcomes.7.Coordinatestransitionalcareservicesinandacrosscaresettings.8.Participatesinthedevelopment,use,andevaluationofprofessionalstandardsandevidence-basedcare.


91

AppendixF-FamilyNursePractitionerCompetencies

FamilyNursePractitionerCompetencies

Theseareentry-levelcompetenciesforthefamilynursepractitionerthatsupplementthecorecompetenciesforallnursepractitioners.Thepopulationinprimarycarefamilypracticeincludesnewborns,infants,children,adolescents,adults,pregnantandpostpartumwomen,andolderadults.Thefocusofcareisthefamilyunit,aswellastheindividualsbelongingtothefamily.Familynursepractitionersdemonstrateacommitmenttofamily-centeredcareandpracticeprimarilyinambulatorycaresettings.Upongraduationorentryintopractice,thefamilynursepractitionershoulddemonstratecompetenceinthecategoriesdescribedbelow:I.HEALTHPROMOTION,HELATHPROTECTION,DISEASEPREVENTION,ANDTREATMENTA.AssessmentofHealthStatus

Thesecompetenciesdescribetheroleofthefamilynursepractitionerinassessingallaspectsofthepatient’shealthstatus,includingforpurposesofhealthpromotion,healthprotection,anddiseaseprevention.Thefamilynursepractitioneremployeeevidence-basedclinicalpracticeguidelinestoguidescreeningactivities,identifieshealthpromotionneeds,andprovidesanticipatoryguidanceandcounselingaddressingenvironmental,lifestyle,anddevelopmentalissues.1.Obtainsandaccuratelydocumentsinarelevanthealthhistoryforpatientsofallagesandinallphasesoftheindividualandfamilylifecycle.2.Assesses(a)theinfluenceofthefamilyorpsychosocialfactorsonpatientillness,(b)conditionsrelatedtodevelopmentaldelaysandlearningdisabilitiesinallages,(c)women’sandmen’sreproductivehealth,including,butnotlimitedto,sexualhealth,pregnancy,andpostpartumcare,and(d)problemsofsubstanceabuseandviolence.3.Performsandaccuratelydocumentsappropriatecomprehensiveorsymptom-focusedphysicalexaminationsonpatientsofallages(includingdevelopmentalandbehavioralscreeningandphysicalsystemevaluations).4.Performsscreeningevaluationsformentalstatusandmentalhealth.5.Identifieshealthandpsychosocialriskfactorsofpatientsofallagesandfamiliesinallstagesoffamilylifecycle.6.Demonstratesproficiencyinfamilyassessment.7.Demonstratesproficiencyinfunctionalassessmentoffamilymembers(e.g.elderly,disabled).8.Assessesspecificfamilyhealthneedswithinthecontextofcommunity


92

assessment.9.Identifiesandplansinterventionstopromotehealthwithfamiliesatrisk.

10.Assessestheimpactofanacuteand/orchronicillnessorcommoninjuriesonthefamilyasawhole.11.Distinguishesbetweennormalandabnormalchangewithaging.

B.DiagnosisofHealthStatusThefamilynursepractitionerisengagedinthediagnosisofhealthstatus.Thisdiagnosticprocessincludescriticalthinking,differentialdiagnosis,andtheintegrationandinterpretationofvariousformsofdata.Thesecompetenciesdescribethisroleofthefamilynursepractitioner.1.Identifiessignsandsymptomsofacutephysicalandmentalillnessesacrossthelifespan.2.Identifiessignsandsymptomsofchronicphysicalandmentalillnessacrossthelifespan.3.Orders,performs,andinterpretsage,gender,andcondition-specificdiagnostictestsandscreeningprocedures.4.Analyzesandsynthesizescollecteddataforpatientsofallages.5.Formulatescomprehensivedifferentialdiagnoses,consideringepidemiology,environmentalandcommunitycharacteristics,andlifestagedevelopment,includingthepresentationseenwithincreasingage,family,andbehavioralriskfactors.C.PlanofCareandImplementationofTreatmentTheobjectivesofplanningandimplementingtherapeuticinterventionsaretoreturnthepatienttoastablestateandtooptimizethepatient’shealth.Thesecompetenciesdescribethefamilynursepractitioner’sroleinstabilizingthepatient,minimizingphysicalandpsychologicalcomplications,andmaximizingthepatient’shealthpotential.1.Provideshealthprotection,healthpromotion,anddiseasepreventioninterventions/treatmentstrategiestoimproveormaintainoptimumhealthforallfamilymembers.2.Treatscommonacuteandchronicphysicianandmentalillnessesandcommoninjuriesinpeopleofallagestominimizethedevelopmentofcomplications,andpromotefunctionandqualityofliving.3.Prescribesmedicationswithknowledgeofalteredpharmacodynamicsandpharmacokineticswithspecialpopulationssuchasinfantsandchildren,pregnantandlactatingwomen,andolderadults.4.Adaptscaretomeetthecomplexneedsofolderadultsarisingfromagechangesandmultiplesystemdisease.5.Identifiesacuteexacerbationsofchronicillnessandintervenesappropriately.6.Evaluatestheeffectivenessoftheplanofcareforthefamily,aswellasthe


93

individual,andimplementschanges.7.Evaluatespatient’sand/orothercaregiver’ssupportsystemsandresourcesandcollaborateswithandsupportsthepatientandcaregivers.8.Assistsfamiliesandindividualsinthedevelopmentofcopingsystemsandlifestyleadaptations.9.Makesappropriatereferralstootherhealthcareprofessionalsandcommunityresourcesforindividualsandfamilies.10.Providescarerelatedtowomen’sreproductivehealth,includingsexualhealth,prenatal,andpostpartumcare.11.Assessesandpromotesself-careinpatientswithdisabilities.12.Performsprimarycareprocedures,including,butnotlimitedto,suturing,minorlesionremoval,splinting,microscopy,andpaptests.13.Recognizestheimpactofindividualandfamilylifetransitions,suchasparenthoodandretirement,onthehealthoffamilymembers.14.Usesknowledgeoffamilytheoriesanddevelopmenttoindividualizecareprovidedtoindividualsandfamilies.15.Facilitatestransitionsbetweenhealthcaresettingstoprovidecontinuityofcareforindividualsandfamilies.16.Interveneswithmultigenerationalfamilieswhohavememberswithdifferinghealthconcerns.17.Assistspatientandfamilymemberstocopewithendoflifeissues.18.Appliesresearchthatisfamily-centeredandcontributestopositivechangeinthehealthofandhealthcaredeliverytofamilies.II.NURSEPRACTITIONER-PATIENTRELATIONSHIPCompetenciesinthisareademonstratethepersonal,collegial,andcollaborativeapproach,whichenhancesthefamilynursepractitioner’seffectivenessofpatientcare.Thecompetenciesspeaktothecriticalimportanceofinterpersonaltransactionsastheyrelatetotherapeuticpatientoutcomes.1.Maintainsasustainingpartnershipwithindividualsandfamilies.2.Assistsindividualsandfamilieswithethicalissuesinbalancingdifferingneeds,age-relatedtransitions,illness,orhealthamongfamilymembers.3.Facilitatesfamilydecision-makingabouthealth.III.TEACHING-COACHINGFUNCTIONThesecompetenciesdescribehowthefamilynursepractitioner’sabilitytoimpartknowledgeandassociatedpsycho-motorskillstopatients.Thecoachingfunctioninvolvestheskillsofinterpretingandindividualizingtherapiesthroughtheactivitiesofadvocacy,modeling,andtutoring.1.Demonstratesknowledgeandskillinaddressingsensitivetopicswithfamilymemberssuchassexuality,finances,mentalhealth,terminalillness,andsubstanceabuse.


94

2.Elicitsinformationaboutthefamily’sandpatient’sgoals,perceptions,andresourceswhenconsideringhealthcarechoices.3.Assesseseducationalneedsandteachesindividualsandfamiliesaccordingly.4.Providesanticipatoryguidance,teaching,counseling,andeducationforself-carefortheidentifiedpatientandfamily.IV.PROFESSIONALROLE

Thesecompetenciesdescribethevariedroleofthefamilynursepractitioner,specificallyrelatedtoadvancingtheprofessionandenhancingdirectcareandmanagement.ThefamilynursePractionerdemonstratesacommitmenttotheimplementation,preservation,andevolutionofthefamilynursepractitionerrole.Aswell,thefamilynursepractitionerimplementscriticalthinkingandbuildscollaborative,interdisciplinaryrelationshipstoprovideoptimalcaretothepatient.1.Demonstratesinpracticeacommitmenttothecareofthewholefamily.2.Recognizestheimportanceofparticipatingincommunityandprofessionalorganizationsthatinfluencethehealthoffamiliesandsupportstheroleofthefamilynursepractitioner.3.Interpretsthefamilynursepractitionerroleinprimaryandspecialtyhealthcaretootherhealthcareprovidersandthepublic.4.Servesasaresourceinthedesignanddevelopmentoffamilycommunity-basedhealthservices.V.MANAGINGANDNEGOTIATINGHEALTHCAREDELIVERYSYSTEMSThesecompetenciesdescribethefamilynursepractitioner’sroleinhandlingsituationssuccessfullytoachieveimprovedhealthoutcomesforthepatient,communities,andsystemsthroughoverseeinganddirectingthedeliveryofclinicalserviceswithinanintegratedsystemofhealthcare.1.Maintainscurrentknowledgeregardingstateandfederalregulationsandprogramsforfamilyhealthcare.VI.MONITORINGANDENSURINGTHEQUALITYOFHEALTHCAREPRACTICEThesecompetenciesdescribethefamilynursepractitioner’sroleinensuringqualityofcarethroughconsultation,collaboration,continuingeducation,certification,andevaluation.Themonitoringfunctionoftheroleisalsoaddressedrelativetomonitoringone’sownpracticeaswellasengagingininterdisciplinarypeerandsystemsreview.Coveredinthecorecompetencies.VII.CULTURALCOMPETENCE


95

Thesecompetenciesdescribethefamilynursepractitioner’sroleinprovidingculturallycompetentcare,deliveringpatientcarewithrespecttoculturalandspiritualbeliefs,andmakinghealthcareresourcesavailabletopatientsfromdiversecultures.Coveredinthecorecompetencies.


96

AppendixG-MSNLevelCompetencies

MSNLEVELCOMPETENCIESSource:http://aacn.nche.edu

ExpectedoutcomesforcorecourseswerederivedfromtheEssentialofMaster’sEducationforAdvancedPracticeNursing(AACN,2011).OutcomesforthenursingeducationmajorwerederivedfromtheNurseEducatorCompetenciesbytheSouthernRegionalEducationalBoard.MSNLevelCompetenciesfortheMasterofScienceinNursingEducation/AdministrationTrackCoreCompetencies(Allstudents)FollowingthecompletionofNU502,NU503,NU504,andNU518):1.Effectivelyutilizeresearchinthepracticeoreducationalsetting.2.Demonstrateanunderstandingofhealthcarepolicy,organizationandfinancingofhealthcare.3.Describeaprocessformakingethicaldecisions.4.Provideaninclusivedefinitionofadvancedpracticenursingroles.5.Critique,analyze,andevaluateavarietyofnursingtheories.6.Developanunderstandingofthewidediversityofsubculturalinfluencesonhumanbehavior.7.Fosterprinciplesofhealthpromotion,illnessprevention,andmaintenanceoffunctionacrossthehealth-illnesscontinuum.NursingEducationCoreCurriculum(Allstudents)FollowingthecompletionofNU505,NU515,NU516,NU517,NU540,andNU541):1.Developcurriculabasedonthemission,philosophy,andframeworkoftheprogramandtheinstitution.2.Definegoalsandobjectives.3.Planinstructionalobjectivesandcontentconsistentwithoverallcurriculargoals.4.Organizecontentandlearningexperiencesaccordingtoprinciplesoflearning.5.Designinstructionalstrategiestoachievelearninggoals.6.Evaluatelearningandachievingofgoals.7.Constructteststomeasurelearning.8.Incorporatetechnologyintocurricula.9.Usecurrentresearchfindingsandscholarlyworksinnursingtoimproveeducation.


97

NursingEducationPracticumExperience(Allstudents)FollowingthecompletionofNU540andNU541thestudentwill:1.Useappropriatetheoreticalframeworksandlearningprinciplestosocializestudentsintotheroleofprofessionalnursing.2.Helplearnersuseeducationresourceseffectively.3.Provideclinicalsupervisionforlearners.4.Select,plan,implement,andevaluatelearningexperiences.5.Promotenursingscholarshipinacademicandpracticesettings.6.Communicateeffectivelywithpeers,students,administrators,andotherstofacilitateimprovementsinnursingeducation.7.Demonstrateprofessionalandeducationalvalues.8.Effectivelyapplyteachingstrategiesintheclassroomlearningsetting.NursingAdministrationCoreCurriculum(Allstudents)FollowingthecompletionofNU505,NU516,NU518,NU530,andNU531thestudentwill:1.Developeffectiveoralandwrittencommunicationskills.2.Exhibitknowledgeofthehealthcareenvironmentinavarietyofareas.3.Utilizeprinciplesofleadershipinmanagingpersonnel.4.Promoteanenvironmentofprofessionalism.5.Developarepertoireofbusinessskillsrelatedtohealtheconomicsandfinancialmanagement.6.Incorporatetheuseofinformationtechnologyfordataentrytoimprovenursingpractice.7.Developmotivationmethodstoinfluencethebehaviorofothers.8.Utilizemanagementprinciplestodevelopstrategicplans.9.Userecentresearchfindingsandscholarlyworksinnursingtoimprovehealthcaremanagement.NursingAdministrationPracticumExperience(Allstudents)FollowingcompletionofNU530andNU531thestudentwill:1.Useappropriatetheoreticalframeworksandlearningprinciplestosocializestudentintotheroleofnursingadministration.2.Buildacollaborativerelationshipwithothersinthehealthcaredeliverysystem.3.Engagestaffandothersinsharedgovernancerelatedtodecisionmaking.4.Developgoalsforqualityimprovementinthehealthcareorganization.5.Promotenursingscholarshipinthepracticesetting.6.Formulatestrategiesforproblemsolvingandconflictmanagementinthehealthcareorganization.7.Demonstrateprofessionalandethicalvalues.8.Effectivelyapplyadministrativeleadershipstrategiesinthehealthcaresetting.9.Participateandanalyzefinancialmanagementplansofhealthcareorganization.