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NEWH NURSING CONSORTIUM

Nash Community College

Edgecombe Community College

Wilson Community College

Halifax Community College

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWH NURSING CONSORTIUM.............................................................................................................................1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Policy Board..................................................................................................................................................2 Organizational Chart.....................................................................................................................................3 Administrative Institution..............................................................................................................................4 Consortium Director .....................................................................................................................................4 Vice President Advisory Committee ..........................................................................................................4 Consortium Curriculum Advisory Committee ............................................................................................4 Clinical Contractural Agreements ...............................................................................................................4 Student Allotment Agreement......................................................................................................................5

PERSONNEL POLICIES

Director Selection.........................................................................................................................................5 Consortium Administrative Assistant Selection........................................................................................5 Faculty Selection...........................................................................................................................................6 Teaching Load Assignments.......................................................................................................................6

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Consortium Director .....................................................................................................................................6 Assistant Director .........................................................................................................................................8 Nursing Instructor (Full-time) ........................................................................................................................9 Nursing Instructor (Part-time).....................................................................................................................10 Consortium Administrative Assistant………………………………………………… ...........................11

RN LICENSE VERIFICATION PROCEDURE.......................................................................................................12 ADN HANDBOOK

2008 ADN Student Handbook..........................................................................................13 Statement of Purpose .....................................................................................................14 Philosophy.....................................................................................................................14 ADN Competencies........................................................................................................17 NA I and NA II ...............................................................................................................18 Master Curriculum Plan ..................................................................................................19 Essential Functions of a Nursing Student..........................................................................20 Explanation of Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening......................................21 Admission Policy............................................................................................................22 Admission Procedure for Advanced Placement for the Licensed Practical Nurse.................23 Readmission and Transfer Policies..................................................................................24 Academic Standards ......................................................................................................27 Health Policy..................................................................................................................28 Clinical Guidelines for Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids.................................................29 Insurance......................................................................................................................30 CPR Statement ..............................................................................................................30 Harassment Statement....................................................................................................30 Attendance Policy ..........................................................................................................31 Student Conduct ............................................................................................................32 Expectations of Students in Clinical Site...........................................................................33 Clinical Performance Policy............................................................................................35 Grievance Statement ......................................................................................................37

PNE HANDBOOK 2008 PNE Student Handbook ..........................................................................................38 Statement of Purpose ................................................................................................................................39 Program Philosophy...................................................................................................................................39 Practical Nursing Competencies ..............................................................................................................41 NA I and NA II ..............................................................................................................................................42 Master Curriculum Plan..............................................................................................................................43 Essential Functions of A Nursing Student................................................................................................44 Explanation of Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening......................................45 Admission Policy............................................................................................................46 Readmission and Transfer Policies..................................................................................47 Academic Standards ......................................................................................................50 Health Policy..................................................................................................................51 Clinical Guidelines for Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids.................................................52 Insurance......................................................................................................................53 Harassment Statement ..............................................................................................................................53 CPR Statement ..............................................................................................................53 Attendance Policy.......................................................................................................................................53 Student Conduct .........................................................................................................................................55 Expectations of Students in Clinical Site...........................................................................55 Clinical Performance Policy............................................................................................58 Grievance Statement………………………………………………………………………………..60

APPENDICIES Appendix I - Roles of Unlicensed Personnel......................................................................61 Appendix II - Revocation, Suspension, or Denial of License...............................................66 Appendix III - Components of Nursing Practice for the Registered Nurse............................71 Appendix IV - Rules Defining Components of Practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse ......73 Appendix V - Uniform Guidelines .....................................................................................75 Appendix VI – Consent Forms .........................................................................................76

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The Nash-Edgecombe-Wilson-Halifax (NEWH) Nursing Consortium is an affiliation of four North Carolina

Community College System Institutions (Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College,

Wilson Community College, and Halifax Community College). The Consortium was established and

admitted its first class in 1974.

The Consortium offers two nursing programs through the four affiliating community colleges. Students

receive their degree from the college in which they are enrolled. The Associates of Applied Science

Degree in Nursing is a five-semester program and upon successful completion the graduates are eligible to

apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The Consortium offers a three-semester vocational diploma program in practical nursing, which was

established in 2002. Upon successful completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply to take the

NCLEX-PN.

The policies within the handbook have been developed by the nursing faculty and approved by the Policy

Board of the Consortium and will be implemented in an effort to guide the student in the development of

professional behaviors and attitudes. It is the responsibility of each nursing student to review the handbook

independently and to refer to it as needed during student's enrollment. Failure to read and comply with the

policies will not exempt students from penalties when they may incur. The nursing faculty will review the

handbook with the students during orientation and will consult with students at any time if they have

questions about the handbook or policies.

The North Carolina Board of Nursing approves the Consortium nursing programs. Each member college

of the Consortium is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Consortium is fully committed to the principles and practices of equal educational opportunities for

all people. The Consortium declares that it will not practice or condone discrimination in any form against

applicants or students on the grounds or race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or political

affiliation.

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Policy Board The Boards of Trustees of Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College, Wilson

Community College, and Halifax Community College provide that their Chief Administrative Officers serve

as the policy-making body of the Consortium. The Policy Board is empowered to act on behalf of the

individual boards but shall not undertake acts not normally delegated to them by their respective Board of

Trustees.

The Policy Board will select as chair one of the Presidents from any of the three institutions not serving

as the administrative college of the Consortium. The Policy Board will select a chair annually at the

business meeting.

The Policy Board will meet once annually to conduct its regular business. There may be additional

meetings called to conduct business as deemed necessary by the chair of the Policy Board or by the

Director of the Consortium.

NEWH Nursing Consortium

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

POLICY BOARD

4 College Presidents

Administrative President Vice-President Advisory Committee Director of the NEWH Nursing Program

NEWH Nursing Consortium Secretary

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Clinical Resources Advisory Committee

Nash Edgecombe Wilson Halifax Assistant Director Assistant Director Assistant Director Assistant Director

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Administrative Institution

The Policy Board identifies one of its member colleges to serve as the administrative college. That

college will receive and disburse the Consortium funds in accordance with the approved budget. The

administrative college employs, with the approval of the Policy Board, the Consortium Director and other

personnel of the Consortium office. Following the Administrative College's published personnel policies, it

shall provide the supervisory and supportive needs of these personnel. Upon written notification to the

Policy Board, the Administrative College may discharge any person it so employs.

The Consortium Director

The Consortium Director reports directly to the President of the Administrative College and is

considered an employee of the Administrative College. The Policy Board upon recommendation of the

President of the Administrative College will set the Director's salary. The President of the Administrative

College will prepare the annual evaluation of the Director with input from the Policy Board.

Vice President's Advisory Committee

This Vice Presidents’ advisory committee functions to promote program quality, administrative

effectiveness, cooperation, communications feedback, and problem solving. Serving on this committee are

the Vice Presidents of Instruction and the Deans/Vice Presidents of Student Services of the four colleges,

and the Consortium Director.

The organizational structure and design at the operational level takes into consideration the need to

protect and preserve individual college integrity. The structure enables the Vice Presidents of Instruction

and Deans/Vice- Presidents of Student Services to administer the needs of their respective colleges and at

the same time assist the Consortium Director in achieving his/her role.

Consortium Advisory Committee

This committee provides opportunities for interested, concerned, and involved lay persons and

professionals to have direct input in reference to decisions dealing with program scope, sequence, and

content. Members of this Advisory Committee are the Director, Assistant Directors of each educational

college, representatives of affiliating agencies and students. The functions of this committee are as follows:

1. To serve as advisor to the Consortium.

2. To assist in the recruitment of faculty.

3. To serve as an advisor for nursing education in relation to nursing matters.

Clinical Contractural Agreements

Hospitals and other clinical facilities are utilized in order to provide adequate learning experiences.

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There will be a contractural agreement with all clinical facilities. The contractural agreement will originate

from the Consortium office and will be signed by the Consortium Director and the designated person(s) from

the clinical facility. The contractural agreement will have an automatic renewal unless otherwise stated by

the clinical facility.

Certain clinical facilities may have their own contractural agreement. The Consortium Director will be the

designated person to sign the agreement. It will be the responsibility of the Consortium Director to assure

that the contractural agreement remains current.

The Consortium Director, nursing faculty, and representatives of the clinical resources will evaluate the

effectiveness of the learning experiences available at the clinical site.

Student Allotment Agreement

The Consortium is approved by the Board of Nursing to have 280 qualified students in the day option 20

students in the evening option for the associate degree program. Each college of the Consortium is entitled

to have 80 students in the day option of the associate degree program.

In the practical nursing program there are 96 slots for qualified applicants. Each college of the

Consortium is entitled to 24 students in the practical nursing program.

Prior to the beginning of each fall semester or initial admissions to the NEWH Nursing Program, any of

the four colleges of the NEWH Consortium may relinquish any unfilled slots to be placed in a central pool

located at the office of the Consortium. One or more of the colleges that have more qualified applicants than

slots available may choose to apply for the central pool slots with the Consortium Director. In the

subsequent year(s), the college(s) receiving the additional slots will be held to the maximum number of

students for enrollment in the Consortium unless there are available slots within the Consortium.

The member college(s) with potential for a total number of qualified students in excess must demonstrate

that there is adequate nursing faculty, class and laboratory space, and clinical resources to accommodate

the additional students. The Consortium Director will serve as a resource person to help the college(s)

evaluate the resources and make the decision whether or not to distribute the central pool slots to the

requesting institution(s).

PERSONNEL POLICIES

Director Selection

Applicants for the position of Director of the Consortium submit applications to the Administrative

College. The Vice Presidents and Assistant Directors from the four community colleges interview qualified

applicants and make recommendations to the Policy Board.

Final approval for selection of the Director is made by the Policy Board following interviews with the

selected applicants.

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Consortium Administrative Assistant Selection

Applicants for the position of Consortium administrative assistant are solicited in accordance with the

Administrative College's personnel policies. The Consortium Director will interview candidates for the

position of Consortium administrative assistant and make a recommendation to the President of the

Administrative College. The President of the Administrative College will make the final decision in the

selection of the Consortium administrative assistant.

Faculty Selection

The Director of the Consortium will assist in making recommendations and selections for employment of

faculty members in accordance with the employing college's personnel policies.

Faculty members are employees of the individual colleges.

Teaching Load Assignments

The normal range of a full-time teaching load for instructors will be less than 30 hours per week (with

clinical supervision counted as full contact hours). The number of nurse faculty shall be sufficient to be

involved in the instructional process in each area of the curriculum as demanded by course objectives, level

of the student, and nature of the learning environment.

In consultation with the local Vice President, the Consortium Director may assist in making teaching load

assignments. The assignments may be based on consideration of the number of classes and class

preparations, committee assignments, travel time required, and student advisee loads.

Instructors may be assigned hours for instruction and/or clinical instruction at any time within the twenty-

four hour day and a seven-day week so that adequate learning experiences are available. Decisions for

assigning faculty other than daytime hours will be based on the requirements for maximum utilization of

faculty and facilities.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS Director of NEWH Consortium - Position Description 1. Title of position - Director of the NEWH Nursing Consortium 2. Academic and professional preparation:

A. Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

B. Evidence of academic preparation consistent with the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317. This includes an earned Baccalaureate and Master’s degree, one of which shall be in nursing.

C. Professional experience is consistent with the North Carolina Board of Nursing's NC

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Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317. This includes at least two years experience teaching at or above the level of the program. It is highly desirable that the experience be in an Associate Degree Nursing curriculum.

D. Evidence of two years prior full-time employment as a registered nurse in direct patient care.

3. Responsibilities of the Consortium Director: A. Direct the Consortium Nursing Programs formed by the mutual agreement between Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Community College in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, Wilson Community College in Wilson, and Halifax Community College in Weldon.

B. Administer and supervise a nursing program based on an curriculum which provides mobility opportunities for individuals who desire educational preparation in nursing.

C. Authority to maintain the standards for nursing programs as published in the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317 D. Authority and responsibility for developing policies for student admission, progression and graduation from the nursing programs. E. Coordinate the development and implementation of the Consortium Policy Manual and procedures as approved by the Policy Board.

F. Develop and manage the Consortium budget upon approval of the Policy Board.

G. Assist member institutions with supervision and evaluation of instruction of full-time and part-time nursing faculty in accordance with personnel policies of that institution.

H. Recommend student body size consistent with area demands for nurses, North Carolina Board of Nursing requirements, available faculty, and available clinical resources.

I. Plan and conduct annual advisory committee meetings.

J. Assist in identifying staff development needs and plan, develop, and implement programs to

meet such needs.

K. Assume the leadership role in maintaining a curriculum that develops nursing competencies which reflect current nursing practice.

L. Assist in identifying and acquiring clinical teaching facilities and negotiate the cooperative agreements with these facilities.

M. Provide verification of graduates to the State Board of Nursing.

N. Represent the Consortium in relationship to accrediting bodies, state agencies, and professional organizations.

O. Work with Student Services staff in recruitment of students and implementation of

Consortium Policy Manual.

P. Assist the member institutions with the effective utilization and sharing of human and other resources.

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Q. Assist with the recruitment, selection and orientation of new faculty members.

R. Coordinate course outline development and revision with nursing faculty. S. Coordinate textbook selections for course outlines. T. Maintain a current course outline file of each course taught in the Consortium. U. Schedule and conduct Consortium meetings.

V. Recommend personnel needs of the Consortium to the individual Vice President for Instruction.

W. Serve as a resource person to the individual Vice President's for Instruction.

X. Provide as liaison with other nursing programs to achieve maximum curriculum articulation and student mobility. Y. Implement the Consortium evaluation plan.

Nursing Faculty – Assistant Director Job Description 1. Title of Position – Assistant Director

2. Academic and professional preparation:

A. Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

B. Evidence of academic preparation consistent with the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317. This includes an earned Baccalaureate and Master's degrees, one of which shall be in nursing.

C. Professional experience as a nurse consistent with the North Carolina Board of Nursing's NC

Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317.

D. Minimum of one academic year of full-time teaching experience in a nursing program.

E. Evidence of two years full-time employment as a registered nurse in direct patient care.

3. Responsibilities of Assistant Director:

The Assistant Director’s responsibilities are defined by the employing college. In addition, the Assistant Director is responsible to the Consortium in the following areas:

A. Communicate with the Consortium Director regarding the ongoing implementation and evaluation

of the Consortium. B. Implement the Policy Manual. C. Maintain records of clinical schedules, faculty assignments, accurate enrollment lists and other records as indicated in the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317.

D. Attend Consortium Assistant Director meetings.

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E. Assist with the evaluation and revision of the Consortium outlines and exams. F. Assist the Consortium Director in the identification and evaluation of clinical teaching facilities. G. Serve as a resource person to the Consortium Director. H. Participate in Consortium staff development programs. I. May provide classroom, lab, and clinical instruction, supervision and evaluation of students. J. Function as the course coordinator, on the campus, for those courses in which the nursing faculty

involved in the teaching process are not masters prepared. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to accountability for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the major clinical nursing course.

K. Evaluate full and part-time nursing faculty in the classroom and clinical area on an annual basis. L. Perform other responsibilities as designated. M. Evaluate campus facilities including library resources, office, classroom, and laboratory needs

on an annual basis. N. Evaluate student records and physical exam forms for completeness, accuracy, and verification

that a student possesses physical and emotional health indicative of ability to provide safe nursing care to the public each semester and annually.

O. Authority and appropriate responsibility for student admission, progression, and graduation from the nursing program.

P. Maintain current CPR certification, annual TB skin test, Hepatitis B Series or declination, and other clinical facility requirements as indicated.

Nursing Faculty - Nursing Instructor Job Description 1. Title of Position - Nursing Instructor 2. Academic and Professional Preparation A. Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

B. Evidence of academic preparation consistent with the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317. A baccalaureate degree in nursing or a Baccalaureate with a major in nursing is required.

C. Professional experience as registered nurse consistent with NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317.

D. Experience in teaching preferred.

E. Evidence of two years prior full-time employment as a registered nurse in direct patient care.

3. Responsibilities of Faculty:

The nursing faculty responsibilities are defined by the employing College. In addition, the nursing

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faculty is responsible to the Consortium in the following areas: A. Assist with the coordination, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing courses. B. Communicate with the Consortium Director and the Assistant Director regarding the ongoing

implementation and evaluation of the Consortium.

C. Implement the Policy Manual.

D. Maintain records regarding clinical assignments, course teaching schedules, and other records as designed by the Assistant Director and/or Consortium Director.

E. Attend Consortium meetings. F. Assist with the evaluation and revision of the Consortium outlines and exams. G. Participate in Consortium staff development programs. H. Serve as a resource person to the Assistant Director. I. Provide classroom, lab, and clinical instruction, supervision and evaluation of students.

J. Perform other responsibilities as designated by the Assistant Director and/or Consortium Director. K. Authority and appropriate responsibility for student admission, progression, and graduation from the nursing program. L. Maintain current CPR certification, annual TB skin test, Hepatitis B Series or declination, and

other clinical facility requirements as indicated. Nursing Faculty - Nursing Instructor Part-Time Job Description 1. Title of Position - Nursing Instructor Part-Time 2. Academic and Professional preparation A. Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

B. Evidence of academic preparation consistent with the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317. A baccalaureate degree in nursing or a baccalaureate with a major in nursing is required.

C. Professional experience as practitioners of nursing consistent with the NC Administrative Code, Title 21, Chpt 36 Section .0317.

D. Experience in teaching preferred.

E. Evidence of two years prior full-time experience as a registered nurse in direct patient care.

3. Responsibilities of faculty

The Nursing Instructor employed on a part-time basis will carry out responsibilities as defined by the employing college. In addition, the Nursing Instructor is responsible to the Consortium in the following areas:

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A. Assist with the coordination, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing courses.

B. Communicate with the Consortium Director and the Assistant Director regarding the ongoing implementation and evaluation of the Consortium.

C. Implement the Policy Manual.

D. Maintain records regarding clinical assignments, course teaching schedules, and other records as designated by the Assistant Director and/or Consortium Director.

E. Attend Consortium meetings. F. Assist with the evaluation and revision of the Consortium outlines and exams. G. Participate in Consortium staff development programs when appropriate. H. Serve as a resource person to the Assistant Director and Consortium Director.

I. Perform other responsibilities as designated by the Assistant Director and/or Consortium Director.

J. Provide as needed classroom, lab, and clinical instruction, supervision and evaluation of students. K. Maintain current CPR certification, annual TB skin test, Hepatitis B Series or declination, and other clinical facility requirements as indicated.

Consortium Administrative Assistant - Job Description

1. Title of position - Consortium Administrative Assistant

2. Academic preparation: Education background of at least a high school diploma with post high school business courses preferred.

3. Responsibilities of Administrative Assistant: A. Perform typing functions for the Consortium Director and nursing faculty. B. Prepare monthly travel form for the Director. C. Responsible for scheduling challenge exams. D. Type verification forms for applicants to take NCLEX examination. E. Type and reproduce course syllabi and common tests and other curriculum materials for the Consortium. F. Assist in the preparation of reports as required by the accrediting agencies. G. Other duties as designated by the Consortium Director. 4. Competencies required: Ability to work with a minimum of supervision. Ability to work with a variety of people. Exceptional typing and computer skills.

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RN LICENSE VERIFICATION POLICY It is the responsibility of the Director to validate that each faculty member holds a current unrestricted

license as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina. The procedure to assure current licensure will be as

follows:

1. At the time of employment, the faculty member will provide the Director with a social security number or certificate number from nursing license.

2. The Director will verify the license of the potential faculty member through the NC Board of Nursing’s

Web-site. 3. The Director will print the verification form and file a copy of the verification form in a secure area. 4. The Director will maintain a list of the dates of expiration of all faculty members’ license. 5. Each faculty member will renew his or her license biannually by the last day of his or her birthday month. 6. The Director will send a memo to each faculty member and the Assistant Director one-month prior to

expiration date of the faculty member’s license. 7. The Director will verify licensure of the faculty member on the last day of the expiration month of the

faculty member’s license. 8. The Director will print a copy of the verification form from the Board of Nursing Web page and maintain

the verification in a secure place. 9. If the faculty member has not maintained current unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in North

Carolina, the faculty will be placed on administrative leave until a current license has been obtained. 10. The Assistant Director, the vice president of the college and the faculty member will be notified that the

license of the faculty member is not current.

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Associate Degree Nursing Program





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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the Associate Degree Nursing Program of the Consortium is to prepare the

student for the role of a registered nurse. Upon successful completion of the curriculum the graduate will be

awarded an Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Nursing and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to assess, analyze, plan, implement, and to evaluate

nursing care. The clinical and classroom experiences utilize an integrated approach with the student

progressing from simple to more complex nursing skills and concepts. Clinical and classroom experiences

may include day, evening, and weekend rotations in area health care facilities.

The faculty members of the Consortium support the mission statements of the affiliating Consortium

colleges by providing quality education and by promoting the development of students by preparing them for

practice and employment.

PROGRAM PHILISOPHY

Mission Statement

The NEWH Nursing Consortium is an integral part of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, and Halifax

Community Colleges. The Consortium supports the missions of the four colleges and serves as one of the

avenues through which the Colleges fulfill their institutional purposes. The NEWH Nursing Consortium strives

to meet the needs of our students and communities by promoting excellence within the nursing profession.

The Consortium educates adult learners at the associate degree and diploma levels to competently perform

as entry-level practitioners in a multicultural and global environment in accordance with the North Carolina

Nurse Practice Act.

Definitions

Client

Clients are unique, dynamic, and diverse beings who possess dignity and are worthy of respect. Clients

interact, inter-relate, and are interdependent with their internal and external environment to meet their

physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs.

Nursing

Nursing is a dynamic relationship between the client and the nurse. The purpose of this client-centered

relationship is to promote health, maximize quality of life, and maintain optimal functioning throughout the

lifespan. Nursing is an art and science that is unique among practice disciplines in its intimacy, scope, and

privileged position in relation to clients. Nursing collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, coordinates

available resources, and utilizes evidence-based practice in order to achieve positive client outcomes.

Environment

Environment is composed of internal and external systems. The internal environment consists of a

client’s thoughts, abilities, self-concept, physical and chemical make-up, and spiritual and psychosocial

essence. The external environment consists of multiple communities with diverse familial, geographic,

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socioeconomic, spiritual, and cultural characteristics. The internal and external environments have a

reciprocal relationship that constantly changes to influence the client’s health.

Health

Health is a dynamic state of optimal functioning that is individual for the client and is influenced by the

client’s internal and external environment.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching is a science and art, based on a body of knowledge, derived from theories and research of

natural and social science disciplines. Teachers serve as motivators, facilitators, and role models, utilizing a

system of directed and deliberate actions to promote learning.

Learning is a life-long process influenced by the internal and external environment. This is a self-active

process, uniquely personal in nature, controlled by the learner. Learning is influenced by a cooperative and

interactive relationship between the teacher and learner.

Nursing Education

The faculty believes nursing education is lifelong process and develops from, changes with, and

influences the health needs and resources of society. Nursing education is based on scientific knowledge,

the theoretic concept of nursing, and evidenced-based practice. The nursing educator, as a facilitator,

seeks to assist the nursing student to develop intellectual curiosity and assimilate and apply nursing

knowledge through a wide variety of didactic and practical experiences. As providers of nursing education,

the faculty encourages critical thinking, informatics, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of

client-centered care.

The NEWH Consortium offers Associate Degree Nursing as one pathway for entry into nursing practice.

Associate Degree graduates assume roles as providers of care, managers of care, and members of the

discipline. The Associate Degree Nurse functions independently, dependently and interdependently as a

member of the health care team in the care of individuals with common and complex health problems in

structured and unstructured health care settings, In the rapidly changing health care environment, nurses

from every educational background exercise these roles in varying degrees.

Associate Degree Nurse Roles:

Provider of Care--The Associate Degree graduate utilizes the nursing process as a basis for

decisions. These decisions are characterized by critical thinking, clinical competence, accountability, and a

commitment to the value of caring.

Manager of Care--As a manager of care the nurse is responsible for the management of

resources and the management of client care to meet both client and institutional outcomes. The nurse must

collaborate with the client and all persons, facilities, and institutions that participate in meeting these

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outcomes. The manager is characterized by collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability,

advocacy, and surveillance of the care received and respect for other health care members.

Member of the Discipline--The nurse must demonstrate a commitment to the profession of

nursing, professional growth, continuous learning, self-development, and must practice within the ethical and

legal framework of nursing.

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Associate Degree Nursing COMPETENCIES

Competency Level 1 (120) Level 2 (210) Level 3 (220) Professional

Behaviors Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.

Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.


Communication Utilize basic therapeutic communication techniques with the client and significant persons.

Utilize therapeutic communication techniques with the client and significant persons.

Utilizes therapeutic communication techniques with groups of clients and significant persons.

Informatics Utilize informatics to communicate and access information.

Utilize informatics to support and communicate the planning and provision of client-centered culturally competent care.

Utilize informatics to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.

Assessment Assess an individual client’s health status.

Assess clients for changes in health status and identified need.

Assess groups of clients for changes in health status and identified needs.

Clinical Decision Making

Utilize the principles of evidenced-based practice in the delivery of accurate, safe care.

Integrate evidenced-based practice with clinical data to formulate clinical judgments in the delivery of client-centered, culturally competent care.

Employ evidenced-based practice to integrate best research with clinical expertise and client values to support clinical decision making.

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Caring Interventions

Demonstrate basic caring behaviors while respecting client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.

Demonstrate caring behaviors while respecting client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs

Adapt care in consideration of client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.


Apply teaching learning principles to implement an established teaching plan.

Implement an individualized client-centered teaching plan to promote healthy lifestyles.

Modify the teaching plan based on the evaluation of progress toward meeting identified learning outcomes.

Collaboration Work as a team member to provide client-centered care involving the client in decision making and care management.

Participate in the implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care involving the client in decision making and care management.

Participate with the interdisciplinary team and client to integrate a client-centered plan of care.

Managing Care Prioritize client care. Coordinate the implementation of client care while employing the principles of delegation.

Coordinate, delegate, and manage continuous client care while demonstrating the ability to supervise others.

Quality Improvement

Utilize basic principles of quality improvement in nursing practice.

Participate in quality improvement processes to measure client outcomes and identify hazards and errors.

Design and participate in quality improvement to measure client outcomes and identify hazards and errors to develop changes in processes of client care.

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Nursing Practice

The "practice of nursing by a registered nurse" consists of the ten components as defined by the Nursing

Practice Act of North Carolina (2005):

1. Assessing the patient’s physical and mental health including the patient’s reaction to illnesses

and treatment regimens.

2. Recording and reporting the results of the nursing assessment.

3. Planning, initiating, delivering, and evaluating appropriate nursing acts.

4. Teaching, assigning, delegating to or supervising other personnel in implementing the

treatment regimen.

5. Collaborating with other health care providers in determining the appropriate health care for a patient

but, subject to the provisions of G.S. 90-18.2, not prescribing a medical treatment regimen or making a

medical diagnosis, except under supervision of a licensed physician.

6. Implementing the treatment and pharmaceutical regimen prescribed by any person authorized by

State law to prescribe the regimen.

7. Providing teaching and counseling about the patient’s health.

8. Reporting and recording the plan of care, nursing care given, and the patient’s response to that

care.

9. Supervising, teaching, and evaluating those who perform or are preparing to perform nursing

functions and administering nursing programs and services.

10. Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care, whether rendered directly or

indirectly.

Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II

Upon successful completion of NUR 110, the student is eligible to apply to become a Nurse Aide I

(NA I). The student must take a skills test and written examination to prove competency and must pass both

components. Testing is provided through Promissor. Students who wish to schedule an exam may obtain a

candidate handbook, application and test schedule at www.promissor.com or by calling the Nurse Aide

Competency Evaluation Service at 1-888-282-6904. Testing will cost approximately $100.

Upon successful completion of the second semester the student is eligible to apply to the Nurse Aide II

Registry. It will be the responsibility of the student to submit the application to the Consortium Office with a

certified check or money order for $24.00 to the NC Nurse Aide II Registry. Students that are interested in

becoming a Nurse Aide II must be listed on the NA I Registry.

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Master Curriculum Plan

Associate Degree Nursing Program Code A45100

Curriculum Description:

The Associate Degree Nursing (integrated) curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and

skill necessary to provide nursing care to clients and groups throughout the life span in a variety of settings.

Courses will include content related to the nurse’s role as provider of nursing care, as manager of

care, as member of the discipline of nursing and as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination

(NCLEX-RN) which is required to practice as a Registered Nurse. Employment opportunities include

hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, physicians' offices, industry and community agencies.

First Year Fall Class Lab Clinical Credit

NUR 110 Nursing I 5 3 6 8 BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 3 0 4 PSY 150 General Psychology 3 0 0 3 NUR 118 Nutrition 2 0 0 2 CIS 113 Computer Basics 1 2 0 1 ACA 111 College Student Success* 1 0 0 1

14(15)* 8 6 18(19)* Spring

NUR 120 Nursing II 5 3 6 8 BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 3 0 4 PSY 241 Developmental Psychology 3 0 0 3 ENG 111 Expository Writing 3 0 0 3

14 6 6 18 Summer

NUR 130 Nursing III 4 3 6 7 BIO 175 General Microbiology 3 2 0 3

7 5 6 10 Second Year Fall

NUR 210 Nursing IV 5 3 12 10 Humanities Requirement 3 0 0 3 English Requirement 3 0 0 3

11 3 12 16 Spring NUR 220 Nursing V 4 3 15 10 NUR 255 Professional Issues 3 0 0 3 7 3 15 13 Total Credit 75(76*) * WCC only

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A NURSING STUDENT

North Carolina’s Nursing Practice Act (August, 2005), defines nursing as:

"a dynamic discipline which includes the assessing, caring, counseling, teaching, referring and

implementing of prescribed treatment in the maintenance of health, prevention and management of

illness, injury, disability or the achievement of a dignified death. It is ministering to, assisting, and

sustained, vigilant, and continuous care of those acutely or chronically ill; supervising patients during

convalescence and rehabilitation; the supportive and restorative care given to maintain the optimum

health level of individuals, groups, and communities; the supervision, teaching, and evaluation of

those who perform or are preparing to perform these functions; and the administration of nursing

programs and nursing services."

The safe practice of nursing involves cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance

requirements. Therefore, the essential functions for students in a nursing program shall be further defined

according to the following standards:

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STANDARDS

Nursing students should possess and be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. For example:

the student must be able to identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; collect and

analyze data to aid in problem solving; develop nursing care plans.

2. Interpersonal Skills: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, groups

and health care professionals from a variety of emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. For

example: the nursing student shall establish rapport with clients and the health care team members.

3. Communication Skills: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and

written form. For example: explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and

interpret nursing actions and client responses.

4. Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces,

stand and walk for extensive periods of time. For example: trips from workstation to clients’ rooms,

workspaces and treatment areas.

5. Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.

For example: calibrate and use equipment, document care, position and move clients, administer

cardiopulmonary procedures, and perform procedures.

6. Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. For example:

hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help.

7. Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. For

example: observe client response, changes in patient color, and specimen color.

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8. Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. For example: perform palpation, functions

of physical examination and/or those related therapeutic intervention, insertions of catheters, and

taking pulses.

9. Weight Bearing: Ability to lift and manipulate/move 45-50 pounds. For example: position clients,

move equipment.

10. Cognitive Abilities: Ability to be oriented to time, place, and person; organize

responsibilities, and make decisions. For example: student shall assess client complaints, provide

prioritized client care, and implement appropriate plans.

Developed by Board of Directors Southern Council of Education for Nursing

EXPLANATION OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG SCREENING

The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates all aspects of nursing including education, licensure,

and the practice of nursing by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to insure the safety and well

being of the public. The Nursing Practice Act states that "all applicants for licensure shall consent to a

criminal history record check" (GS 90-171.48, b). The Board of Nursing shall ensure that State and national

criminal history of each applicant is checked. The Nursing Practice Act defines criminal history as a

"misdemeanor or felony, that bears on an applicant's fitness for licensure to practice nursing" which includes

the sale and distribution of drugs, alcohol related offenses, or driving while impaired (GS 90-171.48, a 2). If

the criminal history record reveals one or more convictions that is listed in GS 90-171.48 a, 2 the conviction

shall not automatically bar licensure. The Board of Nursing shall consider a number of factors regarding the

conviction(s). If after reviewing the factors, the Board of Nursing determines that the conviction bears on the

applicant's fitness to practice nursing then licensure will be denied.

In the nursing program, students are assigned clinical rotations in a number of participating agencies.

Various accrediting bodies, as well as state and federal mandates regulate these agencies. The

accrediting bodies or state and federal regulations may require that students while practicing in a clinical

setting have a criminal background check or drug screening. The drug screening may be done once, before

the student reports to the clinical agency, or randomly, during the clinical experience. If the student has a

criminal conviction, tests positive for illicit drugs, or drugs for which the student cannot produce a valid

prescription, the agency may refuse to allow the student to participate in the clinical experience. The NEWH

Nursing Consortium recognizes and is fully supportive of the clinical agencies that choose to perform drug

tests and/or criminal background checks on nursing students.

If a nursing student is prohibited from participating in a clinical agency based on the criminal background

or positive drug screening, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program due to the inability to

progress and complete the nursing curriculum.

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All costs associated with criminal background checks and drug screening in the clinical agency are the

responsibility of the student. Criminal background checks for licensure will be done at the expense of the

student.

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ADMISSION POLICY for Associate Degree in Nursing Students are admitted to the Consortium in accordance with policies approved by the Policy Board. The

four Consortium colleges do not guarantee admission to all students that apply to the nursing program.

Completion of the nursing curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure exam.

A nursing student must be admitted/readmitted to the nursing program in order to take courses for credit

in any nursing (NUR) course except NUR 118.

Admission Procedure The nursing applicant will be required to meet steps I-IV before admission. Each step of the admission

procedure must be completed before moving to the next step.

Step I Application Process (1- 5 in Step I must be complete by February 1st)

1. An application for admission to the nursing program at the respective college must be submitted by February 1st with subsequent dates established by the individual college based on space available.

2. Submission of official records of high school graduation or equivalency and all post-secondary

transcripts. (Currently enrolled high school students are to submit a partial transcript at time of application. A final transcript will be submitted at the time of graduation.)

3. Students must be eligible to enroll into English 111.

4. Students must complete requirements for Math 060 and Math 070 or the equivalent course with a C or better.

5. Evidence of successful completion (C or better) of high school or college chemistry or biology.

Step II Permission to take Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

1. Must achieve an overall score of 70% on the TEAS and sub-score of 82% on reading. The student

will be allowed to test twice per year in the Consortium. The highest score will be counted toward admission. Test scores will be valid for two years. Students will be required to pay $25.00 to take the TEAS. Picture ID will be required to take the TEAS.

Step III Conditional Acceptance

1. Should there be more qualified applicants than space available the following criteria will be used to determine those selected for admission:

a. TEAS percentage score b. Academic performance points (GPA) on a minimum of 12 hours on required coursework in the ADN curriculum c. Total number of science courses in the nursing curriculum with a C or better

d. Currently certified as NA I, NA II or successful completion of allied health curriculum.

2. A letter of conditional acceptance will be sent to the student.

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Step IV Acceptance

1. Submission of a completed physical examination form. The physical examination can be performed

within a time frame of 6 months prior to enrollment for fall semester.

2. The Hepatitis B series must be started or a declination form for Hepatitis B must be signed. 3. Submission of evidence of current (one year) CPR certification for health care providers which

includes choking and AED.

4. A 2.00 GPA on required associate degree nursing curriculum coursework before enrollment fall semester.

5. Letter of acceptance will be mailed when the above items have been submitted.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT FOR THE LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE A Nursing Transition plan has been designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who desire to enter the

Associate Degree Nursing program with advanced standing. Applicants who meet the admission

requirements outlined below and successfully complete the Nursing Transition courses (NUR 187 and NUR

189) with a C or better will be allowed to enroll in NUR 130 and complete the Associate Degree program

requirements. Students who are taking NUR 187 and NUR 189 have been accepted into the associate

degree nursing program. Each step of the admission procedure must be completed before moving to the

next step.

Step I Application Process (1- 5 of Step I must be completed by September 1st)

1. An application for admission to the nursing program at the respective college must be submitted by September 1st with subsequent dates established by the individual college based on space available.

2. Submission of records of high school graduation or equivalency and all post-secondary transcripts.

3. Students must be eligible to enroll into English 111.

4. Students must have completed requirements for Math 060 and Math 070 or the equivalent coursework with a C or better. 5. Evidence of successful completion (C or better) of high school or college chemistry or biology.

6. Have taken or currently enrolled in:

A. NUR 118 B. BIO 168 C. PSY 150 D. CIS 113 E. ACA 111 (WCC requirement only)

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The student must have a C or better on the above courses before enrollment.

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1. Must achieve an overall score of 70% on the TEAS with sub-score of 82% on reading. The student will be allowed to test twice per year in the Consortium. The highest score will be counted toward admission. Test scores will be valid for two years. All students will be required to pay $25.00 to take the TEAS. Picture ID will be required to take the TEAS.


1. Should there be more qualified applicants than space available the following criteria will be used to determine those selected for admission:

a. TEAS percentage score b. Academic performance points (GPA) on a minimum of 12 hours on required coursework in the ADN curriculum completed as of September 1st. c. Total number of science courses in the nursing curriculum with a C or better d. Successful completion of allied health curriculum.

2. Letter of conditional acceptance will be sent to the student. 3. If the program allotment is not full with the first review, a second review of applicants will be done at the conclusion of fall semester.

Step IV Acceptance


within a time frame of 6 months prior to enrollment for spring semester.

2. The Hepatitis B series must be started or a declination form for Hepatitis B must be signed.

3. Submission of evidence of current (one year) CPR certification for health care providers which includes choking and AED.

4. A 2.00 GPA on required nursing curriculum courses by the completion of fall semester.

5. Evidence of successful completion of NUR 118, PSY 150, BIO 168, CIS 113 and ACA 111 (WCC

requirement). 6. Evidence of a current unencumbered LPN license to practice in North Carolina.

7. Letter of acceptance will be mailed when all of the above items have been submitted.

READMISSION and TRANSFER POLICIES

A. Readmission Policy to the Consortium

Readmission of students who have exited, for whatever reason, from the Consortium is considered

following review by the designated student services representative in consultation with the Assistant Director

and Consortium Director. The Consortium does not guarantee readmission to any student. Students

seeking readmission must apply to the college at least one semester before seeking readmission. All

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readmission requirements must be completed by November 15th for spring readmission, April 15th for

summer readmission, and June 15th for fall readmission.

Students seeking readmission must comply with the Consortium policies. Students who have received a

D on general education or related coursework in the nursing curriculum will be strongly encouraged to retake

the coursework prior to readmission. Students with an F on a general education or related coursework must

repeat coursework prior to readmission. The student must be in satisfactory academic standing in the

College up to the point where the student is seeking readmission. Students may be required to take

challenge exams, pharmacology calculation tests, and clinical competency check-offs depending on the

length of time the student has been out of program.

Readmission into either the associate degree nursing program or the practical nursing program, or a

combination of either program will be allowed twice. After two readmissions a student will be ineligible for

readmission. A student who successfully completes the practical nursing program, but who has exhausted

the number of readmissions will be allowed one opportunity to transition into the associate degree program

if admission standards are met. Students who were enrolled at the time of implementation of the policy (fall

2005) or prior to implementation of the policy will be allowed one additional opportunity to successfully

complete a nursing program. A student from outside the Consortium, applying for admission will provide

transcripts of the college(s) the student has attended. All admissions or readmissions in any nursing

program will be counted towards the policy.

B. Students Desiring Transfer Within the NEWH Nursing Consortium Participating Colleges

Students will comply with the following:

1. Completion of admission requirements as stated in the Admission Policy.

2. Written notification, by the student, to the Consortium Director of intent to transfer.

3. Submission of transcripts from other Nursing Program(s) and other post-secondary work for which

the student requests transfer credit.

The College will comply with the following:

1. The student's transcript will be evaluated by a student services representative and the Consortium

Director to determine course eligibility for transfer.

2. Acceptance of transfer will be based on adequate clinical space.

C. Students Desiring Admittance and Transfer of Credits From Schools Outside the Consortium


1. Completion of the admission requirements as stated in the Admission Policy.

2. Submission of transcripts from other nursing program(s) and other post-secondary work for which

the student requests transfer credit.


1. The designated individual at the college and the Consortium Director will evaluate the transcript.

They determine course eligibility for transfer credit.

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2. Completion of Consortium challenge exams, pharmacology calculation test and competency clinical

checkoffs will be required. Student may be encouraged to repeat course work.

3. Acceptance into the program will be based on clinical space available and admission criteria.

D. Challenge Exam Policy

The Consortium utilizes challenge exams to assess current proficiency of those individuals desiring

admission/readmission into the nursing program at any point in the program. The challenge exams include

the following nursing courses: NUR 110, 120, 130, 210, and 220. A transcript evaluation will be used to

determine which challenge exam(s) the student will take. Students must have credit for a nursing course or

its equivalent with a C or better to be eligible to take a challenge exam.

The following students will be required to take the challenge exam(s):

1. Consortium students seeking re-entry whose course work is two years old or greater from date of

completion of the course

2. Students from colleges outside the Consortium regardless of the age of the course work.

A minimum passing score of C or better is required on each exam. The score on each exam is valid for

two years. The student must be admitted in the nursing program within the two-year limit or the student will

be required to retake the challenge exam with a C or better.

Applicants that do not achieve a C or better on the challenge exam(s) may retake the exam. The exam

will be administered twice in a one-year period no closer than 90 days apart. After successful completion of

the exam(s), the applicant may seek admission into the program. If an applicant is unsuccessful on an

exam, the applicant may apply for admission into the program to take the corresponding course for credit,

provided clinical space is available. If the course has a clinical and lab component, the applicant must

satisfactorily complete each component to receive credit for the course. With achievement of a C or better

the unsatisfactory grade on the challenge exam will be eliminated and the student is eligible to continue in

the nursing program.

Applicants are advised to contact the Consortium office for information regarding challenge exams.

The address is:


225 Tarboro Street

Rocky Mount, NC 27801

Phone: 252-446-0436 (extension 326 or 354)

E-mail: [email protected]

E. Pharmacology Calculation Test

Students reentering the program will be required to take a Pharmacology calculation test. The student

must achieve a grade of 90 on the calculation test. The student will be given 2 opportunities to achieve the

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required grade. The student must wait a minimum of 10 days before retesting. The Consortium Director or

designee will administer the calculation test.

F. Clinical Competency Evaluation Policy

The nursing faculty of the Consortium are responsible for determining the level of clinical competence of

reentry students prior to assigning client care responsibilities to the student. Therefore, any student seeking

reentry to the Consortium at any semester, other than the Nursing I semester, will be required to successfully

complete a clinical competency evaluation. The Assistant Director, or designee, at the college the student

plans to attend will administer the clinical competency evaluation prior to the semester when entry is

anticipated. Study packets for the clinical competency evaluation will be available.

The clinical competency evaluation assesses knowledge and skills necessary to enter the proposed

course. It is designed to ensure that the prospective student is competent to practice in the clinical area at

the same level that a continuing student in the same course is expected to perform. The applicant will have

one opportunity annually to demonstrate clinical competency in the Consortium. A satisfactory clinical

evaluation competency for reentry into the Consortium is required.

G. Audit Policy

Students who audit a NUR prefix course are either auditing to take a challenge exam, or have taken

the course within the last year and are trying to return to the nursing curriculum. Students who audit a nursing

course will not be allowed to attend the clinical portion of the course. Students who audit a nursing course

must have credit for that course or the equivalent coursework. In order for students to audit, there must be

adequate classroom/lab space available. If there is not adequate space available, student who are

requesting to audit will be selected just as student seeking admission.

When auditing a course, students will be expected to follow the policies of the NEWH Nursing

Consortium and the College the students are attending. Classroom and lab attendance will be an

expectation in addition to taking test, exams, and performing clinical competencies. If a student exceeds

the attendance policy, the student will be dropped from the course. Once a student is dropped from the

course they were auditing the policies for readmission apply, including the policy for clinical competency.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

A. Quality Point Average

A 2.000 cumulative quality point average is required to remain in satisfactory academic standing.

B. Academic Warning

A student who does not maintain a 2.000 quality point average any given semester will be placed on

academic warning. The student must remove this restriction during the ensuing semester by attaining a

2.000 cumulative quality point average at the end of the semester.

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C. Academic Probation and Suspension

A student who fails to attain a 2.000 cumulative quality point average at the end of the Academic

Warning Semester will be placed on academic probation. The student will not be allowed to take a NUR

prefix course while on academic probation.

The student who attains a grade of F in any course will not be allowed to continue in the nursing program.

D. Prerequisites

Course prerequisites for NUR prefix courses as well as other nursing curriculum requirement courses are

defined in the curriculum section of the respective college catalog. Students must successfully complete

these prerequisites prior to enrolling in subsequent course offerings.

Students must take NUR prefix courses in sequence. Students may complete the general education and

related courses prior to the sequence listed in the specified nursing curriculum sequence. However, if not

taken previously, the general education and related courses must be taken in sequence with the specified

nursing curriculum sequence.

E. Grading Policy

Students in the NEWH Nursing Consortium must earn a grade of C or better in each of their major

courses (those designated by a NUR prefix) and the Biology course (BIO) in order to progress to the next

major course in the curriculum sequence or to graduate. Failure to achieve a grade of C or better in these

courses will result in dismissal from the program.

The following will be the grading scale for the Consortium: A 93-100

B 85-92

C 77-84

D 70-76

F less than 70

F. Dismissal: Non-Academic

Nursing students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:

1. Conduct not in accord with the legal standards of Registered Nurses according to Nursing Practice

Act, G.S. 90-171.37.

2. Physical and/or emotional health problems or behaviors, which indicate impairment in ability to

provide safe nursing care to the public. NCAC 36 .0217(c) Revocation, Suspension or Denial of

License. (Appendix II, page 66)

3. Failure to comply with NEWH Nursing Consortium attendance policy as stated in the student

handbook.

4. Violation of policy(s) in the College catalog, the NEWH Policy Manual, and the NEWH Student

Handbook.

G. Graduation

A 2.000 cumulative quality point average in all required nursing curriculum courses is required for

graduation. College graduation requirements, as stated in the respective catalog, must be met.

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HEALTH POLICY

A. Physical Exam

Students are required to submit physical exam results as determined by a physician, nurse practitioner

or physician's assistant. All required items of the medical examination form MUST be completed PRIOR to

admission to the program. The physical exam can be performed up to 6 months prior to enrollment in the

nursing curriculum.

Admission into the Consortium program is contingent upon receipt of a physical examination form that

includes a statement that indicates that the student possesses satisfactory physical and emotional health

indicative of their ability to provide safe nursing care to the public. Failure to achieve this requirement shall

prevent admission to, enrollment in, and require dismissal from the nursing program. No student will be

granted admission status until the Assistant Director or designee has verified that the physical examination

form is received, complete, and includes all items required.

Students must update their immunization record and maintain a current TB skin test. A current TB skin

test is a requirement of the clinical agency. If the skin test is not current the student may not attend clinical.

B. Physical/Emotional Health Policy

A student who exhibits physical and/or emotional health problems, or demonstrates behaviors which

indicate impairment in ability to provide safe nursing care to the public who does not respond to the

appropriate treatment or counseling within a reasonable time will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Continuance in the nursing program will be determined by the student’s ability to provide safe nursing care

to client(s).

C. Drug/Alcohol Impairment Policy

According to GS 90.171.37 of the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, the Board of Nursing may

restrict, revoke, or suspend any license if the Board of Nursing has determined that the nurse or applicant

"has a mental or physical disability or uses any drug to a degree that interferes with his or her fitness to

practice nursing." Therefore, it is the policy of the Consortium, that any student who consumes alcohol or

takes drugs (prescription or otherwise) that impairs the student’s mental or physical ability to provide safe

care to clients while in the clinical setting will be asked to immediately submit to a drug screening. Failure to

comply with the request or a positive drug screen will result in immediate dismissal from the Consortium.

According to GS 90.171.37 of the Nursing Practice Act, behaviors that may result in disciplinary action

by the Board of Nursing include "delegating responsibility to a person when the licensee delegating knows

or has reason to know that the competency of that person is impaired by physical or psychological ailments

or by alcohol or other pharmacological agents prescribed or otherwise." Therefore it is the responsibility of

the clinical nursing instructor assigning care of a client to a student to ask any student whose behaviors,

actions, or odors cause reason for suspicion of impairment to submit to an immediate drug test.

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Students will sign a release form at the time of drug testing for the clinical faculty member or Assistant

Director of nursing to see the results of the drug testing. The cost of drug screening will be the responsibility

of the student.

CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR EXPOSURE TO BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS

Nursing students are at risk for exposure to blood and body fluids that may be contaminated with the

hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other potentially harmful

or contagious pathogens while in the clinical setting. Information about bloodborne pathogens and how to

protect oneself and others from exposure will be taught before the students' first clinical experience. The

education on bloodborne pathogens and standard precautions will be reviewed annually and may be a part

of students' orientation to a clinical site. It is important for students to always follow standard precautions

when working with clients in any type of clinical setting.

In the event of exposure to blood or body fluids, it is the responsibility of the student to arrange and

pay for initial and post-exposure medical follow-up and care.

Following exposure to blood or body fluids, the student should take the following steps immediately:

1. Clean area thoroughly depending on the area exposed:

a. Skin exposure with blood - Wash area with antimicrobial soap and water for at least 15 seconds. b. Contaminated needle stick or contaminated puncture or cut with sharp object -

Wash area with antimicrobial soap and water for at least 15 seconds. c. Eye exposure - Rinse/flush eye with 1000 mL of water, sterile saline, eye irrigant for at least 15

minutes. d. Mucus membranes (mouth or nose) - Rinse/flush area with water.

2. Report the exposure to the clinical instructor or preceptor immediately after taking the above

preventative measures.

3. Determine the nature of the exposure and determine if there was exposure to body fluids. Assess the integrity of skin exposed to body fluids or blood.

4. Report the incident to the employee health nurse, infection control nurse, or nursing supervisor.

5. Follow the agency policy for occupational exposure, testing, or post-exposure medications as

indicated. If the clinical agency does not provide baseline testing and/or prophylaxis the student will need to call his/her primary care provider immediately.

6. Complete appropriate incident reports or post exposure reports with the assistance of the instructor

or employee health nurse.

7. Further testing, medical follow-up, and post-exposure medications will be with the student's primary physician at the student's expense.

INSURANCE

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A. Malpractice Insurance Policy

Nursing students are required to have Malpractice Insurance available through the College’s Business

Office at the beginning of each year. No student will be permitted to enter the clinical area without this

insurance.

B. Accident Insurance

All nursing students are strongly encouraged to have accident insurance, which can be obtained

through each College. The student is personally responsible for payment of any health care expenses which

might be incurred during the classroom or clinical experience.

CPR STATEMENT

For clinical agency requirements students must maintain current CPR certification. Unless stated

otherwise, CPR certification expires the last day of the renewal month. It is the student's responsibility to

submit a copy of the CPR card to the Assistant Director or designee.

If a student does not renew CPR certification the student will not be allowed to attend clinical.

HARASSMENT STATEMENT

The Consortium believes that students are entitled to learn in an environment free of discrimination or

intimidation. Harassment is defined as any unwanted discriminatory remark referring to the student’s race,

color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or sex made by

someone in the classroom or clinical agency which is offensive or which causes the recipient discomfort or

humiliation or which reasonably interferes with that student’s attempt to learn or perform

his or her assigned duties. A student who feels subjected to harassment should tell the person that the

conduct is unwelcome and ask the person to stop the conduct. A student who feels harassed should refer to

the college catalog and follow the policy to report the behavior to the appropriate college official.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance in class, laboratory, and clinical experience is essential to the success of the student in the

nursing program. As a part of the professional responsibility a student is expected to arrive promptly and

remain the specified time for the scheduled experience. Arrangements for childcare, doctor’s or personal

appointments or other issues should be arranged around the student’s academic schedule.

A. Class Room and Laboratory Attendance

A student who is absent more than fifteen percent (15%) of the scheduled time will be dismissed from

the program. The student is expected to arrive promptly for all scheduled class or lab experiences prepared

for the experience. The student is considered tardy from class when the student is not seated at the

beginning of the class or lab experience, or if class has begun after a scheduled break. For the courtesy of

fellow students, the student that is tardy must wait until the next break to enter the class or lab experience.

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Any tardy will be counted as at least one hour absent. If a student arrives late, it is the student’s

responsibility to inform the faculty member of his/her arrival so that the student will not be counted absent for

the entire experience.

A student is expected to participate in the entire class or lab experience. If a student leaves early from

the class or laboratory experience, the time will be counted towards the time missed.

If a scheduled test or exam is missed, the student must notify the faculty member prior to

missing the test or exam. If the faculty member is not available, it is appropriate to leave a voice mail on the

faculty member’s phone. It will be the student’s responsibility to make appropriate arrangements to take the

test or exam. Make-up tests or exams will not be taken during a regularly scheduled class or laboratory

experience. The make-up test or exam will be a different version of the test or exam. The student must

take the test or exam within 48 hours of returning to class, clinical or lab unless prior arrangements have

been made or the student will be awarded a grade of zero for the test.

B. Clinical Attendance

The clinical experience is considered an important part of the nursing student’s education. Due to the

importance of this experience, the student must attend all assigned clinical time. The number of hours in

clinical varies from semester to semester and the course outline will define the number of hours a student

will be required to be in the clinical setting.

During the course of a semester, a student may be absent from clinical for an extenuating circumstance.

The time missed will be made up during that semester and arranged by the faculty member. Clinical time

will be made up hour per hour. Due to the availability of clinical resources, faculty time, and the length of the

semester, a student that is absent greater than fifteen percent (15%) of the assigned clinical time will not be

allowed to make up the clinical experience and will be dismissed from the nursing course with a WF. If a

student is aware he/she will be absent before the scheduled time, arrangements for an alternative

experience should be made prior to the experience. Faculty will prepare a structured make-up plan with

documented learning objectives that duplicate the actual clinical experience missed.

A clinical experience is considered any scheduled time in a health care facility where a student

participates in the care for a client or where a student observes care being provided to a client. In addition,

a clinical experience may be a simulated experience where a student participates in a simulated clinical

environment providing care to a mannequin under the supervision of a nursing faculty member.

A student should not attend clinical if symptomatic with a fever, cold, or flu. Most institutions do not allow

employees or students with open cold sores (Herpes) in patient care areas.

It will be the student’s responsibility to notify the clinical faculty member before the start of the clinical day

if unable to attend the clinical experience or if the student is going to be tardy. The faculty member will

inform the student before the start of clinical each semester on the best method of notification in case of

absences or tardiness. An appointment should be made with faculty member during office hours to make

arrangements for clinical make-up time.

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A student is expected to be on time for the clinical experience, stay the entire experience, and be

present for pre and post conferences if applicable. If a student is more than 45 minutes late to clinical or

must leave the clinical experience 45 minutes early this will be counted as a clinical absence and the total

experience must be made up. In addition, the student is expected to be prepared for the clinical experience.

Documented extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Example of Attendance Policy

NUR 110

6 hours in clinical for sixteen weeks is 96 hours in clinical. If a student cannot exceed fifteen percent (15%)

for absences, they cannot miss more than 14 hours and 25 minutes.

6 x 16 = 96 hours x 15 = 14 hours and 25 minutes

STUDENT CONDUCT

Nursing students represent themselves, their program and College, as well as the nursing profession

when caring for clients; therefore, high standards of conduct and professional behavior are expected. These

standards include, but are not limited to those listed in the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, as well as

the legal boundaries, as set by the state of North Carolina.

Compliance with college policies, including acceptable conduct, is required at all times. Unacceptable

conduct includes but is not limited to dishonesty, breach of nursing ethics and plagiarism. Dishonesty by

cheating on tests or exams, submitting another student's work as one's own, sharing one's own work with

knowledge that it may be submitted by another student, and not revealing errors made in the clinical setting

are all grounds for and will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Plagiarizing from a text can be

avoided by using quotation marks correctly and citing the author and title of the source from which the text

was quoted. Paraphrasing information from a text or book does not require the use of quotation marks but a

citation of reference is required. Following the first incident of plagiarism, the student will be counseled and

the instructor will review with the student methods to prevent plagiarism. The counseling session will be

documented. If the student plagiarizes again the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. The

student nurse is expected to follow the ANA Code of Ethics for nurses as presented in NUR 110, Nursing I.

(http://www.nursingworld.org/ethics/code/protected_nwcoe813.htm)

During testing, a student may not use or handle any electronic device including, but not limited to, a MP3

player, iPOD, or cell phone.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS IN A CLINICAL SITE

A. Client Confidentiality

All students are required to maintain client confidentiality. A client must never be discussed in social

settings, elevators, and cafeterias or other inappropriate settings.

Client confidentiality is defined as the nondisclosure of information regarding the client. Personal or

health related information that a client tells a health care provider or that appears in the health record is

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considered confidential information. It is the legal and ethical duty of the health care provider to maintain

confidentially of privileged information. Confidential information may be shared only with other members of

the health care team who are providing care to the client.

Every clinical agency has strict guidelines regarding client information and confidentiality. These

guidelines are available at each institution with the student being oriented to the guidelines, and in most

situations the student will be required to sign a confidentiality statement. Violation of the NEWH

confidentiality policy or the clinical agency's confidentiality policy will result in the student being dismissed

from the nursing program and receiving a grade of "F" in the nursing course in which the student is enrolled.

To protect the confidentiality of the client the following guidelines, are to be followed by the student unless

otherwise specified by the clinical agency:

1. The student is not to remove a client’s chart (records) from its original location.

2. The student is accountable for the protection of the client’s record and its contents while the

record is being reviewed.

3. The student may not give or allow others to use his/her password to a clinical agency’s computer

system.

4. The student is prohibited from sharing information from the client’s medical record with family,

friends, or staff not directly involved in the client’s care.

5. The student is prohibited from photocopying or printing any part of the client’s chart for any

purpose.

6. The student is not to make reference of client’s identity in written work that will be turned in to an

instructor.

7. The student may only access client records that are required to complete clinical assignments.

8. The student may not access the medical record of a family member, friend or significant other while

in the clinical agency.

B. Clinical Expectations

1. The student will be punctual to the clinical setting.

2. The student will follow the clinical rotation as planned.

3. When students have questions regarding the clinical assignment, client condition or care, the

students will ask the clinical instructor before asking hospital personnel.

4. The student will notify the instructor when the clinical assignment is complete.

5. The student will not leave the hospital or assigned area without consulting the instructor.

6. At the end of the shift, the student will report off to the nurse responsible for the care of the

student’s assigned client. Failure to report off to the staff and instructor will constitute

abandonment of the client according to the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, which will result in

failure in the clinical area, and failure of the course.

7. The student will not make or receive personal phone calls unless there is an emergency. Use of

cellular phones, text messaging, beepers, iPODS, MP3 players or other electronic devices

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unrelated to the clinical assignment is prohibited in the clinical area.

8. The use of clinical agency computers to communicate with students, faculty, family, or friends is

strictly prohibited.

9. Leaving the clinical unit may only be done at the instructor's request or approval. Students may

have the opportunity to accompany their clients to other areas of the hospital in order to enhance

their learning experience. However, the instructor is to be aware of the student's location at all

times.

10. Breaks will be assigned at the discretion of the clinical instructor.

11. Each student is expected to remain in the clinical area until assignment is deemed complete by the

clinical instructor.

12. The student is expected to report the assigned client’s condition, care given, and client’s response

to care prior to leaving the assigned clinical area to the primary nurse.

13. The student is required to observe the agency policies and the assigned unit policies.

C. Professional Appearance

Each student is expected to have a well-groomed professional appearance in the clinical area, whether

in uniform or in other designated attire. The image the student projects as a nursing student is

representative of the profession, Consortium, and the College.

1. Clinical Setting Requiring Street Clothing and Obtaining Clinical Assignments

a. Professional attire is expected which includes dress slacks, knee-length skirts or dresses.

b. Jeans, sweatshirts, sport clothing, tank tops, mini-skirts, see through clothing, shorts, sleeveless

shirts or any clothing which exposes a bare midriff, back, chest or underwear is prohibited.

c. Appropriate shoes should be worn based on the type of clinical assignment. Flip- flops are

prohibited.

d. A lab coat with the college seal and name tag or identification badge is required when obtaining

clinical assignments.

2. Clinical uniform

a. The student must purchase the required uniform of the Consortium.

b. The nursing student is expected to wear this uniform in a clean, neat, and well-groomed manner

with name tag or college identification badge and polished shoes.

c. Long hair will be secured so that it does not fall in the face when leaning over a client to provide

care.

d. Jewelry is limited to a watch, a single pair of stud earrings (one in each ear lobe), and set of

rings on one finger.

e. Shoes are to be white leather or rubber, closed toe and closed heel and in good repair. Shoes

must be made of material that will not absorb biohazardous materials and can be cleaned.

f. See Uniform Guidelines for additional guidance- Appendix V page 75.

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D. Smoking and Chewing Gum

1. Smoking inside the clinical site is strictly prohibited. There are designated areas on each clinical

facility’s campus in which a student may smoke during breaks only. Uniforms should not smell

of smoke.

2. Chewing gum is prohibited while in the clinical setting.

CLINICAL PERFORMANCE POLICY

The nursing faculty is held accountable to prepare safe, competent practitioners through a course of

study that adheres to regulations set forth by the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act. The faculty will

provide learning opportunities in the classroom, lab, and the clinical areas to develop the competencies for

safe practice. The faculty is required to evaluate the student’s ability to meet the clinical objectives and to

maintain client safety. When a student is unable to meet clinical objectives or to maintain client safety the

faculty has a legal and ethical obligation to either place the student on probation or dismiss the student.

Safe Nursing Practice

The nursing faculty defines safe nursing practice as the following:

1. Practicing within the scope of the NC Nursing Practice Act for a Registered Nurse.

2. Practicing within the objectives of the NEWH Nursing Consortium, i.e. clinical preparation, use of

the nursing process, administering medications and treatments safely, and use of written and verbal

communication.

3. Practicing within the rules, regulations and policies of the affiliating clinical agency.

4. Practicing within the guidelines of the American Nurses Associations Code of Ethics.

5. Maintaining the "Essential Functions Required of a Nursing Student." (page 20)

The nursing faculty uses professional judgment to determine if the student is not practicing safe nursing

care. The following are examples of the criteria that faculty will use to determine if the student is delivering

safe nursing care:

A. Mistakes

1. Usually isolated occurrences

2. Often an error that a reasonable prudent, nurse might make in a similar situation

3. Student has otherwise consistently demonstrated previous knowledge and skills

4. The student readily acknowledges the mistake and is accountable for the occurrence and

correction

B. Unsafe Clinical Practice

1. Frequently performs multiple errors or occurrences

2. Often an error that a reasonable, prudent nurse would not make in a similar situation

3. Actions reveal an inability to consistently apply previous learned knowledge or skills

4. The student demonstrates a lack of accountability for the action and fails to take

responsibility for correction

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Clinical Probation

1. The clinical instructor will inform the student of unsatisfactory performance by the end of the

clinical day.

2. The clinical instructor will notify the Assistant Director of student’s unsatisfactory performance and

probationary status.

3. The clinical instructor will complete the clinical evaluation form and document specific

unsatisfactory behaviors.

4. The student will be informed of the time and place for a conference regarding clinical performance

with the clinical instructor and Assistant Director. If the Assistant Director is placing the student on

clinical probation and is also the clinical faculty, another instructor will be asked to meet with the

Assistant Director and the student.

5. During the conference the student will be informed of the probationary status and be given the

opportunity to read, discuss, ask questions, and sign the clinical evaluation form.

6. Through faculty and/or student collaboration, a specific plan for removing the probationary status

will be developed including a time frame for removing the probationary status.

7. To remove the probationary status the student must comply with the plan of action and consistently

perform satisfactorily in the clinical setting.

Dismissal

1. The student will be dismissed from the nursing program if the student does not comply with the

plan of action to remove the probationary status.

2. If the student is not consistently satisfactory and/or does not provide safe nursing care in the

clinical setting while on probation, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.

3. Once probationary status has been removed, demonstration of the same behavior during that

semester or succeeding semesters will result in the student being dismissed from the nursing

program.

Other Reasons for Dismissal

1. Excessive absences as described by the policy

2. Behavior, either physical or emotional, that conflicts with the safety of the client

3. Negligent acts that could result in harm to the client

4. Breach of client confidentiality

5. Conduct not in accord with the legal standards of a registered nurse according to the Nursing

Practice Act, Title 21, Chapter 36, NAAC.0217. (Appendix II, page 66)

6. Cheating or plagiarism

7. Conduct not in accord with the college catalog

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When a student is dismissed from the clinical or lab portion of a NUR course, a grade of F will be given

for the course, regardless of when it occurred in the semester. The student that has been dismissed will not

be allowed to attend theory, lab or clinical. The student dismissed will not be allowed to continue any NUR

corequisite courses except NUR 118.

GRIEVANCE STATEMENT

Under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, students have the right of due

process by law. When a student is unable to resolve a concern with a faculty member in regards to grades,

dismissal, disciplinary actions, or discrimination, the student is encouraged to follow the due process. The

procedure for due process can be located in the college catalog of the respective college.

If the grievance is related to consortium policies, clinical experience or exam grades the Consortium

Director will be consulted and involved in the process.

Rev 07/08

43


PNE PROGRAM





2008 Student Handbook

44

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the Practical Nursing Education Program is to prepare the graduate for the role

of practical nurse. Upon successful completion of the curriculum the graduate will be awarded a vocational

diploma and will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN.

The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to participate in assessing, planning, implementing

and evaluating nursing care. The clinical and classroom experiences present an integrated approach with

the student progressing from simple to more complex nursing skills and concepts. Clinical and classroom

experiences may include day, evening and weekend rotations in area health care facilities.

The faculty of the Consortium supports the mission statements of the affiliating community colleges by

providing quality nursing education and by promoting the development of students by preparing them for

practice and employment.

PROGRAM PHILISOPHY

Mission Statement

The NEWH Nursing Consortium is an integral part of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, and Halifax

Community Colleges. The Consortium supports the missions of the four colleges and serves as one of the

avenues through which the Colleges fulfill their institutional purposes. The NEWH Nursing Consortium strives

to meet the needs of our students and communities by promoting excellence within the nursing profession.

The Consortium educates adult learners at the associate degree and diploma levels to competently perform

as entry-level practitioners in a multicultural and global environment in accordance with the North Carolina

Nurse Practice Act.

Definitions

Client

Clients are unique, dynamic, and diverse beings who possess dignity and are worthy of respect.

Clients interact, inter-relate, and are interdependent with their internal and external environment to meet their

physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs.

Nursing

Nursing is a dynamic relationship between the client and the nurse. The purpose of this client-

centered relationship is to promote health, maximize quality of life, and maintain optimal functioning

throughout the lifespan. Nursing is an art and science that is unique among practice disciplines in its

intimacy, scope, and privileged position in relation to clients. Nursing collaborates with interdisciplinary

teams, coordinates available resources, and utilizes evidence-based practice in order to achieve positive

client outcomes.

Environment

Environment is composed of internal and external systems. The internal environment consists of a

client’s thoughts, abilities, self-concept, physical and chemical make-up, and spiritual and psychosocial

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essence. The external environment consists of multiple communities with diverse familial, geographic,

socioeconomic, spiritual, and cultural characteristics. The internal and external environments have a

reciprocal relationship that constantly changes to influence the client’s health.

Health

Health is a dynamic state of optimal functioning that is individual for the client and is influenced by

the client’s internal and external environment.


Teaching is a science and art, based on a body of knowledge, derived from theories and research of

natural and social science disciplines. Teachers serve as motivators, facilitators, and role models, utilizing a

system of directed and deliberate actions to promote learning.

Learning is a life-long process influenced by the internal and external environment. This is a self-

active process, uniquely personal in nature, controlled by the learner. Learning is influenced by a

cooperative and interactive relationship between the teacher and learner.

Nursing Education

The faculty believes nursing education is lifelong process and develops from, changes with, and

influences the health needs and resources of society. Nursing education is based on scientific knowledge,

the theoretic concept of nursing, and evidenced-based practice. The nursing educator, as a facilitator,

seeks to assist the nursing student to develop intellectual curiosity and assimilate and apply nursing

knowledge through a wide variety of didactic and practical experiences. As providers of nursing education,

the faculty encourages critical thinking, informatics, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of

client-centered care.

The NEWH Consortium offers Practical Nursing as one pathway for entry level into nursing practice.

Practical Nurse graduates assume roles as providers of care and members of the discipline. The Practical

Nurse functions dependently and interdependently as a member of a health care team in the care of

individuals with common health problems in structured health care settings under the supervision of the

registered nurse, physician, or other person authorized by state law to provide supervision.

Practical Nurse Roles:

Provider of Care--The Practical Nurse graduate uses the nursing process as a framework to

participate in the delivery of client -centered care. The basis for this client-centered care is critical thinking,

clinical competency, accountability, and a commitment to the value of caring. When delivering care the

Practical Nurse graduate is responsible for organizing, delegating, advocating, and collaborating with the

client, family, and health care team.

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Member of the Discipline--The Practical Nurse must demonstrate a commitment to the profession

of nursing, professional growth, continuous learning, self-development, and must practice within the ethical

and legal framework of nursing.

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Practical Nursing COMPETENCIES

Competency Level 1 (102) Level 2 (103) Professional

Behaviors Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.


Communication Utilize therapeutic communication techniques with the client and significant persons.

Uses therapeutic communication techniques with groups of clients and significant persons.

Informatics Utilize informatics to communicate and access information.

Utilize informatics in supporting and communicating the provision of client-centered culturally competent care.

Assessment Participates in data collection of an individual client’s health status.

Recognizes changes in health status and reports to appropriate health care team member.

Clinical Decision Making Prioritizes care of an individual client within an established plan of care.

Prioritizes care of an assigned client group within an established plan of care.

Caring Interventions Demonstrate basic caring behaviors while respecting client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.

Participates in the adaptation of care in consideration of client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.

Teaching and Learning Apply teaching learning principles to implement an established teaching plan.

Collect data to enable the health care team to modify the teaching plan based on the evaluation of progress toward meeting identified learning outcomes.

Collaboration Work as a team member to provide client-centered care involving the client in decision making and care management.

Participate with the interdisciplinary team and client to integrate a client-centered plan of care.

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Quality Improvement Utilize basic principles of quality improvement in nursing practice.

Participates in data collection to measure client outcomes and identify hazards and errors.

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Nursing Practice

The “practice of nursing by a licensed practical nurse” consists of the seven components as defined

by the Nursing Practice Act of North Carolina (2005):

1. Participating in the assessment of the patient’s physical and mental health, including the

patient’s reaction to illnesses and treatment regimens.

2. Recording and reporting the results of the nursing assessment.

3. Participating in implementing the health care plan developed by the registered nurse and/or

prescribed by any person authorized by State law to prescribe such a plan, by performing

tasks assigned or delegated by and performed under supervision or under direct orders or

directions of a registered nurse, physician, dentist or other persons authorized by State law to

provide the supervision.

4. Assigning or delegating nursing interventions to other qualified personnel under the

supervision of a registered nurse.

5. Participating in teaching and counseling of patients as assigned by a registered nurse,

physician, or other qualified professional licensed to practice in North Carolina.

6. Reporting and recording the nursing care rendered and the patient’s response to that care.

7. Maintaining safe and effective nursing care, whether rendered directly or indirectly.

Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II

Upon successful completion of NUR 101, the student is eligible to apply to become a Nurse Aide I

(NA I). The student must take a skills test and written examination to prove competency and must pass both

components. Testing is provided through Promissor. Students who wish to schedule an exam may obtain a

candidate handbook, application and test schedule at www.promissor.com or by calling the Nurse Aide

Competency Evaluation Service at 1-888-282-6904. Testing will cost approximately $100.

Upon successful completion of the second semester the student is eligible to apply to the Nurse Aide II

Registry. It will be the responsibility of the student to submit the application to the Consortium Office with a

certified check or money order for $24.00 to the NC Nurse Aide II Registry. Students that are interested in

becoming a Nurse Aide II must be listed on the NA I Registry.

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Practical Nursing Education Program

Master Curriculum Plan

Curriculum Description:

The Practical Nursing Curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing

care to children and adults. Students will participate in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating

nursing care. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN, which is required for practice as a

Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long-term care/home

health facilities, clinics, and physician’s offices.

Fall Class Lab Clinical Credit NUR 101 Practical Nursing I 7 6 6 11 BIO 106 Intro. to Anat/Phys/Micro 2 2 0 3 NUR117 Pharmacology 1 3 0 2 ACA 111* College Student Success 1 0 0 1

CIS 113 Computer Basics 1 2 0 1 11(12*) 13 6 17 (18*) Spring NUR 102 Practical Nursing II 8 0 12 12 ENG 101 Applied Communications I 3 0 0 3 PSY 110 Life Span Development 3 0 0 3 14 0 12 18 Summer NUR103 Practical Nursing III 6 0 12 10 6 0 12 10 Totals 31(32*) 13 30 45(46*) *ECC, HCC, and WCC require ACA 111 NCC does not require ACA 111

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A NURSING STUDENT

North Carolina’s Nursing Practice Act (August, 2005), defines nursing as:

“a dynamic discipline which includes the assessing, caring, counseling, teaching, referring and

implementing of prescribed treatment in the maintenance of health, prevention of illness, injury,

disability or the achievement of a dignified death. It is ministering to, assisting, and sustained,

vigilant, and continuous care of those acutely or chronically ill; supervising patients during

convalescence and rehabilitation; the supportive and restorative care given to maintain the optimum

health level of individuals, groups, and communities; the supervision, teaching, and evaluation of

those who perform or are preparing to perform these functions; and the administration of nursing

programs and nursing services.”

The safe practice of nursing involves cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance

requirements. Therefore, the essential functions for students in a nursing program shall be further defined

according to the following standards:

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STANDARDS

Nursing students should possess and be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. For example:

the student must be able to identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; collect data to

assist in the development of a nursing care plan and prioritize nursing care.

2. Interpersonal Skills: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, groups and

health care professionals from a variety of emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. For

example: the nursing student shall establish rapport with clients and the health care team members.

3. Communication Skills: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and

written form. For example: explain treatment procedures, explain health teaching, document and

interpret nursing actions and client responses.

4. Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces, stand

and walk for extensive periods of time. For example: trips from workstation to clients’ rooms,

workspaces and treatment areas.

5. Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. For

example: calibrate and use equipment, document care, position and move clients, administer

cardiopulmonary procedures, and perform procedures.

6. Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. For example:

hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help.

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7. Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. For

example: observe client response, changes in patient color, and specimen color.

8. Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. For example: perform palpation, functions of

physical examination and/or those related therapeutic intervention, insertions of catheters, and taking

pulses.

9. Weight-bearing: Ability to lift and manipulate/move 45-50 pounds. For example: position clients,

move equipment.

10. Cognitive Abilities: Ability to be oriented to time, place, and person; organize responsibilities, and

make decisions. For example: student shall assess client complaints, provide prioritized client care,

and implement appropriate plans.

Developed by Board of Directors Southern Council of Education for Nursing

EXPLANATION OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG SCREENING

The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates all aspects of nursing including education, licensure, and

the practice of nursing by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to insure the safety and well being

of the public. The Nursing Practice Act states that "all applicants for licensure shall consent to a criminal

history record check" (GS 90-171.48, b). The Board of Nursing shall ensure that State and national criminal

history of each applicant is checked. The Nursing Practice Act defines criminal history as a "misdemeanor

or felony, that bears on an applicant's fitness for licensure to practice nursing" which includes the sale and

distribution of drugs, alcohol related offenses, or driving while impaired ( GS 90-171.48,a 2). If the criminal

history record reveals one or more convictions that is listed in GS 90-171.48 a, 2 the conviction shall not

automatically bar licensure. The Board of Nursing shall consider a number of factors regarding the

conviction(s). If after reviewing the factors, the Board of Nursing determines that the conviction bears on the

applicant's fitness to practice nursing then licensure will be denied.

In the nursing program, students are assigned clinical rotations in a number of participating agencies.

Various accrediting bodies, as well as state and federal mandates regulate these agencies. The

accrediting bodies or state and federal regulations may require that students while practicing in a clinical

setting have a criminal background check or drug screening. The drug screening may be done once, before

the student reports to the clinical agency, or randomly, during the clinical experience. If the student has a

criminal conviction, tests positive for illicit drugs, or drugs for which a student cannot produce a valid

prescription, the agency may refuse to allow the student to participate in the clinical experience. The NEWH

Nursing Consortium recognizes and is fully supportive of the clinical agencies that choose to perform drug

test and/or criminal background checks on nursing students.

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If a nursing student is prohibited from participating in a clinical agency based on the criminal background

or positive drug screening, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program due to the inability to

progress and complete the nursing curriculum.

All costs associated with criminal background checks and drug screening in the clinical agency are the

responsibility of the student (or the clinical agency). Criminal background checks for licensure will be done

at the expense of the student.

ADMISSION POLICY for the Practical Nursing Program

Students are admitted to the Consortium in accordance with policies approved by the Policy Board.

The four Consortium colleges do not guarantee admission to all students that apply to the nursing program.

Completion of the nursing curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure examination.

A practical nursing student must be admitted/readmitted to the nursing program in order to enroll in

any nursing (NUR) course.

Admission Procedure

The nursing applicant will be required to meet steps I-IV before admission. Each step of the

admission procedure must be completed before moving to the next step.

Step I Application Process (1-5 of Step I must be complete by February 1st)

1. An application for admission to the nursing program at the respective college must be submitted by

February 1st with subsequent dates established by the individual college based on space available.

2. Submission of records of high school graduation or equivalency and all post-secondary transcripts.

(Currently enrolled high school students are to submit a partial transcript at time of application. A final

transcript will be submitted at the time of graduation.)

3. Students must complete requirements for ENG 090/095 and RED 090/095 or the equivalent course with

a C or better.

4. Students must complete requirements for Math 060 and Math 070 or the equivalent course with a C or better.


1. Must achieve an overall score of 62% on the TEAS and sub-score of 76% on reading. The student will

be allowed to test twice a year in the Consortium. The highest score will be counted toward admission.

Test scores will be valid for two years. Students will be required to pay $25.00 to take the TEAS.

Picture ID will be required to take the TEAS.

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1. Should there be more qualified applicants than space available the following criteria will be used to

determine those selected for admission:

a. TEAS percentage score

b. Academic performance points on a minimum of 4 hours of required course work in PNE

curriculum.

c. Currently certified as NA I, NA II, or evidence of successful completion of an allied health

curriculum.

2. A letter of conditional acceptance will be sent to the student.

Step IV Acceptance


within a time frame of 6 months prior to enrollment for fall semester.

2. The Hepatitis B series must be started or a declination form for Hepatitis B must be signed.

3. Submission of evidence of current (one year) CPR certification for health care providers which includes

choking and AED.

4. A 2.00 GPA will be required on PNE curriculum coursework before enrollment fall semester.

5. Letter of acceptance will be mailed when all the above items have been submitted.

READMISSION and TRANSFER POLICIES

A. Readmission Policy to the Practical Nursing Education Program

Readmission of students who have exited, for whatever reason, from the Consortium is considered

following review by the designated student services representative in consultation with the Assistant Director

and Consortium Director. The Consortium does not guarantee readmission to any student. Students

seeking readmission must apply to the college at least one semester before seeking readmission must

apply to the college at least one semester before seeking readmission. All readmission requirements must

be completed by November 15th for spring readmission, April 15th for summer readmission.

Students seeking readmission must comply with the Consortium policies. Students who have received a

D on general education or related coursework in the nursing curriculum will be strongly encouraged to retake

the coursework prior to readmission. Students with an F on a general education or related coursework must

repeat prior to admission. The student must be in satisfactory academic standing in the College up to the

point where the student is seeking readmission. Students may be required to take challenge exams,

pharmacology calculation tests, and clinical competency performance depending on the time the student

has been out of the program.

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Readmission into either the associate degree nursing program or the practical nursing program, or a

combination of either program, will be allowed twice. After two readmissions a student will be ineligible for

readmission. A student who successfully completes the practical nursing program, but who has exhausted

the number of readmissions will be allowed an opportunity to transition into the associate degree program if

admission standards are met. Students who were enrolled at the time of implementation of the policy (fall

2005) or prior to implementation of the policy will be allowed one opportunity to successfully complete a

nursing program. A student from outside the Consortium applying for admission will provide transcript(s) of

the college(s) the student has attended. All admissions or readmissions in any nursing program will be

counted towards the policy.

B. Students Desiring Transfer within the NEWH Nursing Consortium Participating Colleges


1. Completion of admission requirements as stated in the Admission Policy

2. Written notification, by the student, to the Consortium Director of intent to transfer

3. Submission of transcripts from other Nursing Program(s) and post-secondary work

for which the student requests transfer credit


1. The designated individual at the college and the Consortium Director evaluate transcripts

to determine course eligibility for transfer credit.

2. Acceptance of the transfer student will also be based on adequate clinical space.

C. Students Desiring Admittance and Transfer of Credits From Schools Outside the Consortium


1. Completion of the admission requirements as stated in the Admission Policy.

2. Submission of transcript(s) from other nursing program(s) or post-secondary work for

which the student requests transfer credit.


1. The designated individual at the college and the Consortium Director evaluate the transcript(s). They

determine if previous course work will transfer.

2. Successful completion of Consortium challenge exams will be required.

3. Acceptance into the program will be based on clinical space available.

D. Challenge Exam Policy

The Consortium utilizes challenge exams to assess current proficiency of those individuals desiring

admission/readmission into the nursing program at any point in the program. The challenge exams are as

follows: NUR 101, 102, 103 and 117. A transcript evaluation will be used to determine which challenge

exam(s) the student will take. Students must have credit for a nursing course or its equivalent with a C or

better to be eligible to take a challenge exam.

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The following students will be required to take the challenge exam(s):

1. Consortium students seeking re-entry whose course work is two years old or greater

2. Students from colleges outside the Consortium regardless of the age of the course work

A minimum passing score of C or better is required on each exam. The score on each exam is valid for

two years. The student must be admitted in the nursing program within the two-year limit or the student will

be required to retake the challenge exam with a C or better.

Applicants that do not achieve a C or better on the challenge exam(s) may retake the exam(s). The

exam will be administered twice in a one year period no closer than 90 days apart. After successful

completion of the exam(s), the applicant may seek admission into the program. If an applicant is

unsuccessful on an exam(s), the applicant may apply for admission into the program to take the

corresponding course for credit, provided clinical space is available. If the course has a clinical and lab

component, the applicant must satisfactorily complete each component to receive credit for the course.

With achievement of a C or better the unsatisfactory grade on the challenge exam will be eliminated and the

student is eligible to continue in the nursing program.

Applicants are advised to contact the Consortium office for information regarding the challenge exams.

The address is: NEWH Nursing Consortium

225 Tarboro Street

Rocky Mount, NC 27801

Phone: 252-446-0436 (extension 326 or 354)

E-mail: [email protected]

E. Pharmacology Calculation Test

Students reentering the program will be required to take a Pharmacology calculation test. The student

must achieve a grade of 90 on the calculation test. The student will be given 2 opportunities to achieve the

required grade. The student must wait a minimum of 10 days before retesting. The Consortium Director or

designee will administer the calculation test.

F. Clinical Competency Evaluation Policy

The nursing faculty members of the Consortium are responsible for determining the level of clinical

competence of reentry students prior to assigning client care responsibilities to the student. Therefore, any

student seeking reentry to the Consortium at any semester, other than the Practical Nursing I semester will

be required to successfully complete a clinical competency evaluation. The Assistant Director, or designee,

at the college the student plans to attend will administer the clinical competency evaluation prior to the

semester when entry is anticipated. Study packets for the clinical competency evaluation will be available.

The clinical competency evaluation assesses knowledge and skills necessary to enter the proposed

course. It is designed to ensure that the prospective student is competent to practice in the clinical area at

the same level that a continuing student in the same course is expected to perform. The applicant will have

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one opportunity annually to demonstrate clinical competency in the Consortium. A satisfactory clinical

competency evaluation for reentry into the Consortium is required.

G. Audit Policy

Students who audit a NUR prefix course are either auditing to take a challenge exam, or have taken the

course within the last year and are trying to return to the nursing curriculum. Students who audit a nursing

course will not be allowed to attend the clinical portion of the course. Students who audit a nursing course

must have credit for that course or the equivalent coursework. In order for students to audit, there must be

adequate classroom/lab space available. If there is not adequate space available, student who are

requesting to audit will be selected just as student seeking admission.

When auditing a course, students will be expected to follow the policies of the NEWH Nursing

Consortium and the College the students are attending. Classroom and lab attendance will be an

expectation in addition to taking test, exams, and performing clinical competencies. If a student exceeds

the attendance policy, the student will be dropped from the course. Once a student is dropped from the

course they were auditing the policies for readmission apply, including the policy for clinical competency.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

A. Quality Point Average

A 2.000 cumulative quality point average is required to remain in satisfactory academic standing.

B. Academic Warning

A student who does not maintain a 2.000 quality point average any given semester will be placed on

academic warning. The student must remove this restriction during the ensuing semester by attaining of

a 2.000 cumulative quality point average at the end of the ensuing semester.

C. Academic Probation and Suspension

A student who fails to attain a 2.000 cumulative quality point average at the end of the Academic

Warning Semester will be placed on academic probation. The student will not be allowed to take a

NUR prefix course while on academic probation. The student who attains a grade of F in any course

will not be allowed to continue in the nursing program.

D. Prerequisites

Course prerequisites for NUR prefix courses as well as other nursing curriculum requirement courses

are defined in the curriculum section of the respective college catalog. Students must successfully

complete these prerequisites prior to enrolling in subsequent course offerings.

Students must take NUR prefix courses in sequence. Students may complete the general education and

related courses prior to the sequence listed in the specified nursing curriculum sequence. However, if

not taken previously, the general education and related courses must be taken in sequence with the

specified nursing curriculum sequence.

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E. Grading Policy

Students in the NEWH Nursing Consortium must earn a grade of C or better in each of the major

courses (those designated by a NUR prefix) and Biology (BIO) in order to progress to the next major

course in the curriculum sequence or to graduate. Failure to achieve a grade of C or better in these

courses will result in dismissal from the program.

The following will be the grading scale for the Consortium: A 93 - 100

B 85 - 92

C 77 - 84

D 70 - 76

F less than 70

F. Dismissal: Non-Academic

Nursing students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:

1. Conduct not in accord with legal standards according to Nurse Practice Act, G.S. 90-171.37.

2. Physical and/or emotional health problems or behaviors, which indicate impairment in ability to

provide safe nursing care to the public. (NCAC 36 .0217 (c) Revocation, Suspension or Denial of

License. Appendix II, page 66)

3. Failure to comply with NEWH Nursing Consortium attendance policy as stated in the student

handbook.

4. Violation of policy(s) in the College catalog, the NEWH Policy Manual, and the NEWH

Student Handbook.

G. Graduation

A 2.000 cumulative quality point average in all required nursing curriculum courses is required for

graduation. College graduation requirements, as stated in the respective catalog, must be met.

HEALTH POLICY

A. Physical Exam

Students are required to submit physical exam results as determined by a physician, nurse practitioner

or physician's assistant. All required items of the medical examination form MUST be completed PRIOR to

admission to the program. The physical exam can be performed up to 6 months prior to enrollment in the

nursing curriculum.

Admission into the Consortium program is contingent upon receipt of a physical examination form that

includes a statement that indicates that the student possesses satisfactory physical and emotional health

indicative of his/her ability to provide safe nursing care to the public. Failure to achieve this requirement

shall prevent admission to, enrollment in, and/or require dismissal from the nursing program. No student will

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be granted admission status until the Assistant Director or designee has verified that the physical

examination form is received, complete, and includes all items required.

Students must update their immunization record and maintain a current TB skin test. A current TB skin

test is a requirement of the clinical agency. If the skin test is not current the student may not attend clinical.

B. Physical/Emotional Health Policy

A student who exhibits physical and/or emotional health problems, or demonstrates behaviors which

indicate impairment in ability to provide safe nursing care to the public that does not respond to the

appropriate treatment or counseling within a reasonable time will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Continuance in the nursing program will be determined by the student’s ability to provide safe nursing care

to client(s).

C. Drug/Alcohol Impairment Policy

According to GS 90.171.37 of the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, the Board of Nursing may

restrict, revoke, or suspend any licensee if the Board of Nursing has determined that the nurse or applicant

“has a mental or physical disability or uses any drug to a degree that interferes with his or her fitness to

practice nursing.” Therefore, it is the policy of the Consortium, that any student who consumes alcohol or

takes drugs (prescription or otherwise) that impairs the student’s mental or physical ability to provide safe

care to clients while in the clinical setting will be asked to immediately submit to a drug screening. Failure to

comply with the request or a positive drug screen will result in immediate dismissal from the Consortium.

According to GS 90.171.37 of the Nursing Practice Act, behaviors that may result in disciplinary action

by the Board of Nursing include “delegating responsibility to a person when the licensee delegating knows

or has reason to know that the competency of that person is impaired by physical or psychological ailments

or by alcohol or other pharmacological agents prescribed or otherwise." Therefore it is the responsibility of

the clinical nursing instructor assigning care of a client to a student to ask any student whose behaviors,

actions, or odors cause reason for suspicion of impairment to submit to an immediate drug test.

Students will sign a release form at the time of drug testing for the clinical faculty member or Assistant

Director of nursing to see the results of the drug testing. The cost of drug screening will be the responsibility

of the student.

CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR EXPOSURE TO BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS

Nursing students are at risk for exposure to blood and body fluids that may be contaminated with the

hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other potentially harmful

or contagious pathogens while in the clinical setting. Information about bloodborne pathogens and how to

protect oneself and others from exposure will be taught before the students' first clinical experience. The

education on bloodborne pathogens and standard precautions will be reviewed annually and may be a part

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of students' orientation to a clinical site. It is important for students to always follow standard precautions

when working with clients in any type of clinical setting.

In the event of exposure to blood or body fluids, it is the responsibility of the student to arrange and

pay for initial and post-exposure medical follow-up and care.

Following exposure to blood or body fluids, the student should take the following steps immediately:

1. Clean area thoroughly depending on the area exposed:

a. Skin exposure with blood - Wash area with antimicrobial soap and water for at least 15 seconds. b. Contaminated needle stick or contaminated puncture or cut with sharp object - Wash area with

antimicrobial soap and water for at least 15 seconds. c. Eye exposure - Rinse/flush eye with 1000 mL of water, sterile saline, eye irrigant for at least 15

minutes. d. Mucus membranes (mouth or nose) - Rinse/flush area with water.

2. Report the exposure to the clinical instructor or preceptor immediately after taking the above

preventative measures.

3. Determine the nature of the exposure and determine if there was exposure to body fluids. Assess the integrity of skin exposed to body fluids or blood.

4. Report the incident to the employee health nurse, infection control nurse, or nursing supervisor. 5. Follow the agency policy for occupational exposure, testing, or post-exposure medications as

indicated. If the clinical agency does not provide baseline testing and/or prophylaxis, the student will need to call his/her primary care provider immediately.

6. Complete appropriate incident reports or post exposure reports with the assistance of the instructor

or employee health nurse.

7. Further testing, medical follow-up, and post-exposure medications will be with the student's primary physician at the student's expense.

INSURANCE

A. Malpractice Insurance

Nursing students are required to have Malpractice Insurance available through the College’s Business

Office at the beginning of each year. No student will be permitted to enter the clinical area without this

insurance.

B. Accident Insurance

All nursing students are strongly encouraged to have accident insurance, which can be obtained through

each College. The student is personally responsible for payment of any health care expenses that might be

incurred during the classroom or clinical experience.

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HARASSMENT STATEMENT

The Consortium believes that students are entitled to learn in an environment free of discrimination or

intimidation. Harassment is defined as any unwanted discriminatory remark referring to the student’s race,

color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or sex made by

someone in the classroom or clinical agency which is offensive or which causes the recipient discomfort or

humiliation or which reasonably interferes with that student’s attempt to learn or perform assigned duties. A

student who feels subjected to harassment should tell the person that the conduct is unwelcome and should

ask the person to stop the conduct. A student that feels harassed should refer to the college catalog and

follow the policy to report the behavior to the appropriate college official.

CPR STATEMENT

For clinical agency requirements students must maintain current CPR certification. Unless stated

otherwise, CPR certification expires the last day of the renewal month. It is the student's responsibility to

submit a copy of the CPR card to the Assistant Director or designee.

If a student does not renew CPR certification the student will not be allowed to attend clinical.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance in class, laboratory, and clinical experience is essential to the success of the student in the

nursing program. As a part of the professional responsibility a student is expected to arrive promptly and

remain the specified time for the scheduled experience. Arrangements for childcare, doctor’s or personal

appointments or other issues should be arranged around the student’s academic schedule.

A. Class Room and Laboratory Attendance

A student who is absent more than fifteen percent (15%) of the scheduled time will be dismissed from

the program. The student is expected to arrive promptly for all scheduled class or lab experiences prepared

for the experience. The student is considered tardy from class when the student is not seated at the

beginning of the class or lab experience, or if class has begun after a scheduled break. For the courtesy of

fellow students, the student that is tardy must wait until the next break to enter the class or lab experience.

Any tardy will be counted as at least one hour absent. If a student arrives late, it is the student’s

responsibility to inform the faculty member of his/her arrival so that the student will not be counted absent for

the entire experience.

A student is expected to participate in the entire class or lab experience. If a student leaves early from

the class or laboratory experience, the time will be counted towards the time missed.

If a scheduled test or exam is missed, the student must notify the faculty member prior to

missing the test or exam. If the faculty member is not available, it is appropriate to leave a voice mail on the

faculty member’s phone. It will be the student’s responsibility to make appropriate arrangements to take the

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test or exam. Make-up tests or exams will not be taken during a regularly scheduled class or laboratory

experience. The make-up test or exam will be a different version of the test or exam. The student must

take the test or exam within 48 hours of returning to class, clinical or lab unless prior arrangements have

been made or the student will be awarded a grade of zero for the test.

B. Clinical Attendance

The clinical experience is considered an important part of the nursing student’s education. Due to the

importance of this experience, the student must attend all assigned clinical time. The number of hours in

clinical varies from semester to semester and the course outline will define the number of hours a student

will be required to be in the clinical setting.

During the course of a semester, a student may be absent from clinical for an extenuating circumstance.

The time missed will be made up during that semester and arranged by the faculty member. Clinical time

will be made up hour per hour. Due to the availability of clinical resources, faculty time, and the length of the

semester, a student that is absent greater than fifteen percent (15%) of the assigned clinical time will not be

allowed to make up the clinical experience and will be dismissed from the nursing course with a WF. If a

student is aware he/she will be absent before the scheduled time, arrangements for an alternative

experience should be made prior to the experience. Faculty will prepare a structured make-up plan with

documented learning objectives that duplicate the actual clinical experience missed.

A clinical experience is considered any scheduled time in a health care facility where a student

participates in the care for a client or where a student observes care being provided to a client. In addition,

a clinical experience may be a simulated experience where a student participates in a simulated clinical

environment providing care to a mannequin under the supervision of a nursing faculty member.

A student should not attend clinical if symptomatic with a fever, cold, or flu. Most institutions do not allow

employees or students with open cold sores (Herpes) in patient care areas.

It will be the student’s responsibility to notify the clinical faculty member before the start of the clinical day

if unable to attend the clinical experience or if the student is going to be tardy. The faculty member will

inform the student before the start of clinical each semester on the best method of notification in case of

absences or tardiness. An appointment should be made with faculty member during office hours to make

arrangements for clinical make-up time.

A student is expected to be on time for the clinical experience, stay the entire experience, and be

present for pre and post conferences if applicable. If a student is more than 45 minutes late to clinical or

must leave the clinical experience 45 minutes early this will be counted as a clinical absence and the total

experience must be made up. In addition, the student is expected to be prepared for the clinical experience.

Documented extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual bases.

Example of Attendance Policy

NUR X

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6 hours in clinical for sixteen weeks is 96 hours in clinical. If a student cannot exceed fifteen percent (15%)

for absences, they cannot miss more than 14 hours and 25 minutes.

6 x 16 = 96 hours x 15 = 14 hours and 25 minutes

STUDENT CONDUCT

Nursing students represent themselves, their nursing program and College, as well as the nursing

profession when caring for clients; therefore, high standards of conduct and professional behavior are

expected. These standards include, but are not limited to those listed in the North Carolina Nursing Practice

Act, as well as the legal boundaries, as set by the state of North Carolina.

Compliance with college policies, including acceptable conduct, is required at all times. Unacceptable

conduct includes but is not limited to dishonesty, breach of nursing ethics and plagiarism. Dishonesty by

cheating on tests, submitting another student's work as one's own, sharing one's own work with knowledge

that it may be submitted by another student, and not revealing errors made in the clinical setting are all

grounds for and will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Using quotation marks correctly and

citing the author and title of the source from which the text was quoted can avoid plagiarizing from a text.

Paraphrasing information from a text or book does not require the use of quotation marks but a citation of

reference is required. Following the first incident of plagiarism, the student will be counseled and the

instructor will review with the student methods to prevent plagiarism. The counseling session will be

documented. If the student plagiarizes again the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. The

student nurse is expected to follow the ANA Code of Ethics as presented in NUR 101, Practical Nursing I.

(http://www.nursingworld.org/ethics/code/protected_nwcoe813.htm)

During testing, a student may not use or handle any electronic device including, but not limited to, a MP3

player, iPod, or cell phone.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS IN A CLINICAL SITE

A. Client Confidentiality

All students are required to maintain client confidentiality. A client must never be discussed in social

settings, elevators, and cafeterias or other inappropriate settings.

Client confidentiality is defined as the nondisclosure of information regarding the client. Personal or

health related information that a client tells a health care provider or that appears in the health record is

considered confidential information. It is the legal and ethical duty of the health care provider to maintain

confidentially of privileged information. Confidential information may be shared only with other members of

the health care team who are providing care to the client.

Every clinical agency has strict guidelines regarding client information and confidentiality. These

guidelines are available at each institution with the student being oriented to the guidelines, and in most

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situations the student will be required to sign a confidentiality statement. Violation of the NEWH

confidentiality policy or the clinical agency's confidentiality policy will result in the student being dismissed

from the nursing program and receiving a grade of "F" in the nursing course in which the student is enrolled.

To protect the confidentiality of the client the following guidelines, are to be followed by the student unless

otherwise specified by the clinical agency:

1. The student is not to remove a client’s chart (records) from its original location.

2. The student is accountable for the protection of the client’s record and its contents while the

record is being reviewed.

3. The student may not give or allow others to use his/her password to a clinical agency’s computer

system.

4. The student is prohibited from sharing information from the client’s medical record with family,

friends, or staff not directly involved in the client’s care.

5. The student is prohibited from photocopying or printing any part of the client’s chart for any

purpose.

6. The student is not to make reference of client’s identity in written work that will be turned in to an

instructor.

7. The student may only access client records that are required to complete clinical assignments.

8. The student may not access the medical record of a family member, friend or significant other while

in the clinical agency.

B. Clinical Expectations

1. The student will be punctual to the clinical setting.

2. The student will follow the clinical rotation as planned.

3. When students have questions regarding the clinical assignment, client condition or care, the

students will ask the clinical instructor before asking hospital personnel.

4. The student will notify the instructor when the clinical assignment is complete.

5. The student will not leave the hospital or assigned area without consulting the instructor.

6. At the end of the shift, the student will report off to the nurse responsible for the care of the

student’s assigned client. Failure to report off to the staff and instructor will constitute

abandonment of the client according to the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, which will result in

failure in the clinical area, and failure of the course.

7. The student will not make or receive personal phone calls unless there is an emergency. Use of

cellular phones, text messaging, beepers, iPODS, MP3 players or other electronic devices

unrelated to the clinical assignment is prohibited in the clinical area.

8. The use of clinical agency computers to communicate with students, faculty, family, or friends is

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strictly prohibited.

9. Leaving the clinical unit may only be done at the instructor's request or approval. Students may

have the opportunity to accompany their clients to other areas of the hospital in order to enhance

their learning experience. However, the instructor is to be aware of the student's location at all

times.

10. Breaks will be assigned at the discretion of the clinical instructor.

11. Each student is expected to remain in the clinical area until assignment is deemed complete by the

clinical instructor.

12. The student is expected to report the assigned client’s condition, care given, and client’s response

to care prior to leaving the assigned clinical area to the primary nurse.

13. The student is required to observe the agency policies and the assigned unit policies.

C. Professional Appearance

Each student is expected to have a well-groomed professional appearance in the clinical area, whether

in uniform or in other designated attire. The image the student projects as a nursing student is

representative of the profession, Consortium, and the College.

1. Clinical Setting Requiring Street Clothing and Obtaining Clinical Assignments

a. Professional attire is expected which includes dress slacks, knee-length skirts or dresses.

b. Jeans, sweatshirts, sport clothing, tank tops, mini-skirts, see through clothing, shorts, sleeveless

shirts or any clothing which exposes a bare midriff, back, chest or underwear is prohibited.

c. Appropriate shoes should be worn based on the type of clinical assignment. Flip- flops are

prohibited.

d. A lab coat with the college seal and name tag or identification badge is required when obtaining

clinical assignments.

2. Clinical Uniform

a. The student must purchase the required uniform of the Consortium.

b. The nursing student is expected to wear this uniform in a clean, neat, and well-groomed manner

with name tag or college identification badge and polished shoes.

c. Long hair will be secured so that it does not fall in the face when leaning over a client to provide

care.

d. Jewelry is limited to a watch, a single pair of stud earrings (one in each ear lobe), and set of rings

on one finger.

e. Shoes are to be white leather or rubber, closed toe and closed heel and in good repair. Shoes

must be made of material that will not absorb biohazardous materials and can be cleaned.

f. See Uniform Guidelines for additional guidance- Appendix V page 75.

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D. Smoking and Chewing Gum

1. Smoking inside the clinical site is strictly prohibited. There are designated areas on each clinical

facility’s campus in which a student may smoke during breaks only. Uniforms should not smell

of smoke.

2. Chewing gum is prohibited while in the clinical setting.

CLINICAL PERFORMANCE POLICY

The nursing faculty is held accountable to prepare safe, competent practitioners through a course of

study that adheres to regulations set forth by the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act. The faculty will

provide learning opportunities in the classroom, lab, and the clinical areas to develop the competencies for

safe practice. The faculty is required to evaluate the student’s ability to meet the clinical objectives and to

maintain client safety. When a student is unable to meet clinical objectives or to maintain client safety the

faculty has a legal and ethical obligation to either place the student on probation or dismiss the student.

Safe Nursing Practice

The nursing faculty defines safe nursing practice as the following:

1. Practicing within the scope of the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act for the Licensed Practical

Nurse

2. Practicing within the objectives of the NEWH Nursing Consortium, i.e. clinical preparation, use of

the nursing process, administering medications and treatments safely, and use of written and

verbal communication

3. Practicing within the rules, regulations and policies of the affiliating clinical agency

4. Practicing within the guidelines of the American Nurses Associations Code of Ethics

5. Maintaining the “Essential Functions Required of a Nursing Student” (Page 44)

The nursing faculty uses professional judgment to determine if the student is not providing safe nursing

care. The following are examples of the criteria that faculty will use to determine if the student is delivering

safe nursing care:

A. Mistakes

The following are examples of mistakes:

1. Usually isolated occurrences

2. Often an error that a reasonable, prudent, nurse might make in a similar situation

3. Student has otherwise consistently demonstrated covered content and skills

4. The student readily acknowledges the mistake and is accountable for the occurrence and

correction

B. Unsafe Clinical Practice

The following are examples of unsafe clinical practice:

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1. Frequently performs multiple errors or occurrences

2. Often an error that a reasonable, prudent nurse would not make in a similar situation

3. Actions reveal an inability to consistently apply previous covered content or skills

4. The student demonstrates a lack of accountability for the action and fails to take

responsibility for correction

Clinical Probation

1. The clinical instructor will inform the student of unsatisfactory performance by the end of the

clinical day.

2. The clinical instructor will notify the Assistant Director of student’s unsatisfactory performance and

probationary status.

3. The clinical instructor will complete the clinical evaluation form and document specific

unsatisfactory behaviors.

4. The student will be informed of the time and place for a conference regarding clinical

performance with the clinical instructor and Assistant Director. If the Assistant Director is placing

the student on clinical probation and is the clinical faculty, another instructor will be asked to

meet with the Assistant Director and the student.

5. During the conference the student will be informed of the probationary status and be given the

opportunity to read, discuss, ask questions, and sign the clinical evaluation form.

6. Through faculty and/or student collaboration, a specific plan for removing the probationary

status will be developed including a time frame for removing the probationary status.

7. To remove the probationary status the student must comply with the plan of action and

consistently perform satisfactorily in the clinical setting.

Dismissal

1. The student will be dismissed from the nursing program if the student does not comply with the

plan of action to remove the probationary status.

2. If the student is not consistently satisfactory and/or does not provide safe nursing care in the

clinical setting while on probation, the student will be dismissed from the program.

3. Once probationary status has been removed, demonstration of the same behavior during that

semester or succeeding semesters will result in the student being dismissed from the nursing

program.

Other Reasons for Dismissal

1. Excessive absences as described by the policy

2. Behavior, either physical or emotional, that conflicts with the safety of the client

3. Negligent acts that could result in harm to the client

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4. Breach of client confidentiality

5. Conduct not in accord with the legal standards of a licensed practical nurse according to the

Nursing Practice Act, Title 21, Chapter 36, NCAC.0217 (Appendix II, page 66)

6. Cheating or plagiarism

7. Conduct not in accord with the college catalog

When a student is dismissed from the clinical or lab portion of a NUR course, a grade of F will be given

for the course, regardless of when it occurred in the semester. The student that has been dismissed will not

be allowed to attend theory, lab or clinical. The student that is dismissed will not be allowed to continue any

NUR co requisite courses.

GRIEVANCE STATEMENT

Under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, students have the right of due

process by law. When a student is unable to resolve a concern with a faculty member in regards to grades,

dismissal, disciplinary actions, or discrimination, the student is encouraged to follow the due process. The

procedure for due process can be located in the college catalog of the respective college. If the grievance

is related to consortium policies, clinical experience or exam grades the Consortium Director will be

consulted and involved in the process.

Rev 07/08

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