Satisfactory performance in all clinical experiences is required and is graded by the clinical instructor on a pass/fail basis.  The student must:

Arrive for all clinical experiences on time, in appropriate uniform and with adequate preparation.

Satisfactorily complete all clinical assignments and submit at specified time.

Satisfactorily meet criteria as stated in the VNSG 2462 Clinical Evaluation Tool.

Students are required to turn in all assignments (including, but not limited to concept maps and process recordings) on the designated day. Students must submit two (2) passing concept maps during the med-surg rotation. A passing score on a concept map = 84%. The clinical instructor will notify the student when he or she has passed the required care plans and/or journals and can modify required paperwork. Failure to turn in work and/or unsatisfactory completion of work will be indicated as a “1” on the Clinical Evaluation Tool for that week under the appropriate components of the nursing process.

At the beginning of this level, students are required to demonstrate continued competency in knowledge of pharmacology and dosage calculations and essential nursing skills by satisfactorily passing a test/skills check off. Demonstration of continued competency is essential to promoting safe nursing practice in the clinical setting. Failure to satisfactorily demonstrate these competencies will result in the student being withdrawn from the course and all co-requisite courses.

Required Pharmacology Examination

A score of 95% or greater is required to pass the Pharmacology Exam. Students will be provided a calculator and the test may be administered using computerized testing. The student will be given a maximum of three attempts to pass the examination. If the student does not score at least 95% by the third attempt, the student will be withdrawn from this course and all co-requisite courses (VNSG 1510) for failure to progress and complete course requirements. An absence on a scheduled pharmacology examination day will result in a zero,”0,” for that attempt.

Required Skills Competency Check-off

The skills competency check-off will be graded on a pass/fail basis. The student will be allowed two attempts to successfully pass this check-off. An absence on the day of a scheduled check-off will count as a failure and an attempt. If unsuccessful on the second attempt, the student will be withdrawn from this course and all co-requisite courses (VNSG 1510) for failure to progress. 

Required Textbooks

1. Deglin, J. & Vallerand, A. (2009). Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses (11^th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
2. Varcarolis, E.M. & Halter, M.J. (2009) Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A communication Approach to Evidence-based Care. Saunders Elsevier.
3. Kozier, Erb, Berman & Snyder.  (2008).  Fundamentals of Nursing:  Concepts, Process and Practice (8^th ed.).  Upper Saddle River:  Pearson Education Inc.
4. Smeltzer, S. & Bare, B.  (2008).  Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (11^th ed.).  Philadelphia, PA:  Lippincott.
5. Pagana, K. D. & Pagana, T. J.  (2010).  Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests (4^th ed.). St. Louis, MO:  C. V. Mosby.

Care of the young adult client

Instructional methods for this course have been developed to facilitate the student to meet the course and behavioral objectives as stated in the syllabus, clinical evaluation tool and clinical foci. Learning activities will take place in a variety of settings, including (but not limited to) on-campus skills lab, inpatient and outpatient healthcare facilities, community settings and clinically focused classroom seminars. Under the supervision of faculty students will have the opportunity to develop the behaviors and skills necessary to assume the roles of the licensed vocational nurse: provider of care, coordination of care and member of a profession.

Learning activities are listed in the clinical foci and include modeling, discussion, role playing, interviews, written assignments, projects, client teaching, audio-visuals, development of concept maps, simulation, computer assignments, case studies, reading assignments from periodicals and textbooks, and critical thinking exercises. Additional learning activities may be assigned by the course faculty.

Upon completion of VNSG 2462, the student will develop beginning skills in coordinating and managing the health care needs of young adult clients with medical-surgical disorders, groups of medical-surgical clients, and clients experiencing mental illness.

1. Apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws and interactions within and among political, economic, environment, social and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry.
2. Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior.
3. Demonstrate safety practices.
4. Demonstrate interpersonal and teamwork skills.
5. Demonstrate appropriate written and verbal communications skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.
6. Utilize critical thinking skills and the nursing process in the administration of safe nursing care to young adult, groups of clients, and clients with mental illness. (C)
7. Utilize appropriate assessment techniques required for data collection in the care of young adults, groups of clients with selected diagnoses; and clients with mental illness. (C)
8. Provide safe, effective care for young adults and groups of individuals within the scope and role of the student vocational nurse. (C, S)
9. Demonstrate therapeutic nursing interventions that assist the young adult and groups in health promotion/maintenance and disease prevention. (C)
10. Demonstrate accuracy, skill, and drug knowledge in medication administration via oral, parenteral, alternative, and peripheral intravenous routes. (C)
11. Demonstrate complex nursing skills while administering care to young adults and groups of clients in multiple assignment situation of increasing difficulty. (C)
12. Implement appropriate health teaching to promote health care practices in young adult clients. (C)
13. Demonstrate caring behaviors in the delivery of care to young adults, groups of clients, and clients with mental illness. (C)
14. Develop nursing interventions appropriate to a client’s ethnocultural background. (C)
15. Determine priorities of care to meet the needs of young adult clients and groups of clients in multiple assignment situations (C)
16. Utilize therapeutic communication skills to facilitate effective interactions with the young adult client and the client with mental illness. (C, S)
17. Applies concepts of mental health and mental illness to the nursing care of diverse groups of clients across the lifespan.
18. Participates in community service activity to explore the roles of the vocational nurse as coordinator of care and member of a profession.