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Nursing Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

Current Status of Minutes: Final
Date	February 27, 2006
Time	12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location	Fredericksburg

Members Present
Gina Enderlin, Judy Frazier, Judy Hickerson, Linda Hicks, Ruthann Hoover, Joe Kammlah, Eileen Klein, Linda Miller, Susan Nichols, Patricia Recek, Bill Smith, Jean Ward, Robert Weinheimer
Guests Present
No guest attendance has been recorded.

Item # 1:	Dean of Health Sciences Update
Presenter	Pat Recek
Discussion	12:05 p.m. – An announcement was made by Pat Recek that Yvonne VanDyke had recently resigned her position as Dean of Health Sciences at Austin Community College (ACC) in order to accept a position with the Seton Network. Ms. Recek introduced Eileen Klein as the new Executive Interim Dean of Health Sciences. Each member of the Advisory Committee introduced themselves.

Item # 2:	Vocational Nursing Program Update
Presenter	Pat Recek
Discussion	A. Enrollment Update Current enrollment: Ms. Recek reported that eight students are currently enrolled in Level 4 of the Vocational Nursing (VNG) program in Fredericksburg. They are all progressing well. Their projected graduation date is May 13, 2006. Pass Rate: Ms. Recek reminded the committee that the last VNG class graduated seven students in December 2004, and that all seven passed their state board exam, continuing the tradition of a 100% pass rate for the ACC – Fredericksburg VNG Program. Three of those graduates went immediately into an Associated Degree Nursing (ADN) program – two at San Antonio College and one at Texas Tech. These three students have already passed their state board exam and now are registered nurses. Next VNG Class: A new group of students will start the Vocational Nursing Program in Fredericksburg in the Fall 2006 semester. B. Curriculum and Program Issues Change in admission requirements: Ms. Recek reminded the committee that a change in the VNG admission policy will affect the next class. Applicants must complete all three prerequisites and all of their immunizations before they can submit an application for the program (in the past, students were allowed to complete their final prereq during their first semester in the VNG program). Applicant pool: Donna Webb reported that out of the 125 students who have attended a CAPS (Career Advising and Planning Session) in the last two years, there are approximately 30 "hopefuls" who could meet all of the admission requirements and be eligible to start the program in August. Joe Kammlah opened a discussion, asking about reasons why students don't follow through on completing the requirements to enter our VNG program. Susan Nichols responded that many students have trouble passing the THEA college entrance test. Judy Hickerson added that students in this community want to "do things quick," and that once they realize that becoming a nurse is not a "quick" process they go on to something else. Gina Enderlin asked if it would be possible to conduct CAPS at the hospital, and Ms. Webb agreed that it would be a good way to get more information about the program to hospital employees. Ms. Enderlin informed the group that Hill Country Memorial Hospital (HCMH) recently hired a recruiter who might be helpful in arranging these meetings. Criminal Background Checks: Ms. Recek told the committee that another change to admission requirements is that now all students must pass a criminal background check (CBC) before they are accepted. ACC uses a company called PreCheck, Inc. to run these checks. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) early if they know they have an eligibility issue. They can do a Declaratory Order in which they explain the issue, and then the BNE does an investigation in order to determine whether the student will be able to sit for their board exam after graduating from nursing school. If the student completes this process before ACC runs the CBC, the board's decision will override the result of the CBC. More Skills Tools: In an effort to continually add more simulation experiences, both programs are using more skills tools in the lab setting. The nursing skills lab in Fredericksburg is now home to lifelike adult and child mannequins who, through computerized programs, can simulate basic human functions such as heart sounds, breath sounds, pulses, etc. Instructor on leave of absence: Linda Miller is currently on a leave of absence due to illness. Ms. Recek thanked Ruthann Hoover, Adjunct Connie Falk, and Donna Webb for making sure the VNG students have a successful experience in spite of Ms. Miller's absence.

Item # 3:	Associate Degree Nursing Mobility Track Update
Presenter	Jeanie Ward and Ruthann Hoover
Discussion	A. Enrollment Update Current enrollment: Ms. Hoover told the committee that the current Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Mobility class began in August 2004 with six students. As of this date, the original six students remain in the program. B.Curriculum Issues Changes in admission requirements: Jeanie Ward reported on changes in the admission requirements for the ADN Program. Individuals from many different healthcare areas may now apply to the program. Eligible applicants now include not only licensed vocational nurses and paramedics, but also those licensed or certified in dental hygiene, radiology, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, sonography, or surgical technology. In addition, the work requirement has been deleted. Applicants no longer need work experience in order to enter the program. Ms. Hoover remarked that this should help our ADN program, since by the time some students graduate from our LVN program they have also completed most prerequisites needed for ADN, and can go right into the next ADN class. Enrollment requirement: ACC courses must show an enrollment of at least 66% of capacity in order to remain viable. Otherwise, they will be cancelled – no exceptions. For nursing, this applies to the first semester of the program. In other words, each August when a new ADN class is admitted, at least seven students must start the program (10 is the maximum allowed to start the Fredericksburg Mobility program). Ms. Ward said she hopes that opening the program up to a broader applicant pool will help insure we keep the Fredericksburg RN program running strong. Immunizations: Ms. Klein reminded the committee of the important role immunizations play in the admission process. While many hospitals and other healthcare employers allow employees to decline certain immunizations, our nursing programs do not. All immunizations required by our Health Sciences Department must be completed before the first day of class. C. Future Plans Publicity: A group discussion about ways to promote the ACC nursing programs in Fredericksburg netted ideas such as radio interviews, the Chamber of Commerce newsletter, and church bulletins. Another idea was a job fair co- sponsored by HCMH and the Economic Development Commission.

Item # 4:	Clinical Facility Updates
Presenter	Gina Enderlin
Discussion	HCMH will be updating its computer system next October. The Intensive Care Unit expansion will open the beginning of June.

Item # 5:	New Business
Presenter	Pat Recek
Discussion	Meeting frequency: Ms. Recek asked those in attendance if they preferred that the Fredericksburg Nursing Advisory Committee meet once or twice a year. A majority agreed that meeting twice a year in the fall and spring is beneficial to the committee members and to the community.

Item # 6:	Announcements
Presenter	Susan Nichols
Discussion	ACC's Main Office moving: Susan Nichols informed the committee that ACC's main admissions office will be moving soon into the same building with the Texas Tech offices on East San Antonio Street. This will open up more classroom space in the portables.

Item # 7:	Adjournment
Presenter	Robert Weinheimer
Discussion	Robert Weinheimer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:20 p.m. Joe Kammlah seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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