Committee Meetings and Minutes

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Nursing Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

Current Status of Minutes: Final
Date	November 16, 2006
Time	12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Location	Fredericksburg

Members Present
Ruthann Hoover, Joe Kammlah, Donna Lafferty, Margie Lieck, Judy Mayo, Linda Miller, Patricia Recek, Jean Ward, Robert Weinheimer
Guests Present
No guest attendance has been recorded.

Item # 1:	Approval of Agenda
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	At 12:37 p.m., Linda Miller called the meeting to order. A motion was made by Ms. Miller to approve the agenda for today's meeting. The motion carried by acclamation. Ms. Miller announced that Bill Smith has moved away and is no longer a member of the Advisory Committee. Therefore, a volunteer is needed to replace him as chairperson of the committee. Margie Lieck and Donna Lafferty volunteered to co-chair the committee.

Item # 2:	Approval of Minutes
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	A motion was made by Robert Weinheimer to approve the minutes for the February 27, 2006, meeting. Jeanie Ward seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Item # 3:	Vocational Nursing Program Update
Presenter	Linda Miller and Pat Recek
Discussion	A. Enrollment Update Current Enrollment: Ms. Miller reported that 13 students were admitted to the current VNG class in the Fall 2006 semester (one male and 12 females). 11 of these students have the chance to progress to Level Two this spring (the other two have already failed one course, so will not be able to progress). An additional student will be re-entering the program in the spring. This class will graduate in December 2007. A geographic breakdown of the current class is as follows: Fredericksburg . . . . . . . . . . 3 students Mason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 students Kingsland/Marble Falls . . . .4 students Kerville/Harper . . . . . . . . . . 1 student B. Pass Rate/Employee Breakdown 100% Pass Rate: Ms. Miller told the committee that seven students graduated from the VNG program in May 2006, and all seven have passed the NCLEX board exam. Two of these graduates went directly into the Fredericksburg Associate Degree Nursing program in August. Since the inception of the ACC Fredericksburg Vocational Nursing Program in 1997, 49 students have graduated and all have passed their licensure exam and are practicing licensed vocational nurses. Employment Breakdown of Graduates: Hill Country Memorial Hospital . . . . . . . . . 10 Drug Rehab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Home Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Nursing Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Physician's Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Studying Dental Hygiene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Licensed RN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Living in Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 C. Curriculum Issues/Future Plans Program Length: Ms. Recek explained that while ACC's VNG program is four semesters long instead of the three semesters offered by other schools, our students only attend four days a week instead of five. However, this structure makes for a long wait in Fredericksburg between start dates for a new class. Online CAPS: Future plans are for an online CAPS, structured like a video. Ms. Recek said they might be able to offer one specific to Fredericksburg. Ms. Lieck said she is working on an education web page for HCMH, and could add a link to the online CAPS. Next VNG Class: The VNG Class of 2009 will begin Level One in January 2008. Our records reflect five students are currently working on pre-requisites. Two potential candidates are scheduled to attend a Career Advising and Planning Session (CAPS) tomorrow.

Item # 4:	ADN Mobility Track Update
Presenter	Ruthann Hoover and Jeanie Ward
Discussion	A. Enrollment Update Current enrollment: Ms. Hoover reported that seven students are currently enrolled in their first semester of the ADN Mobility program. An additional student will be re-entering in the spring. Of those currently enrolled, five previously went through our VNG program. B. NCLEX Pass Rate All six original members of the last class graduated in August 2006 passed their boards. HCMH held a reception to recognize these students. C. Curriculum Issues/Future Plans Admission requirements: The decision by the admission committee to drop the one year work experience admission requirement and to accept other licensed professionals has been very helpful in attracting additional applicants to the program. Work-related Issue: Ms. Ward mentioned that the current ADN students who work at HCMH are feeling a lot of stress because of the number of hours they must work per week in order to keep their benefits. Ms. Lafferty responded that they must work 16 hours per week, because the hospital requires 32 hours per pay period in order to receive benefits. Ms. Ward explained that the Austin hospitals pay benefits for only 20 hours per pay period. Ms. Lafferty and Ms. Lieck will meet with Human Resources at HCMH to discuss this issue.

Item # 5:	Clinical Facility Update
Presenter	Margie Lieck
Discussion	Ms. Lieck reported that she has been busy acquiring new educational materials for the hospital, including a new simulator and learning tools. These could be used by our programs between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, November 29, a Diabetes conference will be offered. Those attending will receive CEU credits. The Fredericksburg ADN students will attend.

Item # 6:	Unfinished Business
Presenter	Margie Lieck
Discussion	Immunization Issues: Upon learning that there is no immunization clinic in Fredericksburg, Ms. Lieck suggested that perhaps HCMH could partner with the Good Samaritan Center to offer immunizations to nursing students. Ms. Miller affirmed that this would be extremely helpful. The Rotary Club in Austin just agreed to donate $20,000 for immunizations for under-served populations. This donation will be through the Blaine Grant, which matches every $1,000. This will help ACC students. Those who qualify will receive a voucher that can be used to receive immunizations at a designated clinic. Ms. Lieck asked for a copy of this grant. Perhaps the Rotary Club in Fredericksburg could replicate this endeavor. The Hill Country Foundation could also be approached for a donation. Hill Country University: Mr. Weinheimer reported that the locally organized Hill Country Higher Education Foundation is involved in raising $5.5 million for a dedicated university site. This campus would combine the services of ACC, Texas Tech University, Concordia University and Schreiner University. Financial Aid Issues: Ms. Miller expressed a concern for the need for financial assistance for Hill Country students. Not all nursing students are from Fredericksburg; those who live in the smaller surrounding communities receive even less assistance. Mr. Weinheimer suggested sending invitations for the graduation ceremonies to community officials. He also suggested that we recognize the students' hometowns on the invitations.

Item # 7:	New Business
Presenter	Margie Lieck and Jeanie Ward
Discussion	A. Spring Meeting Time Community committee members were asked if the lunch meeting time continues to work for them, or if they would prefer a breakfast meeting. All agreed that lunch meetings are best. B. New Grant Ms. Ward announced that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education is offering grants for any college that shows an increased graduation rate this year over last year. Ms. Ward explained that the number of students in the ADN programs will increase by at least 50. The amount of money received will depend on how many schools qualify. The funds received will be used to increase student success, and will help employ additional tutors, purchase simulation equipment, etc.

Item # 8:	Adjournment
Presenter	Margie Lieck
Discussion	The meeting was adjourned by Ms. Lieck at 1:47 p.m.

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