Committee Meetings and Minutes

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Nursing Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

Current Status of Minutes: Final
Date	February 14, 2008
Time	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location	Fredericksburg

Members Present
Linda Hicks, Ruthann Hoover, Donna Lafferty, Judy Mayo, Linda Miller, Patricia Recek, Jean Ward, Robert Weinheimer
Guests Present
Carla McElwain, Guest speaker, Cindy Snodgrass, Administrative Asst., Karen Cluck, Adjunct Faculty

Item # 1:	Approval of Agenda
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Linda Miller. The agenda for today's meeting was presented, a motion was made by Jeanie Ward to approve agenda, motion was seconded by Judy Mayo, motion carried. Ms. Miller introduced guests - Karen Cluck and Carla McElwain.

Item # 2:	Approval of Minutes
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	Minutes of the June 18, 2007 meeting was presented. A motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Linda Hicks and motion was seconded by Judy Mayo, motion carried.

Item # 3:	Guest Speaker
Presenter	Carla McElwain, LVN
Discussion	Carla McElwain completed the VNG program in December 2007. Ms. McElwain has passed her boards and has recently been hired by Windcrest Nursing Home, working the 3-11 shift. Her goal is to complete her pre-requisite courses for the RN/ADN program over the next few semesters, and then apply to be a student in the 2009 RN/ADN program. She shared her experiences as a VNG student and the struggles she faced working part time and maintaining a balance between family and school. Ms. McElwain was asked what her most challenging experience was as a student. She stated her biggest challenge was making modifications in the way she was studying and putting into practice "critical thinking" when taking tests. Ms. McElwain was also asked if she had taken any classes in high school as either Dual Credit or in the Early College Start program. She stated she was not enrolled in either program nor had she been made aware of either program while in high school. It was suggested that possibly someone who has successfully completed the VNG program speak to new VNG students in regards to their experience with balancing class and study time; work and family; and give study and test taking suggestions.

Item # 4:	ADN Program - Mobility Track Update
Presenter	Ruthann Hoover and Jeanie Ward
Discussion	Current Students – Ms. Hoover reported there are currently 5 students enrolled in the ADN program. The program began with 7 students; 2 students withdrew from the program in the 1st semester, 1 student transferred to Austin beginning the 2nd semester and 1 student who withdrew in the 2nd semester of last year's program was readmitted into the 2nd semester of this year's program. Demographics of Class – 1 from Fredericksburg, 1 from Ingram, 2 from Kingsland/Marble Falls, 1 from Austin (Round Mountain). Ms. Hoover also reported all students who recently completed the ADN program in July 2007 passed their boards. Enrollment Update – Ms. Hoover reported we are possibly looking at having 8 students in the new program beginning August 2008 and also in August 2009. Several students are working on completing their pre-requisite courses at this time. NLNAC Update – Jeanie Ward reported the NLNAC accreditation visit for the RN/ADN program will be September 30 through October 2, 2008. It has been 8 years since their last visit. The faculty is in the process of writing a self study for the NLNAC visit. Future Plans – Ms. Hoover reported Buffy Allen from the Eastview Campus in Austin recently came to Fredericksburg to show her different simulation exercises that can be taught using the Vital Ann mannequin. She is excited about implementing this information and feel her students will benefit greatly from this learning experience.

Item # 5:	Vocational Nursing Program Update
Presenter	Linda Miller and Pat Recek
Discussion	Current Students – Ms. Miller reported there are currently 8 students enrolled in the VNG program, which began in January 2008. Demographics of Class: 1 from Blanco, 1 from Burnet, 3 from Fredericksburg, 1 from Ingram, 1 from Kerrville and 1 from London. Ms. Miller reported 5 of the 8 students who completed the VNG program in December 2007 have passed their boards. The other three students were scheduled to take their boards on February 12, 2008 and at the time of the Advisory Committee Meeting no results had been posted. Enrollment update – Inquires have been strong and there are several students who are currently working on pre-requisite courses. Estimated number for September 2009 program is around 15. NLNAC Visit – Pat Recek reported the NLNAC accreditation visit for the VNG program will be October 21-23, 2008. Ms. Recek is not for sure if they will come to Fredericksburg or not, but possibly Fredericksburg will met with them via the IVC room. The community will be notified when the public forum will be held so they can attend and give feedback about the programs to the site visitors. Future Plans – Ms. Miller reported we recently held an open house for the HOSA students from Fredericksburg High School. 25 students, consisting of Juniors and Seniors attended the open house. Out of the 25 students, approximately � of the students said they were currently enrolled in either Dual Credit Courses or Early College Start. Another open house will be held for the remaining HOSA students on Monday, February 25, 2008. This group will mainly consist of Freshmen and Sophomores and will be a perfect opportunity to present them information in regards to Dual Credit Courses and the Early College Start program. Linda Hicks suggested it might be helpful to have a recent graduate speak at the open house. Ms. Hicks also said the school conducts a Vocational Fair each year and the Nursing Program might want to consider being a part of this. She will forward information to the Nursing Program Office when this event is scheduled along with guidelines and other pertinent information. Robert Weinheimer also suggested a graduate speak to current high school students about what it is like to be in the nursing program and what high school courses they recommend taking that would better prepare them for the program. Ms. Miller also reported during March and April we will be holding Information Sessions at the various nursing homes in Fredericksburg. Students recruited at the information sessions will still have time to complete the pre-requisite courses for the VNG program beginning in September 2009. Pat Recek discussed the possibility of curriculum changes in the future in regards to both the VNG and ADN programs.

Item # 6:	Hill Country University Center Update
Presenter	Robert Weinheimer
Discussion	Robert Weinheimer reported ground breaking for the new University Center should take place sometime this Spring. He said 3.6 million has been raised, but at least 5.5 million is needed. The University Center will be built in Phases. The 1st Phase will consist of approximately 90% classroom space. It was discussed that more non-nursing ACC classes are meeting in the portable buildings where the nursing programs meet. Donna Lafferty suggested we personalize the buildings more with signage reflecting this is an ACC Campus, with specific visibility in regards to the nursing programs and ACC being one of only three NLNAC VNG programs in Texas.

Item # 7:	New Business
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	Gina Enderlin, representative from HCMH has changed roles at the hospital and Judy Hickerson retired from TTU 1-31-08 and will no longer be serving on the Advisory Committee.

Item # 8:	Announcements
Presenter	Pat Recek and Jeanie Ward
Discussion	Pat Recek announced Kris Benton RN, MSN, been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Board of Nursing. Kris is currently and will continue to serve as a member of the ACC faculty as an associate professor with the VNG program. Jeanie Ward reported ACC will host a NLNAC sponsored workshop on Critical Thinking, for continuing education hours, in Austin on March 28, 2008.

Item # 9:	Adjournment
Presenter	Linda Miller
Discussion	The meeting was adjourned by Ms. Miller at 1:15 p.m.

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