Committee Meetings and Minutes

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Nursing Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

Current Status of Minutes: Final
Date	November 3, 2020
Time	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location	via ZOOM

Members Present
Nina Almasy, Ramon Austria, Pamela Foster, Karen Hamlett, Sandra McCrary-Marshall, Patricia Recek, Yvonne VanDyke
Guests Present
Anna Anderson, Estrella Berrera, Gabrielle Davis, John Nation, Karen Cooper, Karen Hamlett, Linh Tu, Lizbeth Mahoney, Mary Lutz, Nina Almasy, Pamela Foster, Patricia Recek, Ramon Austria, Sandra McCrary-Marshall, Stephanie Creech, Steven Brockman Weber, Steven Self, Terrie Hairston, Tiffany Ricks, Victoria Bailey, Virginia Utterbeck, Yvonne VanDyke

Item # 1:	Call to order/Approval of agenda
Presenter	Terrie Hairston
Discussion	Karen Hamlett approved the agenda, seconded by Yvonne VanDyke

Item # 2:	Approval of minutes
Presenter	Toni Rowin
Discussion	Minutes from May 3, 2019 were reviewed and motioned for approval by Dr. Tiffany Ricks, seconded by Steve Self, approved by general consent of all members present.

Item # 3:	Introductions/Overview
Presenter	Terrie Hairston
Discussion	Discussion: Terri Hairston reviewed the purpose of the advisory committee to all members present. Austin Community College Nursing Advisory Committee Purpose The ACC Nursing Advisory committee is composed of, but not limited to, health care leaders in the ACC service area, alumni, college administrators, representatives from area nursing programs, the ACC Vocational Nursing Department Chair, and the ACC Professional Nursing Department Chair. The committee meets regularly (once or twice a year) and provides opportunities for the programs to share curriculum and policy updates, NCLEX pass rates and other program outcomes data, and program needs. The advisory committee members provide input and problem-solving processes resulting in the formulation of strategies to improve the programs' quality and equitable participation and success. Each hospital/ clinical and community agency gives an update on its facility, shares emerging clinical best practices, and addresses student and graduate needs in the clinical setting. The collaborative process allows for the exchange of information, best practices, agency updates, and current health care insights and perspectives. This interchange enhances the opportunity for all parties to develop strategies to meet community needs and industry demands while enhancing partnerships.

Item # 4:	Clinical Facilities Update
Presenter	All Members
Discussion	Acute Care: • Ascension Seton-S. Brockman-Webber reported that Ascension is still processing through the pandemic, but are seeing a steady number of COVID patients but not near the numbers from July. Their admissions are back to pre-COVID numbers for both illness and surgery patients. They are working on the construction of the Dell Children’s Center including a north campus and a labor delivery unit within the Dell Children’s Hospital. • St. David’s – No Representation • Christus Santa Rosa Hospital – Pam Foster reported that the transition is being made between CTMC and Christus Santa Rosa Hospital. All clinical contracts that were in place for CTMC are being honored to their completion. Long Term Care Agencies: K. Gluch with Westminster Manor reported that WM probably will not have clinical rounds with students for another 10-12 months. Currently they are only opening up visitation to one visitor per client. Our clients are struggling mentally due to lack of interaction. Linh Tu from Premier Choice Home Health reported that they just got the State of Texas to recognize Home Health and Hospice for the month of November. Home Health COVID numbers have stayed low but we still do not have clients comfortable welcoming student nurses into their homes. They are working to obtain travel nurses right now from the Philippines to employ as Nurses. Rehabilitation Hospitals- RJ Buchanan from the Center at Palmer reported that they are happy to have the LVN students rotating through for clinical. They look forward to having the student nurse number increase as COVID numbers go down. Ambulatory Care/Clinic • Baylor Scott and White- Ramon Austria reported it is business as usual, and their census is up. BSW is currently not taking COVID positive patients but they do take post COVID patients. They are looking forward to students returning back to their clinic area. Nina Almasy interjected that students will be returning there in January. • Austin Regional Clinic-No report Behavioral/Mental Health Facilities – Keva Rocha reported from Cedar Crest Hospital that they currently have students from South University and look forward to adding ACC to the student groups rotating through. They are meeting with Central Texas College to discuss students coming. Currently their hospital is COVID free and they look forward to students coming to help serve their clients. Community Clinic - Victoria Bailey from Austin Public Health reported that she is excited to be hosting a group of RN-to-BSN students working with their COVID Nurse hotline project. This is a team of 4-6 nurses that has answered 37,000 calls since this pandemic started. The students will be creating questions and answers for the COVID Vaccine to share with the patients who call into the hotline. Also participated in a great project last Spring with the RN-to-BSN students and community health workers called Stop the Bleed. Austin Public Health is busy doing various vaccination clinics for children as many have gotten behind on their vaccination schedules due to COVID. This will allow them to get back on schedule. Community Clinic – No Representation

Item # 5:	College Updates
Presenter	Patricia Recek
Discussion	Patricia Recek, Dean of Health Science for ACC reporting on college updates stated that she agreed it had been a challenging time for everyone. She thanked the facility leadership for their continued support of our students’ education and participation in the Nursing Advisory Committee. Within the college, all credit and workforce classes are being offered online. Some face to face lab classes are being offered onsite on a limited basis. Both Nursing programs were able to use virtual learning to allow the students moving through the program to graduate on time. The college is moving forward with many of their innovative ideas, concentrating on equity and inclusion in all areas of the college and student learning. We will be reviewing the prospect of Holistic Admissions in the coming months. Larry Davis has been named as our new Equity and Inclusion Officer and he is focusing on looking for ways to open the door for more students. The college is looking to expand and move some programs to more of the South region of our service area. COVID has delayed the second opening at the Highland Campus with the simulation center. We will have the opportunity to do more inter discipline simulation which is part of our accreditation requirements once the new simulation center is opened. In addition, our community partners will be able to use the simulation center for employee training etc. Steven Brockman-Weber informed Dean Recek that some of the hospital administrators had been getting requests from Capital Idea to increase the ADN student numbers. Dean Recek, responded that ACC is looking at other ways that we can help to support the students sponsored by Capital Idea to align with their Nursing goals in an attempt to keep them training and stacking credentials as a way to help their students continue on their educational pathway. Dr. Brockman-Weber added that Ascension would NOT be able to add more student rotations unless they pushed out the LVN program and that is not something they want to do.

Item # 6:	Vocational Nursing Program
Presenter	Sandra McCrary-Marshall
Discussion	Current Enrollment: Level 1 - 45 Level 2 - 0 Level 3 - 17 EW Level 4 - 6 EW Alternate - 9 Total By Campus - 77 Fall 2019- Graduates = 23 Summer 2020-Graduates = 26 Fall 2020-Pending Graduates = 17 Curriculum: • The program continues to increase simulation within the curriculum. Areas of content include Medical-Surgical nursing, Pediatrics and Obstetrics. We are incorporating Mental Health simulations. Goal is to continue to increase simulation within the program. Feedback from students, continue to reflect knowledge of positive learning experience. Three Semester Program Hours of Simulation/# of Clinical, and Lab Hours % of Simulation I 24/256 9% II 32/256 12% III 40/256 16% Total 88/786 12% Total Program • Feedback on the student evaluations of the clinical sites continues to be positive. • The program continues to expand into non-acute care sites: Clinics, doctor’s offices, schools, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation hospitals. COVID-19 IMPACT: • The college campus was closed from March 30th through July 3rd. The campus reopened at limited capacity (to essential labs and clinical) on July 6th. • Face to Face- Didactics were moved to synchronous online delivery. • Clinicals from mid-2020-current, no Long-Term Care facilities were open due to COVID-19. • Limited Rehabilitation Hospitals reopened to students in Fall 2020. • Acute Care Hospital remained opened to clinical rotation during COVID-19 • Spring 2020 Cohort- TEAS scores for applicant admission was waived due to limitation of testing to meet deadline for June 1st application deadline. The VNG program implemented a new 3-semester curriculum beginning Fall 2015. Four cohort classes have completed the 3-semester curriculum Admitted/Completed SP17 – FA17 47 / 36 SP18 – FA18 50 / 23 SP19 – FA19 46 / 26 Statistical analysis reveals successful program completion is correlated with ATI TEAS scores of > 50. Most students that are unsuccessful completing the program scored less than 50 on the ATI-TEAS. The VNG program will implement the new 5-semester Evening/Weekend program option - Fall 2019. Main objectives to accomplish with new 5-semester curriculum:  Allowing accessibility into the Vocational Nursing Program for students who cannot attend a day program.  Course offerings maintains o Aligned with program SLOs and outcomes, o Compliance with both the BON and the ACEN. (Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.) o Aligned with National Standards Evening/Weekend Curriculum o 43 Semester Credits o Program length – 5 semesters (not including pre-requisites o TX BON=Contact Hours: compliance with the Board of Nursing requirements for program of study for both didactics and clinical learning experience in a VN program. o Comply with the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, INC (ACEN) standards that state program length must be consistent with the policies of the governing organization, state and national standards, and best practice for part-time programs. See attached 5 semester Evening/Weekend degree plan. (White Sheet) Proposed Evening/Weekend VN Program Highlights • Accessibility into the Vocational Nursing program for students who cannot attend a day program • Course offerings aligned with end-of-program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs); program outcomes; and compliance with the Texas Board of Nursing requirements for the minimum contact hours for theory and clinical in a VN program; and compliance with the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) standards • College/Department experience and support in development, implementation, and evaluation of programs • Potential applicant pool to support an Evening/Weekend VN program option • Experienced nurse faculty credentialed and prepared • Extensive student support services • Support of community Moving Forward The VN Program has proposed a new 5-semester Evening/Weekend program option with a target implementation of fall 2019. The main objectives to accomplish this program option include:  Allowing accessibility into the Vocational Nursing program for students who cannot attend a Traditional-Day program. Course offerings that are aligned with end-of-program SLOs; program outcomes; and are in compliance with the Texas Board of Nursing, ACEN, and National Standards. The nursing program’s licensure examination pass rates for the previous three (3) years The Licensure NCLEX-PN® pass rates for the Vocational Nursing program graduates are above state and national means (Table 3). TABLE 3: NCLEX-PN® PASS RATES (FIRST TIME) Year Timeframe ACC Pass Rate State Mean National Mean (First Time, US Educated) 2017 January - December 92.31% 86.84% 83.84% 2018 January - December 92.31% 89.30% 85.93% 2019 January - December 94.83% 89.05% 85.63% Baseline: The nursing program’s completion rates for the previous three (3) years, as well as the expected level of achievement The VN program recognizes that the designated expected level of achievement (ELA) of 75% for the rate of completion has not been met (Table 4). In Fall 2019, the faculty reevaluated the ELA and it was changed to 55%. However, the faculty continues to evaluate and implement measures to improve the ELA as evidenced by the Systematic Plan for Program Evaluation (SPE). The faculty recognize that low completion rates are not solely due to the academic rigor/requirements of the program. Other factors such as financial, medical, family/personal, and/or day course scheduling contribute to the completion rates; hence, the genesis of the Evening/Weekend VN program as a result of ongoing continuous program improvement. TABLE 4: TRADITIONAL-DAY VN PROGRAM’S COMPLETION RATES FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE (3) YEARS Cohort Admitted Completed Rate of Completion (%) (ELA – 75%) FA16 - SU17 37 21 57% SP17 - FA17 47 24 51% FA17 - SU18 42 18 43% SP18 - FA18 50 23 46% FA18 - SU19 46 24 53% SP 19 – FA 19 46 26 57% FA19 – SU20 50 25 50% The nursing program’s job placement data for the previous three (3) years, as well as the expected level of achievement The VN program’s designated ELA is 90% of those graduates seeking employment in nursing will be employed within six (6) months of graduation. Of those responding to the survey, the ELA continues to be met as evidenced in Table 5. TABLE 5: EMPLOYMENT OF VN PROGRAM GRADUATES Graduate Class Employment in Nursing ELA-90% Sp2015/F2015* 19/19 who returned survey reported employment 100% Su2016/F2016 41/41 who returned survey reported employment 100% Su2017/F2017 20/22 who returned survey reported employment 91% Su2018/F2018 Survey is distributed 6 months after program completion (June/July 2019) 100% * Last year before the Traditional-Day program curriculum was revised.

Item # 7:	Professional Nursing Program
Presenter	Laura Dickson
Discussion	Dr. Almasy interjected that some on the members might also be a member of the RN to BSN Advisory Committee. Since we strive to be respectful of your time, we have combined the Nursing and the RN to BSN Advisory Committees I. Program Data, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) A. Enrollment • Fall 2020 Enrollment Total = 632 Current Enrollment Breakdown: Level I Level II Level III Level IV Mobility Track 150 156 142 139 45 B. Graduates • Fall 2019=126 • Spring 2020= 128 • Summer 2020=31 • Fall 2020 (Anticipated)=139 C. Curriculum Updates • Significant increase in simulation • Impact of COVID-19 on clinical experiences D. NCLEX Pass Rate Results RN Year: October 1-September 30 • 2020= 92.34% (unofficial) • 2019= 93.19% • 2018= 92.83% During the past three years we have consistently increased retention rates/number of graduates and maintained the NCLEX pass rates above 92%. E. Program Completion Rate • 2019= 83% (includes traditional and mobility) F. Job Placement Rate • 2019= 100% G. Michael and Susan Dell Foundation Grant for development of an Accelerated Nursing Track (ANT) • Overview: In an effort to further accelerate the ACC student pathway to employment in the healthcare industry and economic prosperity, The Professional Nursing Department submitted a grant to develop a fast-track in the ADN program to decrease the amount of time it takes students to become an RN. The focus and aim of the proposal was to develop Equitable and Holistic Eligibility and Screening Criteria, and offer an equitable accelerated track including wrap around support to positively impact individual nursing students and the nursing workforce. This ANT will help students finish the traditional RN program up to six months sooner and enter the workforce or advance their education and enter the RN-to-BSN program more seamlessly. Projected implementation is Spring 2021. H. Clinical Placement • Challenges and Opportunities The ADN Nursing Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO) Upon completion of the ADN Program, the graduate is prepared to: Patient Safety Advocate 1. Adhere to the safety requirements and practice setting standards and complies with mandatory reporting requirements as set forth by the Texas Nursing Practice Act, Texas Board of Nursing Rules and other governing and accrediting agencies. 2. Implement and evaluate measures to promote quality and a safe environment for all individuals, and seeks guidance when performing tasks appropriate or necessary. Provider of Patient-Centered Care 3. Integrate clinical reasoning skills and the nursing process, guided by evidence-based practice, as a framework for providing care for multiple individuals, and their families, with complex health care needs involving multiple body systems in intermediate and critical care settings, in collaboration with members of the health care team. 4. Develop, implement and evaluate teaching plans for individuals and their families to address disease prevention, health promotion, maintenance and restoration. 5. Access and manage electronic information and material resources in providing care for individuals and their families. Member of the Health Care Team 6. Utilize nursing resources to identify and refer individuals with complex health care needs to resources that facilitate continuity of care, health promotion, maintenance and restoration. 7. Communicate and collaborates with individuals, their families and members of the health care team to plan, deliver and evaluate safe and effective patient-centered care in a timely manner. 8. Delegate to other members of the health care team to promote safe, effective and timely care for individuals with complex health care needs involving multiple body systems and their families. Member of the Profession 9. Function within the nurse's legal scope of practice, and assumes accountability and responsibility for the quality of nursing care provided to adult individuals with complex health care needs involving multiple body systems and their families. The ADN Program Outcomes Nursing Program Completion 80% of students enrolling in the Nursing Program will complete the program within 2.5 years for Traditional Track graduates and 2 years for Mobility Track graduates from initial date of entry into the Program. Licensure Exam Pass Rate The Nursing Program's annual NCLEX pass rate will be greater than or equal to 95%. Job Placement Rate 90% of graduates who seek employment within 6 to 12 months of graduation will be employed as a Registered Nurse. II. Program Data, RN-to-BSN Program A. Enrollment 60 students We started a part time cohort in 2019. In Spring 2021 we will begin admitting a spring cohort in addition to Fall admissions. • Fall 2020 Part time=37 • Fall 2020 Full time=10 • Fall 2019 Part time= 13 (will graduate in December) B. Graduates Spring 2020= 39 The RN-TO-BSN NURSING PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (PSLO) Upon completion of the RN-to-BSN Program, the graduate is prepared to: 1. Synthesize knowledge from the discipline of nursing, sciences, and the humanities in acquisition and application of nursing knowledge, competencies, and values for professional nursing practice. 2. Optimize interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of patient-centered care. 3. Engage in a systematic process of evaluation, translation, and application of reliable scientific evidence to inform (decision making for) safe nursing practice. 4. Conduct comprehensive assessment inclusive of physical, behavioral, psychological, spiritual, socioeconomic, and environmental assessments of health and illness parameters in patients, using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches. 5. Utilize technology and information systems to communicate, manage information, and support decision making to improve patient outcomes within the healthcare delivery system. 6. Assess communities and populations, synthesizing data and analyzing community needs to develop a comprehensive approach to meeting healthcare needs. 7. Utilize individual and population-focused interventions to promote health across the lifespan. 8. Engage in political and regulatory processes that influence healthcare systems and quality improvement policies. 9. Apply leadership and management skills in the provision of quality nursing care, healthcare team coordination, and the oversight and accountability for care delivery in a variety of settings. 10. Demonstrate communication skills to effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of the interprofessional team. 11. Demonstrate adherence to professional standards within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of nursing practice. THE RN-TO-BSN PROGRAM OUTCOMES 1. 80% of full-time students will complete the program in four (4) semesters (150%). 80% of part-time students will complete the program in seven (7) semesters (150%) based on course availability from enrolling in first nursing course. Met for 2019 graduate cohort (84.7%). 2. At least 90% of graduates will indicate employment in nursing. Met for 2019 graduate cohort. 100% of respondents were employed. 38% (5/13) had an increase in salary after getting BSN 3. At least 10% of graduates will be enrolled in a graduate program within one year of graduation. 69% (9/13) of respondents plan to pursue graduate degree 4. 80% of graduates will report satisfaction with the RN-to-BSN program. Met for 2019 graduate cohort.

Item # 8:	New Business
Presenter	Nina Almasy
Discussion	Curriculum Change Request Professional Nursing – Mobility Track The goal for submitting this proposed curriculum change is to decrease the rate of attrition by providing a learning environment better suited for student success. To this end, the mobility faculty identified that redistribution of clinical course hours from the fall to the spring semester would facilitate their success. CURRENT SITUATION: Currently, the fall semester for the mobility program consists of a theory course RNSG 1517, a nursing process course RNSG 1270, a clinical course RNSG 1263, which consists of 128 clinical hours, and a skills course RNSG 1140 for students who did not take the skills course in the summer semester. The 128 clinical hours are distributed as follows: 80 hours for medical/surgical clinical practice and 48 hours for mental health clinical practice. The spring semester consists of two courses, a theory course RNSG 1546 and a clinical course RNSG 1463. Students must complete 256 clinical hours in the spring semester. Proposed curriculum change: The professional nursing curriculum committee along with the Faculty Organization Committee approved assigning the the RNSG 1140 skills course as a pre-requisite course to take effect the fall semester 2021. Changing the RNSG 1140 skills course to a pre-requisite course, would allow the redistribution of 64 clinical hours from the spring semester to the fall semester resulting 192 clinical hours each semester. By increasing the number of clinical hours in the fall semester to 192 hours, students will have a stronger foundation in medical/surgical and mental health clinical practice prior to their final medical/surgical clinical course in the spring semester. The following proposed curriculum changes would allow the redistribute of 64 clinical course hours from the spring to the fall semester with the desired effective date of fall 2021. 1. Fall semester: change the clinical course from RNSG 1263 to RNSG 1363 2. Spring semester: change the clinical course from RNSG 1463 to RNSG 2363 Decision/Action: Terrie Hairston requested a motion. Dr. Steven Brockman-Webber motioned to approve the curriculum change to the Mobility program as outlined with Dr. Almasy’s justification, which was seconded by Karen Hamlett, and approved by all members present. Dr. Almasy will now present this change to the ACC Curriculum Committee for approval at the November 20th. Meeting.

Item # 9:	Announcements
Presenter	Terrie Hairston
Discussion	It was announced that going forward this will be a single advisory committee being a combination of the Vocational Nursing/Professional Nursing with ADN and RN-to-BSN Committees. Ms. Hairston asked the members present to review the members list and make any updates of their organization’s personnel changes or recommendations for committee members and send them to Sheila Rodriguez at sheilar@austincc.edu. Terrie Hairston announced that on November 5 at 6 p.m. the Austin American Statesman is hosting a virtual gala to recognize outstanding Nurses in our community. Dr. Ana Todd from UT was also nominated as an Educator of the Year.

Item # 10:	Next Meeting Date and Time
Presenter	Terrie Hairston
Discussion	TBD

Item # 11:	Adjournment
Presenter	Terrie Hairston
Discussion	Meeting ended at 11:55 a.m.

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