NURS 194 Leadership I Renton Technical College

Syllabus LPN Program/ Winter 2010

TIME See Tentative Leadership I Schedule

LOCATION H-108 (Building H, Room 108)

INSTRUCTOR Neil Foltz, LPN, RN, BSN, MN

Phone: 425-235-2352 extension 2392

Cell: 206-795-3469

Email:

Office: H-101-F; Office hours Tuesdays 1500-1600 and by appointment

CLASS WEB PAGE: http://www.quia.com/pages/nfoltz/page14

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Leadership I is designed to prepare students to become professional Licensed Practical Nurses and provide the students with job application skills. Students will study and apply the concepts of the professionalism of the role of the LPN, learning styles of learners, leadership skills at the LPN level, and change theory in health care, Students will develop job search skills using available resources. Students will create resumes and cover letters that effectively communicate their abilities to prospective employers and will practice successful interviewing techniques.

COURSE FOCUS

This course is entirely and exclusively focused on developing critical thinking as a professional Licensed Practical Nurse in the application of professionalism, leadership, and practical job search skills. This course will prepare effective practical nurses to be able to obtain nursing employment upon the conclusion of the program.

COURSE COMPETENCIES

By the end of this course, the student will:

·  Describe personal learning style and the styles of others

·  Discuss change theory using Lewin’s model

·  Identify the characteristics of an effective leader

·  Develop a professional resume and cover letter

·  Demonstrate effective interviewing techniques

·  Identify a variety of resources available to job seekers

·  Demonstrate math competence

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

·  A 3 ring binder for organizing assignments, notes, syllabus

·  Computer access for projects and assignments (see below for locations)

·  Pen (BLACK); Pencil to be used only for Scantron exams and quizzes

TEXTBOOK

ATI Leadership / Management (part of the ATI package)

REQUIRED READINGS

Various articles and web-sites will be required. Check the class web page regularly/daily.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

An overall grade of 80% (equivalent to a C) or better in Professional Development I is required in order to complete the LPN program per Renton Technical College LPN program policies. A grade of 80% (equivalent to a C) or better on the Math Exam is required. Additionally, students must obtain at least an 80% average on the 2 Quizzes and 80% on the final in order to pass the course; less than 80% in any of these areas will result in an overall course grade of no more than a C- or 79%.

Projects/ Assignments / Value
Assignments: NCLEX paperwork, Change, Conflict, Program Completion Certificate / 13% The value of each assignment will vary
Quizzes, held at the end of class / 10%
Math exam / 10%
Resume / 10%
Cover letter / 10%
Interview simulation / 10%
Portfolio / 15%
Cumulative Final Exam / 15%
Class Participation / 5%
ATI / 2%

Grading Scale used for all Nursing classes is as listed below:

Allied Health Grading Scale 2009

Decimal Grade / Grade Percent / Letter Grade Equivalent
4.0 / 100 / A
3.9 / 99
3.8 / 98 / A-
3.7 / 97
3.6 / 96
3.5 / 95
3.4 / 94 / B+
3.3 / 93
3.2 / 92
3.1 / 91 / B
3.0 / 90
2.9 / 89
2.8 / 88 / B-
2.7 / 87
2.6 / 86
2.5 / 85
2.4 / 84 / C+
2.3 / 83
2.2 / 82
2.1 / 81 / C
2.0 / 80
1.9 / 79 / C-
1.8 / 78
1.7 / 77
1.6 / 76
1.5 / 75
1.4 / 74 / D+
1.3 / 73
1.2 / 72
1.1 / 71 / D
1.0 / 70
0.9 / 69 / D-
0.8 / 68
0.7 / 67
0.6 / 66 / F
0.5 / 65
0.4 / 64
0.3 / 63
0.2 / 62
0.1 / 61
0.0 / 60 or less

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

See specific rubrics on the class web page for additional details regarding assignment requirements.

Daily Assignments - 13%

Daily assignments are scheduled for most class days with the purpose of encouraging student preparation for class. Daily assignments as well as all other assignments and projects for this course are due when class begins. Early assignments will not be accepted, and late assignments for any reason will have a 20% penalty assessed. Assignments turned in more than 24 hours late will not be accepted. Each student must turn in her/ his own assignments. Each assignment is a student’s “ticket” into class. If a student’s assignment for the day is not completed, then that student is not prepared to do the “in-class” work of the day and that student will not be allowed to sit in class. Pencil is not allowed for any assignment. The value of each daily assignment will vary.

Quizzes – 10%

Will cover the material covered in lecture, readings, and the coursework covered in the assignments. Students must obtain at least an 80% average on the 2 Quizzes in order to pass the course; a less than 80% average for the 2 Quizzes will result in an overall course grade of no more than a C- or 79%.

Math Exam – 10%

An accumulative math exam of all the types of arithmetic skills covered within the LPN program. A grade of 80% (equivalent to a C) or better on the Math Exam is required.

Resume – 10%

Students will develop a professional resume directed toward a specific prospective employer. Resumes will be graded on content, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and professional appearance. Resume format is the personal choice of the student. The resume must be typed. A copy of the resume will be included in the student’s portfolio. See rubric.

Cover Letter – 10%

Students will develop a professional cover letter to a specific prospective employer identified in an advertisement. The cover letter will be graded on content, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and professional appearance and will include an envelope to the prospective employer. The cover letter must be typed. A copy of the cover letter will be included in the student’s portfolio. See rubric.

Interview – 10%

Students will continue to develop interview skills by practicing interviews and by peer review. Interviews will be recorded in the nursing lab and given to students for self-evaluation to enhance learning. Students must bring a DVD or VHS tape for recording the interview. An analysis of the recorded interview will also be required. See rubrics.

Portfolio – 15%

The portfolio will contain information that students need for prospective healthcare employers including copies of resume, cover letter, reference list, immunization record, application for employment (if application is available only online, include a note indicating such), HIV/AIDS education certificate, CPR card, First Aid card, interview questions to ask, information about the company and the position for which the student is applying. Portfolios will be returned to students after grading. See rubric.

Class participation – 5%

Students are expected to attend class and participate in all activities by contributing to discussions and completing all in-class projects. At the end of the quarter, students will complete the class participation rubric on themselves and their group members. The instructor will complete a rubric on each student. Student rubrics will comprise 50% of each student’s class participation grade, and the instructor’s rubric will comprise the remaining 50%.

Final Exam - 15%

The final exam will be comprehensive. Students must have a score of 80% or more on the final. Final exam grades will be posted after students take the last final for the quarter. Final quarter grades will be available online.

ATI Testing Policy for the Nursing Program

ATI TESTING (2%)

Grade will be assigned to core classes only which include; Fundamentals, Pharmacology II-III, and Adult II-IV.

Practice Sets:

There will be emphasis on doing practice sets successfully.

1.  Each student will complete (on their own time) practice (non-proctored) ATI tests and submit results to the instructor with a score see list below or higher to be allowed to sit for the proctored ATI test.

2.  The practice (non-proctored) tests are due to the instructor one week prior to the scheduled proctored ATI tests. NOTE: ATI testing for the class may vary in number of tests depending on course content. One or Two ATI tests could be required.

3.  Grading is based on an overall 2% of the total course grade; based on a test value of 100 points.

4.  Students will print two copies of test results. One copy will be submitted to the instructor. The student will retain one copy for their records. Students will receive 2% of the overall grade credit only if the proctored ATI score(s) are See list below or higher

5.  If proctored ATI test(s) scores are not at or above required level listed below the student will remediate course information and must complete a second proctored ATI test with a score of see list below to receive the 2% grade credit for the ATI portion of the course grading. NOTE: In the event that 2-proctored tests are required each ATI test will be worth 1% of the 2% of the course grade and the above values would be divided equally into the two tests.

6.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for remediation and retaking of the ATI testing.

Licensed Practical Nurse / Level / Registered Nurse / Level
Fundamentals / 1 / ======/ ======
Pharmacology II / 2 / Pharmacology III / 2
Adult Health II / 2 / Adult IV / 2
Maternal child I / 1 / Maternal child II / 1
Pediatrics I / 1 / Pediatrics II / 1
Mental Health I / 1 / Mental Health II / 2
Leadership I / 1 / Leadership II / 1
Community I / 1 / Community II / 1

http://www.atitesting.com/default.aspx

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Research indicates that the brain learns least by reading or sitting and listening to someone talk, but that is learns best when it is stimulated with variety and something new. For that reason, this class will include the following:

Class presentation Active, participative discussion Role-playing

Expert guest speakers Small and large group activities Demonstration

Games with prizes! Audio-visual media Oral quizzing

INTERNET ACCESS and E-MAIL

Internet access and an e-mail account are required for the LPN Program and for this course. Students who do not have keyboarding and computer skills are encouraged to go to the Student Success Center or the library for assistance. The instructor will at times communicate with students by e-mail, but will mostly communicate through the class web page http://www.quia.com/pages/nfoltz/page14. The course syllabus and calendar, assignments, handouts, learning activities, projects, announcements, and other information will be provided on the class web page. The class web page will be updated by Tuesday at 1600 for the following week. Students are responsible to check the class web page at least once between Tuesday at 1600 and the next class period for updated calendar, assignments, handouts, learning activities, projects, announcements, and other information. Few handouts will be provided in class. Students are responsible to obtain and print papers. Though owning a personal computer and printer will assist LPN students to be successful, ownership is not necessary. The following is information on computer access and printing policies locally:

§  RTC Computer Lab, C-103: Free copies

§  RTC library, C: http://www.rtc.edu/library/ 5 cents per copy

§  Renton Public Libraries (Renton and Highlands): 5 cents per copy http://www.ci.renton.wa.us/commserv/library/adultserv.htm#computers

§  King County Library System (KCLS) library locations: http://www.kcls.org/kcls/liblist.cfm many libraries offer 75 free copies per week

§  KCLS Computer booking/printing policy: http://www.kcls.org/about/computerbooking.cfm

PREPARATION FOR CLASS

Students are expected to come to class on time with readings and assignments completed. Assignments, required readings, and quizzes will help to reduce the need for “cramming.” The object is for students to think and to learn each day. Because the material that needs to be learned may be more than can be covered during class time, students must accept responsibility for material not discussed in class. If a student finds that either class presentations or readings are unclear, it is the right and responsibility of that student to seek clarification.

STUDENT CONDUCT

As in all LPN courses, students are responsible to understand and observe policies in the Renton Technical College Student Handbook and the Allied Health Student Handbook. See the handbooks for policies on cheating and plagiarism, both of which are not tolerated and will result in zeros on the exam/ quiz/ assignment in question and possible expulsion from the LPN program. The following are two sites with a further explanation of plagiarism and cheating:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/hc/plagiarism.html

Additional LPN classroom expectations were presented during orientation.

TARDINESS and ABSENCE

Entering class late, leaving during class, and returning during class are disrespectful, distracting activities. For this reason, the classroom doors may be locked when class begins and when class resumes after break to decrease distraction. Students who arrive late or who leave during class may not enter the classroom until after the next break. Approximate break schedule is 1320-1330. Class entry will be granted only with completed assignments and projects. Assignments and projects will be accepted late with an automatic 20% deduction of the grade, and will be accepted no later than 24 hours after the due date and time. The same deduction applies whether the tardiness or absence is excused or unexcused.

A tardiness or absence is excused only for appropriate situations as determined by the instructor and the Director of Nursing. A healthcare provider’s note may be required for absence due to illness. For a tardiness or absence to be eligible to be considered excused, the student must call or e-mail the instructor before class begins. Students who are absent from all or a portion of class will be responsible to obtain class materials and announcements from a classmate. 10% will be deducted from the grade of a make-up quiz or exam taken after a tardiness or absence from class. The make-up quiz or exam may be different than the original one and must be scheduled with the instructor outside of class time. Unexcused tardiness or absence will result in a zero for that quiz or exam.