October 7, 2010Paramedic to RN Mobility Meeting

Present: DPE: Linda Cater, Dave Laton

Gadsden State: Dr. Martha Lavender, Connie Meloun, Dr. Susan Tucker

Calhoun CC: Brett McGill, Stacy Powell, Lynn Hogan, Angela Watkins

Southern Union St. CC: Dr. Linda North, Lisa Shiver, Rhonda Davis

Issue / Discussion / Decisions/Actions Planned
Proposed Calendar by SU / L. Shiver shared a proposed calendar with the committee and explained the scheduling of class time, lab, and clinical hours. The proposed schedule has class and labs meeting on M, Tu for the first 6 weeks to help prepare students for clinicals. The students will be in class/labs for 8 hours a day. The length of class time is a negative factor, so instructors will need to be creative to keep the students’ attention. Having the course taught on 2 days rather than one day was also discussed.
Calhoun CC stated that their finals are a week later than SU’s. / Each school agreed with the days being proposed for the class. Brett will authorize for Calhoun’s final to be given a week early so it will coincide with SU’s final date. Gadsden agreed to administer their final on the same day as well.
Technology Issues / Brett mentioned that each school should have a backup plan in case of technology issues, and the instructor may have to teach rather than have the class listen in on Tandberg. / Each school will be prepared to cover content modules in case of technical difficulties. Students will need to have demo of Bb, how to obtain course material, logging in, etc.
Testing Procedures/ Frequency / Testing was also discussed, and Brett said that Calhoun would like to use computer testing with this course as a pilot since they have been using paper tests. Weekly testing was discussed, but the majority would rather test every 2 weeks. Also, testing would need to correlate with modules, so the frequency may vary. Brett suggested that test questions be written based on objectives, so it wouldn’t matter who wrote the test questions. Dr. Lavender stated that the instructors should have enough trust among themselves to critically review test questions. Also, since computer testing will be done, this will cut out review time needed for tests. / Calhoun plans to pilot computerized testing with this group.
Modules/content / L. Shiver explained how much time is proposed for the modules. L. Shiver, L. North, S. Spann, and R. Davis @ SU had met last Friday to divide the modules into time slots based on Spann’s experience from teaching NUR 111 previously. Angela is concerned about not having enough time for OB/Peds Module. Also discussed the need for some flexible time to be built in to adjust for the different volumes/ needs of students.
Concerns / Dr. Lavender mentioned that she is concerned about the “crosswalk” between paramedic training and nursing content. She didn’t see an assessment plan to find out the body of knowledge these students bring to class, and doesn’t want nursing modules just “slammed” in these students. Another concern: Is a faculty member expected to sit in the classroom on the distance site the entire time? / Suggested that each school will have to make that determination based on the student population. The students need to have a resource contact if a faculty member is not present in the classroom.
Division of content / Week 1- 1st day- Orientation in am, then Prof. behaviors, role comparison discussed in afternoon. Assessment test to be given at the end of the day.
2nd day- Nursing Process, test taking in am, ADL skills lab in afternoon.
Week 2- continue Module A: Communication, Needs-based care. Lab in pm-oxygenation
Week 3-Monday, 24th, complete Module A.
25th- no teleconference, labs all day
Week 4- 31st- test on Module A & B. Cover Module C, begin Module D. Lab & math test in afternoon.
Feb. 1st- AM: review math test, Module D & H, continue math, PM: individual skills competencies.
Week 5- 7th-AM: Test, then Peri-op & integument. PM: IV lab
8th- Resp. & CV
Week 6- 14th- AM-test, endocrine PM-Diabetic lab
15th- Musculoskeletal, Teaching & learning
PM- lab “catch up” or validation
Week 7- 21st-test first on MS, T&L, endocrine). GI in am, lab in pm (suggested NGT, simulation, etc.)
Week 8- 28th- GI in am, Oncology in pm
Week 9- March 7th-Test on GI & Oncology, start Psych content-module C from 201,
Week 10- March 14th- Reproductive & sensory (Calhoun recording on Camtasia while SU & Gadsden are on break).
Week 11- March 21st-Calhoun on break, Gadsden & SU listen to recording from previous week
Week 12-March 28th- Test on Repro & sensory, then Mother/baby module
Week 13- April 4th- Mother/baby
Week 14-April 11th- Test on OB, start Peds
Week 15- April 18th- Endocrine, Peds lab
Week 16- April 25th- Test on Peds & Endocrine
Final is customized HESI to be given on May 2nd. / Each instructor will be responsible for coordinating content and labs according to specific modules.
Boot camp/ORI / Dr. North suggested adding the Nurse Practice Act, role comparison, clarification and transition, etc. to the first day. Students need to be aware of the course format, video conferencing, and expected behaviors/attitudes. There was discussion about overwhelming the students on their first day. Stacey suggested that the Nursing Process be taught on the second day of class. Test taking skills should also be covered.
Evolve Case Studies / Gadsden & Calhoun are using Evolve Case Studies as part of their curriculum, and SU is not at present. / SU agreed to consider this resource for students also.
Coordinator responsibilities / SU offered to take lead and coordinate the course for the 3 schools this semester. Responsibilities include preparing syllabus, calendar as agreed on, communicating among the instructors, and making sure tests are completed in a timely manner. / SU will be course leader for all 3 schools.
Course meetings / Discussion about communication between the 3 schools, need for frequent conferences. / Course meetings among instructors to be via teleconference to model application of technology.
Admission/ Health requirements / Each school may have a slight variation of admission or health requirements. / Each school must follow their own policies for nursing students.
Suggestions / Should syllabus be the same?
Grading scales- how much are tests weighed during the course? Final? / Each school has control of their own syllabus, and may be slightly different according to school requirements. Each instructor’s names and contact info should be listed on the syllabus.
9 tests + 1 final to be given.