UACCH

Practical Nursing

Student

Handbook

2014 - 2015


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents / Page Number
Chain of command / 4
Mission, Goals And Objectives / 5
Code of Ethics / 6
Admission Criteria / 7
Admission Confirmation / 7
ASBN Approval & Background Checks & Criminal Conviction / 8
Estimated Program Cost / 10
Resources, Refunds, Financial Assistance / 11
International Student Admission Policy, Progression, Advanced Placement / 12
Attendance Requirements, Emergency Leave / 13-14
Holidays, Incremental Weather / 15
Clinical Requirements, Clinical Competences / 16
Grades, Instructor Offices, Insurance & Liability / 17
Testing, Resources, Standardized Testing / 18
ATI Policy / 19
Cell Phone Policy / 20
Rights & Responsibilities / 21
Conduct And Behavior / 22
SPN’s Can And Cannot Do / 23
Dismissal / 24
Clinical Guidelines / 25-27
Academic Integrity & Dishonesty / 28-29
Student Incident & Counseling Form / 30
Smoking Policy / 31
Social Networking / 32
Readmission And Transfer / 33-36
Nursing Club / 37-38
Pinning, Graduation, NCLEX Procedure / 39
Substance Abuse Policies / 40-43
Substance Abuse Release Form / 44
Confidentiality Statement Signature Form / 45
Mental And Physical Abilities / 46-48
Influenza Vaccination Declination / 49
Hepatitis B Waiver Signature Form / 50
Waiver And Indemnity Agreement / 51
Practical Nursing Policy And Procedure Signature Form / 52
Criminal Background Awareness Form / 53


Faculty & Chain of Command

Karen Davis Direct Line: 870-722-8206

Dean of Health Professions (Interim)

Cyndi Graham, RN, MSN Direct Line: 870-722-8505

Practical Nursing Program Director

Ginny Witcher, RN, MSN Direct Line: 870-722-8224

Practical Nursing Faculty

ARNEC Chair

Emma Bissell, RN, BSN Direct Line: 870-722-8235

Practical Nursing Faculty

Sandra Roberson Direct Line: 870-722-8289

Health Professions Administrative Assistant

Important Phone Numbers to Share:

For Student Services Call 870-777-5722

Nursing Office- Mrs. Roberson (870)722-8289

Program Director- Mrs. Graham (870)722-8505

Dean of Health Professions- Mrs. Davis (870) 722-8206


MISSION & PHILOSOPHY

The Practical Nursing Program at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope is an Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved program committed to providing quality education to students entering into the profession of Practical Nursing.

GOAL

The goal of the Practical Nursing program is to provide entry-level training of knowledge, skills, and employability skills consistent with a Licensed Practical Nurse.

OBJECTIVES / GRADUATE COMPETENCIES

1.  Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate in the, knowledge domain, the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse.

2.  Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate, in the psychomotor domain (skills), the ability to perform skills effectively relevant to the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse.

3.  Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate employment skills relevant to the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Students are responsible for knowing the information contained in this handbook.

It should be read carefully for rules, regulations, policies, etc. While the PN Program makes every effort to make changes only as revisions to this document, the PN Program reserves the right to make changes to policy contained herein as circumstances may require.


ARKANSAS LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES’ ASSOCIATION

CODE OF ETHICS

1. The prime responsibility of the licensed practical nurse is to conserve life, alleviate suffering and promote health.
2. The licensed practical nurse is legally and morally bound to render adequate nursing service to the patient and to observe rules of decorum (high standards) in personal behavior and professional conduct.
3. The licensed practical nurse respects authority and profits by constructive criticism.
4. The licensed practical nurse recognizes the practitioner as the authority for all care and treatment for the patient and is accorded polite deference (respect) and professional esteem.
5. The licensed practical nurse is aware of the statutes, which affect the practice and medicine and nursing and those, which govern the health and welfare of the public.
6. The licensed practical nurse accepts compensation as prescribed by the contract and does not accept gratuities or participate in unethical or illegal practices.
7. The Licensed practical nurse holds in confidence all personal information entrusted to them and all family matters coming to their attention in the practice of their vocation.
8. The Licensed practical nurse does not converse with the patients about their own personal experiences, personal problems and personal ailments.
9. The Golden Rule in relationship guides licensed practical nurses with patients and nursing associates and respect their religious convictions.
10. The Licensed practical nurses should expose dishonesty and unethical conduct of associates to the proper authorities.
11. The licensed practical nurse regards practical nursing as an art to be cultivated and a vocation to be respected.
12. The licensed practical nurse knows that a unified vocation demands respect and withstands opposition, and therefore Licensed Practical Nurses will seek membership in the professional organization of their vocation – The Arkansas Licensed Practical Nurses’ Association.


ADMISSION

College Admission: Students seeking admission for the first time to the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope (UACCH) should use the following procedures.

  1. Complete a UACCH application for admission form.
  2. Submit a transcript of high school graduation or General Education Diploma (GED) and any college work.
  3. Provide proof of immunization against measles (2) and rubella (1) if enrolled as a full time student.
  4. Submit ACT scores or take the COMPASS/ASSET test administered at the College prior to registering for classes.

Program Admission: The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Practical Nursing Program is an Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved program. Students are required to be a high school graduate or have a GED. The core course work is three semesters (Summer II, Fall, and Spring). *Specified pre-requisite course work is required prior to program admission. These requirements are:

BIOL 2214 Human Anatomy & Physiology I or

BIOL 1003 Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology I

BIOL 2224 Human Anatomy & Physiology II or

BIOL 1013 Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology II

BIOL 2203 Nutrition

MATH 1083 AAS Math for Health Professions or

MATH 1053 College Algebra

Student COMPASS score is ≤ 83 in Reading must have successful completion of ENGL 0063 prior to admission into the Practical Nursing Program. Applicants are eligible for admission after prerequisite courses are completed with a grade of “C” or better and a completed “Application for Admission to Practical Nursing” form is on file. All applicants must schedule and complete a cognitive ability test (CAT) or Wonderlic© before May 1st of the application year. The CAT will be at the expense of the applicant (currently $10). Applicant will receive a total entrance score using the 4 pre-requisite courses GPA x10 plus the CAT score. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on their total entrance scores. Preference will be given to student completing Human Anatomy & Physiology I/II. Applications are accepted from April 1 through May 20 of each year. Applicants’ not completing prerequisite course work by May 20, but will complete work in Summer I prior to admission, must also submit an application by this deadline. All applicants are notified by mail if he or she gained entrance into the program. In the event the number of applicants is greater than the number of positions available, applicants are admitted according to highest prerequisite GPA. Applicants completing all pre-requisite course work by May 20 will be given initial consideration. In the event of a tie, the applicant with the higher overall GPA will be selected.

BACKGROUND CHECKS & STATEMENT OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION

Any student convicted of a misdemeanor or felony (including convictions thought to be expunged), had a licensure/certification disciplined (example, nursing, CNA, ect.) currently engaged in drug-related behavior, or in the last two years been the subject of a chemical or alcohol dependency program, should contact the Program Director in writing immediately. The presence of any one of these may require the student to have a hearing by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing after graduation in order to be permitted to take the NCLEX examination for licensing. All graduates must have criminal background checks (state and federal) performed for Arkansas State Board of Nursing prior to their licensing exam.


ADMISSION confirmation

Upon confirmation of admission to the Practical Nursing Program the student will be required to complete the following forms/requirements in order to complete admission:

§  Statement of Acceptance form

§  Statement of Criminal Conviction form with Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Criminal Background Checks (see www.asbn.org for disallowed crimes, 17-87-312)

§  Consent for Criminal Background History Check

§  Drug Screening information & consent

§  Substance Abuse Policy Release form

§  Arkansas Health Card- TB skin test, if reactive must provide x-ray and/or medication report. Must follow AR Health Department guidelines.

§  Current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR card (Does not expire during program year).

§  Updated MMR record

§  Hepatitis B Vaccine or waiver

Course Requirements:

Summer II Semester

NURS 1103 Nursing Concepts I (UACCH CNA- test out option) 3

NURS 1001 Medication Calculations (test out -optional) 1 4

Fall Semester

NURS1105 Nursing Concepts II 5

NURS 1021 Venous Access and Therapy 1

NURS 1002 Pharmacology I 2

NURS 1012 Gerontological Nursing 2

NURS 1022 Maternal / Infant Nursing 2

NURS 2021 Mental Health Nursing 1

NURS 1004 Clinical Practicum I 4

17

Spring Semester

NURS 2008 Nursing of Adults 8

NURS 2002 Pharmacology II 2

NURS 2012 Pediatric Nursing 2

NURS 2019 Clinical Practicum II 9

21

ASBN APPROVAL

The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) and is regularly evaluated to ensure a quality program of education. Practical nursing students are prepared for giving direct bedside nursing care under the immediate supervision of the faculty, staff nurses, and/or physicians in the cooperating clinical facilities. UACCH is committed to providing quality education to students entering into the profession of Practical Nursing. The goals of this program is to provide entry level training of knowledge, skills, and employability skills constant with a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon completion of the course, the students will be prepared to apply for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a practical nurse; program completion does not assure ASBN’s approval to take the licensure examination.

A student who has been or is convicted of a crime should refer to the potential bars for licensure to determine eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN prior to the first day of instruction.

Potential bars for licensure are set forth by ACT § 17-87-312. A copy of this act is included here and may be found at www.arsbn.org in the Nurse Practice Act.

BARS FOR LICENSURE -- CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS § 17-87-312

(a) Each first-time applicant for a license issued by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall apply to the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police for a state and national criminal background check, to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(b) The check shall conform to the applicable federal standards and shall include the taking of fingerprints.

(c) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the board and shall be responsible to the Department of Arkansas State Police for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check.

(d) Upon completion of the criminal background check, the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police shall forward to the board all information obtained concerning the applicant in the commission of any offense listed in subsection (e) of this section.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (l)(1) of this section, no person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the board if that person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of any of the following offenses by any court in the State of Arkansas or of any similar offense by a court in another state or of any similar offense by a federal court:

(1) Capital murder as prohibited in § 5-10-101;

(2) Murder in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-10-102 and murder in the second degree as prohibited in § 5-10-103;

(3) Manslaughter as prohibited in § 5-10-104;

(4) Negligent homicide as prohibited in § 5-10-105;

(5) Kidnapping as prohibited in § 5-11-102;

(6) False imprisonment in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-11-103;

(7) Permanent detention or restraint as prohibited in § 5-11-106;

(8) Robbery as prohibited in § 5-12-102;

(9) Aggravated robbery as prohibited in § 5-12-103;

(10)Battery in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-13-201;

(11) Aggravated assault as prohibited in § 5-13-204;

(12) Introduction of controlled substance into the body of another person as prohibited in § 5-13-210;

(13) Terroristic threatening in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-13-301;

(14) Rape as prohibited in §§ 5-14-103;

(15) Sexual indecency with a child as prohibited in § 5-14-110;

(16) Sexual assault in the first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree as prohibited in §§ 5-14-124 – 5-14-127;

(17) Incest as prohibited in § 5-26-202;

(18) Offenses against the family as prohibited in §§ 5-26-303 - 5-26-306;

(19) Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-201;

(20) Endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-203;

(21) Permitting abuse of a child as prohibited in § 5-27-221(a)(1) and (3);

(22) Engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or print media, transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct, pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, or use of a child or consent to use of a child in a sexual performance by producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child as prohibited in §§ 5-27-303 - 5-27-305, 5-27-402, and 5-27-403;

(23) Felony adult abuse as prohibited in § 5-28-103;

(24) Theft of property as prohibited in § 5-36-103;

NURSE PRACTICE ACT: Arkansas State Board of Nursing continued

(25) Theft by receiving as prohibited in § 5-36-106;

(26) Arson as prohibited in § 5-38-301;