NURS 112

Fall 2014 Syllabus

School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services

California State University, Sacramento

NURS 112: Nursing Care of Adults

Fall 2014 Syllabus
Part 1: Course Information
Faculty of Record
Debra Brady, DNP, RN, CNS
Office: Folsom Hall 2018
Office Hours: TBA
Office Phone: (916) 278-7334 Cell: 217-2579
[email protected]

Theory Faculty
Katherine Kelly, DNP, RN, FNP
Office: Folsom Hall 2005
Office Hours: TBA
Office Phone: (916) 278-1505
Cell:
[email protected]

Nassrine Noureddine, EdD, RN

Office: Folsom Hall 2019
Office Hours: TBA
Office Phone: (916) 278-1507
Cell:
[email protected]

Clinical Faculty
Professors are listed in SacCT by Clinical Section. Clinical faculty share office
space in Folsom Hall. Clinical and office hours are TBA. Please email your clinical
professor via the course SacCT website. Refer to your clinical rotation handout for
clinical faculty contact phone numbers.

Course Description
Introduction and application of nursing concepts in meeting health needs of adults.
Emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease management across the adult
life span. Lecture three hours; laboratory six hours.
Prerequisite: Admission to nursing program.
Corequisite: NURS 111, NURS 113.
Graded: Graded Student.
Units: 5.0

Required Texts

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Students are encouraged to purchase the Pageburst bundle of first semester books
available at the SacState bookstore. This provides you with all of your first semester
texts at a discount.
ATI Materials for RN Fundamentals and Nutrition (available by order from ATI. See
staff in Nursing Resource Center for ordering information and dates).
Lewis, S. L., Dirksen, S. R., Heitkemper, M. M., Bucher, L., Camera, I. M. (2011).
Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems. (8th Ed.).
St. Louis, Missouri. Elsevier Mosby. ISBN 9780323065801 (Same text will be used for
N1123)
Fischbach, F. T. (2009). Manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests. (8th ed.). Baltimore:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 9780781771948 (or a comparable electronic
application for PDA or smartphone)
Deglin, J. H. & Vallerand, A. H. (2011). Daviss drug guide for nurses. (12th ed.).
Philadelphia: F.A. Davis. ISBN 0803623100 (or a comparable electronic application for
PDA or smartphone)
Gulanick, M. & Meyers, J. (2012). Nursing care plans: Nursing diagnosis and
intervention. (6th ed.). Elsevier/Mosby. ISBN 9780323039543
Thomas, C. L. (Ed). (2009). Tabers encyclopedic medical dictionary. (21st ed.)
Philadelphia: FA Davis. ISBN 9780803615595
vSim for Nursing / Medical-Surgical. Laerdal/Lippincott Course Point. Information on
this interactive personalized virtual patient simulation product can be found at:
http://thepoint.lww.com/vsim. Purchase aby following this link:
http://thepoint.lww.com/Book/Show/446600#/about-this-product?
groupby=learningactivity&ts=1405345748237
Select Buy Now button.
Next Select 2 year access and press proceed to purchase button.
Docucare. Lippincott. This is an electronic medical record charting system that will
be used for assignments in N112 and N113. Purchase this on or after orientation.
Complete the tutorial. We will address questions during orientation. Purchase from
http://thepoint.lww.com/Book/ShowWithResource/247900?resourceId=300321
Select Buy now button.
Next Select 6month access and press proceed to purchase button.

Recommended Texts & Other Readings

Lab Test and Drug Guide reference books or mobile applications (student choice of
materials may be substituted for the above)

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Other readings will be made available in SacCT (See Learning Modules).

Course Requirements

Internet connection, including access to SacCT and SacLink e-mail

Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Reader
ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) 1st semester Nursing Study Packet
(available online; includes Nursing Fundamentals)
Individual transportation
School of Nursing uniform and required equipment
Up to date health clearances, including HealthStream
Mobile device (PDA, smartphone, iPod, etc.) loaded with nursing reference
materials is highly recommended for this course.

Course Structure
This course will be delivered in a blended learning online environment through the
SacCT course management system. This course is a five-unit combined theory and
clinical course employing a variety of modalities to facilitate student learning. This
includes case study-based lectures, online skills videos and learning modules, weekly
online quizzes, human patient simulation, and clinical experiences in the hospital and
community.

Part 2: Course Objectives

Course Objectives
Students must meet all course objectives in order to pass the course. The student is
expected to:
1. Integrate theories and concepts related to health promotion, illness prevention and
disease management across the adult life span and integrate these into clinical
nursing practice.
2. Apply nursing concepts to formulate individualized plans of care for adults across the
lifespan.
3. Exhibit competency in accessing, using, and evaluating patient care technologies.
4. Demonstrate basic knowledge of concepts related to patient safety and quality
healthcare.

Assignments/Examinations
Required assignments/examinations for NURS 112 are the Simulation Experiences,
Clinical Assignments, the Clinical Evaluation, three theory exams, and the ATI for
Fundamentals.

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Assignments
Simulation
There are three mandatory simulation experiences to integrate theory content and practice
assessment, implementation of nursing skills and collaborative communication/problem
solving in a safe learning environment where a mistake in judgment will not adversely
affect a patient. You will be assigned specific simulation times based on your N112 Clinical
Section. Unless further notice is given, rotations will be either from 0730-0930 or from
0930-1130. You will receive an Orientation to the Simulation Learning Center in N113.
Weekly Quizzes on SacCT
Quizzes are in the Weekly SacCT module and open the Monday prior to the week the
content is addressed in lecture. Quizzes are open-book/internet. Two attempts are
available for each quiz and they may be done individually or in groups. The second
attempt on the quizzes is due no later than one hour after class. There are no makeups
or extensions. The grade calculator automatically records your highest score in My
Grades.
Clinical Assignments & Evaluation (Appendix A)
There are 90 mandatory clinical hours for N112. These hours include time spent in acute
care adult medical surgical setting providing direct patient care, and observational
experiences in the peri-operative and outpatient/Home Health settings. Please see
SacCT for more detailed Clinical Assignment information, the Clinical Evaluation
guidelines, and associated clinical forms.
Professional Development Experience (Appendix B)
The purpose of this experience is to increase the students understanding of the broad
opportunities in the community to provide service to specific groups and/or learn how
professional nursing organizations impact nursing practice. The goal is to provide
students with the opportunity to interact in a nursing role in the community and/or
network with nurses in professional organizations. The hours for this experience cannot
also be counted for an assignment/extra credit in another course.
Participate in a minimum of 2 hours of a community service opportunity, mentoring, or
professional nursing organization meeting. The following meet the criteria:
Professional Organizations:
California Nursing Students Association (minimum of 2 meetings)
Sigma Theta Tau
Conference/Educational meeting related to MedSurg/Geriatric Care
Nursing related Community Service (must be approved by faculty)
Immunization Clinic
Blood Pressure Clinic
Health Fairs
Frist Aid Assistant at various Cancer/Neurological fundraiser walks/runs
Presentation at a Senior Center on a health promotion topic
Volunteer at a Senior Daycare Center

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Examinations
Theory Exams
There are three NCLEX-style, in-class, closed-book, proctored computer examinations.
All students will be scheduled to take their exams on the same specified date and time.
The final exam is cumulative, with approximately 40% of questions being material
covered from MT1 and MT2, and 60% being material covered between MT2 and the
final.
Fundamentals ATI
Passage of the ATI examination with a score of at least a Level 2 is required for
passage of NURS 112. ATI examinations are nationally-normed. Examinations are taken
as closed-book, proctored computer examinations. All students will take their exams
concurrently in a computer lab, near the end of the semester.
First-attempt ATI examination passage will count toward your final course grade as
indicated in the Grading section of this syllabus. If the examination is not passed on the
first attempt, there will be a remediation plan that you may utilize along with nonproctored computer exams to practice prior to retaking the ATI exam. The remediation
plan is specific to those areas that each individual needs to remediate.
A second proctored computer version of the examination will be retaken per the posted
testing schedule in the School of Nursing. If the second exam is not passed, a final third
and attempt will be available. It is the students responsibility to check with the School of
Nursing for the repeat test date for this exam. In addition, if the examination is not
passed on the third attempt, course failure will result.

Part 3: Topic Outline/Schedule

Important Note: This syllabus, along with course assignments and due dates, is subject
to change. It is the students responsibility to check SacCT for updates to the syllabus
and Course Outline. Any changes will be clearly noted during the first class
session/orientation. See Addendum C for Topical Course Outline and Schedule; note
that this schedule does not include individual clinical rotations for acute care.

Part 4: Grading Policy

To pass N112, students must achieve passing scores in the theory and clinical sections
of the course. A letter grade will be assigned for the entire five (5) units based on test
scores and clinical assignments.
NURS 112 grades are computed on a weighted average, 100-point scale. Course
grading is as follows:

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Assignment
Mid Term 1 (75 questions)
Mid Term 2 (75 questions)
Cumulative Final (100
questions)
ATI RN/ Medical Surgical
Exam
Online Quizzes/Case
Studies/Simulation lab
Clinical Assignments
PDP
Total

Non-weighted
points
75 points
75 points
100 points

Percentage (%)
of total grade
18%
18%
32%

Points earned

5 points

5%

160 points

16%

16

100 points
10 points
N/A

10%
1%
100%

10
1
100

18
18
32

Letter Grade Assignment (based on percentage, rounded to tenth place):

Letter Grade
Course Percentage
A
93-100%
A90-92.9%
B+
87-89.9%
B
83-86.9%
B80-82.9%
C+
77-79.9%
C
73-76.9%
F
72.9% and below
Course points and grades will be posted on an on-going basis in the online Grade book.
Students can access these via the MyGrades tool in their SacCT course.
Theory Class/Lecture
In the theory portion of the course students must earn a cumulative exam score of 73%
or greater on Midterm 1, Midterm 2, the Final exam, and ATI. Students must also pass
the Fundamentals ATI with a Level 2 within three attempts. School of Nursing Policy
does not allow rounding up of the cumulative exam score to attain a passing grade
(example: cumulative score of 72.7 would not be rounded to 73% and this would not be
a passing grade.) Additionally, students must earn a minimum overall grade of 73%.
Neither clinical points, nor professional points are added into the score if a student fails
to achieve the 73% on exams.
Theory Failure: A student who does not attain an accumulated 73% average on exams
will receive an F in the course and may petition the School of Nursing Student Affairs
Committee to repeat the course. Petition forms are obtained from your Faculty Advisor
and must be submitted to the Chair of Student Affairs by the date specified by the Chair.
ATI

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

ATI is 5% of the N112 grade. Points are awarded for prep, the first attempt on the
Proctored ATI assessment, and the focused review, which must be completed within 1
week of the proctored exam. Late work will not be accepted.
Points
awarded for
evidence of
preparation
for ATI
Proctored
Assessments

Proficiency
Level on ATI
Proctored
Assessment

Points
awarded for
Achievement
on ATI
Proctored
Exam

Proficiency
level III on
Proctored
Assessment
Proficiency
level II on
Proctored
Assessment
Proficiency
Level I on
Proctored
Assessment
(this exam
must be
repeated to
achieve a
minimum of
Level II)*
Below level I
on Proctored
Assessment
(exam must
be repeated
to achieve a
minimum of
Level II)*

Points
awarded for
evidence of
remediation
on missed
topics from
ATI proctored
assessment
1

Total
points
awarded

Focus Review
Time required
for Evidence of
Remediation on
Missed Topic
from ATI
Proctored
Assessment
1 hour

2 hours

4 (80%)

3 hours

3 (60%)

4 hours

2 (40%)

5 (100%)

Clinical
There are a total of 100 clinical points. A student must have a minimum of 75 clinical
points and meet all course objectives to pass clinical. Clinical points are only added into
the final total course point score that determines the grade once the student obtains the
required 73% cumulative passing score on the N112 Theory exams.

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

There are 8 weekly clinical preps. The first two weeks are partial and practice preps and
you will be given feedback on the grading rubric, but these will not apply to your point
total. In addition, the lowest prep paper score from subsequent weeks will be dropped. A
total of five clinical preps worth 18 points each will count toward your clinical prep
points.
Clinical Prep 18 points for 5 weeks = 90 points possible
Perioperative Reflective Summary = 5 points
Home Health Reflective Summary = 5 points
There are a total of 100 clinical points possible.
100 points = 100%
95 points = 95%
90 points = 90%
85 points = 85%
80 points = 80%
75 points = 75%
Clinical Failure: A failure to meet the required 75 points and /or clinical objectives will
result in a clinical failure and an F in the course. A serious patient safety violation can
result in immediate clinical failure. A student who receives a clinical failure will be
removed from the clinical and theory portion of the course and the N112 SacCT site.
The student will not be allowed to take further examinations in N112. To repeat the
course a petition must be obtained from the Faculty Advisor and submitted to the School
of Nursing Student Affairs Committee by the date designated.
Example of Calculating Your Overall Grade:
Take the percentage, convert it to a decimal, and multiply it by the total points possible:
MT1
MT2
Final
ATI
Quizzes/Sim
Clinical
PDP
TOTAL POINTS =

83%
89%
85%
100%
90%
85%
100%

.83 x 18
.89 x 18
.85 x 32
1x5
.90 x 16
.85 x 10
1 x 1

=
=
=
=
=
=
=

14.94
16.02
27.20
5.00
14.40
8.50
1.00
87.06

Students are responsible for tracking and checking their own scores, and for computing
their own percentage scores during the semester. Any inconsistency should be reported
promptly to the instructors.

Part 5: Course Policies

Attendance
Theory and Simulation Lab

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Fall 2014 Syllabus

Theory attendance (lecture) each class session is strongly encouraged due to the
complexity of material and case study discussions. Students who have been most
successful in this course attended all lectures.
Clinical
The 90 Clinical Hours required for N112 are mandatory. Students must, in the time
allotted for such activities, pass all clinical objectives satisfactorily and complete all
clinical requirements satisfactorily to pass the course. Any clinical hours missed due to
illness and/or emergency must be made up. Clinical schedules are not flexible due to
limitations in clinical agency and faculty availability. If there is insufficient opportunity to
make up missed clinical time during the semester, the student may not be successful in
completing the clinical requirements in the time allotted and may not receive a passing
grade in clinical. Students who are unable to meet clinical objectives in the clinical time
allotted will not pass clinical. A clinical grading rubric is used to provide weekly feedback
on clinical performance and clinical preparation papers (Appendix C).
Missed Exams
Students must take the exams at the scheduled times unless there is an emergency or
other extenuating situation. Should such an event occur, the student must contact the
theory faculty of record prior to the scheduled test time to be excused and make
arrangements for test make-up. For illness, car problems, death in the family or other
extenuating circumstance the student will need to supply a form of verification on the
issue. Acceptable verification includes: Note and phone number from Healthcare Provider,
Auto Mechanic, or Funeral Director. Failure to comply with the above policies regarding
tests and the arrangements that have been approved by the instructor will result in a 5
points deduction per day on the exam score until the test is made up.
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the
faculty regarding the assignment. Assignments submitted late will receive zero points.
Asking for Assistance
If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or other aspects of
the course, make sure you let the Faculty of Record know as early as possible. As you
will find, building rapport and proactive relationships are key to becoming an effective
professional. Make sure you are proactive in informing your professors when difficulties
arise during the semester so that faculty can help you find a solution.

University Policies
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is ensured when a student completes academic work on his/her own
merit. This concept is violated when a student gains an unfair advantage over other
students such as is the case when copying others assignments, attempting to gain
knowledge of exam items or related content, or plagiarizing published works. If any part
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of your written or verbal work is suspected of academic dishonesty (whether you

benefited from or provided an unfair advantage), the School of Nursing Student
Handbook requires notification of the Universitys Student Affairs office. Once academic
dishonesty is determined to have taken place, the assignment will not be accepted, will
receive a score of zero, and the student(s) will be subject to disciplinary action
including, but not limited to, course failure or program dismissal. It is your responsibility
to review the university policy and student handbook regarding academic honesty and
plagiarism, to understand their definitions, and to consult with faculty if you need
assistance. See also the Sacramento State Policy Manual
(http://www.csus.edu/umanual/AcademicHonestyPolicyandProcedures.htm).
Student Conduct
Participation in nursing program obligates students to demonstrate professional
behavior at all times, adhering to the Student Code of Conduct found in the Student
Handbook (see also the statements in the School of Nursing Philosophy). Additionally,
students are expected to follow the University Student Code of Conduct
(http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/UMS16150.HTM) and to adhere to all policies
found within the School of Nursing Student Handbook.
Violation of any of these principles, whether during class times or course-related
activities, may result in one or more of the following: letter of reprimand placed in the
student file; notice of jeopardy of failing a course; failure of a course; referral to
University Student Affairs; and/or dismissal from the nursing program and/or University.
Reasonable Accommodation
If you have a documented disability and verification from the Office of Services to
Students with Disabilities (SSWD), and wish to discuss academic accommodations,
please contact your instructor as soon as possible. It is the students responsibility to
provide documentation of disability to SSWD and meet with a SSWD counselor to
request special accommodation before classes start.
SSWD is located in Lassen Hall 1008 and can be contacted by phone at (916) 2786955 (Voice) (916) 278-7239 (TDD only) or via email at [email protected].
Special Note
Course policies are subject to change. It is the students responsibility to check SacCT
for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in SacCT.

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