Student Learning Outcomes

66 prescribed medical regimen, and providing care supportive to and/or

restorative of life and well-being.

IV. Conceptual Framework

BVCTC’s program and student-learning outcomes, prior to fall 2014, were

derived from the nursing program’s philosophy and Marjorie Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns. Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns were chosen to guide the organization of program content because of the holistic approach to complex human beings. Gordon’s Functional Health are comprised of the following categories: Health Perception and Management, Nutritional, Metabolic, Elimination, Activity, Exercise, Sleep / Rest, Cognitive-Perceptional,

Self-Perception / Self-Concept, Role Relationships, Sexuality / Reproductive, Coping-Stress Tolerance, and Value-Belief Pattern.

V. Purposes

The purposes of the BVCTC Associate Degree Nursing Program are to:

1. Prepare graduates who are ethically, professionally, and academically qualified for licensure as Registered Nurses.

2. Maintain an innovative learning environment that encourages creativity and the acquisition of knowledge and skills, which enable graduates to contribute to the profession as associate degree nurses and to society as responsible citizens.

3. Integrate general education, technology, and nursing learning experiences to encourage performance excellence, professional growth, and lifelong learning.

VI. Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing Program (Admitted prior to Fall 2014):

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, and the physical, biological, and behavioral sciences to provide therapeutic nursing interventions for a client at any stage of the life span.

2. Effectively communicate, in collaboration with health care team members, to coordinate, manage and promote client care in a variety of acute care and community settings.

3. Employ appropriate clinical decision-making, based on critical thinking and reflection in implementing sound evidence-based clinical nursing

judgments.

67 4. Practice professional and personal accountability and responsibility in the

competent and compassionate practice of nursing.

5. Maintain the legal, ethical and professional standards of nursing practice in providing individualized culturally competent client care.

6. Implement teaching and learning processes, in collaboration with the

client, significant support person(s) and other members of the health care team, to maintain health, reduce risks and promote self-care.

7. Manage care through the efficient and effective use of human, physical, financial and

technical resources to meet client needs and support organizational outcomes.

8. Demonstrate professionalism through identification of self- learning needs and participation in ongoing professional development.

In addition, students are also expected to demonstrate they have met the institution’s General Education Learning Outcomes which are:

1. Communicate effectively by listening, speaking, and writing using appropriate technology.

2. Use quantitative and scientific knowledge effectively to solve problems, manipulate and interpret data, and communicate findings.

3. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and ethical behavior appropriate for living and working in a diverse society.

4. Apply critical thinking skills to analyze problems and make informed decisions.

CURRICULUM***

I. Traditional (2011-2013)

First Year – Fall Semester

English 101 English Composition I 3

Com Sci 106 Survey of Computers & Programming OR BST 240 Funds of Business Computer Technology 3

BIO 285 Human Anatomy 4 Nursing 101 Health Assessment & Nursing Care I**

2 Nursing 102 Health Assessment & Nursing Care II**

2 Nursing 103 Health Assessment & Nursing Care III**

2

_______

Total credit hours for graduation = 70

** Clinical nursing courses meet sequentially for 5-week sessions.

*** Students entering Fall 2014, refer to the CTCS Student Nurse Handbook.

69 LPN-RN Bridge

*BVCTC will no longer offer the LPN-RN Bridge Program after Fall 2014

The LPN to RN Bridge is a three semester program that merges the student into the traditional program in the second semester. At the end of the three semesters, the successful student will earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Graduates will meet the academic requirement to apply to take the NCLEX – RN licensing examination. Other requirements for licensure are

specified by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Profession Nurses. A combination of general education, related cognates and courses from the professional major provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to practice in a variety of direct care settings as well as providing the educational foundation for further study in nursing. In

order to merge into the second semester students must complete the following prerequisites: ENG 101, Fundamentals of Computers (BST 240 or CIT

106), Anatomy (BIO 285) and Mathematical Reasoning (MAT 140). Students must have an unencumbered West Virginia LPN License, minimum Vocational School GPA of 2.0 and a minimum College GPA of 2.75. Students are awarded 3 credit hours for their LPN training. Seventy credit hours are required for

70

Nursing 224 Professional Nursing Seminar 1

_______

16 Total credit hours for graduation = 70

** Clinical nursing courses meet sequentially for 5-week sessions.

LPN-RN Bridge students will be required to pay a course Equivalency Fee for credit for N101, N102, and N103 for first semester courses before they are allowed to graduate.

ADMISSION

I. Technical Standards of the Program

The Associate Degree in Nursing Program at BVCTC is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. The purpose of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and render care to a wide spectrum of individuals requiring professional nursing care. Admission criteria do not discriminate against persons with disabling conditions. All candidates must meet minimum technical standards to function successfully as students. The technical standards set forth by the nursing program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students to achieve knowledge, skills, and competencies of the program’s accrediting agency, ACEN.

Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for persons with validated impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills will be accommodated unless providing same would fundamentally alter the course or would result in an undue burden.

The following abilities have been identified as necessary to meet the technical standards for admission:

1. The functional use of the sense of sight, touch, hearing and smell in order to safely assess, monitor and care for individuals in all

potentially hazardous environments.

2. The mental capacities to assimilate, analyze, synthesize and integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.

3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds. Students must be able to understand and speak the

71 English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.

4. Postural and neuromuscular control and coordination to perform appropriate assessments and treatments using accepted techniques, and to safely and efficiently use equipment and materials while caring for patients.

5. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress. This includes the affective behaviors and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

6. Emotional stability and the ability to accept responsibility and accountability in order to exercise judgment and adjust to changing situations.

7. The ability to document assessment findings and treatment information clearly and accurately.

II. Admission Policies

The Nursing Program welcomes applications from those who desire a career in nursing. In accordance with College policy, the nursing program does not deny admission on the basis of race, color, sex,

national origin, age, handicap, religious or political beliefs. Applicants must be able to meet eligibility requirements for licensure to practice nursing in West Virginia which include:

1. High school graduate or equivalent

2. Graduates of an accredited school of nursing

3. The Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses may deny testing to any applicant proved guilty of certain infractions as, but not limited to, fraud, felony, or moral misconduct. (See chapter 30, Article 7, Section 11 of the West Virginia Code.) Licensure requirements vary among states. It is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements of the state in which they wish to seek licensure. Admission to the nursing program does not guarantee the state of West Virginia will grant the graduate the opportunity to sit for the licensing exam. The decision to grant licensure is within the sole discretion of the West

72 Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.

73 III. WVBOERN Letter to Prospective Stude

74 IV. Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Policy

BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. BVCTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission or employment.

V. Admission Process

BVCTC admits two nursing classes per year. The class admitted in the fall semester will be termed “traditional” and be referred to as the “traditional student.” The class admitted in the spring semester will be termed the

“CAMC NEAP Cohort class” and be referred to as the “CAMC Cohort student.” Open seats for the Spring semester will be filled by traditional students.

A. Traditional

Students applying to the nursing program are required to be admitted to the college, as described in the Catalog, through the admissions office.

Students may take non-nursing courses but should seek advice from the Health Educational Counselor to make appropriate course selections.

Applicants will obtain a Nursing Program Application online and complete the specified standardized entrance test through the nursing program office or Testing Center. All requirements must be completed and submitted by February 1. CAMC Cohort Students will follow CAMC’s Admission process and are required to meet the admission deadlines set by the CAMC Nurse Education Financial Assistance Program Coordinator, in collaboration with the Nursing Program Director.