PROGRAM COMMITTEE NAME: Vocational Nursing
CHAIRPERSON: Yvette Wiggins, RN
MEETING DATE: 04/17/2013 MEETING TIME: 9:00 a.m. MEETING PLACE: WCJH Room 308
RECORDER: Connie Lax, LVN Staff Assistant PREVIOUS MEETING:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS List all members of the committee, then place an X in the box left of name of those present
NAME TITLE EMPLOYER INFO PHONE EMAIL
X Melva Davis RN BSA 806.212.2000
Celestine Reed RN NWTHS 806.254.1000 Celestine.reed@NWTH.com
Kim Sims LVN Bushland ISD 806.359.5418 Kimsims@bushlandisd.org
X Teri Skelton RN BSA, Pediatrics 806.212.2169 X Susan Speed RN Ware Memorial Care Center 806.376.1177 X Tammie Tabor RN Kindred LTACH 806.467.7000 X Yvette Wiggins RN Bivins Memorial Nursing Home 806.355.7453 Jeanette Williams RN VA Healthcare System 806.355.9703 EX‐OFFICIO’S PRESENT
LaVon Barrett VN Program Director Amarillo College 806.354.6016 albarrett@actx.edu
Debby Carey Academic Advisor Amarillo College 806.371.5995 dacarey@actx.edu
Tamara Rhodes LVN Instructor Amarillo College 806.354.6023 tgrhodes@actx.edu
Mark Rowh Dean of Health Sciences Amarillo College 806.354.6071 merowh@actx.edu
Lizzy Sharp LVN Instructor Amarillo College 806.354.6017 e0456852@actx.edu
Kim Smith LVN Instructor Amarillo College 806.354.6019 K0085704@actx.edu
Keri Terrell LVN Instructor Amarillo College 806.467.3694 K0323699@actx.edu
Taryn Compton AC Student Representative
Chaysen Viner AC Student Representative
AGENDA ITEM ACTION DISCUSSION INFORMATION RESPONSIBILITY
Introductions: LaVon Barrett welcomed everyone. Everyone present introduced themselves. Old Business: ATI RealLife Simulation The LVN Program implemented the use of a new program called “RealLife” Clinical Scenarios provided by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). Scenarios include diabetes, renal failure and heart failure. Mrs. Barrett stated that she saw an improvement with the scores on the Diabetes exam with the use of the scenario. It has been very helpful but there have been numerous website issues. The ATI
simulation will continue to be utilized. TEAS Test The LVN program began using the TEAS test as the entrance exam for the Spring 2013 application period. It encompasses basic 7th‐12th grade Reading and Math. Students who have taken the TEAS and the HESI report that the TEAS is more difficult. The first cohort were unable to use a calculator and found that to be an issue, after consulting the creator of the TEAS exam permission was granted to use calculators for our testing site. TEAS entrance exam outcomes and insights A score comparison between the TEAS test scores and program success was reviewed and no clear correlation was found. Dr. Wilkinson, San Angelo State University, advised during her site visit that they have seen a small correlation with the reading scores and the student’s grades in their program at San Angelo. She suggested that we continue to use the exam and with time it is believed that we will gain better insight with more data. New Business: Approval of Minutes from Last meeting Teri Skelton made a motion to approve the minutes. Lizzy Sharp seconded. Majority approved. 2012 BON Pass Rates The NCLEX pass rates have declined statewide since the implementation of the new test. In 2011, our program received 87% pass rates. In 2012 it had lowered to 81.25%. In the current group of students testing, to our knowledge no one has failed the NCLEX. Several students have yet to take the test. We believe that a portion of those students, have background issues and are waiting to be cleared. If our pass rates fall below 80%, then we will be required to prepare a self study . The students are encouraged to purchase the ATI tutor. The students say that Mental Health and Pharmacology are the hardest portions of the test. They dislike the “check all that apply” questions. Report of Site Visit with BON The Board of Nursing now contracts with field consultants to provide site visits. Dr. Susan Wilkinson, San Angelo State University, completed our site visit on 04‐ 12‐13. Requested documents were sent to her for review before spring break. She reviewed tests, minutes and an assortment of other documents while here. She found no deficiencies in our program! She suggested that blueprints need to be utilized more consistently. She described our program as exemplary, impeccable and stellar. Dr. Wilkinson met with faculty and students. She stated she was very impressed with the students. They had researched schools and were very knowledgeable about the LVN program at Amarillo College. They chose our program due to the great community support and the reputation of our graduates. New Faculty Keri Terrell is our new LVN instructor. Teri Skelton was praised her abilities as an
replaced Teresa Smoot. Teresa Smoot has been able to mentor Keri this semester as she transitions into her faculty role. Teresa moved to the ADN program. Since the last Advisory Committee meeting, Kim Smith has changed from part‐ time clinical instructor to full‐time LVN instructor. We are glad to both of these ladies are with our program. Rumors, Rumors, Rumors The big rumor is that no one is hiring LVNs. This has caused a drastic drop in students wanting to apply to our program. They do not think they will be able to find a job when they graduate. Our advising numbers are down. Sheryl Mueller, ADN program director, has begun directing students in her advising session to apply to the LVN program if they are not accepted to the ADN program. This has helped somewhat with our advising numbers. Teri Skelton stated that BSA is still hiring LVNs. The LVN faculty have been into the community talking to agencies to reassure prospective LVN students that this is only a rumor. Amarillo College Relations has also placed the LVN program on their marketing schedule. The change in the ADN transition program has also affected student numbers. They can no longer transition straight into the ADNN program as soon as they receive their LVN license but must work a year prior to admission. This change has affected our enrollment numbers. Due to these changes LVN graduates will seek other programs instead of returning to AC. Faculty and board members will continue to promote the LVN program and squelch the rumor. Mark Rowh will review the ADN transition program and determine if it needs to be changed. Nursing Department Changes As of March 8, 2013, there is no longer a Nursing Department. The LVN program and the ADN program are now stand alone programs. The VN and ADNN program directors are continuing to work together in many areas. There will also be a new Certified Medical Assistant program at Amarillo College. The LVN faculty and staff will help build this program through a DOL grant. Curriculum Decisions: Moving to Blackboard PAR Testing program vs. Blackboard Enrollment and Advising for Fall 2013 Every course will have Blackboard presence. PAR testing will no longer be used in the near future. All testing will be through Blackboard. Statistical analysis on Blackboard is not as good as PAR. Lee Colaw is investigating this problem. The advising numbers are up from last semester. It is believed that we will have a better applicant pool. It is anticipated that the program will accept 45‐50 new LVN students for Fall 2013 semester. Faculty would prefer 40 maximum students to increase board pass rates with a smaller class.
Other: Student Representatives Men In Healthcare Member Issues and Concerns Pinning The student representatives were asked to give their thoughts and opinions of the LVN program. It was described as “tough” and “the hardest thing I have ever had to do”. This program will “humble you real quick”. They loved their clinical experiences, especially BSA. One of the student representatives was involved in the Interdisciplinary Scenario at SimCentral. They made a video from the experience that showcases the learning experience that students are receiving during theses scenarios. He received many compliments from professionals who conducted the scenario. Lizzy Sharp is involved with the Men in Healthcare event. This is designed to bring more men into the healthcare community. Not just nursing but also including but not limited to dental hygiene and pharmacy tech. This is scheduled for April 30, 2013 @ 9:00 a.m. It will begin at West Campus, Bldg B. and then move to the NRC in Jones Hall. Yvette Wiggins, Bivins Memorial Nursing Home, had a concern about a recent applicant for an LVN position at her facility. The student advised her that she had not experienced a clinical rotation in long term care. After discussion with the LVN instructors, it was decided that it was just a rare occasion on the rotation and scheduling of clinical sites that this particular student was not placed in a long term facility for clinical. Level I has 5 clinical sites to utilize, however the recent classes have been smaller so not all sites were utilized. It was decided that Lizzy Sharp, Level II, would add Bivins Memorial Nursing Home to her Wednesday clinical site rotation. Tammie Tabor, Kindred LTACH, is concerned that new LVN graduates are unable to care for multiple patients. She had a new employee that was unable to complete her 8 weeks of orientation due to being overwhelmed taking care of more than one patient. Lizzy Sharp advised that she has changed their last clinical rotation in Level II to encompass more than one patient. The LVN Pinning Ceremony will be Tuesday, May 7th @ 1:00, Ordway Hall Washington St. Campus. Lizzy Sharp will contact Yvette Wiggins and coordinate Bivins Memorial to be used as a clinical site.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mark Rowh distributed a handout on No Excuses and student success/completion. Amarillo College is the first No Excuses College. The philosophy is to do everything possible to ensure the success of students. No Excuses does not pass students in course work but assists with issues that they face while obtaining certificates and degrees. Half of the students at AC live in poverty. The AC Pantry supports the No Excuses initiative by proving food to students in need. The pantry is always accepting donations. The student can receive a bag of groceries, of their choosing, every 2 weeks. In addition to the food pantry, Washington Campus is making plans to bring a clothing store to the campus to help students with clothing needs. The SNA‐VN supports the West Campus food pantry. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS DISCUSSION Old Business: TEAS exam. New Business: BON site visit. Curriculum Decisions: No changes or issues at this time. Other: “NO Excuses” Chairperson Signature: Date: Next Meeting: Spring 2014