RNSG 1360 – Clinical Nursing – Registered Nurse Training II

Fall 2024

Course Description:

Application of the theories, concepts and knowledge base presented in RNSG 1443: Complex Concepts of Adult Health at a specific clinical site or sites. 

·         Credit Hours: 3 

Course Time & Location:

Class time and location available through campus-specific BlackBoard® site 

Instructor Information:

Instructor office hours, contact information, and office location available online at https://directory.apps.austincc.edu/  and on the Blackboard site. Faculty are available during office hours and by appointment at other times Monday-Friday. Faculty will notify you of communication preferences. 

Course Rationale:

Application of the theories, concepts and knowledge base presented in RNSG 1443

Complex Concepts of Adult Health at a specific clinical site or sites. 

Course Pre-requisites & Co-requisites:

Prerequisites: BIO 2714*, HPRS 2300, RNSG 1441, RNSG 1160 (*or equivalent).

Co-requisite: RNSG 1443

All pre- and co-requisites for level 1

RNSG 1105 Nursing Skills I 

Placement:

Level 2 of the nursing sequence

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to: 

1.      Utilize a systematic problem-solving approach and critical thinking skills when planning safe, quality nursing care for the adult patient in a structured health care setting. 

2.      Examine the roles of the associate degree nurse in medical-surgical settings. 

3.      Analyze the etiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, complications and therapeutic interventions for stressors affecting the adult patient. 

4.      Formulate teaching plans and strategies that assist patients and families to meet their needs for health maintenance, promotion, and/or restoration. 

5.      Examine the use of material and human resources in planning care for the adult patient. 

6.      Examine the legal and ethical concepts that relate to adult patient. 

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to: 

Patient Safety Advocate 

1. Adhere to the safety requirements and practice setting standards and complies with mandatory reporting requirements as set forth by the Texas Nursing Practice Act, Texas Board of Nursing Rules and other governing and accrediting agencies. 

2. Implement & evaluate measures to promote quality and a safe environment for all individuals, and seeks guidance when performing tasks when appropriate or necessary. 

Provider of Patient-Centered Care 

1.  Apply clinical reasoning skills and utilize the nursing process, guided evidence-based practice, as a framework for providing care for individuals with complex medical-surgical health care needs, and their families; in collaboration with members of the health care team. 

2.  Develop and implement teaching plans for individuals and their families, to address disease prevention and health promotion, maintenance and restoration. 

3. Access and manage electronic information, and material resources in providing care for individuals and their families.

Member of the Health Care Team 

1. Identify resources for individuals with medical surgical needs, which facilitate continuity of care, health promotion, maintenance and restoration. 

2. Communicate with individuals, their families and members of the health care team to plan, deliver and evaluate safe and effective patient-centered care, in a timely manner. 

3. Identify the delegation process, implemented by the staff nurse, in an effort to promote safe, effective and timely care for individuals with complex medical-surgical health care needs. 

Member of the Profession

1. Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice, and assumes accountability and responsibility for the quality of nursing care provided to adult individuals with complex medical surgical health care needs, and their families. 

Required Texts & Materials:

• Ackley, B., (Current edition). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care, St. Louis:  Elsevier.

• Gahart, B., (Current edition). Intravenous Medications St. Louis: C.V. Mosby Company.

•  Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., Roberts, D., Hagler, D., & Reinisch, C. Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing (latest edition). Elsevier.

• Pagana, K.D. & Pagana, T.J. (Current edition). Mosby’s Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference, St. Louis: Mosby.

• Potter and Perry, et.al. (Current edition). Fundamentals of Nursing. St. Louis:  Elsevier.

• Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski, C. A. (Current edition) Davis’s Drug Guide. Philadelphia, PA. F. A. Davis Company. 

• Zerwekh, J. & Garneau, A.Z., (Current edition). Nursing Today. St. Louis:  Elsevier.

• Lab Pack

• Software: computer or IPAD with a camera (no Chromebook)

• EHR Tutor, Simulated Electronic Charting System, Copyright 2013-2016, Noggin LLC https://my.ehrtutor.com

• Clinical Clearance Ticket 

Instructional Methodology:

Work-based instruction that helps students syntEvolveze new knowledge, apply previous knowledge, or gain experience managing the workflow under direct supervision of the clinical professional (faculty or clinical teaching assistant).

Technology Support Services

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at  https://www.austincc.edu/sts. 

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit  http://www.austincc.edu/sts. 

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts. 

Grading System:

Pass/Fail (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grade assignment based on: 

Satisfactory completion of all clinical objectives (see Clinical Evaluation tool in Course Documents). 

Safe clinical performance (Unsafe clinical practice is defined in the Student Handbook).

Methods of Evaluation:

Mastery of clinical objectives (see Clinical Evaluation Tool) 

·         Mid-semester evaluation

·         Final evaluation 

Written assignments 

Clinical documents submitted to instructor via Blackboard or EHR Tutor 

Documentation in the patient record 

Observation of direct patient care 

Interaction with assigned patients & staff 

Psychomotor skills 

Teaching skills 

Participation in clinical conferences 

Math (Dosage and Calculations) Proficiency Exam:

Students are required to demonstrate math proficiency by passing a written pharmacology exam during the first week of class with a score of 90%. Students must demonstrate proficiency before administering medications to assigned patient(s) in the clinical setting. Each student will be allowed a maximum of three attempts to achieve a passing score of 90%. 

First unsuccessful attempt - (quiz score <90%): The student tests within one week after opportunity for remediation. The student meets with the clinical instructor in a formal performance conference where criteria for meeting the requirements for proficiency are documented in writing. 

Second unsuccessful attempt - (quiz score < 90%): The student meets with the clinical instructor in a formal probation conference. The student retests within a specified time period.

Third unsuccessful attempt - (quiz score <90%): The instructor withdraws the student from the course. (If the occurrence is past the official college date for withdrawal from a course, the student will receive a performance grade of "F.") 

 *Failure to keep an appointment for a repeat dosage/calculation exam is the same as an unsuccessful attempt. 

Missed or Late Work:

Satisfactory completion of all clinical objectives, including submission of required

homework in a timely and professional manner. Late homework will result in progressive

discipline; i.e., first offense will result in a verbal conference; second offense will result in

a written conference; third offense may result in probation. A pattern of late homework

demonstrates unprofessional behavior and fails to meet clinical expectations for this

course. 

Course Policies:

ACC Policies and Procedures, Academic Guidelines, Health and Safety, and Emergency

Instructions are located on the college website  http://www.austincc.edu/students.   

All specific departmental policies related to the items below are located in the current Professional Nursing Student Handbook available online at:  http://sites.austincc.edu/health/programs/handbooks/#rns 

Students are required to sign a form acknowledging that they have received and have read all required program documents. 

Attendance/ Class Participation/Alternative Learning Experience for Missed Clinical

Level 2 Clinical Attendance Policy: 

Students are required to complete 192 clinical hours in RNSG 1360. Students must attend clinical at times specified by the clinical faculty. Clinical timeliness demonstrates professionalism and accountability. If a student arrives 5 minutes after the specified clinical start time, they are considered tardy and the corrective action policy found in the professional nursing student handbook will be implemented. There are no clinical absences allowed. In the event of an emergency, which results in a clinical absence, the clinical instructor will provide an alternate learning assignment which will assist the student in meeting the learning objectives. 

The required make-up work for absences does not replace the missed clinical experience and cannot be used as the basis for passing the clinical course. Students performing at an unsatisfactory level who are absent or sent away from clinical due to inadequate preparation or unsafe clinical practice: 

Will be assigned make-up work if allowed to return for additional scheduled clinical experiences.

Will not be allowed to substitute additional unscheduled clinical hours in order to pass the course. 

In the event of a very serious problem, the student may be withdrawn from the clinical course. Should absences occur which do not allow the full evaluation (quality and consistency) of student performance, faculty will be unable to assign a passing grade. Attendance is mandatory at all clinical experiences. Clinical absences include missing any on site clinical activities (hospital, clinic, etc.) or any simulation clinical activities.   

If 1-12 clinical hours (6% of clinical – 12 hours) are missed, the student will receive a verbal warning for the absence. The student must complete an Alternate Learning Experience (ALE) within a specified time frame as stated by the clinical instructor. This ALE will be an observational in person experience at an available clinic.  The students must submit a written assignment and a signed verification form as part of the ALE.  In the event a clinic is unavailable, faculty will have the discretion to assign case studies.

If 13-24 clinical hours (12.5% of clinical – 24 hours) are missed, the student will receive a clinical conference form to be signed by the student and the instructor acknowledging the absence and outlining steps to be successful in the course as well as describing the next step in the progressive discipline policy. The student will be required to complete assigned case studies, 1 per each hour of missed clinical, within a specified time frame as stated by the clinical instructor. The student will provide evidence of completion.  

If 24-36 clinical hours (18% of clinical – 36 hours) are missed, the student will receive a probation form and will be placed on probation. The student, instructor and the assistant department chair will sign the form and the next step in the progressive discipline policy will be discussed.  The student will be required to complete assigned case studies, 1 per each hour of missed clinical, within a specified time frame as stated by the clinical instructor. The student will provide evidence of completion.  

All ALE assignments must be submitted to the clinical instructor by the assigned deadline before the student can receive a final grade in RNSG 1360.   Failure to submit an ALE assignment will result in a failing clinical grade.  Duplicate ALE assignments completed for other purposes in 1443/1247 will not be accepted.  

If more than 36 clinical hours are missed, the student will be withdrawn from the course. 

Should absences occur which do not allow the full evaluation (quality and consistency) of student performance, faculty will be unable to assign a passing grade.  

No call-No show: Students who are unable to attend clinical are required to notify the clinical instructor and the clinical area to which the student is assigned a minimum of one hour prior to the start of clinical.  Failure to notify either or both will result in probation. 

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure the removal of his or her name from the roll (class roster) should he or she withdraw from a course. The instructor reserves the right to withdraw a student if necessary. If a student selects to withdraw, he or she should also verify submission on or before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form for his or her records. 

The final withdrawal date for the semester is April 22, 2024 . https://www.austincc.edu/students/registration/important-dates 

Upon withdrawal, a student is required to complete an exit interview with the Department Chair or Assistant Department Chair. At that time the student is required to return all Program and Agency ID’s promptly, along with any equipment or items belonging to the department. Failure to do so may compromise the student’s standing at ACC. 

Students enrolled in the ADN program who are unsuccessful need to refer to the ACC Professional Nursing Handbook for further details. 

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals. 

Students enrolled in the Professional Nursing program may repeat a course one time, and may only repeat a total of 10 hours in the Professional Nursing curriculum. Students who are unsuccessful need to refer to the ACC Professional Nursing Handbook for further details. 

Incomplete

For incompletes, please refer to the Professional Nursing Student Handbook and ACC college catalog and college handbook.https://sites.austincc.edu/health/programs/handbooks/#rnsg

Expectations/ Requirements:

Students are expected to: 

·         Have completed all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C." (Students who have not successfully completed the prerequisites will be withdrawn from RNSG 1360.) 

·         Apply knowledge from the prerequisite and co-requisite courses. 

·         Comply with policies and procedures in the course syllabus as well as those in the Associate Degree Student Handbook. 

·         Gather information about assigned patient(s) appropriately in the clinical setting to provide safe patient care. 

·         Be prepared in the clinical setting to care for the assigned patient(s) including, but not necessarily limited to, preparation of a nursing care plan, knowledge of medications and methods of administration, review of anticipated skills, and knowledge of the usual medical management for the patient's primary diagnosis. 

·         Students must submit a Clinical Clearance Ticket at the beginning of the semester to remain enrolled in the course. Refer to the BlackBoard® announcement or course calendar for the specific time and date to submit the Clinical Clearance Ticket. Students will be held responsible for all material taught in prerequisite and other nursing courses. 

·         Students will be held responsible for all material taught in co-requisite theory course 

Progression:

The ADN Program uses a Pass/Fail grading scale when assigning performance grades

in clinical courses. You must pass clinical to progress to the next level.  

Pre-clinical Requirements: 

The following activities must be completed and documented before clinical orientation as posted on the course calendar: 

HIPAA Privacy Training 

SDHP Mandatory Education or SETON EOC 

RNSG 1360 Required Homework Assignments 

EHR Admission Assessment - 1 

Patho/Nursing Care Plan - 1 

Clinical Reasoning - 2 

In order to meet clinical objectives, students must complete each required assignment with a satisfactory grade. The number of assignments may vary based on attaining a satisfactory grade.  The order of required assignments is at faculty discretion. 

COLLEGE POLICIES

Health & Safety Protocols

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  The college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

·        

If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visitwww.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.

·        

Campuses are open to faculty, staff, and students.  The college and its departments and offices may invite internal and external guests to their events and activities, though access is still restricted for external parties seeking to host activities at ACC.  The college’s Appian Health Screening App remains available to everyone who visits campus. This continues to be a good way to check your own health before coming to class or work. 

·        

If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility.  Testing is now widely available.  To find testing locations near you, click this link. 

·        

If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here. 

·        

ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus. Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19. 

·        

The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.

·        

Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.

Because of the everchanging situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance. 

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process 

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr 

As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct  

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them. 

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .  

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223- 7964; compliance@austincc.edu. 

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by email, or to a fellow student.  All grades will be posted in Blackboard.  

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement 

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency 

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. 

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version. 

Campus Carry 

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.  For more information refer to the concealed handgun policy online at: http://www.austincc.edu/campus-carry 

Discrimination Prohibited 

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. 

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students. 

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found at the website listed below.

https://offices.austincc.edu/equal-opportunity-compliance/

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACC mail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACC mail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers 

Student Support Services

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.  

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.   A comprehensive array of student support services is available online at: https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support 

Student Accessibility Services

Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). 

Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of each semester they are enrolled, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations (NAA)” from SAS. 

Until the instructor receives the NAA from the student accommodations should not be provided.  Once the NAA is received, accommodations must be provided.  Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to deliver the NAA on the first day of class.   

Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information. 

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis.  

An online tutor request can be made here:

https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

Additional tutoring information can be found here:

austincc.edu/onlinetutoring

 Library Services 

ACC Library Services will be offering both in-person and extensive online services with research and assignment assistance available in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly). 

·  Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu

·  Library Information & Services during COVID-19: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/LSinfoCOVID19

·  Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php

·  Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/

·  Email: library@austincc.edu 

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/ 

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others: 

·         Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here:

https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now

• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.

• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.

• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  

A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care

• The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19: 

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.   

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns:http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling. 

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately. 

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)

• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255

• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755

• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264) 

Professional Risks

Interactions with patients in the health care system involve inherent risks to both the patient and caregiver, including, but not limited to, COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. In the curriculum students will be given information regarding known risks for various diseases and measures to decrease these risks.  

All students are expected to provide appropriate care to all assigned patients in any setting. These assignments may include patients with infectious diseases. Students are expected to implement standard precautions and appropriate barrier protection in the care of all assigned patients. 

Specific to COVID-19, students that may pose a higher risk to severe illness or death when contracting COVID-19 should make an informed decision as to whether it is in his/her best interests to participate in the health science program, which may include in person attendance at classes or in person participation in clinicals.  Participation is a voluntary election and a student assumes all risks associated with this decision if the student has any underlying medical conditions or other conditions recognized by theCenter for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”).

In addition to ACC or clinical facility guidelines related to COVID-19, health authorities including the CDC, the Texas State Department of Health and Human Services, and Austin Public Health all recommend taking precautions such as wearing masks when outside the home, not getting closer than 6 feet to any person not part of my household unit, practicing good hygiene such as frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer, and avoiding going out in public if I am suffering any symptoms thought to be associated with the disease. 

Infectious Disease Exposure Response

Students and faculty members who experience an exposure to any potentially infectious materials (needle stick, mucous membrane, or non-intact skin) or airborne inhalation require specific follow-up. It is the responsibility of the individual to initiate appropriate first aid and to report the incident as soon as possible (preferably within one hour) to their immediate supervisor or instructor. It is the responsibility of the clinical instructor or supervisor to ensure that the appropriate steps have been taken to provide for the safety of the student. It is the responsibility of the Department Chair to assist the faculty member following an exposure to the student or employee. Faculty will ensure that copies of the accident exposure procedures and appropriate forms will be made available to the students prior to their first clinical experience. 

If a student or faculty member is notified of possible exposure to COVID-19 at the location of a clinical, those individuals exposed should comply with the procedures of the clinical facility in addition to notifying the appropriate personnel at ACC and adhering to ACC’s guidelines in response to exposure. 

Students should not attend in person classes or clinicals if any COVID-19 symptoms are present.  If a student experiences any COVID-19 related symptoms, he/she should notify the faculty member immediately and follow ACC’s guidelines regarding self-report. 

I understand that while performing my regularly assigned duties, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissues. I will use the appropriate personal protective equipment required when there is an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them. Appropriate protection may include the use of gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, and other protective equipment. I understand that if I fail to use available personal protective equipment, I may be subject to disciplinary action. 

I also hereby acknowledge that I elect to attend in-person classes at Austin Community College in addition to in person participation at clinicals, and that I do hereby assume all risks associated with these voluntary elections. 

I further acknowledge that:  1) a novel coronavirus is currently causing a worldwide pandemic, known as COVID-19; 2) that the mechanisms by which the virus is transmitted are not thoroughly understood at this time; and 3) that health authorities including the CDC, the Texas State Department of Health and Human Services, and Austin Public Health all recommend taking precautions such as wearing masks when outside the home, not getting closer than 6 feet to any person not part of my household unit, practicing good hygiene such as frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer, and avoiding going out in public if I am suffering any symptoms thought to be associated with the disease. 

I acknowledge that Austin Community College is providing in-person classes following the advice and recommendations from the Office of the Governor of Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and these various public health agencies; however, there is still a risk associated with attending classes or clinicals in person given the significant unknown factors associated with this virus.  On behalf of myself I do hereby assume that risk. 

I have been informed regarding the inherent health/safety hazards in the health care field and release ACC from any liability for such hazards. 

By signing the combined syllabus release form, the student acknowledges that he/she has read the syllabus for RNSG 1360 Adult Health Clinical 2 and will abide by the policies and procedures presented in the syllabus while enrolled in the course. 

Please see the course requirements section for the full syllabus.

Please see the course requirements section for the full syllabus.

Please see the course requirements section for the full syllabus.