Family Health Assessment

Syllabus

NURS 3212-101, NURS 3212-102 & 3211

FALL 2023

Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services

                            Wilson School of Nursing

CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor: Ann Blankenship, MS, RN

Office: CE 440AA

Office hours: By Appointment only

Office Phone: 940-397-4610

Cell Phone: 940-727-9010

E-mail: ann.blankenship@msutexas.edu

Clinical Instructor:

Keelin Cromar, MS, RN

Office: CE 440Z

Office Hours: By appointment only

Office Phone:  None

Cell Phone: 240-401-8236

E-mail:  keelin.cromar@msutexas.edu

Lecture: Tuesdays [CE Room 304]

       NURS 3212 – 101  Tuesday  9:00AM – 11:50AM

       NURS 3212 – 102  Tuesday  1:00PM – 3:50PM

Clinical/Simulation Practicums: Monday and Wednesday, in Centennial Hall Lab 360

Simulation Director: Melody Chandler, MSN, RN

E-Mail: melody.chandler@msutexas.edu

Course Description

The focus of this course is on the assessment of the holistic person as an individual, and as a member of families, groups, communities, ethnic communities, and society. The role of the nurse in health promotion throughout the life cycle is explored by identifying normal and abnormal findings. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring skills to record client histories, perform physical assessments, and communicate specific findings.

Three (3) credit hours: three hours lecture and two clinical hours per week

Prerequisites: BIOL 1134 & 1234; NURS 3103 & 3203 taken concurrently

Course Objectives & Competencies

AACN Essentials: For further information regarding the coded AACN Essentials identified for each Course Objective, refer to the BSN Handbook. The information is also available from the table of contents in the course D2L.

NCLEX-RN Test Plan: The test plan is your guide for the specific topics you should understand and be able to apply critical thinking with prior to graduation. We will use the test plan during every class and activity of each semester. You can find the test plan at NCLEX-RN Test Plan April 2023. It is important for you to become very familiar with this information.

Differentiated Essential Competencies:  Differentiated Essential Competencies of the Texas State Board of Nursing include the categories of (I) Member of the Profession, (II) Provider of Patient-Centered Care, (III) Patient Safety Advocacy, and (IV) Member of the Health Care Team. For further information on DECs refer to Texas Board of Nursing Website . For further information regarding the competencies identified for each Course Objective, refer to the BSN Handbook

Course Objectives

AACN Essentials

DECs

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

1. Utilize the assessment phase of health of persons and families throughout the life cycle.

III.C-1, 2, 3

IV.C-2

I: A

II: B, D, E, F

2.Identify factors and research related to health promotion and screening for persons throughout the life cycle

IV.A-1,2; .B-4

I: A

II: A, B, D,E, F

3. Identify norms and deviations in health status.

III.D-1

I: A

II: A, B, D, E, F

4.Utilize verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills for obtaining and documenting assessment data

III.B-1, 6

I: B

II: B, C, E

IV: B

5. Develop a personal strategy for performing a head-to-toe physical assessment

V.A-1, C-2

I. B, D

II. A, B

III. D

Required Textbooks and Supplies

ATI Learning and Testing : There are no textbooks for this course. We will utilize the ATI Health Assessment 3.0 learning system which focuses on the development of assessment skills that are relevant to current nursing practice. Content will include: learning modules, virtual applications, and virtual clinical experiences.

Nursing Central [Unbound Medicine] application

Examplify: a software program that Wilson School of Nursing uses for quizzes and exams. You will receive an introductory email with instructions and a link for obtaining the program.

Required Assessment Equipment & Supplies

Sphygmomanometer [BP Cuff]      Binder for Lab Forms

Stethoscope                               Tape Measure

Percussion hammer [Reflex Hammer] 

Penlight                                      ** Optional: Pulse Oximeter    

A bag to carry your supplies           ** Optional: Day Planner

Box of 100 Nitrile gloves that are your size [not vinyl gloves]; we will measure for the correct size in lab

Watch with a sweeping second hand

A piece of equipment that is not required, but that you might find useful is a pulse oximeter of your own.

These items are available at the MSU bookstore, but it is not necessary for you to purchase them there.

Maroon scrubs with sleeve patch (patches available at the MSU bookstore). Maroon scrub jacket and patch, if you want to have a jacket. Other jackets or sweaters are not appropriate during clinical.

White, Black, Grey or Maroon shoes [which match the maroon uniform] (plain, i.e. – no bright colored shoestrings or designs); No Crocs. The shoes must be professional, healthcare type shoes that provide comfort with standing. [They must be kept clean]

The Dress Code is provided in this syllabus

**You will wear your scrubs to every simulation lab, practice times and to final practicum.

Name tag

State law requires health care providers to wear identification with name and role at all times when providing care. You will receive instructions for obtaining a picture ID during orientation. It is to be purchased at the Clark Student Center Information Desk.

Learning Experiences

Extensive use of the MSU D2L program is a part of this course. Each student is expected to be familiar with this program as it provides the primary source of communication regarding assignments, examination materials, and general course information. You can log into D2L through your “my.msutexas.edu”  Homepage. If you experience difficulties, please contact helpdesk@msutexas.edu. The helpdesk technicians are not able to personally work on your computer but will be able to help you with getting internet access and navigating the MSU portal and D2L. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer receives all of its updates and that you maintain security updates. Be sure you know how to clear your cookies and browser, and turn on and off your firewall.

Class activities include face-to-face class sessions, Virtual Classroom, PowerPoints, videos, ATI Module assignments for documentation, in-class quizzes, case studies, group discussions, required readings, unit exams and final exam, and skills and simulation clinicals in the skills lab. 

Castlebranch for Clinical Compliance

Castlebranch is an online program for storing information, and is used to help students stay in compliance with state, clinical agencies, and university requirements. Failure to maintain compliance with all of these regulations will result in ineligibility to attend clinicals, simulations, or service learning. Castlebranch sends email notifications to students about any documents that need to be submitted or updated, so it is not possible for a student to be unaware of any missing requirements.

First semester students must have full compliance with all the items listed in the documents you received prior to the beginning of the semester. Students who have not achieved full compliance will not be eligible to take begin second semester.

Two Hepatitis B vaccination regimens are available. One requires less time than the other. Proof of completion (not just beginning them, but completing them) of the injections must be submitted prior to being allowed to attend clinical practicum in second semester. This is a state law requirement and we have no leeway with this

Online Computer Requirements

Taking a class where many assignments and activities are online requires you to have access to a computer (with Internet access) to take exams and to complete and upload your assignments. It is your responsibility to have a working (and charged) computer to bring to class and to complete assignments outside of class. We recommend that you obtain a portable charger to use if needed during an exam. 

Chromebooks are not compatible with the ExamSoft program used for nursing exams.

Your computer being down is not an acceptable reason for missing a deadline for an assignment or an exam. Computers, printers and scanners are available on campus in the library and the Computer lab in Clark Student Center, as well as in various buildings on campus. There are many places to access your on-line materials for class. 

Technical information is available on the MSUTexas portal and your D2L home page. If you have technical difficulties in a course, there is a student helpdesk available to you at helpdesk@mwsu.edu.  The helpdesk cannot work directly on student computers due to both liability and resource limitations however they are able to help you with information and ideas, and to learn to access the internet and D2L.

Midterm Progress

To help students keep track of their progress toward course objectives, the instructor for this course will provide a Midterm Progress Report through each student’s WebWorld account. Midterm grades will not be reported on the student’s transcript; nor will they be calculated in the cumulative GPA. They simply give students an idea of where they stand at midpoint of the semester. Students earning below a C at the midway point will be required to schedule a meeting with the professor and seek out tutoring through the Tutoring & Academic Support Programs (link to the website https://msutexas.edu/academics/tasp/).

Assignment and exam weights

·        Unit and Final exams make up 60% of your final adjusted grade. You must achieve a 74% average on these to pass the course. 

·        The remaining 40% of your grades includes the following:

o  P/P Points [Present, Presentation, Preparedness and Professionalism] will constitute 10% of your grade

o  ATI Assignments will count for 15% of your grade.  

o  PIT [Putting It Together] will count for 15% of grade. 

This remaining 40% will be added to your grade only if you have achieved the 74% on the exams. Although you will see your calculated final grade in your gradebook, it is just the average of everything you have done so far. Your actual final grade is the "adjusted final grade" which will be posted to your transcript. There is no “rounding” of grades.

GRADE CLARIFICATION:

P/P grades are worth 4 points for each clinical/lab day.

1 point for being present [A point is deducted if the student fails to notify the instructor of an absence at least 1 hour prior to lab time]

1 point for being prepared [Skills binder is up to date]

1 point for presentation [Demonstration] of the skill [A demonstration of each skill is presented in class one week prior to the student demonstration so the student should be prepared to demonstrate]

1 point for professionalism [attire, behavior, cooperation with lab partner and faculty/instructors]

ATI Module Assignments are due at specified times which are listed on your schedule as well as on the assignment list within each program. The assignments are graded, and must be completed before the deadline.

PIT [Putting It Together] is the final Lab demonstration of Vital Sign Competency and a Head to Toe Assessment. The student must score at least 90% on the assessment. ** Please Note: You must pass the PIT to pass the clinical portion of the course. 

TO PASS THIS COURSE, YOU MUST PASS THE UNIT EXAMS AND THE CLINICAL PORTION. IF YOU FAIL TO PASS EITHER ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS, YOU DO NOT PASS THE COURSE. You must pass both components.

Assignments

Grading

Exam 1

12%

Exam 2

12%

Exam 3

12%

Exam 4

12%

Final Exam

12%

P/P Points

10%

ATI Learning Modules

15%

PIT

15%

Total Percentage

100%

Grade

%

A

90 - 100

B

80 – 89

C

74 – 79

D

65 – 73

F

Less than 65

EXAM ADMINISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

The four Unit Exams will cover learning objectives outlined in the unit of study, including medical terminology. The Final exam will be Semi-comprehensive [covering only select Modules].

·        All exams are given by computer, through the ExamSoft/Examplify Testing program. 

·        Unit exams will be given on assigned dates and times. Each student must have a laptop or tablet that is compatible with Examplify to take the exams (Chromebooks are not compatible). See “Technical Requirements” on D2L for details.

·        Exams may consist of a combination of multiple choice, multiple answer, ordering, and fill-in-the-blank.  Each exam consists of 50 questions and 75 minutes is allowed to take each exam. 

·        Some rooms do not have many electrical outlets. It is the student’s responsibility to provide an alternative charging device to ensure the computer battery remains charged.

·        Missing an exam: If you must miss an exam for any reason, you must notify the instructor by phone or email at least one [1] hour before the scheduled exam time. If a student arrives late and the exam has already started, they will not be allowed to enter the exam area and may be scheduled for another testing time.  A No Call/No Show [NC/NS] will receive a zero on the exam.

·        Make-up exams: Make-up exams are given on specific dates during the semester.  

·        When Examplify is used in face-to-face testing, please download your exam BEFORE coming to the testing area. Instructions for using Examplify will be given and practiced prior to the first time it is used for an exam.

·        For Examplify exams, no materials may be kept in the testing area except for student ID (required), computer/mouse, and a pen/pencil. Scrap paper will be provided by the instructor with the Exam Password and must be turned in before leaving the testing area. Cell phones, smart-watches, and Google-glasses are not allowed in the testing area.

·        If you are late for an exam, you will not be allowed in the testing area and must make arrangements to test at an alternate time.

·        Students will not be allowed to go to the bathroom during the exam; You can go before the exam starts

·        You may not write test questions on the scratch paper and failure to return the scrap paper to the instructor before leaving the classroom will be considered academic dishonesty and result in an automatic zero on the exam.

·        You are not allowed to ask the instructor questions during the exam.

·        Grades will be posted after the item analysis is completed.

·        The completed exam must be uploaded before retrieving your belongings and leaving the testing area ie.. the green check mark must be visible.

·        Close your computer prior to leaving the classroom.

Late Work and Absences

If you are going to be late with an assignment, you must notify the instructor prior to the due date/time.  ATI modules can still be completed after their due date, but one percentage point per day may be deducted except in cases of extreme emergency documented by discussion with the instructor prior to the due date. Remember that computer malfunction is not an acceptable reason. Start your assignment early enough that a last-minute malfunction will not cause you to be late.

Attendance

Attendance is required for face-to-face sessions of this course. If you are going to be absent, you must notify the instructor by email or text prior to the class. The instructor may ask for documentation for the given reason such as illness or doctor’s appointment. You should return to class after a mid—morning break. Excessive absences may result in Administrative dismissal from the course. 

Absences and Remediation:

Attendance will be taken each class day. Attendance is important because the Simulation/Lab demonstrations are conducted the last 30 minutes of class; these demonstrations will be presented by the students at the next SIM/Lab class. If you miss the class and demo, you will not have the knowledge and example of the Lab skill and you will hinder yourself and your lab partner in the learning process.

If you miss two lecture classes you will schedule an appointment with the course instructor for remediation.

If you miss 3 lecture classes, you will schedule an appointment with the course instructor to sign a written contract for class attendance and for remediation.

If you miss four lecture classes you will receive a written warning that further absences will result in an instructor dismissal from the course.

Clinical

For clinical absences, Contact your Simulation/clinical Instructor [Not the Sim Lab staff] by email or phone at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled Sim Lab. Your instructor will notify the Sim Lab Staff.

Clinical experiences will consist of Simulations and clinical lab experiences with manikins and partners.

Students are required to wear the clinical/scrub attire to each clinical/simulation experience. There may be some lab experiences that also require you wear Sports Bras, shorts, or other garments that will allow for skin inspection, palpation, auscultation or percussion. You will be told in advance which labs require this attire.

Clinical lab experiences consist of history-taking, physical assessment, and communication skills, practice with supervision and check-off in the Skills Lab section of the Simulation Center.   Supervised and independent hands-on practice of assessment skills will be performed on a classmate or manikin representing a variety of clients. 

Lab assignments are graded by Pass/Fail, and clinical attendance is mandatory. All absences must be made up. In case of an emergency, students should notify the Simulation Center of the absence (see MSU Sim Center webpage link on page 1 of this syllabus), and make arrangements to make up the lab. Make-up hours are subject to the Sim Center staffing and schedule.

Clinical Log [or Binder]: You need to keep all your learning materials and clinical evaluation forms from the simulation lab as well as any practice nursing notes completed during clinical lab experiences. These will be checked by your clinical instructor at intervals through the semester.

Check Point Practicum:

If time allows, you may be required to perform random check point demonstrations of skills previously mastered. Your instructor will advise you when these could occur.

Final Clinical Practicum: Students will perform a head-to-toe assessment utilizing the interviewing and physical exam skills you have learned through the semester. This will include all body systems you have previously assessed. Students must wear their clinical uniform and bring all their own personal supplies and equipment to the examination. The assessment is graded according to a clinical rubric which you will have available for practice, and the passing grade is 90%. Anyone who does not pass on the initial attempt of the practicum may retest one time. Further information about the practicum will be provided during clinical throughout the semester. 

It is important for students to practice history-taking and physical exam skills each week to the point of mastery. I recommend that you practice all your skills on your family members and roommates.

Vital Signs Assessment: Learners will practice Vital Signs assessments on a SIM partner. The learning may or may not be evaluated using a clinical scenario. Extreme competence in measuring and assessing vital signs must be demonstrated to pass the course.

Failure Policy: You must pass both clinical and classroom components of the course. Failure in either clinical performance or didactic components will result in failure of the course. A clinical failure is recorded as an F on the transcript for both clinical and the classroom grade, regardless of the percentage grade. A student who receives a “D” or “F” in two nursing courses who wishes to continue the program must apply for reentry to the program.

Student Responsibilities

Lab Requirements: You need to bring your own lab equipment to assessment lab each week, including a watch for every clinical. Wear appropriate clinical attire – scrubs with nametag.  Bring your lab binder which will contain the current Preclinical Assignments.

Absences from Lab: Assigned lab time in the simulation center is required and attendance is mandatory. Students who do have an unavoidable absence remain responsible for performing the skills, and making up all hours missed. Students who need to miss a lab session due to illness or compelling family situations should contact the clinical faculty prior to the absence, and must arrange to attend another section of the lab.  Do not arrive more than 15 minutes early, but do be on time.

Absence from Final Practicum: Students must notify the Simulation Center at least two hours before their scheduled practicum time if they will not be in attendance. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for the practicum except under the most emergent conditions. When proper notification has occurred, the practicum may be rescheduled.

Clinical Infractions

Clinical infractions may be given for various behaviors or activities that disregard professional decorum or student rules and guidelines. The infraction list can be found in your BSN Handbook and includes disregard of the dress code, arriving late to clinical, being unprepared for clinical, as well as items related to conduct during clinical or class.

Academic Misconduct Policy & Procedures

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, the submission for credit of work not the individual to whom credit is given, or submission of work that has been submitted in another class). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Office of Student Conduct.

Important Dates

Last Day to drop with a grade of “W” is Monday, October  30^th  by 4:00 PM; Drops after this date will receive grades of “F”.

Citizenship and Professionalism

As a nursing student, you should always practice behaving as a professional nurse. That means treating others in a professional, respectful manner. Neglecting COVID-19 precautions in class or clinical, being late to class, leaving in the middle of class unless an emergency exists, failing to silence your cell phone, texting or surfing the web, talking in class instead of listening – these are behaviors that detract from your responsibility as a student, and from your classmates’ ability to get everything they need from the class. Children may not be brought to class per University policy. 

As a nursing student, you need to be in class and participating in order to get the most from your education. You will only be taking Family Health Assessment one time (hopefully), and anything you miss out on now will be a problem for you in future nursing courses. 

Students who demonstrate distracting behaviors will be asked to leave the classroom. If a student demonstrates continuing behaviors that are distracting to his/her classmates, the student may be administratively dropped from the course. Disregard for the attendance policy may also result in being dropped from the course.

Also, if you have an appointment for office hours with an instructor you must keep that appointment, or give notice to cancel. Come prepared with questions and concerns you need to discuss. The instructor will be prepared to visit with you about any concerns he/she may have.  If you are asked to visit your instructor or to go to the Academic Center for tutoring or counseling, I expect you will do this in a timely manner.

Cheating and Plagiarism

The work, and the reputation, of the nursing profession requires that members demonstrate the utmost in trustworthiness and credibility. Nurses are expected to be honest. A lot depends on a nurse being straightforward with his or her communication – that means always telling the truth.  A lot also depends on your ability to do your own work. It's true that nurses work in teams; however, every member of the team has to know what to do. If you "borrow" someone else's work to turn in for a grade, you haven't learned the material for yourself. If you are not fully informed and knowledgeable , you will up be the nurse that nobody wants to work with and the one that patients hope they don't have to depend on. It is scary to work with a nurse who is dishonest, or misrepresents his or her abilities (what others can depend on from you), and if you think that scares other nurses, just think about how a patient feels after realizing that the nurse she or he should depend on is not trustworthy. When the responsibility of patient care is on you, you won't get away with bluffing or cheating. 

Therefore, the BSN program does not condone dishonesty, cheating, collusion, or plagiarism in any form, and considers it a serious offense that may result in being expelled from the nursing program. â€œCheating” means intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any exam or academic exercise; “collusion” means collaborating with another person in preparing an assignment that is meant to be an individual’s own work offered for credit; “plagiarism” means intentionally representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. For further information regarding cheating and any subsequent actions that may be taken refer to the policy statement in the BSN Student Handbook.

Services for Students With Disabilities

In accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Midwestern State University endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunity for qualified persons with disabilities to participate in all educational, social, and recreational programs and activities. After notification of acceptance, students requiring accommodations should make application for such assistance through Disability Support Services, located in the Clark Student Center, Room 168, (940) 397-4140. Current documentation of a disability will be required in order to provide appropriate services, and each request will be individually reviewed. For more details, please go to http://www.mwsu.edu/student-life/disability.

College Policies

Campus Carry Rules/Policies

Refer to: Campus Carry Rules and Policiesz; Effective August 1, 2016, The Campus Carry law [Senate Bill 11] allows those licensed individuals to carry a concealed handgun in buildings on public university campuses, except in locations the University establishes as prohibited. The new Constitutional Carry law does not change this process. Concealed carry still requires a License to Carry permit, and openly carrying handguns is not allowed on college campuses. 

Smoking/Tobacco Policy

College policy strictly prohibits the use of tobacco products in any building owned or operated by WATC. Adult students may smoke only in the outside designated-smoking areas at each location.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

To comply with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 and subsequent amendments, students and employees of Midwestern State are informed that strictly enforced policies are in place which prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of any illicit drugs, including alcohol, on university property or as part of any university-sponsored activity. Students and employees are also subject to all applicable legal sanctions under local, state and federal law for any offenses involving illicit drugs on University property or at University-sponsored activities.

Grade Appeal Process

Students who wish to appeal a grade should consult the Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalog

Notice

Changes in the course syllabus, procedures, assignments, and schedule may be made (with notice) at the discretion of the instructor.

Dress Code

The goal of the dress code is to present a professional appearance that does not compromise communication, safety, or infection control. Appearance that presents less than a professional appearance will not be allowed.

Clinical Uniform

ï‚· School uniform of matching maroon pants or skirt and maroon tunic top is the required uniform.

ï‚· Undershirts, if worn should be plain (solid, no adornments or logos, no patterns) and white, black, gray, or maroon that matches the uniform.

ï‚· Pants cannot touch the floor and must be hemmed properly. Pants cannot have a cuffed hem.

ï‚· When sitting down, bending over or squatting down, or raising arms there can be no gap at the waist between the uniform pant and the top showing skin or underwear.

ï‚· No cleavage can be showing.

ï‚· Uniform must be well-laundered, without wrinkles, beyond what occurs during typical wear, and fit appropriately.

ï‚· Skirts must be knee length or longer, but may not touch the floor, must be properly hemmed and allow for ease of movement.

ï‚· Clean and closed toe and heel shoes that are black, gray, white, or maroon that matches the uniform are to be worn.

ï‚· Socks and hosiery must match either skin color, uniform or shoes.

ï‚· Proper MSU identification (MSU or approved clinical agency name tag and MSU patch). The MSU patch is obtainable at the bookstore and is to be sewn on left sleeve, centered and 1" from shoulder seam.

ï‚· MSU nametag must contain the name of the university, name of the student, designation of student, and a photograph of the student. The nametag is obtained through Card Services at the Clark Student Center.

ï‚· If a student desires a jacket, he/she may wear a matching maroon scrub jacket with the appropriate name tag and MSU patch sewn on left sleeve, centered and 1" from shoulder seam.

ï‚· Hair must be self-contained and unadorned and must be a natural hair color. Any articles such as head wraps, barrettes, bands, or clips must be plain (solid, no jewels, adornments, patterns, or logos) and same color as hair, or white, black, gray, silver, gold, or maroon that matches the uniform.

ï‚· Hair may not fall forward past shoulder/neck area or fall over eyes when leaning over at the waist.

ï‚· Sideburns, beards, and mustaches must be clean and neatly trimmed.

ï‚· Hats or caps are not allowed.

ï‚· Short, natural and clean fingernails are required. Nail enhancements are not allowed to include polish, dips, tips, overlays, acrylics, or gels. Tips of nails may not be seen when looking at the hands from the palm side up.

ï‚· Hygiene must include being clean without fragrances or strong odors.

ï‚· No jewelry other than a plain wedding ring (band) and a watch with a second hand are allowed.

ï‚· Visible body piercings may not contain any jewelry, gauges or spacers.

 If a clinical requires “professional dress” other than the Nursing Uniform, the student will be asked to wear a maroon polo shirt and pants or a skirt that is black, gray, khaki, or maroon that matches the maroon polo shirt with the appropriate name tag.

ï‚· Clinical agencies retain the right to refuse access to any student whose appearance is deemed inappropriate. For this reason, visible tattoos should not contain symbols, drawings or wording likely to be deemed offensive.

ï‚· The nursing uniform may not be worn when working outside of clinical experiences.

Revised 10/12/22

Additional Instructor Guidelines: Some students are wearing “false eyelashes”; these are not allowed in the Sim/Lab experiences because of professional attire and they could be a hazard if they interfere with a sterile field or sterile techniques.

Any body jewelry observed during an assessment [ie.. ears, nose, tongue, navel] and nail polish [finger or toes] will result in point deduction.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.