the lifespan. Direct patient care hours reflected in the program outline are adequate to achieve identified competencies, course, and program outcomes.
Clinical experiences range from skilled nursing faculties working with adults and older adults with acute and chronic illnesses, mental health nursing opportunities at a state hospital, correctional institution, or community service agency, pediatric and maternal newborn experiences, and acute care working with diverse patient populations across the lifespan. During the clinical nursing courses, the student practices and applies learned nursing skills and care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse faculty. The faculty/student ratio is one faculty member to every eight students to support experiential student learning outcomes. The nursing program uses the Clinical Evaluation Performance Tool (CPET) tool to evaluate student clinical performance in conjunction with the theoretical application of concepts, skills, and nursing aptitude. This tool is used for all clinical rotations. The clinical outcomes are based on the ANA clinical standards/Code of Ethics for nursing practice, knowledge, skills, and attitudes of QSEN competency standards for nursing, Nursing National Patient Safety Goals, and the OSBN Division 45 Standards and Scope of Practice for the Registered Nurse. In term twelve, the students are assigned to work with a designated nurse mentor during the capstone experience to complete a total of 120 hours. The mentor, student, and assigned clinical faculty will meet three times during the ten weeks term to evaluate student progress. The students are immersed in clinical experiences with learning activities that structured to support the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes. The culminating course of the BSN program is NUR446 Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice. This course includes a practicum clinical experience. The practicum offers students an opportunity to apply newly developed skills and to relate theoretical content, to real practice situations. Prior to this unique practicum course, the student has demonstrated understanding of the theoretical foundations of the baccalaureate generalist nurse. This final, concentrated professional experience helps to further prepare students for the baccalaureate generalist nurse role. On a larger scale it allows the student to enhance skills in decision making, communication and collaboration, and leadership. Faculty work with the students to identify an appropriate location and mentor for the practicum experience. Students must secure an acceptable site by the beginning of the final term to be prepared to enter the practicum early in the term. Each student must select a baccalaureate-prepared nurse mentor with at least one year’s experience to provide guidance and direction for attainment of learning outcomes. In concurrence with the student’s assigned faculty member, a capstone agreement including expectations, student learning outcomes, and means of measuring success will be prepared. During the capstone, the student must advise the mentor of course requirements and personal goals. The student’s assigned faculty member is responsible for evaluating the student’s performance and all associated assignments completed during the practicum experience. Throughout the capstone students will prepare a weekly journal discussing how they have met course outcomes or shown understanding or mastery, how they have demonstrated the new role as a baccalaureate generalist nurse, reflect
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