SALEM STATE COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF NURSING – NUR315 COURSE SYLLABUS

I. TITLE: NUR315 ART & SCIENCE OF NURSING IV

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course builds upon the theory and nursing practice
presented in previous science and nursing courses. Life process will focus on the
development phase from the neonate through adolescence. The student will utilize
nursing process to study the professional nurse role in a pediatric setting.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the completion of this course, the student will:
A. describe human-environment field interactions between individuals and families
in the pediatric setting.

B. utilize nursing process to assess, plan, intervene and evaluate human-environment

field interactions in a pediatric setting.

C. utilize effective communication techniques in human-environmental field interactions,

recognizing the values and beliefs of families from diverse cultures.

D. apply principles of teaching/learning in the communication of health information

to children and families.

E. describe the developmental stages of children and their application to the child’s
health.

F. describe the various energy needs of infants and children and how they are
affected by nutrition and illness.

G. demonstrate professional accountability in the delivery of health care in a

pediatric setting.

H. discuss empowering parents to assist them in receiving health care for

their children.

I. integrate evidence based practice/nursing research into the practice of nursing in a

pediatric setting.

J. begin to develop critical thinking within pediatric human environment fields.

K. explore ethical issues concerning human-environmental field interactions in pediatrics.

 IV. FACULTY:
Full time faculty:
Donna Hills, Ed.D APN, (coord) HB 109 Ext. 6686 dhills@salemstate.edu
Kristine Ruggiero RN MSN CPNP HB 120 Ext 6832 kristineruggiero@yahoo.com

Part time faculty:

Ruth Boland, RN, MSN Mayka1@comcast.net
Judith Fabbri, RN, MSN, CPNP (spring only) Judefabb@aol.com
Carrie Googins, RN, BSN carriescg@comcast.net
Trudy Thompson, RN, MSN ttthompson@challiance.org
Amy Olson RN MS amym612@hotmail.com
Alana Clements RN MS CPNP Alana.clements@gmail.com
Nadege Jean-Francois RN MSN FNP nauly2@aol.com
Renee Wilson RN BSN hockeymom858991@yahoo.com
Karen Kumpavong-Gonsiewski RN BSN kjkump@comcast.net

V. PRE-REQUISITES: NUR310, NUR312, NUR313

CO-REQUISITES: NUR314

VI. GENERAL INFORMATION:

A. CURRICULUM PLACEMENT: Second semester junior year

B. CREDIT HOURS: 5.0 credit hours for theory and clinical.

C. TIME ALLOTMENTt: Theory: 5 hours per week for the quarter.

Clinical: 15 hours per week for the quarter.

D. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
1. Class: It is expected that students will attend all classes. Students are responsible
for maintaining currency with all course requirements and announced or
scheduled activities.

2. Clinical: Mandatory attendance. Clinical makeups are determined on a case by

case situation by the coordinator and the clinical instructor.

E. EXAMINATIONS:
1. No make-up exams will be given for unexcused absences and students will
receive a zero.
2. Determination of what constitutes an excused absence for an exam is the
discretion of the coordinator.

F. ASSIGNMENTS:
1. All students must meet stated requirements,and are due on dates listed unless an
extension has been granted (at the discretion of the faculty member). Assignments
not received on due dates will be automatically reduced 5 points for each day late
2. All written work must adhere to APA format
G. CLINICAL:
1. DRESS CODE: Although the attire for clinical may vary according to agency
policies, it is expected that all students dress appropriately in the clinical setting.
Appropriate dress includes a school uniform, white hose, white shoes and a
student name pin. Hair must be neat, dangling earrings are not allowed and all
jewelry and cosmetics should be kept to a minimum. The school monogram
(patch) is required and should be worn on the left shoulder on school uniform or
lab coat.

2. NAILS: Acrylic nails are not allowed in the clinical setting. Nails must be
removed before attending clinical; wearing gloves is not an option.

3. CLINICAL AGENCIES:
Beverly Hosptial, Beverly, MA.
Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Boston, MA( Q 3 only)
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
North Shore Children’s Hospital, Salem, MA & / Marblehead Schools
Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA & Beverly Schools
Shriners Hospital, Boston, MA (spring only)
Spaulding Hospital, Boston, MA ( Q4 only)

H. POLICY PERTAINING TO DISABLED PERSONS:

“Salem State College is committed to non-discrimination of disabled persons as
specified in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.” A students who
qualifies as a disabled person under the definition of this act should notify the
faculty the first day of the course, so that reasonable modifications in course
requirements may be made when applicable.

I. POLICY PERTAINING TO ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

As stated in the SSC Catalog, all forms of academic dishonesty are considered to
be serious offenses. The SON takes academic integrity seriously and will apply
appropriate sanctions to any and all instances of academic dishonesty. A
definition of academic dishonesty shall be guided by, but not limited to, that
found in the SSC Catalog and the SON Handbook of Academic Policies.

J. POLICY PERTAINING TO THE TESTING ENVIRONMENT

All students should arrive 5 min. prior to testing. All belongings including bags,
books, jackets, caps, cellular phones, iPhones, PDA’s, IPOD’s, Bluetooths,
Blackberries and any other electronic devices will be stored in the front of the
classroom or such area designated by faculty. Cellular phones must be turned off
and cannot be used as a calculator. Students should visit the restroom prior to the
examination. No water bottles, coffee cups or other beverages are allowed on the
desks while testing. Any graffiti found within the student’s immediate area will
be investigated unless the student lets the faculty know it exists before the test.
Any student observed looking at another student’s test will be asked to leave the
 test area and a grade of zero will be conferred for the examination (or quiz). No
baseball caps or other hats can be worn during the testing situation.

K. POLICY PERTAINING TO THE USE OF PDA’S IN THE PEDIATRIC

COURSE. Based upon a year long pilot study conducted by the SON, faculty are
requiring all students from sophomore to senior level to purchase a PDA
beginning with the fall 2008 semester. A letter dated July 24, 2008 was sent to all
nursing students registered for the fall who have active SSC email addresses,
explaining this policy and providing the website where the student can find info
and purchase the Palm TX software.

L. POLICY PERTAINING TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION WITHIN

THE SON. The student is accountable for maintaining a working SSC email
address which will be linked to the SON LIST SERV and used by both full time
and part time clinical faculty. The SSC email address and only this address will
be used for LIST SERV communication as well as communication between
students and faculty.

VII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Satisfactory completion of course objectives.
B. Satisfactory completion of math test by the end of second week of clinical
C. Satisfactory completion of writing assignments – weekly nursing worksheets and a case
study.
D. Satisfactory completion of clinical portion of course
E. Oral presentation of case study
F. Attainment of a grade of 74 or better on the average of all course exams.
G. Attainment of 900 or better on HESI exam (scores of less than 900 requires completion
of remedial work in order for the final grade to be entered).

VIII. TEACHING METHODOLOGY

A. Lecture/Discussion
B. A-V Media Resources
C. Case Studies
D. Clinical Conferences

IX. EVALUATION METHODOLGY

A. Theory
1. Two examinations (covering lecture material, assigned readings, audio-visual, and
CAI materials).
2. A final examination including cumulative material.
3. The HESI standardized exam.
4. Quizzes given on any lecture day when an exam is not previously scheduled. If a quiz
is missed there will be no makeups and a grade of zero will be applied. The lowest quiz
grade will be dropped.
5. Case study: a written comprehensive synthesis paper based on a selected patient the
student has cared for in clinical (see specific criteria for details).
6. Oral Presentation: a 15- 20 min. oral presentation of the case study (see criteria for
oral presentation).
7. Distribution of grades:
 Exam I 20%
Exam II 20%
Final examination will be cumulative 25 %
HESI Pediatric Exam 15%
Quizzes 5%
Case Study 10%
Oral Presentation 5%
_____________________________________________________________________________________
100%

8. Minimum Passing Grade Policy

a. Pediatric Exams: The minimum passing grade is a 74% on the
cumulative average of the two exams, the final, the HESI exam and the
quizzes. If a student fails to attain a 74% or above on the cumulative average
of these exams, she/he cannot raise their grade with the case study; rather
he/she will receive a C- for the course and petition to repeat the pediatric
course.
b. HESI Exam: Students must attain a grade of 900 on the HESI test to pass
the test. Failure to attain a 900 will result in mandatory remedial work.
c. The grades for the case study and oral presentation will be factored in
only after a passing grade on the exams has been achieved.

B. Practicum:
1. Prior to the third clinical week, students MUST achieve a grade of 80% or above on a
math test in order to continue in the clinical rotation.
2. Remedial work is available in the nursing lab for those needing review of basic math.
3. To pass clinical, the student must receive a Pass on the clinical evaluation tool (see
evaluation tool)

X. Exam Review

A. Exams will be reviewed (post-exam) by appt with faculty during appointed office hours
either individually or in small groups as time permits.
B. During the post exam review, notebooks, writing implements or audiovisual recording
devices will not be permitted.

XI. REQUIRED TEXTS:

A. American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association. (5th ed.)
B. Ball, J. W. & Bindler, R. C. (2006). Child Health Nursing: Partnering with
children and families. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
(Please note: red cover; not blue)

C. Packet for Nur 315, available on the pedi website.

XII. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE(S)

 A. Castillo, S.L. & Werner-McCullough, M. (2007). Calculating drug dosages: An
interactive approach to learning nursing math (2nd ed). Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis Co.
[ This source includes a CD and workbook. The CD is also available in the
nursing lab. For this semester, this resource will most likely not be
available in the book store so use on line sources ie Amazon or FA Davis
website .if you choose to purchase it. This is not required for purchase.]
XIII. OPTIONAL TEXTS:

A. Bindler, R.C. & Howry, L. (2005). Pediatric drug guide. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.