The grade is determined as follows:

1.       Graduation Portfolio                                     grade

2.       Medication Competency                             grade (average if more than one attempt)

3.       Medical-Surgical Case Study                        grade

4.       Pedi Online Case Study                                 grade

5.       Emergency Room Discussion Board           grade

6.       PACU Discussion Board                                   grade

7.       Simulation/computer assignments            grade (average)

Students must have a 75 average and a satisfactory rating on the clinical evaluation tool to pass the course.

All assignments must be turned in with the rubric attached

See Addendum for more information

Schedules may be changed at the discretion of the faculty and VN nursing coordinator.  All attendance policies are in effect regardless of the setting.   Students should check their emails and blackboard daily to ensure changes have not been made. 

Research has shown a cause-and-effect relationship between attendance and college success.  Policies for this course are described below:

1.       Because poor attendance is a leading reason for termination from a job in all areas of employment, attendance at all scheduled classes/clinicals/simulations is expected.

2.       Clinical Orientation is MANDATORY for all students.  Students who do not attend clinical orientation may not be allowed to attend clinical and may be dismissed from the program. 

3.       A student who is absent from course activities for more than three (3) days without notification to faculty may be dropped from the program by the Program Director.

NOTE:  It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor prior to any absence from class or clinical.  If the student is missing a clinical day, s/he must notify the faculty that s/he is unable to attend clinical. Each clinical instructor will provide contact information for the student to reach their clinical instructor; the student can call and leave a message if the instructor does not answer.  If the student is unable to contact the instructor, the student should call 409-984-6356 or 1-800-477-5872, ext. 6356 and leave a message.  Also, the student may email their clinical instructor.

4.       Any student who is “no call, no show” for clinical demonstrates a lack of accountability and unprofessional conduct.  Therefore, s/he may fail clinical that semester and must repeat both the clinical and didactic courses to progress in the program.  The only possible exception is if a student is physically unable to call the faculty.

5.       Students may be required to attend seminars or workshops to meet clinical objectives.  Students will be informed in advance of the requirements.  They are expected to attend the entire workshop as scheduled even if it extends past the regularly scheduled clinical time.

6.       The clinical instructor keeps an attendance record.  Any student who is not sure about his/her status should meet with the instructor by appointment.

7.       Students are expected to attend clinical in FULL CLINICAL ATTIRE; including approved clinical dress (scrubs, scrub caps, appropriate shoes, lab jacket, name badge and photo, etc) as well as required accessories. This includes keeping the “Graduation Portfolio” on hand for all clinicals, simulations, evaluations, and check-offs.  Badge and photo must be worn on top right-hand side of uniform.  All students and faculty may be required to wear an approved surgical face mask/N95 and must follow each facility’s screening process when entering the clinical facilities.  Students and faculty may be required to wear a face shield while in patient care areas (including nursing stations etc.) and while providing direct patient care or according to facility/LSCPA’s current policy.  These policies are updated regularly and may change throughout clinical.  Students not adhering to dress codes; as described in Student Handbook, the syllabus, or the facility may be sent home by the instructor. This will count as a clinical absence.

8.       The program director has the right to initiate the administrative withdrawal of any student whose attendance, conduct, scholastic abilities, attitude or lack of aptitude for vocational nursing makes it inadvisable for that student to continue in the program.

9.       Assignments for absence(s) are listed in blackboard course VNSG 1462 under the clinical assignments tab.  The student must follow instructions very carefully when submitting their assignments or it may result in a 0. 

10.   Since clinical is such an important component of the VN Program, students are required to attend 100 percent of the scheduled clinical days in any given semester. An assignment will be required if the student is absent from clinical.  ALL assignments must be completed satisfactorily and are required for all make up work to be counted for missed clinical time.  The additional assignments for missed clinical days will not be counted towards the clinical grade average. Any student who misses any clinical days in a semester may receive an unsatisfactory (U) in the clinical course and be required to repeat both the didactic and clinical courses.  Absence of the required clinical days necessitates the Standards Committee to review the student’s performance in the VN Program.  Students may be allowed to continue in clinical IF they:

a.    Have a 75 test average in the didactic course

b.    Have satisfactory written work in the clinical course

c.     Are up-to-date on skills check-offs in clinical prior to the most recent absence.

11.   Students who arrive greater than 15 minutes after assigned clinical time will be given a verbal warning and may not be allowed to remain.  Students who arrive after assigned clinical time on two (2) occasions will receive a written counseling note and will not be allowed to remain.  If the student is sent home s/he will be counted absent from clinical and must complete the make-up assignment.

12.   It is the student’s responsibility to submit a completed ‘student excuse’ form upon the first day of return to class/clinical following an absence, tardy, or leaving class early.  Failure to do so will result in a declaration of ‘no call, no show’ and may result in the student being dismissed from the program.

13.   Students must be present the entire clinical day to receive credit for their attendance

14.   Lab jackets are to be worn at all times while in the skills lab.

15.   Simulation/Computer Lab Assignments are mandatory.  Failure to attend will result in a zero (0) for that assignment and the student being sent home with a clinical absence.      

The Program Director or Department Chair has the right to initiate the administrative withdrawal of any student whose attendance, conduct, scholastic abilities, attitude or lack of aptitude for Vocational Nursing makes it inadvisable for that student to continue in the program.