Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) Orientation Welcome to nursing, and congratulations on choosing nursing as a profession!

Introductions Holly Euclide, RN, MSN Mary Bessett, RN, MSN Introduce selves. Could do a fun introductory game?

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program The program functions under the guidelines of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, is accredited by the NLNAC, and complies with all requirements established for nursing within the state.

ADN Program Overview The program is designed for completion in four semesters. Students will receive theoretical and practical education to function as a registered nurse. Upon completion of the first two semesters of the program, students are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

ADN Program Overview Upon completion of the ADN program, students are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates of the program are prepared for employment in beginning level registered nursing positions.

ADN Program Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible to go on to a BSN completion program UW-Green Bay offers this program, as do many private colleges

Job Opportunities Nursing Home/Extended Care Facility Clinic Hospital Insurance Company Home Health Short Stay Surgery Military

Job Opportunities School Work Site Correctional System Public Health …and the list goes on…

Potential Contraindications to a Nursing Career Back problems Difficult to get hired with a pre-existing condition Lifting and bending are functional requirements (We will address later) Latex allergies Potential occupational exposure could be life-threatening

First Semester (19 credits) Nursing Fundamentals Nursing Skills Nursing Pharmacology Nursing: Intro to Clinical Practice Written Communication General Anatomy & Physiology Developmental Psychology All nursing courses scheduled for each semester must be taken at that time. If all classes are not completed successfully, student will not progress to next semester. Many students complete their electives/sciences prior to the program.

Second Semester (17 Credits) Nursing Health Alterations Nursing Health Promotion Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan Nursing: Intro to Clinical Care Management Oral/Interpersonal Communication Advanced Anatomy & Physiology

Third Semester (18 Credits) Nursing Complex Health Alterations I Nursing: Mental Health & Community Concepts Nursing: Intermediate Clinical Practice Nursing Advanced Skills Microbiology Intro to Psychology Elective

Fourth Semester (16 credits) Nursing Complex Health Alterations II Nursing Management & Professional Concepts Nursing: Advanced Clinical Practice Nursing: Clinical Transition Intro to Sociology Elective Many of the general education courses and nursing theory courses are available online, in addition to the live courses.

Grading Policy A “C” is the minimum for passing in all nursing courses, which is an 80% or above. All exams will be taken on the day scheduled. If the student misses taking a test at the scheduled time, the instructor must be contacted and the test must be taken on the day of return to class. If the exam is taken outside of class, 5% will be deducted from the score, regardless of circumstances.

Additional Assistance For additional help, inquire about Study Skills Critical Thinking Test Taking Strategies http://www.nwtc.edu/Search-orig/Prospective_Students.htm

Expectations of ADN Program Students Responsibility for learning is the student’s, with outside prep time necessary for all classes EXPECT to have school as a priority Attendance It is expected. Absences negatively impact student success. Don’t schedule vacations or weddings during the academic year.

Expectations of ADN Program Students Compliance with all policies of school, program, and clinical agencies For every hour spent in class per week, expect 2 – 3 hours of study per week (i.e.: 6 hrs in class = 12 - 18 hrs of study time) Limit working during the academic year to NO MORE THAN 16 hours per week

Clinical Information Day or Evening Clinical May start as early as 6 a.m. and end as late as 11 p.m. Be prepared for potential child care needs Adjust work schedules accordingly Dress – Uniform as outlined in ADN Handbook

Requirements to Attend Clinical Prior to clinical, must have: CPR – needs to be the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider, renewed every 2 years Physical Exam Caregiver Background Check – needs to be done every 4 years TB Test – needs to be done annually Recommend completing these requirements ASAP. Potential issue with any of these requirements must be resolved prior to the student attending clinical. Failure to do so in a timely manner will result in inability to attend clinical and delayed program progression!!

Requirements to Attend Clinical Completion of Nursing Assistant course Expected to be competent in CNA skills Skills review courses available (8 hours) Prior health care experience not required If your CNA skills are rusty, we suggest that you attend a skills review course – you will get a letter about this course. Although students with prior health care experience may be more comfortable in the first clinical course, that difference goes away as the clinicals progress.

Clinical Functional Ability (ability to perform necessary tasks) – will be reviewed and signed Confidentiality Agreement – will be signed for each clinical Evaluation – will be ongoing

Clinical Evaluation Evaluation is based on course objectives Students are expected to perform the tasks to which they are assigned with professionalism, accuracy and safety at the Registered Nurse (RN) level. Students are expected to show continual progress in skill and proficiency in performing their patient care.

Clinical Evaluation Evaluation will be on a weekly basis and at the end of each clinical rotation. Behaviors will be evaluated and documented in order to indicate areas of strengths as well as areas needing improvement, by self and instructor.

Clinical Attendance Attendance and punctuality are expectations Promptness and regular attendance are considered mandatory in order to assure: Satisfactory student progress Accurate evaluation by faculty Safe performance in the clinical arena

Clinical Expectations Notification of the instructor/clinical site 1 hour prior to any absence from clinical. Student is responsible for completing course objectives – a significant alternate assignment will be given for clinical absences. Patterns of absence will be referred to the counselor.

Program Costs Tuition/Testing/Course Packets Fees related to lab courses for supplies Extra fees for physical exam and other requirements Fees for NCLEX exams and licensure

Financial Aid/Scholarships Look for any available money – the less you worry about finances, the more successful you will be in your course work

Graduation Requirements Complete Petition to Graduate and pay graduation fees. Complete all course requirements and obtain passing grades in all required courses. Grade point average of 2.0 or better, with a minimum of “C” in nursing courses. Fulfill all financial obligations to NWTC.

For more information: Refer to your NWTC Associate Degree Nursing Program Student Handbook, which will be given to you at the start of your program. Questions? Call 920-498-5543