Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) Orientation

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

2. Introductions • Holly Euclide, RN, MSN • Mary Bessett, RN, MSN

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. First Semester (19 credits) • Nursing Fundamentals • Nursing Skills • Nursing Pharmacology • Nursing: Intro to Clinical Practice • Written Communication • General Anatomy & Physiology • Developmental Psychology

11. 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

12. 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

13. Fourth Semester (16 credits) • Nursing Complex Health Alterations II • Nursing Management & Professional Concepts • Nursing: Advanced Clinical Practice • Nursing: Clinical Transition • Intro to Sociology • Elective

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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

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

28. 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.

29. 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