Tuesdays and Thursday 10 am-12 pm M120
The student will study nursing care problems of clients of all ages based on normal needs of people and on deviations which affect these needs in times of illness, injury, or surgical intervention. Concurrent clinical experience provides the opportunity for the student to develop appropriate skills in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care of clients in medical/surgical settings.
Course Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Practice within the definition of a professional nurse as contained in the Nurse Practice Act.
2. Demonstrate increasing ability to use effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with clients and health care team members.
3. Implement the nursing process throughout the health-illness continuum to ensure the health and safety of clients.
4. Integrate evidence-based research findings to nursing care with instructor direction.
5. Demonstrate caring interventions through utilization of the nursing process.
6. Identify teaching/learning needs through the nursing process when planning for client care.
7. Demonstrate an ability to cooperatively work with clients and health care team members to provide quality care.
8. Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the utilization of resources to meet client care needs.
Topical Outline Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing 1. Nursing Care Management in the Acute Care Setting 2. Nursing Care Management of Clients Receiving Peripheral Intravenous Therapy 3. Perioperative Care Review 4. Patient Education 5. Review math calculations 6. Infection Medical-Surgical Nursing Care Management Related Topics: 1. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances 2. Diabetes Mellitus 3. Respiratory Problems 4. Hematologic Problems 5. HIV/Cancer 6. Urologic Problems 7. Gastrointestinal Problems 8. Chronic Cardiac and Vascular Disorders 9. Chronic Neurologic Problems 10. Visual, Auditory, and Integumentary Problems
Teaching Methods · Lecture and discussion · Multimedia · Canvas online lectures · Group activities and presentations · Skill demonstrations and videos · Simulations · Client care · Clinical conferences · Case studies · Evolve Adaptive Quizzing · HESI case studies and practice tests . Sherpath . C. J. Sim Clinical and Laboratory Experiences: · Acute care (medical/surgical) with off-site rotations to OR and clinic sites, Simulation laboratory and Skills laboratory.
Faculty Contact Information
We are available in our office, by email, and online (online by appointment only). Outside of student support hours, we will respond to emails within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Zoom appointments can be made through email outside of our student support hours if needed
pbukowski@kcc.edu
kedwards@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Practice within the definition of a professional nurse as contained in the Nurse Practice Act.
- Demonstrate increasing ability to use effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with clients and health care team members.
- Implement the nursing process throughout the health-illness continuum to ensure the health and safety of clients.
- Integrate evidence-based research findings to nursing care with instructor direction.
- Demonstrate caring interventions through utilization of the nursing process.
- Identify teaching/learning needs through the nursing process when planning for client care.
- Demonstrate an ability to cooperatively work with clients and health care team members to provide quality care.
- Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the utilization of resources to meet client care needs.
- Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Nursing Care Management in the Acute Care Setting
- Nursing Care Management of Clients Receiving Peripheral Intravenous Therapy
- Perioperative Care Review
- Patient Education
- Review math calculations
- Infection
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Care Management Related Topics:
- Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Respiratory Problems
- Hematologic Problems
- HIV/Cancer
- Urologic Problems
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Chronic Cardiac and Vascular Disorders
- Chronic Neurologic Problems
- Visual, Auditory, and Integumentary Problems
Textbook(s) *
*C. J. SIM-(to be purchased in bookstore).
*Clinical Skills: Essential Collections
*Harding, M., Kwong, J., Roberts, D., Hagler, D., and Reinisch, C. (2023). Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (12th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.(to be purchased in the bookstore in a bundle as a binder book along with Sherpath).
*HESI RN Case Studies with Practice Test Access Code (provided by your instructor).
*Hockenberry, M.J., Wilson, D., and Rodgers, C. (2022) Wong’s essentials of pediatric nursing (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
*Ignatavicius, D. (2025). Developing Clinical Judgment for Professional Nursing Practice and NGN Readiness. . St. Louis: Elsevier
Kee, J.L. (2018). Laboratory and diagnostic tests with nursing implications (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. (Or any current lab book)
*Nursing Lab IV/ Equipment Pack.
*Sherpath-(to be purchased in bookstore with Lewis binder book bundle). Skidmore-Roth, L. (2024). Mosby’s drug guide for nursing students (15th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby or Nursing 2024 Drug Handbook, Wolters Kluwer (Or any current drug handbook.)
*Swearingen, P. L. and Wright., J. D. (2019). All-in-one-nursing care planning resource (5th ed). St. Louis: Elsevier.
Headphones for class activities and HESI final
* = Books/equipment/resources required for second semester.
Optional: Harding, M., Bowman-Woodall, C., Kwong, J., Roberts, D., Hagler, D., and Reinisch, C. (2023). Study Guide for Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing (12th ed).
Hockenberry, M.J., Rodgers, C, and Wilson, D. (2022).Study guide to accompany essentials of pediatric nursing (11Sth ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Silvestri, L, and Silvestri, A.
Saunders Q andA Review for the NCLEX-RN (2025). (Or any current NCLEX review book)
Criteria for Passing RNUR 1128
This course consists of a theory and a clinical component. Both parts must be passed to progress to the next course. The clinical component is pass/fail, and all clinical competencies must be passed.
A 89.5 - 100%
B 83.5 - 89.4%
C 80 - 83.4%
F < 80%
Grade Calculation:
Points % of Total Grade
Unit Tests: 280 points (66%) (11) tests
Quizzes /Homework Assignments, 55 points (13%)
Math Quiz 10 points 10 points (2%)
Care Plan (1) 13 points 13 points (3%)
Clinical Tool Assignments (1) 6 points 6 points (1.5%)
Teaching Learning Project 2 points 2 points (0.05%)
Comprehensive Final Exam 60 points (14%)
Total possible points for course: 426 points
Minimum points required (80%): 340.8 points
Evaluation Methods · Unit tests, quizzes, homework assignments, and comprehensive final exam · Medication calculation competency · Care plan assignments with related research article summary · Clinical off-site summaries · Clinical portfolio assignments · Skills validations · Clinical performance evaluation tool
Students are expected to take all tests at the date and time scheduled (see class schedule for dates and class times). The student must notify the instructor of an absence prior to test time. No more than two make-up tests will be allowed for the semester; however, extenuating circumstances will be considered with submission of proper documentation and will be reviewed by the faculty member and the Director of Nursing. There will be no writing on exams. The student will be given a scratch sheet of paper.
Make-up tests must be completed within one week of the missed test (prior to the start of class). The makeup test may be in an alternate format, including an essay exam. The student must notify the instructor of when they will make up the test so that it will be available in KCC’s Testing Center. (See KCC’s website for the Testing Center’s hours). Failure to follow the test guidelines will result in a recorded “0” (zero) for the test.
Make-up tests must be completed within one week of the missed test (prior to the start of class). The makeup test may be in an alternate format, including an essay exam. The student must notify the instructor of when they will make up the test so that it will be available in KCC’s Testing Center. (See KCC’s website for the Testing Center’s hours).
Failure to follow the test guidelines will result in a recorded “0” (zero) for the test.
Quizzes may not be made up. Students who are absent or late to class when a quiz is given will receive a zero for the quiz and will not have the opportunity for make-up. Extenuating circumstances will be considered with submission of proper documentation and will be reviewed by the faculty member and the Director of Nursing.
Tests/Quizzes may be administered to students electronically or in paper format (per the discretion of the instructor). Online testing will be proctored and completed in lockdown browser.
Faculty may assign random seating during exams and quizzes. Cardboard dividers may also be used in the classroom during exams/quizzes. There is to be no gum, candy, or drinks during an exam. No hats, hoodies, or watches will be allowed during an exam. The only item allowed on the desk during an exam is an extra pencil.
After all students have taken the test, a test review will done in class as a group. When students are reviewing a graded test, the desktop must be cleared (no papers, pens, pencils, etc.). Notes about test items cannot be taken during or following the test review. Students are reminded that there is to be no discussion of test content/questions outside of class. Completion of such notes or discussions will be viewed as cheating and will result in disciplinary action. Unit tests will not be returned to the student for study prior to the final exam. There will be no review of the final exam.
Students wishing to verify a test grade must do so within 3 weeks of the test date. After that time, the test will no longer be available for review and the grade recorded by the instructor will be the official grade.
**Should a student not pass a test, it is strongly recommended that he/she meet with the instructor during office hours as soon as possible to review factors contributing to the test grade and develop an individualized success strategy plan. It is the student’s responsibility to seek this help. Remediation is due within one week of the failed exam. Failure to complete remediation may result in not being able to take the next scheduled exam until remediation is completed and result in an alternate format of makeup exam.
Medication Calculation Competency:
A math competency quiz is required. The first quiz will be given March 5, 2026. The student must pass the quiz with 100% in order to achieve the maximum points (10 points). If the student is unsuccessful in the first attempt, he/she will be required to remediate by completing a math packet provided by the instructors. The student must make an appointment to remediate with Mrs. Edwards or Mrs. Bukowski. The student will then be allowed to retake the 2nd math calc quiz on March 26, 2026. after class time. If 100% is achieved on the second attempt, 5 points will be awarded. If the student does not achieve 100%, he or she will be given 0 points. A student who misses the administration of a math calculation quiz without notifying the instructor prior to the scheduled quiz date and time, will lose one of the 2 attempts offered for the quiz.
It is the student’s responsibility to use the required math calculations book to practice and review. Many sample questions are available in this book and can be used for self-testing and study review. If a student is having difficulty understanding a concept, it is his/her responsibility to contact their instructor for assistance.
The student will be required to use a calculator provided by the KCC nursing department during the quiz. All calculations must be shown in order to have an answer accepted as correct. Failure to show your work will result in failing the quiz. The work must follow KCC’s math rules taught during the first semester of the nursing program.
Nursing Lab Skills Validations
A variety of demonstrations will be required for the semester. YOU MUST PRACTICE! When you demonstrate the procedure, you will be required to show competency.
All IV skills laboratory demonstrations are to be completed by Feb 13, 2026 and all other skills laboratory demonstrations by April 17, 2026. Failure to complete the demonstrations will result in a failing grade for the semester.
Required repeat demonstrations include:
Ø Handwashing
Ø IM injection from a vial Required new demonstrations include:
Ø Nasogastric (NG) tube insertion, irrigation, and removal
Ø Male catheterization and irrigation
Ø Suture and staple removal
Ø Mix and administer insulin
Ø Care for and monitor a peripheral IV site
Ø IV equipment set-up
Ø Discontinue an IV
Ø Administer IV push meds (existing line and saline lock)
Ø Administer intermittent IV meds using a secondary set (IVPB)
Manual blood pressure readings
Students must sign up for demo time in “Google Sheets” (see instruction sheet for details). Students may only reserve 3 time slots in 1 day and may not remove another student’s name. This sign up process will be monitored, and violations may result in disciplinary action. "Remember that completing demos is your responsibility. Failure to complete the assigned demos by the due date can result in failure of the course. If you need to remove your name on the day of your demo, please email that instructor with greater than 2 hours' notice. Any cancellation within the 2-hour time frame will be considered a late cancellation.
Demo time is valuable time. All instructor demo time will be available in the Google Sheets. There will be no additional demo time added. Should a student fail to complete demos by the due date, they may not contact an instructor for additional time. If a student does not show up to their scheduled demo time or does not cancel the scheduled time at least 2 hours ahead of time, it will be considered a no-call, no-show, which will result in a verbal warning at the first occurrence. The second occurrence will result in a write-up on professionalism, which will be placed in the student's file. At the third occurrence, the student will receive an "incomplete" for the final course grade until all demos are completed." "You will instead have to wait outside the demo lab to see if there are demo spots that open up each day".
HESI RN Fundamentals Quizzes and Exams
Completion of assigned HESI RN fundamentals quizzes and exams is a requirement for RNUR 1128.
The following quizzes/exams passed at an 80% are required: · Fundamentals Assignment Quiz (~ 25 questions due by May 5, 2026-. · Fundamentals Assignment Exam (~ 91 questions due by May 7, 2026-). The quizzes and exams can be taken on any computer with internet access, either on campus or at home. The Fundamentals Assignment Quiz and Exam will be available to you after midterm.
All quiz and exam results are due by 12:00 PM on the assigned due date and will be tracked via a HESI report by your instructors. Late submissions will NOT be accepted. In order to be eligible to pass RNUR 1128, you must pass each of the assigned quizzes/exams with at least an 80% on each. If you are not able to do this by the deadline date, you will not pass the course and will not need to take the final exam. (You may opt to take the final exam for the experience but will not receive a grade for it.)
It is strongly suggested that you complete the quizzes and exams in advance of the deadline date so that you will have adequate time to deal with possible computer problems, personal issues, bad weather, etc. We are unable to extend the testing deadline.
You are expected to take each quiz and exam by yourself as this is not a group assignment. Remember, you are preparing to pass NCLEX so it’s important to do your own work. Clinical Requirements
- Attend all scheduled clinical days. Any absence must be made up and is the student's responsibility to schedule with the instructor. (Please refer to clinical guidelines for further clinical expectations).
- If your clinical instructor must call off for clinical, you will be required to complete an alternate assignment. The alternate assignment may be completed from home in an online format. More details will be provided during your clinical orientation.
-Meet all essential clinical functions according to the clinical evaluation rubric for RNUR 1128 students. Details regarding the evaluation criteria and process will be shared during your clinical orientation. Students are expected to meet an overall evaluation score of at least 80% each clinical day. If the evaluation score is < 80%, the clinical instructor will work with the student regarding a remediation plan. Following two less than 80% days, improvement must be shown on the third and following days or it will result in failure for the course. If a student is sent home from clinical for any unmet essential clinical function, it will be considered a failed clinical day and the student will need to arrange for a makeup clinical day with the instructor. At the discretion of the clinical instructor, the student may be removed from an off-site rotation if they are not meeting current or previous essential clinical functions. An off-site experience may or may not be rescheduled.
- Demonstrate skills validation in the acute care (medical/surgical) setting for oral medications, end of shift report, and IV lock flush.
- Complete nursing care plan assignments with related nursing research article summary, clinical off-site summaries, and clinical portfolio activities per your specific clinical schedule and submit as directed by your clinical instructor. All work must be submitted and approved by your clinical instructor, in order to receive a passing grade for the semester.
Clinical Written Work Requirements:
Written work must be typewritten/computer generated. Rules of grammar and spelling are to be followed. Papers such as databases and nursing care plans may be handwritten if neat and legible.
Care Plan Assignments with Related Nursing Research Article Summary
Care plan assignments with a related nursing research article summary are due on the dates assigned by the clinical instructor and will be graded according to the Care Plan Grading Rubric. Points will be assigned based on the initial submission of the data base/care plan/article summary. Care plan assignments submitted late will receive an automatic deduction of 1 point for each day it is late. Refer to your assignment guidelines for the written requirements and grading criteria.
At the instructor’s discretion, the student may be required to revise their care plan assignment or do an additional data base/care plan/article summary to ensure an understanding of the nursing process and application of evidence-based research findings, which are required course outcomes for RNUR 1128.
Clinical Off-Site Summaries
Clinical off-site summaries are due on the dates assigned by the clinical instructor and will be graded according to the grading rubric for off-site clinical experiences. Students must achieve a satisfactory rating in all areas addressed on the grading rubric. Refer to your assignment guidelines for the written requirements and grading criteria.
Clinical Portfolio Assignments
The clinical portfolio booklet contains various activities for you to complete during your clinical days on the nursing unit. These activities are designed to be completed during clinical time with faculty providing feedback and evaluation by the end of the clinical day. These activities are designed to enhance your learning experience while you are immersed within the context of the clinical setting. Clinical Portfolio’s will be collected by the instructor prior to midterm and final evaluation time to help evaluate student progress. You will receive further details regarding these activities during your clinical orientation.
Clinical Weekly Journals
Online weekly clinical journals are required to be completed and submitted to your clinical instructor by midnight on your assigned clinical day. Failure to submit by midnight will result in a zero grade in communication and professionalism which will significantly reduce your weekly clinical grade and could result in a clinical failure for that day.
Complete successfully IV skills laboratory demonstrations by Feb 13, 2026.
Complete all laboratory demonstrations by April 17, 2026. Failure to complete the laboratory demonstrations will result in a failing grade for the semester.
The student’s test average needs to be above 78% to pass the course. This grade will not be rounded up
The overall average must be 80% or higher after the final exam to pass the course. A grade between 79.5 and 79.9 will not be rounded up to achieve a passing grade.
Withdrawal Date:
When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date without receiving a punitive final grade. Students should use Change of Schedule forms which are available in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms to Student Services or through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. To determine the last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” in this course, log into KCC Connect and click on “my registration statement” under Academic Profile.
Health Careers
Dean, Brad Wood; 815-802-8815; M107; bwood@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8800
Continuity of Knowledge and Courses Nursing knowledge is cumulative and builds from one course to the next. Students will be responsible for recalling and applying content taught in previous nursing and pre-requisite courses. This content is testable at any time.
Absence Policy
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class and clinical times, submit written assignments on due dates, and take tests at the scheduled times. It is the student’s responsibility to notify their instructor if and why he/she is unable to attend any class session. Should a student be absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to notify the instructor prior to the scheduled class time and obtain class announcements, notes, and handouts from another student in the class. (See the Attendance section of the Nursing Student Handbook).
Regarding clinical days:
1. All missed clinical days must be made up. Clinical makeups will only be allowed where openings are available. There is no guarantee that openings will be available. Failure to make up a clinical day may result in a failure for the course.
2. Any make-up clinical day must be scheduled within ONE week of the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to schedule the makeup clinical day within ONE week of the absence. Failure to do so may result in the inability to schedule the makeup and/or a lesser score in professionalism on the weekly evaluation.
3. Simulation is considered a clinical day. Call-offs should be made to the clinical instructor.
4. If the student will be absent from the clinical site, the student must appropriately call off to the clinical facility. Failure to do so will result in a “No Call/No Show”. If the student is scheduled for an off-site rotation, the student must call off to the off-site facility and the clinical instructor. Failure to do so will result in a “No Call/No Show”.
5. The second “No Call/No Show” will result in failure of the course.
6. Absences greater than or equal to 20% of your semester clinical time will result in failure for the course. See individual clinical guidelines for specific number of days equaling 20%.
7. Extenuating circumstances will be considered with submission of proper documentation and will be reviewed by the faculty member and the Director of Nursing.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class and clinical times, submit written assignments on due dates, and take tests at the scheduled times. It is the student’s responsibility to notify their instructor if and why he/she is unable to attend any class session. Should a student be absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to notify the instructor prior to the scheduled class time and obtain class announcements, notes, and handouts from another student in the class. (See the Attendance section of the Nursing Student Handbook).
Given in class and posted in CANVAS.
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.