RN Refresher Course

Course Description
Objectives
Contact Hours
Required Texts
Methods of Instruction
Learning Environment
Computer System Requirements
Outcome Criteria
Course Requirements
Admission Requirements
Application for RN Refresher Course
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Tuition Assistance Agreement (Adobe Acrobat or Word)

They Need You…We Need You
For nurses, the calling never really goes away. Our patients need the care and compassion that only you can give them. So, we invite you to come back to nursing. Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City offers an Internet-based curriculum designed specifically for nurses who have left the nursing field. We’re here to mentor and support you to ensure a successful return. For more information, call our Human Resources Department at (712) 279-5911 or send an e-mail message to rodrigup@mercyhealth.com.

Course Description
The Registered Nurse Refresher Course is designed to prepare the inactive registered nurse to re-enter the practice of nursing through a review and update of nursing knowledge and skills. It is structured to assist the registered nurse in applying the nursing process and other essential skills to the care of patients experiencing common health alterations. The focus is on basic competencies for medical-surgical nursing in the holistic care of the adult patient seen primarily in the acute care environment.

The course is designed to be completed in 6-12 weeks. The registered nurse will complete the 80 hours of on-line course work prior to entering the 100 hours of precepted clinical experience.

Objectives
Upon completion of the Registered Nurse Refresher Course the participant will function as a member of the nursing discipline as he/she:

• Integrates the nursing process as a framework for the management of care of patients and families, to achieve appropriate patient outcomes.
• Utilizes effective communication strategies in managing the care of patients and families.
• Integrates cultural, spiritual, psychosocial, aging and developmental influences when managing patient care.
• Demonstrates the safe use of pharmacological principles and sound nursing judgment in medication administration and care practices.
• Integrates the principles of safety when providing care to patients and families.
• Incorporates the principles of nutrition for maintaining optimal health for patients and families.
• Demonstrates safe, effective nursing practice that is consistent with standards of practice.

Contact Hours
Eighty hours of didactic on the Internet and 100 hours of clinical in an acute care setting within Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City. Continuing Education Credits will be awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Required Texts

• Smeltzer, S. & Bare, B. (eds.) (2000) Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, (9th ed.). Lippincott: Philadelphia. (Includes CD-ROM and web site access)
• Fischbach, F. (1999). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, (6th ed.) Lippincott: Philadelphia.
• Nursing Procedures – The Interactive Guide to Better Clinical Skills, CD-ROM, (2000). Lippincott: Philadelphia.
• 2003 Nursing Drug Handbook (2002). Lippincott: Philadelphia.

Methods of Instruction

1. Assigned readings
2. On-line assignments and discussions
3. On-line study guides/lecture
4. Preceptor clinical hospital experience
5. Web link content review

Learning Environment
The course content will be on-line. You may access the on-line class from your personal computer (PC), at the local library or through Mercy’s computer classroom. After the on-line content is completed, the registered nurse will have precepted practice in the clinical area. Various nursing areas within Mercy will serve as clinical sites to complete the 100 hours of precepted hospital experience.

Computer System Requirements

• IBM compatible personal computer
• Windows®95 or higher
• Pentium 133 or higher (166 MHz recommended)
• 32 MB of RAM or more
• 40 MB of free hard-disk space (225 MB of free hard-disk space required to run videos from the hard drive)
• CD-ROM drive
• SVGA color monitor with display area set to 800x600 and color palate set to 256 colors (High Color – 16 bit – or higher recommended)
• Mouse
• 28.8 MHz modem (56.6 MHz recommended)
• Internet connection and use either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator as your browser. WebCT will work with AOL but you might experience some difficulties.
• You must have an e-mail account
• It is recommended that you have word processing software that is compatible with Microsoft Word 97
• A printer is required

Outcome Criteria (Evaluation)

1. Module application exercises and comprehensive final exam
2. Nursing skill performance check off
3. Clinical evaluation
4. On-line assignments and discussion
5. Resume and cover letter

Course Requirements

To successfully complete the RN Refresher Course, the participant must achieve:

• Theory
  - The didactic portion of the course will be evaluated on module activities and discussions totaling 80 points, a math competency (in which an 80% must be achieved) two module application exercises and one comprehensive final exam. An 80% or greater cumulative grade on module activities and exam must be achieved.
  - Additionally, all module discussion questions and a typed resume and cover letter must be submitted and receive a satisfactory grading.
  - If the student is unsuccessful he/she will not pass the course and may retake the course at the next offering.
• Clinical
  - Complete 100 supervised hours in an acute setting.
  - The clinical experience is graded on pass/fail and is based on student evaluation and recommendation completed by the preceptor.
  - Additionally, a clinical skill checklist competed by the preceptor must accompany the preceptor evaluation of the student.
  - Unit assignment and hours may vary.
  - Hospital dress code will be followed.

Admission/Clinical Requirements

Program membership is limited. Acceptance into the program is determined at the end of an interview and selection process. Each applicant will need to submit the following documentation for review:

1. Completed application
2. Active RN licensure
3. Current American Heart Association – Healthcare Provider CPR certification
4. Current PPD or chest X-ray (within one year)
5. Rubella titer
6. Physical exam or statement of health from a primary provider (within 6 months)
7. Hepatitis B vaccine
8. Record of current immunizations