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Course Prefix and

Number
Prerequisites
Course Title
Lecture
Hours

GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY

School of Nursing
Graduate Courses
NRSG 5480
Undergraduate Physical Assessment
Advanced Nursing Assessment

Online % 95
Faculty

Lab
Hours:

Contact
Hours:

Credit Hours:

Face-to Face % 5
Deborah MacMillan PhD, CNM
Associate Professor
Macon Center 506
debby.macmillan@gcsu.edu
Cell: 478 747-0986
Office: 478 752-1074
Fax: 478 752-1077
Sheryl Winn DNP, ANP APRN-BC
Assistant Professor
Macon Center 508
sheryl.winn@gcsu.edu
Office: 478 752-1074
Fax: 478 752-1077

Faculty Office Hours Faculty available 1 hour prior to on-line class every week and by
appointment
Required Text(s)
Carrick, Tim (1994). Color Coding EKGs. Clearwater, FL: H&H
Publishing.
Clearwater, Florida. 33765
Phone (800) 366-4079. Fax (727) 442-2195
Seidel, Henry. Mosbys Guide to Physical Assessment 7th Edition.
ISBN-13: 978-0323055703
Shadow Health Tina Jones Online Assessment Module ISBN #
9780989788809 (This must be purchased through the GC Bookstore)
Recommended
Update04/08/2014

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the

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Text(s)

American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

ISBN: 978-1-4338-0559-2

Catalog Description:

This course includes the processes, techniques, and skills of advanced

assessment. The course builds on basic and experiential knowledge of
assessment. It is intended to provide the basis for individual students in
the development of expertise in assessing health and illness states.
This course focuses on didactic and clinical content that advanced
practice and masters prepared nurses utilize when assessing clients.
The process of systematic assessment, which includes communication
and planning skills are emphasized. Clinical judgment, diagnostic and
monitoring skills, and teaching are integrated as components of
assessment.

Program Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate effective communication through collaboration,

partnerships, presentations, and scholarly writing.
2. Improve healthcare outcomes using scholarly inquiry and analysis
of evidence.
3. Demonstrate advanced practice leadership and management
principles to mitigate risk and enhance healthcare delivery systems.
4. Model use of legal & ethical professional standards for specialized
nursing practice.
5. Partner with the client in the provision of compassionate and
coordinated care, based on respect for the clients preferences,
values, and needs.
6. Use data to monitor and improve the quality and safety of health
promotion & disease prevention outcomes.
7. Advocate for social justice and equity in healthcare by supporting
improvements in regulatory, legislative, and public policy
development.
8. Collaborate within nursing and inter-professional team members to
foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decisionmaking.
9. Demonstrate essential informatics competences to analyze data and
evidence-based care practices.

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10. Demonstrate the competencies associated with a nursing specialty
role.
Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

Program
Course Outcomes
Objectives
2,9,10
Synthesize current research findings to develop a plan
for evidence-based care.
4,10
Develop expertise in performing health assessments of
clients in varying states of health.
4,10
Perform competent advanced health assessments of
clients with actual or potential health problems.
2,4,10 Analyze subjective and objective findings and develop
a comprehensive plan of care.
4,10
Compile a comprehensive written history and physical
report.
1,4,5,10
Collaborate with clients in a caring manner throughout
the assessment process an encourage them to be active
participants in their health care.
1,4,10
Develop a format for presenting an organized summary
of the patient history, physical, diagnostic findings,
differential diagnosis and recommended plan of care in
the clinical setting.

Topic Outline

Unit 1-Foundations of Health Assessment

Unit 2-Regional Examinations
Unit 3-Special Populations
See Course Calendar for details.

Teaching/Learning
Methods

On-line learning environment with recorded lectures; online interactive

Modules, discussion; required and recommended reading assignments;
commuter based examinations; Audio/video/PowerPoint
presentations; critical thinking exercises; standardized patient formative
evaluations; nursing lab and self evaluation.

Evaluation Methods

Evaluation of course objectives will be accomplished through weekly

quizzes; completion of online learning modules, discussion postings,
case narrative development and leadership assignment and a
comprehensive final exam. The student must successfully complete both
didactic and clinical components with an average of B or higher to
progress. Failure in either theory or clinical portions of this course will
result in course failure. The final course letter grade will be calculated
from the numerical grade received. There will be no rounding of grades.
Weekly Quizzes (6 10% Each)
Final Exam
Complete History and physical write up

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60%
30%
10%

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Clinical performance is evaluated using a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
system. The student must earn a satisfactory rating on the clinical
evaluation to pass the course. STUDENTS WHO ARE RATED AS
CLINICALLY UNSATISFACTORY WILL BE ASSIGNED A
COURSE GRADE OF "F.
If the clinical grade is S, the course grade will be calculated from:
Grading Scale

A = 91-100
B = 83-90
C = 75-82
D = 66-74
F = < 65
Prior to mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic
performance in this course.

Course Policies

All policies in the current Georgia College & State University Graduate
Catalog and the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook are applicable.
Rounding Policy: Rounding for this course will occur only with the
final average grade for the course. There will be no rounding of exam
grades or other written assignments during the semester. If the final
course average to the nearest tenth is .5 or more, the final course grade
will be rounded up to the next whole number (i.e. 88.5 would be
rounded to 89)
Attendance & Completion of Work: Attendance at all synchronously
scheduled online class meetings enhances the learning of all class
participants. Completion of weekly modules and discussion are
designed to be completed by the entire class during a specified assigned
period of time. Students are expected to attend all synchronously online
classes and complete all assignments and to notify the faculty member if
unforeseen events occur that prevent attendance. Students are expected
to arrive promptly for online class. Students are expected to complete
an Audio Set Up prior to class and to have a functioning headset with
working microphone. Students are to be present either online or face-toface for all exams/presentations as specified. No makeup exams will be
given. If a student has notified the faculty member of an excused
absence such as hospitalization or death in the family prior to the
regular schedule exam beginning, the student will have the missed exam
percentage added to the final exam percentage.
Cell phones and beepers are to be turned off during class, clinical and
other professional activity.
In addition to these University and School policies, students are

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expected to comply with the following course policies:
All students must regularly check eCats email to receive official
communication from university faculty and staff.
All students must have an activated Bobcat identification card. The
Bobcat card is required to use all library services, including the
computer lab for testing, and to access the classrooms in the Macon
Center.
Clinical Facilities
Unacceptable
clinical behaviors

Breaching confidentiality, privacy and/or security.

Abandoning or knowingly neglecting patients/clients requiring
nursing care.
Failing to report to appropriate person when leaving the clinical
area.
Failing to report critical information to the appropriate person.
Failing to report own errors.
Fabricating information.
Failing to notify appropriate person or agency in advance, if
unable to attend clinical lab activity.
Performing procedures without appropriate preparation,
supervision, or authorization.
Failing to comply with the Policy on Substance Abuse as
described in the Graduate Student Handbook
Failing to treat clients, families, staff, faculty, and other students
with respect and dignity
Failing to provide nursing care because of diagnosis, age,
gender, ethnicity, creed, or sexual orientation.
Using inappropriate or unsafe judgment, technical skill, or
interpersonal behaviors in providing nursing care.
Failing to notify the appropriate party of any unprofessional
conduct with may jeopardize patient/client safety.
Failing to practice nursing in accordance with prevailing nursing
standards due to physical or psychological impairment.
Diverting prescription drugs for own or anothers use.
Misappropriating money or property (stealing) from a
patient/client, other person or facility/agency.

Technology
Requirements

The minimum technology requirements:

http://www.gcsu.edu/technology/campustech/recommendations.htm
Microsoft on-line training resource: http://office.microsoft.com/enus/support/training-FX101782702.aspx?redir=0

Academic Honesty

The integrity of students and their written/oral work is a critical

component of the academic process. All written work submitted in this
course will be individual work unless otherwise instructed. The

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Religious
Observance

submission of anothers work as ones own is plagiarism and will be

dealt with using the procedures outlined on pp. 64-67 in the
Undergraduate Catalog. Remember that allowing another student to
copy ones own work is considered cheating
Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays
and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student
is a member without academic penalty. Exercising of ones rights under
this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code. Students who miss class in
observance of a religious holiday or event are required to make up the
coursework missed as a result from the absence. The nature of the
make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such
assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Failure to follow
the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy.

Fire Drill Procedure

Fire drills will be conducted annually. In the event of a fire alarm,

students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the
nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the building. Do
not use elevators. If you encounter heavy smoke, crawl on the floor so
as to gain fresh air. Assist disabled persons and others if possible
without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count at the
designated assembly area for this building. For more information on
other emergencies, please visit
http://www.gcsu.edu/emergency/actionplanmain.htm

Request for
Disability
Modifications:

If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be
eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and
physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of
Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a
reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing
appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GCSU
programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but
accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For
documentation requirements and for additional information, we
recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell
Student Union at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233. Any student requiring
instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make
an appointment to meet with Dr. Debby Macmillan within in the first
week of classes. An official letter from GCSU documenting the
disability is expected in order to receive accommodations.

Clinical
Requirements

Working with the preceptor and course faculty, the student will develop
a clinical learning contract for precepted experiences. The clinical
component of this course is graded: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.

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