NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: ESSENTIALS OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

Course prefix, number, and section number: VNSG 1227 0100

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2024

Semester start and end dates: August 26, 2024 – December 14, 2024

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times: Classroom 2416 Tuesday 1:30pm-3:30pm

Semester credit hours: 2

Course description: General principles of medication administration including determination of dosage, preparation, safe administration, and documentation of multiple forms of drugs. Instruction includes various systems of measurement.

Course prerequisites: Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program

Required course materials:

• Internet access
• ATI access: ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) - Web-based learning and assessment program includes standardized exam.
• EHR Tutor
• Evolve resources

Required Textbooks:

Elsevier (2022). Morris. Calculate with Confidence (8th ed.) ISBN# 978-0-323-69695-1

Elsevier (2025). Visovsky, Zambroski, Hosler.  Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology (10th ed.)

Additional Recommended Texts:

• Medical Dictionary of choice
• Lab & Diagnostic Manual of choice
• Drug Guide of choice

Name of instructor: Tiffany McQuien, RN

Office location: 1525 West California St. Office 2411-H Gainesville, Texas 76240

Telephone number: 940-668-7731 ext. 4917

E-mail address: tmcquien@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Monday 9am-12pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by appointment, Friday 9am-12pm

                                                                                           SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

# of Graded Course Elements             Graded Course Elements                                        Percentage Values

Final grade scale:  Grading for the course will follow the nursing policy for grading and evaluation. In order to pass this course, the student must achieve an average of 77 or higher. There will be no rounding up of grades. See handbook addendum for clarification on this policy.

Numerical Grade        Letter Grade

90-100                                 A

80-89                                   B

77-79                                   C

66-76                                   D

65 and below                     F

Late work policy: Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

LATE WORK will NOT be accepted in theory or clinical courses.  A grade of zero (0) will be recorded for work not submitted when due.

If the student notifies the instructor by email two hours prior to the due date and time with proof that there was a technology issue (screenshot of the issue), then the instructor has the right to allow additional time or accept the late work but this is at the discretion of the instructor and not required.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

Nursing students, as well as licensed nurses, inherit the responsibility to adhere to the standards of ethical practice and professional conduct that is expected in the nursing profession.  It is important to learn the LVN’s scope of practice in order to maintain patient safety and to protect their right to practice nursing.  These standards involve (but are not limited to):

• Safeguarding confidential patient/client information (according to HIPPA laws).
• Providing health care to all patients regardless of race, creed, cultural background, gender, disease, or lifestyle.
• Upholding the highest standards in personal appearance, language, dress, and demeanor.
• Staying informed/ updated about issues affecting nursing practice and the delivery of healthcare. This includes political voting and/or involvement as an advocate for positive healthcare changes and quality nursing care.
• Accepting responsibility for safe nursing by keeping oneself mentally and physically fit and educationally prepared to practice.

Unacceptable personal conduct may result from complaints by faculty members or clinical agency members.  These may indicate that the student does not possess those personal qualities and characteristics which the faculty deem necessary for nurses.  Unacceptable personal conduct complaints from a faculty member or clinical agency member will result in a student conference and/or clinical warning or dismissal from the Vocational Nursing Program. 

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB (LOCAL) for consequences for academic dishonesty that may include:

1)         A zero (0) for the assignment.

2)         Failure of the course.

Attendance Policy:

Please see Vocational Nursing Handbook.

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is:  November 4, 2024 

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate accurate dosage calculation
• Demonstrate safe medication administration
• Accurately document medication administration

COLLEGE POLICIES