Independent Study Refresher Course for Licensed Practical Nurses

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Joella Daniel
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1 Independent Study Refresher Course for Licensed Practical Nurses Program Overview Introduction Welcome to the independent study refresher course! We hope that it will assist you in meeting your personal and professional goals. At a time when the Nation is experiencing a nursing shortage, the inactive nurse is a resource that may offer an answer to this shortage and provide you with the personal and professional growth you are seeking. Purpose This self-study refresher course was developed to help inactive licensed practical nurses (LPN/LVN) review and update their nursing knowledge and skills, thus allowing them to move with confidence into a nurse orientation program and return to practice. This course is offered over the Internet and may be completed in one's home community at a pace and time which best meets individual needs. Objectives The overall objectives of the course are to provide an opportunity for LPN/LVNs to: Gain an understanding of current philosophy, social, and economic trends, and objectives in nursing today. Review previously acquired nursing skills. Understand the functions of the LPN/LVN in assessing patient needs and in planning individualized care. Review and increase knowledge of selected medical and surgical conditions, therapies and procedures, current diagnostic and treatment measures, and patient care needs. Course Content This is a flexible, self-paced course of study, consisting of a minimum of 160 hours (80 hours of theory and 80 hours of supervised clinical experience). Time to complete the course is flexible, based upon individual needs and circumstances, but the entire course must be completed within a 12-month period of time.

2 You may begin work on the modules in the theory portion while you are making the necessary arrangements for your clinical experience. If you are completing hand-written exams, you will need to provide the name and address of your proctor at the time you begin study in order to get the exams mailed on time. All of the modules must be successfully completed before you begin the clinical portion of the course. Instructional Content Theory The theory component of the course is based on a textbook to help direct and reinforce learning. The theory portion is in eight components (see Appendix A). Theory Evaluation and Exam Procedure There are eight examinations, one for each major theory component (module). Students completing the online version of the program have timed examinations which are automatically submitted and graded with immediate feedback, including your score. A proctor is not necessary for online exams. If a score of less than 72 percent is attained on Form A of the examination, the participant will be requested to study the module again and complete Form B of the examination. A total of two attempts may be made to obtain a passing score before being dropped from the program. Clinical Component and Evaluation The clinical experience consists of a minimum of 80 hours of supervised experience in a health care facility, i.e., hospital, nursing home, or combination of health care facilities. Arranging for the clinical experience is the responsibility of each participant. Please be advised that some facilities may charge a fee for providing the clinical experience. Also, each state determines the number of clinical hours necessary for reactivation of your license and where those hours must be completed. You must submit your Clinical Plan prior to beginning your clinical experience and allow two weeks for processing the paperwork. All necessary components for clinical (two background checks, negative 5-panel drug screening, immunizations, CPR, and proof of malpractice insurance) MUST be submitted BEFORE you will be allowed to begin the clinical component of this course. These are additional costs.

3 The clinical experience will be evaluated by the clinical supervisor according to criteria included in the course materials. Upon completion of the clinical experience, the completed evaluation tool is to be returned to the course provider. The refresher course participant will also be required to submit a one-page summary of the clinical experience. Certificate of Completion of the Program A certificate of completion will be awarded to participants upon successful completion of both the theory and clinical components of the course. Licensure A limited license must be obtained from the State Board of Nursing (where required) during the clinical component of the refresher course and allows nursing practice only under the direct personal supervision of a licensed registered nurse identified as your clinical supervisor and may not be used for gainful employment. The limited license is only valid for a specific period of time. Therefore, plan carefully regarding completion of clinical hours. For example, the limited license in South Dakota is only valid for 90 days. Date of Program The program is ongoing. Individuals may enroll at any time. Course Approval This course has been approved by a number of State Boards of Nursing to meet refresher course requirements for re-licensure as a licensed practical nurse. It is the responsibility of each participant to ascertain whether this program is certified in his or her state and the exact requirements of the state. Theory hours and clinical hours may vary for each state. Cost and Completion Timeframe The cost of the independent study refresher course for LPN/LVNs is $ This fee includes: Supervision and coordination of the course Correction of exams Certificate of completion Record keeping

4 Consultation with course participants Postage and handling If you would like to have a printable CD ROM, there will be an additional charge of $ The accepted credit cards are MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Please Note You will need to purchase the textbook "Textbook of Basic Nursing" (9th edition) by Caroline Bunker Rosdahl by contacting the University Bookstore (www.sdstatebookstore.com). This is an additional cost. You can also purchase the textbook at a bookstore in your area. Once enrolled in the LPN/LVN Independent Study Course, you have one year to complete the course. If you do not complete within the one-year deadline, you may re-enroll in the course for an additional $ This renewal fee is only good for a three-month extension. Re-enrollment after this time period will require an entire fee payment again. Withdrawal Procedures If you receive your materials and decide not to participate in the course, you have 30 days from the date of enrollment to return your course materials to receive a refund of 85% of the fees of the course. After 30 days, you will not receive any refund. Faculty This course was originally developed by SDSU faculty along with Dorothy Schooley, RN, and Gloria Damgaard, MS, RN. Roxanne Boysen, MS, RN; Lois Tschetter, PhD, RN; and Venita Winterboer, MS, RN, were first responsible for revisions in the study guide and examinations. Kari Lane, MS, RN, is to be credited with the addition of a module on assessment and a correlating post-test. Historically, Alice Gehrke, MS, was responsible for overall development, coordination, and management of the course. Dr. Gloria P. Craig is to be credited with the development of this online approach to a refresher course. The most recent revision of the course was completed in 2010 by Marlys Bohn, PhD, RN. Course Completion In order to complete this refresher course, participants must successfully pass both the theory and clinical components. Upon successful completion of the refresher course, participants will be sent a

5 certificate. A photocopy of the certificate will be sent to your Board of Nursing to document successful completion of the course. Any participant who does not successfully complete the theory component will not be permitted to begin the clinical component of the refresher course. If a participant is unable to successfully complete the clinical portion, this will result in failure of the refresher course. How to Enroll If you wish to enroll in this course, please complete and print the application form. You may fax your application with credit card information to (605) or send check or money order to the following address: South Dakota State University, College of Nursing Office of Continuing Nursing Education Box 2275, Wagner Hall 135 Brookings, SD Please contact the program assistant with any questions at (888) , option #5.

6 Appendix A Module 1 Unit A Nursing Roles and Responsibilities Unit B Legal and Ethical Issues Unit C Basic Human Needs and Health of all People Unit D Transcultural Nursing Module 2 Unit A Microbes, People, and Disease Transmission Unit B Medical Asepsis Unit C Infection Control Module 3 Unit A Body Mechanic Principles Unit B Nursing Process Unit C Charting and Reporting Module 4 Unit A Nutrition Unit B Vital Signs Unit C Elimination and Specimen Collection Unit D Comfort Unit E Applying Heat and Cold Module 5 Unit A Postoperative Care Unit B Skin Care Unit C Oxygenation Therapy Module 6 Unit A Lifespan Unit B Dying Unit C Geriatric Module 7 Unit A Pharmacology Unit B Classifications of Medications Module 8 Unit A Assessment Skills Unit B General Physical Survey Unit C Head-to-Toe Assessment

Independent Study Refresher Course for Licensed Practical Nurses

Independent Study Refresher Course for Licensed Practical Nurses Program Overview Introduction The goal of the LPN Refresher Course is to assist inactive licensed practical nurses to return to the nursing