[CAPS] Senior Practicum Spring 2025
ACADEMIC PROGRAM: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (PL-BSN)
COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: NURS_FPC-430
WSU UCORE: NURS 430 satisfies the CAPS requirement for WSU’s University Common Requirements (UCORE), which is designed to help you acquire broad understanding, develop intellectual and civic competencies, and apply knowledge and skills in real world settings. CAPS courses provide a culminating experience asking students to apply skills, concepts, and methods of inquiry from their general education experience and/or experience in the major to develop a culminating project, and to investigate and explore open-ended issues and problems.
With these broader goals in mind, NURS 430 helps you draw on prior learning to demonstrate a depth of knowledge, an ability to apply concepts, and an ability to integrate methods and concepts.
SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: 4 (0-12)
PRE-REQUISITES: NURS FPC 409 or concurrent enrollment; NURS FPC 424 or concurrent enrollment; NURS FPC 425 or concurrent enrollment; NURS FPC 426 or concurrent enrollment; NURS FPC 427 or concurrent enrollment
COURSE FACULTY:
Name: Leah Berry, ARNP, FNP-C, MN, BSN, CPN
Email: ldootson@wsu.edu
Office Location: WSU Spokane Campus 326C
Office Hours: Every other Wednesday 1000-1200
Office Phone: Cell: 425-941-0921
MEETING DAYS AND TIMES: Meeting days will vary across campuses
MEETING LOCATION: Zoom Meetings
Table of Contents
- Course Descriptions
- Course Student Learning Outcomes aligned to Course Assessments
- Expectations for Student Effort
- Week-to-Week Timeline
- Required Assignments and Assessments
- College of Nursing Policies
- WSU Policies
- UCORE CAPS Alignment
1. Course Descriptions
Catalog Description
Application of practical and professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a healthcare setting as a novice nurse.
Course Description
Application of theoretical and clinical concepts appropriate for clinical site. Concentrated practice in an area of student interest. Application of leadership, management, and clinical practice skills under the guidance of a preceptor.
Required Textbooks, Course Materials, and Fees
Textbooks
There is no required textbook for this course.
Course Materials
ATI Resources available through your ATI account, textbooks from previous courses, and ANA Scope and Standards of Practice.
Course Fees
All campuses: $175.00 +
Recommended Resources and Course Materials
ATI Resources and Library Resources
2. Course Student Learning Outcomes aligned to Course Assessments
By the end of this course, students will have completed the outcomes below:
| COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME | ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION METHOD(S) |
|---|---|
| Individual Practicum (SLO 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9) Capstone Project (SLO 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) Clinical Journals (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Personal Objectives/Learning Outcomes (SLO 4) |
3. Expectations for Student Effort
Students are expected to spend the following on course work (at a minimum):
- Forty-five (45) hours of direct patient care, clinical skills, or simulation for each clinical credit per 15 weeks, i.e., 1 credit = 45 hours; 2 credits = 90 hours, etc.
- Clinical days and hours per week may vary according to campus and facility needs. Students must meet minimum clinical hours associated with the course.
Note: The 120 clinical hours will be during the final 4 weeks of the semester after students have finished and passed all other Senior 2 courses. The 60 preparatory/seminar/simulation/project hours will be throughout the entire semester.
| N430 [CAPS] | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 180 |
| Direct Clinical | 120 |
| SIM | 1 |
Other (includes)
| 59 |
4. Week-to-Week Timeline
This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the professor reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the course needs arise.
| WEEK # | TOPIC(S) | PREPARATION | ASSIGNMENT(S) |
| 1 | 01/06 – 01/10 | Skills Practice in Lab – Must spend 2 hours in lab with practice skills check off prior to first day of starting Clinical Practicum on 11/05. Review skills prior to signing up for lab time. N430 Capstone: Start Evidenced Based Lit Review | Lab times vary on each campus. Must complete 2 hours of lab review prior to clinical practicum start. Put this on your calendar now. Skills practice includes –IV: Primary, Secondary, PushFoley CatheterizationCVAD Blood DrawN-G Insertion |
| 2 | 01/13 – 01/17 | N430 Capstone: Work on Evidence Based Literature Review – Due Friday 1/31/25 Watch for simulation sign up on different campuses. | Each individual student must complete 1 (90 minute Sim + Debrief) simulation for N430 (groups of 3-4) in each simulation slot. |
| 3 | 01/20 – 01/24 | N430 Capstone: Complete and submit EB Literature Review | N430 Capstone: Due 1/24/25 – 1/31/25: Evidence-Based Practice Literature Review due on N430 Project Canvas Site. |
| 4 | 01/27 – 01/31 | N430 Capstone: Work on “Follow Up” assignment – please work on the assignment list from N430 Capstone project site for EITHER The Teaching Plan OR The Simulation(Week 4 Teaching: submit Comprehensive Patient Assessment)(Week 4 Simulation: Submit Learning Objectives using Bloom’s Taxonomy) | N430 Capstone: Submit EBP Lit Review by 1/31/15. |
| 5 | 02/03 – 02/07 | N430 Capstone: See weekly breakdown of due dates on Capstone Canvas site. N430 Capstone Project: Week 5 Simulation: Submit learning objectives. Week 5 Teaching: Submit explanation of Health/Nursing/Educational Theory | N430 Capstone: submit deliverable “Follow up” by between 2/14/25 and 2/17/25 – follow your groups project guide in the Capstone Course for detailed week by week deadlines. |
| 6 | 02/10 – 02/14 | N430 Capstone: Work on Draft Project Submission | Submit “Follow up” if not already completed. |
| 7 | 02/17 – 02/21 | N430 Capstone: Work on Draft Project Submission | |
| 8 | 02/24 – 02/28 | N430 Capstone: Work on Draft Project Submission | Work on Capstone Final Draft. |
| 9 | 03/03 – 03/07 | N430 Capstone: Watch for instructor comments for Final Project | N430 Capstone: 3/3/25: Capstone Project Draft Final Submission due. Turn in on N430 Project Canvas Site. |
| SPRING BREAK WEEK | SPRING BREAK WEEK | SPRING BREAK WEEK | |
| 10 | 03/17 – 03/21 | Make sure you have completed your lab skills or have a date you are signed up to complete the 2 hour mandatory practice in lab. N430 Capstone – complete and submit full Capstone Project to N430 Capstone Project Site. | N430 Capstone: FINAL Project DUE – turn into N430 Capstone Canvas site. Needs title page, table of contents, project components, resources, and appendix in FINAL. FINAL DUE 3/17/25 |
| 11 | 03/24 – 03/28 | Possible facility orientation/glucometer trainings – watch announcements regularly | |
| 12 | 03/31 – 04/04 | Clinical Practicum Starts at 1900 on 04/01/25 Prior to first shift complete your Personal Learning Outcomes and submit on canvas | MANDATORY Practicum Orientation Seminar is Tuesday 04/01/25 1000-1200 Clinical Practicum Starts at 1900 on 04/01 Submit Personal Learning Outcomes on canvas prior to first shift. Possible facility orientation/glucometer trainings depending on your facility – watch announcements |
| 13 | 04/07 – 04/11 | Practicum – work on journal assignments and faculty check-in’s | Complete Journal #1 |
| 14 | 04/14 – 04/18 | Practicum – work on journal assignments and faculty check-in’s | Complete Journal #2 |
| 15 | 04/21 – 04/25 | Practicum – work on journal assignments and faculty check-in’s | Complete Journal #3 Complete Final Strength/Area’s for Growth Statements per your faculty facilitators timeline for your Final Evaluation. |
| 16 | 04/28 – 5/2 | Clinical Practicum Ends on 04/30/25 at 2359 | All students out of all facilities at 2359 on 04/30/25, must have all 120 hours completed by 2359. Final Seminar TC Campus Only: 04/30/35TIME: TBA – mid-day Final Seminar Spokane Campus Only: 5/1/25TIME: TBA |
| 17 | 05/05/25 – 05/07/025 | ATI NCLEX PREP COURSE Provided to you free of cost as it is already included in prior ATI fees. Over 3 days In person only. Will have ATI personnel present on all 3 campuses | Highly Recommended ATI Course– not required as part of this course. TENTATIVE DATES: 5/5-5/7 Approximate time: 0900-1600 Book Provided on First Morning for Course. |
5. Required Assignments and Assessments
| Assignment # | Assignments and Evaluations | Final Grading |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simulation sessions – Different Dates on Different Campuses | Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory |
| 2 | Skills lab practice documentation 2 hours, 4 skills to practice and have sheet signed by lab preceptor for completed skills practice.
| Pass/Fail |
| 3 | UCORE Capstone Project* Completed Simulation or Teaching Plan | Pass/Fail |
| Clinical Experience Assignments | ||
| 4 | Mandatory Course Orientation | Pass/Fail |
| 5 | Personal Objectives/Learning Outcomes due _04/28/25___ (before first shift as determined by faculty facilitator) | Pass/Fail |
| 6 | Practicum Clinical Schedule - Use the template and submit to Canvas and to your faculty facilitator before your first shift | Pass/Fail |
| 7 | Journals ( 3) - Use the template and submit to Canvas weekly based on mutually agreed upon dates with your faculty facilitator | Pass/Fail |
| 8 | Evaluation of Student Progress - Faculty facilitators will have 3 (minimum – required by our WA preceptor law) contacts with RN preceptor and student. Faculty will determine satisfactory completion of practicum, which includes preceptor feedback. | Pass/Fail |
| 9 | Final Evaluation including student Top Strengths and Areas of Growth - Submit to Canvas no later than _04/23/25______ | Pass/Fail |
| 10 | Hours Log – RN preceptor signed off on 120 clinical hours - Submit to Canvas before final seminar. and turn in hard copy to your faculty facilitator at seminar. | Pass/Fail |
| 11 | Mandatory Final Seminar on Tri Cities: 04/30/25 and Spokane: 05/01/25 | Pass/Fail |
| 12 | Virtual ATI NCLEX preparation opens 3/31/25 with weekly assignments through graduation and activities after graduation. | Pass/ Fail |
6. College of Nursing Policies
Attendance
Please see the College of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook for more information about attendance policies.
Absence Makeup
Student will be expected to schedule an additional shift above and beyond their 120 clinical hours during the final 4 weeks of the practicum clinical experience in anticipation of having one illness day or ill preceptor to ensure the ability to complete all 120 hours of clinical during the 4 week experience. Make up may not be possible if 120 hours are unable to be completed during the 4 weeks of the practicum clinical experience.
Late Assignments
Assignments will be submitted to Canvas by the stated deadline. Late assignments will not be accepted or graded and will receive a grade of zero unless there has been approval by the faculty and late assignment is due to an emergency, illness, sponsored events, military service, or other factor deemed appropriate by the faculty.
Assignment Due Date Extension Procedure
- PRIOR TO THE ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE, and using their student WSU email account, the student is to email the course instructor to negotiate a different due date.
- If the student does not negotiate a different due date, depending on the circumstances, the course faculty will impose a penalty such as:
- an assignment score = zero.
- a loss of 5 percentage points (for the assignment) for each day (24 hours) past the deadline.
- other.
- Extreme violations of this policy will result in a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) being filed with the Center for Student Excellence.
ATI Policy
Please see the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook for the ATI policy.
Grading Policies
Graded Assignments and Weights
| WEEK # | DUE DATE | ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATIONS | % OF FINAL GRADE |
| 1-10 | N430 Capstone Project – See separate Canvas Site for weekly assignment deadlines and above | Pass/Fail – you must pass the project to proceed to start the 120 Clinical Practicum Hours in November. | |
| 1-10 | Simulation – every student must participate in one 90 minute simulation session for N430. Pyxis Training Assignment – weeks 4-6 on Spokane Campus. 2 Hours of Mandatory Lab Practice Time (Attend open lab hours on your individual campus) | Must attend | |
| 11-16 | 120 clinical practicum hours Virtual ATI Course starts 3/31/25 – through end of school. Weekly assignments to complete in ATI. Hours Log Personal Objectives and Learning Goals. Posted Preceptor/Student Schedule Journals x 3 Minimum 3 “check in’s” with faculty facilitator Areas of Strength/Areas for Growth for Final Eval. | Pass/Fail |
Extra Credit Policy
Extra credit will not be offered.
Grading Scale
This N430 course is Pass/Fail
- A 95 – 100
- A- 90 – 94
- B+ 86 – 89
- B 83 – 85
- B- 80 – 82
- C+ 76 – 79
- C 73 – 75*
- C- 70 – 72
- D+ 66 – 69
- D 60 – 65
- F 0 – 59
*Minimum passing final grade for a required nursing course is C (73%). If you receive a course grade of C- (≤72%) or lower, you will need to repeat the course.
Grade Rounding Policy
A grade is rounded up if the percentage grade is >0.5 (e.g., 93.55 is rounded to a 94) or is rounded down if the percentage grade is <0.5 (e.g., 93.43 is rounded to a 93).
Alternative Grades
Incomplete, X, or Z may be awarded based on WSU Policy at the Registrar’s Office.
Skills Competency Testing Policy
Please see the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook for the skills competency testing policy.
Faculty Communication Policy
You will receive communication through Canvas Announcements and Email. As we progress through the semester, please check email daily in October/November/December for practicum updates, orientation, preceptor information. You will be assigned a faculty facilitator for the course as well as receive communication through Lead Faculty and N409 Faculty.
Student Communication Policy
It is WSU policy to use WSU email accounts for official communications. WSU email accounts are used for all University and College of Nursing communication.
Please see the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook for the student communication policy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
It is the responsibility of every College of Nursing student to use technology appropriately and mindfully. In this course, your instructor will communicate when or if it is appropriate to use artificial intelligence (including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, etc.) in your coursework. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) may only be used if it is appropriately acknowledged and cited. Any unauthorized and/or unacknowledged use of AI may be considered academic misconduct.
Please contact your instructor directly if you have any questions about this policy.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. See details about FERPA rights.
Statement of Community Engagement
The Washington State University College of Nursing promotes an environment that embraces and honors all persons. More information, including how to apply to become a College of Nursing Community Engagement Advocate.
7. WSU Policies
Students are responsible for reading and understanding all university-wide policies and resources pertaining to all courses (for instance: accommodations, care resources, policies on discrimination or harassment), which can be found in the university syllabus.
Student Handbook
Students are required to read, understand, and comply with the policies and procedures described in:
Notice of Nondiscrimination
WSU does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran/military status, or immigration or citizenship status in any education program or activity that it operates complaint with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. Inquiries regarding Title IX, ADA, or other civil rights laws, as well as reports of discrimination can be directed to the Compliance and Civil Rights, WSU ADA Coordinator, or WSU Title IX Coordinator. More information on WSU’s policies and procedures to respond to discrimination and harassment are available here: Nondiscrimination Statement.
Academic Integrity Statement
All members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Students are responsible for understanding the full Academic Integrity Statement found here. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy (identified in WAC 504-26-010(3) and -404) will fail the course or assignment as decided by course faculty, will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask course instructors.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
8. UCORE CAPS Alignment
| COURSE SLO # | COURSE SLOs | ASSESSMENTS | UCORE CAPS SLOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate use of critical thinking and effective skills needed to practice independently and with other health professionals within the context of caring for individuals and families. |
| Conceptualize a substantial, culminating project that requires the application of key concepts, methods, and skills to address authentic situations, in line with expectations at the graduating undergraduate level. |
| 2 | Design a capstone project, drawing from authentic clinical experience, prior program content, and evidence-based sources, to meet specific learning outcomes/goals. |
| Conceptualize a substantial, culminating project that requires the application of key concepts, methods, and skills to address authentic situations, in line with expectations at the graduating undergraduate level. |
| 3 | Integrate prior program content to further professional role development and knowledge. |
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| 4 | Apply selected concepts, theories, and principles related to person-centered care, quality, safety, professionalism, and health outcomes to the capstone project and in the process of care. |
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| 5 | Formulate safe and effective clinical judgements guided by the nursing process, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice. |
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| 6 | Locate, synthesize, and cite evidence-based sources to inform practice and make clinical judgments. |
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| 7 | Utilize data to monitor and improve the quality and safety of patient care. |
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| 8 | Develop and summarize targeted learning outcomes, background information, rationale, and expected results of an educational plan or simulation design. |
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| 9 | Practice person-centered care that respects cultural values and beliefs to promote health, self-determination, integrity, and holistic well-being in people across the lifespan. |
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