Fall 2026
Clinical Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Instructor: Cynthia Ford Arceneaux
Email: arceneauxce@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6361
Office Hours: as posted and by appointment
Additional Contact Information:
| A health-related, work-based experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. |
UPWARD MOBILITY TEXTBOOKS
Dosage Calculation Book
Dosage Calculation Workbook - Includes Online Digital Companion Explanation Videos and Answers - 2025 + 2026 NCLEX ATI HESI Test Preparation [Spiral Bound] Level Up RN [Jan 01, 2022] ISBN: 979-8986725703
Recommended Books:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Concise guide to APA Style (7th ed.). ISBN 9781433832134
Thompson, J. (2022). Essential health assessment (2nd ed). F.A. Davis. ISBN 978-1-7196-4232-3
Required:
1. Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing now Today’s issues, tomorrow’s, trends (9th ed.). ISBN 9781719649773
2. Caputi, L. (2026). Nursing Concepts a practical approach (1st ed.). F.A. Davis. ISBN 9781719645645
3. HESI (2024). HESI comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination (7th Ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323831932
4. Jones, S.A. (2020). ECG Mastery Improving your ECG interpretation skills (2nd.ed.). F.A. Davis ISBN 978-0803676930
5. Morgan, K. (2026). Townsend’s Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (10th ed.). F.A. Davis. ISBN 9781719651608
6. Lewis, S., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M., & Hardin, M. (2023). Medical‐Surgical nursing, assessment and management of clinical problems. (12th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323792332
7. Lewis, S., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M., & Hardin, M. (2023). Clinical Companion to Lewis’s Medical‐Surgical nursing, assessment and management of clinical problems. (12th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323792431
8. Lippincott NCLEX-RN PassPoint Powered by PrepU: Study software for NCLEX-RN®
9. Scannell, M., & Ruggiero, K. (2026). Maternal-Child Nursing Care (4th ed.). F.A. Davis, ISBN 9781719650632
10. Nugent, P., & Vitale, B. (2023). Test Success: Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies (10th ed.). F. A. Davis. ISBN 978-1-7196-4724-3
11. Perry, A.G., Potter, P.A., Ostendorf, W., & Laplante, N. (2025). Clinical nursing skills & techniques (11th ed.). Mosby-Elsevier. ISBN 9780443107184
12. Silvestri, L. A., & Silvestri, A.E. (2023). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination (9th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323795302
13. Zerwekh, J. (2023) Illustrated study guide for the NCLEX-RN (11th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323777797
Online resources:
1. HESI Case Studies: Complete RN Collection. Elsevier.
2. Perfect Package: Vallerand Drug Guide 18e & Van Leeuwen Comp Man Lab & Dx Tests 10e & Taber’s Med Dict 24e (4th ed.). F.A. Davis. ISBN-13: 978-1-7196-4894-3
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Review the course addendum
| Admission to Upward Mobility Nursing Program |
In accordance with the mission of Lamar State College - Port Arthur, this course encourages the student to develop the particular skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for success in the field of Associate Degree Nursing. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
| Upon completion of the Upward Mobility Nursing Program graduates will be able to: PSLO Alpha: Reading Skills – Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading materials. PSLO 1. Integrates professional caring into practice decisions within the scope of practice for a registered nurse. PSLO 2. Demonstrates safe, competent, holistic care for a diverse group of individuals who have complex health care needs. PSLO 3. Accept responsibility and accountability for the effectiveness of one’s own nursing practice and professional growth. PSLO 4. Communicate effectively with clients, peers, and other members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide evidence-based care. |
Clinical and post-conference topics to be determined based upon clinical needs
| Week 1: Orientation; Math/Medication Review; Math Exam; Individual Facility Orientation, Preceptor Forms due; Preceptor Clinical Begins; Intro Teaching Project; Submit Clinical Schedule; DUE: Wednesday, August 26 @ 2359 Week 2: Submit Clinical Schedule; V-SIM Assignment Week 3:No Clinical Hours on Labor Day 9/7/26; Submit Clinical Schedule; Community Service Request due Week 4: Submit Clinical Schedule; Clinical Discussion #1; Community Site Evaluation Planning Due Week 5: Submit Clinical Schedule; Clinical Reflection #1; Community Site Evaluations begin; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 6: Submit Clinical Schedule; Community Site Evaluations continue; Medical-Surgical Case Study due; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due. Week 7: Submit Clinical Schedule; Community Site Evaluations continue; Preceptor Mid-term Evaluation due; Schedule Mid-term Evaluation with Faculty; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 8:Submit Clinical Schedule; Pre Sim assignments due; Clinical Reflection #2; Community Site Evaluations continue; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 9: Submit Clinical Schedule; Community Site Evaluations continue; V-Sim assignment; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 10: Final Week with Preceptor if needed; Final week for teaching projects if needed; Submit Clinical Schedule; Community Site Evaluations continue; Clinical Discussion #2; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 11: Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 12: Community Site Evaluation submission due; Simulation Group; Pre Sim assignments due; Post Sim assignments due Week 13: NCLEX-RN Review Course; Community Service Hours due; Community Experience Summary; Final Preceptor Feedback form; Preceptor End of Clinical Feedback form; Submit Clinical Attendance Record; End of Clinical; Reflection Assignment; Student End of Clinical Feedback Assignment. Week 14: Clinical Skills Check-off Sheet due (* asterisk skills must be completed); V-Sim assignment Week 15: Final Clinical Evaluations Week 16: Grades Due/Finals Week; Alpha Delta Nu Ceremony 12/9/26 & Pinning Ceremony 12/9/26 |
11/30/2026
| 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 75-79 = C 74-60 = D 59 or Below = F |
| The grade for the clinical course consists of two components: (1) Written work, which is given a numerical grade. (2) Clinical performance, which is graded as S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). A student must achieve a minimum average of 75% or greater on written work and an “S” on clinical performance, which is determined by meeting the required clinical hours and achieving satisfactory on the Clinical Evaluation to pass the course. The grade received on the written work will be the grade assigned for the course on the transcript, provided the student has a satisfactory clinical performance. Students with an unsatisfactory grade for clinical performance will receive a grade of “F” for the course, regardless of the numerical grade on the written work. Medical-Surgical Case Study Weighted 25% Clinical Reflections/Discussions/Sim Activities (Average) Weighted 15% Community Site Evaluation Weighted 15% V-Sim Assignment Weighted 20% Community Experience Summary Weighted 10% End of Clinical Reflection Paper Weighted 10% Medication Administration Exam Weighted 5% Total 100% Students must demonstrate accurate calculation of medication dosages each semester. Examples of Medication administration problems will be available in each course. Medication administration questions, which will include dosage calculations, will also be on most didactic course exams. A Math/Medication Competency Review will be provided by faculty prior to the examination. • A grade of 90% or above is required to attend clinical precepting hours. All students, regardless of grade, will complete remediation following the exam per the HESI program. • Any student scoring less than 90% will need to take a 2nd exam that is instructor-generated. • If the student scores less than 90% on the 2nd exam, they will be required to meet with faculty, the retention specialist, or Program Director as deemed necessary for further remediation. Following this additional remediation, the student will be allowed to attend clinical preceptor hours Failure to complete the remediation will result in an unsatisfactory (U), which may result in failure of the course. |
| Simulation Lab: As part of the clinical rotation, all students will participate in Simulation lab experiences. Students will be expected to demonstrate the skills included in the simulation properly. Each simulation experience will consist of a pre- and post-simulation assignment. Students must have completed the pre-simulation assignment prior to arriving for the assigned simulation clinical. If students have not completed the pre-simulation assignment, they will be sent home, an absence will be recorded, and a makeup assignment will be required. All assignments will be graded. The student is responsible for setting up a time to practice and repeat any failed skill(s) that occur during the simulation. Community Service Requirements: Students are required to complete two 3-hour community service experiences within the RNSG 2362 course. Community locations must be pre-approved by the faculty. Each agency must provide different services to the community. The student may not complete community service hours at your place of employment. The student will complete a summary of all clinical experiences after completing the required Community Service hours for each clinical course, RNSG 1260, RNSG 2361, and RNSG 2362. The following behaviors may result in the student being asked to cease the action, lose five (5) points on the next exam, and/or leave the classroom or labs: Inappropriate and/or disruptive use of cell phones or other electronics Talking or sleeping while the instructor is giving instructions or during class discussions/presentations Displaying a rude or negative attitude/behavior to the instructor or other students; disruptive behaviors in the classroom, skills/simulation lab, computer lab, testing environment, or clinical setting Counseling for repetitive tardiness (tardiness is defined as arriving greater than 10 minutes late to class). The following expectations apply to all courses: Promptness is expected. Students should be on time for all classes and return from breaks promptly. Students are expected to come to didactic, lab, and clinical experiences prepared and present as sincere, adult learners. Phone calls and/or text messages will be returned only during scheduled breaks. Cell phones must be on vibrate in the classroom and off and out of reach during testing and test reviews. In the event of an emergency, family can contact students through the AH Secretary, Upward Mobility Program Coordinator, or Department Chair. If students must leave the classroom during content presentations, they must wait until the break to return to the classroom. On-campus computers will only be used for classroom work. All information shared by other students and instructors will remain confidential and should not be shared with others outside of the classroom or lab environment. Students should not engage in “sidebar” discussions during classroom, clinical, and lab. Comments should be directed to the faculty in charge of the classroom, clinical, or lab time. All students are expected to actively participate in all discussions, activities, and exercises. Students are expected to be open to new ideas and experiences and to step outside of their comfort zone. A positive attitude is expected, and comments should give supportive feedback. The classroom, clinical, and lab environment is a judgment-free zone. Students are responsible for their actions and are responsible for learning as much as possible from the experiences provided. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from peers and faculty when needed to be successful. Student support of each other in the learning environment is encouraged and expected. Supportive relationships with each other will allow a more positive learning environment to enable all to work together as a team and develop professionally. Homework assignments completed during classroom sessions will result in a grade of zero. Students are also expected to follow the guidelines and policies in the LSCPA Upward Mobility Nursing Student Handbook. If a student is unable to maintain these expectations or stated program requirements, dismissal from the program may occur. |
Clinical Tardiness: Pre-conference for clinical experience begins promptly at the designated time. It is expected that everyone will be in complete uniform, with all required items, and signed in by this time.
If, for any reason, a student will be late for their clinical experience, the instructor must be notified in advance. As with absences, adjustments will need to be made in client/patient care.
Tardiness may be taken into consideration and reflected in the student’s clinical evaluation.
A 15-minute period is allowed after the designated clinical start time. The start time for preconference clinical is typically 0630, and after 0645, a student is considered absent and will be sent home. Times will vary depending on your assigned clinical location. Any student who is a “no call, no show” for clinical demonstrates a lack of accountability and unprofessional conduct. Therefore, the student may fail clinical that semester and must repeat both the clinical and didactic courses to progress in the program.
A student is a “no-call, no-show” if the student is absent from clinical and fails to contact the instructor in which the clinical is scheduled.
All students are required to check in with faculty prior to going to the assigned area unless scheduled with a preceptor in RNSG 2362. Three (3) tardies = 1 clinical day absence.
Missed Specialty Clinical Experience: Considering the rapid pace that must be maintained in the education program, coupled with the frequent and sometimes daily change in clinical focus, absences can affect the successful completion of the clinical learning objectives. The student must initiate the submission of the clinical makeup form when it becomes necessary to make up a clinical specialty experience with faculty approval.
The clinical makeup form can be found in the LSCPA Upward Mobility Student Handbook (Appendix E).
Community Service Hour Requirements: • Students are required to complete two 3-hour community service experiences within the clinical courses. This is a total of 6 hours every semester. Three (3) hours of community service MUST be completed in Jefferson County.
• The community locations must be preapproved by faculty and must provide different experiences.
• Each agency must provide different services to the community.
• The student may not complete community service hours at their place of employment.
• The student will complete summaries of all clinical experiences after completing the required Community Service hours for each clinical course: RNSG 1260, RNSG 2361, and RNSG 2362.
• Submission of every semester of community service experience will be required in the third semester for RNSG 2362.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.