RANGER COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
VOCATIONAL NURSING DEPARTMENT
Course Number and Title: VNSG 1234 Pediatrics
Credit Hours: 2
Lecture Hours/Wk: 2
Lab: 0
Instructor: Connie Burcham, RN
Office Location: Ranger, Comanche, Early
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday
Office Phone: 254-647-5200, 325-356-2170,
0830-1600
325-641-5726
Email Address:cburcham@rangercollege.edu
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the role of the vocational nurse as a provider of patientcentered care, patient safety advocate, member of the health care team, and member of
the profession. Study of childhood diseases and childcare from infancy through
adolescence. Focus on the care of the well and the ill child utilizing the nursing process.
II.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND/PREREQUISITES
Successful completion of previous semester. Mastery level of 4 on Prep-U, eligibility to
sit for boards, and pay application fee to the TX BON to proceed to third semester.
Random drug testing will continue throughout second and third semester.
III.
TEXTBOOK(S)
Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 6th Ed., Thompson, Saunders
Medical Terminology, A Systems Approach, 6th Ed., Gylys-Wedding, Davis
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 21st Ed., F.A. Davis
Current drug handbook
IV.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, discussion, audio-visuals, handouts, computer simulations.
V.
SCANS COMPETENCIES
This course covers Scan Competencies #s C1, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C9, C10, C11, C12,
C13, C15, C17, C20, F1, F2, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F17.
VI.
COURSE OBJECTIVES TO REACH DEC REQUIREMENTS
The student will:
1. Identify safety principles related to childcare.
2. Identify common childhood illness.
3. Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs of and preferences
of culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse pediatric patients and their families based
on interpretation of health-related data.
4. Identify the four steps in a systemic process (i.e., nursing process) which include
assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation as applied to the pediatric
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patient.
5. Identify the characteristics, concepts, and processes related to pediatric patients,
including gross anatomy, basic physiology, psychosocial growth and development,
gross psychopathology, ethical reasoning, and major cultural and spiritual beliefs and
practices related to health, illness, birth, death and dying.
6. Identify the basic characteristics, concepts and processes related to transmission of
common communicable diseases including individual risk factors and preventive
health practices.
7. Have basic knowledge of common medical diagnoses, drug and other therapies and
treatments as apply to pediatric nursing.
8. Identify written, verbal and non-verbal modes of communication for the pediatric
patient including information technologies.
9. Identify fundamental principles of disease prevention, health promotion/restoration for
pediatric patients.
10. Identify basic interventions to support the pediatric patient and family during life
stages including end-of-life care.
11. Have a basic knowledge of the relationships between the nursing plan of care, the
therapeutic regimen, the plan of interdisciplinary health care team members, and cost
factors as it applies to pediatric nursing.
12. Identify common health practices and behavior of pediatric patients related to
development level, gender, cultures, belief systems and the environment.
13. Identify coping mechanisms for managing stress and identifying resources for crisis
management in pediatric nursing.
14. Have a working knowledge of the properties, effects, and basic principles underlying
the use and administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
15. Identify basic nursing procedures and skills to implement plans of care appropriate
for the pediatric patient.
16. Identify methods to promote a safe, effective care environment conductive to the
optimal health and dignity of the pediatric patient and caregivers.
17. Identify developmental stages and common situational variables affecting learning,
such as stress, pain, and fear in the pediatric patient.
18. Have knowledge of common methods for measuring the pediatric patient responses
and health goal attainment.
19. Identify basic principles of organizing resources, problem solving, data collection,
basic time management, and prioritizing to accomplish care of the pediatric patient.
20. Identify cultural differences, belief systems, religious practices that impact the care
and well-being of the pediatric patient.
21. Identify work setting and major community resources to assist in goal attainment of
the pediatric patient.
22. Identify roles of the family and significant others in providing support to the pediatric
patient.
23. Identify the rights of pediatric patients regarding health care, including selfdetermination.
24. Identify the responsibility for reporting to licensing and public protective agencies in
regard to the pediatric patient.
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VII.
COURSE CALENDAR
Weekly lectures. Exams every other week. Final exam May. Dates subject to change.
VIII. COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES
See VN Handbook.
ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning
and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with
the Ranger College Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately
after the semester begins.
IX.
RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
Separate page; signed and returned to instructor.
X.
ASSESSMENT
GRADING
100 – 92 = A
91 – 86 = B
85 – 80 = C
Below 80 = F
All students must achieve an average grade of 80% to remain in the program.
There are 6 major exams, one computer assignment which counts as a major grade and 1
final exam. Each exam will have a minimum of 75% application and analysis questions.
These questions will cover all course objectives listed in this syllabus. Test blue prints
will be made available prior to each exam. Usually multiple choice exams will be given,
but essay, fill-in-the-blank questions, matching, or labeling may also be given. Pop tests
and homework assignments may be given throughout the semester. These pop test and
homework assignments count as daily grades. All daily grades are averaged to equal one
major exam grade. There is no make-up work for missed daily grades. All exams are
worth 100 points and will cover assigned reading, class discussions and handouts.
Anything previously tested over is subject to come up again on any given test. An
alternate test may be given if the test is not taken at the scheduled time. This course will
include a final exam that counts 25% of the final grade. Final exams must be taken at
assigned time with no make-ups.
Academic dishonesty according to the Ranger College Handbook is defined as coping
from another student’s test paper or academic work, or collaboration with another person
in preparing written work for credit. Students who commit any of these violations on first
offense will be given a “0” on the test or assignment. Repeated offenses will go before
the Dean of Students and most likely will lead to dismissal from the nursing program.
XI. NON DISCRIMINATION
Admissions, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are nondiscriminatory in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin.
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XII.
RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
Separate page; signed and returned to instructor
COMPUTER PROJECT AND PRESENTATION FOR PEDIATRICS
You and your team (2-3 students per team) will be responsible for presenting a pediatric disease
or condition to your class that is not more than 15 min in length. Each team member must
participate. Every one on the team will be graded individually, but it can affect each team
member. Your disease must be chosen from the list below, no exceptions. Your subject must be
decided by the end of (day 1 per campus)---it is first come, first serve! You may not choose the
same as another team. Your presentation must include: definition, pathophysiology, problem list
(include physical, psychological, educational, family), goal list, interventions, diagnostic lab tests
with the abnormal values indicative of the disease, nutritional needs, family teaching, and
physical needs of the child. You will present the information to the class as experts on the
condition and nursing care and be prepared to answer questions from the audience. Use the
internet for research and list it as one reference. You are required to have at least 2 other
references---these can be books, articles, magazines or specialists in the field. Assignments will
be due according to the week assigned to that system or condition in lecture. The assignment will
be a computer-generated paper only. No hand written papers will be accepted. You will need a
face sheet with your name and title. Do not place papers in a binder or folder, just staple them
together. Include a list of references in the proper format (use the same format that is used in
your texts. The assignment will not be accepted without this reference sheet.)
Reye’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Juvenile Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Ewing’s Sarcoma, Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome, Rheumatic Fever, Kawasaki Disease, Leukemia, Celiac Disease, Acute
Glomerulonephritis, Wilm’s Tumor, Tay-Sachs, Diabetes Mellitus
The material in the book on the disease process you and your team choose will not be covered by
the instructor, so you need to be sure you cover it well in your project. All of you need to be
familiar with the chosen diseases so you can ask questions of the “professionals” presenting the
material and don’t be easy on them, ask questions that they should be able to answer.
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