Student services/Activities
-Describe the admission process?
-Are the admission policies same or different from other students entering the college?
-What are the progression policies in the nursing program?
-Admission into the nursing program differs from admission into the college.
-Due to the innate rigor of a nursing program and the strict requirements of each clinical site, the nursing program has specific requirements to be eligible to apply versus general admission into EWC, which has an open admission policy, and is open to all students who meet the admission policies. The EWC nursing program admission requirements include:
-Perspective students must submit an Application for Admission to EWC online and ask that official transcripts be sent electronically to: Eastern Wyoming College Attn: Admissions Office 3200 West “C” Street Torrington, WY 82240
● Perspective students must also submit a separate application to the EWC Nursing Program by the published deadline online at http://www.ewc.wy.edu/nursing (January 1 through March 1).
● Perspective students must also complete or be in the process of completing the prerequisites prior to full admission with earning a grade of “C” or better in all courses, and overall 2.5 GPA. Midterm grades will be accessed and used for GPA for those completing the prerequisites and must be completed by the end of May prior to fall admission. Successful completion of the prerequisites will be required at the end of the semester for conditional enrollment.
● Perspective students must have, at minimum, a proficient score on TEAS Test of 58.7%.
● Admission to the EWC Nursing Program is based on combining a student's GPA and TEAS score and any additional bonus points.
● Prior to full admission, students have to agree to and pass a background check and drug screen, provide proof of BLS/CPR training, and provide proof of required immunizations via titers and/or record of immunizations. They must also attend a nursing orientation, agree to simulation activities, travel, participate in lab scenarios, and consent to video recording to optimize instruction and learning.
Progression policy is on page 18 of the nursing student handbook
Tell us some of the concepts you learn?
-Core curricular: Safety, clinical judgement, patient centeredness, leadership, professionalism, health promo
-Others: Perfusion, oxygenation, quality improvement, sensory perception, collaboration, stress and coping, infection, clinical decision making, intracranial regulation, metabolism, acid-base balance, inflammation, digestion, fluid and electrolytes, cellular regulation, periop care, trauma, sexuality, cognition, mood and affect, addiction, tissue integrity, legal issues, management of care, healthcare systems, healthcare policy, advocacy, ethics, communication, culture and diversity, reproduction, development, family, EBP, informatics, accountability
Who are the student support personnel? How do they enhance the program?
-Gwen, Blanca, Jamie
Do you feel you have a variety of clinical experiences?
No correct response- you tell me:)
Do you feel your rights are protected (FERPA)?
You tell me :)
How are you informed of the technical/motor requirements of the program or clinicals?
-What are the IT resources used in the program?
-How are you oriented to these and is there technical support?
-The students at each location are informed about technology requirements via the nursing program handbook, page 26. These are different from the college requirements of non-nursing students due to the possible necessity of using e-texts, paperless clinical documentation, assignments, and the potential interface with an online classroom.
-For this reason, students in the nursing program need to be computer literate and have access to high-speed internet. It is highly recommended that students have access to Smartphones for clinical applications that will be recommended but as this is not a required technology. Students are expected to have access to Canvas (the learning management system) for announcements, topic outlines, discussions, and communication from the faculty.
-The nursing program also utilizes ExamSoft, which the overall college does not use, and so this has additional requirements. There are minimum system requirements, and the link to these requirements are listed in the nursing program handbook on page 27.
-EWC’s nursing program currently utilizes learning and technology resources above and beyond the selected textbooks. The resources chosen include NurseThink/NurseTim Complete package, CJ sims, ExamSoft (must be purchased with NurseThink), KeithRN “Think Like A Nurse: Tools to Prepare for
Practice,” SimpleNursing, UWorld student and faculty resources, Pearson online e-book and resources, and ATI Swiftriver software.
-Nursing students are provided with an orientation to technology at various times during their educational tenure. Nursing students are required to take Freshman Foundations as a prerequisite to the Nursing Program. This provides instruction on the tools used in the Learning Management Systems (LMS), EWC Self-Service, use of online Library Services, and email services.
-Orientation to the NurseThink services is provided to the nursing students early in their first semester virtually by a NurseThink representative, who ZOOMs into the classroom to teach the students how to access their resources and further instructions on use.
--Students on both locations are provided a general new student orientation to inform the students on all of the available student support services.
-Technical support is available for the students who experience difficulties when trying to access online course materials or student accounts. For technical support, students can come to the front information desk and get their questions answered Monday through Friday 8am-5pm. If further assistance is needed students can call Aaron Bahmer in Torrington 8am - 5pm Monday-Friday at 307-532-8284. They can leave a message and a return call will be made. ExamSoft provides customer/technical support 24/7 via email, phone, and live chat.
Is there evidence of collaboration in the curriculum? Like working with other disciplines?
Yes-- in clinicals mainly. Part of the clinical judgment NurseThink sheet and KeithRN clinical sheet
-We have had some guest speakers like the PT for wound care etc.
Are you able to attend faculty meetings?
Yes! We started this last semester. Everyone received an invitation at the beginning of the semester and always is welcome to attend.
Do you have a clinical tool that you use?
Yes-- this is the NurseThink clinical judgment tool or the KeithRN tool --whichever your professor prefers
What student services are available?
-Tutoring- online and student success center. Sergio also helps a lot with test taking anxiety, tips/tricks for studying and test taking etc.
-Counseling, pantry, financial aid, testing, tutoring, student clubs and organizations, registration, library (both in person and online) records, and admissions.
In order for students to access services at all locations where the nursing program is offered, information is provided to all students during New Student Orientation programs and Nursing orientation programs.
What opportunities do nursing students have in shared governance?
Do any of you participate in the decision making process or the "governing" of the nursing program?
Do nursing students have the opportunities to be involved and participate in college-wide activities?
Student senate on both campuses, SNA, SNA president, invitations to faculty meetings, SNA president invitation to the nursing board advisory meetings
-Yes- discuss what you are involved in. Clubs?
-Do you know what the end of program student learning outcomes are? (EPSLOs)
-What concepts are weaved throughout the program?
-Where are your course learning outcomes?
-Page 6 of the nursing handbook:
There are six core curricular concepts from the ReNEW statewide curriculum that form the organizing framework of the EWC Nursing Program.
These six concepts are threaded through each course and include:
1. Safety
2. Clinical Judgment
3. Leadership
4. Patient Centeredness
5. Professionalism
6. Health Promotion.
For EWC nursing students, these six concepts provide the necessary framework to successfully become a Registered Nurse and act as an Associate Degree Benchmark Student Learning Program Outcomes.
Upon completion of the program: END OF PROGRAM, STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES):
Safety: Provide safe nursing care within the healthcare system.
Clinical Judgment: Incorporate prior knowledge, current research, and clinical experience in decision- making.
Leadership:Demonstrate leadership skills as part of an interprofessional team to promote desired outcomes.
Patient Centeredness: Use effective communication and advocacy to provide individualized care.
Professionalism:Practice within the core values, principles, and standards of the nursing profession.
Health Promotion:Utilize the nursing process and a broad knowledge base to maximize health.
-Each nursing course is guided by semester (COURSE) student learning outcomes which are published in each course syllabus. Nursing education outcomes are reached through successful achievement of course student learning outcomes, which increase in complexity as the student progresses from one semester to the next. The student utilizes the nursing process when building on knowledge gained from general education and support courses as nursing concepts are mastered.
Do you know what the nursing board advisory meetings are?
These are meetings required for Perkins fundings, however, more importantly they are meetings the nursing director holds every semester to update communities of interest on EPSLOs, job placement rates, NCLEX pass rates, or any other pertinent program information.
-The communities of interest also then have an opportunity to provide feedback, collaborate with the college, and discuss anything they recommend.
How are you graded in clinicals?
-Clinical eval tool at mid-term and finals
-Clinical assignments - clinical tools, journals etc.
-Preceptorship: Triple C, clinical eval tool, various assignments
Where are your study areas?
Commons areas on both campuses, library
What does the student success center offer?
Where in the curriculum do you have diversity, equity, information literacy (critical thinking)?
Every nursing class :)
What examples can you think of?
How are you communicated with? Generally or for the nursing program, changes about the program or policies?
The 2022-2023 Nursing Student Handbook, page 12, outlines that students will be told of all policy changes in a variety of ways including but not limited to: in class announcements, email, GroupMe, and texts.
-The process for communicating changes in program, policies, and procedures includes the modification being announced to the class verbally by the faculty, email, or GroupMe texting (app that the students have).
-The nursing director and faculty members are available to answer questions regarding changes.
-Students are required to sign and submit a form each semester indicating that he/she has reviewed the Nursing Student Handbook.
Are you offered the opportunity to evaluate courses, teachers, and total programs? Have you noticed any changes because of your input?
-Yes, in the end of semester course evaluations
-Your own answer on the second part :)
Do you have the equipment/resources you need to succeed?
Are the practice learning environments (clinical and sim) appropriate? Do they enhance learning?
You tell me :)
What's the grievance policy?
Page 26 of the student handbook.
-The nursing program’s student grievance policy adheres to the EWC grievance and appeals process, which is outlined in the student handbook.
1. The initial complaint should be first discussed between the persons involved; many problems may be resolved on this one-to-one basis.
2. If the individuals concerned are unable to resolve the problem on a one-to-one basis, the following procedures should be followed:
(a) Students should first define the complaint to the appropriate Department Head or Program Director regarding instructional personnel or matters; or to the appropriate supervisor regarding non-instructional personnel or matters.
(b) If the parties are unable to resolve the problems with assistance from the Department Head Program Director, or appropriate supervisor, they should next direct their complaint to the Dean.
This informal procedure does not rule out discussions among the complainant or any other person who may assist in resolving the situation, including the immediate supervisor in charge of the particular department or activity involved.
-In the event the above procedure does not result in a mutually agreeable solution, the student may file a formal grievance with the Vice President for Student Services, which will then be processed in accordance to the procedures set forth within the College’s Formal Student Grievance Procedure.
-If efforts to resolve a complaint informally fail, the student may obtain a Student Grievance Form from the VPSS or in order to file a written complaint. The completed Student Grievance Form must be submitted to the VPSS within five (5) working days of the alleged unfair action or within five (5) working days of the unsuccessful resolution of the informal complaint process.
Do you feel general education courses have helped you through the nursing program?
-No correct response- but these are a & p, biology, english, math, public speaking, micro, government
For those that receive financial aid, how are you aware of your borrowing responsibilities?
-Eastern Wyoming College complies with Consumer Information requirements as documented on its Consumer Information web page: https://ewc.wy.edu/consumer-information/.
-Students receive the required Annual Notice about financial assistance available and other consumer information via individual email at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Information about financial assistance is also available via EWC's website, catalog, and other printed and emailed forms and brochures.
-Consumer Information details student’s ethical responsibilities regarding financial assistance; students are also made aware of their rights and responsibilities via signing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), completing entrance/exit counseling, signing verification forms, etc.
How many hours are you required to spend in clinical or lab?
-Do you do any sim?
-Clinical and lab hours are combined but as followed:
-120/semester in 1100 and 1200
-150/semester in 2300
-210/semester in 2400
-Sim is just starting to be incorporated
Do you know what the nursing board advisory meetings are?
These are meetings required for Perkins fundings, however, more importantly they are meetings the nursing director holds every semester to update communities of interest on EPSLOs, job placement rates, NCLEX pass rates, or any other pertinent program information.
-The communities of interest also then have an opportunity to provide feedback, collaborate with the college, and discuss anything they recommend.