Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Level One Clinical (Face-to-Face)

NURS 3187-01

Course: NURS 3187-01
Credits: 4
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 20725

Course Description


This course provides a variety of supervised clinical experiences in the nursing skills lab, hospital, and community clinic sites. Students will learn to provide basic adult nursing care in a variety of settings. Must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. Credit hours four (12 hours per week), minimum of 180 clinical hours. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Nursing Program.  (Summer). 

Required Texts

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). The Essentials: core competencies for professional
nursing education. Washington DC: AACN available through   https://www.aacnnursing.org/AACN-
Essentials

Learning Outcomes

Face to Face (Pre-Licensure or HP)             

Outcome Alignment: A list of learning outcomes for this course is found below. You will demonstrate your understanding of the outcomes throughout your coursework as listed under the assessment criteria.
NURS 3187
Course Outcomes
Teaching Method/ Assessment CriteriaPre-Licensure Student Learning Outcomes

SUU Essential

Learning Outcomes

AACN Essentials
Source: SUU Nursing Prelicensure Student Handbook:Source: SUU websiteSource: AACN website

Provide safe and quality patient centered care for all patients.Clincials, simulation, lab experiences1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 5.1a, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.2f, 6, 9.1, 9.2
Establish therapeutic nurse patient relationships appropriate for the age and development of each family member. Clincials, simulation, lab experiences1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 5.1a, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.2f, 6, 9.1, 9.2,
Learning to apply course material (to improve critical thinking, problem solving, and decisions).Clinicals, process papers and case studies1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.1b, 1.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1
Developing specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely related to this course.Clinicals, process papers and case studies1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.1b, 1.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1
Acquiring an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers.Clinicals, case studies, and papers1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1
Use frameworks for care planning and problem solving that are appropriate for family nursing in acute and community settings. Clinicals, case studies, and papers1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1
Implement care planning using the best available evidence and professional nursing standards.Clinicals, process papers and case studies1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.1b, 1.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1
Incorporate professional nursing values and roles while moving along continuum of nursing practice from novice to expert. Clinical, midterm and final evaluation1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 5.1a, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.2f, 6, 9.1
Utilize informatics and current technologies in the planning and care of patients. Case study, and papers1-81, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 141.3, 2, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1

Course Requirements

Grades will be determined in the undergraduate programs using the following grading scale. To progress in the undergraduate program, students must pass each course with a C (74%) minimum.

GradeRange
A100 % to 94.0%
A-93.0 % to 90.0%
B+89.0 % to 87.0%
B86.0 % to 84.0%
B-83.0 % to 80.0%
C+79.0 % to 77.0%
C76.0 % to 74.0%
F< 73.9 %

Clinical hours:  Total 180 hours includes: Clinical Experiences, Lab experiences, competence assessment and pass/fail elements that must be passed.

Uniform and Appearance:

  • SUU uniform scrubs are MANDATORY on clinic days, lab days, simulations, and validation days. Shoes should be no more than 2 colors and should be in the realm of black, white, or gray. Subtle accent colors are allowed.
  • Lab policy indicates open-toe shoes are not acceptable, and clothing too loose or with dangling decorations may present a safety risk. If shoes are inappropriate, a student will be asked to go home and put on the proper shoes. Hair should be contained. If the student is asked more than once in a day to control their hair, the student will receive a point. Students may wear comfortable clothing in the lab, but must be modest and appropriate. The less skin showing the better for the comfort of the mannequins and the students. If students do not adhere to these rules, they risk obtaining a clinical point and being asked to leave the lab.
  • Students should cleanse their hands prior to any practice sessions and periodically throughout lab. This routine will develop a habit of hand cleansing, help maintain mannequins and equipment in a cleaner state, and reduce cross-contamination in the lab.  
  • In addition to Policy 5.6.1-Uniform and Appearance, the following guidelines will be strictly adhered to in this class:
  • Hands must be clean with short nails (so they are not seen above the nail when looking at the palms of the hands).  No polish of any kind may be worn.
  • Hair must be pulled back or contained in some manner.
Clinical Assignments:  20%

The paperwork requirement for N3187 clinical experiences are as follows:  1 care plans and 4 worksheets.  These forms are located on Canvas.  Clinical paperwork is due to the faculty by 2359 on Monday; canvas submission, following your clinical experience.

Clinical Experience  35%

The clinical experiences will be at St. George Regional Hospital, Cedar City Hospital, volunteer sites, and various other sites. (Check the schedule for site information.)  The student is expected to show up for clinicals on time, be professional, have a good attitude, and attend all clinicals (refer to rubric in Canvas for specifics).  You will need to complete 10 volunteer medical hours. These will be hours you find based on the need in the community. You will complete the 3187 volunteer form for each volunteer experience and submit it into the assignment listed in canvas.  Medical Volunteer: assisting at-risk populations, assisting with therapeutic communication, participating in sporting events where you are the medical support staff, and utilizing medical/nursing/medic training whether that be education or hands-on skills. No jewelry should be worn, no cell phones or texting should occur in patient care areas.  All Intermountain policies and SUUDON policies concerning jewelry, piercings, and tattoos are strictly followed. Clinical name badge must be worn at all times while attending clinical, but not during volunteer hours.  All clinical badges must be turned after your last clinical experience. You will not receive a grade until your badge is turned in.  At no time are students to complete a clinical experience without the knowledge and supervision of clinical faculty.  If you don’t complete all your clinical hours you will fail the course

STUDENTS MAY NOT:

  • Students may not leave the facility without permission from their SUU clinical instructor.
  • Students may not take verbal or telephone orders.
  • Leave clinical before the scheduled completion time without the permission of the clinical instructor.
  • Students MAY NOT intubate patients or perform surgery.  Occasionally you might be put in a situation where a physician, nurse, or other caregiver asks you to perform a skill that you have not learned or practiced, or is outside the nursing scope of practice. While such things may be interesting or exciting, you need to be aware of your position as a student nurse. It is appropriate to say that you are unable to do that at your level of training or defer until you check with your clinical instructor.
  • Interview for jobs during clinical times.
  • Use hospital computers for personal business.
  • Initiate or receive personal phone calls during clinical experience unless it is an emergency.  Personal calls may be conducted during meal or break times. Cell phones must be on silent or turned off while in clinical unless cleared with a clinical instructor. 
  • Bring electronic devices to the clinical area (laptop computers). 
  • Administer medications to patients without the RN present.
  • Do any invasive procedure without the RN present.

Clinical Evaluation

The student will have clinical evaluations performed mid-semester and at the end of the semester.  The student will have the opportunity to review the instructor’s comments and suggestions. The student’s progress will be discussed and the student will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns with the instructor.  Clinical faculty will schedule the necessary evaluation times.  

Lab Experiences 20%

In the first few weeks, we will review skills, practice skills, and do individual pass-offs. Along with numerous other videos and 4 lab experiences. 

Competence Assessment (CA) 25%
  • Arrive 10 minutes early, wear uniforms, SUU badge and turn in IH badge and orientation forms.
  • Review the scenario in Canvas and look at the rubric.
  • Students are expected to “talk to” mannequin/model/live person, utilizing communication techniques, questions and teaching appropriate to the scenario and procedure.
  • Students are expected to THINK OUT LOUD while performing the CA. Thinking out loud helps to clarify your actions to the validator. For example, when donning PPE, state why you are doing so.
  • Students are expected to “take action”. This means that they will show the steps in performing skills. The student should avoid statements like “I would normally put gloves on”. The student needs to don the gloves. 
  • A short debriefing will occur immediately following the CA, the student’s performance will be critiqued, and the student’s grade will be revealed..
  • There will be “critical elements” in each CA and if those elements are not met, the CA will be over, and the student will be expected to remediate.  It will be up to each validator as to whether he/she feels that the student has successfully demonstrated the skills.
  • CA are timed.  A five-minute warning may be given to students to make them aware of their time.  Once the allotted time is up the CA is over.  Students are expected to perform the CA within the stipulated time or they will lose points for all skills not yet performed.
  • Students will be expected to document after the CA.  This documentation, together with the CA rubric will be combined for the total score.  
  • CA times will be scheduled so that all students don’t have to wait all day. You will be expected to be fluid on these days and come 15 minutes before your scheduled time and be ready to do your validation exam.  Not being prepared or not arriving on time may result in a deduction of points. CA may run late, and you may be forced to wait past your time, so plan accordingly.
  • A scenario will be given to the students approximately 2 weeks before the scheduled CA date, so they may have adequate time to practice the skills on the practice scenario.  All skills/drugs will be listed in the practice scenario and the students will be expected to be familiar with them.  Critical thinking questions about the skills/meds will be asked during each CA.
  • These competence assessments (CA) are performance examinations in testing situations. Talking with other students once CA testing begins is considered cheating. You may not discuss the concepts with other students.
Pass/Fail
  • These are elements that have to be passed to continue in the program. These elements pull from your prior education and show that you have a good foundational base.
  • The ATI Fundamentals test will be given twice this semester, in order to progress in the program you will have to pass this test with a level 1 or higher. You have the chance to take it twice if you pass the first time you will not be required to take it again. 
  • You will take the 2023 A practice test in the second week of school; you only get one try and 65 minutes total. This is to get you into ATI and to see where you need to do some studying before the ATI test in June. 
  • You must submit a ticket (2023 B practice test) for each test with a 90% score. The test can only be taken every 24 hours; you will receive a 0 on the Proctored exam if your ticket is not submitted before the test.
  • Skills pass off are pass/fail if you do not pass off all the skills you will not pass this course. These must be done before you can start hospital clinicals. If you do not start clinicals on time you will have a hard time completing the required 180 hours if these are not completed you do not pass this course.

Course Outline

May 17, 2026 | Assignment PAPR preparation training and PPE | due by 11:59pm
Mon May 18, 2026 | Quiz Commenced Attendance Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz FERPA Consent Waiver | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Pass Offs check 1 | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Professional Expectations Video | due by 11:59pm
Mon May 25, 2026 | Assignment ATI preparation | due by 11:59pm
Sun May 31, 2026 | Assignment Pass Off Final Check | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jun 8, 2026 | Quiz Simulation #1 Preparation Assignment | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jun 9, 2026 | Assignment Cardiac Simulation | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jun 22, 2026 | Assignment ATI ticket # 1 | due by 11:59pm
Assignment VR #1 | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jun 23, 2026 | Assignment ATI Fundamentals Test #1 | due by 9am
Sun Jun 28, 2026 | Assignment Lab Worksheet | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jun 29, 2026 | Assignment Nursing Diagnosis Worksheet | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jul 7, 2026 | Assignment MidTerm Eval | due by 11:59am
Mon Jul 13, 2026 | Assignment VR # 2 | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jul 14, 2026 | Assignment 7/14 simulation | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jul 20, 2026 | Assignment Case Study (Even years) | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Case Study and Simulation (odd years) | due by 11:59pm
Mon Jul 27, 2026 | Assignment Chronic Disease Worksheet | due by 11:59pm
Tue Jul 28, 2026 | Assignment Sim #3 7/28 | due by 12pm
Mon Aug 3, 2026 | Assignment Volunteer Medical Hours | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Vulnerable Populations | due by 11:59pm
Assignment ATI ticket # 2 | due by 11:59pm
Tue Aug 4, 2026 | Assignment Final Competence Assessment | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Final Competence Assessment Charting | due by 11:59pm
Mon Aug 10, 2026 | Assignment Clinical Care Plan | due by 11:59pm
Tue Aug 11, 2026 | Assignment Clinical Experiences | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Clinical Orientation forms and Badge | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Final Eval | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Roll Call Attendance

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Late Assignments
Paper/assignments are due at the time designated by faculty.  Clinical paperwork for all clinical experience is due Monday at 2359, following your clinical day.  Late work will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

All lab experiences/assignments and clinicals experiences count for clinical hours; if they are not done, you will fail the course.  Each unexcused clinical will drop clinical grade by one whole grade (A to B to C) and receive at least one clinical point. Two (2) unexcused clinical days may result in failing NURS 3187.
At no time are students to complete a clinical experience without the knowledge and supervision of clinical faculty.

Additional Course Policies and Resources

Supplemental Resources

Click on Nursing student handbooks--Student Handbook Face to Face

Statement of Safety or Risk Assumption

Students are expected to manage their own transportation and assume their own risks when traveling to and from classes, labs, or clinical experiences and when performing duties in class, lab, or clinical experiences. There are inherent risks involved in travel and in lab and clinical experiences. The most obvious risks are accidents, contracting infections or other communicable diseases, or workplace violence. Please take common precautions to prevent accidents, infections and violence.

AI Policy

When students use generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process for this course, students should only use these technologies to improve readability and language, or to generate a basic skeleton of ideas for assignment content. Applying these technologies should be done with careful oversight, and students should carefully review and edit the result, as AI can generate good-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased. SUU Policy#6.33 on academic integrity should be followed when using AI. If you are unsure to what extent to use AI as part of an assignment, please reach out to me before the assignment is due. If a student uses AI-assisted technologies, the student should disclose in their assignment the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the assignment by following the instructions below. This declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references etc. If there is nothing to disclose, there is no need to add a statement. Any assignment which has been determined by the professor (using the tools provided by SUU to monitor academic integrity) to have been created using these technologies which were not disclosed by the student is subject to failure.

Disclosure Instructions:
Students must disclose the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process by adding this statement at the end of their assignment:

Statement: During the preparation of this work [THE STUDENT(S)] used [NAME TOOL /SERVICE] in order to [REASON].

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and the Student Code of Conduct. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.  

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.