Credit Hour Policy
Definition of Credit Hour
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing's definition of “credit hour” is based on the Carnegie unit of academic credit and is defined in 34 CFR 600.2 and further modified in 34 CFR 668.8 (k) as “an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
one hour of classroom or direct faculty involvement and a minimum of two hours out of class course work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one academic term or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time: or
at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities established in the institution, including laboratory work, clinical and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hour(s).” In accordance with common practice in higher education, instruction representing a credit hour is typically delivered in a 50-minute class period.
The number of credit hours awarded for courses is based on the expected time required to successfully meet the course objectives. This time is a combination of activities including in-class lecture, laboratory work, outside reading and other academic work.
Courses taught with an online/blended format may not have specific seat time expectations, however, they maintain comparable quality and student learning outcomes.
Some courses include clinical contact hours that represent the number of hours per week the course will meet in clinical experience outside the classroom or other specified work associated with the course/program.
The definition of credit hour is listed in the College Catalog, website, financial aid materials, faculty manuals and student handbook and supplements.
Awarding Credit Hours for Clinical Experiences
Undergraduate Program
One credit hour for clinical practicum is 48 hours of direct care hours.
Direct Care refers to the nursing care provided to individuals or families that is intended to achieve specific health goals or achieve selected health outcomes. Direct care may be provided in a wide range of settings, including acute and critical care, long-term care, home health, community-based settings and educational settings (AACN Essentials, 2011). This can include student teaching to a community group, diabetes screenings or a flu vaccine clinic. A poster presentation based on assessment of community health needs and designed to improve health outcomes does count toward direct care hours. Note: Direct care is not observation. To earn three-hours of clinical credit over one 15-week term the student is required to be at the clinical site: Formula 3 credits x 48 hours = 144 hours for one 15-week term. Preconference, debriefing, and post conference are included in this 144-hour calculation.
The Missouri State Board of Nursing and therefore GSON does not allow ‘orientation to clinical’ to be counted toward the earned clinical hours.
Examples that are NOT direct care include:
- Poster presentation in a library not based on current assessment or any follow-up evaluation.
- Skills lab practicing clinical skills
- Assessment of virtual, simulated, and/or standardized patients
- Windshield survey without follow-up assessment and use of data to improve population health
Use of simulation lab, with high-fidelity manikins, and or standardized patients can be counted toward but not replace the entire clinical direct care experience. Skills lab does not count toward the direct care experience. Following Missouri State Board of Nursing’s directive, no more than 25% of total earned clinical hour credits can be completed using high-fidelity manikins, case-study, role-play or standardized patient type simulation.
Skills lab is psychomotor focused and is used to teach, demonstrate, give return demonstration and hours of practice to learn the skills of the nursing profession. Hours in the skills lab are calculated 1:1. One credit in the skills lab requires 48 hours in the lab to see learn, and practice to build skills and confidence to apply the same skills in a direct care clinical setting. Learners can be videotaped practicing the skill to use for review, practice and improvement. Students are encouraged to attend open lab hours for additional faculty supported practice time.
Use of simulation for clinical hours is based on review of other accredited and leading university BSN nursing education programs. GSON does allow the 2:1 ratio in the actual simulation environment. One hour in the simulation labs can be calculated as two hours of direct care clinical. Simulation activities must follow International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL) Standards of Best Practice:
Simulation. https://www.inacsl.org/inacsl-standards-of-best-practice-simulation/
Simulation designs must be detailed, documented and include learning outcomes and objectives as well as evaluation strategies of each planned scenario/case study. This information must be presented to simulation faculty prior to facilitating the simulation scenario. Pre-briefing and debriefing must be part of the simulation experience.
Course faculty will file with their Program Director: copy of the simulation design completed prior to the class time, analysis of the student evaluations, and comments of strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Missouri State Board of Nursing requires that no more than 20-25% of clinical credit hours may be completed in a simulation lab. We are reminded, nursing is a practice profession and students must have appropriate practice in direct care with patients and families across settings to be safe in practice.
Graduate Programs
The graduate programs of GSON follow the same definition for credit hour for theory/didactic credit as our undergraduate programs. The award of graduate clinical credit hours varies by program and is defined as follows. Refer to program course syllabi and student supplements for additional information on graduate program clinical credit hours.
MSN, Certificate, and DNP Nursing Programs:
One (1) clinical credit hour is equivalent to 60 hours.
Nurse Anesthesia Specific Courses:
One (1) clinical credit hour is equivalent to 1 day per week.
Procedures Relevant to Awarding Credit Hours
All course syllabi at Barnes Jewish College-Goldfarb School of Nursing must identify the total number of credit hours for the course, the number of theory credits (1 credit = 15 hours/term) and the number of clinical credits (as defined by the credit hour policy). Goldfarb offers three terms annually.