January, 2008

Nursing Health Alterations

Welcome to Nursing Health Alterations, the hybrid course ! This letter confirms your registration for the Spring 2008 semester. Hopefully this letter will answer some of the questions you have. If there is anything else you need to know, please e-mail me at bdamos@nicoletcollege.edu

What materials will I need?

The texts used for this course include:

• Ignatavicius & Workman. Medical-Surgical Nursing, [textbook and virtual clinical excursions (bundled)], 5th edition, Publisher: Saunders. Optional: study guide and clinical companion.
• Wong, Perry, & Hockenberry. Maternal Child Nursing Care , 3rd edition, Publisher: Mosby.
• From the first semester courses:
• Fundamentals of Nursing textbook
• Pharmacology textbook
• Nursing Diagnosis Reference Manual
• Drug Reference Book
• Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference
• ANA Scope & Standards of Practice Manual

Students should also have access to a reference for writing such as Rules for Writers, 6 th ed, by Diana Hacker.

These are available at the Nicolet Bookstore in the Learning Resource Center or online at http://www.nicoletbookstore.com/ .

How do I access my online course?

Nursing Health Alterations is being delivered using the Blackboard online platform. Hybrid courses are a blend of face-to-face (classroom) and online learning. You will be able to login to the course beginning on January 22, 2008 to allow you time to become comfortable with the course design.

To Login:

• Go to http://www.natcbb.nicoletcollege.edu.
• After you access the Blackboard sign-on screen, click on the Login link.
• Enter your Username (your 9 digit Student ID Number which is located on your admissions slip or your Student ID Card) and your password (Also your Student ID Number) and select "Login".
• Please change your password after you have logged in by navigating to "Tools", "Personal Information", and "Change Password" on the left side of your screen. Make sure to remember your changed password.
• You will see the course(s) you are enrolled in on the right side of your screen.
• Select the course link of the course you would like to enter. On the next page you will see the course title and links to the different content areas of your course.

What if I have problems with the technology?

If you are having problems accessing the course or have questions about navigating within Blackboard you can contact technical support at (715) 365-4409, or email helpdesk@nicoletcollege.edu

For first-time Blackboard users, we have scheduled several opportunities for more formal Blackboard training. Please feel free to attend one of the following sessions. No reservations are necessary.

• Wednesday, January 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lakeland Campus, Computer Lab
• Thursday, January 17, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Lakeland Campus, Computer Lab
• Thursday, January 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab
• Friday, January 18, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab
• Tuesday, January 22, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab

What should I do first?

When you access the course, check for announcements from the Blackboard Administrator or me and then select the Syllabus button on the left side of the screen. Open and read the Syllabus provided . I encourage you to print this document and the course schedule and save it for future reference. It will guide you through the activities and assignments of the semester.

Next, select the Course Documents button on the left side of the screen. Review the activities in this area to become familiar with the online course environment.

We look forward to working with you in Nursing Health Alterations! Please e-mail us at bdamos@nicoletcollege.edu and jjohnson@nicoletcollege.edu if you have any questions.

See you in the classroom (read you online) in 2008

Bev Damos, MSN and Julie Johnson, MSN, APNP; ADN Faculty