Main Content
Syllabus
Course Description | Overview | Topical Outline | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Policies
Course Description
NURS 410: Introduction to Forensic Nursing [3SH (3, 0)]: Examines forensic nurse's role recognizing injuries/patterns of injury. Evidence collection procedures are examined from collection to courtroom presentation. Prerequisite: Prerequisite or concurrent: NURS 245 and NURS 409.
Key to Semester Hour Designation: 3 SH (3,0) = 3 Semester Hours
3 semester hours in lecture, 0 semester hours in lab/clinical
Each semester hour in lecture = 50 minutes contact
Each semester hour in lab/clinical = 3 hours (or 180 minutes) contact
Therefore, this 3-credit course would meet for three (3) 50-minute lecture periods and zero (0) hours of clinical hours per week over a semester.
In general, you should plan on spending 9-12 hours per week on the course. For a more detailed look at what each lesson entails, as well as due dates for assignments and activities, see the Course Schedule.
Overview
This course, an exciting part of the nursing forensics certificate, examines a forensic nurse's role in recognizing injuries and patterns of injury and will include an in-depth video of an autopsy. You will have an opportunity to delve deeper into evidence collection and preservation. This course will build on the concepts and skills introduced in NURS 409. The process of identifying, collecting, preserving and then transferring evidence is crucial to the justice system. Your role as the forensic nurse is to function within the forensic nursing practice guidelines and provide supportive and objective care to all patients.
The importance of being objective cannot be emphasized enough. Each patient needs support, reassurance, and resource sharing but your emotions can never enter the decision making process. As a nurse you will continue to attend to the medical needs of your patients. Your forensic role should compliment your care. Remember to critically think through a forensic lens - consider why they present the way they do, why the injury looks like it does, what might have caused it, does the injury match the explanation?
You are building your forensic knowledge with each course, building to the NURS 411 course where you will go into the community and actually work with a forensic expert. Your hospital, organization, and patients will benefit from this coursework.
Topical Outline
- Legal aspects of evidence collection and preservation
- Crime scene analysis
- Forensic photography
- Physical evidence
- Trace evidence
- Forensic toxicology
- DNA analysis
- Living forensics
- Manner, method, and cause of death
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will:
- Discuss the role of the forensic nurse in the collection and preservation of evidential material in accordance with law enforcement and the medical examiner/coroner.
- Identify injuries/patterns of injury and deaths with forensic implications.
- Discuss considerations for evidence collection across the lifespan.
- Identify the role of the forensic nurse in the multidisciplinary team, providing service from initial contact through courtroom adjudication.
Evaluation Methods (Dependent on Site)
Evaluation methods may include quizzes, examinations, written assignments, simulations, reflective journaling, care planning, and mid-course and final clinical performance evaluations.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Required and Recommended Texts (Dependent on Site)
Course textbook (required and recommended) selections are dependent on program faculty and campus site. The College of Nursing uses the current APA Manual criteria for all written assignments.
Articles that you are required to find for any assignments must be cited and must be current, meaning within the last five years.
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
| Help | If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information about completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Additional Software
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Buying Software section of the Course Materials page.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
|
Due
|
Assignment
|
Points
|
|---|---|---|
|
Lesson 1
|
Legal Aspects of Evidence Collection and Preservation assignment (written) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 2
|
Crime Scene Analysis assignment (written) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 3
|
Forensic Photography assignment (written) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 4
|
Patient Presentation/Triage Assessment assignment (poster presentation and discussion in Yammer) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 5
|
Physical Evidence assignment (written) |
50 points
|
|
Lesson 6
|
Trace Evidence assignment (watch interview video and fill out paperwork) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 7
|
Interdisceplinary Resources assignment (discuss in Yammer) |
50 points
|
| Lesson 8 | Living Forensics assignment (written) | 100 points |
|
Lesson 9
|
Evidence Collection assignment (written) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 10
|
Autopy assignment (written) |
200 points
|
|
Lesson 11
|
Lab Analysis assignment (written) |
100 points
|
|
Lesson 12
|
Final Assessment |
400 points
|
| Total: |
1500 points
|
Grading Requirement
Students must achieve a letter grade of C or better (based on the Nese CON grading scale) in both theory and clinical components of all nursing courses in order to pass the course and progress in the nursing program. The faculty of record is responsible for assigning the final grade the student earns in the course and for ensuring the grade is recorded into the official University grade reporting system (LionPATH).
|
Letter Grade
|
Percentage
|
|---|---|
|
A
|
94-100
|
|
A-
|
90-93
|
|
B+
|
87-89
|
|
B
|
83-86
|
|
B-
|
80-82
|
|
C+
|
77-79
|
|
C
|
75-76
|
|
D
|
68-74
|
|
F
|
Below 68
|
A student must achieve a minimal final course grade of 75% for successful completion of the course. Each individual examination score is reported to the hundredth place, e.g. 92.76, and not rounded up. Only the final course grade will be rounded up. A final course grade of X.50 will be rounded to the next highest whole number (example 72.50 = 73). A final course grade of X .49 would not round up (example 72.49 = 72).
Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies.
Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS:
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is committed to the academic success of every student so that they can fulfill their academic goals. Students are ultimately responsible for seeking assistance if experiencing academic difficulty and are encouraged to reach out to the course instructor, academic advisor, and/or the Director for Undergraduate Nursing Education for resources to aid with academic success. Students are encouraged to seek assistance early and use internal and external resources, such as tutoring, as necessary for success.
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION:
Students are expected to progress through the program in a timely manner in compliance with an individualized plan of study. One of the responsibilities of the RN to BSN Student Admissions and Standards Sub-Committee is to monitor the academic progression of students in the nursing program. The committee believes that the student is ultimately responsible for seeking assistance when experiencing academic difficulty. However, the student may need to know that their progress is being monitored and that the faculty is committed to helping the student achieve success. This plan for early identification and follow-up of students experiencing academic difficulty is designed to ensure that students are well informed about strategies for success, including university resources and assistance. Detailed information is available in the student handbook.
APA Grading Guidelines
It is essential in professional and academic writing that each author follow formal formatting guidelines. In Nursing the profession follows the American Psychological Association guidelines or APA. We are currently in the 6th edition of the guideline book which if the version you should follow for this course. Below are the expectations for the use of APA in this course:
- Every assignment shall contain a references page with each reference in APA style.
- Every assignment in which you take information from other sources (most assignments) will include citations for where you obtained that information either in-text if direct or close to direct quotes or as a reference at the end.
- You will be provided with the opportunity to get used to APA format for the first few lesson assignments, but after that you are expected to have reviewed the APA resources (see the link in the left menu) and will use those resources when formatting and when you have questions about a formatting issue.
- Starting with the assignment in Lesson 4, up to 15 points will be deducted for not following APA guidelines. Point deductions will be determined as follows:
- 15 points if no APA formatting was provided (missing reference page, no in-text citations)
- 10 points will be deducted if some formatting exists, but it is incorrect
- 9-1 points if items or details are missing from the citation such as missing punctuation
MAKE-UP OF ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment dates are scheduled and specified in the syllabus; therefore, it is expected that students will adjust their schedules to accommodate for assessment completion. Recognizing, however, that one cannot plan to avoid severe illness, family death, or a few other limited circumstances, make-up assessments and extended completion times will be given in exceptional circumstances.
Failure to communicate the absence before the assessment due date will result in a 10% deduction of the assessment score. The 10% penalty is calculated from the assessment's total possible points, not from the grade achieved on the assessment. (For example, if a student scored 80/100 on an assessment, 10 points will be deducted for failure to communicate the absence and the student would earn a 70/100 for the assessment.)
A plan for making up the assessment must be completed within ten days of the due date unless an alternative plan is developed with the faculty. If there is no communication received from the student within ten (10) days, the student may receive a zero on the assessment.
Course Schedule
NURS 410 Course Schedule
- Course begins:
- Course ends:
Activities are due by Sunday at 11:55 PM at the end of each week's timeframe below, unless otherwise noted.
| Timeframe: | |
|---|---|
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Readings: |
Textbook
Additional Readings |
| Videos: |
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Activities: |
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Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deceptions and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- cheating,
- plagiarizing,
- fabricating of information or citations,
- facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
- having unauthorized possession of examinations,
- making copies in any manner of exams or papers,
- submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, and
- tampering with the academic work of other students.
At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a statement clarifying the application of academic integrity criteria to that course. A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor. If students believe they have been falsely accused, they should seek redress through normal discussion with the instructor, department head, dean, or campus executive officer. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant referral of the case to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, or if the instructor will award a final grade of “F” in the course because of the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process (review Academic Integrity information, policy, and procedure on the College of Nursing website).
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response..
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us.
Additionally, World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
- Penn State Academic Integrity site
- Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
- Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)
Course Policies
Registration Status
All students in "Registration Not Complete" status must resolve issues before the first day of clinical or before the 10th day after classes begin, whichever comes first. Students who do not complete registration will not be able to remain in nursing clinical courses. University policy on completing registration can be found at the Office of the University Registrar.
Attendance, Student Responsibilities, and Conduct
- Attendance and participation in all scheduled classes is expected and will be monitored. Excessive absence can seriously affect a student’s success in passing this course.
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If an assessment event (examination, quiz, presentation or other form of assessment for grading) will be missed due to an unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled assessment event. (See Make-Up of Assessment Methods)
- Requests for missing class or an evaluative event due to reasons that are based on false claims may be considered violations of the policy on Academic Integrity and/or the Student Ethical Behavior Guidelines.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
- If extra credit assignments are offered, they must be offered to all students and should not be used to boost the grade of an individual student.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
- For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the Senate Committee on Student Life Policy on Managing Classroom Disruption will be followed.
Additional Course Policies
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.
Senate approval: 2003
Revised: 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2011