Comprehensive Nursing Skills Exam and Academic Policy Review

Total Identified Skills: There are a total of eight core skills identified in the curriculum that students may be tested on. However, the specific list provided in the announcements includes approximately nine specific focus areas.
Testing Format: During the final skills exam, students will be required to perform exactly two skills selected from the list.
Selection Methodology:
- The specific two skills are not disclosed in advance.
- Instructors may use different methods for selection, such as placing the skills into a bowl and having students pick their assigned tasks.
- The examination follows the checklist provided by "Miss Manila" and "Miss S" in the Orban system.
Simulation Equipment: The laboratory simulation mannequins are equipped with specific medical apparatus, such as a tracheostomy, which students should be familiar with during their review.

Students are expected to be familiar with the following skills as part of their final exam preparation:

Handwashing and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): These may be tested as a single combined skill or separately depending on the instructor's preference.
Vital Signs: Specifically noted as "vital signs with manual blood pressure."
Bed Making: Standard procedures for preparing patient bedding.
Perineal Care: Procedures for both male and female patients.
Injection Landmarks: Identification of proper anatomical sites for various injections.
Injection Techniques: The physical administration of medications via injection.
Catheter Care: Maintenance and hygiene related to urinary catheters.
Medication Calculations: Mathematical proficiency in determining correct dosages.
IV Drip Calculations: Mastery of flow rates and infusion timings. The formula for drip rate is often expressed as: $\text{Drip Rate (gtt/min)} = \frac{\text{Volume (mL)} \times \text{Drop Factor (gtt/mL)}}{\text{Time (min)}}$

Specific behavioral and procedural guidelines were discussed to ensure students do not fail based on common habits:

Avoid Hand Shaking: Students must not shake their hands to dry them at any point — not at the beginning, middle, or end of the process. This is a common habit that results in point deductions.
The "Praying Position": Upon completing the handwashing procedure, students are advised to hold their hands down in a "praying position."
Drying Procedure: While holding hands in the praying position, the student should pause, think, and then use one hand to retrieve a paper towel.
Verbatim Feedback: The instructor or senior student noted that everyone, regardless of background, has a natural urge to shake their hands, which must be consciously resisted.

Significant changes have been made to the class schedule, leading to student concern regarding work-life balance and clinical requirements:

Cancellation of July 25th Class: The class originally scheduled for July 25th was canceled by the instructor.
Makeup Date (August 1st): The missed class from July 25th is scheduled to be made up on August 1st.
Consecutive Class Dates: Due to the rescheduling, students are now required to attend classes back-to-back on Saturday, August 1st, and Saturday, August 8th.
Reason for Change: It was disclosed that the instructor had a personal commitment, specifically a baby shower, necessitating the reschedule.
Impact on Students: Many students already have work shifts scheduled or family commitments (kids) during these periods. Specifically, one student mentioned being scheduled to work on the 18th, 25th, 1st, 8th, and 15th.

Program Classification: This is strictly an "hourly program." Students are required to account for every hour of instruction.
Clinical and Class Conflict: If students miss class to attend clinicals (due to funding issues or scheduling overlap), those class hours must be made up regardless of the reason.
Institutional Hierarchy: The institution has explicitly stated to students: "We are not here to accommodate you. You are here to accommodate us."
Schedule Flexibility: Students are warned never to schedule work or other activities on their days off, as the schedule is subject to change at any point without student agreement.

Student Context and Relationships:

One student mentioned being in a relationship for eighteen years, though they were only married for a portion of that time, starting the relationship at a very young age.

Discussion on Schedule Changes:

Student Question: "But who actually said that that was happening?"
Response: It was posted in the Orban system. Students are advised to monitor how the administration words things and to take pictures of the schedule before it changes further.
Dialogue on Clinicals: A student recounted that clinical schedules were released for other classes first. By the time they reached their class, funds had run out, leading to students missing class for clinicals and subsequently being told they must make up those missed class hours because "clinical is not class."
Conflict regarding Baby Shower: Students expressed frustration that a personal event like a "baby shower" was sufficient grounds for a teacher to change a fixed schedule, whereas students are expected to arrange their entire lives around the program's shifting dates.